The possible departure of junior running back T.J. Duckett would be a “disaster” for the Spartan football team, one top college football analyst said.
ESPN college football expert Beano Cook said if Duckett takes his game to the NFL, MSU would struggle to compete in the Big Ten conference.
“It’s a disaster for them - you can count on two more losses (for the Spartans),” he said. “He’s a heck of a runner, and that’s a tough loss.”
The Spartans 2002 schedule features trips to Michigan and Penn State, along with hosting Notre Dame. Cook said the tough schedule never would have favored the Spartans, but, without Duckett, it would be very difficult.
“Taking the eight conference games and Notre Dame, the best they’re going to do is 4-5,” Cook said. “They’re going to struggle.”
Sophomore quarterback Jeff Smoker said that a backfield minus Duckett would allow teams to tighten up their defense against the pass and star sophomore receiver Charles Rogers.
“I think it’s going to be hard for teams to not worry more about (Rogers), and I think teams learned he’s too hard to cover one-on-one, so he’ll see some combo coverages,” Smoker said.
Opposing defenses could also take on a new look without Duckett in the backfield, Smoker said.
“You might see safeties playing up against us. Teams like to bring their safeties down farther and use them for run support when you’ve got a great back like T.J.,” Smoker said. “So, maybe teams will rely more on their front six or seven guys to make the plays (against the run).”
Smoker added that a crew of running backs could carry the rushing load for the upcoming season.
Dawan Moss, Mark Goebel, Mike McConnell and incoming recruits David Richard and Jaren Hayes all could contribute rushing the ball.
Richard, a blue-chip recruit out of Hazelwood East High School in St. Louis, is from a mold similar to Duckett - big, fast and strong. He finished his senior season with 1,009 yards and 11 rushing touchdowns.
“T.J. is a guy I look up to, and I see him out there doing a lot of the things - and a lot of the things he does, I can do as well,” Richard said. “Every time that he gets a carry, I can picture myself getting that same carry.”
Whether Duckett leaves for the NFL on Thursday, Richard said he’s ready to don green and white for the Spartans.
“If he does stay, he’ll be a great person to learn from and (to have) help me out a little bit,” Richard said. “But if he leaves, I’m ready for the challenge.
“I like his style. But I think some of my biggest assets are receiving the ball and speed. I mean, I’m a big guy, and I like the way he bowls over people, because I do that when I need to. But I think my speed and my receiving ability let me bring a little more to the table.”
But Cook isn’t convinced a freshman can step in and fill the big, quick-stepping shoes of Duckett and save the Spartans from a slide in the Big Ten standings.
“They’re looking at fifth, sixth or seventh place without him - third or fourth (with him),” he said.
Despite Cook’s prediction, Richard isn’t convinced the Spartans won’t challenge for the Big Ten crown.
“I really think Michigan State won’t lose a step. They’ll still have Moss there, and they’ll still have all those other weapons there,” he said. “And if a team does work on containing the pass and really concentrates on pass defense, then that’s just great for the running backs.
“I have a lot of confidence in my ability and in the players I’ll be playing around. We’ll get the job done.”
