From Dave Matter's practice report

by mitch cumstein on Aug 14, 2009 11:41 AM CDT

Sorry Bill C., but I couldn't wait for you to post this excerpt from Dave's Friday practice report at behindthestripes:

"His touch on the short, intermediate and downfield throws has been so impressive, I'm starting to believe Gabbert will be as good as his receivers allow him to be."

Damn if this last quote doesn't have me excited as hell for the upcoming season. Gabbert's inexperience is my No. 1 question mark this year and if he's as impressive as Dave says (and like I said yesterday, as long as I've known Dave, he's never been someone I'd call a sunshine pumper), then I think the overall team speed and athleticism will be enough for us to compete for the North title once again.

I've said all along that going 6-6 and to a bowl was all I wanted out of this season. But Gabbert's development (caveat: if Dave is correct in his assessment), might have me ramp up my expectations to 8-4 and a shot at the North title.

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god, I hope so.

"Yeah this is my signature, big deal wanna fight about it?"

by pinkelposse on Aug 14, 2009 1:04 PM CDT reply actions

I am giddy as a school boy going to the fireworks/water guns/and beef jerky Imporium

When super delayed gratification meets with underachieving veteran they laugh at the Royals, just a hypothesis though

by MarioVanPeebles Republic of China on Aug 14, 2009 1:35 PM CDT reply actions

This may be the first time I can remember

that I’m excited about going into a year with alot of question marks. I have my expectations about as low as I’m willing to go (7 wins) and alot of confidence in the coach and the upperclassmen that they’ll do better than that.

by CPC on Aug 14, 2009 4:08 PM CDT reply actions

This touches on one of my main concerns

It’s great to hear about how well Gabbert is progressing, but I may be in a small minority of people that is concerned about the top end of the receiving corps. If Dave says the offense can go as far as the receivers take it, I’m not petrified, but I’m not 100 percent confident, either.

As Bill and I have touched on many times (and may touch on again in Part Eight of the Mizzou Football Preview Series), I’m not sure there’s a surefire No. 1 receiver on the roster. The depth is the big asset, as there might be three or four guys that make fantastic No. 2 type guys, but I’m not convinced there’s a “screw double coverage, I’m carrying this damn team” pass catcher.

Alexander has all the talent, but in addition to concerns about his sturdiness, he seems to have picked up a case of the drops in the training room. Perry sounds like he’s been the most consistent, but for the last two years, he’s been inconsistent at times and hard to paint in a single light. Jackson and Kemp are still unproven commodities.

Don’t get me wrong, there’s a lot to like about the WR group. But I am certainly VERY interested to see if anyone can take the load and see exactly just how far they can “carry” Gabbert, so to speak.

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by RPT on Aug 14, 2009 5:14 PM CDT reply actions