Let's Appreciate What We Have

The Big Ten Championship Game (BTCG) was a blow to the stomach, but ladies and gentlemen, let's clear our minds for a moment to appreciate what a great season this has been and how lucky we are as Spartan fans.  The Spartan players and coaches had their ups and downs this season, but in the end, the body of work they delivered for our pleasure was remarkable.  We don't have a perfect program (who does?), but we do have a program that has achieved heights not seen in East Lansing, in many, many years. 

Let me start with the coaches.  Spartan nation, we are blessed.  Mark Dantonio is truly an elite coach.  In just 5 years, he has taken a program that could not even win 50% of its games and turned it into a program that now consistently contends for the Big Ten title.  And folks, this is just the start.  I am convinced that he will take MSU to the point where we are consistently able to compete for national championships.  As for the coordinators, I had my share of complaints with their play calling throughout the year, but at the end of the regular season I can honestly say that Pat Narduzzi and Dan Roushar exceeded expectations.  I felt like they called a masterful game in the BTCG.  I hope to see both of them back next year.

As for the players, I hate to single out any of them for praise because this whole team deserves to be celebrated.  But since I don't have time to write about all of them (perhaps in a few months I will), I will mention a few that stood out in the BTCG and who will be leaving or are likely to be leaving after this year.  I will also mention Le'Veon Bell because he just stood out too much.   

Kirk Cousins -- learned so much throughout the year and learned to stay cool under pressure.  In the Notre Dame game I thought he was exposed as a quarterback that was too nervous to be really good.  But in the BTCG he really looked like an NFL quarterback.  He showed great poise and accuracy.  In one of my first posts I predicted that he would become a first-round talent.  His performance in the BTCG made me believe that he still could do that.  I expect him to impress the scouts at the NFL combines.

B.J. Cunningham -- played like a wide receiver that will be taken in the first 3 rounds all year long.  In the BTCG he played his best, perhaps 2nd round good.

Keyshawn Martin -- was inconsistent most of the year, but in the BTCG he looked like a 2nd round talent.

Jerel Worthy -- led by example in the BTCG and looked every bit like a player that deserves to be taken in the top 15 of the NFL draft.

Trenton Robinson -- made big hit after big hit in the BTCG.  He may not go in the first 3 rounds but I think he will be drafted.

Le'Veon Bell -- have you ever seen anyone run with as much heart and power as Bell ran with in the BTCG?  This guy is a superstar in the making.  MSU's O-line will improve next year and Bell will become a household name next year.

In the future, I will write a post about guys that are coming back next year and what next year will look like for the Spartans.  For now, let's just appreciate the great talents that have donned the Spartan uniform.  And let's appreciate that none of these guys was a rated particularly high by any recruiting sites.  Appreciate that MSU does a great job of discovering and developing talent.