When Mark Dantonio was introduced as MSU's newest head coach, he stressed that players play their best when they play the fastest, and they play the fastest when they know exactly what to do.
Knowing "exactly what to do" wasn't a common theme in the previous coaching regime. Under former head coach John L. Smith and former defensive coordinator Chris Smeland, defensive players wore wristbands that told them their responsibilities based on play calls.
It led to the defense rarely imposing its will on opposing offenses, and the players were not able to play as much on instinct. The wristbands became less of a tool for the defense and more of a crutch.
"I think so," said senior defensive end Ervin Baldwin, when asked if the wristbands were used to a fault. "It was 'Check your wristband before the play starts' before every play. So we're checking our wristbands, and the offense, they're coming up and lining up. This year, it's all about knowing your plays, knowing what you've gotta do."
The defensive scheme put in place by Dantonio and defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi aims to put opponents on their heels.
That's a new concept for some players.
"We're just attacking," Baldwin said. "Just getting out there. Not so much thinking, not so much reading wristbands. You've got to know what you're doing. When you know what you're doing, you play faster, play harder. So we're just attacking — in attack mode at all times.
"Rather than reading the wristband and reacting to the offense, we want the offense to react to us. Everybody plays their gap, everybody knows what to do. Coach D and Coach Narduzzi are just telling us to penetrate and just attack."
Narduzzi told the players they've learned about one-third of his defense so far, so there's still room for growth. But that's okay.
"If you only know one defense, but you know it well, it's better than to have a lot of defenses and not know what to do on any of them," Baldwin said.
Dantonio continued to hammer home this philosophy as recently as Thursday before practice.
"In order to have a commitment to excellence, in order to become excellent in anything, you have to do it over and over and over again," Dantonio said. "It has to become a habit. Not just an act — it has to become a habit. And that's how you get better."
"We'll continue to emphasize the techniques on the offensive and defensive plays and the things that we do and have a plan to get there. We're not there yet, but hey — we're on our 10th practice. That's like being in kindergarten. So we'll get there."
Here to stay
After Smith's firing, then-junior linebacker SirDarean Adams was asked if he would transfer to another school. Adams responded with, "No comment," leading to questions as to whether he would return for his final season with the Green and White.
Adams is indeed returning, and Smith might deserve some of the credit.
"Me and Coach Smith, we were like this," Adams said, wrapping his middle finger over his index finger. "We were real close. I still talk to him every now and then. He just told me to stay with it. I have new coaches — some great coaches. I met Coach Dantonio the first day and just fell in love with him and his staff.
"I was like, 'Oh, man, I have to stay. There's no way in heck I'm leaving here.' It was impossible because I know it's going to be something special."
