Michigan State University Athletics
Preseason Camp Update No. 3
8/20/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 20, 2009
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State football team is gearing up for its second scrimmage of preseason camp. After Thursday's practice, the media had a chance to meet with defensive line coach Ted Gill, offensive line coach Dan Roushar and several players, including center Joel Nitchman and quarterbacks Kirk Cousins and Keith Nichol.
In other news, Nitchman was one of 43 centers named to the 2009 Rimington Trophy Watch List. The Rimington Trophy is awarded annually to the nation's top center.
Kirk Cousins, sophomore quarterback
On how much he is enjoying camp...
We have had a lot of fun. Every year, every time we open up a new session, like spring ball or summer workouts or fall camp, the more I've been here, the more relaxed you get, the more comfortable you get, the more you kind of know what's going to happen next. So, you can settle in, have fun and enjoy the process more. I have watched myself be able to, every year, take a step forward and understand what's going on, and enjoy the process more. It has been a fun camp.
On his performance during the team's first scrimmage...
My play wasn't quite what I wanted. I need to play better; I think there are a lot of factors that contributed to that. I am not going to compare, that isn't my job, that is the coach's job. But, I wasn't completely disappointed, I don't feel like I played a terrible game, or had a poor day at all. The scrimmage setting has always been something I haven't thrived in since I have been here. I have played in probably eight or nine scrimmages, and I could tell you that I have probably walked away from one scrimmage that I have said I played well in.
Like I said, there are a variety of reasons for that. It wasn't my best day, but one practice doesn't determine anything. I did play in five games last year, three of them against top-10 teams in the country. I don't doubt my abilities because of one day, or what I can do. I know that the coaches don't either. Obviously, the scrimmage is an important thing, and we are either going to scrimmage again, and I need to come out and play well and I understand that. I need to improve my play, definitely.
On the play of the offensive line...
They are doing a great job, working hard. The offensive line has it the toughest out of anybody during camp. I can complain that my shoulder hurts a little bit, or my ankles, or my knees. But it's nothing compared to those guys during camp, and they are having to come out every day and block one another and technique. Having Coach Roushar teaching them everything, it wears on them and they just keep pushing and pushing. I really admire them for their effort that they are giving, and we are going to rely on them this year, just like any team does on their o-line. They are doing a great job, they are keeping their head down and keep working. We are doing our best to keep them up and keeping them up and positive, because they know that we need them, but we are trying to keep them up, because it is tough during camp.
On the talent around the quarterback position...
It makes my job easier as a quarterback. Anytime you have talent around you it makes your job easier, whether it's the o-line, or it's the skilled positions. But, like I said before, we are really excited about the receiving corps from the tight ends to the wide receivers, to even the running backs, and how we are going to be able to use them. Again, that is the coach's job to figure out the personnel and who is going to be on the field. But, no matter who it is, we are excited about spreading the ball around.
On his relationship with Keith Nichol...
People ask us, `hey, are you friends,' and we say, `yeah, we are definitely friends, why wouldn't we be.' I guess you could say we are about as good of friends as we can be, considering we are both going after something that only one of us, we've been told, can have. So, we have to keep that in perspective, but we have a fine relationship, and there is no animosity there beyond the competition.
Keith Nichol, sophomore quarterback
On camp so far...
Personally, I think I have come a long ways since day one. I felt I was miles away from where I was, even at the end of spring. The progression from the first day of camp, till now, has been amazing. Coach Warner has helped me out a ton, teaching me literally after every play and telling me something new, even if there is a big touchdown, he's got something for me, so I am very appreciative of that.
As far as the team goes, I think we are all pulling together. Every day we are getting closer to game one. Once that first game starts you're into the season, and then there is no looking back. Everyone has a little anxiety right now, we are getting ready, but at the same time we know we have some time. But the team is pulling together, the defense is playing well, and the offense is really coming together as a unit. It's exciting and we are all anxious.
On his journey so far...
Looking back on the whole ride, the whole journey, I have learned a ton. I don't think like, `hey, what if I don't play,' because in my mind I am getting ready to play in the first game. I want to lead this team to a Big Ten Championship, and that's what it's all about. Really, it is up to the coaches and what they decide who's going to win the games, that's fine with me, but in terms of that, I don't think like that. So, just getting ready to be the starter, you have to prepare yourself.
On how he has adjusted his game...
I think it came down to just really understanding exactly what the coaches wanted out of their play concepts, just kind of getting comfortable with the offense, trusting the offensive line, just a lot of those little things. Understanding the offense has really helped me out a lot. You are going to take a hit not matter if you run or pass, so you might as well just get the yards with the pass sometimes. Coach Warner has really helped me out a lot with the reads, and getting me through the system.
On the team not choosing sides on a quarterback...
It just speaks to the character to the type of guys we have. It comes from the top. Coach Dantonio has really instilled that kind of character into the guys, because a quarterback controversy can really split up a team, and that is just the worst thing that could happen. You need everybody going the same direction; Coach D has put that into our system since day one.
On his relationship with Kirk Cousins...
Our lockers are right next to each other. I'll even talk to him after a play and ask him, `hey, what did you see there,' because it helps me get better, and I'll talk to him about what I saw. In the end, it just comes down to moving in the same direction. We try to help each other get better, because when I am teaching him, I am learning, and when he is teaching me, he's learning and I am learning also. We are the same age, so it makes it a lot easier. We are both from the same side of the state; we have the same kind of character. We are both blue-collar guys, we just want to win so badly, it doesn't really matter.
Joel Nitchman, senior center
On what his personal goals are...
What I have always felt is that if the guys in the backfield are successful, then that means we are doing a good job. So my goal is that if we are doing well rushing as an offensive line, then that's how I feel successful personally. Individually, I would like to have great games, but I just want us to win and I want our running attack to be successful.
On Jared McGaha...
He is a good guy. He works hard; he is very explosive and very strong in the weight room. I think he has one of the best cleans on the whole team. He just has to keep working with Coach Roushar, keep developing his technique, and he is going to be a great player here.
On the scrimmage...
I felt the offensive line played well. In the clutch, they performed well. So, that was a big thing. Coming out of that we felt that we just need keep working on our technique for running the ball. I think we will be successful when we can do that.
Defensive Line Coach Ted Gill
On the play of Trevor Anderson...
Trevor is a lot stronger; he's faster and has a lot of knowledge of the game. Every year he gets better and better. Trevor has been with me for six years. He has been with us for a long time, so he knows what he has to get stronger at. When I correct him, he knows right away and he will correct himself. What he has been smarter in this year, more so than anything else, is that he has been able to adjust very quickly on some things, whereas some guys, you have to walk them through it and talk them through it. Right away Trevor understands and knows what he has to do to get better.
On the young guys...
Blake Treadwell is going to be a very good player. He is a good, strong, hard-nosed guy and plays very hard. He has good technique and I think he is going to have a very good future. The other guy I like is Dan France inside. Those guys are one to two peas in a pod right now, because they are able to do what we want them to do a little bit. Right now, just like any other freshman, they are struggling technically. I think they are going to be a lot better once they understand that. The other guy is Denzel Drone, from the Tampa Bay area. He is a great athlete. We saw that in him as a player, he has a skilled guy who has a lot of athletic ability. He is learning how to do those things that I think will really make him a very good player. So, I am really excited about those guys right now.
On the defensive line...
The biggest thing is, they are going to give us a lot of different formations. They are going to give us a lot of ways to attack. They will do different things. When you do that, you will find out what your guys can and cannot do. Hopefully I can get a rotation of maybe four tackles, maybe five, if need be, and maybe four or five ends. Hopefully this year I can roll more guys, and give them an opportunity to play, at the same time being more effective, because we have guys who are about the same.
On going with a rotation on the line...
What it means is that practices are going to be a lot livelier. If a guy knows he is going to play, he will take a special interest in getting himself ready to know, and if knows he is in that rotation, then a guy will be very intense in practice, he will really work hard to make himself better. I think it will give us an opportunity to be a better team.
