Want Answers? Michigan State Spring Football Is Right Around the Corner

It's almost that time of year.

Not football season, but spring football season.

With the recent tweaks of the Michigan State Spartans' roster, fans don't really know what to expect come fall.

Perhaps April 24 will answer some questions.

As far as the receiving corps is concerned, it is virtually identical to last year's, minus former Saginaw-Nouvel standout Blair White.

Fred Smith , Mark Dell, and B.J. Cunningham have all been reinstated to the gridiron by Coach Mark Dantonio after last fall's infamous Rather Hall incident . 

Dantonio has had a full plate when it comes to disciplinary issues, but with spring comes a new beginning.

The fourth-year Spartan head man has bounced ideas off his offensive and defensive coordinators when it comes to new schemes for 2010.

One suggestion that has been tossed around by defensive guru Pat Narduzzi is of utilizing his depth at linebacker. Narduzzi plans to implement a 3-4 defense which, in theory, would showcase the Spartans' strengths at the position.

With the likes of Greg Jones, Eric Gordon, and Chris Norman behind the defensive line, Michigan State will be better able to run the set.

Historically, the Spartans have been a 4-3 -nickel defense, but things could change, and fast, if the 3-4 experiment works.

As for quarterback, Spartans fans can assume that the dual system that was semi-successful last season will exist again in September.

And that's where offensive coordinator Don Treadwell comes in.

Kirk Cousins and Keith Nichol divided snaps between each other, with both possessing positives at different aspects of the position.

Cousins, a Holland, Mich. native, was believed to tout the better arm.

Nichol, a product of Lowell, Mich., was said to have mobility on his side.

Both signal-callers proved the "experts" wrong.

Nichol showcased exceptional arm strength, and Cousins showed that when flushed out of the pocket, he can scoot.

Will Michigan State see another year of the two-quarterback system, or will one emerge as the premier man under center?

Nichol, who is still listed as a quarterback, showed ability to run receiving routes in the Spartans' 41-31 loss to Texas Tech in the Alamo Bowl. His speed at the position may be utilized come fall.

If Nichol will be playing receiver in 2010, who will be the back up quarterback?

The order of Dantonio's depth-chart would indicate that former Midland High star Andrew Maxwell would replace No. 7 as Michigan State's No. 2 under center.

Another burning question that's on the tongue of ever Michigan State Spartans fan is "where does Keshawn Martin fit?"

In Dantonio's ESPN interview , there was no mention of "Martin" and "starter" in the same sentence. The X-factor of the Spartans' offense is the most explosive player East Lansing has seen since Javon Ringer.

Martin was known for his big-play ability last year, and many Spartans fans feel that he is the key to MSU's special teams success now that Brett Swenson is gone.

As spring practice draws closer, Spartans fans will be further engaged in the ins and outs of what is going to happen with their team.

If there is anything that Michigan State can learn from last year, it's that the running game isn't something to be ignored; Larry Caper and Edwin Baker will both be huge for a successful scoring attack.

As seen on Barking Carnival's "Sparty On" blog.