When it comes to the Missouri vs. Georgia showdown on Sept. 8, plenty of headlines have already been made by the Bulldogs' secondary--none of them positive, unfortunately for Mark Richt. Unfortunately for Gary Pinkel, though, this week it's the Tigers' turn to see their defensive backfield absorb a blow.
Missouri backup cornerback Robert Steeples confirmed this week that he will leave Missouri after graduating at the end of this semester. Steeples will look to transfer to a school with a graduate program unavailable at Mizzou, allowing him to be immediately eligible for the 2012 season.
Steeples' high school coach told the Kansas City Star that though Steeples' primary motivation was academic, the St. Louis product would likely welcome more playing time at his future destination.
“The past two years, he’s been their nickel or dime back,” Pat Mahoney said. “It’s not like he’s not seeing the field, but he may be relegated to the same role as a senior and he wanted to play regularly. But again, he said nothing about that.”
Steeples has already reportedly visited Memphis -- where former Tiger safeties coach Barry Odom is the new defensive coordinator -- and could look at SMU.
To some extent, Steeples' departure is one the Tigers can weather. Seven cornerbacks still remain on the roster, including returning starters Kip Edwards and E.J. Gaines. Steeples collected only one of the team's 13 interceptions in 2011. and ranked 17th on the team in tackles.
At the same time, as a senior Steeples would have been in line to become the Tigers' regular nickelback--and even in the SEC, three- and four-receiver sets are common enough that would have nearly qualified Steeples as a starter anyway. Looking at that historic, league-debut home date with Georgia -- the one Pinkel already expects to be a "mammoth" match-up -- the Bulldogs will be able to line up with four respectable (or better) wideouts in Tavarres King, Michael Bennett, Marlon Brown, and maybe even moonlighting Malcolm Mitchell. There's little question Steeples would have covered one of those targets; will his replacement do so as well as he could have?
Georgia, of course, will have to answer the same question on their side of the ball in the wake of their suspensions. One thing is certain: after this offseason, whatever the over/under is on passing yards is for the two teams, we're taking the over.
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