Let's kick off this morning's Chamber by putting a bow on Missouri's spring football season.
-- A source told us that there were no big surprises coming out of the spring season, and the two young players who stood out the most were receivers Richaud Floyd and Justin Smith. It does seem like things are much more optimistic at receiver than they were at the beginning of March, with a larger group of guys making plays throughout the spring.
-- There's still nothing official, but I would not count on Clay Rhodes returning to the team, based on what coaches and players were saying at the end of spring ball. His omission from the spring game roster was another sign.
-- More and more we're just not expecting Harold Brantley to be a factor this next season. It's always been kind of a long shot and some combination of the physical toll plus the academic work he has to do, there are some whispers (that are getting louders) that Mizzou better be ready to play without him this year.
-- A freshman (currently on the team) who will avoid a redshirt? Before spring, it seemed like it would be Trey Baldwin, but Cale Garrett was apparently very impressive this spring. He's the No. 2 -middle linebacker right now. Barring injury, he will play.
(Obviously, Tucker McCann will play, too.)
-- We're going to break down the depth chart in two stories this weekend, putting our best guess on where things stand right now.
-- We talked some about the surprise starters in the spring game. I wouldn't anticipate TJ Warren giving his spot up. We've heard some very good things about his progress as related to some other guys in the secondary. If there's a question mark on this defense, we think it's the secondary, but Warren is a guy that they like.
-- Again, that source who told us there were no big surprises also included transfers in that mix. So, Rocel McWilliams' transfer was expected. Clay Rhodes, most likely, is the most unexpected part of spring ball -- but he is dealing with a personal issue.
-- A source told us that there were no big surprises coming out of the spring season, and the two young players who stood out the most were receivers Richaud Floyd and Justin Smith. It does seem like things are much more optimistic at receiver than they were at the beginning of March, with a larger group of guys making plays throughout the spring.
-- There's still nothing official, but I would not count on Clay Rhodes returning to the team, based on what coaches and players were saying at the end of spring ball. His omission from the spring game roster was another sign.
-- More and more we're just not expecting Harold Brantley to be a factor this next season. It's always been kind of a long shot and some combination of the physical toll plus the academic work he has to do, there are some whispers (that are getting louders) that Mizzou better be ready to play without him this year.
-- A freshman (currently on the team) who will avoid a redshirt? Before spring, it seemed like it would be Trey Baldwin, but Cale Garrett was apparently very impressive this spring. He's the No. 2 -middle linebacker right now. Barring injury, he will play.
(Obviously, Tucker McCann will play, too.)
-- We're going to break down the depth chart in two stories this weekend, putting our best guess on where things stand right now.
-- We talked some about the surprise starters in the spring game. I wouldn't anticipate TJ Warren giving his spot up. We've heard some very good things about his progress as related to some other guys in the secondary. If there's a question mark on this defense, we think it's the secondary, but Warren is a guy that they like.
-- Again, that source who told us there were no big surprises also included transfers in that mix. So, Rocel McWilliams' transfer was expected. Clay Rhodes, most likely, is the most unexpected part of spring ball -- but he is dealing with a personal issue.
