stlfisher

Glad Piscotty is ok...that was pretty scary last night. I thought he broke his neck at first. Let's hope he can get back soon and Card wrap this thing up tonight.

I started fly fishing at Bennett and haven't been back in 4 years. I think most people may not remember the best days so they have nothing to compare it too. I remember the first time I went to Montauk after fishing Bennett several times. My first thought was the fish at Montauk were on the smaller size, but there were tons of them and it wasn't so commercialized. The Current was such a great stretch of water that it typed the scales for me and I have no reason to go to Bennett again. I now actually think the fish at Bennett are smaller than Montauk. I think on this side of the state that Meramac Springs has some good size to some of their fish, but with the exception of winter I won't set foot in that place. I wish Roaring River or Taney were closer as they sound great from all accounts.

My subdivision pond is exactly this way. Tons of large shad, a few small bass, a few large Bluegill and a few large Catfish. It is very tough to fish, most days I catch only 1 or 2 and never have the bass been larger than 12 inches. However, what I have seen during the spawn was jaw dropping. There is no doubt there are a few bass that are at least approaching double digits. Personally, with all the bass fishing I use to do my largest is 5lb's and I have only caught 2 of those....kinda pathetic now that I think about it!

The OL actually has been pretty good regarding pass protection, it is run blocking they are really struggling with. UCONN's defensive strategy last week was to stack the box against the run, keep Maty in the pocket, and take away the deep routes. They forced Mauk to dink and dunk down the field. They did not allow him to run. The middle of field 10-15 yards down field was pretty wide open. Mauk threw 2 passes in those areas completing 1 of them. This is what teams are going to do until Mauk starts completing those passes in the middle of the field...he rarely even attempts them....cause I believe he can't see them. The type of defense UCONN played is very vulnerable in the middle of the field to a solid passing game. That argues for the better passer...which is 100% Lock. He may not be ready yet, but he played in the 4th Q in a 3 point game. That possession is not planned in the second half, but was a gut feel call by Pinkle and Henson. I hope Maty and the running game pick up speed as that would be great for Mizzou, but Lock is not as far way from starting as one might think. I find it comical to criticize Lock for his 4th and 7 throw. He is a freshman with few possession's to make an impact. Mauk has done that all time for the last several years and his 3 years older than Lock. You can deal with some of that with a freshman ,but not a third year starter....that is the problem.

Awesome! Well done!

Last year and especially this year are probably the best defenses that we have ever had. Next year could be even better. It just seems like such a waste to me. With any kind of offense we could actually make a real run IMO. As it is our defense will get gassed against good SEC teams. I am hopeful the running game will pick up speed at some point and the OL will get it together (Ricker needs to stop tinkering and put the players in the positions they were in last year), but so far we can't score on anyone. I just have no confidence that Mauk can do anything. I get that Lock is young, but next year could be something special with our returning defense. You have to give Lock the reigns at some point this year to get him ready. I think everyone would be fine with suffering through the growing pains with Lock at QB. I am just tired of watching the Maty Mauk circus show. Give me a kid with talent. If Mauk doesn't like it let him transfer. I have to wonder what the players think...I can't believe they think Mauk is any good.

Our offense is terrible....

We should be fine. Can't imagine playing worse than last week and that was awful. Just saw 4 mizzzou guys in a car accident, but does not seem serious. Beckner JR was the driver....seems rain related and again not serious.

Hansborough is not listed on the depth chart for UCONN so he will be out this week. We will need him back for Kentucky though.

Kind of glad I was out to dinner for my wife's birthday during the game. I taped the replay last night, but not sure I want to watch it. Mauk for all his faults, and there are many, accounted for all but 60 yards of our offense. Receivers have not been very good so far at all. Offensive line has no excuse for being this bad. Pinkel described the running back situation as severe...that can't be good. I think our defense is going to be great.

Lot's of spiders this year in my basement too. More than I can ever remember. Wasp's have recently become a problem too...I had miniature swarm that took an entire tube of spray to eradicate.

I agree to some extent, and an undefeated record from a power 5 will trump anything, but two schools with 11-1 records will be decided by SOS and 4 patsy's will hurt you. It is not the deciding factor, but a deciding factor. The weakness (or perceived weakness) of the Big 12 hurt Baylor and TCU last year. Go to an 8 team playoff and the out of conference schedule's will get better as you have a greater margin of error. Your are correct there is a certain art to scheduling your power 5 opponent though.

Yeah, I agree. I would much rather watch quality games each week. An 8 team playoff may help that to some extent as the pressure of an undefeated season is mitigated to some extent and SOS would be weighed amongst the wild card teams. The only downside is that may further the gap amongst the power 5 and the rest of the teams...which is probably going to happen regardless.

I agree. Vanilla game plan for sure and clearly in the 3rd quarter they were trying to establish the run, but the Oline was horrible and they shouldn't be...it is almost the same as last year.

I think the conferences are trying to limit them, but there is a benefit. The powder puff teams need those games as the payouts are pretty important to their athletic departments. I look at it as preseason for the most part. IMO they should limit it to 2 games against powder puffs, 2 against power 5 non conference, and then conference play. Teams that play 4 complete powder puffs are being held accountable...Baylor is good example.

Yeah, it was frustrating to watch. Run game was atrocious. Defense is going to be very good. Muak had 4 or 5 passes the receivers flat out dropped. Basically, we looked young. We have to see how quick they get together, but Lock looked great. Punt return was terrible. Run game is biggest concern.

Yep, that is incredible really.

Card's are rolling with an 8-1 stretch. A .500 September would still put the Card's at 101 wins. Impressive. Offense has looked good the last several weeks with a nice walk off homer by Moss last night. Piscotty has lived up to the hype and Pham looks like he will be solid in an reserve role next year.

I think Morgan Steward will provide the needed depth as the season progresses and he shakes off the rust. He is a beast if he can stay healthy. Beyond that there is not much depth this year.

Drew Lock will not redshirt. He is listed as #2 QB behind Mauk. This will certainly put some pressure on Maty. I would think Lock will see a few series a game this year. 7 other true freshman will also see time on the field including to no one's surprise, Terry Beckner JR.

Everytime I visit that store and make a decent purchase they always throw in a little something extra just because. Good service and a nice couple of guys. I can only imagine the stuff they have forgotten about hidden in that basement.

I actually sit down and tie a bunch of the same fly at the same time. I have a "storage case" with individual bins for different fly's and sizes. the only issue with this method is it can be kind of boring after a dozen or so, but it does give me a nice inventory so I can avoid an all night binge tying session before a trip. That used to always plague me. Now if I could just find time to fish I could actually use some of them.

I think there is good chance MU does not redshirt Drew Lock and he starts the year as the back up QB. If Mauk continues to be inconsistent Lock could see some substantial time. I don't think Lock will be at MU for more than 3 years (including redshirt year if they decide to sit him) as he is that good. He was the best QB in camp by far completing 75% of passes and played against the 1's yesterday. He does take too many sack's though. If Gary Pinkel wasn't so loyal to his starting QB's he would start day 1. Lock's play has put Pinkel into an uncomfortable position....gonna be really interesting when they announce on Monday. If Lock is the back up I have feeling Zanders or Prince will transfer.

I notoriously forget my water supply. I am not sure if it is the excitement of fishing or what, but rarely does it bother me to much. Sounds like you guys had a great trip!

They look real good. Definately deserve the pre season #1