Foles to fight

Must be the offseason, huh? As a byproduct of the Keith Nichol "situation," this blog has become a nightly fireside chat with the fathers of the quarterbacks who are actually on MSU's roster.

    Like Don Cousins on Thursday night, Larry Foles was candid and forthcoming on Friday night. Also like Don Cousins, Larry Foles made it clear that his son will stay and battle if Keith Nichol ultimately does end up at MSU.

    "He doesn't care if it's Terrelle Pryor coming in, he's going to compete," Larry Foles said of son Nick Foles.

    Let's be clear about something that should be obvious here. No one in this situation is going to say, "If so-and-so transfers in, we're transferring out that day!" However, I've dealt with situations like this in which the party in question was more or less noncommital. Larry Foles, like Don Cousins, was quite adamant that a Nichol sighting on campus won't inspire any bags to be packed.

    He also made this clear: The Foleses and the Cousinses had not been informed of anything concrete yet (as of Friday night) regarding a Nichol transfer.

    Nick Foles, of Austin, Texas, originally committed to Arizona State, then opted out and signed with MSU after new coach Dennis Erickson came aboard. Foles was going to stay with ASU, Larry said, but Erickson added another quarterback to that class after promising not to do so.

    "It was incredible how many lies he could tell in a week," Foles said of Erickson. "That guy, he couldn't even look you in the face after that."

    One of the reasons Foles picked MSU was because Nichol opted out of his verbal commitment (given to John L. Smith) and went to Oklahoma. Now Foles is facing the possibility of competing with Nichol, after all.

    "He ain't happy," Larry Foles said of Nick, referring specifically to this potential situation, not Nick's overall frame of mind at MSU. "It's kind of like, you wonder why. But it's not in his control, the only thing in his control is what he does."

    If you were Nick Foles or Kirk Cousins, would you be happy? No way. But it doesn't sound like either guy is going to respond with a kneejerk transfer if Nichol shows up. A day after hearing of the Nichol possibility, Larry Foles was understanding, he said, because he has a good relationship with Dantonio.

    "You really need four quarterbacks in the system. But having three in the same class is kind of hard," Larry said. "You've got three guys, how do you get that many snaps? But last year, everything Mark Dantonio said he'd do, he did, and he's a man of high character.

    "He'll always be that man you can trust. He'll make mistakes, maybe, but he'll own up to it. I know that for a fact. He's one of the best in college football. Coaches are gonna do what they've got to do. It's their job, it's a tough job, they're making millions and they have to win. If you think (Nichol) is a great quarterback, how can you pass on him? He'll bring in as much talent as he can, and let the competition begin."

    For the record, Larry Foles agrees that it would be unusual in the least to see three viable QB competitors, in the same class, all on the team together in 2009.

      "I wouldn't be surprised if the No. 3 guy does leave," he said, "but that's down the road."

    Also for the record, Larry Foles feels pretty good about his son's chances to end up being the No. 1 guy. Nick is 6-5, 240, after all, with a huge arm and a terrific background. He blew up Drew Brees' passing records at Austin Westlake High, turning in a huge senior year despite a bad shoulder. And Larry, admittedly biased as he is, says his son's best attributes come out during competition.

    "In a game situation, when it's on the line, he's something else, man."

    It's not a stretch at all to think that Foles would beat out Nichol anyway. Foles has all the tools and fits this offense perfectly. ... Of course, Nichol is a formidable talent and it's always an asset to have a quarterback who can make plays with his feet as well. ... But wait, did you see Cousins in the spring game? Very impressive.

    In other words, spring football 2009 might actually be fun to cover.

    And it appears you can count on Kirk Cousins and Nick Foles taking part in it, whether Nichol ends up at MSU, Michigan, Cincinnati or elsewhere. Foles has already played some QB musical chairs and isn't looking for more.   

    "He thinks (MSU) can go to big-time places, and he wants to be a part of it," Larry Foles said of his son. "He feels like, 'I'm not gonna fight the process anymore. I'm gonna deliver.' "

   

Comments

[Kevin]

I'm not sure how much of it is your choices of the quotes to put in here the last two nights Joe, but these fathers seem to have their heads on straight. Very good things to say, yet they seem understanding of the situation. It's very positive for MSU.

[spartanforever]

Lets wish Connor Dixon,"BEST WISHES,"I think Pitt would be a great fit for him and I,for one, will follow his career.We are loosing an asset I think.

Regarding all the QB's,never mind same class,if a kid emerges next season (that looks better then all of this group),does this mean he will be passed up because,"we have so many now?" I like Foles attitude and I hope his father is correct about him-I don't look on his father as bragging about his son,just giving an honest assesment(he knows how cruel fans can be).Best wishes Foles!!!!!!

[bingo]

Foles needs to earn it. They all need to earn it. If Hoyer shows his usual inconsistency, Cousins and Foles both need to be ready. Nichols is a ghost, a name, and a 4th string reject. He does'nt bring anything to MSU but "I'm sorry." Just another unproven looking out for number one nobody.

[Hey. Don't Step on the 'S'! (aka Cmoney)]

Well said bingo. Why are we so cought up in this...?

[DSJ]

Bingo, neither redshirt freshman can be expected to play as well this season as Hoyer did last fall. That "usual inconsistency" line is off-base.

Aside from maybe OSU's Boekman, who would you rather have starting at MSU this year from the Big 10 than Hoyer?

There's no one that I can think of, and that includes Painter.

[m manos]

DANTONIO WILL MAKE THIS TEAM GREAT . HE HIS SO GOOD AT GETTING THE BEST TALENT ON THE FIELD . NICK AND KIRK ARE GOOD Q.B.'S. HOYER WILL REALLY DO WELL BUT HOW MANY TIMES DOES A QB MAKE IT THE WHOLE SEASON .

[David]

I have defended Hoyer in the past, and I really do wish he does well. He played exceptionally well against Purdue & Penn State @ the end of the season. And, the nice thing about college football (as opposed to the NFL) is that you go from having a rookie QB to a veteran QB in 1 yr.

One thing that really does bother me about Hoyer, however, are the fumbled snaps. That's one trend that HAS to stop. ND scored their 1st offensive TD of the season following a fumbled Hoyer snap. Penn State scored their final TD of the regular season after a fumbled Hoyer snap. Boston College's 1st TD was gift-wrapped after a Hoyer fumbled snap. I don't even care whether it's Hoyer's fault or the center's fault, but that MUST stop! Kids in Rocket football are benched for that fundamental mistake!

I do hope that Hoyer doesn't have a hangover from the Bowl game against Cal. The worst thing that can happen isn't an MSU defeat. Rather, the worst thing is for Hoyer to lay an egg again, which would spur a QB controversy one game out of the chute. Hoyer is a senior & he needs to play like one & not make costly mistakes. I want to see Foles & Cousins get their crack @ the starting job, but NOT this yr. The time is not yet right.

DSR

[Psyc]

Joe,

You need to get the quotes from these two fathers on the big recruiting websites for all potential student athletes and thier parents to read! (Just in case this blog is not one of thier main stops)

This type of regard coming from a parent whose son is in a difficult possition is incredible.

[jimb]

Nichol was a bust at last year, so why are we even interested!? Let's get on with the season. Or is Dantonio just trying to keep Nichol away from Scum by offering him a place at MSU??
If I were Foles or Cousins I would be upset if Dantonio sets a place at the table for a guy that turned his back on MSU!
I hope this does not ruin the chemistry of this team.

[vnflcards]

This may sound crazy but what if they didn't redshirt Nichol and left him as a junior for the 2009 season?

That would clear up the logjam at QB, maybe light a fire under Nichol to become the starter for his las 2 years and still give him a redshirt year if he doesn't win the job in 2009.

Just a thought.

[tim]

I don't understand why everybody is so upset with Nichol. He never committed to Dantonio. Michigan State fired the coach he committed to and to say that he is spoiled and only looking out for himself is absured, anyone would do the same that has his talent. Nichol was barely beaten out for the starting QB job at OU by another Frosh. who went on to lead the nation in Passing last year. Competition at quarterback can only help MSU next year. How many times have State fans complained,"If we only had a quarterback" and now those same fans are complaining about too many good QB's. It's a nice problem to have if you ask me. I live in the Phoenix area now and watch a lot of Arizona State games and beleive me when I say it is good to have more than one good qb who can come in and play.You need more than one guy over a 12 or 13 game schedule.

[bfsparty]

great to hear a father contrast erickson with md. just confirms what we know. the nichol thing leaves many of us pondering what to feel. But I do feel for sure that we have a solid pipeline with foles and cousins on him like white on rice, and maxwell coming in, so maybe nichol should look elsewhere, for everyone involved.
GO STATE: have not been this into my alma mater program in many years: we have a great leader, great AD, and great fans: pure upside and exciting years to come

[spartan fan]

This is great for MSU football and speaks volumes about Mark Dantonio. It's about time MSU had 3 or 4 talented kids battling out for the QB spot. Times have been lean not that long ago.

Hoyer needs the heat under him that Foles and Cousins can generate. I don't want to place the blame all on Hoyer's shoulders, but he is inconsistent and has that nagging problem of concentrating on one receiver the whole way. A DB's dream. Remember the Bowl Game?

I like what Bingo said, too!!

Now if we can get the O line solidified, the D line hungry and mad and angry, the LB's smelling the blood in the water, and the DB's fixed.....maybe, just maybe.....

[Mhoward]

Foles and Cousins need to stand their ground anf find out just how good they are. Competition will bring the cream to the top. Have faith in our coaching staff. They will make the decision for the best of our Spartans. Keep the Faith State.

[David]

Tim: one correction needs to be made to your post. Nichol was the third string QB @ OU, not the 2nd string. Your saying that he was "barely beat out" implies that he was 2nd string, and that's false.

DSR

[spartanforever]

I am officially a Foles fan--you gotta love a kid that puts the pressure on his shoulders to be great!!!!I hope the other kids take on the challenge and join him.When you sit back and be safe you do just enough to get by-that does not translate into a lot of wins in the big ten.That added pressure helps you to be sharp and not make that bone headed mistakes-and it helps no one when no one mentions what lost us the game-or it becomes a debate. Other teams and fans can tell you what the problem is but why should they (just continue silent laughs).

I want to see Hoyer pressed to the nth degree,and I hope he wins out that way-not just handed the job.I want to see our qb earn it -it does not sound to good when you talk like Hoyer is ordained the job-after all he started all last season.I ask again what if he got hurt early???What if someone was playing better in practice but we are starting Hoyer because he's "experienced,"you earn your time as you go.I don't think there is any Spartan fan who does not hope Hoyer sets the world on fire...if he does not-lets see who can!

[Jonny Marzetti]

I can see why John L. Smith and Erickson where such good pals, they are both a couple of scum bags.

[rg]

Thanks for the informative observation, Jonny.

[DoctorWorm]

I'm usually all for getting new talent, but I don't like the idea of undercutting Foles and Cousins like that. They've been working hard, and they both have some talent. And yes, there was a coaching change, so we can't indict Nichol for switching. But some people stayed on and believed in the program, and I think we should give those guys the first shot at starting for quarterback. The fact that they're willing to stay and fight for the position shows their strength and their character.

[yertown]

Let's hope Nichol comes, and then welcome him if he does. He made a mistake, and he's just a kid. As to Foles and Cousins, they are both overrated. Foles is slow and has big feet - another Gus Ornstein. Cousins has no arm - he does not have a Division 1 throwing motion. He's a third stringer at best who will make you pray for the return of Bill Burke. We need Nichol if he'll come.

[TD]

It is too soon to call Nichol a bust or to be able to say that either Foles or Cousins are sure bets. None have seen any significant game time action.

Don't be so quick to discount Nichol's talent from his experience at OU. Yes, Nichol was third string at OU, but it was a very close competition last spring and he eventually got beat out by Bradford who only went on to lead the nation in passing efficiency. It made sense for Nichol to become the third string as oppose to the back-up because it is much easier for a more experienced player to prepare on fewer practice reps (Halzle had 2 more years in the system).

It depends on Nichol and the new situation he enters, but it is possible for him to sit out next year ('08), red-shirt in '09, and be a RS-Soph in '10 on his way to being a 6-year senior in '12 (don't forget that he enrolled early). Could make for some great, talented competition at the QB spot at MSU that we haven't seen in a while.

[Mike]

I say bring in the talent and let them compete. No one will say a word if Nichols comes in here and leads MSU to a big ten championship. I guarantee it. Winning is all that matters to all you blogers on this site - like it or not - it is the truth.