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Derek Dooley opens up and Missouri football hits the ground running in camp

Here are today’s Mizzou Links.

By Pete Scantlebury
derek dooley-missouri football-news-updates Pete Scantlebury/Rock M Nation

1. Going deep with new offensive coordinator Derek Dooley

Dave Matter of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch had a sit-down interview with Derek Dooley earlier this summer, and he detailed that access in a great feature story and an insightful Q&A on the new face in charge of Missouri’s offense.

This quote really jumped out to me. So many coaches make everything they do seem so scripted; Dooley admitting that the early part of his post-playing days life didn’t occur with much planning was a breath of fresh air.

Dooley said this to Matter in the Q&A:

I was probably the worst at life planning of any student. I was one of those guys who never really thought about what’s next. I had a heck of a time in college. One day, I woke up and football was done. I knew there was no shot at the NFL. Now what do I do? I went to law school for lack of a better idea. I never put thought into what I wanted to do with my life. I did what a lot of kids to do today. I delayed that decision.

Good stuff in both pieces, so please make sure you read them both.

2. Harry Ballard’s status with team in limbo

On Friday, Odom told reporters (including this one) that JUCO transfer WR Harry Ballard is not with the team as he deals with an undisclosed personal issue.

Dave Matter added some more background to the unspecified issue in this report on Friday, saying that sources told the Post-Dispatch that Ballard is being investigated for “an undisclosed disciplinary issue” but also hasn’t been arrested or facing any posted criminal charges.

So, for now, Ballard is not on the team as this unspecified issue is sorted out.

3. Letters from Camp!

Ok, so I don’t really know a streamlined way to do this, but there’s going to be a LOT of camp content coming out from all the media outlets over the next few weeks, and a lot of it will be very repetitive — as we all get the same group of players and coaches at practice each day.

To simplify things, here is some of the content from the last few days, organized by position group and then media outlet:

Quarterbacks

Lindsey Scott Jr. battles for Missouri’s No. 2 QB spot, via the Columbia Daily Tribune

What do Lindsey Scott Jr and Jack Lowary bring to to Mizzou’s offense?, via the Kansas City Star

Running backs

Crockett, Rountree give Mizzou 1-2 punch at running back, via the Columbia Daily Tribune

Receivers

Alex Ofodile anxious to make impact at Mizzou, via the St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Ofodile happy to be at Mizzou, via the Kansas City Star

Emanuel Hall excited to prove versatility in offense, via PowerMizzou.com

Tight Ends

Can Mizzou return to the glory days of tight ends?, via PowerMizzou.com

Previewing the tight ends, via MUTigers.com

Defensive line

Who’s up next for D-Line Zou?, via the Kansas City Star

Defensive backs

Previewing the secondary, via MUTigers.com

Missouri’s DBs embrace competition, via The Columbia Missourian

This Weekend at Rock M

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