John L. Smith: “We’re ready”
MSU head coach John L. Smith believes his players are ready and he can’t wait for Saturday’s season opener against Kent State. At this time of year the past two seasons, Smith was wishing for a couple more weeks of fall practice to fine tune his team. As Steve Grinczel from MLive.com reports, there’s no need to wait this season, the Spartans are ready for kickoff.
“I think we’re ready,” Smith said. “I know they’re sick and tired of us (practicing against each other) and want to see someone else. If we play as hard as we can play, I think we’re ready. And actually, in some spots I feel optimistic about what I think’s going to happen.
“They’re looking forward to lining up against some people and seeing how good they really are.”
Fifth-year senior strong safety Eric Smith seconded that motion.
“I’m tired of hitting people in green,” Eric Smith said. “I’m tired of seeing them in general. I’m happy we had a day off (Monday) so we wouldn’t have to see each other.”
In the Lansing State Journal, Coach Smith and strong safety Eric Smith were both excited by the progress that SirDarean Adams has made at the bandit position.
“He’s night and day compared to a year ago at this time,” Smith said. “We’re still just scratching the surface with him. We’ve got a long way to go, and he has a lot of room to improve.”
Senior strong safety and captain Eric Smith, who was slated to start at bandit this spring, was equally excited about his teammate’s progress.
“He’s made a big improvement since last fall and spring,” Eric Smith said of Adams.
Both Smiths said Adams has become more vocal.
“I don’t have to tell him as many things,” Eric Smith said. “Sometimes he’s calling stuff out before me.”