As we put a wrap on the roller coaster ride of a rebuilding season in 2009, I've decided to ask for the community's help in fashioning the 2009 Mizzou All-Season Team. Just like I did in 2007 before the Cotton Bowl, putting together the All-Season Team will help recognize the top performances of the season at each position this past year.
After a brief hiatus, we return today in search of Jasper Simmons' top performance. Nominees after the jump.
NOMINEES (in chronological order):- Jasper Simmons vs. Bowling Green: Simmons got his first start as a Tiger in Week 2 against Bowling Green, where seven of his tackles came against either Willie Geter or Freddie Barnes. You know, as if Bowling Green gave the ball to anyone else that game/this season. [/sarcasm]
THE LINE: 8 tackles (6 unassisted), 1 fumble forced
- Jasper Simmons vs. Oklahoma State: Simmons only got statistical credit for one pass break up against the Cowboys, but I could have sworn he was all over the defensive backfield against the Pokes. Simmons bailed out his teammates with a lot of solid play in Stillwater, keeping an ugly loss from being much, much uglier. It was the kind of performance Mizzou desperately missed when he was limited by an injured thigh against Baylor.
THE LINE: 5 tackles (all unassisted), 1 pass broken up
- Jasper Simmons vs. Kansas State: Simmons was integral in that late goalline stand that kept the Wildcats out of the endzone for the day.
THE LINE: 7 tackles (4 unassisted)
- Jasper Simmons vs. Kansas: Much like Carl Gettis, Simmons put up some of his best statistics against Kansas on a day when the Mizzou defense got absolutely torched. The RMN voters have looked past this with several other candidates -- will they do the same with Simmons, even though the long Dezmon Briscoe touchdown with Simmons sliding by is one of the signature images of that game?
THE LINE: 11 tackles (6 unassisted)