Spartans Prepare To Open Spring Football Drills

March 22, 2006

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) - John L. Smith can't wait to see this year's Michigan State football team.

He saw enough last year (5-6, 2-6 Big Ten) to know the Spartans need major improvements on defense and special teams, as seen by six losses in their last seven games.

"We're excited about the competition we're going to have at most positions," Smith said of his fourth Michigan State team on Wednesday, two days before the first of 15 spring practices. "There are going to be some first-team spots available. And people will be fighting for those spots."

The Spartans should have more than 80 players on scholarship this season, a first in Smith's tenure. That depth might make the difference when injuries hit in October and November.

"I'm real excited about the new guys who are here, the junior-college guys and the freshmen who are on campus right now," Smith said. "Knock on wood, I just hope they're as impressive when they hit the field as they've been in offseason workouts, in the weight room and in the classroom."

Michigan State will be without wide receiver Matt Trannon, offensive linemen Kyle Cook and Tom Kaczmarek and linebackers Kaleb Thornhill, Seth Mitchell and Rob Tabatchnick for health reasons this spring.

But fifth-year quarterback Drew Stanton, who threw for 279.7 yards per game last season, and sophomore running back Javon Ringer, who averaged 74.5 yards rushing, are healthy and cleared for contact.

Sophomore Brian Hoyer and red-shirt freshman Domenic Natale will battle to be Stanton's backup.

"We feel comfortable about Drew, but we have to develop a second-team guy," Smith said.

Stanton will have to adjust to new quarterbacks coach Dan Enos, who led the Spartans to their last Big Ten title in 1990.

"The thing that's crucial for this offense is the development of the offensive line," Stanton said of a unit that has lost three starters. "When we can get time to push the ball downfield and stretch people vertically and horizontally, that's when this offense is at its best."

Few Michigan State runners have had more big-play potential than Ringer, who averaged 6.7 yards per carry as a freshman. He rushed for five touchdowns, two fewer than junior power back Jehuu Caulcrick.

"Now that I'm more comfortable with the offense, I should be able to play more freely," Ringer said. "Last year was a real learning process. Now it's time to show what I can do."

The Spartans will open with Idaho and Eastern Michigan the first two Saturdays in September, then travel to Pittsburgh and host Notre Dame. They won't face Iowa or Wisconsin in conference play.