With 39 returning lettermen and 14 returning starters, Smith should feel pretty good about his team. However, he has questions about the depth on his squad.

After the completion of spring practice, Smith had a few questions about his team. "I would like to be a little further ahead than we are," Smith said. "We're making some progress. I'm not pleased with our depth, but there's not a lot we can do about that."

The Spartans have a big-play performer in QB Drew Stanton, who appears to be more mature than he was a year ago. He understands the bigger picture and knows it's not just about him making big plays. Stanton says he will try to contain himself and not run at every opportunity. If he can wait just a second longer before taking off he should be able to find a slew of open receivers.

If that happens, look for Michigan State to become a winning team once again and get back to a bowl game.

Head coach John L. Smith is concerned about depth and his team's ability to make big plays. Don't read that as panic. Smith is one of those rare coaches who doesn't sugar coat his observations after every game or practice. The Spartans have a good chance at being one of the better teams in the Big Ten.

-- In three spring scrimmages, Kyle Brown caught 10 passes for 272 yards and four TDs. Brown scored on pass plays of 70 (from Drew Stanton), 50 (from Stephen Reaves), 34 (from Brian Hoyer) and 19 yards (from Hoyer).

-- Linebacker Eric Andino recorded 24 tackles in three spring scrimmages, including three for losses (10 yards).

2006 DRAFT PROSPECTS: WR Matt Trannon -- While he is not a burner, Trannon is 6-6 and 225 pounds and able to withstand plenty of contact and make plays over the middle.

OLT Stefon Wheeler -- His game needs a bit of refinement, but Wheeler can be a solid run blocker and does a decent job of pass blocking. He has NFL size -- 6-5 and 320 -- and will get to the next level if he can be a bit more consistent.

LB Eric Smith -- He moves from strong safety to linebacker because of his tackling ability. Smith had 115 tackles and 3 more behind the line of scrimmage a year ago.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "Personally, I had a successful spring. I'm learning how to play smarter with my body by realizing that I don't always have to run with reckless abandon. This spring, I did improve my accuracy in throwing the deep ball and that excites me because I believe that we have the personnel to hurt teams with our vertical passing game." - QB Drew Stanton on his progress this spring.

Make that the nation. QB Drew Stanton is extremely elusive, and that opened things up for John L. Smith's crew of running backs. One of them, speedy DeAndra Cobb, has moved on to the NFL.

However, Jason Teague and Jehuu Caulcrick are very solid ball carriers who combined for 1,375 yards and 13 touchdowns. Look for both to plays significant rolls again.

But without a doubt, the key to Michigan State's offense is the productivity of Stanton. Not only is he elusive in the pocket, he has a strong enough arm to make big plays downfield. He completed 64.1 percent of his passes a year ago and should be able to improve on his 8-6 TD-interception ratio.

Stanton should have two solid receivers in Matt Trannon and Kyle Brown. Trannon is a huge target who can go up and get it in clutch situations. Brown caught 23 passes for 302 yards and a touchdown a year ago, but he had a very solid spring practice and a good year should be at hand.

Agim Shabaj could be an x-factor for the Spartans. While he caught just 29 passes last year, he has game breaking speed and could return to a key role in the Spartan gameplan this year.

TE Ryan Woods also could play a key role for the Spartans. He only caught one pass last year and is not likely to become a huge impact receiver. However, at 6-4 and 259 pounds, he has the strength to become a great lead blocker for the running game.

The offensive line has plenty of power and size. Stefon Wheeler mans the left tackle position and Mike Gyetval will man the right side. Both are 300-plus pounders (Wheeler is 320) and they should get the job done as run blockers. Smith is hoping the line will show consistency and cohesiveness.

DEFENSE: The Spartans played outstanding defense in 2003, Smith's first season in East Lansing. That was not the case last year when Michigan State gave up 27.2 ppg and ranked 72nd in the nation.

Smith needs to get this unit back on track, particularly when it comes to pass defense. The Spartans fell apart last year in the late going against Michigan because it could not stop QB Chad Henne or WR Braylon Edwards. Nobody expected the Spartans to shut Michigan down, but the secondary seemed unable to cope with playing against the Wolverines with a lead.

The secondary will get better if Michigan State gets consistent production from its defensive line. Start with DT Domata Peko. The 310-pound senior is tough to move and should be very solid in stopping the run.

Lining up next to him is 6-3, 315-pound Brandon McKinney. He comes into his senior year after recording 42 tackles and 2 tackles for loss. DE Clifton Ryan is the top pass rusher on the line. He had 41 tackles and 2.5 sacks last year.

One of the big moves Smith is making this season is shifting S Eric Smith to linebacker. Eric Smith is a concussive hitter who had 115 tackles a year ago and should be an asset to this group. He is not a great ball athlete - no interceptions last year - but he plays with courage and fire.

Kaleb Thornhill mans the MLB spot. As a freshman, Thornhill had 32 tackles and 4 behind the line of scrimmage a year ago. He should increase those totals this season.

In the secondary, RCB Jaren Hayes has plenty of speed and recorded 68 tackles, 8 passes defensed and an interception. Increasing his interception total would go along way toward giving the Spartans a better secondary.

PK John Goss takes over for Dave Rayner and will have big shoes to fill. P Brandon Fields returns after averaging 47.9 yards per punt and putting 13 inside the 20. He should be one of the top punters in the nation.