Linebacker Update: Shane Jones Ready To Go
Jim Comparoni
SpartanMag.com Publisher
Talk about it in The Underground Bunker
EAST LANSING - Michigan State coaches regret some of the circumstances that will lead to sophomore Shane Jones making his first start as a Spartan on Saturday, but they're confident in deliver.
Jones (6-1, 234, Soph., Cincinnati Moeller) will start at Mike linebacker at noon on Saturday for No. 2-ranked Michigan State against Central Michigan at Spartan Stadium. He will temporarily replace Riley Bullough, who will serve a half-game suspension after his personal foul and ejection for a targeting foul during Saturday's victory over Air Force.
Shane Jones has five tackles on the season.
Bullough will start the second half for the Spartans, Michigan State linebackers coach Mark Snyder said on Wednesday.
"Yes, we've got to keep him going," Snyder said of Bullough, who had 16 tackles against Air Force and seems to be strengthening his role as a blossoming leader. "Got to keep him rolling. And I've got to be smarter at the end of the game, too. There's no doubt."
Smarter in terms of what?
"Just being smarter … we had Shane sitting right there to go into the game and didn't pull the trigger then the penalty happens a play later," Snyder said.
Michigan State was leading 35-14 with about three minutes to go in the game when Bullough hit Air Force Garrett Brown on head-to-head collision.
Bullough was turned away from Brown as Brown made a reception across the middle. Bullough then turned 180 degrees in an instant to locate Brown and the ball, and launched himself for a hit. Bullough's aim was a bit off, and an impact intended for Brown's shoulder ended up behind his head.
"It was not intentional, by no means," Snyder said. "It's a fine line for us on defense. We talk about a strike zone. Hit in the strike zone."
The strike zone, according to Snyder, is the area below the neck.
"But sometimes plays happen, bang-bang, and you hit outside the strike zone," Snyder said. "It was not intentional. But the rule is you cannot launch and he launched. I told him that Sunday, 'This is not getting overturned.' It was an accident, no doubt. But as a defensive player, it's a reactionary deal. He turned and it was right there.
"But we do constantly talk about the strike zone with our guys."
And when a player like Bullough hits outside the strike zone and gets punished for it, the players and coaches accept it. It's on the players to work harder to stay inside the legal limits.
"I guess that means hitting lower," Bullough said after Saturday's game.
Jones will take that knowledge into Saturday's game against the 1-2 Chippewas. And Jones needs that knowledge, because he has shown in recent weeks he can deliver strong blows too.
Jones and 'money' linebacker Jon Reschke met Air Force fullback DJ Johnson in the b-gap for a hard hit during the second quarter of Saturday's game, causing a fumble which was returned 64 yards for a touchdown by RJ Williamson, providing a 14-0 lead.
Jones isn't credited with getting the first lick on Johnson, or creating the fumble, but there is no question he arrived with terrific force.
"He gave us about 12-13 quality reps last week," Snyder said. "Played well. He was in there 12 plays and had three tackles and an assist and the big hit. He gave us some quality reps."
Jones also played several snaps in the Sept. 12 victory over Oregon, marking Jones' first tour of quality playing time as a Spartan.
Jones has lost weight since last year and improved his sideline-to-sideline speed. Those improvements have allowed him to move from the scout team to the two-deep. He simply wasn't fast enough to play for this defense in the past two seasons.
"He has changed his body a little bit, which was the key for him coming out of spring," Snyder said. "He had to change his body some. He is a little bit like his coach. If he goes two weeks without working out, it seems to come on at the wrong places."
Jones' teammates are rallying around him for support this week.
"Riley is out there with him; Riley has been great, and Darien (Harris)," Snyder said. "Those guys are great leaders. They've been encouraging. You hear Shilique (Calhoun) talking to him on the field. RJ Williamson talking to him on the field. That's good stuff now."
Jones will be backed up on Saturday by Riley's brother, Byron Bullough (6-1, 228, Traverse City St. Francis). Reschke will start at 'money' linebacker, but he has extensive practice experience at the Mike, and can move to the middle in a pinch.
"Byron is a smart kid that can get us lined up and can play within our system," Snyder said. "And we threw Jon in there just a little bit to keep him fresh. We've probably got five guys that can run this defense besides Riley, and get us lined up and those kind of things. So obviously Riley brings something to the table, he's a really good football player but (we are) very, very comfortable with Shane. Shane's done a good job."
Dowell Might Be Needed Too
True freshman Andrew Dowell saw more than 45 snaps on Saturday at 'star' linebacker in place of the banged-up Darien Harris. Harris is listed on the official depth chart as the starter for the Spartans for Saturday, but more extended playing for Dowell would not be a surprise.
Andrew Dowell filled in admirably for Darien Harris against Air Force.
Dowell was excellent against Air Force, notching seven tackles, which ranked second on the team. Some observations:
+ He showed good quickness and pursuit in taking good tackling angles to the sideline.
+ He posted a solid tackle on a fullback dive in the first quarter.
+ He provided a good, aggressive, quick spill angle on the QB in defending the dive option for a gain of 1 yard on second-and-goal in the first quarter.
+ He made an excellent tackle on a first-and-10 play in the second quarter, pursuing the alley on a toss play, taking on Air Force's tight end, defeating the blocker with strong hands and upper body shock, disengaging and making the tackle to halt the play for a gain of 1.
"Wasn't that nice?" Snyder said. "That's exactly the stuff, just like that right there."
He didn't look like a freshman on that play.
"No he didn't," Snyder said.
Dowell was a Rivals.com 4-star recruit as part of last February's recruiting class, ranked No. 12 in Ohio.
"He's still a work in progress," Snyder said. "He's still got a lot of learning to do but he's a talented kid. Once he gets going and knows what he is doing and starts on his way to the ball, that's when he becomes a really good football player. He has exceptional speed, good tackler, good ball skills, still a work in progress, though."
Harris is helping Dowell through the process.
"That's his job," Snyder said of Harris. "That's his role, to coach him up. When I'm not coaching him, he has him over there. When the second team is in, he is coaching him up. And that helps because Darien knows this defense very well."
Special Teams Fixed?
Snyder serves as Michigan State's special teams coordinator. Wednesday marked the first time Snyder has been available to media since the Spartans allowed a punt return for a touchdown against Oregon, and two long kickoff returns in the season opener at Western Michigan, including a TD.
Air Force notched a punt return for a TD against Morgan State, but the Spartans' coverage units seemed to be better against the Falcons.
"No doubt," Snyder said. "We had a little bit of a scouting report, thank goodness, this past week as we get going. So yeah, we feel comfortable with our coverage units. We've got to get our return units going. We haven't had a lot of opportunities, just haven't. So half of our special teams has not really had an opportunity to make something happen."
True freshman Grayson Miller made his debut as a Spartan last week, and was a noticeable addition to the kickoff coverage team.
"He's on every special teams because he's a big guy that can run and he's a good tackler," Snyder said. "We need bodies. You go through a season like we're getting ready to go through, as we've already seen, things are going to happen and young guys that are talented are going to have to play."
The Rest Of It
Snyder on:
Jim Comparoni
SpartanMag.com Publisher
Talk about it in The Underground Bunker
EAST LANSING - Michigan State coaches regret some of the circumstances that will lead to sophomore Shane Jones making his first start as a Spartan on Saturday, but they're confident in deliver.
Jones (6-1, 234, Soph., Cincinnati Moeller) will start at Mike linebacker at noon on Saturday for No. 2-ranked Michigan State against Central Michigan at Spartan Stadium. He will temporarily replace Riley Bullough, who will serve a half-game suspension after his personal foul and ejection for a targeting foul during Saturday's victory over Air Force.
Shane Jones has five tackles on the season.
Bullough will start the second half for the Spartans, Michigan State linebackers coach Mark Snyder said on Wednesday.
"Yes, we've got to keep him going," Snyder said of Bullough, who had 16 tackles against Air Force and seems to be strengthening his role as a blossoming leader. "Got to keep him rolling. And I've got to be smarter at the end of the game, too. There's no doubt."
Smarter in terms of what?
"Just being smarter … we had Shane sitting right there to go into the game and didn't pull the trigger then the penalty happens a play later," Snyder said.
Michigan State was leading 35-14 with about three minutes to go in the game when Bullough hit Air Force Garrett Brown on head-to-head collision.
Bullough was turned away from Brown as Brown made a reception across the middle. Bullough then turned 180 degrees in an instant to locate Brown and the ball, and launched himself for a hit. Bullough's aim was a bit off, and an impact intended for Brown's shoulder ended up behind his head.
"It was not intentional, by no means," Snyder said. "It's a fine line for us on defense. We talk about a strike zone. Hit in the strike zone."
The strike zone, according to Snyder, is the area below the neck.
"But sometimes plays happen, bang-bang, and you hit outside the strike zone," Snyder said. "It was not intentional. But the rule is you cannot launch and he launched. I told him that Sunday, 'This is not getting overturned.' It was an accident, no doubt. But as a defensive player, it's a reactionary deal. He turned and it was right there.
"But we do constantly talk about the strike zone with our guys."
And when a player like Bullough hits outside the strike zone and gets punished for it, the players and coaches accept it. It's on the players to work harder to stay inside the legal limits.
"I guess that means hitting lower," Bullough said after Saturday's game.
Jones will take that knowledge into Saturday's game against the 1-2 Chippewas. And Jones needs that knowledge, because he has shown in recent weeks he can deliver strong blows too.
Jones and 'money' linebacker Jon Reschke met Air Force fullback DJ Johnson in the b-gap for a hard hit during the second quarter of Saturday's game, causing a fumble which was returned 64 yards for a touchdown by RJ Williamson, providing a 14-0 lead.
Jones isn't credited with getting the first lick on Johnson, or creating the fumble, but there is no question he arrived with terrific force.
"He gave us about 12-13 quality reps last week," Snyder said. "Played well. He was in there 12 plays and had three tackles and an assist and the big hit. He gave us some quality reps."
Jones also played several snaps in the Sept. 12 victory over Oregon, marking Jones' first tour of quality playing time as a Spartan.
Jones has lost weight since last year and improved his sideline-to-sideline speed. Those improvements have allowed him to move from the scout team to the two-deep. He simply wasn't fast enough to play for this defense in the past two seasons.
"He has changed his body a little bit, which was the key for him coming out of spring," Snyder said. "He had to change his body some. He is a little bit like his coach. If he goes two weeks without working out, it seems to come on at the wrong places."
Jones' teammates are rallying around him for support this week.
"Riley is out there with him; Riley has been great, and Darien (Harris)," Snyder said. "Those guys are great leaders. They've been encouraging. You hear Shilique (Calhoun) talking to him on the field. RJ Williamson talking to him on the field. That's good stuff now."
Jones will be backed up on Saturday by Riley's brother, Byron Bullough (6-1, 228, Traverse City St. Francis). Reschke will start at 'money' linebacker, but he has extensive practice experience at the Mike, and can move to the middle in a pinch.
"Byron is a smart kid that can get us lined up and can play within our system," Snyder said. "And we threw Jon in there just a little bit to keep him fresh. We've probably got five guys that can run this defense besides Riley, and get us lined up and those kind of things. So obviously Riley brings something to the table, he's a really good football player but (we are) very, very comfortable with Shane. Shane's done a good job."
Dowell Might Be Needed Too
True freshman Andrew Dowell saw more than 45 snaps on Saturday at 'star' linebacker in place of the banged-up Darien Harris. Harris is listed on the official depth chart as the starter for the Spartans for Saturday, but more extended playing for Dowell would not be a surprise.
Andrew Dowell filled in admirably for Darien Harris against Air Force.
Dowell was excellent against Air Force, notching seven tackles, which ranked second on the team. Some observations:
+ He showed good quickness and pursuit in taking good tackling angles to the sideline.
+ He posted a solid tackle on a fullback dive in the first quarter.
+ He provided a good, aggressive, quick spill angle on the QB in defending the dive option for a gain of 1 yard on second-and-goal in the first quarter.
+ He made an excellent tackle on a first-and-10 play in the second quarter, pursuing the alley on a toss play, taking on Air Force's tight end, defeating the blocker with strong hands and upper body shock, disengaging and making the tackle to halt the play for a gain of 1.
"Wasn't that nice?" Snyder said. "That's exactly the stuff, just like that right there."
He didn't look like a freshman on that play.
"No he didn't," Snyder said.
Dowell was a Rivals.com 4-star recruit as part of last February's recruiting class, ranked No. 12 in Ohio.
"He's still a work in progress," Snyder said. "He's still got a lot of learning to do but he's a talented kid. Once he gets going and knows what he is doing and starts on his way to the ball, that's when he becomes a really good football player. He has exceptional speed, good tackler, good ball skills, still a work in progress, though."
Harris is helping Dowell through the process.
"That's his job," Snyder said of Harris. "That's his role, to coach him up. When I'm not coaching him, he has him over there. When the second team is in, he is coaching him up. And that helps because Darien knows this defense very well."
Special Teams Fixed?
Snyder serves as Michigan State's special teams coordinator. Wednesday marked the first time Snyder has been available to media since the Spartans allowed a punt return for a touchdown against Oregon, and two long kickoff returns in the season opener at Western Michigan, including a TD.
Air Force notched a punt return for a TD against Morgan State, but the Spartans' coverage units seemed to be better against the Falcons.
"No doubt," Snyder said. "We had a little bit of a scouting report, thank goodness, this past week as we get going. So yeah, we feel comfortable with our coverage units. We've got to get our return units going. We haven't had a lot of opportunities, just haven't. So half of our special teams has not really had an opportunity to make something happen."
True freshman Grayson Miller made his debut as a Spartan last week, and was a noticeable addition to the kickoff coverage team.
"He's on every special teams because he's a big guy that can run and he's a good tackler," Snyder said. "We need bodies. You go through a season like we're getting ready to go through, as we've already seen, things are going to happen and young guys that are talented are going to have to play."
The Rest Of It
Snyder on:
- The combination of Reschke and Chris Frey playing 'money' linebacker:
"We kind of knew after spring ball and a little bit of fall camp that those guys had a different skill set. Ed (Davis) was a really good player and they both bring something different to the table and depending on who you're playing we felt like, if you could keep those guys healthy that we could play our schedule, if you will."
- When Drake Martinez returns fro his undisclosed injury, will he return to 'star' linebacker or remain at 'money' linebacker?
"We'll see. We didn't get a chance to see much of Drake. Our third-down package would be a place that Drake might be able to excel because you don't have to have a lot of knowledge of what to do. In certain situations that guy does one thing and one thing only. And then special teams will be a big deal for him.
"We'll start him in our third-down package at the 'money,' to the boundary where Ed was."
