Spring Game

[johnny2x2x]

Wow, really pleasantly surprised with how the team looks. The back 7 on D is absolutely loaded. O Line played really well. We have a stable of RBs, great TEs, and plenty of talent at WR. And Tyler O'Connor looked like an NFL QB, he is extremely accurate and has a rifle arm. This offense could be surprisingly good.

D Line depth is the only concern that stuck out. McDowell is a beast, Cooper looked good, and Bowers was a big surprise and really held the edge well and made plays. Knox didn't play and he'll be needed at DT. Raquan Williams made a couple impressive plays but wasn't a consistent force all game. We'll need a couple DTs to make a difference.

Overall, it was a good game and there is more talent than ever before. We should compete for a Big Ten Title.

51,000 in attendance. Awesome!

 

[johnny2x2x]

Special teams still suck though.

 

[LuciousGameWinner]

Many saw Terry as a savior and were calling for him to start as a true freshmen when we were a mess at QB (including me), but wow he looks pretty bad out there. 2 fumbles and just looks completely lost. Lewerke looked good for a true freshmen. That pic at the end was bad though.

 

[johnny2x2x]

Lewerke was 2-9, but still looked better than Terry. Terry has terrible mechanics and his arm strength is so so. O'Connor has elite arm strength and accuracy, he also put decent touch on the ball. He is elusive and quick. O'Connor's only flaw I saw was occasionally locking on to one receiver, mostly he made quick reads though.

I also thought we had a lot of receivers making plays including both TEs. By mid season this should be a really good offense. LB and DBs look as deep and talented as any we've had. It's all about the D Line depth IMO, but we have the best D Line coach in the country IMO. I think Bowers may start at WDE, he was impressive and physical.

O Line looked really good. I think Finley is going to be excellent in pass pro, but I don't think he'll be anywhere near the run blocker Conklin was. Machado looks to have taken a big leap and will play a lot this season. It's still going to be Finley, Allen, McGowan, Clemens, and Kieler starting. Looks like Machado, Higby, and Salmon will rotate inside and Padla is the third tackle.

Also, Delton Williams looked great at FB, going to add a new dimension to the O.

Even for the 2012 season I thought that we've improved our overall talent level each season. This year it looks like we took a bigger jump in talent in most years, but a lot of it is quite young and we need some of it to contribute right away on the D Line. Overall, it was a good showing and bodes well for us this season. It's a down year for the conference and we play our toughest opponents at home. We should be in the hunt.

 

[LuciousGameWinner]

The Dowell brothers looked good as well! I think that's the one thing you missed Johnny. Also Malik is an absolute monster inside, but that was expected.

Cox at QB? He had a snap today

 

[johnny2x2x]

The Dowell brothers looked good as well! I think that's the one thing you missed Johnny. Also Malik is an absolute monster inside, but that was expected.

Cox at QB? He had a snap today

Both Dowells played great. David Dowell has 6 tackles and the INT. Tyson Smith was also excellent. Hicks played well, but Smith could beat him out to start at the field corner. Copeland is the next first round pick CB from MSU, he is the complete package. He's bigger, stronger, and faster than Dennard, and has the technique behind it. Cox and Nicholson were flying around and are the top safety duo in the conference. Gaines even made a play. The secondary is loaded and deep, we have 9 guys back there that can really play.

LB is just as loaded and Davis didn't even play. Team is still on the rise. The talent level is higher than ever all over the field.

 

[LuciousGameWinner]

I agree with the talent level being as good as we've had in the Dantonio era. The talent is really young though so it's hard to predict what the season will look like. I was watching the game on Big Ten and Ed Davis got no love from the commentators, they said he might not even start. I think people are forgetting just how disruptive Davis was in 2014. I don't think there is even a question, he's starting this year.

 

[johnny2x2x]

I agree with the talent level being as good as we've had in the Dantonio era. The talent is really young though so it's hard to predict what the season will look like. I was watching the game on Big Ten and Ed Davis got no love from the commentators, they said he might not even start. I think people are forgetting just how disruptive Davis was in 2014. I don't think there is even a question, he's starting this year.

Yeah, if he's 100% he's a first team All Big Ten player. Could play some DE too. Andre Dowell is built perfectly for the STAR LB in our system. So who comes off the bench if Bullough and Davis are starters? Reschke and Dowell are both studs. Fry is a beast too. That's 5 superb LBs. and Shane Jones is a thumper too, he's ready to play a bigger role if needed. And Tyriq Thompson is also ready.

Lyles might play both ways, he is a natural DE and we need him.