July 31, 2007

Junior Running Back Javon Ringer

On how the Spartans are going to be different this year:

I would have to say the new attitude Coach Dantonio has brought to the team. When he first came here, he wanted everyone to be strictly business. Whatever has happened in the past stays in the past. He wanted things to be his certain way. Everybody stepped their game up and we knew we needed to get down to business. Everyone has a different attitude.

On increased emphasis on the running game:

We have more of a run-based offense now. Under Coach Dantonio, the emphasis is on the running game. So now I know that I'm going to be getting 20 or more carries a game. I'm going to get some opportunities to show what I can do in a game. Personally, being a running back, I'm very excited about it.

On the team's new attitude under Coach Dantonio:

In the past, a lot of the players would get serious when they needed to get serious, but they would joke around a lot. A lot of that is cut out. There is a time to laugh, and there is a time to get to business. I can see that in everyone. Our approach in meetings, in the weight room and during our runs we all respect and like what Coach Dantonio is trying to do. His attitude motivates us.

On new defensive schemes under Coach Dantonio:

During the spring, the defense was putting in something new every day. I think the players on defense like the new schemes because they are put in different situations and have opportunities to make plays. There are a lot of blitzes and everyone is very enthusiastic. They like to show their speed and hit the quarterback. Everybody likes to hit the quarterback.

On MSU's element of surprise this year:

In the past, we got a reputation for starting strong and then crumbling at the end. With Coach Dantonio, he has instilled an attitude in us that, if things don't work out, then we'll pay for it in practice. But he does it in a positive way, allowing us to show what we can do. People aren't going to expect much from us in the beginning, but we'll be getting respect by the end of the season.

On the signature of MSU Football in 2007:

Physical football. We are going to run instead of finesse passing. We are going to try to run it down your throat. The defense is going to pressure the quarterback and force him into making mistakes.

On changes to the team this year:

Personally, I've seen a lot of changes in our players. This year, it's a lot more serious. We all mean business. The attitude the coaches brought in and put on us will earn the respect of our fans and the other teams that play us and we will show them that we're not in the lower class of the Big Ten. We have a lot to work on. There are a lot of little things, from meetings to weights to the way we run, every thing is different.

On the rigors of Big Ten Media Day:

It's a lot. Everyone is in your face, and a lot of people are asking the same questions. Personally, it's an honor to have been chosen. Not every player in the conference gets to be here so I take it as an honor to have been chosen to talk about our team and the things we're trying to accomplish this year.

On the status of his leg:

My leg is holding up fine, perfect. That's why I was able to come back last season. I'm very religious and I owe a lot of it to God for healing my knee and allowing me to do the things that I can do.

On his excitement of having an increased amount of carries:

I'm very excited. I feel like Jehuu (Caulcrick) is a great back and we complement each other well. He really wants to run the ball, too. So now we get an opportunity to show it and we're excited.

On Coach Dantonio knowing MSU's opponents well:

Obviously, it's going to give us confidence. He's been with those guys and hopefully he'll know their tendencies as players. We'll know what we're up against. Knowing that we have a coach that has coached with a lot of the coaches we're up against will make us feel better because we will know what to prepare for.

On the slight difference between failure and success:

It's a game of inches. That's what we talk to our players about. In the game of football, you can make it to be very complicated, but it comes down to that it's a game of inches. We talk about the difference between right and wrong on the field as well as off the field. A lot of times, it's just a little bit. If we pay attention to detail, everything should take care of itself.

Head Coach Mark Dantonio

On past struggles for MSU Football:

It has nothing to do with ability, it has nothing to do with semantics. It has to do with handling adversity on the field and playing hard every single play. The first thing we have to do is come together as a football team...We have some talent on this football team. We need to stay healthy. We need to get our young players involved, our freshmen and our redshirt freshmen, we'll bring them into the program and we'll get them to focus as players.

On parity in the Big Ten:

I wasn't here last year, but I watched a lot of film of last year and learned a lot. I think there's always a team in the Big Ten that's going to surprise people. There's always someone that's going to come out of nowhere. When I was an assistant here in 1999, I think we were picked 9th (in the preseason poll) and we went 10-2. I believe that as each program moves forward and gains confidence, everyone can give themselves a chance to win. And that's what is exciting, the media exposure that is here right now is because this is a great conference.

On what it means to be a head coach in the Big Ten:

It means I as a coach have achieved. It means my family has achieved. We have reached the highest level of coaching in the country. That's something everybody wants. You want to be the best at what you do. I'm very excited about it. I'm very comfortable here.

On the team's personnel:

We have a good football team. Basically, we have an offensive line that has size, experience and toughness. We have a quarterback situation where one guy has experience, good vision and a presence in the huddle. He has been successful. We have two great running backs and a good set of wide receivers. While not all that experienced, they are talented. They will respond. Our tight end situation is solid. Kellen Davis may be as good as any tight end in the conference. Defensively, our front four has some guys that can play. Our linebackers are young but talented and our secondary is talented but needs to pay more attention to detail. Other than that, we have a kicker, but we have to find a punter.

On playing at Ohio State:

Well, you get an opportunity to play in that atmosphere. You usually don't get that at home a lot of places. I'm fortunate to get another opportunity to play in that atmosphere and get exposure for the program, which is very exciting. What I tell my team is that you always have a chance. Two times (as head coach) at Cincinnati, we had a chance in the third quarter. We'll have a chance, they'll have a chance. They may get 10 opportunities to score, we may get two. We just have to make good on those two.

On his relationship with Ohio State coach Jim Tressel:

I have known Jim Tressel since 1983 and he has been a mentor and a friend to not only me but my family as well. He is an amazing person because he cares for his players and coaches. He doesn't waver, and that's what allows him to be successful. He sticks to his plan. He has taught me a lot. But then again, I'm my own person and I have worked a lot of places. So I'm trying to take everything I learned throughout my time and put it in our program. I want to empower our football program.