MSU updates: Diehl done, MLB still open

A week ago, Jason Diehl was moving around well and it looked like he might be able to give it a go, but MSU associate AD John Lewandowski has confirmed that Diehl has decided to end his career. The bad knee just wouldn't cooperate with the massive offensive lineman.

    Another tidbit from today's interview sessions: Pat Narduzzi said Adam Decker, not Greg Jones, started at middle linebacker in the scrimmage. Jones did play there as well. The newcomers competing at the Will spot, Ryan Allison and Brandon Denson, are not playing as well outside as Decker is inside. So if the season started today, it would probably be Jones-Decker-Eric Gordon.
    There's definitely time for that to change, but MSU needs more from Allison/Denson. And Narduzzi clearly is happy with Decker's play. It's safe to assume all five of those guys will get snaps at LB this season.
    Look for more in Tuesday's LSJ. The next media availability is Thursday.

Comments

[Justin Carpenter]

thats to bad about Diehl. I was really pulling for him, seemed like a great kid.

[vaspartan]

I hope that Diehl gets to keep his scholarship. It is the classy thing to do.

[JackSpartan]

That's a bad break for Jason.

Regarding his scholarship, is it normal for injured players who are no longer on the team to stay on scholarship? I'd be surprised if that's the case. Correct me if I'm wrong but I would assume that Diehl's career untimely ending simply opens up another scholarship for the class of 2009.

[Jeff]

Diehl gets to stay on scholarship, but it won't count against the 85 limit. So, this means another scholarship for Dantonio to possibly use on this year's recruiting class.

[Alum]

From what I know, those retiring from football due to injury receive a medical disqualification keeping them on scholarship at the same time not having it count towards the limit. That opens up a ship for next year.

[stone]

Jones needs to be, and will be the Will. He will make the best defensive leader we've had here in a decade. I suppose he could lead from a side, but I'm betting my dancing shoes he ends up at Will.

[stone]

I mean in the Middle, as in Mike

[DoctorWorm]

Joe, was the offense's victory due to the offense being really good, or the defense being really bad? The defense should be ahead at this point.

[David]

Sorry to hear Diehl couldn't make a comeback, but my hopes were never too high on that. Best of luck in your future endeavors, Jason.

As for linebackers, don't forget about another scenario: the freshman Steve Gardiner could overtake Allison & Denson by mid-season at the OLB spot, in similar fashion to how Jones worked his way into the starting lineup last yr. That would mean MSU would be green @ the linebacker spot with 1 true freshman & 2 true sophomores starting, but they'll be a little green in any event. Allison is inexperienced @ linebacker, and I don't think Denson has played many significant downs.

Now that they have a yr under their belt, Jones & Gordon should be even better this year. Gordon was overshadowed by Jones last season, but had a fine campaign nonetheless.

One question I do have: whatever happened to John Misch? Last time I checked he was still listed on the roster. This time last yr, they were hyping him up as an unconventional LB. He was the starter for the opener last yr, but I don't recall him seeing the field too much after that. Hopefully he's still around to provide some depth. One can never have too many linebackers who double as pianists (or is it the other way around?).

As much as I hate to say it, the loss of Thornhill in the middle is likely to make the MSU linebackers faster as a group. This is not to diss Thornhill; he was a warrior who constantly played hurt, but he simply wasn't very fast & he rarely made big plays. They're likely to miss his leadership more than his ability.

I do hope, however, that Allison gets a decent shot @ being "the man" @ OLB. He came to State as a fairly highly touted WR, but things there never really panned out {although he was a key component in MSU's trick play packages last yr}. This is his last shot; am hoping he's able to salvage his career. As a former wideout, he should be able to evolve into a good cover linebacker; hopefully he can use his receiver skills to pick off some passes!

Guess we'll find out 2 weeks(!) from Saturday. Go State!

DSR

[Joe Rexrode]

You guys are correct on Diehl's scholarship. As for DoctorWorm's question, it's hard to say for sure because we didn't get to see the scrimmage. But Narduzzi said the No. 1 defense stuffed the run, so he was pretty happy with how a lot of guys played. The secondary has some injuries and some miscommunications that led to big plays.

[DoctorWorm]

I thought it was something like that, after seeing that bit on 3-4 day injuries on a lot of the defense. Hopefully we'll be able to fine tune the secondary in time to open at Cal. It's always difficult when the offense plays the defense, cause if one does well, it means the other isn't.

Thanks for the info, Joe.

[Steve]

I still can't get the articles to open properly. Is this still being worked on since I know others had the same problem.

[tyler]

Suck that we lost Diehl, great o line but of fourse the injuries got to him. Best of luck to his career and education. Mentioning that it won't count against the 85 limit scholarships, time to recruit Hugh Thorton or Henry Conway.

[spartanforever]

I wondered what was holding his progress-400+lb bench press don't grow on trees.The very best to him sounds like a fine young man.WE had a kid named Mason about ten years age who was senond team big ten (I think as a sophmore)and contracted cancer-your heart goes out to these guys.

Regarding line backers the most challenged position on the team-I think Gardener and a couple other freshmen will get a chance to shine.The coach's or us should not worry-this is where teams like MSU takes a leap forward.Laurinitis:osu lost one of the best lb groups in college history only to see him emerge in Texas as a sophmore.We have some potentially great kids-its up to our coach's to get them ready and for nthem to have no doubt-this is what they are here for...

We still are ewak at LB and this freshman class need to step up and push these guys and add depth-I would rather see one (or more of them excell).Jones is not a middle backer!He is not the ideal guy to take on blind side hits from 300 pounders (who is right)-the middle is a fierce challenging position,probably the most challenging position in football.We are not ready yet so we make do with what we have.This is where heroes are made-I'm pulling for Decker to lead the team in tackles this season.If he does it will speak volumes.

Thankfully we have a really promising rotation at D-tackle which will take a lot of pressure of our LB"S-indeed this is a team game(the big fellas in the middle get prescious little credit for the job they do).You become a real football officianado when you can see the D-line men do their job and the others get the credit.Last season on a crucial play Jerimiah made an all american play when he stripped an OSU player of the ball after Wiley had just intercepted a pass and scored (I think I got that right-stand corrected).We were totally dominated in that game but that defence reflected a fierceness and stick to it determination that can only reflect a coaching staff that did not give up.OSU's right guard said after the game,MAN-you have to stomp those suckers(MSU)they would not give up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!One more thing we had less than 280 total yards and they were thankful to get out of their own stadium with a "W."

This is the type defence we have,likely the best since Bubba and Webster,thornhill,Viney days.Our D-line should help the LB"S until they get settled than look out-our secondary can look to really be special.Make no mistake though Jones will be most effective where he can use his range ane quick instincts to the ball-he is not an absorb and stand up the center or guard guy.

We need 3 to 5 running backs-not in and out of the game but ready to play at a high level-I think we have them.Ringer must be kept fresh-when we get10-15 point leads other backs need to show why they should start despite ringers accomplishments.This way we all win!

[MSULordyoda]

David, totally agree with you on Thornhill. He may have been the leader but his skills were not up to par with other linebackers on the roster. (Dropped too many interceptions that were right to him; usually made the initial hit on a running back but never stopped them and drove them back, always let them fall forward for an extra yard or two.)

[Mike in DC]

I'm unable to open the articles as well. Before, there was an error message, now they just don't come up--blank white screen...

[marvelousmackie]

It's interesting to see the program allow the big fella an opportunity to walk away. It's good to see the change in attitude from the past. Especially in an area of knee braces,lack of agility in most offensive linemen nationwide. Many are carrying too much weight but it's what the game has become. In regards to LBers taking blind hits from 300 lb linemen that happens rarely. The defensive line is taught to keep LBers free so they can make plays. Diehl's knee must be in pretty bad shape

[Dino in Kalamazoo]

I had the problem with articles not opening up. I just ran a "One Button Checkup" maintenace program and it fixed the problem.