SpartanMag.com - Dell, Clifford among the newsmakers on Monday

August 27, 2007

Jim Comparoni
SpartanMag.com Publisher

EAST LANSING ? The big news from the first gameweek press conference of the Mark Dantonio era centered around the rise of a true freshman wide receiver.

Mark Dell, who was a highly-ranked recruit coming out of powerful Farmington Hills Harrison last year, has emerged as the first-string split end (X receiver), according to the official depth chart released by Dantonio on Monday.

"From day one, he has had an outstanding camp," Dantonio said. "He goes up and gets the ball. He is a play maker. He is going to be a great player here at Michigan State for years to come."

In addition to the pure talent Dell has shown thus far, Dantonio has also been impressed by Dell's toughness. Dantonio said Dell was hampered by some minor bumps and bruises during fall camp, including an elbow injury. But Dantonio was impressed that Dell accepted only minimal time away from the practice field.

Dantonio said Dell has exuded confidence and maturity throughout the preseason.

He moved ahead of junior Deon Curry on the depth chart. Curry is expected to see plenty of playing time on Saturday.

Dell, who was not available for comment on Monday, is also a candidate to return punts. Dantonio said many of the return game specialists are yet to be determined. There are some front-runners, including Dell, < B>Devin Thomas, Terry Love and Carl Grimes.

CLIFFORD DOING JUST FINE IN GYETVAI'S ABSENCE

Senior offensive tackle Mike Gyetvai was not listed on the official depth chart for the week. Dantonio said Gyetvai's return from shoulder surgery is coming along fine, but they are taking their time in bringing him back. Gyetvai is participating in practicing, including some contact drills. But they don't want to max him out just yet.

Senior Pete Clifford has held down first-string duties at left tackle since the day Dantonio arrived. Clifford had a decent spring, and followed up with outstanding summer camp. Clifford has been so impressive that he has risen as a vocal leader, and he was named captain over the weekend, along with running back Jehuu Caulcrick, middle linebacker Kaleb Thornhill and second-string safety Travis Key.

Quarterback Brian Hoyer said Clifford is probably the most vocal of the four.

Insiders say Clifford (6-7, 312, Salem, NH) is the best technician of the starting offensive linemen. Tackles and tight ends coach Mark Staten said MSU's new offense, with its north-and-south attitude, suits Clifford's talents extraordinarily well.

True freshman Aaron Bates has won the starting punting job, over redshirt freshman walk-on Ed Wagner. Dantonio also complimented Wagner for the competition he provided.

Dantonio said sophomore TJ Williams has been reinstated to the practice squad. Dantonio would not elaborate on his availability for Saturday.

Williams, the team's leading receiver after making 26 catches last year, was suspended for internal reasons.

The 6-foot-3, 185-pound Williams, of Tallahasse, Fla., had three TD catches a year ago.

RISING ROOKIES

When asked what freshmen are likely to see the field this weekend, Dantonio said Dell, Bates, second-string Will linebacker Greg Jones, second-string field cornerback Chris (Ohio) Rucker, and second-string defensive tackle Oren Wilson.

Dantonio said third-string running back Andre Anderson, reserve defensive tackles Michael Jordan and Antonio Jeremiah could see playing time. He indicated that they will play at some point this season.

He second third-string defensive end Kevin Pickelman probably won't play this weekend, but needs to stay ready in case he is needed. Dantonio indicated that Pickelman could likely get into the playing group at some time this season.

BULLOUGH A FITTING FIRST HONORARY CAPTAIN

Dantonio announced that former Michigan State lineman and assistant coach Hank Bullough will be MSU's honorary captain on Saturday for the season opener against Alabama-Birmingham (noon, ESPN 2).
MSU will have a Spartan hero from the past designated as honorary captain for every game this year.

Dantonio said the honorary captain will pretty much join the team, beginning late in the week. He will speak to the team before Saturday's pregame meal, he will join the players and coaches in walking from Kellogg to Spartan Stadium, and he will go to midfield with Thornhill, Clifford, Caulcrick and Key for the coin toss.

"He has been a national champion at Michigan State, and when you think about Michigan State football, he is one of the first people you think about," Dantonio said. "Our coaches know him on a first-name basis and our players know him. He has been around (during camp)."

Bullough, a native of Canton, Ohio and still iron-tough, played at Michigan State in the early 1950s and was part of Biggie Munn's 1952 national title team.

Bullough was an assistant coach in the mid-1960s and part of the '65 national championship team.

Bullough went on to a successful career in the NFL. He was an assistant coach for the Baltimore Colts, who won Super III. He had stops as a defensive coordinator for several teams, including the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions, and he was head coach of the Buffalo Bills.

He came back to MSU in 1994 and spent one year as defensive coordinator under George Perles.

Bullough has remained a fixture at all MSU football outings since 1995, and has been instrumental in the development of the MSU Football Players Association.

Back in '53, Bullough made headlines when he and a teammate saved a handful of elderly hotel guests during a minor hotel fire while the team was in Pasadena for the Rose Bowl.

ADAMS 'DOING OKAY' ON SECOND STRING

Senior SirDarean Adams entered preseason camp as a second-string outside linebacker, and remains a second-stringer heading into the UAB game.

The 6-foot, 230-pound Adams, of Bradenton, Fla., started the past two seasons at bandit. He spent most of the spring as a first-string Will linebacker under Dantonio. Then he began summer camp as the second-string Will, behind redshirt freshman Eric Gordon (6-0, 220, Traverse City). Gordon slipped ahead of Adams during the off-season for unspecified reasons.

But Gordon was sharp enough to hold off Adams during two-a-days. With Gordon playing well and the Spartans needed depth behind first-string Sam linebacker Jon Misch, the coaches moved Adams to Sam linebacker.

"We felt SirDarean, with his experience and smarts, could make the most and change positions easier than a young player," said linebackers coach Mike Tressel.

Coaches compliment Adams for his athleticism and play-making ability. But the coaches continue to say that he needs to demonstrate more toughness on a play-in and play-out basis.

Dantonio has been frugal with his comments about Adams during the preseason, and the head man was again on Monday.

When asked about Adams, Dantonio said only: "He is coming along. He is doing okay."

Adams has not been available for comment this preseason.

QUOTEBOOK

Dantonio preaches the importance of the team collective, and the need for everyone from the first guy on the second string to the last man on the bench to be into the game and enthusiastic and supportive on every snap.

"I won't be running out of the tunnel when it starts on Saturday, we will be running out of the tunnel," Dantonio said, in reference to where the focus should be placed. "The biggest thing I look forward to seeing is how we handle success and how we handle failure. I'm not looking for attention-getters. I'm looking for guys to play as a group."

Dantonio on the defensive line: "O.G. (Nwagbuo) and Justin Kershaw have come back and had an outstanding summer practice."

Dantonio appealed directly to MSU fans during the late stages of the roundtable portion of Monday's press briefing when he said, "People need to come (to the stadium) with an attitude. Keep the faith because it's not always going to be smooth sailing, but come with an attitude."

QUICK COUNT

Dantonio said redshirt-freshman Alex Shackleton (6-2, 250) has done a good job as the new first-string long snapper. "I have a great deal of confidence in Shackleton," Dantonio said. "He has had no problem through the entire camp." ? Shackleton, of Breckenridge, Col., succeeds four-year long snapper Brian Bury.

Dantonio has been impressed with sophomore juco transfer Michael Jordan. But there is certainly room to grow. "He needs to set his pads a little bit and learn to play at this level," Dantonio said. "But he's going to be good."

When asked what the strong suits of the defense are, Dantonio said: "The strength of the defense is that we believe in the system. We have some pretty good athletes in the secondary and we are developing some depth up front."

Several new, large framed posters with famous, fitting quotes adorn the hallways of the Daugherty Building this year. They came in with the Dantonio era. Most of the quotes deal with discipline and a team attitude.

Dantonio was asked which of the quotes is the most appropriate for this week. "Right now, 'They all count one' seems to stay in my mind."

That, of course, was one of George Perles's quotes of Spartan simplicity. And apparently wisdom.

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