'You're not there to play patty cake'

The Young family has good timing. Duane Young lettered at MSU from 1987 to 1990 -- the four-year peak of the George Perles era -- picking up two Big Ten titles and a Rose Bowl victory.

   Now D.J. Young is joining the program for a two-season stint that figures to see more winning than losing. And he figures to play a lot, perhaps as a starter this season, very likely next season as a senior, after Rocco Cironi and Brendon Moss move on.

    It's a proud moment for Duane Young, who you may recall played in the 1995 Super Bowl with the San Diego Chargers. Even before D.J. joined the program, Duane liked how it was changing. Like most of the guys who played for Perles, he's fiercely loyal to Perles -- and his style of play.

    "I'm from the George Perles era, where if you stalemate a guy, that's a loss for the offense," Duane said. "That's how we played. We had guys like Buck Nystrom, Pat Morris coaching us and they taught us that you need to take a guy off the line of scrimmage. You're not there to play patty cake with people. You need to allow your running back to run downhill, hit the line of scrimmage with a full head of steam."

    Duane was happy to see power football to return to East Lansing.

    "It's so great to see the whole Spartan Nation do a complete 360. We're heading in the right direction and there could be roses at the end of it. That's what I'm expecting from D.J., to come out of there with a Big Ten title."

    And to improve his run blocking. If he does, MSU could have significant contributions this season from four transfers: Young, Trevor Anderson (Cincinnati), Brian Linthicum (Clemson) and Keith Nichol (Oklahoma).