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Each week, PowerMizzou.com publisher Gabe DeArmond answers questions from Tiger fans in the mailbag. This format allows for a more expansive answer than a message board post. If you missed this week's mailbag, keep an eye out next week or send your question to Gabe at powermizzou@gmail.com. On to this week's entries.
TgrWeir asks: What is the connection that brought Dildy to Mizzou to replace Tate.
GD: Can't say I really know. Emanuel Dildy was on Jay Spoonhour's staff at Eastern Illinois, but I don't have any idea if he'd really crossed paths with Kim Anderson before. I assume he probably has at some time. I'd say Anderson needed an assistant (and needed an African-American assistant if we're being honest) and found one he thought was good. For Dildy, it's Mizzou vs Loyola-Chicago and probably a lot more money. That's a move 99 out of 100 assistants would make.
mexicojoe asks: Which will happen first, a final determination regarding EE, or complete allocation of parking passes by TSF?
GD: Unless they get the parking done in the next 48-72 hours, it had better be Ehren Earleywine. Just get it done already.
MizzouAllDay85 asks: Do you know who else the basketball team will be playing on their trip and when the games are?
GD: Here you go
Ragarm asks: Has Odom asked the media to not report on any of the things they see at practices and if so, what type of things would that be?
GD: Here are the guidelines we were given before camp:
"Content of what takes place during practice is not permitted to be reported on, whether in traditional forms of media, or on social media, including live reporting (i.e. – social media posts). This includes, but is not limited to: plays, formations, strategies, personnel moves, injuries, depth chart positioning, etc. All of these are fair to report upon after practice is over if addressed by Coach Odom or confirmed by a designee (coach/player/communications staff)."
lwv asks: Stannard ? any info ?
GD: Short and sweet, I like it. Michael Stannard is a graduate transfer from Memphis who is on Mizzou's roster, but not yet cleared to practice. Barry Odom said yesterday he'd done everything by the book and is just waiting for the go-ahead.
GRON1503 asks: I know it's super early but percent chances we land the big in state recruits in 18' of Babb, Thompson and Trout? Just wasn't sure of our current standing with each recruit.
GD: Missouri definitely in the mix and has a shot. If I had to put them in order of likelihood (based on little more than a gut feeling), I'd go Trout, Babb, Thompson. But I don't expect any of them to end the process early.
mufootball01 asks: Will PowerMizzou cover J'den Cox in the Olympics?
GD: Not really. I mean, we didn't go to Rio. And we aren't allowed to post video of it. I'm sure it will be a hot topic on the message boards, but we don't really have any way to cover it.
ZonaTiger asks: So to this point, what are some of the biggest differences you've noticed in the current football staff compared to Pinkel's? Be it at practice, recruiting, intangibles etc. With the understanding that they haven't played a single game yet, do you feel like Mizzou's football program is in good hands for the future? Please explain your answer. Thanks!
GD: I think when this staff says every position is open, it's actually true. Of course, that's going to be the case in year one. He'll have more of an idea and set thoughts going into future seasons. I think this staff is casting a wider net in recruiting and is attacking things with a little bit more energy. That's not a shot at Pinkel and his staff. It's just the difference between year one and year 15. This staff is also much more open (in terms of the actual answers) when we ask questions and I like that. It's a fresh feeling. I don't want to say Pinkel's staff had gotten stale, but things were comfortable, routine, etc, after such a long time.
lotigerfan: If you were the new AD, first thing you would do?
GD: Ask Barry Odom what he needs and start getting money and making it happen. The AD is as good as the football coach in most cases. On a bigger picture view, I think Jim Sterk has to get everyone (fans, donors, coaches, players) on the same page and pulling in the same direction. Remember the goal and forget all the petty arguing of the last ten months.
crzy4mu asks: Thoughts on the new Ad?
GD: The first step is to admit you don't know what you don't know. And I don't know if he'll be good, bad or indifferent here. Surface level, I do think this was about as good as Missouri could get. They weren't luring a Power Five AD here with the way things have gone of late. But they got a guy who's from that very next tier and certainly as good or better than plenty of Power Five guys. But as far as how he'll do? I don't know. Barry Odom and Kim Anderson and anyone who might replace them down the road will determine that.
mizzou1971 asks: How much "Damage" do you see Crockett doing in his first year?
GD: I think Crockett will be the second string running back by the season opener. I'll guess he has somewhere around 100 carries for 450 yards this year.
MagicMarkus asks: I remember Jonathan Johnson in line for PT as a freshman. Is he healthy? Will he play and does he still have the explosiveness reported last August?
GD: He's healthy. I am not going to pretend I've concentrated on him a lot in practice and really watched him, so I can't say exactly how he looks. I really haven't heard his name a ton, but that may not mean much. I'd guess he's in the mix as a return guy and one of the guys fighting for reps at receiver (along with about a dozen others).
MIZUVA8512 asks: With the limited info you have now, if you had to pick one for each of the following who would that be...
GD: Breakout offensive player--Alex Ross
Breakout defensive player--Terez Hall
Offensive freshman with most contribution this year--Damarea Crockett
Defensive freshman with most contribution this year--Tre Williams
Any current player that leaves the largest legacy or is most memorable--I have absolutely no idea
MizzouFan314 asks: Do you foresee the defensive line depth being an issue this year with the dismissals of Brantley and Brady? Any chance the coaching staff will monitor the progress of Antar Thompson at JUCO and revisit another scholarship offer?
GD: Blue font? It's been a while since we got an Antar Thompson question. But I don't have any reason to think he's really on the radar. I don't think depth is a big issue. They've got 4-5 guys at each spot that can contribute. Now, are they as good as Brady was last year or Brantley was the year before? We'll see. But they have plenty of bodies.
racerx401 asks: How many OL in this class? and has the # changed with OL attrition
GD: We've been forecasting six and I'll stick with that. I suppose if it's a long-term issue with Tanner Owen it could go up by one, but I'll say six for now.
mufootball1 asks: Is there a reason that Josh Smith isn't shown as a commitment in the 2018 class? Would Mizzou take all of Trout, Thompson, Perkins, Parker and Smith in the 2018 class? That's a lot of DT's.
GD: Because we had forgotten to check a box. It's fixed now. And, yes, I think Mizzou would take every one of those guys. Get as many as you can and sort them out later.
clackland asks: Odds that Tennessee chokes away the division with a loss to Mizzou? How has Tucker McCann's leg looked so far? He could easily be the key cog to a bowl berth this upcoming season.
GD: Oh, I wouldn't be shocked if the Vols don't win the division. It could happen. Butch Jones will take some serious heat if it does.
As far as McCann, again, in our limited time, I haven't had a chance to focus too much on any one guy so I'm not sure. But he's going to be the starting kicker. You can bank on that.
efil4zregit asks: Given what you know about EE, what are the chances he feels burned by the extended limbo period and resolves to look for a new home in 2018 even if the assembly of interim leaders finally decides to retain him (or if ADJS does so after 9/1/16). If I were him, I'd be pissed.
GD: I haven't heard anything that would lead me to believe that's possible or likely. It would be tempting, but he makes a pretty decent living. And he's a Mizzou guy and a JC native. Maybe a new AD gives him a fresh start and outlook.
MIZsanity asks: Which SEC east team would you like to have as Mizzou's most serious rival?
GD: The best one. Honestly, I don't know. I have enjoyed the games with Georgia. Knoxville would be a great place to see a meaningful game where the Vols were good. I guess Tennessee makes the most sense, but the Vols aren't ever going to look at Mizzou as a primary rival. Neither is UGA. South Carolina is probably the most realistic.
TheZouKeeper: Had you heard of Jim Sterk before yesterday? Have you reached out to anybody who can give you a little more info other than what's on his bio?
GD: I had not. If you'd have asked me yesterday morning, "who is Jim Sterk?" I would have told you my parents have a friend named Jim Stark, but that's the best I can do. I have reached out to the guy that runs our San Diego State site and hope to have some info for you guys today.
BikerBob asks: You are writing an article 4 years from now on the most important freshman from this year's class, one on offense one on defense. Who are they?
GD: As a complete shot in the dark, I'll say Trystan Castillo and Christian Holmes.
OrlandoKeith: Do you have a list of the walk-ons for this season? Does the football program ever provide that information?
GD: Here's the roster. I think you know most of the scholarship guys, so anyone who you don't recognize as a scholarship guy is a walk-on. They'll add more once school starts. The guys in camp now are the "preferred" walk-ons.
