Mizzou and the AP All-Big 12 Team: Good for Gachkar, Madison

Congratulations for the AP voters on selecting Missouri's Andrew Gachkar to the first team at linebacker on the All Big-12 Conference football team and Brad Madison to the second team at defensive end.

Gachkar and Madison are the type of players who too often are ignored on these teams. Mainly because they weren't on the radar before the season began.

A lot of us who watch Missouri for a living were saying most of the season that Gachkar was having an All-Big 12 style of year. So kudos to the voters who were primarily watching some other team.

Madison is special because he led a sack-happy MU defense in sacks and he did it largely as a reserve.

Aldon Smith - and to a lesser extend Jacquies Smith - were MU's NAME defensive ends. But Aldon - who made the coach's first team - missed three games because of injury and the media voters gave him honorabled mention. Along with Jacquies Smith. And others, checking out the complete list below.

Not saying Aldon didn't deserve higher, but I'm not trying to establish who should or should not have made the first team, second team or honorable mention.

I just think the voters - and I didn't vote on this team - deserved to be called out when they get it right and not just when you think they got it wrong.

Gachkar and Madison are two of the first examples.-

Other MU first teamers were center Tim Barnes, and tight end Michael Egnew. I'd have been surprised if either had not made first team. They were obvious choices.

MU offensive lineman Dan Hoch joined Madison on the second team.

First Team AP All-Big 12

Tim Barnes, C - 6-4, 300, Sr., Longwood, Mo.

Michael Egnew,TE - 6-6, 235, Jr., Plainview, Texas

Andrew Gachkar, LB - 6-3, 228, Sr., Overland Park, Kan.

Second Team AP All-Big 12

Dan Hoch, OL - 6-7, 315, Jr., Harlan, Iowa

Brad Madison, DE - 6-4, 255, So., Bethany, Mo.

Honorable Mention AP All-Big 12

Carl Gettis, CB - 5-11, 195, Sr., O’Fallon, Mo.

Matt Grabner, P - 6-4, 200, Sr., Alton, Ill.

Jarrell Harrison, S - 6-2, 210, Sr., Las Vegas, Nev.

T.J. Moe, WR - 6-0, 200, So., O’Fallon, Mo.

Grant Ressel, PK - 6-1, 190, Jr., Jackson, Mo.

Kevin Rutland, CB - 6-0, 190, Sr., Houston, Texas

Aldon Smith, DE - 6-5, 260, So., Raytown, Mo.

Jacquies Smith, DE - 6-4, 255, Jr., Dallas, Texas