Big things expected from Missouri safeties

By JOSH MOSLEY
For The Associated Press

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Missouri coaches have high hopes for the team’s group of safeties, but defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus is taking a wait-and-see approach before lavishing them with too much praise.

Eberflus said he wants to see a season of play before he passes judgment on what many believe will be a stellar group. But he believes the potential is there.

“Safety is so much about disguise and communication and working on the fundamentals together,” Eberflus said.

The Tigers, entering 2008 with high expectations after a 12-2 record and No. 4 ranking in 2007, have been practicing with a rotation of three players among the two starting safety spots. William Moore and Justin Garrett are slotted to start at the free and strong safety spots with junior Hardy Ricks available to relieve either one.

But the Missouri defense has shown some nickel packages in practice, a formation that usually brings Moore in as the nickel slot defensive back, essentially making the 230-pounder a safety/linebacker hybrid.

“Personally against the offenses with fast quarterbacks and all these spreads offenses, it’s a good thing,” Moore said. “You get to press up against more receivers.”

After registering 117 tackles and eight interceptions in 2007, Moore is the player in the defensive backfield that the opposition would most like to avoid. But when it comes to the question of who is the most physical of the Tiger safeties, Moore deferred to Garrett.

“I think JG is underrated as far as being physical because people look at me and think I’m a hitter,” Moore said. “But I’ll give it to that guy hands down any day.”

Garrett transferred to Missouri after originally signing with Tennessee and then going to junior college. The senior from Baton Rouge, La., started nine games in 2007. He had two interceptions and forced three fumbles.

“It’s been a long ride for me and I was just ready to play and I had to make the most of my opportunity and get in where I fit in,” Garrett said.

Moore and Garrett believe the Tigers will have strong depth at safety this season, aided by true freshmen Kenji Jackson and Zavier Gooden.

“I feel like we’re in competitions with those two,” Moore said of the freshmen. “I think they are going to make some noise back there and they are going to be stars.”