COLUMBIA, Mo. -- An interesting question came across my Twitter feed recently.
Someone wanted to know: Is there a former Mizzou wide receiver now in the NFL who hasn't had a season-ending injury headed into 2013?
The
NFL preseason has been a grim one for former Tigers. First, T.J. Moe
(2009-12) tore his Achilles tendon during organized team activities with
the New England Patriots. The injury landed the rookie on the team's
injured reserve. Then Jeremy Maclin (2007-08) tore an ACL on the first
day of Philadelphia Eagles training camp. He will be on the sideline
during a contract year. Most recently, San Diego Chargers wide receiver
Danario Alexander (2006-09) tore an ACL as well.
Alexander's
injury prompted the tweet mentioned above. Some quick research showed
there are currently 29 Mizzou products on NFL rosters. Five play wide
receiver, which means two are still holding onto their health. They're
just not the first names that pop into your head when you think of Tiger
pass-catchers turned pro.
Brad Smith (2002-05) hauled in awards
as a four-year starter at quarterback for Mizzou, but converted to a
receiver and return man upon entering the league. He spent five years
with the New York Jets and is now preparing for his third season with
the Buffalo Bills.
Jerrell Jackson (2008-11) signed a contract
with the Chicago Bears at the start of minicamp. He spent most of his
rookie season on the Jacksonville Jaguars' practice squad and is likely a
long shot with the Bears as well.
If something happens to Smith or Jackson, it might be time to start wondering about some sort of Mizzou wide receiver curse.
STECKEL INJURED
Dave
Steckel can relate to the injured former Tigers. The Mizzou defensive
coordinator hit the practice field Monday in a cast and sling.
"I got ran over and tore my tricep," Steckel said in a matter-of-fact tone when asked about his bandaged left arm.
Word
is defensive end Michael Sam was the player who unintentionally ran
into Steckel on the sideline during Saturday's scrimmage. The most
impressive part? Steckel, a former Marine, finished coaching the
scrimmage before receiving medical attention.
SINGLETON READY SOON
Mizzou initially thought it had lost its chance to put junior college safety Duron Singleton on the field this season.
"For personal reasons, he will not come to Mizzou," coach Gary Pinkel said after the Tigers' first fall practice.
Whatever
issues that existed have been worked out, because Singleton -- believed
to be one of the best junior college safeties in the country --
attended Saturday's scrimmage. While he is behind on the number of
practices required to wear full pads, he should be full go by the end of
the week.
"A player like that obviously has junior college
experience," Pinkel said Monday. "He's played beyond high school. We
typically give him more opportunities quicker to find out where he's at
and how he's doing. That's what we did with Sheldon [Richardson] and a
bunch of other people."
Singleton is originally from New Orleans
but played for Fresno City Community College in 2012. He had 87 tackles
and four picks last year, numbers that should make Mizzou's current
projected starters at safety (Matt White and Braylon Webb) nervous.
GABBERT, THE REAL AMERICAN
If you're late to the party like me, you might have missed a pretty epic YouTube video
starring former Mizzou quarterback-turned-Jacksonville Jaguar Blaine
Gabbert. The question: Was this tribute made by a) one diehard and
likely delusional fan, or b) someone poking fun at the underperformance
of the No. 10 draft pick in 2011? My guess is the latter.
TWEET OF THE WEEK
Follow Ben Frederickson on Twitter (@Ben_Fred), or contact him at frederickson.ben@gmail.com.
