Tony Palmer Senior Feature
11/8/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 8, 2005
Football coaches refer to linemen as "big, mean, uglies," which is exactly what Tony Palmer is on the field every fall. Besides that, "He's all bark and no bite," fellow teammate Brad Smith said. Palmer has been sporting the black and gold colors for five years now, and has been a consistent starter four of those years. Palmer came to Columbia in 2001, originally scouted as a ferocious defensive lineman and recruited only by Mizzou and Oklahoma as an offensive lineman. The Midwest City, Okla., native decided to leave his home state to become a Tiger, a credit to Gary Pinkel's recruiting staff. A redshirt his first year, Palmer played for the scout team gaining experience and impressing the Tiger coaching staff enough to receive starting honors the very next season.
It so happens, quarterback sensation Brad Smith, who considers Palmer one of his better friends, also made his college debut that same season and says, "That's my friend, first of all. We've been here together since we both started, so he's a guy that I trust and a guy who doesn't like it when someone touches me (on the field)."
In that same campaign Palmer experienced what he claims is the most exciting game of his career to date. On Oct. 5, 2002, the young Tiger team faced a much more balanced, dangerous team in number No. 3 Oklahoma. The game was a thrill to be a part of Palmer would later say and was also a treat to watch, even though the Sooners prevailed, 31-24. A tough loss to take in, but Tony stated, "It was one of our first games that I thought we played as a team."
The Tigers finished the 2002 season with a 5-7 record and finished 2-6 in the Big 12. The young lineman was named to the Big 12 All-Freshman and Fourth-Team Freshman All-American teams. Palmer also claimed offensive co-player of the week for his efforts against Troy State, Oklahoma, and Kansas.
The following season, Mizzou Football jumped off on the right foot, winning its first four games in 2003 before hitting a few speed bumps. Palmer was a starter for the offensive line which helped the Tigers put dazzling amounts of points on the scoreboard throughout the year. Palmer once again received All-Big 12 honors, and it was obvious that the offensive guard was on his way to a very distinguished career. Mizzou finished the season 8-5, ending with a 4-4 record in the Big 12, but lost a tough game to Arkansas in the Independence Bowl.
In 2004, Palmer was rewarded as Mizzou offensive lineman of the year. He was once again a key starter that led the team into battle all eleven games that season. Though the Tigers were not able to repeat their 2003 bowl appearance, Palmer excelled at his position, receiving honors not just from the media, but also from league coaches as a Second Team All-Big 12 performer.
As of today, Palmer still starts at the same offensive line position, leading his team to battle any given Saturday. So far, the Tigers are among the tops not just in the Big 12, but also in the NCAA, ranking highly in offensive production. The team especially excels in the running aspect of the offensive attack and are quickly becoming more balanced with an improved passing scheme. The season is not even half over, but Palmer has already received honors as one of this year's team captains.
"Being a team captain means you get a little more responsibility," Palmer said. "You've got to make sure the players are all lined up. You have to approach everything with a positive attitude. That's the main thing I focus on, that everything is positive. I'll go out to practice and get everybody encouraged and lifted up."
Going into today's game against Iowa State, the team's third Big 12 opponent of the season, Palmer did not speak of any specific personal goals but spoke of one that the whole team agrees on.
"The main goal is just to win and definitely get this team to a Big 12 Championship."
P a l m e r, a n offensive line prospect, was named the Blue Chip Offensive Lineman of the Year in the state of Oklahoma and was a double-threat player in high school known for his defensive skills, racking up 133 tackles and 11 forced fumbles (six in his senior year).
It turns out that Palmer is not the only featured Tiger to come from Midwest City. Former All-Conference cornerback and 1998 Insight.com Bowl MVP Julian Jones hails from the same area of the state as does current defensive lineman Lorenzo Williams. When it came to deciding where to play, which Palmer claims was between Mizzou and conference rival Oklahoma, Palmer stated, "I didn't care what I played, just as long as I was playing. I just wanted to play early as a freshman."
This being his senior year in school, the offensive lineman has not expressed what he wants to do with his future. However, if all goes well, Palmer has spoken about taking football up for a career.
"I'd love to play at the next level, but my back up plan is to obviously start working somewhere," Palmer said. "I don't know yet. I'm just going to go with the flow and see how this season turns out for me. If it goes well, hopefully I'll be playing at the next level."
Tony is the proud son of Richard and Adrianne Gaines. His father is an aircraft supervisor, while his mother is an aircraft mechanic. Tony's father is also a church pastor where the younger Tony shows off talents by singing and playing the piano.
-By William Springer
