Michigan State Spartans defensive coordinator Joe Rossi is meticulous in his scheming and execution. With the season opener just days away, the first-year Spartans coordinator is stressing the little things.
Not worried about his defense being unable to handle Florida Atlantic. Not fearful. It is like eustress versus distress -- Rossi is worried for the right reasons. He is a perfectionist who pays close attention to detail. It's a good kind of worry.
It's like Hall of Fame basketball coach Bobby Knight, famed "rabbit hunter" whose "rabbits" consisted of the small details instead of the elephant in the room. For the Spartans' new defensive coordinator, it is all about preparation. "If you knew me, I worry about everything at all times," Rossi told reporters at Tuesday's media availibility. "I think that's what most defensive coaches are like. Offensive coaches are a little more laid back than the defensive guys. So I worry about everything at all times. For me, it's like I'm not wishing the day to be here. We need the work days. So don't wish time away. Today was a big day for us in terms of work. Tomorrow's another big one for us.
"I'm not worried about Maryland," Rossi said. "For us it's been a constant evaluation from the spring through training camp. What can we handle, what can't we handle. Each game is its own entity. ... For us, it's about going out and executing our calls, flying around the ball and everything at us that we might not be able to see. And then we'll come back, look at it, and see what we need to do for the next one.
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