Mizzou Links, 8-19-10

Practice Reports

• The Trib (Dave Matter): One and Done

  Blaine Gabbert is dialed in. Someone asked me the other day if freshman quarterback James Franklin is putting any heat on Gabbert for the No. 1 job, and here’s how I handicap the QB derby: Franklin is gradually distancing himself from the other backup candidates for the No. 2 job … but the gap between Gabbert and Franklin for the No. 1 job is separated by miles. This is Blaine’s offense, and the more comfortable he gets with his receivers, the more you see the junior unleash the kind of throws that will eventually earn him an NFL paycheck. From around the 40-yard line, Gabbert rolled to his right and launched a perfect strike into the end zone where only wideout Rolandis Woodland could catch it. (Hide your eyes, folks.) The ball hit Gabbert’s target in the hands, then fluttered to the turf. Either way, brilliant throw. From closer quarters, Gabbert clinched the practice victory for the offense by firing a touchdown pass to a diving T.J. Moe in the end zone. I’m starting to believe "Gabbert to Moe" might be the most prolific pass-and-catch tandem in the Big 12 this year, or at least one of the top tive. Who could have imagined that scenario three years ago when Gabbert was slogging through an injury-plagued senior year at Parkway West and Moe was just across the Missouri River knifing through defenses as Fort Zumwalt West’s quarterback?

  Um ... SOMEBODY ASKED HIM IF FRANKLIN WAS PUTTING HEAT ON GABBERT???
• PowerMizzou: Second scrimmage upcoming

  Jaleel Clark made a catch over middle and made a nice move to elude a linebacker. Clark isn't flashy, but he's catching everything and I feel confident he'll be in the mix at wideout.
  
  Ashton Glaser hit Rolandis Woodland with a perfect strike for about 35 yards down right sideline over double coverage. Glaser has been good the last week or so and Woodland has responded very well to the demotion to second-string after the last scrimmage.

• MUtigers.com Blog: Offense Wins Shortened Practice As Tigers Prep For Big Thursday

  Tomorrow's scrimmage is a big day for the team, Pinkel said.

  "It's a real important day tomorrow again to see where our football team is, to see where we've improved offensively and defensively, and I'm talking more in terms of the first and second team and then the competition for the depth and all those other things," Pinkel said. "Our goal tomorrow will be to get 35 plays or so with ones, twos and threes, a little less than that with fours," he added.

• The Missourian: Short day for Missouri football team

  Pinkel discussed three freshmen wide receivers who have played well in the preseason: Jimmie Hunt, Marcus Murphy and Bud Sasser. Hunt is sitting out of practice this week with an injury, which Pinkel says will add to the pressure the other freshmen are already facing. Pinkel was vague about the future roles of Murphy and Sasser but indicated that decisions would be made about their playing time in the coming weeks.

  Receiver Kerwin Stricker is still out with an injured ankle and groin, and the team will do another CAT scan to determine the severity of the injuries. Defensive back Kevin Rutland also sat out with a back strain, but Pinkel said that he would be back soon.

• Fox Sports MW: Tiger Camp Notebook: August 18

Other Mizzou Football Links

• The Trib: Big hits are Kenji Jackson's calling cards
• KC Star: Mother's deah forced L'Damian Washington to grow up fast
• PowerMizzou: Coach's corner with Brian Jones
• Post-Dispatch: Missouri still believes in the spread offense
• Post-Dispatch: Sheldon Richardson remains committed to MU
• Newcomers
  KC Star (Campus Corner): Mizzou unsure who may play among trio of freshman receivers
  PowerMizzou: Sasser learning quickly this fall
  PowerMizzou: Freshman Q&A: Xavier Smith
  The Trib: NEWCOMER PROFILE: RB Greg White
  

Big 12 Football Links

• Nebraska
  Corn Nation: Bo Pelini Talks about Media Ban
• Oklahoma
  Crimson & Cream Machine: Plenty Of Options At Receiver This Year
  

Mizzou (and Big 12) Basketball Links

• STEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEVE
  MUtigers.com: Steve Moore Enjoys European Trip
  The Trib (Steve Walentik): Moore Back from European excursion
• Big 12 Hoops: Big 12 Refs - Whose games have the most fouls on average?
  

Other Mizzou Links

• Mizzou Baseball
  SimmonsField.com: Fall Roster
• Mizzou Volleyball
  MUtigers.com: Volleyball Prepares for Black and Gold
  

Other

• Coug Center: Defensive Playbook: 3-3-5 Defense