Let me preface this by saying that I am no insider...since the Bowl game I have witnessed with my own eyes exactly two scrimmages...the Spring Game and this year's first August scrimmage.
Those two looks are pretty important...but mostly just to verify that what I have been hearing and reading is accurate.
Most of my perceptions are based on what ever I read and hear about what is going with the team...a lot of that is here on Power Mizzou...but I check every source that I can and I listen closely to every tidbit of information that I can get.
For the record...I am a "glass-half-full guy" and I definitely wear Black & Gold glasses...I am always going to think on the positive side.
For recent historical perspective...here were my feelings at the start of the last three years:
2012: From the get go I knew we had major issues on the OL because of injuries, scary thin depth at QB with T.Gabbert leaving, and a BRUTAL schedule. I also was worried about all the turmoil in GP's personal life that year. I thought the opening SEC home game vs. Georgia would be pivitol and it was. I picked us 7-5 at the outset...and we finished 5-7.
2013: I thought we would be MUCH improved because of what we had coming back. Saw an August scrimmage and came away really excited. Posted on here that I thought we'd be somewhere between 8-4 and 10-2. We finished 12-2.
2014: I thought we would still be pretty good but might take a step back. I didn't know if we'd capture that same chemistry and get the breaks we did in '12. Picked us 9-3 and 10-3 after a bowl. I Must admit I didn't think we'd get there after the Indiana and Georgia games...but we finished 11-3.
I am a college football junkie...and I probably spend way too much time watching and following it. Here are my thoughts as we enter game week for the start of the 20015 season.
1) I think that this may be the deepest, fastest, and most athletic of all of GP's teams...I really do. A friend of mine closer to the program than me says the same thing.
2) I felt a little worried after the Spring game...thought the offense struggled and felt like the defense would HAVE to take a step back considering all that we lost off the 2014 team. Then we lost Loud and Brantley and my worry grew...really started having doubts about being able to challenge for another SEC East Title.
3) After seeing the team on the hoof at the 1st August scrimmage and hearing and reading about so many positive developments...my perception and confidence in this team really perked up.
POSITIVES as I see it right now:
1) BARRY ODOM: I loved Stec's passion and thought he was a solid DC...but I think Odom is a budding superstar. I have a gut feeling he might win us a game or two this year with his calls and game plans.
2) QB DEPTH: I like Maty Mauk...always have. Although he may not be the consistent performer you'd like to have...he is a ultra competitive, a leader, a winner, and unflappable. Drew Lock is a budding super super...Zanders is an explosive runner with improving passing skills...and Eddie Printz could start for a lot of teams.
3) O-LINE: two early round NFL guys imo (Boehm and McGovern) and a mixture of experience and young talent behind those two, With positions just settled..it may take a few weeks before they hit on all cylinders as a unit...but I think they will be really good by week 4 or 5.
4) RUSSELL HANSBROUGH: poised for a monster year if he stays healthy...and if he does he'll get drafted.
5) YOUNG WR's: Love what I have seen from this group this AUGUST...losing Jonathon Johnson really hurts but this group is really talented and will make plays for us and continue to improve this season and beyond.
6) TWO TIGHT END SETS: I loved what Henson did with this package in the second half of the Bowl game and expect to see a lot of it. Hopefully Reese stays healthy to see more of this.
7) CHARLES HARRIS & RICKEY HATLEY: as good as the guys they replaced imo...just need more game experience and hope they get the support around them that they need to flourish. Frazier seems to have surprised at DE as has Nate Howard. Josh Augusta seems to be rounding into shape and TBJ appears to be as good as advertised. D-Line as a whole may be "sneaky good" and not drop off as much as we all think.
8) MICHAEL SCHERER AND KENTRELL BROTHERS: the best PAIR of LB'ers we have ever had on the field together in recent years...and Donavin Newsom and Clarence Green are fast and talented and will be play makers. Lee, Burkett, Hall, and Zuess are talented back ups...really good group.
9) KENYA DENNIS & AARION PENTON: again, the best PAIR of corners we have been able to put on the field together in a long time...they are athletic and instinctive...can both cover and tackle. Dennis is a BEAST and will get drafted high if he stays healthy. Gibson, Cheadle, and Stribling give us solid depth. Safety has real potential as we have the most speed and athleticism there since we had Pig and WillyMo together in 2007. Really like our potential here...but they need game reps and experience and will likely grow on the job for the first few games.
10) ANDREW BAGGETT: Strongest leg I have seen on a Mizzou kicker in a long time...hopefully he's healthy.
Our new punters have super strong legs but gotta see them in action under the gun to pass judgement. Excited to see Sherrrills as KR and hope to get a glimpse of Finis Stribling there as well as he is really explosive. Penton certainly has the speed and skills to make a good PR...just gotta see him catch the ball in traffic and see if he has the vision and the abilty to make that first guy miss. Our cover teams should be OUTSTANDING with all the athletes and depth we have at LBer and DB
Not really telling you anything you haven't heard and read if you've been paying attention...but I think a lot of still sell our Coaches and Program short. This team is FAST and athletic and they have bought in to MIZZOU MADE.
Our Coaching is really solid across the board and everyone gets a long and knows what is expected. GP is not the dynamic personality of some other HC's...but as a CEO in terms of preparation, and a talent evaluation (for both playes and coaches), talent development...he is second to none. His coaches love to coach for him and his players love to play for him. He has this program rolling right now...more than most of you realize.
BOTTOM LINE: I see a 10-2 season with an outside shot at 11-1 or (gasp) even 12-0. If we can get back to a 3rd straight SEC Title game...we may have a shot to win it because the SEC West winner is going to have to survive a GAUNTLET. I think 9-3 is the worst this team will be...barring major injury to a few key people.
GUYS WE CAN LEAST AFFORD TO LOSE: On defense it's Harris and Hatley...they are both your leaders and best players up front and ANY loses at DL (and especially at DT) will be tough because we are pretty thin there and the young kids will take some time to develop. #1 on offense is RUSSELL HANSBROUGH...pretty big drop of after him IMO. Have not seen Trevon Walters yet but we really need him healthy IMO as I have heard he is the best of all the backups. #2 on Offense is EVAN BOEHM...our 4-years starter and the unquestionable leader of the guys up front.
I am like all the rest of you...one unexpected loss along the way can derail a lot of great expectations...but the way we rebounded from the ugly Indiana and Georgia losses last year was REALLY impressive.
We are a very strong and under rated program...even in the eyes of a lot of our own fans. It's gonna be a REALLY FUN season and I can't wait. Could be REALLY special with a few breaks...
Those two looks are pretty important...but mostly just to verify that what I have been hearing and reading is accurate.
Most of my perceptions are based on what ever I read and hear about what is going with the team...a lot of that is here on Power Mizzou...but I check every source that I can and I listen closely to every tidbit of information that I can get.
For the record...I am a "glass-half-full guy" and I definitely wear Black & Gold glasses...I am always going to think on the positive side.
For recent historical perspective...here were my feelings at the start of the last three years:
2012: From the get go I knew we had major issues on the OL because of injuries, scary thin depth at QB with T.Gabbert leaving, and a BRUTAL schedule. I also was worried about all the turmoil in GP's personal life that year. I thought the opening SEC home game vs. Georgia would be pivitol and it was. I picked us 7-5 at the outset...and we finished 5-7.
2013: I thought we would be MUCH improved because of what we had coming back. Saw an August scrimmage and came away really excited. Posted on here that I thought we'd be somewhere between 8-4 and 10-2. We finished 12-2.
2014: I thought we would still be pretty good but might take a step back. I didn't know if we'd capture that same chemistry and get the breaks we did in '12. Picked us 9-3 and 10-3 after a bowl. I Must admit I didn't think we'd get there after the Indiana and Georgia games...but we finished 11-3.
I am a college football junkie...and I probably spend way too much time watching and following it. Here are my thoughts as we enter game week for the start of the 20015 season.
1) I think that this may be the deepest, fastest, and most athletic of all of GP's teams...I really do. A friend of mine closer to the program than me says the same thing.
2) I felt a little worried after the Spring game...thought the offense struggled and felt like the defense would HAVE to take a step back considering all that we lost off the 2014 team. Then we lost Loud and Brantley and my worry grew...really started having doubts about being able to challenge for another SEC East Title.
3) After seeing the team on the hoof at the 1st August scrimmage and hearing and reading about so many positive developments...my perception and confidence in this team really perked up.
POSITIVES as I see it right now:
1) BARRY ODOM: I loved Stec's passion and thought he was a solid DC...but I think Odom is a budding superstar. I have a gut feeling he might win us a game or two this year with his calls and game plans.
2) QB DEPTH: I like Maty Mauk...always have. Although he may not be the consistent performer you'd like to have...he is a ultra competitive, a leader, a winner, and unflappable. Drew Lock is a budding super super...Zanders is an explosive runner with improving passing skills...and Eddie Printz could start for a lot of teams.
3) O-LINE: two early round NFL guys imo (Boehm and McGovern) and a mixture of experience and young talent behind those two, With positions just settled..it may take a few weeks before they hit on all cylinders as a unit...but I think they will be really good by week 4 or 5.
4) RUSSELL HANSBROUGH: poised for a monster year if he stays healthy...and if he does he'll get drafted.
5) YOUNG WR's: Love what I have seen from this group this AUGUST...losing Jonathon Johnson really hurts but this group is really talented and will make plays for us and continue to improve this season and beyond.
6) TWO TIGHT END SETS: I loved what Henson did with this package in the second half of the Bowl game and expect to see a lot of it. Hopefully Reese stays healthy to see more of this.
7) CHARLES HARRIS & RICKEY HATLEY: as good as the guys they replaced imo...just need more game experience and hope they get the support around them that they need to flourish. Frazier seems to have surprised at DE as has Nate Howard. Josh Augusta seems to be rounding into shape and TBJ appears to be as good as advertised. D-Line as a whole may be "sneaky good" and not drop off as much as we all think.
8) MICHAEL SCHERER AND KENTRELL BROTHERS: the best PAIR of LB'ers we have ever had on the field together in recent years...and Donavin Newsom and Clarence Green are fast and talented and will be play makers. Lee, Burkett, Hall, and Zuess are talented back ups...really good group.
9) KENYA DENNIS & AARION PENTON: again, the best PAIR of corners we have been able to put on the field together in a long time...they are athletic and instinctive...can both cover and tackle. Dennis is a BEAST and will get drafted high if he stays healthy. Gibson, Cheadle, and Stribling give us solid depth. Safety has real potential as we have the most speed and athleticism there since we had Pig and WillyMo together in 2007. Really like our potential here...but they need game reps and experience and will likely grow on the job for the first few games.
10) ANDREW BAGGETT: Strongest leg I have seen on a Mizzou kicker in a long time...hopefully he's healthy.
Our new punters have super strong legs but gotta see them in action under the gun to pass judgement. Excited to see Sherrrills as KR and hope to get a glimpse of Finis Stribling there as well as he is really explosive. Penton certainly has the speed and skills to make a good PR...just gotta see him catch the ball in traffic and see if he has the vision and the abilty to make that first guy miss. Our cover teams should be OUTSTANDING with all the athletes and depth we have at LBer and DB
Not really telling you anything you haven't heard and read if you've been paying attention...but I think a lot of still sell our Coaches and Program short. This team is FAST and athletic and they have bought in to MIZZOU MADE.
Our Coaching is really solid across the board and everyone gets a long and knows what is expected. GP is not the dynamic personality of some other HC's...but as a CEO in terms of preparation, and a talent evaluation (for both playes and coaches), talent development...he is second to none. His coaches love to coach for him and his players love to play for him. He has this program rolling right now...more than most of you realize.
BOTTOM LINE: I see a 10-2 season with an outside shot at 11-1 or (gasp) even 12-0. If we can get back to a 3rd straight SEC Title game...we may have a shot to win it because the SEC West winner is going to have to survive a GAUNTLET. I think 9-3 is the worst this team will be...barring major injury to a few key people.
GUYS WE CAN LEAST AFFORD TO LOSE: On defense it's Harris and Hatley...they are both your leaders and best players up front and ANY loses at DL (and especially at DT) will be tough because we are pretty thin there and the young kids will take some time to develop. #1 on offense is RUSSELL HANSBROUGH...pretty big drop of after him IMO. Have not seen Trevon Walters yet but we really need him healthy IMO as I have heard he is the best of all the backups. #2 on Offense is EVAN BOEHM...our 4-years starter and the unquestionable leader of the guys up front.
I am like all the rest of you...one unexpected loss along the way can derail a lot of great expectations...but the way we rebounded from the ugly Indiana and Georgia losses last year was REALLY impressive.
We are a very strong and under rated program...even in the eyes of a lot of our own fans. It's gonna be a REALLY FUN season and I can't wait. Could be REALLY special with a few breaks...
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