Spring Football Update: Practice No. 7

April 12, 2012

EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State football team held its seventh spring practice Thursday afternoon on the grass fields outside of the Duffy Daugherty Building.

Prior to the workout, sixth-year head coach Mark Dantonio addressed the media and gave an update on the team as the Spartans reached the halfway point of spring ball.

"We're moving in the right direction," said Dantonio. "Still the goal is to get better every single day as we go through this. We're trying to take one practice and put it on top of another one and continue to get into situations that allow them to function as players. Things are going well though. (The) depth is getting stronger and stronger and opportunities are coming for our younger players."

In terms of the number of practices, this week is the busiest on the spring calendar for the Spartans. In addition to Thursday, the Spartans held a practice earlier in the week on Tuesday and are scheduled to practice Friday before holding their first spring scrimmage on Saturday. Following the scrimmage, MSU will host the annual women's clinic in the afternoon.

"We're looking for the young guys really to show out, to play hard, and to make a name for themselves," Dantonio remarked on what he wants to accomplish during the scrimmage. "I think one of the surprises of the spring so far has been (red-shirt freshman linebacker) Darien Harris. I think he's playing very well; he's active. So we're going to see how he plays in a scrimmage situation. Obviously it's a very competitive thing with Taiwan Jones there as well. You have certain positions across the board that are very competitive right now, which gives us strength as a football team."

Thus far, Dantonio likes what he has seen from his team during the first half of spring practice.

"I look at it and ask are we getting better as a football team," he said. "We've got some gaps, just like every football team in America right now, that we're addressing. I'm happy with the chemistry of our football team and the attitude and the work ethic that we come out here with. When you're getting their best, you have to be happy with that."

INJURY UPDATE: Dantonio said sophomore wide receiver Tony Lippett suffered an ankle injury on Tuesday and that "we may lose him for the rest of the spring - we may not - but we'll see." Before the injury, Dantonio said Lippett had been taking "great strides in terms of what he's been able to do."

As for the rest of the receiving corps, Dantonio said, "They're young receivers, so as you go, you see good things, but you're looking for consistency. What you have to remember is guys like (DeAnthony) Arnett, he's still a freshman, and this is his first spring. Keith Mumphery is going into his second spring really. A.J. Sims has been very solid and looks good out here - he makes catches."

In addition, junior cornerback Darqueze Dennard will be sidelined for the remainder of the spring with a shoulder injury.

POSITION UPDATE: Sophomore Jeremy Langford has moved from running back to wide receiver for the remainder of the spring.

"I really feel like he's too good of an athlete to play one position and be the fourth tailback," commented Dantonio. "We've got to get him on the field, just like we did last year with special teams. Last year it was at corner, this year it will be a little bit at wide receiver. He's a guy who catches the ball well down the field and does some things naturally like Keshawn (Martin) did, so we'll see how he does."

Dantonio also said Dan France, who started 13 games at left tackle in 2011, has taken some reps at guard with Skyler Burkland at tackle.

"We've been doing well on the offensive line," said Dantonio. "Everything that we've able to do I think points toward that we have a foundation right now moving forward.

"It's just a matter of getting everybody the number of reps. But that's a good thing - we've got numbers on the offensive line and we've got numbers on our defensive line. So when you have that, it gives you great luxury."

Michigan State will conclude its 15 spring practices with the Green-White intrasquad game on Saturday, April 28 at 1:06 p.m. EDT in Spartan Stadium.