Alexander, Perry leading the way for Tiger receivers

The two seniors' experience balances the younger players on offense.

By Sean Leahy

Published Sept. 4, 2009

The game experience of the Missouri offense varies depending on where you look.

Although sophomore quarterback Blaine Gabbert and sophomore wide receiver Wes Kemp will be making their first career starts in the Tiger's opener against Illinois, two pairs of experienced hands will help them along the way.

Senior wide receivers Danario Alexander and Jared Perry have been in the big games before. With Gabbert calling the shots, the pair adds veteran depth to the receiving corps and experience playing in the spread offense.

"We're fortunate to have two real good leaders and kids that work hard," coach Gary Pinkel said. "I think that's a real positive."

After three seasons working with former Tiger quarterback Chase Daniel, Alexander and Perry will be looked at to ease the offense's transition to a new starting quarterback.

That transition begins with working with younger players. Kemp played in nine games last year as a true freshman but still tried to pick up tips from his older counterparts during the preseason.

"They both bring good things to the table," Kemp said. "I think you try to take a little bit of each person's game and keep on going forward."

Alexander, who is three yards away from 1,000 career receiving yards, caught for 329 yards and five touchdowns in 2008.

After he missed the first two games due to injury, he caught at least one pass in every game the rest of the way.

Perry had a career year in 2008. His 41 receptions, 567 receiving yards and four touchdowns were all personal bests. He also played in all 14 of Missouri's games.

During preseason camp, Alexander realized the role he could play in the development of the younger receivers and what he could do to help them along.

"To let them know how things go in the game," Alexander said of the ways he can help. "Just being poised and having that experience during the games and being a leader for them, too."

Pinkel drew a comparison with a similar situation from last year.

Pinkel said the best way for a player to learn from a veteran teammate is through observation.

"It's kind of like a year ago when we had Chase Daniel and Blaine Gabbert," Pinkel said. "Blaine watched everything the guy did."

Kemp said learning from his teammates can come in the film room and on the practice field.

"In meetings, (receivers) coach (Andy) Hill might ask points about Jared or Danario," Kemp said. "We pick it up in meetings. He'll ask, 'Jared what are you going to do in this situation?' I think that's when we learn the most from them along with seeing them out here in practice."

Once the season starts, Kemp said he would look toward Alexander and Perry for their game experience. "This is their senior year, they've been there, done that," Kemp said. "When things get rolling during the season we're definitely going to look to them for leadership."

For Alexander, education was a two-way street during the preseason. In addition to taking the younger receivers under his wing, he also had to learn to adapt to a new quarterback.

Alexander said Gabbert's talent eased the transition.

"We worked this summer, catching extra balls," Alexander said. "Blaine's a good quarterback so he's not hard to get used to."