Mizzou Links, 7-31-13

1. *swoon*

Fox Sports MW: Mizzou RB Henry Josey has a special haircut for fall camp

Camp! Camp is almost here!
Post-Dispatch: P-D Camp Primer: Franklin's last chance
Post-Dispatch: P-D Camp Primer: Playmakers galore?

On paper, the Tigers have plenty of weapons to unleash on defenses this fall. Can Mizzou translate that potential into an explosive offense?

Let’s start at tailback, where Josey emerged from spring practices as the No. 1 option heading into fall camp. Earlier this month, team trainer Rex Sharp said Josey has fully participated in every offseason workout. He’s fully recovered from the series of knee surgeries required from his 2011 injury and, most remarkably, didn’t wear a knee brace during full-tackle scrimmages this spring. Is he, as his haircut suggests, all the way back? […]

At outside receiver, the Tigers open camp with seniors Marcus Lucas (X) and L’Damian Washington (Z) listed as starters, though as we’ve written at length here, sophomore Dorial Green-Beckham will get ample time at the X position, where he played with the No. 1 offense through most of the spring. Lucas occasionally shifted inside while Green-Beckham played exclusively at the left outside position. I’d be surprised if DGB doesn’t spend the next three weeks lined up in the same spot with the first-team offense.

PowerMizzou: Ten Years of Camp: July 30th
PowerMizzou: Most Important Tigers: No. 4
KBIA Sports: Top five things to watch as Mizzou football opens camp

Tempo
The Trib (Behind the Stripes): Tempo and SEC Offenses: Does going fast equal points and yards?

2. RIP, Coach Smith

MUtigers.com: Mizzou Mourns Passing Of Former Tiger Coaching Great Harry Smith
Post-Dispatch: Harry Smith, longtime Mizzou assistant, dies at 94
The Trib: MU aide Smith dies
KC Star: Ex-MU football assistant Harry Smith dies at age 94
The Missourian: Former Missouri assistant football coach Harry Smith dies

3. I like this

KC Star: Missouri hires Baker’s Kendall Bradley as offensive quality control coach

As an analytics guy, I like these increased "quality control" hires. Self-scouting is incredibly valuable, and one impression I got from talking to coaches this offseason is that some schools do it much more/better than others. The football arms race has led to more positions ("assistant to the assistant to..."), but this shows that some schools are attempting to make really smart hires.

4. MIZ-MMA

MUtigers.com: Former Tigers Askren, Chandler Set to Defend Bellator World Titles
MMA Fighting: Ben Askren unmoved by 'embarrassing' skill level of Andrey Koreshkov ahead of title defense
MMA Fighting: The MMA Hour - Episode 192 - Michael Chandler
Post-Dispatch: Two Tigers thriving in the cage

5. Neat

We Are Mizzou: MATC Mural Timelapse

6. WHATNOT

Football Recruiting
PowerMizzou: Two on top for Cornelius

Tennis
MUtigers.com: Three Tigers Claim Titles in Summer Play

7. Happy birthday, FO

Football Outsiders: Happy 10th Anniversary to Us

8. Hell of a story ... Texas, man

ESPN the Magazine (Wright Thompson): Heisman winner Johnny Manziel's celebrity could derail the Texas Aggies season
Good Bull Hunting: Talking to ESPN's Wright Thompson