March 19, 2002

COLUMBIA, Mo.- For the first time this spring, the pads were popping on the Missouri Tigers' practice fields behind the Tom Taylor Building. Monday's practice was spirited as the Tigers' went with full pads for the first time. The defense spent a good portion of practice working on tackling techniques while the offense split time between the running and passing attacks.

Standing out on Monday was the Mizzou offensive line, a group that returns only one full-time starter from last year. Junior center A.J. Ricker led an offensive line consisting of junior Rob Droege, and sophomores Cliff Young, Joe Gianino and Tony Clinker. The O-line continously opened up big holes for running backs Zack Abron, Tyrone Roberson and Tim Starks. One of the highlights was a pancake block by redshirt freshman Tony Palmer on redshirt freshman defensive lineman Rob Hoover.

The offensive line didn't get the best of the D-line all day though. Redshirt freshman defensive tackle C.J. Mosley is in the best shape of his life and has been hard to handle, even for All-Big 12 center A.J. Ricker. Mosley, who weighed 290 pounds last year, is at 280 pounds this spring, and is as quick as a cat on the defensive line.

The first big hit of the spring came in three-on-three drills when outside safety Quincy Wade put a pop on running back Chad Giffen attempting to catch a pass out of the backfield.

The Tigers will be in full pads again on Tuesday afternoon, beginning at 3:30 p.m. The team will get a day off on Wednesday, before returning to the field on Thursday for its' final practice before Spring Break.