Mark Dantonio
This time last year, MSU football head coach Mark Dantonio faced the task of turning around a football program, but spring practices this year will take it to the next level.
“Last year was about earning respect and self-respect, handling adversity, not coming apart, not unraveling,” Dantonio said Wednesday. “This year has got to be about finishing … and trying to understand the difference between winning and losing is so small that if you blink, you’ll miss it.”
And the team apparently blinked a lot in 2007 — losing six games by seven or fewer points. Dantonio said those close losses have taught the team a lot.
With Dantonio now in his second season as head coach, the returning players have a better idea of what to expect in spring practices, which begin Tuesday, as opposed to the offseason overhaul they experienced last year.
“We’re not looking to … reintroduce new things,” Dantonio said. “We’re trying to critique what we’ve done and move the process forward.”
Dantonio said his goals going into spring practice are to “develop a foundation of who we are,” identify new leaders and fill holes left by key departing players such as Devin Thomas, Jonal Saint-Dic and Jehuu Caulcrick.
Gaining yards
With Caulcrick’s eligibility up, senior running back Javon Ringer said he’s ready to be the premier back on the team, and he’s confident he has a shot at breaking some records.
“I really feel like now, with the type of offense that we have, I feel like I do have a really good shot at it,” Ringer said.
Ringer underwent shoulder surgery immediately after the season ended to “clean up certain things,” Dantonio said, but Ringer said he feels fine and expects to participate in non-hitting drills.
Dantonio said he plans to stick with a two-back system and with Caulcrick out, there are a number of running backs who will vie for his slot.
Currently, 5-foot-10, 202-pound junior A.J. Jimmerson holds the No. 2 spot on the spring depth chart, with redshirt freshmen Andre Anderson and Ashton Leggett next in line.
Moving on
After starting an entire season, senior quarterback Brian Hoyer said he will spend this offseason improving minor aspects of his game, such as not locking onto one receiver.
“Now that I have the whole offense down, I can go out these 15 practices and work on the finer things,” he said.
Redshirt freshman quarterbacks Nick Foles and Kirk Cousins will compete for snaps behind center, Dantonio said.
Incoming talent
The MSU receiving corps has some big shoes to fill with Thomas opting to forego his eligibility and declare for the NFL draft.
Sophomore wide receiver Mark Dell and senior wide receiver Deon Curry are currently listed as starters, but when Dantonio was asked if anyone reminds him of Thomas, he replied, “I think an incoming guy does.”
Incoming players freshman wide receiver Fred Smith and redshirt freshman B.J. Cunningham are widely expected to be the top competition for starting spots in the fall.
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However, Saint-Dic’s departure leaves a big hole to fill on the defensive line.
Junior Trevor Anderson, senior Brandon Long and freshman Tyler Hoover are the three who will attempt to fill Saint-Dic’s shoes heading into spring.
Defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi said he expects the 6-foot-7-inch, 275-pound Hoover to make an immediate impact.
“Because he’s so physically big and strong, he could make an impact immediately for us,” Narduzzi said. “Matter of fact, I shouldn’t say could — he’d better.”
