Keith Nichol at wide receiver? Spartans exploring all options for Alamo Bowl vs. Texas Tech

Blair White on his new (part-time) colleague in the receiving corps:

"(Nichol) has played a few snaps at wide receiver in our bowl practices. I think he really likes it, and he’s making plays."

"I don’t know if that’s something where the coaches are going to play Keith as a receiver in the bowl game, or if they’re just trying to see what he can do as a receiver. He’s probably more athletic than I am. He could be our biggest wide receiver at 220 pounds. He’s fast and has good hands. He’s not exactly a blazer, but he can get open and catch the ball, and make something happen after the catch.’’

Obviously, in a perfect world (one in which three of your top five wide receivers don't participate in the organized invasion of a college dormitory), you don't expose your back-up quarterback to the dangers of practicing/playing at the receiver position.

But, given the circumstances, I think experimenting with putting Nichol on the other end of passes makes sense. If nothing else, it creates possibilities in the trick-play department for a game in which MSU is likely going to have to find multiple ways to put points on the board in order to have a chance to win.

2 months ago KJ@theonlycolors 6 comments 0 recs |

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Nichol playing out of position in a bowl game is not a good idea.

Signed, Drew Stanton

by Chris in Kzoo on Dec 26, 2009 9:25 PM CST via mobile reply actions 0 recs

Two major differences from the Stanton analogy

1. Nichol’s not the quarterback of the future. If he gets injured, it’s still sort of a big deal for next year, but not a major one, seeing how Cousins I think would be expected to start every game for the next two years.

2. Nichol is currently playing at a position of need. Stanton was playing on coverage on special teams, a spot any third-string LB could fill just as well. State’s very short on wideouts right now, and anyone running a ~4.5 and good hands is appreciated. Nichol fits that description, thus he’s getting a look.

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by Pete Rossman on Dec 26, 2009 11:26 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I’m not sure something like damaging a knee isn’t a “major deal.” While Cousin’s has separated himself from Nichol, I think people are forgetting that Nichol clearly is a BCS conference QB. Losing him would be a very big blow. QB’s are one hit away from not playing again in a season. I’m 100% against playing any QB in another position.

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by Mike Rogers on Dec 27, 2009 12:21 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm with Pete

He’s the backup QB and he’s not likely to start next year, barring injury to Cousins. If he can catch a few passes that Milton Colbert or Brad Sontag won’t, use him in the bowl. If he’s no better than them, ties should go to them, because of Mike’s points.

A bowl win and winning season this year would be worth a lot, to me as a fan and to the team in recruiting and perception.

by witless chum on Dec 28, 2009 8:25 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Tech has had problems with and some success with the 3 x converted QBs they faced in 09.

This past year Tech faced Kerry Myer, Ryan Tannehill and John Chiles. Of the three Myer of Kansas U is the best pass catcher. He is in fact a very good receiver and has the numbers to prove it. Seemingly knows exactly where to sit down in the zone and never seems to drop a ball. He had little bad luck vs. Tech in Lubbock and lost a key fumble late in the game. John Chiles of UT – who we faced early in the year – got handled. He just could not get on the field as a QB because of Colt McCoy. That being said he clearly had the most athleticism and he’s the fastest of the three QB converts Tech faced. In the game down in Austin – he appeared to be a. trying too hard. b. to have skillet- like hands when hit by the inbound pass. c. when he caught it – ran sideways. Lastly Tannehill of the Texas A&M Aggies. A virtual Myer clone. The Aggies with their 2 x stud running backs really didn’t need him but he still got 2 or 3 possession first downs for them in our worst 2009 loss. ( by 22 points) He really dissected the Raiders in College Station in 2008. So Mr. Nichols is likely to have some success against the Raider secondary. To be honest I am more worried about those 5 x Tight ends on your roster all of whom appear to be over 6’5" and 265 plus pounds. The Raider line backers are what can best be described as adequate pass coverage guys. The scheme seems to rely on a defensive push to deny the TE throw by a QB rather than a coverage denial. Last time we faced a Big 10 Tight End (Insight Bowl) it was very painful.

"do routine things routinely"

by centexraider on Dec 27, 2009 10:36 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

State's only chance in this game

Is to run mostly 2-TE formations, or use a lot of I-formation with one TE. From that formation, they can punish the LBs with short possession passes to Gantt and Company. If they can keep the ball for long periods AND put up points on those drives, they can succeed. At the end of the day though, they’d have to hold the ball for about 40 minutes and score ~35-40 points. Yeah, I could see it, but I don’t think it’s gonna happen. Still, you know I’ll be watching.

by heresjohnny on Dec 28, 2009 10:03 AM CST reply actions 0 recs