It does not matter how organized you are while coaching your youth football team there are going to be days when everything seems to go wrong.
Sometimes right from the beginning of your youth football practice things will not go as according to plan. One of he sure signs that the practice is not going to be productive is unexcused absents. You may have it scheduled to work on a specific play or scheme and the player you need does not show up. If you are coaching a youth football team with fewer than 20 players it is hard enough to run plays but when a few kids miss your practice options become limited.
There will also be times where it feels like "there is something in the air" and the practice just sucks. You and your coaches are ready to go but the kids just have an off day. I am not talking about an off day because the players are screwing around, I cover how to handle that in the next topic, but just a day where all the players are missing tackles. The players are brain dead as you add a new youth football or a variety of other bad signs.
As long as this is an exception and not the rule, I tend to turn the balance of the practice into a drill or something FUN that the kids will enjoy.
I find when coaching youth football that by turning a bad experience into a fun one the kids respond well and come back strong the next practice.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Oddo
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Biggest NFL Disappointments in 2009
The NFL season has been a pretty interesting one. No one expected the Denver Broncos to be undefeated through their first five games, nor did they expect the Cincinnati Bengals to start out the season with 4 wins in 5 games, including one over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Cowboys look weaker than usual, as do many other teams too. Let's take a look at some of the biggest underachievers through the beginning of the 2009 NFL season. With some luck, any of these teams still has some time to turn things around - the clock is ticking though.
First of all, the Carolina Panthers coasted through the 2008 regular season on the strong play of Jake Delhomme, Steve Smith, and DeAngelo Williams. Many saw them as a favorite to win the NFC last season, and they ended the season with a playoff loss to the Cardinals, but still had a great year by all accounts. The beginning of the 2009 season has been anything but a follow up to their success in 2008, as the team has dropped 3 of its first 5 games and doesn't show many signs of improvement.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ken_McCormick
First of all, the Carolina Panthers coasted through the 2008 regular season on the strong play of Jake Delhomme, Steve Smith, and DeAngelo Williams. Many saw them as a favorite to win the NFC last season, and they ended the season with a playoff loss to the Cardinals, but still had a great year by all accounts. The beginning of the 2009 season has been anything but a follow up to their success in 2008, as the team has dropped 3 of its first 5 games and doesn't show many signs of improvement.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ken_McCormick
Are the Minnesota Vikings Really This Good?
The Minnesota Vikings are in the midst of what looks like a dream season. After Brett Favre had a heroic win a few weeks back that saw him bring the Vikings a win with a last minute touchdown against the Bengals, the Minnesota Vikings followed up this win with a big victory against the Packers, Brett Favre's former team. This was a very dramatic game, and one that Favre wanted badly. He got it.
The following week, the Vikings faced a very tough foe in the visiting Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens put up an exceptional fight, taking a late lead in the 4th quarter before Brett Favre set up a winning drive during the last minute of the game. Favre's heroics bailed the Vikings out once again, and improved their record to 6-0.
Favre has been near impeccable through the course of the season, connecting with his receivers like he did during his prime in Green Bay, and the team looks to be having a lot of fun in doing it. His 12 TD passes with just 2 INTs through the first six weeks of the football season speak for themselves, and the Vikings are suddenly one of just four undefeated teams left in the NFL.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Scott_Maloney
The following week, the Vikings faced a very tough foe in the visiting Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens put up an exceptional fight, taking a late lead in the 4th quarter before Brett Favre set up a winning drive during the last minute of the game. Favre's heroics bailed the Vikings out once again, and improved their record to 6-0.
Favre has been near impeccable through the course of the season, connecting with his receivers like he did during his prime in Green Bay, and the team looks to be having a lot of fun in doing it. His 12 TD passes with just 2 INTs through the first six weeks of the football season speak for themselves, and the Vikings are suddenly one of just four undefeated teams left in the NFL.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Scott_Maloney
Who Are the Real NY Jets?
The 2009 season has been a whirlwind of a year for the New York Jets after just 6 weeks of football. What started out on an incredible note has quickly soured, leading many to believe that the proclamation about the Jets being a newly great AFC team were premature.
During the first week of football, the Jets had a very impressive win at Houston, holding Matt Schaub (the yards leader in the NFL among QBs) to virtually nothing. This was a big win for the team that would head back to New York to face the rival Patriots in week 2.
Amazingly, the Jets beat the Patriots in this game for the first time in years. A team that they could never win before was suddenly vulnerable and within reach, and the Jets' stellar defense was celebrated for it.
Week three brought them the Titans, a winless team that was still seen as dangerous because of their great 2008 season. Still, the Jets held them off and marched out to a 3-0 start.
Since then, the 2009 season has been nothing but trouble in New York. After losing a game they were expected to lose in New Orleans, the Jets proceeded to drop their next two games, losing to both the Miami Dolphins and the Buffalo Bills in games that should have been won. Mark Sanchez has regressed from his mature form and the offense is having trouble clicking as a unit.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Parachas
During the first week of football, the Jets had a very impressive win at Houston, holding Matt Schaub (the yards leader in the NFL among QBs) to virtually nothing. This was a big win for the team that would head back to New York to face the rival Patriots in week 2.
Amazingly, the Jets beat the Patriots in this game for the first time in years. A team that they could never win before was suddenly vulnerable and within reach, and the Jets' stellar defense was celebrated for it.
Week three brought them the Titans, a winless team that was still seen as dangerous because of their great 2008 season. Still, the Jets held them off and marched out to a 3-0 start.
Since then, the 2009 season has been nothing but trouble in New York. After losing a game they were expected to lose in New Orleans, the Jets proceeded to drop their next two games, losing to both the Miami Dolphins and the Buffalo Bills in games that should have been won. Mark Sanchez has regressed from his mature form and the offense is having trouble clicking as a unit.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Parachas
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Look For Steve Sarkisian to Turn Around Washington's Woeful Football Program
Just as thinking heads argue about whether leaders are born or made, so do college football fanatics argue about whether the coach or the players make the team.
Let's settle the latter argument once and for all-coaches make the team, not the players. If it were not so, then players would recruit the players, whereas it is the coaches who recruit the players that-with great coaching up of players-make the team successful as the program progresses.
Yes, it is true that even great coaches cannot do a lot with duds for players-that is why they immediately recruit better players and coach them up to speed.
My turf is Western Washington, the state, not the Beltway to DC. Let me share with you not what I think, but what I know about coaches and players on any team.
When the Seattle Mariners were going nowhere at 1,000 miles an hour, I immediately predicted success with the hiring of head coach Lou Piniella. Piniella came in and announced that the Mariners were going to start winning but, unfortunately, three-quarters of the players on the roster would not be there to enjoy the success. Within two years, 5 players were left from his original roster, and the Mariners winning streak starting in 1995 is a happy history for Seattle fans.
When the Seattle Seahawks were sloshing around doing nothing but taking up space, acting like a football team but not playing like one, I immediately predicted success with the hiring of head coach Mike Holmgren. Holmgren was much bigger than a lot of his players, and he was not interested in excuses; you were accountable, and you performed or you were gone. The Seahawks started winning right away and dominated their division.
When the University of Washington Huskies went winless last year in 12 games and had some of the worst performance statistics among all NCAA teams, I immediately predicted success with the hiring of new head coach Steve Sarkisian.
Nicknamed "Sark", Sarkisian is half-Armenian, half-Irish and all winner. Sarkisian and his hand-picked staff, including defensive coordinator Nick Holt, will get the Huskies back on the winning track, and he will not make a career out of it. It will happen. You will witness a giant step forward in his first year.
Sarkisian takes over a team that rung up these crummy national ratings last year-rushing offense (106th among 119 teams), passing offense (101st), total offense (116th), scoring offense (118th), rushing defense (117th), passing defense (62nd), total defense (110th) and scoring defense (116th). Washington scored 13 points a game and gave up an average of 38 points a game.
There is no way you can win games with these lame numbers. Was Washington's coaching staff last year the worst in the nation? You better believe it; that's why they have vacated the premises.
This is not a pretty picture for Sarkisian to inherit. However, you have to remember that Sark is a winner from the top of his head to the bottom of his toes. He spent 7 of his last 8 years at Southern California, first as a quarterbacks coach, then as the offensive coordinator and assistant head coach.
During his tenure with head coach Pete Carroll, USC was in a BCS game EVERY year for the past 7 years, unmatched by any team in college football. USC also has the best winning percentage among BCS teams-85% (6-1). Sarkisian's record as the offensive coordinator for 2 years was 22-3, and he called the offensive plays on the sideline.
Sark also coached up two Heisman Trophy winners-Carson Palmer in 2002 and Matt Leinart in 2004. He has also mentored additional NFL-draft picks John David Booty and Mark Sanchez.
Washington's newest head coach was also a standout quarterback at Brigham Young University. As a senior, he led the nation in passing efficiency as the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) champion Cougars went 14-1 and won the 1997 Cotton Bowl.
Sark has been an outstanding winner as a player and coach. He knows how to win. He is not going to surround himself with a bunch of losers at the University of Washington.
Virtually all players want to win, but far fewer have the will to prepare to win. Sark will quickly find out who will pay the price to improve and have fun in the process. Those who cannot cut the mustard will be watching a lot of football games instead of playing in them.
At 35, Steve Sarkisian is one of the youngest head coaches of a major college football program. No matter. Just because a head coach has 15 years of experience does not make him good. Competency, direction, judgment, focus and enthusiasm all count for more.
The Pac 10 Conference media types recently came out with their preseason poll, picking Washington to finish 9th, just ahead of 10th-place Washington State.
The more I hear about head coach Steve Sarkisian and assistant head coach and defensive coordinator Nick Holt, the better I like Washington's chances to exceed expectations with a better than 9th-place finish.
The latest word from the practice field is that the Husky offensive players are going to legally cut block, a very important element in zone-blocking schemes. Holt is going to find out who can knock players down and who can't. Those that can't will be spending less time on the field.
Cut-blocking is legal when the blocker goes below a defender's knees with the helmet out in front of the defender. It is illegal when the blocker comes at the defender from the side or back, or when the defender is blocking another offensive player.
Doug Nussmeier will be the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Huskies. Washington opens its season at home Saturday, Sept. 5, against Louisiana State (LSU), 1 of 6 preseason top 25 teams the Huskies will face this season (the others are USC, Notre Dame, Oregon, Oregon State and California). Yikes!
Washington fans and boosters are fired up for improvement; they are sick and tired of getting slapped around by teams the Huskies used to dominate, especially when Don James was at the helm. The Dawgfather's career mark at Washington was 153-57-2 (73%) from 1975 to 1992, and the team went to 14 bowl games, winning 10. They also went to bowl games 9 consecutive years.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ed_Bagley
Let's settle the latter argument once and for all-coaches make the team, not the players. If it were not so, then players would recruit the players, whereas it is the coaches who recruit the players that-with great coaching up of players-make the team successful as the program progresses.
Yes, it is true that even great coaches cannot do a lot with duds for players-that is why they immediately recruit better players and coach them up to speed.
My turf is Western Washington, the state, not the Beltway to DC. Let me share with you not what I think, but what I know about coaches and players on any team.
When the Seattle Mariners were going nowhere at 1,000 miles an hour, I immediately predicted success with the hiring of head coach Lou Piniella. Piniella came in and announced that the Mariners were going to start winning but, unfortunately, three-quarters of the players on the roster would not be there to enjoy the success. Within two years, 5 players were left from his original roster, and the Mariners winning streak starting in 1995 is a happy history for Seattle fans.
When the Seattle Seahawks were sloshing around doing nothing but taking up space, acting like a football team but not playing like one, I immediately predicted success with the hiring of head coach Mike Holmgren. Holmgren was much bigger than a lot of his players, and he was not interested in excuses; you were accountable, and you performed or you were gone. The Seahawks started winning right away and dominated their division.
When the University of Washington Huskies went winless last year in 12 games and had some of the worst performance statistics among all NCAA teams, I immediately predicted success with the hiring of new head coach Steve Sarkisian.
Nicknamed "Sark", Sarkisian is half-Armenian, half-Irish and all winner. Sarkisian and his hand-picked staff, including defensive coordinator Nick Holt, will get the Huskies back on the winning track, and he will not make a career out of it. It will happen. You will witness a giant step forward in his first year.
Sarkisian takes over a team that rung up these crummy national ratings last year-rushing offense (106th among 119 teams), passing offense (101st), total offense (116th), scoring offense (118th), rushing defense (117th), passing defense (62nd), total defense (110th) and scoring defense (116th). Washington scored 13 points a game and gave up an average of 38 points a game.
There is no way you can win games with these lame numbers. Was Washington's coaching staff last year the worst in the nation? You better believe it; that's why they have vacated the premises.
This is not a pretty picture for Sarkisian to inherit. However, you have to remember that Sark is a winner from the top of his head to the bottom of his toes. He spent 7 of his last 8 years at Southern California, first as a quarterbacks coach, then as the offensive coordinator and assistant head coach.
During his tenure with head coach Pete Carroll, USC was in a BCS game EVERY year for the past 7 years, unmatched by any team in college football. USC also has the best winning percentage among BCS teams-85% (6-1). Sarkisian's record as the offensive coordinator for 2 years was 22-3, and he called the offensive plays on the sideline.
Sark also coached up two Heisman Trophy winners-Carson Palmer in 2002 and Matt Leinart in 2004. He has also mentored additional NFL-draft picks John David Booty and Mark Sanchez.
Washington's newest head coach was also a standout quarterback at Brigham Young University. As a senior, he led the nation in passing efficiency as the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) champion Cougars went 14-1 and won the 1997 Cotton Bowl.
Sark has been an outstanding winner as a player and coach. He knows how to win. He is not going to surround himself with a bunch of losers at the University of Washington.
Virtually all players want to win, but far fewer have the will to prepare to win. Sark will quickly find out who will pay the price to improve and have fun in the process. Those who cannot cut the mustard will be watching a lot of football games instead of playing in them.
At 35, Steve Sarkisian is one of the youngest head coaches of a major college football program. No matter. Just because a head coach has 15 years of experience does not make him good. Competency, direction, judgment, focus and enthusiasm all count for more.
The Pac 10 Conference media types recently came out with their preseason poll, picking Washington to finish 9th, just ahead of 10th-place Washington State.
The more I hear about head coach Steve Sarkisian and assistant head coach and defensive coordinator Nick Holt, the better I like Washington's chances to exceed expectations with a better than 9th-place finish.
The latest word from the practice field is that the Husky offensive players are going to legally cut block, a very important element in zone-blocking schemes. Holt is going to find out who can knock players down and who can't. Those that can't will be spending less time on the field.
Cut-blocking is legal when the blocker goes below a defender's knees with the helmet out in front of the defender. It is illegal when the blocker comes at the defender from the side or back, or when the defender is blocking another offensive player.
Doug Nussmeier will be the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Huskies. Washington opens its season at home Saturday, Sept. 5, against Louisiana State (LSU), 1 of 6 preseason top 25 teams the Huskies will face this season (the others are USC, Notre Dame, Oregon, Oregon State and California). Yikes!
Washington fans and boosters are fired up for improvement; they are sick and tired of getting slapped around by teams the Huskies used to dominate, especially when Don James was at the helm. The Dawgfather's career mark at Washington was 153-57-2 (73%) from 1975 to 1992, and the team went to 14 bowl games, winning 10. They also went to bowl games 9 consecutive years.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ed_Bagley
Back-to-Back Winning Seasons and Bowl Appearances Say Michigan State is Back
When Mark Dantonio became the new Michigan State University football coach two years ago, he came to the East Lansing Campus with a pedigree that shouted success is on the way. He has not disappointed the Spartan faithful.
Michigan State had not done diddly-squat since its 1999 team went 10-2, whipped Florida in the Citrus Bowl, led the Big Ten in total defense, and ranked 7th in the final polls. Times have changed in East Lansing. If diddly-squat shows up since Dantonio has arrived, he is in for a fight.
Here is what Dantonio has accomplished since his debut 55-18 victory against UAB (the University of Alabama at Birmingham):
Turn a losing program into a winning one by going 7-5 in his first regular season, and getting Michigan State its first bowl appearance in 4 years. Despite being a 5-point underdog to No. 14-ranked Boston College in the Champs Sports Bowl, the Spartans only lost by a field goal, 24-21.
Their final 7-6 record included a 4-3 mark against bowl-bound teams, and the Spartans lost the 6 games by a total of 31 points, including two in overtime. All 6 games were decided by 7 points or less. It is called defense.
With their 31-14 victory over the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame on the road in 2007, the Spartans became the first visiting team to win 6-straight games in the 77-year history of Notre Dame Stadium.
Last year the progress continued as the Spartans went 9-3 in the regular season, beating Michigan and Notre Dame. They lost at California in their opener 38-31, took it on the chin 45-7 against No. 12-ranked Ohio State at home, and let No. 7-ranked Penn State take it to them 49-18 on the road at Happy Valley.
Had they beaten Penn State, they would have had a share of the Big Ten title. Michigan State's 6-2 Big Ten record was its best since the 1999 season, and its 9 wins represented only the 3rd time since 1966 (the year I graduated from Michigan State) that it had won 9 games in a season.
Last season's second step forward led to the No. 19-ranked Spartans facing off against the No. 16-ranked Georgia Bulldogs in the Capital One Bowl; State lost 24-12. Nevertheless, they ended the year with their second straight winning season (7-6 and 9-4)-their first back-to-back winning seasons in 19 years-and their second straight bowl appearance-their first back-to-back bowl appearances in 12 years.
That is what is calling "getting after it".
Dantonio really became prominent as the defensive coordinator for Ohio State, where his defensive unit helped the Buckeyes to a 32-6 record in 3 years, and the 2002 National Championship. In the championship year, Ohio State was 2nd nationally in scoring defense (13 points a game) and 3rd in rushing defense (77 yards per game).
Coming into this season, Michigan States loses two All Big Ten seniors-tailback Javon Ringer and safety Otis Wiley, and returns All Big Ten junior linebacker Greg Jones.
To say Ringer left a hole in the running game would be a gross understatement. He rushed for 1,637 yards (accounting for 97% of Michigan State's rushing offense) and scored a school-record 22 touchdowns. Ringer, a consensus All American, was drafted by the NFL's Tennessee Titans.
Ringer's starting spot will be a competitive battle that just may be won by either of two outstanding freshmen-Edwin Baker out of Oak Park High School in Highland Park, or Larry Caper out of Battle Creek Central in Battle Creek. Baker is 5-9 and 200, and Caper is 5-11 and 215. Both are potentially explosive runners with some speed.
Replacing senior quarterback Brian Hoyer, an inconsistent 2-year starter, is also an issue. Sophomore Kirk Cousins and redshirt sophomore Keith Nichol have limited experience, appearing in only a combined 8 games.
All Big Ten junior Greg Jones had 127 tackles last year, and is arguably the best linebacker in the Big Ten. He must remain tough and healthy for Michigan State to again compete for the Big Ten title.
The Spartan offense will also rely heavily on kicker Brett Swenson (22 field goals last year, including one last-minute, game-winner on a weak offense); wide receivers Blair White, Mark Dell and BJ Cunningham; tight end Charlie Gantt; guard Joel Foreman and center Joel Nitchman.
Dantonio's two recruiting classes must produce more new faces on the field this year. New faces better than the players they will replace. In its two biggest games of the year last season-Ohio State and Penn State-Michigan State did not show well and paid for it when the Preseason Coaches' Top 25 Poll found them absent.
Major coaches generally applauded the fact that the Spartans did not take a dive late last season, they won many games they have lost in prior years, but when push came to shove, it was still Ohio State and Penn State on top of the heap.
What many boosters may have missed is the fact that Michigan State took one huge step forward in bowl participation. Two years ago they had to settle for the Champs Sports Bowl and a $2.25 million payout. Last year they moved up to the Capital One Bowl and a $4.25 million payout. After the 5 BCS bowl games, the Capital One Bowl is the highest paying and most prestigious of the remaining 34 bowl games played last season.
Michigan State's schedule is favorable this year. The Spartans get both Michigan and Penn State at home, and do not play Ohio State. They also play 1-AA Montana State, Central Michigan and Western Michigan. If they cannot beat the latter three teams and Michigan, they have no business going to a bowl game.
On a more positive note, while virtually everyone West of the Mississippi River thinks Michigan State could not possibly run the table, there is at least one Spartan in Washington State who thinks otherwise. Never underestimate what Mark Dantonio can accomplish.
What if the Spartans beat Notre Dame, Michigan and the rest, and face Penn State at home with an 11-0 mark? That is why college football is so great. It could happen. The odds say it will not happen, but rest assured that if Michigan State plays in a BCS bowl game this season, it will be another giant step forward for Mark Dantonio and his Spartans.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ed_Bagley
Michigan State had not done diddly-squat since its 1999 team went 10-2, whipped Florida in the Citrus Bowl, led the Big Ten in total defense, and ranked 7th in the final polls. Times have changed in East Lansing. If diddly-squat shows up since Dantonio has arrived, he is in for a fight.
Here is what Dantonio has accomplished since his debut 55-18 victory against UAB (the University of Alabama at Birmingham):
Turn a losing program into a winning one by going 7-5 in his first regular season, and getting Michigan State its first bowl appearance in 4 years. Despite being a 5-point underdog to No. 14-ranked Boston College in the Champs Sports Bowl, the Spartans only lost by a field goal, 24-21.
Their final 7-6 record included a 4-3 mark against bowl-bound teams, and the Spartans lost the 6 games by a total of 31 points, including two in overtime. All 6 games were decided by 7 points or less. It is called defense.
With their 31-14 victory over the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame on the road in 2007, the Spartans became the first visiting team to win 6-straight games in the 77-year history of Notre Dame Stadium.
Last year the progress continued as the Spartans went 9-3 in the regular season, beating Michigan and Notre Dame. They lost at California in their opener 38-31, took it on the chin 45-7 against No. 12-ranked Ohio State at home, and let No. 7-ranked Penn State take it to them 49-18 on the road at Happy Valley.
Had they beaten Penn State, they would have had a share of the Big Ten title. Michigan State's 6-2 Big Ten record was its best since the 1999 season, and its 9 wins represented only the 3rd time since 1966 (the year I graduated from Michigan State) that it had won 9 games in a season.
Last season's second step forward led to the No. 19-ranked Spartans facing off against the No. 16-ranked Georgia Bulldogs in the Capital One Bowl; State lost 24-12. Nevertheless, they ended the year with their second straight winning season (7-6 and 9-4)-their first back-to-back winning seasons in 19 years-and their second straight bowl appearance-their first back-to-back bowl appearances in 12 years.
That is what is calling "getting after it".
Dantonio really became prominent as the defensive coordinator for Ohio State, where his defensive unit helped the Buckeyes to a 32-6 record in 3 years, and the 2002 National Championship. In the championship year, Ohio State was 2nd nationally in scoring defense (13 points a game) and 3rd in rushing defense (77 yards per game).
Coming into this season, Michigan States loses two All Big Ten seniors-tailback Javon Ringer and safety Otis Wiley, and returns All Big Ten junior linebacker Greg Jones.
To say Ringer left a hole in the running game would be a gross understatement. He rushed for 1,637 yards (accounting for 97% of Michigan State's rushing offense) and scored a school-record 22 touchdowns. Ringer, a consensus All American, was drafted by the NFL's Tennessee Titans.
Ringer's starting spot will be a competitive battle that just may be won by either of two outstanding freshmen-Edwin Baker out of Oak Park High School in Highland Park, or Larry Caper out of Battle Creek Central in Battle Creek. Baker is 5-9 and 200, and Caper is 5-11 and 215. Both are potentially explosive runners with some speed.
Replacing senior quarterback Brian Hoyer, an inconsistent 2-year starter, is also an issue. Sophomore Kirk Cousins and redshirt sophomore Keith Nichol have limited experience, appearing in only a combined 8 games.
All Big Ten junior Greg Jones had 127 tackles last year, and is arguably the best linebacker in the Big Ten. He must remain tough and healthy for Michigan State to again compete for the Big Ten title.
The Spartan offense will also rely heavily on kicker Brett Swenson (22 field goals last year, including one last-minute, game-winner on a weak offense); wide receivers Blair White, Mark Dell and BJ Cunningham; tight end Charlie Gantt; guard Joel Foreman and center Joel Nitchman.
Dantonio's two recruiting classes must produce more new faces on the field this year. New faces better than the players they will replace. In its two biggest games of the year last season-Ohio State and Penn State-Michigan State did not show well and paid for it when the Preseason Coaches' Top 25 Poll found them absent.
Major coaches generally applauded the fact that the Spartans did not take a dive late last season, they won many games they have lost in prior years, but when push came to shove, it was still Ohio State and Penn State on top of the heap.
What many boosters may have missed is the fact that Michigan State took one huge step forward in bowl participation. Two years ago they had to settle for the Champs Sports Bowl and a $2.25 million payout. Last year they moved up to the Capital One Bowl and a $4.25 million payout. After the 5 BCS bowl games, the Capital One Bowl is the highest paying and most prestigious of the remaining 34 bowl games played last season.
Michigan State's schedule is favorable this year. The Spartans get both Michigan and Penn State at home, and do not play Ohio State. They also play 1-AA Montana State, Central Michigan and Western Michigan. If they cannot beat the latter three teams and Michigan, they have no business going to a bowl game.
On a more positive note, while virtually everyone West of the Mississippi River thinks Michigan State could not possibly run the table, there is at least one Spartan in Washington State who thinks otherwise. Never underestimate what Mark Dantonio can accomplish.
What if the Spartans beat Notre Dame, Michigan and the rest, and face Penn State at home with an 11-0 mark? That is why college football is so great. It could happen. The odds say it will not happen, but rest assured that if Michigan State plays in a BCS bowl game this season, it will be another giant step forward for Mark Dantonio and his Spartans.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ed_Bagley
Free Football Recruiting Methods - Getting the Attention of Coaches Doesn't Have to Be Expensive
Are you looking for ways to get noticed by college coaches? Are you searching for free football recruiting methods that really work? Have you priced some athletic recruiting services and quickly learned just how expensive their services can be?
If you have and you decided free football recruiting methods is the only avenue available to you, this article can get you on the path to being noticed by college coaches. Making it to the college level in football is not easy. The competition is very tough and coaches have thousands of players from around the country to choose from. To play at the the college level, you need:
1- The right skills
2- The right amount of speed
3- The right amount of strength
4- The right height and weight for the position you play
5- The right amount of mental toughness
If you do have the the ability to play at some level of college football, you need a way to get noticed by football coaches. If you happen to be a blue chip or elite level player, this won't be a problem. In fact, the coaches will find you sooner rather than later.
However, if you are a good football player yet you are flying under the radar of college coaches, you need to use some free football recruiting methods to make sure you get noticed! These methods can include:
1- Asking your high school coach if he can help you get noticed by college coaches
2- Attending camps and showcase events in the summer
3- Sending letters and your athletic resume to coaches
By far, the best method for getting the attention of football coaches is to make direct contact with them. Coaches from around the country need quality players and they may not know about the talent and skills you can offer them.
The best free football recruiting methods are clearly letters and athletic resumes from you. Use these tools and you may be surprised at the results you get.
Gary Hawkins is a well known recruiting and athletic scholarship expert and the author of a popular 17-page free report titled:
"Five Secrets You Must Know To Get Recruited For Athletic Scholarships"
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gary_V_Hawkins
If you have and you decided free football recruiting methods is the only avenue available to you, this article can get you on the path to being noticed by college coaches. Making it to the college level in football is not easy. The competition is very tough and coaches have thousands of players from around the country to choose from. To play at the the college level, you need:
1- The right skills
2- The right amount of speed
3- The right amount of strength
4- The right height and weight for the position you play
5- The right amount of mental toughness
If you do have the the ability to play at some level of college football, you need a way to get noticed by football coaches. If you happen to be a blue chip or elite level player, this won't be a problem. In fact, the coaches will find you sooner rather than later.
However, if you are a good football player yet you are flying under the radar of college coaches, you need to use some free football recruiting methods to make sure you get noticed! These methods can include:
1- Asking your high school coach if he can help you get noticed by college coaches
2- Attending camps and showcase events in the summer
3- Sending letters and your athletic resume to coaches
By far, the best method for getting the attention of football coaches is to make direct contact with them. Coaches from around the country need quality players and they may not know about the talent and skills you can offer them.
The best free football recruiting methods are clearly letters and athletic resumes from you. Use these tools and you may be surprised at the results you get.
Gary Hawkins is a well known recruiting and athletic scholarship expert and the author of a popular 17-page free report titled:
"Five Secrets You Must Know To Get Recruited For Athletic Scholarships"
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gary_V_Hawkins
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