Easy Duckett for MSU Spartans learn important lesson, won't overuse Heisman candidate early in the season

At 6-1, 249 pounds, T.J. Duckett is the quintessential all-purpose running back. He has the size and strength for power runs upthe middle and the speed and agility to run wide against any defense.

For that reason, Duckett--who was fourth in the Big Ten and 11thnationally in rushing last season with an average of 123 yards--ismentioned on just about everyone's list of preseason Heisman Trophycandidates.

But the Michigan State junior tailback shrugs off the Heisman talkthe same way he sheds would-be tacklers on the field.

"It's not something that's in the front of my mind. I'm notthinking too much about it," Duckett said as the Spartans prepared tobegin fall workouts this week. "To me, the important thing iswinning. That award usually goes to a player whose team has had asuccessful year.

"For us, the important thing is to win and bounce back from lastseason. If we do that, the other things will take care ofthemselves."

Despite Duckett's success, last season was a bust for MichiganState. The team slumped to a 5-6 record overall after starting 3-0and finished tied for ninth in the Big Ten with a 2-6 mark, eventhough the Spartans had the league's top-rated defense.

"Offensively, we weren't consistent, we had a lot of penalties andwe didn't put a lot of points on the board, not as many as weshould," Duckett said. "We got inside the red zone and couldn'tscore. If we can get that out of the way--or at least a couple ofthem out of the way--we should do a lot better."

For that to happen, Duckett may have to take on a lesser role, atleast early in the season. The Spartans will employ more of a spreadoffense and won't consistently line up in the I-formation on firstdown.

"Last year, T.J. was carrying the ball over 25 times a game earlyin the season and then he sustained an injury that nagged him for therest of the year," coach Bobby Williams said. "That's something we'dlike not to do, work him out early in the season, but also make surehis productivity is there.

"I think it's going to be important for us to have him in themiddle as well as the end of the season."

The other key for Michigan State will be getting improvedquarterback play. Ryan Van Dyke, a senior, began last season as thestarter, but suffered a thumb injury in the first game and missed thenext three games.

Freshman Jeff Smoker was pressed into duty at that point, andneither quarterback was able to establish much consistency for theremainder of the season.

Williams said he hasn't settled on a No. 1 quarterback and doesn'tplan to do so anytime soon. He expects the position to be improved nomatter who is under center.

"Jeff Smoker finished the season as the starter and went into thespring as the starter, and we ended up splitting time between Jeffand Ryan in the spring with the first team," Williams said. "I'mgoing to continue that. This preseason, I felt Van Dyke made a lot ofimprovement and made it a close race.

"We're going to give both a chance to work with the first team andthen going into the season--if the race is still close--we plan onplaying them both."

Besides being able to hand off to Duckett, both quarterbacksshould benefit from the addition of sophomore wide receiver CharlesRogers, who didn't play as a freshman because of academic reasons.Rogers, a big, fast receiver at 6-4, was rated the No. 1 prospect inthe nation two years ago by recruiting guru Tom Lemming, and many arepredicting instant stardom.

"There are great expectations with Charles," Williams said. "Hedefinitely had a good first year. The fact that he was able topractice really allowed him to develop his skills, so everyone isreally looking for a breakout year from him.

"In my mind, he's still a freshman because he hasn't played yet.He has the potential to be a really outstanding player."

Williams will need all the help he can get because the second-year coach already is under fire. He struggled with some gamemanagement issues last season, and many fans questioned whether theschool hired the right candidate when Nick Saban left for LSU.

Williams, though, remains confident.

"Despite the fact we finished 5-6, I felt we made some strides asa program, the way that team competed in six losses that we had andhow close we were," he said. "This year, I'm faced with a whole newset of challenges. There are several challenges, one of them istrying to solidify a pretty good quarterback race and having severalplayers starting for the first time and stepping into differentroles.

"The ultimate goal is to bring this football team to a level wherewe can compete for a championship. I think we're good enough. It'sgoing to be so important that we bring this group along and develop."

Still, the centerpiece is Duckett.

"We can't wait," Duckett said. "After going 5-6 last season, thatwas definitely a disappointing year and we're not anxious for that tohappen again. We worked hard all winter and spring and summer, andthat's been the biggest thing on our minds."