Football scrimmage No. 2: Defense wins again

The MSU defense held on for its second scrimmage victory over the offense in two tries this spring, thanks to a big hit from first-string linebacker Brandon Denson on fullback Andrew Hawken, after a Brian Hoyer pass on fourth and goal.

   Some scrimmage observations:

    * You heard it right, Denson is a No. 1 right now at outside linebacker. Eric Gordon is on the other side, and Greg Jones is manning the middle. Adam Decker played some in the middle with the ones as well, with Gordon shifting to the outside. Decker is part of MSU's 3-4 package on passing third downs. Decker made some nice plays. Denson-Jones-Gordon is an extremely fast LB corps. Ryan Allison did some good things with the No. 2 defense, as did Jon Misch.
    * MSU's defense looked fast overall, particularly the ones. Otis Wiley was all over the place and made an acrobatic interception of a Hoyer pass. Ends Brandon Long and Trevor Anderson were in the backfield a lot. Roderick Jenrette looks good. No. 1 corners Kendell Davis-Clark and Ashton Henderson were physical in run support. Jones appears to be assuming a more vocal role, that MLB spot suits him.
    * Up front, Antonio Jeremiah had a good day (much more on him in Sunday's LSJ). Oren Wilson, who has been just ahead of Jeremiah at nose tackle, was hurt this week and did not scrimmage today. The specifics and severity of his injury are unclear right now.
    * Chris L. Rucker is giving receiver a try. He's also working at cornerback, and Dantonio indicated that he could do both in the fall. Also, Josh Rouse is getting some work at fullback. Right now, he's No. 3 there and at middle linebacker.
    * Speaking of receivers, MSU definitely needs some help there. Mark Dell and B.J. Cunningham, the No. 1 unit right now, looked solid. Deon Curry (back) is another solid guy who is hurt right now. Blair White made a nice play downfield. But the incoming freshmen, led by Fred Smith, will get a chance to juice up the big-play potential, a point Mark Dantonio makes regularly and made again today.
    * The offensive line continues to be burning question No. 1, in my opinion. Roland Martin (ankle) is out, and Jared McGaha and Mike Bacon shared time at No. 1 left guard. Freshman Joel Foreman appears to have passed junior Brendon Moss at right guard. Foreman looked pretty solid, he'll have a good chance to start -- although Bacon will be in the mix there as well. Right now, MSU is getting Bacon more reps at center, so he'll be ready in the fall if Joel Nitchman gets hurt. At left tackle, Rocco Cironi got beat badly a couple times by Brandon Long, but there's no doubt Long is stepping up his game. Cironi held his own for the most part, and that particular spot is less of a question mark than it was a month ago.
     * Andre Anderson is the most impressive of the three candidates to back up Javon Ringer. Anderson ripped off a 90-yard-or-so touchdown run against the No. 2 defense. He was tracked down from behind with a show of breathtaking speed from freshman corner Johnny Adams, but he shrugged off Adams and kept going. Anderson has major potential. In fairness to A.J. Jimmerson, he had good moments and got much more work with the No. 1 offense, against the No. 1 defense. Ashton Leggett looks like he'll be a physical player some day, but he has to hold onto the ball.
    * At No. 2 quarterback, it looks like Nick Foles is ahead of Kirk Cousins, although that's not definitive yet. I initially thought only Foles got time with the ones, but I was assured after the fact that Cousins got some work with the ones as well. It was definitely short work. Foles threw the ball with a little more zip and authority. All three of MSU's quarterbacks often had trouble setting up in the pocket, because the defensive linemen and linebackers are taking it to the blockers.
    * Hawken is getting more chances in the passing game, because he has the ability and because MSU loses a lot of receiving prowess at tight end. Charlie Gantt did make one loud play, though, making a nice catch above his head, turning upfield and absolutely steamrolling Chris L. Rucker.
   * Finally, Tyler Hoover definitely made his presence known at defensive end for the twos. Hoover, who should be in high school receiving his yearbook right about now, is listed at 6-7, 275 and looks at least that big. He will play in the fall.

Comments

[313Spartan]

Good stuff Joe...really want to know about Oren and his injury, How bad?

[Spartan Sports Page]

Is the O line that bad or is the D line that good? I would assume a combination.

[jomiri469]

The effectiveness of the O line will determine how successful this team is as the offensive skill players will not have the chance to do their stuff without good, solid line play. The defense will be fine as the linebacking corp, a weakness last year, will be much better.

[Michael Motta]

I appreciate your detailed reporting Joe, always da man! But did we really need to know the exact timing of Brian Hoyer's dump? Seems a little bit too personal to me.

[stone]

nice to see Jones spending more time as the Mike. hopefully that becomes permanent. while the D looks to take a step or 2 forward, the O seems more like it might be a half step backwards to a half step forwards. i'd still bet on the forward movement because of ringer and hoyer, plus the 3 headed monster that will be sufficient replacing showtime. remember though, there's not that much room for the O to improve.

good things are comin

[spartan fan]

It all starts upfront with the "O" and "D" lines. I don't care who's in the backfield or split out wide if the "hogs" upfront can't sustain the run block or the pass block bad things have a way of happening. If the down four can't pressure the opposing QB, it's over.

MSU needed better "O" line support last year; looks like this year, at least at this point, the story is the same. Young players need to step it up and prove they're ready for prime time.

It's early yet.

Nice to hear remarks about speed. Been lacking there for some time.

The "D" is usually ahead of the "O" at this point in the year, anyway. No news here.

TE is an important spot. Need to get some solid action there. Was "the missing link" under Smith. Great equalizer in the right scheme. Love that "possession" guy at that position. Roll out the QB and hit that crossing TE for 6,7,8 yrds.

We will need that this year.

Need a tough FB with hands out of the backfield.

Would be nice to have a mobile QB. Lacking since the late 80's. Won't have that with Hoyer.

[pointless ranting police]

MM very dry whit, missed by most, it would appear.

[Chuck from St.Johns]

Thanks Joe,

Sounds like something really good is going on at MSU. "SpeeDfense"?
Anyone?

[spartan53]

Whatever happened to Grimes? Ranked high and speedy but nothing much for four years!

[B Knapp]

It's great that Anderson had the 97-yard run. But did he just go 1 yard in his next 13 carries? I see he finished with 98-yards total rushing for the day on 14 carries. That's disturbing. Though, hopefully we won't even need him next fall -- Ringer for Heisman!!!

[TDP]

Good point spartan53,

IIRC, Grimes was a a 4* WR recruit who signed with MSU on signing day after backing out of a verbal to Florida State.

He has done exactly zero since then even being passed up by his younger brother (and much less heralded recruit) at Notre Dame.

You would think with a gigantic hole at WR this year, he would finally step up but it sounds like he is never going to materialize. Sad...

[Michael Motta]

pointless ranting police, thanks.

What we learned is we have a defense that isn't afraid to get down and dirty.

I say we sit on that play until we get to the Big House and then have Hoyer let 'er rip.

[j haun]

sounds like there is some positive things goin on, like usual, and some negative things goin on, like usual. Ringer is goin to have a stand out year, bein one of the top running backs in the big10. Hoyer should have a better year, now that he is a little more familar with the system. I believe Mark Dell and B.J. Cunningham will both step up at wideout, to make up for the lack of D.Thomas. Hopefully the o-line will fill its holes in. The defense sounds like it could have a good seseaon. Greg Jones is going to be a beast out there. he has looked solid through out spring ball. I think Dantonio is doin some great things for our program. A rose bowl for MSU is in the near future. GO STATE!!!!

[Kevin]

Here you say that the offense can win back the green jerseys next week, but in the article posted today it says that they cannot win until next fall because next week's scrimmage is not offense vs. defense. Which is it Joe?

[Joe Rexrode]

Good catch, Kevin. I've edited that sentence out. The story is right. The spring game, obviously, involves a draft and the splitting of offensive and defensive players. So unless MSU sneaks in another scrimmage this week, which is not scheduled, the defense will still have those green jerseys when camp begins in August.

[Chuck from St.Johns]

M.M., pointless,

The "dump" didn't fall on deaf ears or wrinkled noses. I figured M.M. was still posting as his alter ego "Heckle" of Heckle and Jeckle.

Since you've suggested that "Special Play" I submit we run "Let 'er rip" the first time we go on offense. It would be a pungent reminder to their team the the "Winds of change" were upon them.

[Michael Motta]

I've been known to heckle on occasion, but with Joe (and some other writers) it's intended as good-humored teasing.

[Spartan58]

As stated... its still spring ball but I love hearing about the D flying around and the progression of the D line.

Speed makes up for a lot of things and can lead to bone crushing hits. That is all good for MSU. Hope our young guns in the middle of the D can get a solid push up front. That will continue to help everyone behind them.

The O-line will jell but it'll be a few games into the season before they will play as a real solid unit. Its an area of concern but can be overcome.

GO GREEN!

[Chuck from St.Johns]

M.M.

It was obvious you didn't intend anything other than "good natured humor" in your post. As was mine.

[Chris]

Does anyone know if there will be a garage sale again this year and if so what time it is starting on Sat?

[witless chum]

"Would be nice to have a mobile QB. Lacking since the late 80's. Won't have that with Hoyer."

Is this satire? Poor Drew Stanton, got his helmet broken in a game once and nobody remembers him.

[spartandog]

Is WR TJ Willaims still with the team. I know about his legal troubles but have not heard much about him lately. He looked awesome as a freshman.

[Matt]

From what I heard TJ was kicked off the team. However I have seen him on campus a couple of times.

[jimb]

I thought I read that most of the charges against TJ were reduced to zilch. Can anyone clarify this!?

[Michael Motta]

Chuck, okay, cool :)

As far as T.J. Williams goes, while I don't have any inside scoop on him in particular, my understanding is that in many cases a student-athlete's dismissal from a team doesn't mean that he or she is expelled from the university, nor that the scholarship is revoked.

Anyone else should chime in on how close or far I am from the truth on that.