Spring Practice?

[DirtyDog]

Anyone have any good updates from the spring practice? Seems like there have been much fewer posts than previous years, and us old guys located away from campus would appreciate any insight and observations some of you may have. Also, what happened to our beat writer? Shouldn't there be some blogs, posts, articles, tweets?

 

[dawgstudent]

Here are the beat writers - http://forums.sixpackspeak.com/forumdisplay.php?24-RSS-Feeds-Forum

 

[DirtyDog]

Thanks DS.

 

[Uncle Ruckus]

I posted something similar last week but didn't get anything out of it. Here's a few things I've heard.
Fitzgerald seems to be coming along nicely and doesn't look like he'll be swapping positions anytime soon
Robinson has slimmed up but added more muscle and has looked explosive. Griffin had been doing well as well, hopefully he'll stay healthy.
Offensive line is still in question. Malone hasn't been practicing and many are think he's going to be our RT. Robinson hasn't preformed well in that spot and Johnson hasn't stepped up there either.
Nothing much on the dl except Nick James has lost a ton of weight but still needs conditioning.
Cox has looked like a natural at FS and it's going to be a battle between him, Hughes and market.
Lastly, Derunya has been a beast. He looks like a superstar in the making and if his progress continues we'll finally have a true outside receiver for the first time in the Mullen era.
I've gotten all of this info from guys I know who's seen practice and from various interweb posting so take it for what it's worth.

 

[aTotal360]

Cliche laden review: Like every Spring, our QB is inconsistent with his throws and our OL struggles at times (but Clayborn is filling in nicely). DE & LB are deep. Tubby is the man. We are forcing the ball to Holloway (its a good and bad thing). All of our DBs are making plays. Hughes looks to be 90% (should be 99% come Fall). Nick James has lost some weight and is trending up. Chris Jones is Chris Jones. Fred Ross shows flashes. Fred Brown is sneaky good. Griffin is going to take some carries from JRob. Bell is a damn good punter when his foot touches the ball.

Translation: Like always, we are all-world until we play Auburn.

 

[NCDawg.sixpack]

I'm afraid our OL depth is what is going to make us an average team. For whatever reason, we have just not recruited well enough on the OL. We lost out on just about all of the top OL we have gone after.

 

[DirtyDog]

There was a pretty good post by jmoss on 247, which I plagerized/summarized below:
</TIME>"First and most obviously at the two most important positions we have returning three year starters. Dillon is good and really knows the system. I think there is a really good chance that Clausell makes a roster for at least a few years as a right tackle. Alot of people got down on him early because he had to play before he was ready.

Ok first at the guard positions. Beckwith proved his worth last year. He is seasoned now with 12 starts and I will be surprised if he doesnt end up with another 12 starts this year. Clayborn is a star in the making. I think hes your other starter but he has some competition. You also have Justin Malone. I know he started at guard but to me hes more of a tackle. He could push both of those guys at guard or he could start at right tackle. I expect him to play alot either way. If you pinned be down Im betting the Damien Robinson and him battle for the starting right tackle spot. With the loser being your all important third tackle. I know alot of people are also down on Damien Robinson. He has progressed every year he has been on campus. He really really pushed Siddoway to keep his starting job last spring. He was a very quality backup for us last season. He's either going to be the guy at right tackle or he's gonna be the third tackle which is the role he has had. Both are important roles for a team.

Then you Joquell Johnson when we signed him everyone assumed it was for the right tackle slot. It still might be. He could also provide depth at the guards and play alot. Here are some things I know. Hevesy likes to start people out at guard because in our scheme its easier with less thinking. He did it with Malone and Robinson. I also know Johnson can play. I coached against him in high school and he was the best offensive linemen we saw that entire year. We would have signed him out of high school if he was going to qualify. He will factor in for us some where. Either as the third guard or the third tackle or the starting right tackle. Im guessing the third guard with a chance to be a starter when Beckwith moves on.

Then you have the young guys that will be depth. First I am a huge Cole Carter fan. Mark my words if hes healthy he will be a multi year starter for us at tackle. Hes not quite ready but I see him getting some back up reps at Left Tackle. He and Justin Senior who is very athletic and still only 19 will battle to become the heir apparent at left tackle for us after Clausell leaves. I think both are quality players and will push each other. Jake Thomas is in the same boat at Right tackle. He will be a good player for us there one day. If it plays out like I think it might you will have Justin Malone start at Right tackle the next two years and Jake follow him up for two years. Hes gonna be good but has to continue to develop and he has time. Kent Flowers we will see but hes working at guard. Need another year to get a read on him and his future.

So to sum up... Starters that you should feel good about: Clausell and Day
Probable Starters that you should feel good about: Clayborn and Beckwith
Possible Starter at RT or very quality Depth: Malone, Johnson, Robinson
Guys that can play and we would play other years but dont have to for us: Carter Senior and Thomas
Only thing i am worried about: Whos the backup center?"

I liked the insight from an OL guy on how our current players are looking. OL is very hard for me to evaluate as a layman, but this seemed to shed some light on how things look going into the spring and summer.

 

[NCDawg.sixpack]

What happened to Desper? I thought he was going to be the backup center and is supposed to be pretty good. I think this is he and Carter's 3rd season and they still aren't ready? Also, we've got Muniz, who although he has lettered 3 years, he doesn't play very much, and I don't suppose we can count on him. I would like to share your optimism about this group, but I'm afraid I can't see it.

 

[57stratdawg]

Fred Ross' name comes up quite a bit when I talk to people. Hopefully he keeps it going. He's very smooth, but he's not going to 'wow' anyone with his athleticism.

We have some damn weapons on offense:

Malcomn Johnson
Tubby
Robert Johnson
Bear Wilson
Josh Robinson
Shumpert
Nick Griffin
Fred Ross
Brandon Holloway
Brandon Hill..

all have good experience.

Add in guys like
Shelby Christy
Fred Brown
Darron Hutcherson (JUCO TE)
Aries Williams (I assume will redshirt)

That's probably the most depth at RB, WR, and TE in MSU history.

 

[msstate7]

I'd add artimas Samuel to that list. Think he's gonna be a really good te for us

 

[121Josey]

It would be nice to see this combination about three times a game.

Click here.

 

[aTotal360]

He's got to work on his hands. Last year, I saw him drop more passes than he caught in practice. He made JJ Stokes look like Jerry Rice.

 

[121Josey]

He's got to work on his hands. Last year, I saw him drop more passes than he caught in practice. He made JJ Stokes look like Jerry Rice.

His catching problem has been well-documented. However, he was a freshman last year. Practice makes perfect.**

 

[coach66]

I predicted early on that Fitz is going to

Be a player. I spoke with coach Jamie Michell on Sunday and he said Fitz is turning heads. They knew he could run but they have been very surprised with his passing skills.