There's a belief in college football that while some conferences feature a fast and attacking style of play, the Big Ten is known as a slower, more physical conference. But don't tell that to Ted Gill, MSU's new defensive line coach who followed head coach Mark Dantonio from Cincinnati.
Instead of assembling a defensive line full of 300-pound space-eaters, Gill employs a strategy that has his defensive linemen moving around more and being more active.
"What we want is for our guys to be quick and fast," Gill said. "We weren't the biggest people in the world when we were at Cincinnati, but we were quick and fast, and we could change directions, and that's what we're trying to create."
MSU's personnel on the defensive line seems suited for Gill's style of play. Junior Justin Kershaw and senior Ervin Baldwin — who weigh 260 and 270 pounds, respectively — are practicing as the first-string defensive ends. Neither sophomore John Stipek nor senior Ogemdi Nwagbuo — who are projected as the starting defensive tackles — weigh more than 290 pounds.
Last season, MSU was second to last in the Big Ten with 16 sacks. Baldwin and then-senior Clifton Ryan led the way with four sacks each. So although Gill brings in a more complicated system, the players expect improved results.
"Last year … it wasn't as difficult because they gave you a call and you had a wristband. You looked at it and knew exactly what to do," said Stipek, who played in four games in 2006 as a true freshman.
"But this year, the schemes are a little more difficult, but I believe that they'll be a lot more effective."
Part of the reason the schemes are more difficult is because of Gill's attention to detail. There are many factors to take into account when a lineman rushes the passer.
"I'm a big technician guy," Gill said.
"That means hands, feet, body position and all those kinds of things."
And for the defensive lineman, even the seniors, focusing on the details is a new concept.
"(Gill) taught me things I didn't even think about — things like my step, how to use my hands and the angles I take to the ball," Kershaw said.
Mr. Sparty
In his efforts to improve the defensive line, Gill has introduced what he nicknamed "Mr. Sparty" — a contraption that resembles a trampoline designed to train the defensive linemen to stay low.
"What we tell our guys is the person who stays the lowest will be the one who can win," Gill said.
Gill created the device while he was at Iowa from 1990-94 and had one sent to MSU when he joined the staff after the 2006 season. Seven practices into the spring season, the Spartans have been quick to get acquainted with Mr. Sparty.
Kershaw admitted he has already hit his head on it, and the threat of it happening again makes the device effective.
"It'll keep you low," Kershaw said. "When I go through there, I'm thinking about getting the crap knocked out of me."
Second chances
After being dismissed from the team after five games last season, senior defensive tackle Bobby Jones has a chance to return to the team for the fall.
Jones, who is not listed on the spring roster, was charged with assault and battery stemming from an Oct. 15 incident in which he threw a bottle at a woman.
He was sentenced in Clinton County's 65-A District Court in January to four weekends in jail.
"Bobby is right in here, trying to really help us get better," Gill said. "He's really been working hard, and I've really been pleased with his work ethic. He's got a chance, he really does."
During his sentencing, District Court Judge Richard Wells said Jones' record also includes being pulled over twice for drunken driving and one minor in possession charge.
