MIZ-ZOU: 2007 Season
 

Read up on the 2006 season: Missouri Tigers (9-3) GMAC Bowl Winners!

*2006 National Champions*

defeated Nebraska 42-13
*Notre Dame wins its second National Championship in a row*

2006 Heisman Trophy Winner

QB Glenn Prescott {JR}
GP: 12 Att: 432 Cmp: 258 Pct: 59.7 Yards: 3972 Avg: 9.19 Lg: 74 TD: 39 Int: 26 Sck: 37 Yards: 232 Rate: 154.6

2006 Top Offensive Player

QB Ethan Waddy {SR}
GP: 13 Att: 235 Cmp: 142 Pct: 60.4 Yards: 2502 Avg: 10.64 Lg: 79 TD: 22 Int: 8 Sck: 16 Yards: 101 Rate: 173.8

2006 Top Defensive Player

ILB Russell Fletcher {SR}
GP: 12 Tckl: 96 Asst: 33 Sack: 2.0 TFL: 27 Blkd: 0 Hurr: 4 TkPct: 20.5

2006 Top Offensive Freshman

RB Brent Browne
GP: 11 Att: 255 Yards: 1306 Avg: 5.1 Lg: 99 YdsGn: 1410 Stufd: 68 Sackd: 0 YdsLs: 104 YdsPG: 118.7
*I'm assuming redshirt freshman don't count or else Prior would have won this award.

2006 Top Defensive Freshman

ILB Luke Snyder
GP: 12 Tckl: 99 Asst: 32 Sack: 3.5 TFL: 13 Blkd: 0 Hurr: 4 TkPct: 19.2

2006 Coach of the Year:

Donald Parrish
Coach Parrish led Texas to a 12-1 record this year, winning the Big 12 Championship, and beating Georgia in the Orange Bowl 44-21.

In his 3 years at Texas, Coach Parrish has a 31-6 overall record and has made it to a bowl game every year.


News and Notes:

Ty Conley, a tight end, has left your team because of poor grades this year.

Mo Finkelstein has retired from his position of scout, Northwest region.

Britt Graham, an offensive tackle, blames the breakup of his relationship on a lack of free time during the past season.

Nicky Owen, a safety, has been made academically ineligible for the upcoming season for failing a class.

Darrin Madison, an offensive guard, has been made academically ineligible for the upcoming season for failing a class.

Carlos Logan, a defensive tackle, has been made academically ineligible for the upcoming season for failing a class.

Edgar Copeland, an punter, has been made academically ineligible for the upcoming season for failing a class.


*Wonderful. Just what I wanted to read prior to the first team practice. Hopefully, getting better GPA players will keep these emails to a minimum in the future.

*At least our prestige rose to (77).

2006 Graduates:

New Staff Hires:

NO ONE could run the "okie doke" like Reid. :(

News and Notes:

Air Force has hired Ron Wayman as its new head coach.
Wayman coached 3 years for Temple and had a record of 7-26.

Independence has hired Lewis Williams as its new head coach.
Lewis coached 3 years for Oregon State and had a record of 20-14 and 1 post season appearance.

Connecticut has hired Nick Boyer as its new head coach.
Nick coached 3 years for Troy State and had a record of 15-19 and 1 post season appearance.

Buffalo has hired Craig Dodge as its new head coach.
Craig coached 3 years for West Virginia and had a record of 30-6 and went to the post season all 3 years.

Bowling Green has hired Kris Houston as its new head coach.
Kris has no coaching experience.

Louisiana Tech has hired Timothy Bailey as its new head coach.
Timothy has no coaching experience.

East Carolina has hired Dana Parrish as its new head coach.
Dana has no coaching experience.

Wyoming has hired Juan Fouse as its new head coach.
Juan has no coaching experience.


Benjamin Pardo
Donnell Buerfeind
Blake Cusano
Gilbert Osteen

All remain unemployed.

2007 Preseason Roster:

We take a home-away series with Independance, which should be good to see where we are for this season.

Ticket prices stay the same, but this will be the last year for that. As a result, ticket sales boomed up 10,600!

I predict a 6-5 record once again. Hopefully I'm wrong. :)

Todd

My report will be in soon.

mine will be up tonight as well...3-4 again for sure

Clearly Payne is our starter. I would list Strother as the main backup. He's been working on his play action fakes. I'd say he has great potential.

Prior will continue to be our workhorse on offense. I'll miss Martin. However, I think Mussorgsky has busted his butt in the gym and deserves a shot. We should redshirt Mawae.

We have a bit of a dilemma at fullback. Typically, our offense runs one fullback, but I've seen the wing-T use another fullback as a wing. Our offense is designed for that to be an additional tight end ((I'm guessing, I haven't ran a Wing-T in TCY yet...check to see who started in the games last season at the skill positions and let me know). That said, I would suggest we use Hines at fullback and look into the possibility of moving Glover to tight end. He might be of more use to us there.

At wide receiver we're set. Doran is a pretty good receiver for the Big 12. Richmond provides decent depth. We need a good young receiver to be recruited this season.

Tight end is a weakness. Like I said, we're designed to have 2 on the field, and we have only one adequate one. Moving Glover may provide us with two. Running a wing T we might want to have three quality tight ends, though...so look into getting us a few more, coach. They can be JC's for all I care.

Offensive line is a sore spot. I don't know how much longer we can be successful here. We have to get some top notch quality in here, coach. The best we have are adequate and are graduating soon. We have NO depth whatsoever.

Has Torelli considered punting?

Maybe this will give you a better visualzation.

Todd

Hmm, I still wouldn't bet much that the FL is actually a wide receiver. Could you check who started?

FB Riordan started, but that's it as far as FB's go. He was mainly used for blocking. I think he was targeted only 14 times, which may be for goalline situations. He didn't carry the ball much at all.


Todd

What about receiver/tight end starts? That's the main ones I wanted to see.

Two WR's and one TE. The backup WR had more playing time than the other TE.


Todd

Egad. We're all kinds of screwy. :)

Our offense should be ok, as long as we use Prior alot.

Blade says the defense is on par with last year's squad.

I'm hoping to really get aggressive with recruiting for the OL, TE, and pretty much the offense early on. We lood fine at QB, RB, and WR... but if we have no line, well.....


Todd

Blade, get that report up! :) Time to get on the field.


Todd

i psoted it and it just deleted...i spent like 30 minutes typing it up and nothing...so i just went to bed...ill re-do it tonight

Ok, I'll work on the 2007 NFL Draft.

Report:

These Missouri players have declared for the 2007 NFL Draft:


T Mo Cable
RB Isaac Martin
S Lester Diaz
OLB Jeff Horton
WR Leon Reid
DE Tyrus Rose
CB Stephenson Wesley
C Ellis Bernstein
C Sedrick Padilla


Mo Cable might get drafted in the 6th-7th round. The others will be looking for a chance on a practice squad somewhere.

Agreed
Done
Great analysis, and I agree. The change worked out just fine and allowed me to redshirt both Anderson and Harley.
Check.
See above.
100% agreement.
I'm not making this move yet. Kendall has great potential and I want to see how he does in the first game of the season (his punting shouldn't matter vs Independence). If he's terrible, I will make the switch.


Here's who I have redshirting on offense:

To: Missouri Head Coach
From:

Re: Former player(s) report


Dear Coach,

The NFL would like to report that LT Mo Cable has been drafted in the 7th round, pick #213 by the Miami Dolphins during the 2007 NFL Draft. Mo played 3 years for the University of Missouri and last year won 3 awards:

1st Team Tackle
All-Senior Tackle
Big 12 1st Team Tackle

Following the draft, Miami signed Cable to a 3-yr $1.29 mil contract. Mo is expected to be a backup in his first season with the Dolphins.

As part of the agreement between the NFL and NCAA, we are required to send out an email report of former graduates to their respective schools.

Future emails will only come when a significant even has happened for the respective player.


Thank you Coach,

The National Football League

From the desk of: Ardent Enthusiast, Offensive Coordinator

To: Mizzourah, Head Coach

My suggestion in recruiting:

Set the test score level to 1000. Filter out the dummies. If you don't see 'em, you won't want 'em.

Recruit near the house. I'd focus on MO and IL players myself, but if you really want to travel to umm, Florida, California, and the North East, by all means. However, you're spending VALUABLE recruiting points in the process. One trip to Cali may be good for the skin, but it eats up our recruiting points. We could probably finance two, maybe even three trips to recruits in the Missouri-Illinois area. Chicago, as you may well know, is a safe haven for blue chippers.

Should positions we absolutely NEED not be within the MO-IL boundaries, by all means, travel. However, I'd still try and search the border states first. Money is money, and our recruiting budget isn't limitless.

That is all. Don't fire me.

AE

I would NEVER fire you... and I agree on what you are saying. "Seal the boarders", as they say.


Todd

I love the fact that you are running the Wing T (I have coached in that system for years, and will argue with anyone that it is the best High School offense there is) I hope to see you put up some big numbers this year out the of the Wing. :)

Team Captains: Not many options for final year players for us, so ILB Burt Danner and OLB Marshall Ford will man the captain spot for us. LB is our strongest spot this year, and this two are the best at their respective positions. Ford was a machine and a leader for us last year, while Danner missed most of the year to injury and will look to capitalize on playing time this year. If i didnt have two spots, it would be all ford, but danner sneaks in on my previous rules. Next year will be much harder decision with some real talented kids entering their final season


Stone was a pass rush monster last year, continuing the trend of our #2 outperforming our #1...hopefully Stone can buck the trend as Anderson was #2 for two seasons and never got the #1 spot...maybe stone can continue to dominate from the top spot. Brown will play opposite as a RS Frosh, and Del Greco will back them both up. Beyond those three were pretty slim, relying on former leader Anderson's little brother Gino and a walk on named steve...scary name...


Timberlane developed on the fly last year and did an admirable job. He will go into his final three seasons looking as talented as most of our seniors. He can be our rock in the 3-4, which is exactly what we might have been missing last season. Logan is suspended, so johson and conn will back him up...with only 1 starter, theres not much need for anything else barring an injury. We need someone to back him up though, as headrick is the worst scholarship player on the team.


Danner missed most of the season and pearson played well. They both will have to play well in our 3-4, so hopefully danner can stay health as drake is going to RS. Hernandez just insnt quite ready to step in...Please dont get injured boys!


Ford was a rock last year, and should be again. Holmes steps in for the first time, and we hope he can do a solid job. Downs and Shull will play off the bench, as bridges and giron RS...were solid here, for a few years down the road as well...


Moss played ok last year, and will have to pick it up to carry this unit. Flanenry comes off his RS year to gt the nod at the opposite side. Lets hope he plays like timberlane did last year during his RS frosh season, and develops just as much. Harrison and Almeida are the future here, while sheckton and martinez who have bth been around forever continue to back up the starters...


We lose two great players in Diaz and Stinemetz, and the young guys pick up the slack. Streb is as talented as a RS frosh as diaz and stinemetz were as seniors..gulp :) . Glover will start opposite, and wheeler will come off the bench. Owen is suspended, and we would like to RS spencer, but that might not be possible. Ideally the top two can stay in long enough where we wont need more then wheeler.

Red-Shirts:


Those should all be solid moves....None are really needed, so we should be fine RS them all

Potential Roster Moves:
Cut DE headrick?? He has 0 skill and a walk-onwould probly be better...just make sure hes not a smart kid(we need em), or popular as it will hurt team spirit if he is...(not changing this...still reccomended, as both walkons we got are much better kids, and Headrick didnt develop at all!)

I dont know what changes we can make...were thin in the secondary if we RS the guys, which we need to, so let the walkons come...


Recruiting Needs:

DE: 1 guy would be nice...we have 3 young scholie guys, so this isnt a need since stone comes back...this spot should be an afterthought(stud rule, as always ;) )

DT: 2 needed, badly....this is a major spot of concern for me!!! Especially since headrick needs to be cut

ILB: 1 more...were really have guys in almost every year, but we need one more guy to continue the cycle

OLB:We lose 3 guys, and have 4 solid guys coming back...1, but even that one can come next season...

CB:1 more needed....doesnt have to be a superstar, but we need a body...

S:We more then fine here....like fine enough where if the #1 guy in the nation idolizes us and is a S, id think about it for a second(well, maybe not the #1, but you catch my drift) Streb will man it for the nex 4 years, and the other spot will be filled for at least 3-4 years...

Not to turn the dynasty into a formation/offense discussion.....HOWEVER.......

I have coached against it, and stopped it effectively, shutting teams out. It's all about discipline ball.

I want a 4-2-5 or 3-3-5 defense in TCY

I hope I've learned some things from indoorsoccersim and BYU14 as far as recruiting goes this year. I just don't feel like we're getting enough good recruits to compete in the Big 12.

I need to get on the ball.

The start of the season comes tonight!!


Todd

I agree that a 3-3-5 would be cool, hopefully in TCY 2. And your right, you need to be very disciplined to shut down the Wing T, and have linebackers that are real good on Guard keys, and D tackles that can squeeze the trap. But even in that case there are some gameplan adjustments you can make to give them false reads. One thing for sure is if you try and have your Linebackers key the backs a good Wing T team will shred you. I know in the end it helps to have talent too, but the thing I like about the Wing T is it is flexible enough to adapt to different styles, while maintaining the same base package.

Case in point, the year before last our Fullback was a stud and he was the focal point of our Offense gaining over 1600 yards. By the way, since you are in Utah keep an eye out for him. His name is Adrian Conway and he is at Weber St. He should be ready to step in and start now that Chournos is gone. Last year we had two good, but not phenominal backs so we spread it out and they both gained over 1000. Mountain View where John Beck played down here also runs Wing T and adapted it to fit his talents, and he threw for I think 42 Touchdowns as a high School senior. LOL, I could talk Wing T all day, sorry for hijacking the thread guys.

I could talk double wing, too. :)

I have read some on the wing T, though. Pretty nifty.

You could talk a lot on a lot.... :D

Hows those Bronco's coming along.....(Dang I miss the FbPro 98 days!!)

If you have greens in the top 50...focus there first, especially if they have the brains!

What am I, chopped liver? :)

Thanks for the compliment. :) If it isn't football, electronics, or Hattrick, I'm lost, though.

Yep, the SPFL. Oh, what fun that was. I still don't know how I survived that first season. 13-3. I still can't believe it.

Guess im the chopped liver now....great :rolleyes:

Neither of you are chopped liver.. both of you have been great! Blade's writeups really have been a nice addition to this dynasty as well as tips from Ardent.

Now let's get to football.


Todd

Can I be chopped liver? :) I know, I know....on to football. :)

Players Redshirted:


I think we'll hold onto DT Headrick. He's not popular, but he has decent grades and for some reason our scout is showing him with high potentials. I just don't know why it doesn't show up in his overall rating?

Todd

2007 Final Roster:

Preseason Top 25:

Week 1: Independence (0-0) at #35 Missouri (0-0) (-14)

VS

It wasn't pretty, but we win our home openor and it's good to see Prior never skipped a beat.

Michigan State comes in next week, a very nice test for us.

Injuries:

Week 2: Top 25
Up Next: Michigan State (0-0) Ranked #63
Dynasty Series: (1-1)

32 yard average on punts. NOT good.

Week 2: Michigan State (0-0) at Missouri (1-0) (-2) [TV4]

VS

What a piss poor game by this offense. I'm hoarse from yelling at this offensive line. The defense played very well, but we couldn't get anything going.

Mo Cable came up to me after the game decked out in gold chains and Miami Dolphin gear. We shook hands, talked for a bit and as he left I said, "If you get tired of that Miami sun, I'm looking for an OL coach."


Injuries:

Losing Stone is terrible news.

Week 3: Top 25

Up Next: at Springfield (0-1) Ranked #112
Dynasty Series: (1-0)

Week 3: Missouri (1-1) (-2) at Springfield (0-1)

VS

A good win over a cream puff team. Defense is looking much better, but then again it's Springfield. Next week is a bye, which is good for healing purposes and to get our heads on straight for #4 Texas.

I've been really thinking about making Torelli a punter, but I think Terrell needs some playing time as he has great potential.


Injuries:

Week 4: Top 25
Up Next: BYE

Big 12 Scores:

#16 Colorado State (2-1) 34 at #14 Colorado (2-0) 55
#32 Texas A&M (2-1) 14 at #10 Florida (2-0) 31
#3 Nebraska (3-0) 7 at Rutgers (0-3) 3
#45 Memphis (2-0) 35 at Iowa State (0-2) 28
Baylor (1-2) 7 at Tulane (1-2) 24
#4 Texas (2-0) 38 at North Carolina (0-2) 24
Arkansas (0-2) 0 at Oklahoma State (2-1) 26
Wyoming (1-3) 21 at Kansas (1-1) 38
Alabama-Birmingham (0-2) 0 at [b]#28 Texas Tech (3-0) 33

Week 5: Top 25
Up Next: BYE

Big 12 Scores:

Week 6: Top 25
Up Next: #10 Texas
Dynasty Series: (0-2)

Week 6: #44 Missouri (2-1) at #10 Texas (2-1) (-6) [TV4]

VS

Well, our defense didn't stand a change against Texas's bigger OL and 2006 Offensive Player of the Year - QB Ethan Waddy.

After wadding through the stats, this particular line stood out at me:

Should this kid get a shot? Would next week's game against Kansas be a good game for Strother to get his lumps? He's the future and well, I knew this year was going to be another "growing" year for us.


Injuries:

It may have been garbage time but the kid had a nice line, it might be the right time to see what he can do as the man.

Week 7 : Top 25
Up Next: Rival Kansas, ranked #76
Dynasty Series: (3-0)

Give him a shot.

In a press conference heard on KFANS 590 (St. Louis, Mo.), Head Coach Todd Volmert of the Missouri Tigers responded to rumors of a change at QB for the Kansas game:

"I've talked with my offensive coordinator and we both agree RS Freshman, Leonard Strother should get a shot against Kansas this week."
"Strother has shown real progress on the field and we like how he looked late in the game vs Texas last week."
"Payne's a little disappointed, but he's good friends with Strother."

*neither Payne or Strother could be reached for comment

Strother was recruited out of Jefferson City, Missouri and in 9 games threw for 1971 yards, 12 td's, and only 2 int's.
Late in the game vs Texas last week Strother was a perfect 8-8, for 82 yards.

Week 7: Missouri (2-2) at Kansas (-9)

VS

Strother gets his first win, but that was not the story of the day. Missouri's defense was pumped up and it showed as they hold Kansas to -4 yards rushing and only 69 total yards.

"I've been watching this unit practice all week and Blade had them fired up." said Head Coach Todd Volmert.

An expected win, but I'll take any form of a W this season.


Injuries:

Week 8 : Top 25
Up Next: #18 Colorado
Dynasty Series: (1-2)

Week 8: #18 Colorado (4-1) (-6) at #46 Missouri (3-2) [TV4]

VS

Are you getting beat up recruiting? I haven't seen a report yet.

Colorado was coming off of a big win vs Kansas St. last week but once again our defense was unreal, holding the #32 rushing team in America to only 13 yards on 17 carries.

Strother had a decent game once again and Prior ran for 168 yards. Seems like WR Ruben Richmond is really getting some passes his way with Strother at the helm. The last play of the 3rd quarter saw Strother hit a streaking Richmond in stride as he beat the coverage and scampered 81 yards for the TD.

"I think these fans saw what the future of this team at QB is.", said a happy Head Coach after the game.

Can this team be pulling together?


Injuries:

Not really beat up, just haven't had any signings yet. I do have most of my targets visiting though and haven't signed anywhere yet. I hoping for a big run after this Colorado game.

Todd

Recruiting Update:
Committed: [ILB]

I really thought after the big win vs Colorado this week, I would see more signings from kids that were on the fence. Guess not. Bernard was the only signing after visiting the Colorado game and I am happy at what this guy could bring to the table in our 3-4 scheme. He can tackle anything and anyone. They must have called his name 20 times when we attended one of his games a month or so ago.

I have been notified by the NCAA that Payne and Rust are failing a class and will need time away from football for studying. Rust has been on Academic probation this year and I'm unhappy at his lack to get into his studies while getting plenty of free time this year.

Week 9 : Top 25
Up Next: Texas A&M, Ranked #53
Dynasty Series: (1-0)

Week 9: Texas A&M (4-3) at #37 Missouri (4-2) (-7) [TV4]

VS

After the game, I started second guessing myself about Strother. It was cold and stormy, should I have went with Payne? The press had their way with me and I couldn't answer that question. I'll hand it to the Texas A&M defense, they did something most teams can't do, they stopped Prior.

What I thought wouldn't happen, has happened. Payne is taking the demotion to heart and his grades are showing it. I've already given him more time for his studies, but I think I need to have a talk with him.


Injuries:

Wow, the Big 12 is getting beat up. Nebraska remains strong, Oklahoma and Texas see their 2nd loss.

Recruiting Update:
Committed: [ILB][DE]
Another good defensive player for Blade. A DE with 92 tackles and 13 sacks? Seems like recruits like the way Blade and his staff coach this defense. Ardent's been really pressing me for some good offensive players, but I just can't seem to get any commits yet. :(

Well, at least we will have a stellar defense :). Good job so far.

Two super stars....man HC, those two will certainly find their way onto the playing field here! Justus is our highest ranked player yet, and will be a rea force off the end. bernard burke looks like the guy who could be a future all-american for us...if we stopped the run now, wait till he and streb are older!

Week 10: Top 25
Up Next: #4 Nebraska
Dynasty Series: (0-3)

#4 Nebraska is only 8 point favorites and we have 11 recruits visiting this week. We need a good showing from this team to convince some of these players to play here at Missouri.

Payne and I had a talk and before he walked out of my office I told him he's starting against Nebraska. A smile came to his face and he turned around and walked out. I feel better with Payne at the helm vs Nebraska. They like to run the ball so I hope our defense can hold them.


Todd

Week 10: #4 Nebraska (7-1) (-8) at #46 Missouri (4-3) [TV3]

VS

All I have to say is this, they could have ran up the score, but they didn't. Payne looked terrible and now I'm confused on what's best for this team. Payne's a leader in this offense, but Strother has the potential to carry this anemic offense. I'll decide on who's starting later in the week, my time right now is the future of this team.


Injuries:

Timberlane went down early in the second half and he'll be out for the rest of the season. We are extremely thin at DT and at this point in the season, I'm not going to use Stephen Conn and lose his redshirt. A walkon will have to do here.

Recruiting Update:
Committed: [ILB][DE][DT]

More defense. :) Although not a top recruit, I like his grit. Maybe a sleeper, but scout Wasserman wasn't so sure.

Which reminds me, Kansas City is taking some of our recruits and I don't like it one bit. One of the assisstant coaches told me Kansas City's coach was saying some things on the radio about the U of Missouri and how he's been wanting to play a game vs us. I'll make a mental note to call them on it next year. They've finished higher than us in the rankings the last 3 years.

They haven't even played against a ranked team this year, have a 6-1 record, and are currently ranked #18. Are you kidding me?

They also have commitments from the #2 and #58 players in the nation.

Week 11: Top 25
Up Next: #10 Oklahoma
Dynasty Series: (0-1)

Strother is the starter vs Oklahoma, which really should give me an idea what this kid can do. The environment is going to be hostile and Oklahoma is favored by 18 points. Payne's head is just not into the season and I want to see how Strother handles a game like this.

It would really be nice to get a rash of signees after this weeks game.


Todd

Week 11: Missouri (4-4) at #10 Oklahoma (6-2) (-18) [TV4]

VS

This was actually a good game, one we had a shot at, but just didn't have the luck... or disipline for that matter.


Injuries: