Davis is a star. We all know this. It hurts. However, people are starting to throw out wild ideas like:
Delton Williams to LB
RJ Williamson to LB
Cassius peat to LB
I think people need to remember a few things.
1) We have a ton of linebacker depth. We have 7 scholarship players returning at the linebacker position (guys who have at least a redshirt year under their belt); Harris, Harrell, R Bullough, B Bullough, Jones, Reshke, and Frey. That doesn't even include a guy who has played a year of college football (Martinez), a guy who has gone through spring ball (Thompson), and a walk-on who appears to be solid (Harrington).
STAR: Darien Harris Rs Sr
TJ Harrell Rs Fr
Andrew Dowell Fr
MIKE: Riley Bullough Rs Jr
Jon Reshke Rs Soph
Shane Jones Rs Soph
Byron Bullough Rs Fr
SAM: Chris Frey Soph
Drake Martinez Soph
Tyriq Thompson Fr or
Sean Harrington Rs Soph
That potential depth chart doesn't look too bad to me.
2) Chris Frey is pretty damn good. Remember, he gained a lot of experience last year, and he was among elite company for guys who didn't redshirt last year (McDowell and Nicholson). The fact that he didn't redshirt last year tells me that the kid can flat play.
3) I hate to break it to all of you former linebackers, but the SAM is not one of the most important positions on the field. In fact, if you research NFL pay scales, those guys are towards the lower half of the list (3-4 outside backers are a different story). It's football, so EVERY position is extremely important, but we didn't lose Cook, Conklin or Calhoun. Those are the 3 guys on the team that would be impossible to replace.
4) Our defensive line will be dominant, and our other two starting linebackers have a ton of experience. We all know what our d-line will bring, so I don't need to go any further here.
Personally, I am more worried about Ed Davis as a person than I am for our team. We'll be fine IF we don't sustain many more injuries. Frey's health is now crucial.
Davis has been a consummate Spartan. Not only has he been a dynamic playmaker, but from my point of view he's been a great citizen to the Greater Lansing area, and a role model for those from the Detroit area. My heart breaks for him, and I sincerely hope he either gets another shot at MSU, or the pros will look past this injury. The kid is an NFL linebacker, and I just hope a team sees it.
Go Green!
Delton Williams to LB
RJ Williamson to LB
Cassius peat to LB
I think people need to remember a few things.
1) We have a ton of linebacker depth. We have 7 scholarship players returning at the linebacker position (guys who have at least a redshirt year under their belt); Harris, Harrell, R Bullough, B Bullough, Jones, Reshke, and Frey. That doesn't even include a guy who has played a year of college football (Martinez), a guy who has gone through spring ball (Thompson), and a walk-on who appears to be solid (Harrington).
STAR: Darien Harris Rs Sr
TJ Harrell Rs Fr
Andrew Dowell Fr
MIKE: Riley Bullough Rs Jr
Jon Reshke Rs Soph
Shane Jones Rs Soph
Byron Bullough Rs Fr
SAM: Chris Frey Soph
Drake Martinez Soph
Tyriq Thompson Fr or
Sean Harrington Rs Soph
That potential depth chart doesn't look too bad to me.
2) Chris Frey is pretty damn good. Remember, he gained a lot of experience last year, and he was among elite company for guys who didn't redshirt last year (McDowell and Nicholson). The fact that he didn't redshirt last year tells me that the kid can flat play.
3) I hate to break it to all of you former linebackers, but the SAM is not one of the most important positions on the field. In fact, if you research NFL pay scales, those guys are towards the lower half of the list (3-4 outside backers are a different story). It's football, so EVERY position is extremely important, but we didn't lose Cook, Conklin or Calhoun. Those are the 3 guys on the team that would be impossible to replace.
4) Our defensive line will be dominant, and our other two starting linebackers have a ton of experience. We all know what our d-line will bring, so I don't need to go any further here.
Personally, I am more worried about Ed Davis as a person than I am for our team. We'll be fine IF we don't sustain many more injuries. Frey's health is now crucial.
Davis has been a consummate Spartan. Not only has he been a dynamic playmaker, but from my point of view he's been a great citizen to the Greater Lansing area, and a role model for those from the Detroit area. My heart breaks for him, and I sincerely hope he either gets another shot at MSU, or the pros will look past this injury. The kid is an NFL linebacker, and I just hope a team sees it.
Go Green!
