It was a random Saturday afternoon in the middle of winter 2010, about 7 weeks after the Spartans’ football season had ended with a loss at the Alamo Bowl in Texas. Kirk Cousins and Mark Dell needed a place to work on their footwork, their routes, and their timing. It just so happened that they used the gymnasium at the school/church that myself and my children attend and I was able to be there to witness it.
I know that players work during the offseason. And I know they work hard. But what I witnessed that night gave me tremendous hope for this year’s Spartan offense. Kirk Cousins and Mark Dell spent a sweat-filled hour-and-a-half dropping back, scrambling, dodging, moving, running routes, passing and catching in a non-descript gymnasium in Holt, Michigan. I was simply amazed by the speed of the throw, the thump of the catch, the squeak of the shoes on the basketball court floor. Take a look at some of the pictures I took of that afternoon at the bottom of this article.
If these 2 players’ off-season workouts were indicative of the Spartan offense as a whole, than Spartan fans have a lot to look forward to this year. So, after looking at the overall view of the team, the special teams, and the defense, let’s look at the offense.
Cousins
In just one year, Kirk Cousins has gone from a hard-working, hopeful, red-shirt sophomore embroiled in a quarterback dual to an experienced junior leader of a very impressive-looking offense. There are even discussions of his skill landing him as a first rounder in the NFL Draft at some point. I’m not going to go there just yet but it will not surprise me if it does happen someday. Simply put, Cousins has worked his tail off and has grown into his role as team leader and field leader. He has done everything in his power to put himself and his team in a position to win. He has the quick release, the durability, the leadership mind and the physical attributes to put it all together. But he knows not to get ahead of himself. In media day interviews, Cousins was complimented in a backhanded manner by reporters for giving a cliché answer (“we are going to take it one game at a time”) without sounding cliché (“my first concern is my first snap against our first opponent… then I’ll take it from there”). And he’s right – as an example, there is no reason to worry about an 8pm Notre Dame night game until we get past our annual MAC game and a road game in Detroit.
The only question now is if Cousins will actually perform to his highest ability – the Spartans need a great performance from the QB position to have a great year. Right now, I predict that if Cousins stays healthy in 2010, his name will be a national name come this time next year.
So who are Cousins’ weapons? Who is in his backfield?
We all know that to be successful, MSU’s offense needs a strong running back corps. Sophomores Larry Caper and Edwin Baker return from last year after sharing the ball-carrying load after Glenn Winston was kicked off the team (I now officially say good riddance to Glenn Winston and his gang mentality and will no longer speak of him as a Spartan).
Caper
Short and stocky at 5’11” and 220 pounds, Caper can cut side to side and hit the speed button when he gets into the backfield. He is a good blocker and an effective outlet as a receiver for Cousins when needed. Baker, 5’9 and 208 lbs, will likely continue to spell Caper when needed as the second half of the main RB platoon. The experience that these two sophomores bring from last year is important, especially given the fact that their short yardage man this year is likely to be Le’Veon Bell. Bell, a 6’2” freshman who enrolled early and participated in Spring ball, should be on the receiving end of a Cousins’ handoff when MSU needs 2 feet on third down or a goal-line punch-in TD. Don Treadwell says he appears to have all the qualifications of a Big Ten back – I picture him as the next Jehuu Caulcrick, rumbling and stumbling across the goal line.
If Coach Mark Dantonio is happy with these 3, it is possible that he will put a red shirt on freshman Nick Hill. Hill, 5’6” and 182 lbs, has blazing speed, a great ability to make cuts and an innate ability to avoid would-be-tacklers. It appears that, from enrolling early and learning the offense, Hill is doing everything he can to make an impact this year. Even if no one runs away and establishes himself as a featured back, the trio of Caper, Baker and Bell (with Hill pushing hard) will keep the backfield legs fresh. In order for the MSU offense to succeed, the RB position needs to perform well.
Keshawn Martin
On the wide receiver front, MSU has depth and experience in Mark Dell, B.J. Cunningham and Keshawn Martin. Dell will continue to excel at both short and long routes and, as a senior, will provide important leadership to the younger players. Dell will make the plays needed to catch the passes thrown his way. While both Dell and Cunningham are 6’2”, Cunningham has 20 extra pounds on Dell and will be able to power up down the field to fight for the ball. Martin is the speedster of the 3 and uses his breakaway speed to make big-time plays, both on offense and on special teams. His middle name should be “YAC” – yards after catch. I see Martin as the front runner for the newly introduced Paul Hornung Award that recognizes the nation’s most versatile player. Add QB turned WR Keith Nichol to this group – all indications are that he will perform well as a wide receiver, knowing what the QB is looking for – and the receiving corps should be able to perform at the level that is needed.
The tight end position is an important one and MSU has depth and talent there. Senior Charlie Gantt is 6-foot-5 and weighs in at 260 pounds – he has great versatility and basically just gets open. Averaging 16 yards per catch over the last 2 seasons, Gantt is definitely a red zone threat for Cousins. Offensive coordinator Don Treadwell has the ability to use a two-tight end set because his other tight end is Brian Linthicum. Linthicum is constantly improving and can get open when needed.
All in all, the offense should be a big-time strength this season for MSU… and it will have to be if Spartan fans want a breakout season.
Pictures of Cousins and Dell working on their skills at Holt Lutheran in February, 2010:
