As classes commenced Monday at the University of Missouri, the football Tigers broke camp and will begin daily afternoon practices.
Two scrimmages and weeks of two-a-days later, much is to be seen about the 2010 Tigers.
Primarily, what Tigers will take the field September 4th against Illinois?
Football contains violent collisions, producing daily dings and limps. Unfortunately for the Tigers, injuries surfaced frequently during camp, clumped largely among one position. Starting wide receiver Jarrell Jackson has not seen action since breaking a bone in his wrist. Initially ruled out of the season opener against Illinois, Coach Gary Pinkel speculated on Jackson's ability to return yesterday after practice. Freshman receiver Jimmie Hunt continued to limp on a bum ankle. Hunt's injury has not allowed him to progress as expected, and he will most likely redshirt this season.
If the Tigers fortified themselves against injury at any position, it has to be wide receiver. Coming into camp, the question surrounding the receiving corps was who would play. Now, that seems like a favorable problem to have as receivers may begin to be mistaken for St. Louis Cardinal fans with all the red jerseys they're wearing.
Sophomore Rolandis Woodland fell to number 2 on the depth chart at the X receiver position with an inconsistant camp. Even with hauling in a touchdown in MU's most recent scrimmage, dropped passes plagued Woodland during camp, dropping him to second string. Woodland's outstanding athletic ability will no doubt get him on the field, but he must continue to work on his mental approach to the game if he wants to be a consistant contributor.
Redshirt freshman L'Damian Washington leapfrogged Woodland for the starting spot. Washington bucked the slimdown trending among the Tigers this offseason and added 20 pounds this off season. When he's not at Golden Corrall, Washington continues to wow at practice as his extra weight allows him to make catch after catch in traffic.
No updates on T.J. Moe, just same old, same old.
Senior running back Derrick Washington looks every bit slim and toned down as advertised. During MU's first scrimmage August 14th, Washington touched the ball 10 times for 193 total yards. This included a 73 yard scamper to start the contest.
Washington's ability to carry this momentum into the regular season will largely dictate Missouri's win total this year. A functioning and consistant running game balances the Tigers out, creating opportunities for play-action and big plays. Defenses will not be able to sit back in coverage, expecting Missouri to attempt 50-60 passes a game. A healthy and explosive Washington will be the key to a dominant Missouri offense.
Sophomore Kendial Lawrence solidified his position as the number two running back. Lawrence only had 22 yards on nine carries in their most recent scrimmage, but his explosive style makes him a threat everytime he touches the ball. Case in point: Lawrence scored untouched on a 55 yard run yesterday at practice.
Getting good preseason reviews from local media, senior corner back Carl Gettis will be expected to anchor a Missouri secondary that was torched more often than California woodlands last year. The defensive backs say they are beginning to feel more comfortable in their new pressurized scheme, and their play during camp shows. Gettis and fellow cornerback senior Kevin Rutland seem to knock down passes in the endzone on man coverage daily in practice. Camp established this aggresive mindset. On-field production will dictate critics' opinions.
Behind starter Blaine Gabbert, Missouri's quarterback situation remained questionable entering camp. Not so much talent-wise, but order. In their most recent scrimmage, quarterbacks 2-5 split time with the second unit so each player could compete against the first defense. Redshirt freshman Ashton Glaser put on an impressive showing, going 9-9 for 98 yards and a touchdown. These stats earned him a promotion to third string quarterback. After a tumultous first year, Glaser seems to have emerged more confident, and his punishing style of play is evident of this. While Glaser progresses, freshman Tyler Gabbert looks to move up the depth chart and form his own identity.
While signs from camp breed encouraging feelings, CGP must keep intensity and competition high in order to translate this optimism into victories.
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