Mizzou WR Marcus Lucas Shows NFL Combine Nike Gear

,

Mizzou Made wide receiver Marcus Lucas was busy with measurements, medical examinations and interviews on Friday, but he still found time to stop by the Nike suite to grab some fresh new gear.

Nike hooked Lucas up with everything from socks, to cleats, to gloves, to gym shorts, all for free.

Lucas got two pairs of cleats, one that he’ll use to run the 40-yard dash, and another that he’ll wear during receiver drills. He also picked up some matching elite socks, and training shoes that he can rock in the weight room.

Check out the video above to see all the gear that Lucas received, and watch the combine on NFL Network and NFL.com to see him wear it in action on Sunday, February 23 between 10:00am-12:00pm CST.

2014 NFL Combine: Mizzou WR L’Damian Washington Interview

, , ,

Former Mizzou captain L’Damian Washington caught up with Kat Lucchesi to talk about the NFL combine and what he’s been doing since the Cotton Bowl to prepare.

Like Justin Britt, Washington has spent most of his time training in Pensacola, Fla., and he feels that he is fully prepared for all the challenges that await him in the next couple days.

Washington is looking to follow in the footsteps of Jeremy Maclin and Danario Alexander to become the next Mizzou wideout to make an impact at the next level. He thinks his ability to stretch the field and make plays will allow him to do that.

But before he gets to work out and put his talents on display, Washington has had to go through a host of interviews and medical exams.

“A lot of interviews, a lot of medical physicals, doctors pulling on your shoulder, pulling on your toes, pulling on your knees,” Washington said.

Through it all though, the 6-foot-4 receiver is just being himself.

“At Mizzou, as a captain, you had to be yourself around your teammates, because, at the end of the day, that’s who you are,” Washington said. “And I think I’m nothing short of that right now. I don’t want to be anyone that I’m not. I want to be myself, and I think most offensive coordinators and receivers coaches like that.”

Washington will be doing his drills at the NFL combine this weekend.

2014 NFL Combine: Mizzou OL Justin Britt Interview

, ,

Mizzou offensive lineman Justin Britt caught up with Kat Lucchesi on Thursday to talk about his preparation for the NFL Combine and what it’s been like so far in Indianapolis.

Britt was in Pensacola, Fla., training with teammate and fellow combine participant L’Damian Washington in the weeks leading up to the event. He arrived in Indianapolis on Wednesday and has been working out with Athlete’s Performance, competing in drills, and going through the medical check-ups and examinations since.

When asked if, five years ago, when playing high school football in Lebanon, Mo., he ever thought he would be in this position—competing for a spot in the NFL—Britt admitted that he has even surprised himself.

“I want to say yes, but I definitely did not think this was going to happen,” Britt said. “My ego was big, but I don’t think it was this big. I definitely have been blessed and have a lot of things to give later on.”

The offensive lineman credited Mizzou’s stellar defensive line, which he faced every day in practice, and the phenomenal athletes in the rest of the SEC who he competed against with preparing him for what he’s going to face in the NFL.

“The SEC is definitely one of the best conferences in the nation, so it definitely has some of the best talent,” Britt said. “Going against that in practice everyday and every weekend in games really prepares you for what you’re going to face at the next level because, as you’ll find, a lot of SEC defensive linemen always end up in the pros.”

During media interviews, a reporter asked Britt if there is a current NFL player that he tries to mirror his game after, and he said that Joe Thomas is a guy he tries to imitate and learn from.

“Something that I took from him and changed really quickly was my kick size,” said Britt. “I used to take one giant kick on my first step, but after watching him and talking to my coaches, I’ll take short steps, and I get myself in a better position.”

Finally, Lucchesi asked Britt what Mizzou has taught him that has helped him get to where he is now.

“To make no excuses,” Britt said. “I don’t make excuses. I just get it done.”

 

Justin Britt completed his on-field workout this morning. Here’s how the Mizzou Made offensive tackle did:

40-Yard Dash – 5.19 seconds

Broad Jump – 100.0 inches

3 Cone Drill – 8.14 seconds

20-Yard Shuttle – 4.69 seconds

Mizzou Football Team Signs Autographs at Mizzou Arena

Decked out in black and gold, young Mizzou Tigers fans lined up Thursday to meet their football heroes. After a successful 12-win season, members of the Mizzou Football Team signed autographs for their mini fans at Mizzou Arena. Team members spotted there included defensive lineman Markus Golden, wide receiver Jimmie Hunt,  quarterback Maty Mauk, tailback Marcus Murphy, offensive lineman Mitchell Morse and wide receiver Bud Sasser. Fans met the players and posed for pictures with Mizzou’s Cotton Bowl trophy.

The Total Person Program: Public Image Discussion

Not only does Mizzou thrive to succeed on the field and in the classroom, but also socially and publicly. The Total Person Program is designed to holistically develop student athletes by providing services like tutoring, mentoring, career planning and state-of-the-art study facilities.

The Mizzou Football Family recently met with Total Person Program Director Kim Lambert to learn about public image.

What is public image?

Public image consists of both visible and hidden factors. As an athlete, it’s important to be aware of and develop both of these images.

Visible public image is:

  • Behavior
  • Skill
  • Ability
  • Personality

Hidden public image is:

  • Character
  • Core values
  • Life experiences

Why care about my public image?

As a Division I athlete, you are an automatic leader and role model in the Mizzou community. It’s your job to represent the Mizzou brand with passion, hard work, fun and familial loyalty.

As a student athlete on the Mizzou campus, eyes are always on you and you are representing your team and yourself. In order to be a positive leader, it’s important to develop a strong personal brand.

What is a personal brand?

A personal brand is a reflection of your core values, beliefs, opinions and aspirations that is visibly expressed in what you do and say.

A personal brand represents:

  • Who you are
  • What you stand for
  • How you want to be remembered

A strong personal brand is:

  • Authentic
  • Consistent
  • Clear

Social media and personal branding

Social media is one way to establish and maintain your personal brand. When using any social media platform – whether it’s Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Vine — remember that people will Google you and your social media posts will likely come up.

How to positively manage your personal brand on social media:

  • Be authentic
  • Keep your profiles up-to-date
  • Post positive messages only

“Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are.” 

– Malcom Forbes

NFL Combine Kicks Off

The 2014 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis gets underway today, and seven Mizzou Tigers will be participating: offensive tackle Justin Britt, defensive ends Michael Sam and Kony Ealy, running back Henry Josey, wide receivers L’Damian Washington and Marcus Lucas, and defensive back E.J. Gaines.

Britt will have measurements and medical examinations done today, interview with team representatives, and meet with the media this afternoon. He will attend an NFLPA meeting on Friday, as well as undergo psychological testing, perform the bench press test, and do more interviews. On Saturday, Britt will participate in the on-field workout. He will run the 40-yard dash in the 9  to 10 a.m. slot and do field drills from 10 to 11 a.m.

According to scouts, Britt’s strengths are his solid build, quickness, strength and ability to recognize and adjust to the blitz. He is projected to be a late-round selection.

Washington, Lucas and Josey will begin their combine process Friday and will have their on-field workouts on Sunday. Washington and Lucas will run the 40 between 11 a.m. and noon, and participate in field drills from noon to 1 p.m. Josey will run his 40 between 1 and 2 p.m., and he will follow up with field drills from 2 to 3 p.m.

Washington’s strengths are, according to scouts, his body and arm length, outstanding speed, explosiveness, and big-play ability. He is projected to be taken in the 6th or 7th round.

Lucas’ strengths are his outstanding size and body length, excellent hand, and toughness and ability to enter traffic and catch on contact. He is expected to be a late-round pick.

Josey’s quick feet, agility, ability to burst through the hole, and mental toughness are his strengths. He is projected to be a mid-round selection.

Sam and Ealy’s testing starts Saturday, and will conclude Monday with their on-field workouts. Ealy will run the 40 in the 9 to 10 a.m. slot and will be evaluated in field drills from 10 to 11 a.m. Sam’s 40 time will be measured between 11 a.m. and noon, and he will do his field drills from noon to 1 p.m.

Scouts see Sam’s strengths as his arm length, snap-anticipation, great initial first step, and his intensity and demeanor. He is projected to be picked in the middle rounds of the draft.

Ealy’s long, projectable frame, quickness, ability to spin off blocks, close on the quarterback fast and crash down the line have scouts raving. He is projected to go within the first 20 picks.

On Sunday, it will finally be Gaines’ turn to begin the three-day process that will conclude on Tuesday, when he is set to run the 40 between 9 and 10 am and participate in field drills from 10 to 11 am.

Scouts love the defensive back’s muscular build, aggressive style, confidence, good route recognition, willingness and ability to hit hard, and versatility. He is projected to be a 2nd or 3rd round selection.

The official workout results will be posted on NFL.com within 30-45 minutes after each workout session concludes, and we will post them right here on GaryPinkel.com shortly after.

No Excuses in Mizzou Football

Every Tuesday in the month of February, the Mizzou Football Family has Mizzou Foundation Meetings to refresh on leadership skills and the core of the program.

On Tuesday, February 18, the seniors stressed the importance of the program’s preeminent foundation to the freshmen: No excuses.

The seniors told the freshman that, when they were in their position, they thought they were always right.

They learned very quickly that this philosophy was wrong.

At Mizzou, you sprint through the line and complete every drill.

At Mizzou, you finish. No excuses.

mizzou-football-no-excuses

And as they’ve matured through their years here, they’ve realized that this mindset not only applies to football, but to life.

If you get called out, own up to it and be accountable for your actions. As a result, your team, your family, will become stronger.

Work hard on the football field. Work hard in the classroom. Work hard in life.

No excuses.

Jeremy Maclin Radio Interview at Mizzou Basketball Game

, ,

Former Mizzou receiver and current Philadelphia Eagle Jeremy Maclin was in attendance at the men’s basketball game against Vanderbilt on Wednesday.

Maclin sat out last season with a torn ACL, but he said his recovery is going well and he’s looking forward to getting back on the field for the 2014 season. What uniform he will wear is unclear, however, as Maclin will officially become a free agent on March 11.

The former All-American hails from just down the highway in Kirkwood, Mo., and had the option of going to virtually any school in the nation. Mizzou’s family environment is the reason why he chose to stay close to home.

“One thing that Mizzou always did was make me feel at home,” Maclin said. “I couldn’t have made a better decision. I think this is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my life, and if I could do it all over again, I’d make the same decision and relive it. This is definitely a great place, and for anybody who’s coming up looking for a place to go, it doesn’t get any better than this.”

Another thing that makes Mizzou great, according to Maclin, is the player development, and the number of players that the program puts in the NFL. Currently, there are 25 former Tigers suiting up on Sundays.

“It’s pretty remarkable, and a lot of those guys are from the Pinkel era,” Maclin said. “It just proves that this program, this university, is definitely going in the right direction. We continue to put guys in the league. We continue to put guys in the league, that are not only there, but are actually successful and are contributing to teams that are winning.”

To hear the rest of Maclin’s interview, click the play button above.

#TBT – Mizzou Coaching Staff

Cornerback coach Cornell Ford has been a member of Coach Pinkel’s staff for 21 years, 14 of those being at Mizzou, five years in Toledo, and two years at Marietta College. He is the chief recruiter in St. Louis. He oversaw the development of E. J. Gaines who went on to set the Mizzou record with 16 pass break ups in his first year as a starter, tied for 5th nationally with 18 passes defended overall (including 2 interceptions) in 2011, and is now participating in the NFL Scouting Combine this week.

Coach Pinkel’s Focused Connection to Goals

gary-pinkel-mu-vs-south-carolina-7

“Being in the present means tuning out distraction and paying attention to what is important now! Focus! Make a Difference!” – Coach Gary Pinkel

Focused Connection to Goals

You can have an uninterrupted connection between a football player and his goal. You are fully focused when you have:

– No pressures

– No doubts

– No expectations

Just focus on the next step in front of you (winning edge, spring ball, summer workouts, etc.). Focus on the process and the results will come.

Example: Chris Hadfield, former fighter pilot.

“When you are flying on an airplane 500 miles an hour, there are all kinds of things that don’t matter, and there are a few things that really matter. In a high-performance airplane, things happen quickly. The next half mile or 15 seconds is all that matters—you need to completely compartmentalize and disregard things that don’t matter—bills, problems at home, etc. Even though it may be extremely important at another time, you don’t pay attention to it. You need to focus on the task at hand.”

1. Focus Practice

– Sit in a classroom or listen to someone—clear your mind and connect fully with what the person is saying.

– Focus on different thoughts during a workout—think “quickness” or “float” or “power.” Do it 10 times in a row.

– Do a body scan. Focus on different parts of your body. Are my calves relaxed? Focus on your shoulders, and think relaxation.

– Sit quietly and relax your breathing and pick an object to focus on.

2. Focus Strategies

– Return to basics.

– Reassure yourself that you are trained and are ready. Your thought process should be, ‘I’ve done this one thousand times. I am fully ready.’

– Remember that your goals are realistic. All you want to do is perform as you are capable.

– Remind yourself to stay in the moment. Focus on doing your job.

– Training and performing should be enjoyed. Embrace the good parts.

Each play is a separate focus. Play hard for six seconds. Come back and go do it again. The outcome will be in your favor. It will take care of itself.