Missouri Tigers 2009 Football Preview: How Will Rebuilt Secondary Fare?

However unjustly it may have been, the Missouri secondary was pegged as the scapegoat for a majority of the team's defensive woes in 2008, but the numbers don't lie.

The Tigers finished the season ranked next to last in the nation—and dead last in the conference—in passing yards allowed per game, surrendering a gaudy average of 286.6.

In 14 games, the defensive backfield was singed for more than 4,000 yards, an aggregate completion percentage of 64.2, and an astounding 29 touchdown passes, the second most in the Big 12 behind Iowa State.

Sure, the pass rush wasn't always what it could have been. And you could make an argument that the stats are slightly skewed, considering that Missouri, with the exception of Oklahoma, played at least one more game in 2008 than any other team in the Big 12.

Furthermore, for the second consecutive season, Missouri faced more pass attempts (583) than any other team in the conference, so perhaps inflated numbers should not have been all that alarming.

Simply put, the Missouri secondary underachieved in 2008, but a lack of top-end athleticism, speed, and instinct are what ultimately led to a dreadful season. Plus, it didn't help that safety William Moore, whose eight interceptions tied for the national lead the previous season, began his pursuit of a second All-American selection with an injury to his foot in the season opener. Moore was a mere shell of his 2007 self and finished his senior season with only one pick.

Moore's injury seemed to set the tone for 2008, at least as far as the secondary is concerned. With its leader never able to regain 100 percent health, the unit became marred by confusion that the coaching staff diagnosed as fixable mental mistakes, but something else was at play.

Blown coverages are blown coverages. And sometimes players need time to adjust to different schemes. But it's asinine to think that MU cornerbacks and safeties were continuously getting burned by receivers of all skill levels because of moments of cerebral flatulence.

Now the page turns to 2009 with only one victim from last season's secondary implosion remaining. Yet many are anticipating this Missouri defense to be just as suspect, if not more so, than its predecessor.

By and large, the prediction has been that the losses Missouri has endured through the draft and graduation can't possibly compare to the hardships that will befall a young unit in 2009, though it's hard to fathom how the infusion of a little new blood could hurt. 

Junior cornerback Carl Gettis returns to man his position. He'll be joined by fellow elder statesmen Hardy Ricks and Del Howard at safety, but beyond them is a small army of players who are long on talent but relatively short on valuable game experience.

The natural ability of this group is certainly not lacking, which leads one to believe that the mistakes of 2008 will seldom be repeated, but the 2009 defensive backfield may turn out to be a work in progress as players become more and more acclimated to game action.

Cornerbacks

MU will need more moments like this from Carl Gettis in '09 (Kansan)

Carl Gettis (5'11", 200 lbs., Jr.)

Gettis is widely considered to be Missouri's best cover corner, but I don't see it. In my humble opinion, I have always found the junior from St. Louis to be significantly more productive against the run, which may be attributed to his stocky and compact frame.

Regardless of where his strengths lie, Gettis will be counted upon to be the leader of the secondary this season. The recipient of All-Big 12 honorable mention from the Associated Press after recording 78 tackles and an interception in 14 games last season, Gettis, who has started 24 games in his career, will be expected to match, if not exceed, those figures in 2009.

Gettis was often exposed in space last season, as he was asked at times to give up his corner spot for a nickel position in the absence of the injured Moore, and he was beat soundly by some of the conference's more talented receivers. But don't expect much of the same this season.

Though Gettis' coverage skills may leave a lot to be desired, defensive coordinator Dave Steckel's preference for a more conventional 4-3 alignment should enable Gettis to stay put at the corner position, where he is most comfortable.

Kevin Rutland (6'0", 195 lbs., Jr.) 

If reports from those close to the program are any indication, Rutland could be a star in the making. After amassing a career-best 25 tackles in spot duty at corner in 2008, Rutland drew rave reviews during practices in April, earning Most Improved Player honors to go along with a promotion to a starting job opposite Gettis.

A blend of good size and quickness, Rutland is rumored to be the fastest player on the team. And while his athletic ability and playing experience put him ahead of those vying for a job at corner, the junior from Houston still has to prove himself as a consistent playmaker who's able to limit mistakes at the major college level.

Just another interchangeable part of what Pinkel calls a unit that goes six players deep, Rutland could easily be swapped out at any point. But a strong preseason camp during which he has shown excellent ball skills and impressive closing speed has landed him first crack at playing the No. 2 corner position.

Munir Prince (5'10", 185 lbs., Jr.)

A highly decorated athlete, Prince earned Gatorade Player of the Year honors in 2005 after a stellar senior season at St. Louis' DeSmet High School, leading to a scholarship offer to play running back at Notre Dame.

Stuck on the depth chart in South Bend, Prince made the transition to corner in time for his sophomore season after carrying the ball 15 times for 21 yards in 10 games as a true freshman. The move didn't exactly lead to smashing success for Prince, who played in 10 games in 2007 but recorded only three tackles.

Following his second season at Notre Dame, Prince decided to leave the program, much to the consternation of Irish head coach Charlie Weis, who openly raved about Prince's elite speed.

Prince is now in the hunt for significant playing time this season after having sat out all of 2008 due to NCAA transfer rules. No one questions the guy's skill set, as the disappointment that settled over South Bend in the wake of his departure indicates he's a fine athlete.

With less than two weeks remaining until the Sept. 5 season opener, Prince is nearly a lock to land a spot in the defensive backfield. Currently listed as the backup to Gettis, Prince likely won't see much time at corner in the Tigers' base 4-3 defense, but it'll be hard to leave his speed and athleticism off the field when the situation calls for a nickel formation.

Reserves 

Trey Hobson (5'11", 190 lbs., So.), Robert Steeples (6'1", 195 lbs., RSFr), Kip Edwards (6'1", 200 lbs., RSFr.)

Safeties

Kenji Jackson (center) will be a leader in MU's secondary (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

Kenji Jackson (5'10", 195 lbs., So.)

Make no mistake: Jackson is the heir apparent to Moore. Jackson may not currently have the skill set that Moore flashed during his time with the Tigers, but patience should do the true sophomore from Mansfield, Texas, a world of good.

Plus, keep in mind that Moore, who may go down as one of the best free safeties in MU history, didn't truly blossom until he was thrust into a starting role in 2007.

Jackson made an impact as a freshman a season ago. In 13 games, four of which he started as an extra defensive back, Jackson recorded two interceptions and 62 tackles, which was the seventh-highest total on the team, all the while displaying some impressive speed and a knack for closing on the ball.

With Moore now departed to the NFL, Jackson becomes the starting free safety, and there's no reason to believe that the transition will be anything but a smooth one.

Still a tad on the light side, Jackson may experience some rough patches, but another season of grueling Big 12 football should accelerate Jackson's maturation process in becoming one of the most elite playmakers ever to roam the defensive backfield at Missouri.

Hardy Ricks (6'0", 200 lbs., Sr.)

Ricks is quite possibly the most seasoned player in the secondary heading into the 2009 season, yet he remains one of the roster's biggest enigmas.

Rated one of the top-50 cornerbacks out of high school in 2005, Ricks quickly found himself starting at the position as a redshirt freshman in 2006. In 12 games, eight of which he started, Ricks racked up 40 tackles and began building a reputation as one of the team's more devastating hitters.

Ricks then moved to free safety for the final 10 games of 2007, where he played minimally en route to a 21-tackle season. But it was during the first four games of that season, when he manned a corner position, that Ricks may have endeared himself the most to MU fans.

It was a jarring lick by Ricks that dazed Illinois' Juice Williams and ultimately kept the star quarterback off the field for the entire second half of a 40-34 Missouri win in the season opener.

Now a fifth-year senior, Ricks will attempt to build on 2008, a season in which he failed to start a game but turned in 39 tackles. Couple this momentum with the fact that Ricks—who is now more than a year removed from shoulder surgery to correct a labrum injury that occurred in 2007 and seemingly hampered him last season—has already earned the starting strong safety spot for 2009, and the "old man" of the secondary should be ready to conclude his career at MU in style.

Del Howard (5'11", 200 lbs., Sr.)

Always a serviceable player, Howard begins his senior season listed as the No. 2 free safety behind Jackson, but he possesses the versatility to play a nickel position when the opposition's offense dictates the need for extra defensive backs.

Like Ricks, Howard is not short on experience, having played in 38 games over the last three seasons, and his presence should be calming to some of the younger faces in the secondary. He'll never be labeled as a difference-maker, but Howard's veteran leadership is an irreplaceable intangible that will be utilized both on the field and in the locker room.

Zaviar Gooden (6'2", 210 lbs., RSFr.)

With Gooden's mixture of height and athleticism, it was easy to pencil him in as the backup strong safety after spring practices concluded. But, if you pause and look at the measureables, as well as read into what insiders are saying, Gooden could just as easily make his presence known as a second-string linebacker.

Showing signs of the same power and speed that former Tiger William Moore displayed, Gooden has drawn some comparisons to the All-American safety, and members of the coaching staff are slobbering (and possibly fighting) over the talent he could bring to the defense—no matter what position he plays.

A glance at the team's current depth chart indicates that Gooden, who has gained more than 15 pounds during the course of his redshirt season, has grown out of his safety body. Now the backup to strongside linebacker Andrew Gachkar, the player who was seen as one of more versatile players of the 2008 recruiting class is close to getting the opportunity to make his mark.

Reserves

Jasper Simmons* (6'1", 205 lbs., Jr.), a transfer from Hutchinson Community College in Kansas; and Jarrell Harrison (6'2", 210 lbs., Jr.) a transfer from City College of San Francisco

*Simmons is the leading candidate to succeed Jeremy Maclin as the return man on kickoffs

Lead photo courtesy of AP/Getty

You can find more of my positional breakdowns of the 2009 Missouri Tigers at Examiner.com.