Gabbert's Toughness Convinces Pinkel; Lambert to Have Surgery

COLUMBIA - With quarterback Blaine Gabbert saying he is nearing full recovery from his high right ankle sprain, Missouri Coach Gary Pinkel sees a payoff for Gabbert limping through much of the past four games.
“He’s showed a tremendous amount of courage through this,” Pinkel said Monday.
Gabbert never asked out, never even asked for a rest.
“That’s how Chase (Daniel) was. That’s how Brad (Smith) was,” Gabbert said, referring to his two predecessors at quarterback at Missouri.
“When you’re not out there you feel kind of helpless. . . You need to be out there.”
Critics contended Gabbert’s lack of mobility was hurting the team, calling for reserve Jimmy Costello.
“They’re all entitled to their opinion,” Gabbert said, “but they really don’t know what’s going on.
“I’m good to go.”
Even when he wasn’t. But that was all Pinkel needed to hear.
“There are a lot of quarterback that I think are pretty good players,” Pinkel said, “who would just sit there and say, `I’ve got limitations moving. Coach, I’d rather not play. I’ve got to get healthy.’
“They’re more concerned about making mistakes out there and maybe not looking good, because they can’t throw as well.
“He’s the complete opposite. `Don’t even think I’m not going to play, coach.’
“He’s just a warrior. Down the road, that’s what, I think, is going to give him a chance to be a great player.”
SURGERY FOR LAMBERT: Starting middle linebacker Luke Lambert will undergo arthroscopic shoulder surgery on Friday to repair a torn labrum and will miss the rest of the season.
Having knee surgery on Friday will be Gabe McCrary, a walk-on freshman defensive lineman from Grandview, to repair a torn ACL.