Clash of the Titans

Jones goes to limit for defense

When Dhani Jones steps on the field Saturday against Michigan State, he'll know the importance of the game.

After all, his education about Michigan State week began long before last Sunday's film session about the Spartans.

"I think having the University of Michigan maize and blue blood in my family kind of gave me under the impression of what the rivalry meant," Jones said. "Throughout my life, my parents have always read that, in my body, there is this great rivalry between Michigan and Michigan State."

AP PHOTO When Sedrick Irvin lines up against Michigan this weekend, he won't just be taking on the defense, he'll be facing half the state - Wolverine fans.

But to Jones, who said "you need to prepare 110 percent, 200 percent," the game goes far beyond the basic intrastate rivalry phase. He contends that it's about the intensity on the field and the additional level of concentration necessary throughout this week.

Nothing his parents told him, though, could have prepared him for his first Michigan-Michigan State game two years ago in Michigan Stadium.

"When I came here, I knew what (the game) was going to be about," he said. But "I didn't know how hard they'd be hitting. I kind of found that out the first play of the game."

Jones' spirituality and general glee for life - last winter, he organized a snowball fight outside of West Quad - translates into his defensive philosophy. Criticism - like that of ESPN analyst Lee Corso who questioned Michigan's toughness this week - just fuels Jones.

"I think you have to take what everybody says and take it into your system," he said. "Our team is made up of great athletes and we're coming of age as a team. We're becoming a better team as we progress. Each week, we constantly set in our mind, we have to get better."

During Michigan's first two games, A Butkus Award candidate at inside linebacker, Jones was forced to the outside when most of the linebacking crew was decimated by injury.

His fellow starters - generally regarded as the top group in the country before the season - Clint Copenhaver, Sam Sword and Ian Gold, were lost to various ailments over the first three games.

So, as the unifying thread and most experienced linebacker, he agreed to move wherever coach Lloyd Carr requested.

"There's some necessities and some positions needed to be filled," he said. "I don't care where I am on the field, I just want to play. It's all up to you whether you want to play and whether you want to sacrifice for the team.

"That doesn't bother me at all. That's one thing that's great about Michigan is that everybody has an open heart."

Speaking about anatomy seems to excite the pre-med student - his ability to tie in his studies, position, play, and focus on this week's game is uncanny.

"One of the reasons you come to Michigan is to beat Michigan State," he said. "No matter what the record is, it's always going to be balls out."

Using slang to describe such an intense rivalry is hardly unusual, but Jones seems to take his effort and practice ability to an impossible level - regardless of his position.

"Inside or outside, that's one of the great attitudes about our team is that everybody goes where they're supposed to, and they give 110 percent no matter what," Jones said. "Week by week they'll tell me (where to play), but regardless, I'll give 110 percent."

His ability to give more than seems humanly possible (i.e. that extra 10 percent) impresses his coaches, who know his unique thirst for knowledge.

"We moved Dhani because we felt he was strong enough and smart enough to play that position," Carr said. He was moved "probably because we thought he was the best guy."

Since his leadership role expanded as youth surrounded him, Jones spoke more as a defensive leader and not the observant underclassman he was during his first two seasons.

"I think with any defense, or any team, when they give up a touchdown or two touchdowns within a defensive mind, they don't ever want to ever let anybody score on them," he said. "Unless they've ever shut out another team, they think they could do better."

"Each week is a fresh start. One good thing about our defense is that we put the past aside and we learn what happened in the last game."

This week, the Wolverines may have to concentrate on Michigan State's anatomy if they plan to come away with the 'State Champs' title - and there's little doubt who will be leading the charge.

"Dhani is an extremely bright guy, but he has some things to learn," Carr said. "He's going to fight you. He's done a great job at Michigan, he's a great leader and one of the toughest guys on our team.

"You know one thing, you're always going to get 100 percent from Dhani Jones."

That must be on a slow day for Jones.

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