Tag: injuries

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Ohio State football is hoping a healthy Thayer Munford is ready to go

Embed from Getty Images Thayer Munford is the starting left tackle on the Ohio State offensive line. When he is healthy he is a game changer for the Buckeyes running game. One problem, Munford played through a string of nagging injuries last season.

Thayer Munford has a spot on the Ohio State offensive line already secured. He is taking it light this spring in overcoming the injuries that by and large are gone. Thayer is still fighting through some mild discomfort.

The Ohio State coaching staff has talked about moving Thayer to right tackle as it is not as demanding as the left side. That is not a slight on Munford. Not at all. The Ohio State rushing attack is better when he is healthy and can fully participate at maximum strength. In other word the Buckeyes need Munford on the field not on a medical table.

There is no pressure for Thayer Munford to take part in spring reps right now. One thing Ohio State coaches are doing is checking on the offensive line depth this spring. Offensive line coach Greg Studrawa said “The good news is those young kids are getting a ton of reps, and they have a chance this spring to get better.”

That is the good. The bad is Ohio State needs Thayer Munford on the field this fall as he is a proven player. With a new head coach and a new quarterback returning starters are even more important then is other seasons.

If a player is taking it easy coming back from injuries this is the best time it could happen. That way the player, coaches and teammates can go all out when it counts.

 

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Michigan State Spartans football believes Cody White could be a go-to player

Embed from Getty Images In 2018’s season to forget. Michigan State’s football team saw their wide receivers  two-deep on the depth chart go down with injuries one after another. There was a small silver lining for the Spartans.

The Spartans young receivers have bounced back from the injury problems that plagued them a season ago. Felton Davis II was the teams go-to guy last season. That is until the injury bug hit him as well. Injuries was the theme for the 2018 Spartans football team. It is hard to think of a college football team that  has seen so many injuries hit one positional group so hard in one season.

This spring the Michigan State football team has seen Cody White step up. “I think he can easily be our No. 1 guy,” quarterback Brian Lewerke speaking about Cody White. So far during spring practice White is not shying away from becoming the dependable go-to guy for his teammates.

It is no secret the Michigan State Spartans are  looking to turn the page after a disastrous 2018 season on the offensive side of the ball. New offensive coordinator Brad Salem, change breathing in some new life to the offense. As well as some new wrinkles in the offensive playbook.

As for the wide receivers, the Spartans need the group to be healthy and regain the production that will help the team advance the ball and give their defense a longer breather. If the Spartans can stay healthy at the wide out position and end the revolving door, it will go a long way in bringing the football team back into the Big Ten title conversation.

To this point in spring practice the Spartans are looking forward to the season, and leaving last seasons injuries and disappointment  in the rear view mirror.

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Michigan State basketball is using injuries to galvanize the team

Embed from Getty Images The Michigan State Spartans have been without Joshua Langford for a few weeks. That was the first blow for a Michigan State team that was struggling with consistency. Now without the services of Nick Ward Michigan State is being tested.

Tom Izzo, is a very good basketball coach. Tom Izzo is not a wizard. There is no magic wand that can be waived to make injuries go away. If that was the case coaches would line up for one.

The Spartans are learning to fight through their limitations. Losing two top players can be crippling to a team. “It’s going to bring our team closer together,”  Izzo said. “Whether we’ll have enough, I don’t know. We’ll find out, but I’m not counting us out.”

Depth is  critical to the overall health of any team. Even when the depth is a young player who has yet to see major game action. Still in their past two games Michigan State has fought through and won.

That is the good news. They have found players that have been pressed into action and have responded in a short period of time.  They have struggled at times but that is to be expected.

Now Tom Izzo and his Spartans will be tested. Sunday in Ann Arbor. Michigan State minus their two stars will face top ten Michigan. It will be a very tall order for Izzo’s bunch. Michigan is very good. Not to mention the game is on the Wolverines home court.

If there is one thing to remember it is this. Never count a Tom Izzo coached team out. No matter the odds, no matter who is playing and who is not. The Spartans will be ready for their in-state rival in a HUGE Big Ten showdown.

Michigan State is more than capable of  providing a convincing response to any and all questions fans and media have about the health and depth of their team. Do not count Sparty out. It could be a fatal mistake.