Linebackers step up into new scheme

EAST LANSING - That "3" in Michigan State's newly implemented 4-3 defense refers to the number of linebackers on the field.

It may as well be "1" - both in importance and availability.

Returning starter Kaleb Thornhill, though he's nursing knee and shoulder injuries, likely will retain his spot in the middle come fall camp. SirDarean Adams, the defensive darling of spring practice because of his ball-hawking ability, has laid claim to another.

That leaves one open starting position, the strong side or "SAM" spot, up for grabs between a half-dozen players.

"Pretty much every single day that we go out there, you're fighting for your position," freshman Jon Misch (Waterford) said.

Misch and sophomore Andrew Hawken (Wyoming, Mich.) have alternated with the first-team defense throughout the spring, with sophomore Josh Rouse (Newtown, Conn.) getting starting reps at middle linebacker. Others fighting for the coaches' attention and more playing time - with Saturday's 1:30 p.m. spring game at Spartan Stadium fast approaching - are sophomore Adam Decker (Rochester Hills) and freshmen Eric Gordon (Traverse City) and Jordan Rancour (Saginaw). Senior Rob Tabatchnick (Livingston, N.J.), who is battling a hamstring injury, also is in the mix.

"At the linebacker position in particular, it's about heart, it's about how hard you go, it's about believing in yourself," linebackers coach Mike Tressel said after practice Tuesday. "And having some success in these spring scrimmages can go a long way toward making these guys believe they belong in the fight for the Big Ten championship."

MSU's tradition of star linebackers traces from George Webster to Percy Snow and Julian Peterson. From 1966, when tackles began being recorded, until 1997, only once did a defensive back lead the Spartans: Thomas Morris in 1980.

Since Josh Thornhill's graduation in 2001, there hasn't been a dominating presence in the middle of MSU's defense, and it's shown up in the stats. A safety or defensive back has made the Spartans' most tackles in six of the last nine seasons. Ronald Stanley was the last linebacker to do so in 2004.

Last season, linebackers David Herron and Kaleb Thornhill finished second and third, combining for 147 tackles, but six of MSU's top eight totals came from the secondary.

Hawken thinks the change from John L. Smith's 4-2-5 - with two linebackers and the "bandit," last year Adams, dropping into more pass coverage - to coach Mark Dantonio's scheme will return the glory to his position. Linebackers are expected to penetrate the line of scrimmage and play the run more in the 4-3.

"I think it's more fun to play - it's got a lot more blitzes and pressures, and I think it's a good style, a good change, for us to be attacking more," Hawken said.

Misch, who Tressel said has "the best motor on the team," said the position battle has strengthened the entire corps.

"The competition that the new coaches have instilled into every practice has really given everyone an opportunity to get better and show what we can do," he said. "The guys that were kind of getting looked over before are now actually guys that eyes are on."

Contact Chris Solari at 377-1070 or csolari@lsj.com.