re: After sleeping on it

It looks like Ricker is the weak link.

I just have some questions for someone in the know about coaching. Does Coach Ricker need time to recruit his own players and teach them his way of doing things? Or is there no excuse? I think there is no excuse but I don't know the technical aspect of his job.

Gary Pinkel does know and I hope Lock doesn't get hurt while this gets sorted out.

Ricker is a student of the Zone Blocking approach. Zone blocking differs from power blocking as it requires OL to think about the blocking scheme and then react, in power blocking, you basically see it and block it.

A running back in a zone blocking scheme, makes 1 cut recognizes the hole and runs to it. Hansbrough did that very well on the TD series. A running back in a power blocking scheme runs to a predetermined spot and hopes the OL has opened the hole. Much like we did in the Arkansas game last year in the second half.

In general zone blocking OLs are smaller and quicker and use cut back blocks (see Denver Broncos)otherwise called flat belly OL's. Power blocking OL's are bigger and stronger, the big fat guys.

Mizzou OL's are power blocking OL's trying to learn a zone scheme. They are trying to think and react and you see how slow they are. they reach at blocks because they can't physically get in position to block.

So yes, it would help for Ricker to recruit "flat belly" OL's for his zone scheme, but common sense says, don't change the scheme for SR's when 2 of them are NFL prospects as power blockers.

Ricker does seem to be the weak link. Our personnel on the line isnt near as bad as the plan for them. No matter what Ricker would like for the future style of his offensive line, he needs to work with the players now. if we are better as a power line, then do that and teach the freshmen on the practice squad your way.

Lock will get hurt and the program will be fricked if we keep doing it this way. the definition of insanity is doing it over and over yet expecting a different result. Ricker's current plan is insanity. it doesn't work.

It's not just OL that is not blocking. It's the receiver's, TE's and RB's.

It's like the entire team forgot how to block. Watching MSU receiver's (Their entire as well) block pissed me off.

It is not just an OL problem it is the entire team.

I think we ran the ball about 2-1 last night and that was prudent given it was working. We just have to be more consistent passing the ball. It was a lot of pitch and catch stuff too. Didn't take many shots and our completion % was still under 50% just horrid.

I didn't take real issue with the play calling, but the option call was pretty bad. I agree. Tried to get cute. They had a little something going with Hall at that point too.

They had to run the ball more because it was raining. Should have ran the ball more. MSU DL was over persuiing and the secondary was playing off the receivers most the game. This should have made it easier for the RB's to get in the secondary.

You're approaching TB territory.

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Does Coach Ricker need time to recruit his own players and teach them his way of doing things? Or is there no excuse? I think there is no excuse but I don't know the technical aspect of his job.

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If we were just bad, I'd say that's a good point. Being worst in the entire nation bad tells me it's all on the coaches.

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fricking fire somebody already!!!!!!!

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I feel the same way and I think Ricker and or Henson is toast but not until the season is over. I don't think Pinkel has ever changed his staff in mid season. Just not going to happen.