Mizzou head coach Eli Drinkwitz don talk to press after di team first fall scrimmage for Saturday. E say dem try to give plenty players chance to show wetin dem fit do, and e dey focus on individual performance instead of scheme. Dem look at fundamentals like blocking, yards after catch, tackling, physicality, holding point of attack, and pass rush ability.
For di scrimmage, dem also do some special teams work. Drinkwitz say e be like measuring stick to see where di team dey after two weeks of camp. E talk say dem go take wetin dem learn and focus on execution for di next week before di next preseason game under di lights for Faurot Field.
On running back Ahmad Hardy, Drinkwitz say e still dey do rehab. E talk say e misspeak earlier when e talk say two weeks for update, because na really five-week block. Di 22nd go be di first five weeks, and dem go sit down with doctors to evaluate am. Hardy dey cheer for im teammates but e no fit do walk-through yet. E dey progress for weight room and speed training.
For offensive lineman Cayden Green, dem just hold am out. Drinkwitz say e don play plenty football, and dem need to find who be di third tackle. E explain say dem sit many players like Dom Giudice, Caden Green, Cayden Lee, Jamal Roberts, Darris Smith, Robert Woodyard, Santana Banner, and Chris Graves because dem don play plenty for di league. No reason to put dem for jeopardy; dem dey develop di rest of di roster.
For quarterback Austin Simmons, Drinkwitz talk say e dey learn from im mistakes. E throw interception for first drive, but e come back and throw touchdown. Di coach say e dey show growth and emotional consistency. E say Simmons dey very coachable and dem appreciate am.
On special teams, Drinkwitz talk say new coordinator John Papuchis don do good job with di schemes. Specialists Brett LeBlanc and Blake Craig dey back, but dem need consistency from Craig. Today no be im most consistent day for field goals, but e don have two good days before. Bruno Reus dey punt well, but dem need to make sure protection and coverage dey good.
For di tackle competition, Drinkwitz say dem feel comfortable with Cayden Green and Luke Work as starters. Dem dey try to figure out di third tackle between Logan Reichert and Jack Lange, plus Whit Hafer wey dem don move around plenty. Hafer look natural for tackle and fit play all five positions.
Kensley Louidor-Faustin dey play star safety role. Drinkwitz say e don play star for Auburn, so transition no too hard. E dey figure out di culture and standards. CJ Bass don have good day for star position with a takeaway.
Langden Kitchen don take bigger role as leader. Drinkwitz say e and Darris Smith don focus on pass rush, and Kitchen don be nightmare for blockers. E dey similar to Cody Schrader wey dey consistent and demanding of imself.
For cornerbacks, Drinkwitz say dem get depth. Chris Graves don play plenty football and sabi di scheme for one side. Di other side get competition between Sione Laulea, Jahlil Florence, Nick DeLoach, Jackson Gates, and Cam Keys. Sione and Jahlil don show wetin dem hope for. Sione make big tackles today, and Jahlil make two big plays for red zone and backed-up portion.
Drinkwitz talk about Tristan Wilson say e don develop into starter for SEC and versatile player. Dem move am to center today for scrimmage, and e handle everything well from cadence to snap count. E dey always put extra work for di weight room.
For wide receiver Cayden Lee, Drinkwitz say e and Austin Simmons get connection. Lee dey play well for return game too. Dem dey challenge am to make contested catches and play bigger than e be.
Finally, for transfers wey dey become leaders, Drinkwitz say di message be ‘be uniquely you, but join us.’ None of dem try to establish demself; dem dey reinforce di message of di captains. Jaden Jones dey battle through health issue and gain respect. Cayden Lee too, like Kevin Coleman before. Luke Work dey work hard and gain respect of players.
