COVERITLIVE.COM

12:02

Steve Grinczel - Greetings earthlings.

12:02

Steve Grinczel - I'm working on a story about Chris L. Rucker and the restorative powers of his INT in OT against UM.

12:05

[Comment From Brent]
I don't think Danny Fortener has played enough. Do you agree, Steve? Don't forget it was he who tipped the pass in the end zone.

12:06

Steve Grinczel - Hi Brent. I think you make a good point. I think he may be MSU's most fundamentally sound DB, kind of in the Todd Krumm, John Miller mold. But, I think there are/were guys who maybe had the ability to make bigger plays and deliver bigger hits like Hyde and Jenrette. With Jenrette out, however, I expect Fortener to get a lot more PT.

12:06

[Comment From Josh Locke]
Do you feel MSU will have a let down this week against illinois?

12:10

Steve Grinczel - No I don't Josh because that has not been MSU's MO under Dantonio. It has been nothing short of remarkable that the Spartans have been up for every single game they've played under him. They haven't always played well, but not once because they've been flat or disinterested. They had every reason in the world to be demoralized after 3 straight losses to OSU, Iowa in OT and Michigan in '07, and came back strong against Purdue and PSU. And last year, they could have been fat and sassy after beating UM, but played a terrific game against Wisconsin and got the win with a meltodown assist from Bielema.

12:10

[Comment From Sherwin]
I was very impressed with Johnny Adams as a true freshman last year. Is he hurt or being redhsirted this year? if redhirted then why?

12:14

Steve Grinczel - The intent at the start of the season was to redshirt Adams because it was going to be hard to get him PT with the wealth of DBs in the stable. Then his grandfather died and he missed the Notre Dame trip. Dantonio talked of playing him at Wisconsin, but he didn't. Nor did he play against Michigan. He does have blazing speed. I saw him run Andre Anderson down from behind during spring '08 practice, after spotting him a 20-yard lead. And, I think he could add speed to the secondary. But I think they're hoping to get by without having to burn a redshirt at this point if they can.

12:14

[Comment From Guest]
From what I have seen watching the games Cousins has performed on a much higher level at QB than Nichol has. Not that Keith has been bad, just not as good.

12:16

Steve Grinczel - He's also had more opportunities than Keith. I give Keith the benefit of the doubt because I do think it's hard to go in cold and get into the flow. I thought Cousins was shaky against Wisconsin, but on fire and soooo impressive against U-M. But, I think this new system of rotating Nichol in during series might benefit him. And, I think he's a winner. He was on the field during the game-winning drive, after all.

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