D-line loses experience, gains depth
Published Aug. 24, 2007
If Missouri is serious about winning the Big 12 North, its defensive line will have to avoid games like the one that broke the Tigers improbable 6-0 winning streak that began the 2006 season.
That record became 6-1 after the Tigers' defensive line let Texas A&M running back Jorvorskie Lane have a field day, letting the Aggies run for more than 200 yards in a 21-19 loss.
But despite losing seniors Brian Smith and Xzavie Jackson, the line, though not necessarily better, is deeper with the additions of freshmen Bart Coslet, Dominique Hamilton and John Stull.
Stull described the line as inexperienced, but said the whole group, from starters to fourth-string, has grown tighter and more confident.
"You can tell everyone's improving," he said. "Not just the starters, like Ziggy (Hood) and Lorenzo Williams, but the freshmen as well."
Hood said he's looking for some redemption after a 2006 campaign marred by a broken left foot suffered in the win against Mississippi. He is aiming to play at 100 percent effectiveness this season.
"I just want to stay healthy," he said. "I really have to contribute to the team this year."
Williams said although Hood and Smith's injuries during the season were a blow to the line, in 2007 it's almost a blessing because it allowed backups such as junior Andy Maples to get playing time.
"It wasn't a good thing, don't get me wrong," he said. "When a guy gets hurt, it really slows everything down, and it did take away from the guys. But we got some guys experience in the system, and that makes it easier. We don't need to teach those guys new things, because they already know what to do."
Hood said during August's two-a-days, the line has grown much closer off the field.
"We're all really close," he said. "We spend a lot of time clowning on each other and just hanging out," he added.
While they bonded, the older linemen gave the younger backups advice for when they start in a year or two.
"There wasn't one person who took me under his wing," Stull said. "Really, it was the whole line, and they've told me just to go hard every play," he said.
Hood said he has mentored Johnson, a fellow Texan, from the beginning of fall practice.
"During two-a-days, Dominique Hamilton from El Paso was my little brother," he said. "He has way more potential than I ever had at his age."
Hamilton is slotted fourth at defensive tackle in the 4-3 defense, which can be attributed to the depth, albeit inexperienced depth at that position behind Hood.
"This line is going to be just fine when the seniors leave," Williams said.