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| | Sunday, September 3 Missouri hopes to be as tough as its coach | |||||
| By Todd Cooper Special to ESPN.com Missouri Tigers 1999 record: 4-7 (1-7 Big 12) Coach: Larry Smith Returning starters: 14 (7 offense, 7 defense) Outlook Make no mistake about it -- Larry Smith wasn't going to miss this. Yes, the always hard-charging Smith had a hard-time breathing on his daily jog near his home in Arizona. Doctors found clots in his legs and lungs, forcing Smith to miss part of his summer schedule. But with two-a-days approaching, Smith was ready to go. "There is no reason I shouldn't be able to coach," Smith said. "I can go as hard as I have always gone, which is what I plan to do." The boot camp Smith runs at the Missouri Military Academy in Mexico, Mo., has become a fixture of Missouri football. But this year, the troops are working on an offensive air attack that is anything but routine in Columbia. The Tigers' new offensive coordinator, Bill Cubit, will try to take advantage of five top-flight wideouts, including speedy Eric Spencer; John Dausman, a deep threat who has recovered from a torn ACL; Travis Garvin, who Smith muzzled in the spring after Garvin suggested that some of his teammates gave up last season; and converted quarterback Justin Gage, who at 6-5 played power forward for the basketball team. But the biggest threat of all might be tight end Dwayne Blakley, a 6-4, 264-pound target with soft hands. The big questions, of course, are who will throw it their way and how much time will he get to toss it?Kirk Farmer and Jim Daugherty split time under center last year until Farmer broke his leg. But Farmer, a 6-5, 213-pounder with good speed, could emerge as the front-runner. The offensive line was truly offensive last year and must improve if it's going to protect the quarterback or provide holes for Zain Gillmore, the Tigers' leading rusher last year, or Zach Abron, a Jerome Bettis-type runner. The success of the passing game no doubt will be crucial in determining whether the defense steps up this year. The Tigers ranked 103rd in scoring defense but were on the field for as many as 80 plays a game. Defensive end Justin Smith will lead the charge, after having led the Big 12 in sacks last year. Julian Jones will lead the secondary but the Tigers must find someone to step up at linebacker. Still, Smith is ready to charge full force into the season. "I think this is my kind of year," Smith said. "They have us picked last. We'll be ready." Keep an eye on ... Defensive end Justin Smith. Smith is one of the best ends in the country and the kind of player who gives opposing linemen a lot of sleepless nights. It's a good season if ... The Tigers don't lose their bite after what promises to be a fierce early schedule. Todd Cooper is a staff writer for the Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald |
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