Going over some old quotes and notes from the spring as we put together this week's issue of SPARTAN Magazine, I noticed (and perhaps forgot to mention) that RJ Williamson has been getting a lot of work at the 'star' position in the nickel defense.
That's basically the nickel back, or the third cornerback in passing situations.
In recent years, MSU has used a hybrid linebacker in that role, such as Mylan Hicks last year. Jairus Jones had that role when healthy in 2013.
As for the 'star' position, it hasn't always been an every-down linebacker in the MSU system. Nick Saban originated the term for MSU's defense as the slot corner in the nickel defense.
The 'star' has come to mean different things in the Dantonio system, with the proliferation of spread offenses. With as much coverage responsibility as the slot-area linebacker now has, Dantonio and Narduzzi and Tressel made the decision to change the name of that position in the every-down defense from Will linebacker to 'star' linebacker a few years ago. That position was doing more coverage than in the past, and basically acting more like the nickel defense 'star' player on most downs than a Will linebacker.
Ideally, MSU would like to keep the same three LBs on the field at all times, and have the 'star' linebacker capable of logging all 60 minutes, playing the run and the pass. But that ideal might not be as practical as it used to be, with many teams playing at uptempo speeds as part of their spread offenses.
Now, the need to play more reserves on defense has become crucial.
Thus, third-down passing situations are a good opportunity to sub out the 'star' linebacker and put in a conventional fifth DB.
For most of the spring, RJ Williamson played the 'star' position with the first string in the nickel defense. Again, this isn't a big departure from things MSU has done in the past. Isaiah Lewis played the 'star' position in the nickel defense as a true freshman. And then when he became a starting safety, he retained the 'star' position in the nickel defense when MSU subbed in another safety in passing situations.
I would expect Williamson to play the 'star' position in passing downs this fall. With many teams having the ability to run the ball out of spread formations, even on third-and-long,Williamson will have to show he can play the run from the slot area and not just be a soft safety. I think he'll be up to it.
The question is whether he will be moving from a starting safety position on regular downs to the nickel 'slot' position on passing situations, or if he will come off the bench to do. It remains to be seen whether Williamson and Montae Nicholson will start at safety, or perhaps Nicholson and Demetrious Cox. Much of that depends on how the CBs come along.
With the need to play extra defenders to stay fresh against uptempo spread teams, the difference between being a starter and a reserve won't be as pronounced as it used to be, in terms of number of snaps taken. MSU sought to keep pace with Baylor by subbing defenders like hockey lines. The coaches feel this is the way to play in the modern age, and they'll keep working toward getting 22 or more players ready for defense against those types of opponents.
And, for now, Williamson looks like he'll be the nickel 'star.'
That's basically the nickel back, or the third cornerback in passing situations.
In recent years, MSU has used a hybrid linebacker in that role, such as Mylan Hicks last year. Jairus Jones had that role when healthy in 2013.
As for the 'star' position, it hasn't always been an every-down linebacker in the MSU system. Nick Saban originated the term for MSU's defense as the slot corner in the nickel defense.
The 'star' has come to mean different things in the Dantonio system, with the proliferation of spread offenses. With as much coverage responsibility as the slot-area linebacker now has, Dantonio and Narduzzi and Tressel made the decision to change the name of that position in the every-down defense from Will linebacker to 'star' linebacker a few years ago. That position was doing more coverage than in the past, and basically acting more like the nickel defense 'star' player on most downs than a Will linebacker.
Ideally, MSU would like to keep the same three LBs on the field at all times, and have the 'star' linebacker capable of logging all 60 minutes, playing the run and the pass. But that ideal might not be as practical as it used to be, with many teams playing at uptempo speeds as part of their spread offenses.
Now, the need to play more reserves on defense has become crucial.
Thus, third-down passing situations are a good opportunity to sub out the 'star' linebacker and put in a conventional fifth DB.
For most of the spring, RJ Williamson played the 'star' position with the first string in the nickel defense. Again, this isn't a big departure from things MSU has done in the past. Isaiah Lewis played the 'star' position in the nickel defense as a true freshman. And then when he became a starting safety, he retained the 'star' position in the nickel defense when MSU subbed in another safety in passing situations.
I would expect Williamson to play the 'star' position in passing downs this fall. With many teams having the ability to run the ball out of spread formations, even on third-and-long,Williamson will have to show he can play the run from the slot area and not just be a soft safety. I think he'll be up to it.
The question is whether he will be moving from a starting safety position on regular downs to the nickel 'slot' position on passing situations, or if he will come off the bench to do. It remains to be seen whether Williamson and Montae Nicholson will start at safety, or perhaps Nicholson and Demetrious Cox. Much of that depends on how the CBs come along.
With the need to play extra defenders to stay fresh against uptempo spread teams, the difference between being a starter and a reserve won't be as pronounced as it used to be, in terms of number of snaps taken. MSU sought to keep pace with Baylor by subbing defenders like hockey lines. The coaches feel this is the way to play in the modern age, and they'll keep working toward getting 22 or more players ready for defense against those types of opponents.
And, for now, Williamson looks like he'll be the nickel 'star.'
