I have pooled Rock M's "higher-ups" (so to speak), and we have come up with our Mizzou All-Decade team, to be revealed this week (even though the nerd in me really wants to point out that the actual decade doesn't end for another year), but we had two ties that the community must break. First up, the second All-Decade offensive tackle, to be decided between Rob Droege and his successor, Tyler Luellen.
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| Rob Droege (2000-03) | vs | Tyler Luellen (2004-07) |
| The gem of Mizzou's 1999 recruiting class, Droege passed up overtures from Tennessee and Michigan to play for the Tigers. He didn't dominate out of the gates, but by his senior season, he had delivered on that promise. He was not only a 1st-team All-Big 12 selection in 2003 but also 1st-team Academic All-American. The departure of Droege and center A.J. Ricker were one of the primary causes of Mizzou's unexpected offensive drop-off in 2004. |
One of Gary Pinkel's first four-star signees, Luellen was every bit as highly-touted as Droege. He replaced Droege at left tackle in 2004, struggling early but earning a spot on some freshman All-American lists. As his career progressed, Luellen fought through a series of nagging injuries to thrive, finishing his career as a 2nd-team All-Big 12 selection and protecting Chase Daniel's blind side during Mizzou's most offensively productive season ever. |