Senior Profile - David Monroe
9/2/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 2, 2001
By Kyle Parrish
MU Media Relations Office
Gary Pinkel's Tigers will have a lot of new things to get used to this year. On offense, the team will line up in a single back formation for the first time. On defense, the players are adapting to a completely different and more aggressive philosophy. Even the special teams are under scrutiny to perform on a level that they never have before.
The Tigers are busy retooling almost every aspect of their game. Changes abound in both schemes and personnel. Veteran starters have found that the heat is on for their positions. Career bench-warmers now have the opportunity to win a spot.
Amidst all of the change, the players are expected to respond with focus, intensity, and most of all results.
Who can lead them through the changes?
David Monroe is used to the change. A senior inside linebacker from Miami, Fla., he has seen a lot of it in his career.
This season will mark the third defensive scheme he has played in since he began college. A year at Hutchinson Community College followed by two years at Mizzou have led Monroe along a winding path of change. Today, he takes the field as a captain, elected to lead by his teammates. His ability to cope with change makes him the ideal leader for the Tigers in their search for consistent success.
"Three defenses in four years - the transition hasn't been that hard." said Monroe, who stands 5-feet-11 and weighs 230 pounds. "Some things about defense remain the same. Those are the important things."
He speaks like an experienced veteran because he is one. Monroe's two letters and title of captain have come as the reward for hard work and a no nonsense approach to football.
"David is not the most outspoken or vocal guy on the team, but he is always working hard in the weight room and at practice ... that's what makes him a captain." said fellow captain Clarence Jones.
Monroe's hard work is also physically evident in the massive muscles he has built for taking on opposing blockers and for bringing down the ballcarrier. In practice, he is observant, studying the plays and eagerly listening to the coaches. Picking up another scheme reminder here or another edge-winning tip there, Monroe appears to have worked harder than the average player to get where he is. That is precisely why he is a model for the team.
As a captain, Monroe takes his responsibility with the same gravity that he does his field play.
"Our number one job is to be accountable," said Monroe. "When things go bad, we step up and take responsibility for getting the team back mentally."
The captain's responsibilities were actually something that Monroe did not initially expect. However, as with everything else, that changed quickly.
"They had already done the voting for captains. And the other guys already knew," said Monroe. "It wasn't until the next day that Coach Pinkel called me and told me. I couldn't believe it and I didn't expect it. But they voted me in."
It is an honor that Monroe carries well with his on-field demeanor. He maintains his usually quiet focus in practice, but is also quick to give a younger player some helpful advice. His sense of responsibility for those around him makes him an anchor in the winds of change.
For the 2001 season, Monroe stays focused with a list of team goals as well as a few personal ones.
"The guys have a lot less doubt in their minds this year," said Monroe. "The coaches have helped with that a lot. We think we have chance to do some good things. I really want to beat Nebraska and Kansas State. We came close last year, and this year I think we can get them." Even beyond the regular season, Monroe is optimistic about what all Missouri fans have anticipated.
"I want to go to a bowl game and win it, too," he said. "I really think we can do that. We have what it takes."
A true team player and ideal captain, Monroe puts his fellow players and the team goals first. However he is also motivated by a deep personal drive.
"I've been playing football a long time and I'm ready to prove something - with the team and with myself," said Monroe. "I really want this season to get started. I'm just waiting to see what I can do this year. I want to make the plays like I know I can."
For now, Monroe finds himself in the middle of a scuffle for playing time behind stalwart linebackers Jamonte Robinson and Sean Doyle. With his attitude, commitment to hard work and leadership there is no doubt that Monroe could maximize his playing time this season beyond what it has been in the past.
He is almost a reflection of Missouri's team as a whole since he has been marred by inconsistency and nagging injuries. Like the team, Monroe looks for 2001 to be a year in which he proves something.
A forced fumble on special teams during the '99 season, a couple of solid starts in 2000, and a big hit in the final scrimmage of 2001 are all examples of Monroe's potential flashing brightly. He will play alongside Duke Revard in the six-deep linebacker corps for 2001, but the sky is truly the limit.
Despite his unfounded potential, Monroe will be a huge factor for the Tigers from game preparation until the drones of "Old Missouri" end the day's contest.
He has ascended to the team's highest honor in only two years. His ethic motivates all. His determination encourages them.
"I know David has had some tough things happen like a few injuries last season, but he's the kind of guy that when he gets his chance, you know he'll do the job," said Jones.
Things might very well change for the Missouri Tigers this season. When it does, Monroe will help make the change instead of adapting to it.
