Mizzou Links, 8-5-11

PRACTICE REPORTS!!!!

As was cruelly hinted in comments yesterday, my initial reaction to Murphy's injury -- "If you’ve got to lose somebody to injury, it might as well be at a position where you roll four-deep…" -- was probably exactly how we all reacted to Donovan Bonner's injury this time last year ... and suddenly Mizzou experienced 26 more linebacker injuries as well. Might want to pack De'Vion Moore, Kendial Lawrence and Henry Josey in bubble wrap just in case...

• The Trib (Dave Matter): Camp Chronicles: Day 1 is done

  Corbin Berkstresser might not be long for the No. 4 slot at quarterback. The freshman quarterback from Lee's Summit is every bit of his listed 6-3, 220 pounds — and probably a little extra. (Yost said Berkstresser could afford to shed some pounds. "He enjoyed the summer dining hall experience," Yost said.) But the rookie can sling it. He threaded a few passes between defenders down the seam during a 7-on-7 drill — one to Bud Sasser for a big pickup — and later rifled a strike to Rolandis Woodland toward the sideline. Yost said he was impressed with how quickly Berkstresser has swallowed a large dose of the playbook. "You kind of throw them in the water and see how well they can swim," Yost said. "He did a nice job of that." Yost didn't flinch when asked if Berkstresser has a chance to slip past veterans Ashton Glaser and Jimmy Costello for the No. 2 job.

• PowerMizzou: Opening Day

  The big news, outside of Richardson, was the only other player who didn't practice. Marcus Murphy tore his labrum in summer 7-on-7. He said the injury happened a couple of weeks ago. Pinkel said the Tigers entertained the possibility of delaying surgery until after the season, but decided to get the operation done this week.
  
  "That's a position where you get banged a lot," Pinkel said.
  
  So Murphy, who ran for 181 yards and two touchdowns as a true freshman, will redshirt this season.
  
  "To have to sit out and not be with my team is hard," Murphy said. "There's bad to it, but it also has its positive side."

  PowerMizzou: PHOTOS: Scenes from Camp
  PowerMizzou: PMTV: Pinkel after practice
• MUtigers.com: Mizzou Opens Fall Camp

  [S]enior LB Will Ebner looked fresh and healthy when he crashed into the backfield to pressure sophomore QB Ashton Glaser into throwing the ball away.  Glaser came back and connected with junior WR Rolandis Woodland on a sideline route for a gain of around 20 yards.  Woodland made a beautiful adjustment to the ball as he leaped high to snag it, while coming down with one foot in bounds to make the play.  That effort drew a lot of cheers from Woodland's teammates.  Redshirt freshman TB Greg White looked quick out of the backfield when took a swing pass from senior QB Jimmy Costello, and headed upfield for a nice gain against the #2 defense.  Costello made a nice find on the run to swing the ball to White under pressure.

• KC Star: MU notebook: Marcus Murphy to take redshirt year
• Post-Dispatch: MU notes: Richardson still absent
• MUtigers.com: Mizzou Football Camp Video Series - Day One: Moving Day
  We Are Mizzou: Moving In
• We Are Mizzou: Fall Camp 2011
• Captains
  The Trib (Dave Matter): Tigers elect four captains for 2011
  The Missourian: Missouri football captains a special group
  We Are Mizzou: 2011 Mizzou Football Captains

Other Mizzou Football Links

Sheldon Richardson's hype was based much more in recruiting rankings than Brian Coulter's was, but ... yeah, needless to say, there was probably similar hype among Mizzou fans. Interesting point, Joe Walljasper.

Also: we might not get our wish regarding Blaine Gabbert and a redshirt year of sorts in Jacksonville...

• Preseason Coaches' Poll Is Out
  The Trib (Dave Matter): Tigers debut at No. 21 in coaches poll
  Post-Dispatch: Mizzou ranked No. 21 by coaches; OU No. 1
  Dr. Saturday: Oklahoma takes the pole position, and other notes from the preseason Coaches' poll
  Daily Oklahoman (Berry Tramel): Texas' ranking in preseason Top 25 'absurd'
• Quarterbacks
  KC Star (Campus Corner): Does MU represent confidence in Franklin?
  KBIA Sports Extra: Camp Preview: Quarterbacks
• Running Backs
  Post-Dispatch: Tigers tailbacks take one-for-all approach
• Defensive Tackles
  The Trib: Brian Coulter is a realistic role model for Sheldon Richardson
  The Missourian: Missouri defensive line awaits Sheldon Richardson's arrival
  KC Star: Dominique Hamilton's return may be bigger than Richardson's addition for Missouri's run defense
• Blaine Gabbert May Get His Shot Sooner Than Later
  Big Cat Country: Jaguars Training Camp: Down Goes Garrard
  SB Nation (Kansas City): Jaguars' Blaine Gabbert Might Get His Chance Early With David Garrard Injury

Other Football Links

I don't know who wrote that Film School piece below, but you know what? That guy has a future.

• Football Porn
  Texas Football: Film School: The Spread in the Red Zone
• LOL IDAHO POTATO BOWL
  EDSBS: THE FAMOUS IDAHO POTATO BOWL IS NOW AMERICA'S BOWL GAME
• Texas
  Burnt Orange Nation: Malcolm Williams, Three Others to Miss Texas Football Season

Mizzou Basketball Links

It's so easy to be happy for Marcus Denmon, isn't it?

• Marcus Denmon: Team USA Member
  MUtigers.com: Denmon, Team USA Heading to China
  Big 12 Sports: Denmon Named To World University Games Roster
  KC Star: Denmon makes World University Games roster
  Fox Sports MW: Denmon Heading To China For Team USA
• MUtigers.com: Marcus Denmon Chat Friday at Noon

Other Mizzou Links

Marcus Murphy AND Kyle Gibson? I'm not afraid to crack open the Karma Thread earlier than planned if necessary...

• NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
  Minneapolis Star-Tribune: Twins top prospect Kyle Gibson could need elbow surgery (via)
• Mizzou Soccer
  The Trib: Missouri Soccer untested entering season
  MUtigers.com: Tigers Kick Off Preseason
  
• Mizzou Baseball
  SimmonsField.com: Mizzou Baseball in the Majors: Ian Kinsler
• Phillip Perry
  The Missourian: Missouri wrestling team remembers Phillip Perry

Other

God, Bubba Smith was such a freak. I think you'd have to come up with a defensive end who is 6-foot-10, 315 pounds and incredibly agile if you want today's equivalent to what Bubba was at Michigan State in the 1960s.

• Bubba
  Grantland: Remembering Bubba Smith