Missouri defense shows signs of progress

After a rough 2016 season, defense is the primary area where Missouri needs improvements for the 2017 campaign.

And while it's hard to take much away from spring football games, given coaches' preference for vanilla schemes and running clocks in order to escape the game without significant injuries, the Tigers' defense did provide some encouraging signs of progress in Mizzou's annual spring game on Saturday.

Barry Odom's defense was impressive during restricted play in Missouri's spring game.Neither the offense or the defense were full strength; missing key players (the offense sat out running backs Damarea Crockett and Ish Witter; defensive linemen Marcell Frazier and Terry Beckner Jr. sat…