2013 Scouting Reports: Michigan State

[Brad]

Michigan State's QB situation not as clear as it seems

 

 

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Less than 3 minutes to play. Michigan State had the ball at its 8.

 

The score? Michigan State 10, Michigan 9. If the Spartans could string together a couple of first downs, they would win.

 

On second down, MSU quarterback Andrew Maxwell dropped to pass but couldn't find an open receiver. "It didn't develop how we hoped," Maxwell said, "or how we planned."

 

Maxwell threw it away, erring on the side of caution. The Spartans went three-and-out and had to punt. The Wolverines got the ball back, kicked a field goal and won the game.

 

And Maxwell is still kicking himself over that second-down pass play. "Maybe, I could have gotten it in there late," Maxwell said. "Maybe, I could have scrambled and made something happen."

 

That one play did not lose the game. But Maxwell knows he might have won the game by getting a first down. And that illustrates what the coaches want in their starting quarterback this season. They want somebody who can make a difference.

 

They want to find somebody who makes good decisions. But just as important, they want somebody who can create something out of nothing in a moment of chaos.

 

Will that quarterback be Maxwell, who struggled at times last year?

 

Or will it be Connor Cook, who replaced Maxwell in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl and led the Spartans to victory?

 

Right now, Maxwell is listed as the starter.

 

But Cook is competing for the starting job.

 

"I think it's a good thing for us because you feel like you have more than one," quarterbacks coach Brad Salem said. "We just need to figure out who is … the best one."

 

What is a creative quarterback? It is the ability to keep a play alive.

 

"Even if it's as minimal as sliding in the pocket to have another half-second to get rid of the football," Salem said. "It's not running around for 5 seconds."

 

This summer, Cook attended a camp with QB guru George Whitfield Jr. in San Diego. Other quarterbacks who have worked with Whitfield include Andrew Luck, Donovan McNabb, Cam Newton and Johnny Manziel.

 

Whitfield teaches creativity and reacting to chaos by practicing in strange places. "We worked in the ocean," Cook said. "You have water resistance when you are dropping back. Then all of a sudden, a wave crashes in behind you, which simulates a defensive lineman falling onto your leg."

 

Cook dropped to pass, and Whitfield would throw bean bags at him. Or giant yoga balls. Or Whitfield would swipe at Cook with a broomstick to simulate, well, being attacked by witches.

 

"Not every single play is perfect," Cook said.

 

Sometimes, during spring practices, Cook tried to create too much, but he has improved his footwork. He has changed how he holds the ball and has a quicker release. He is more comfortable and more confident.

 

Rest of report

[hm101]

Their defense should be one of the best in the country. Meanwhile we need a qb and a rb. Not a good sign.

[charsibb]

Mr. Sparty QB, I would like to introduce Messrs. Lynch and Giddins. Would you like to be helped off the field, or can you limp on your own?

[feardabull]

Other than running back, michigan state has a bunch of experience at every position.

[Breedwell]

Other than running back, michigan state has a bunch of experience at every position.

 

Fear, read the guy's post on 247. Puts their OLine into perspective.

 

Apparently they've got a freshman/greyshirt/somethin' or another on their OL that is helping them out a lot. but it still could have some issues.  As this guy pointed out on 247 (I don't think its a pay topic, started by an MSU guy), they had like 70 dropped balls last year.

 

So iffy QB would benefit us, but if their WRs still have butter fingers, that may help in the long run.

Gonna check and see if that topic is "free"....

 

e: it is:

 

http://southflorida.247sports.com/Board/59416/Hey-guys-hows-your-fall-camp-going-20464045/1

 

For those who care to read through it, SpartanRocky makes a long and very detailed post about their activities in camp thus far. it is post number 4. 

Edited August 10, 2013 by Breedwell

[tony_stark]

Mr. Sparty QB, I would like to introduce Messrs. Lynch and Giddins. Would you like to be helped off the field, or can you limp on your own?

 

[SpartanMacks]

Other than running back, michigan state has a bunch of experience at every position.

 

TE is also another area where we have a lot of unproven talent. They might be okay but so far we haven't heard much. We return all QBs and WRs, and a lot of experience on the OL considering we've had so many injuries in the last 2 years that plenty of backups have had to start.

 

Defense is loaded across the board. Talent and experience everywhere.

[SpartanMacks]

 

Other than running back, michigan state has a bunch of experience at every position.

 

Fear, read the guy's post on 247. Puts their OLine into perspective.

 

Apparently they've got a freshman/greyshirt/somethin' or another on their OL that is helping them out a lot. but it still could have some issues.  As this guy pointed out on 247 (I don't think its a pay topic, started by an MSU guy), they had like 70 dropped balls last year.

 

So iffy QB would benefit us, but if their WRs still have butter fingers, that may help in the long run.

Gonna check and see if that topic is "free"....

 

e: it is:

 

http://southflorida.247sports.com/Board/59416/Hey-guys-hows-your-fall-camp-going-20464045/1

 

For those who care to read through it, SpartanRocky makes a long and very detailed post about their activities in camp thus far. it is post number 4. 

 

 

Our OL is shaping up to be something like this:

 

LT Jack Conklin (RS FR, 6'6 326lbs)

LG Blake Treadwell (RS SR 6'3 304lbs)

C Travis Jackson (RS JR, 6'3 283lbs)

RG Dan France (RS SR, 6'6 312lbs)

RT Fou Fonoti (RS SR, 6'4 298lbs)

 

Lot of experience there. France has started the last two years at left tackle but redshirt freshman Jack Conklin has been VERY impressive. If he locks down LT then we move France in to guard where he can be a good player (he was mediocre at LT). On paper, the OL should be pretty good but the injury bug has hit them hard the last two years. When healthy, i'd expect them to be a plus.

 

QBs and WRs were VERY young last year (in terms of experience, not class standing). They should be better this year but I have to see it to believe it.

[lotsofbull99]

Michigan State will destroy us.

[The BullRush]

That's what I thought about FSU, Auburn & ND. Luckily, I was very wrong.