Mizzou Links, 8-22-11

by Bill C. on Aug 22, 2011 5:07 AM CDT in News

Mizzou Football Links

Quite a few links to share despite the fact that nothing really actually happened this weekend. Somebody else (Brandon Durant) was lost to injury for the season (he probably wasn't going to play anyway), somebody quit (the quotable Gerrand Johnson, who had been having a quiet August), and approximately 24 more players got dinged up. Regarding Gary Pinkel's "some years it happens, some years it doesn't" quote below ... how about we try one of those "some years it doesn't" years at some point? That would be lovely.

Must-Reads
The Trib: Cousin's murder inspires Trey Hobson
Post-Dispatch (Bernie Miklasz): Mizzou is lucky to have Pinkel
Friday Practice
The Trib (Dave Matter): Camp Chronicles: Sea of red

Three more defensive starters pulled on red jerseys after getting hurt in Thursday's scrimmage: defensive end Jacquies Smith and free safety Matt White sat out Friday's practice with ankle injuries, while linebacker Will Ebner was sidelined with a concussion. They join four other injured starters in defensive end Brad Madison, strong safety Kenji Jackson, receiver Jerrell Jackson and center Travis Ruth. Free safety Tavon Bolden also pulled on a red jersey after practice, and freshman linebacker Brandon Durant suffered an apparent leg injury late in practice. No word on the status or severity of those injuries. "I don’t really worry about it," Gary Pinkel said of the injuries. "Some years it happens, some years it doesn't. It also cries out that younger players and experienced players got to get better."

PowerMizzou: Friday Practice Report
MUtigers.com: Camp Notebook: Defense Wins Spirited Practice
KC Star: Three more MU defensive starters on sidelines with injuries
We Are Mizzou: Battle for the Black Jerseys
Saturday Practice
The Trib (Dave Matter): Camp Chronicles: End of the road
PowerMizzou: Saturday Practice Report

*Pinkel said after practice he hopes to get most of the injured players back in action relatively soon. The only new news was that Jacquies Smith has a sprained big toe, rather than the injured ankle we were told yesterday. In addition, Brandon Durant, who went down late in practice on Friday, was on crutches with a full length brace on his knee. Pinkel said he had an ACL injury and perhaps additional damage. Durant will have season-ending surgery soon.

*One player who won't return is freshman defensive tackle Gerrand Johnson. Pinkel said Johnson has "chosen to leave the program and we wish him well." Because class has not yet started at Missouri, it would seem that Johnson could enroll somewhere else in the next few days and be eligible to play the 2012 season, but no one was quite clear on the rules. Johnson was on campus for spring football and fourth on the depth chart at defensive tackle.

MUtigers.com: Camp Notebook: Tigers Break For a Couple of Days
KC Star (Campus Corner): One more reserve out for year, and another quits
The Missourian: Nothing left to chance at Missouri football practice
PowerMizzou: PMTV-HD: Coach's Corner
Promotions!
MUtigers.com: Steckel, Yost Promoted to Assistant Head Coaches
The Missourian: Missouri football promotes two coaches
Post-Dispatch: Steckel brings his own style, and success, to MU defense
Traditions!
MUtigers.com: VIDEO: Rock M Painting
2011
ESPN.com (David Ubben): Five predictions for the Big 12 in 2011
Rivals.com: Rivals.com Preseason All-America Teams
Quarterbacks
ESPN.com (David Ubben): James Franklin took unusual route to QB
The Trib: MU backup QB job still up for grabs
PowerMizzou: Freshman Q&A: Corbin Berkstresser
Receivers
PowerMizzou: PMTV-HD: Brandon Gerau
PowerMizzou: PMTV-HD: Gahn McGaffie
Tight End
The Trib: Andrew Jones not willing to be forgotten man
Defensive Line
The Trib: Tackling drill a challenge for Missouri's defensive line
PowerMizzou: Brayden Burnett breaks out
Linebackers
KC Star: Luke Lambert and Will Ebner try to claw back from a forgettable season
Defensive Backs
We Are Mizzou: Mizzou Cornerbacks
PowerMizzou: PMTV-HD: Braylon Webb and Daniel Easterly
PowerMizzou: PMTV-HD: Randy Ponder
PowerMizzou: Freshman Q&A: David Johnson
PowerMizzou: Freshman Q&A: Ian Simon

Former Mizzou Football Player Links

Blaine Gabbert is struggling a bit, which ... of course he's struggling. He's a rookie. I was really hoping he wouldn't end up the starter this year, just so he could have a year in the shadows, but we'll see. We might be sharing lots of "Did Gabbert do any better this weekend?" links this fall. Meanwhile, Chase Daniel is throwing pretty deep balls, and ... SPOOOOOOOOOOOON.

Gabbert
KC Star: Gabbert unimpressive as Jags beat Falcons
Jacksonville.com: The Blaine Gabbert Watch
Big Cat Country: No one wants the Jaguars quarterback job, apparently
Chase Daniel
NFL.com: VIDEO: Chase Daniel to Joe Morgan
SPOOOOOOOOOOOON
ESPN.com (NFC South Blog): Observations on the Atlanta Falcons
National Football Post: NFP Sunday Blitz

Sean Weatherspoon, the Falcons’ 19th pick in the 2010 draft, is having an excellent training camp in his new position at weakside linebacker. He’s flying around the field, making plays with frequency. The team expects him to become a force in the regular season.

No one in the Falcons’ front office will be surprised to see Weatherspoon become a star. Their biomechanical scouting profile of Weatherspoon told them he would be special.

What the Falcons have been doing for the last four years is taking a contingent of scouts and coaches to maybe 20 schools each spring. Most of the trips are made on Arthur Blank’s private plane. At these schools, they put 50 to 80 players who interest them through a private workout, and videotape the workout. Then they use a software program that biomechanically asses how each player moves. Sometimes, they use game tape to make further biomechanical assessments.

"I’m not saying we have all the answers, but I’m a firm believer in trying to determine a player’s level of athleticism, efficiency of movement and body control," Atlanta general manager Thomas Dimitroff told me. "Movement has always intrigued me. In the end, this league is about matching athleticism. If you can’t run with someone, it doesn’t matter how strong or smart you are."

MIZZOUEXPANSIONAPALOOZA™ 2011

Shockingly, there really isn't a lot going on at this exact moment regarding conference realignment. Enjoy the calm. No, seriously, enjoy it because A&M is probably going to officially shake things up any moment now...

The Trib: Big 12 policy may help in expansion
Post-Dispatch: Deaton says no current signs A&M leaving Big 12
Burnt Orange Nation: Conference Realignment: The Aggie Perspective

Haithshapirogate

Mike Alden brought #Mizzou sports to National relevance. Pinkel, Anderson, Earlywine. Big12 ships and the best facilities. WE back him 100%less than a minute ago via Twitterrific Favorite Retweet ReplyKim English
Englishscope24

The Missourian: Deaton clarifies comments on NCAA investigation of Haith
SI.com (Luke Winn): Frank Haith faces serious NCAA charges from his time at Miami
KC Star: Deaton refines his remarks on Haith's hiring, stresses that MU is being proactive
Post-Dispatch: MU glum as it awaits NCAA's Haith inquiry

Mizzou Basketball Links

I knew I didn't like Matt Painter...

Denmon
MUtigers.com: Denmon, Team USA Fall to Lithuania
ZagsBlog: USA Stunned by Lithuania in World University Games

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Comments

I tell ya...I'm not sure if "biomechanically asses" someone, would be quite comfortable

Butt if it lead to a NFL career, so be it

by McZou on Aug 22, 2011 5:34 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

(fully expect this comment to be erased after the typo is fixed, please)

by McZou on Aug 22, 2011 5:54 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Hey, it's not my typo...

…so I will just continue to sit here and chuckle at it.

Rock M Nation (Twitter)
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Football Study Hall
personal Twitter

by Bill C. on Aug 22, 2011 6:09 AM CDT up reply actions

That's awesome

So, the Falcons take a page from TSA/airport security’s manual. Talk about the No Fun League (depending on ones perspective, I suppose )

by McZou on Aug 22, 2011 6:37 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Ha, I was going to say the same thing.

/Hivemind

I dunno man...hockey?

by majortool on Aug 22, 2011 5:20 PM CDT up reply actions

Jim Tressel was going to say the same thing in April.

RockMNation.com (@rockmnation)
Fighting mob mentality since 2007

by RPT on Aug 22, 2011 8:13 PM CDT up reply actions

"I caught a touchdown pass from Chase Daniel...

That’s worth six points."

RockMNation.com (@rockmnation)
Fighting mob mentality since 2007

by RPT on Aug 22, 2011 5:44 AM CDT reply actions 2 recs

After Kimmie tweeted about Alden, I looked at his mentions and searched Mike Alden...

there really are some clueless people out there. “Alden is a worthless AD, he hired Quin Snyder and Frank Haith” or something like that. First off, Haith has not even coached a game, nor has he been proven of any wrongdoing (yet).

And yeah, Snyder was not the best of hires, but Alden still hired Gary Pinkel (which people criticized), Mike Anderson (which people criticized), and Ehren Earleywine (who has tremendous stubble). Those are some pretty dang good hires, no matter how much a despise Anderson now.

by sippinator94 on Aug 22, 2011 7:17 AM CDT reply actions

Seriously!

It’s like people are in such a rage they want to fire any and all associated with the athletic department. Not only did Alden bring on those great coaches but take a look at all the great new facilities we have. We can thank Alden for those. New softball facility, Soccer stadium (heck the whold soccer program and great coach in Coach Blitz as well). Renovated Taylor stadium, Mizzou Arena, including the athletic complex that includes MU’s indoor practice facility.

"The power of the force has stopped you, you hosers."

by drewder on Aug 22, 2011 8:32 AM CDT up reply actions

Wasn't the Snyder hire pushed by the boosters?

What’s a first year AD at a dysfunctional school supposed to do in that situation? In retrospect, the Snyder hire was probably the best thing to happen to Mizzou because it forced a much-needed housecleaning from top to bottom.

by Gaknar on Aug 22, 2011 1:31 PM CDT up reply actions

good old mizzou pessimism

really taking hold of me right now
SOMEONE HOLD ME AND SAY IT WILL BE ALRIGHT

by mrbrambles on Aug 22, 2011 8:25 AM CDT reply actions

it's not your fault. It's not your fault. It's not your fault.

by mizzou2396 on Aug 22, 2011 11:46 AM CDT up reply actions

Back to the karma thread!

Black and Gold!

by Spider_Monkey on Aug 22, 2011 9:21 PM CDT up reply actions

Now I'm feeling uncomfortable.

Kind of like the time during the during the 2002 World Cup in Korea. US scored it’s first goal against Portugal and I jumped up and hugged my friend. The racuous celebration woke up his wife. She walked into the living room to see us in a full embrace at 2 AM in the middle of the living room. She turned around and walked right back out and never said word.

"The power of the force has stopped you, you hosers."

by drewder on Aug 22, 2011 8:36 AM CDT reply actions

reply fail

"The power of the force has stopped you, you hosers."

by drewder on Aug 22, 2011 8:36 AM CDT up reply actions

Here's something that I don't get a chance to say everyday:

Really good article by Bernie! Plus … I knew I would hate myself for it, but I had to read the comments section on the article. Damn … people are dumb!

by MizzouRah04 on Aug 22, 2011 3:28 PM CDT reply actions