Michigan State HC Jonathan Smith says physicality was good in first day in full pads
EAST LANSING – Things to be on schedule during Jonathan Smith’s inaugural training camp as Michigan State’s head coach. The new Spartan boss spoke highly of work that was being done in the trenches during the team’s first day in full pads.
“Was really pleased with the physicality,” Smith said. “We did some live tackling, a limited amount, but I thought it was good for the guys to continue to progress and play.
“They are working hard a week into it. I’ve been pleased with the effort, attention to detail. We’re throwing a lot at them. It’s not flawless or perfect in any way but I do appreciate the effort these guys are giving and battling each other day-in and day-out.”
The Spartans practiced indoors on Monday, beginning at about 10:30 a.m., right as a thunder storm was rolling through campus.
The Spartans went through individual drills, and did some live tackling.
“It (the live tackling) was a scripted, kind of controlled, about 24 plays of it, with three groups,” Smith said. “Eight plays per guy. The way we’re trying to practice and thud-tempo and get in a great body posture to make tackles, but we’re staying up, staying off the ground. We’ll have a few scrimmages this camp where it will be live tackling.”
Smith said battles continue to take place for spots on the Michigan State depth chart. He didn’t elaborate on who the starters are, and where the key competitions are happening. But Monday’s scrimmaging with distinct first, second and third strings gave players an idea of where they stand, as they head toward the first closed scrimmage of the month, which is scheduled to take place on Saturday.
Smith said intensity was good on Monday, and not just because full pads were on.
“I think it was more the live piece that we did a little bit early in practice that definitely raised it,” he said. “These guys have had shoulder pads (on, for a few practices). The intensity has been pretty good each day.”
The Spartans have dozens of new faces on the 118-man roster. There are 43 new scholarship players on the team, several of whom will be in the two-deep. Morphing new personnel into a team unit has been a key objective throughout the off-season, with its importance increasing during training camp.
“We’re trending that way, a week into it,” Smith said. “This is going to be a huge two weeks, kind of coming together, settling a depth chart, schematics, tightening up a bunch of details, go about two weeks and then we’ll be prepping for the first game.
“To me, it’s the ultimate team game and you want to be coming together as a team. It’s a big group. We’ve got 118 guys, let alone the staff, so it’s important beyond just knowing the scheme, but also knowing your teammates.”
LEADERSHIP HASN’T BEEN LACKING AT MICHIGAN STATE
Aidan Chiles photo by Dane Robison for SpartanMag.com.
Smith hasn’t complained about a shortage of leadership. He’s said several times that there is a long list of players who have been singled out by their teammates as positive leaders. Some leaders are guys who have been on campus at Michigan State since January, and some have been on the team for several years.
“When you think about Mav (Maverick Hansen), and J.T. (Jordan Turner), and Cal (Haladay) has been here a long time and he has influence, and Nathan Carter, and I could keep going,” Smith said.
Sophomore transfer quarterback Aidan Chiles exudes the “it” factor, as a leader while playing the most important position on the field. When Turner was fielding interview questions following practice on Monday, Chiles playfully interrupted the proceedings by asking two questions of his own:
1. Who is your favorite teammate?
2. Can we go to Chipotle after this?
In answering the first question, Turner said Chiles, Wayne Matthews and Nick Marsh are his favorite teammates.
And the answer to the Chipotle request was a “yes.”
It hasn’t taken long for Chiles to become a unifying figure in the locker room.
“I think he is kind of an inviter,” Smith said. “He gathers guys. A connector. He’s approachable and he knows guys. And we’ve been working on that as team, not just strictly football this camp, but getting to know each other and doing some events and things and guys are diving into it.
“I like group. We’re not there yet. We’ve got a bunch of work to continue to do, but I think they’re coming together.”
Setbacks have been few, if any.
“No strong disappointments,” Smith said. “I think they are buying in, and working and trying. Same with the staff, kind of coming together. We do know that it’s a work in progress, and excited about the work, the day-to-day of becoming a tight-knit unit and a very competitive team, down-in and down-out.”
Smith was asked if he has been enjoying these early stages of a rebuild.
“I have been,” he said. “Kind of the mindset. New adventure. Implementing from the ground level. I’ve really enjoyed that.
“Watching these coaches teach, coming together as a staff, really thinking through what we want to put the practice through. Watching these guys go out and work, not even just practice, but the walk-throughs, the team meetings, position meetings, I enjoy.
“The way they work together. Let’s face it, we’re going offense-defense, nonstop in all these days. The way the staff continues to work, it’s good. Competitive. But then just now, practice is over and those guys are conversating on ways to get better and have a good time doing it.”
Jonathan Smith photo by Dane Robison for SpartanMag.com.
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