The line looks even worse because of the slow developing, pseudo-option plays designed for a running QB, which Berk is not. If there's time for that bullshit, and there largely sort of was, then there is time to stretch the field, which the team desperately needs to do, even if the result is an incompletion.

Finally, while Lucas and the like are talented, they don't sniff DGB's natural gifts.

You know how many naturally-gifted athletes end up fulfilling their potential? There are so many that get nowhere....or fail in the first 2 years because of unfair expectations.

I'll take easing him in this year and letting him learn because we do have good depth at WR. It's not like we are hurting...

They're not as gifted as DGB, sure.

But I'd say the odds are only about 50/50 that DGB ends up as good a player as Lucas is. Marcus Lucas works hard, plays smart, runs great routes and is just a very good ballplayer.

My understanding of the DGB situation right now is that he's been a really cruddy route-runner so far and the coaches don't trust him in the offense. Remember, it's not just running sharp routes, but running correct ones. If he breaks a deep route off after the ball is in the air, it's an easy pick. If he turns in on an out route, it's a pick-6.

Until the coaches can trust that he knows the playbook well enough to be in the right spot, they can't lean on him.

They know how talented this kid is and they know they desperately need his speed/size on the field. If they're not using him, there's a reason. Notice that they tend to use him on the plays that are short, simple and designed around him doing a single thing and the ball going straight to him. Plays you can design specifically for him and tell him exactly what to do.

Give it time.

Thank God for Missouri football. It may be frustrating at times, but it's not a complete clown suit like some other clubs.

Then let's tell him to do this one specific thing: go deep.

If this offense stays as compact as it is, it's going to be a very, very long year, and this team was lucky to avoid disaster yesterday, as the game planning was horrendous.

I'm willing to give it a pass, as Pinkel made it all too clear that Frankin wimped out.

That said, DGB needs to be far, far, far better than Lucas, if for nothing else than future recruiting. If the #1 overall prospect in the country ends up being no better than a WR that only fans of the program know, his signing will ultimately be more of a strike against the staff than it was a positive for getting him in the first place.

With a big-time signing comes big-time expectations and pressure.

DGB was an enormous get for Mizzou. However, to pretend that Lucas wasn't a HUGE get for Mizzou is disingenuous at best. The kid was a 4-star recruit from the KC area with offers from all over the country. He's 6-5, has good speed and great ball skills.

He was a very good signing, but not anywhere close to the level of DGB:

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/footbal...us-Lucas-84464

Agreed. Claiming that DGB should be "far, far, far" better than an elite receiver in his third year at Mizzou is a bit crazy. He may end up a better receiver, but Lucas being better this year means very little regarding DGB. Lucas, literally, should be better than DGB at this point.

My post was with respect to DGB's ultimate career trajectory at Mizzou. If he ends up being no better than Lucas, it's a big failing on everyone's part. Not saying that has to come to fruition this year.

Yes. At least you ****ers have Mizzou.

Oh well, my high school team is looking good at least. :cuss:

Well, that was interesting.

A really nervous fourth quarter, and quite the step-up from the defense late (despite having the deck stacked against them there).

I thought Berkstresser was OK, but sure as hell hope Franklin is healthy next week. The lack of respect for Berk's wheels limits the offense quite a bit, though I was impressed by the amount of WR/RB in motion use across the formation. That adds some misdirection, an element that is missing with a cement-footed QB.

Berkstresser's biggest failing was on the INT. Live, it looked bad. Watching the replay of it... man, just a terrible throw on a play where the scheme had worked and the WR was wide, wide open.

I disagree with criticisms of the game plan. With a freshman at QB, I'd expect it to be pretty conservative (and was surprised a bit it wasn't even more conservative). The poor play of the offensive line (which was awful) severely limits the playbook, too. You need 3-4 seconds to throw a deep ball, especially off of a double move like a slant-and-go. The OL certainly wasn't providing that.

They didn't use the middle of the field as much as I would have liked - it seemed like when they did, it was successful (particularly to McGaffie and Moe). ASU has a pretty decent pass defense (And the Magee kid is a great zone defender at LB), but it shouldn't have limited Missouri THAT much.

Part of that, I think, is not trusting Berkstresser's experience in reading the middle of the field and making quick, hot route throws. That's the most dangerous area of the field to throw to, so it makes sense.

I like getting the ball in DGB's hands a bit on sweeps (and hope to see that as part of the offense moving forward). With Franklin at QB, you could run a speed option behind that sweep and probably find good space - and an overreacting defense.

As a receiver, he still has a ways to go in terms of running routes effectively and at full speed, from what I hear. Honestly, he's got a hill to climb behind some experienced, quality guys in Moe and Lucas and Washington (whose big-play potential is proven). But he'll get there. It might not be this season (or not until later this season), but it will happen.

Overall... they escaped a game against a solid-to-good major conference team with the backup QB taking the snaps. Hopefully, Jesus Freak is now healthy and will be able to play on Saturday against USC, because they need him.

MU safety named SEC defensive player of the week

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/09/17...#storylink=cpy

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Praye...45449408830846

Will Jacobs is a 13 year old boy from the tiny community of Winigan, MO in Northeast Missouri. He has with a very rare form of malignant brain cancer.

The Mizzou football team heard about Will and sent him the following video:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/12gDdrzmvJ4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I think Lucan can play on Sundays.

Clearly DGB has the talent to do the same, but there are a bunch of 5* guys every year that flame out, regardless of the program.

We need to make him count, for sure. But ultimately sometimes these guys fail. Be it injury, immaturity or a bad fit - you never just assume a guy is going to be a star. Afterall, look at that massive, lazy idiot in the center of our defensive line...

DGB has more talent, but Lucas is getting every last drop of production out of what he has. Unless DGB does the same, he's not going to exceed Lucas. Good luck banking on college kids to pull that off.

It took Lucas a full year to get up to speed. His freshman year didn't see him do much, but he took big strides last year.

Now, if we don't see much out of DGB by next season, then maybe you start to worry.

He also came in at Missouri's deepest position. Lucas, Washington, and Moe are established, high quality guys in this offense. McGaffie is very similar to Moe and has been incredibly consistent. And having a true TE-sized guy (Waters) at the Y does create some advantages.

Plenty of time for him to develop...