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Tell me why our running game will improve?

  • Macks said...

    Jackson was pretty solid across the board for a rs frosh who only weighed like 275. In the Outback Bowl he took on their big NTs 1v1 a few times in pass protection and held his own. That's why we were able to hold Jarvis Jones to like one sack.

    France is supposed to be competing with Treadwell for LG. We'll have a clearer picture in fall practice when Burkland and Treadwell are fully recovered from their injuries/surgeries.

    That's great that he can pass block but that's not what this thread is about.

    Both fonoti and macdonald didn't allow a sack all year. I thought Jackson played well but like everyone has said didn't really push people around up front.

    Seemed like France struggled a lot but he also played the toughest position. To me macdonald and fonoti are starters. The rest of them are up for grabs.

    I would be happy especially this year giving up an occasional sack if it meant they could control the line of scrimmage. Pass blocking was at a premium last year because of cousins and the senior Wrs but this year even with good pass protection I am not sure that guarantees them moving the ball.

    xwing

  • xwing said...

    That's great that he can pass block but that's not what this thread is about.

    Both fonoti and macdonald didn't allow a sack all year. I thought Jackson played well but like everyone has said didn't really push people around up front.

    Seemed like France struggled a lot but he also played the toughest position. To me macdonald and fonoti are starters. The rest of them are up for grabs.

    I would be happy especially this year giving up an occasional sack if it meant they could control the line of scrimmage. Pass blocking was at a premium last year because of cousins and the senior Wrs but this year even with good pass protection I am not sure that guarantees them moving the ball.

    I know it's not, my point was that he did a good job for starting as a RS FR. As he gains experience and gets bigger he will be able to run block more effectively. I would add Jackson to the list of almost certain starters. I think he starts '12 at C and then moves over to OG in 2013 and Allen takes over at C.

    Fonoti and McDonald allowed one sack combined IIRC, but that is an excellent job overall. I would also like to see a bit more physical run blocking ability from Fonoti. I think he is capable of it and now that he is accustomed to B1G speed he should be able to do it. McDonald has been solid.

    This year there is no doubt that the focus will be on running the ball because we are breaking in a new QB and new WRs.

    Macks

  • Macks said...

    I know it's not, my point was that he did a good job for starting as a RS FR. As he gains experience and gets bigger he will be able to run block more effectively. I would add Jackson to the list of almost certain starters. I think he starts '12 at C and then moves over to OG in 2013 and Allen takes over at C.

    Fonoti and McDonald allowed one sack combined IIRC, but that is an excellent job overall. I would also like to see a bit more physical run blocking ability from Fonoti. I think he is capable of it and now that he is accustomed to B1G speed he should be able to do it. McDonald has been solid.

    This year there is no doubt that the focus will be on running the ball because we are breaking in a new QB and new WRs.

    Yeah Jackson played well. He was a freshman all American 1st and 2nd teamer in one publication each.. Probably right about him Starting.

    I guess you just have to hope that he improves with having a year under his belt. Another possibility is to move him to guard if Allen is really that good.

    Seems like fonoti should get a little bigger having a while year to work with ken mannie.

    I guess we will see what happens. MSU also has a ton of players who are itching for pt like treadwell. They are good and will proabably push each other.

    xwing

  • Dick's Fake Eye said...

    However, I'm still not convinced Roushar has it. For example, MSU stubbornly sticks to rushing the football when 10 guys are loaded in the box. bangheadfrustrated

    I remember a handful of folks being pissed off about this exact same thing during 2008.

    Royal

  • Royal said...

    I remember a handful of folks being pissed off about this exact same thing during 2008.

    The frustrating thing was Roushar's inconsistency.

    He called absolutely phenomenal games for Michigan, both Wisconsin games, Iowa, and the second half of the Outback Bowl. However, ND and Nebraska were some of the worst called games ever.

    Macks

  • xwing said...

    Allen's 40 time is a full second faster then Jackson and was a beast in HS. They are both the same size.

    How many times do you see a C running 40 yards? The bigger thing in Allen's favor is that he was a HS wrestling champ in HS. Interior OL is all about leverage and a wrestling background helps quite a bit. Jackson did a great job shutting down Mike Martin last year and as a RS FR only has room to grow.

    I think you see Jackson move to OG next year to take over for McDonald, with Allen sliding in at C.

    Michigan State does not and will not run the 3-4 defense.

    SpartanRocky

  • xwing said...

    That's great that he can pass block but that's not what this thread is about.

    Both fonoti and macdonald didn't allow a sack all year. I thought Jackson played well but like everyone has said didn't really push people around up front.

    Seemed like France struggled a lot but he also played the toughest position. To me macdonald and fonoti are starters. The rest of them are up for grabs.

    I would be happy especially this year giving up an occasional sack if it meant they could control the line of scrimmage. Pass blocking was at a premium last year because of cousins and the senior Wrs but this year even with good pass protection I am not sure that guarantees them moving the ball.

    McDonald allowed 1 sack, Fonoti allowed 0.

    I think Treadwell is all but set at LG.

    Michigan State does not and will not run the 3-4 defense.

    SpartanRocky

  • http://sports.yahoo.com/news/ncaaf--fbc-best-units-offensive-line-rankings.html

    TDot20273

  • SpartanRocky said...

    McDonald allowed 1 sack, Fonoti allowed 0.

    I think Treadwell is all but set at LG.

    Treadwell gone. Should get interesting.

    Keeping the sunshiners in check since 2000.

    Tanfan ●

  • Two words:

    Spin move

    ROtown Sparty

  • I'm a bit surprised nobody has mentioned blocking on the outside. Rocky kind of touched on it with the FB and TE changes but what about blocking from recievers? Last year we had a bunch of seniors with the strength and experience, especially Nichol, to help down field and we still couldn't break any long runs. I think the o-line improves and Bell will be a beast but my concern will be blocking passed the line of scrimmage and for Roushar not fucking it up by passing when Bell is getting 6 yards per carry.

    Calmer than you are

    Mister Green

  • Mister Green said...

    I'm a bit surprised nobody has mentioned blocking on the outside. Rocky kind of touched on it with the FB and TE changes but what about blocking from recievers? Last year we had a bunch of seniors with the strength and experience, especially Nichol, to help down field and we still couldn't break any long runs. I think the o-line improves and Bell will be a beast but my concern will be blocking passed the line of scrimmage and for Roushar not fucking it up by passing when Bell is getting 6 yards per carry.

    Bennie Fowler: 6'1", 218 lbs.
    Keith Mumphrey: 6'0", 208 lbs.
    Juwan Caesar: 6'4", 212 lbs.

    We've got plenty of guys with the size to block. We can also put Caper, Bell or Langford on the LOS if we want. There's no issue there.

    There's nothing anyone can do about Roushar. Narduzzi became a better in-game coach between 2009 and 2010, hopefully Roushar can too.

    This post has been edited 2 times, most recently by chairman meow on 8/17/2012 at 9:09 AM

    chairman meow

  • 1st: on the O-Line is number one. I-lines develop more as units the individuals more than any other position group. Changing pieces with other pieces who hadn't worked together much last season hindered development.

    2nd: Experience in play calling. Rosher was "young" in the position last year. Early on his play calling in terms of when to pass and when to throw on an opposing D was...what's the word I'm looking for...."common?" or something of the like. He didn't surprise anyone.

    3rd: Bell/Caper/Hill/Palazeti/Tompkins are a more experienced group in their respective roles than Baker/Bell/Caper/Hill/Anderson. Bell is the clear "work horse", Caper is the clear 3rd down guy, Hill and or Tompkins are clear change of pace guys, Palazeti is a natural FB not a converted LB (he may actually get more than one carry).

    4th: I think Cousins was part of it. Not very mobile yes, but also I think he audibled away from the run fairly frequently. He also didn't know when to just tuck it and get a few. Which was fine (except for that one play in Dec.) especially when Rousher was still learning. I don't think Maxwell will be changing plays as much, and I believe he'll have a better grasp on when to tuck it and run. I'm not talking about a Shoelace O, but just smart about when to do it.

    However...you may not see numbers in improvement early as I believe teams like BSU, ND and even Michigan/OSU will stack the line and make Maxwell beat them. It will be on Maxwell to loosen up the D's early in order to run and put up "TanFan" acceptable stats.

    signature image

    RPMadMSU

  • Tanfan said...

    Treadwell gone. Should get interesting.

    Should it?

    NigelUno

  • Mister Green said...

    I'm a bit surprised nobody has mentioned blocking on the outside. Rocky kind of touched on it with the FB and TE changes but what about blocking from recievers? Last year we had a bunch of seniors with the strength and experience, especially Nichol, to help down field and we still couldn't break any long runs. I think the o-line improves and Bell will be a beast but my concern will be blocking passed the line of scrimmage and for Roushar not fucking it up by passing when Bell is getting 6 yards per carry.

    Quite frankly the lack of the big run wasn't on the failure of the experienced WRs to block; it was on Baker not being able to read his blockers. Kid had all of Ringer's skills except vision.

    This year, I think you're right to be concerned. It's at least something that has to be considered. I'm not worried about the WR's size or anything like that, but they have to prove that they're good blockers.

    Michigan State does not and will not run the 3-4 defense.

    SpartanRocky

  • SpartanRocky said...

    Quite frankly the lack of the big run wasn't on the failure of the experienced WRs to block; it was on Baker not being able to read his blockers. Kid had all of Ringer's skills except vision.

    This year, I think you're right to be concerned. It's at least something that has to be considered. I'm not worried about the WR's size or anything like that, but they have to prove that they're good blockers.

    I think its a bit convenient to blame it on Baker. Bell had ample opportunity as well. He may not be as fast as Baker but he isn't slow and I think every one would agree he has great vision, at least when hitting the hole. But unless he finds a seam when the defense is cheating up and the o-line is getting a great push they are going to need down field blocking and don't know where thats coming from.

    Calmer than you are

    Mister Green

  • RPMadMSU said...

    1st: on the O-Line is number one. I-lines develop more as units the individuals more than any other position group. Changing pieces with other pieces who hadn't worked together much last season hindered development.

    2nd: Experience in play calling. Rosher was "young" in the position last year. Early on his play calling in terms of when to pass and when to throw on an opposing D was...what's the word I'm looking for...."common?" or something of the like. He didn't surprise anyone.

    3rd: Bell/Caper/Hill/Palazeti/Tompkins are a more experienced group in their respective roles than Baker/Bell/Caper/Hill/Anderson. Bell is the clear "work horse", Caper is the clear 3rd down guy, Hill and or Tompkins are clear change of pace guys, Palazeti is a natural FB not a converted LB (he may actually get more than one carry).

    4th: I think Cousins was part of it. Not very mobile yes, but also I think he audibled away from the run fairly frequently. He also didn't know when to just tuck it and get a few. Which was fine (except for that one play in Dec.) especially when Rousher was still learning. I don't think Maxwell will be changing plays as much, and I believe he'll have a better grasp on when to tuck it and run. I'm not talking about a Shoelace O, but just smart about when to do it.

    However...you may not see numbers in improvement early as I believe teams like BSU, ND and even Michigan/OSU will stack the line and make Maxwell beat them. It will be on Maxwell to loosen up the D's early in order to run and put up "TanFan" acceptable stats.

    roflmao What are acceptable stats for you blower? 0? Last in big ten? It doesn't matter as long was we get a participation trophy.

    Keeping the sunshiners in check since 2000.

    Tanfan ●

  • Tanfan said...

    roflmao What are acceptable stats for you blower? 0? Last in big ten? It doesn't matter as long was we get a participation trophy.

    The only acceptable stat in my book is "W".

    Don't care if they run for zero or 1000 yards, don't care if you or anyone else thinks they show well, look good or put up amazing numbers.

    The OP obviously cares about the stats beyond the W...to each their own.

    signature image

    RPMadMSU

  • Tanfan didn't you hear? Some random publication declared MSU had the 4th best O-line in the country. Therefore there will be no attrition and they will dominate every front seven they face this year!

    5PARTAN PR1D3

  • Because my name is Chris McDonald and I want to run the football.

    signature image signature image signature image

    Btothejizer

  • Papa Shango

  • Papa Shango said...

    Bump

    Looked like they were pretty serious about running the ball.

    A lot of heavy sets and they punished Boise. They punished them on the first drive and on the last two drives of the game.

    On the last couple of drives when Boise state knew MSU was going to run the ball but still couldn't stop it.

    xwing

  • Looking forward to see how the rushing attack performs in the ND game...it's going to be a big test.

    signature image signature image signature image

    Doo Rag Dan

  • Doo Rag Dan said...

    Looking forward to see how the rushing attack performs in the ND game...it's going to be a big test.

    I would have liked to see Bell get 44 carries last year against ND.

    spartanMF

  • Good bump. Because Le'Veon Bell, that's why.

    signature image

    Throwback702

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