Can they find the answers in the spring?
Can OU and OSU find the answers in the spring?

Comments Comment on this article11

Published: March 3, 2008

Here are five key questions for Oklahoma and Oklahoma State as the two programs head into spring camp

Advertisement

Oklahoma:

Which OU defense will we see in the spring? The defense that stifled high-powered Missouri in the Big 12 Championship? Or the defense that looked inept against West Virginia?
OU has to replace five starters, which may spell tough times for a unit coming off one of the worst defensive performances in years.

The Sooners will also be without defensive end Auston English with a shoulder injury.

Plus, defensive back Lendy Holmes and defensive tackle DeMarcus Granger enter the spring in the doghouse after missing the Fiesta Bowl.

That's why this group shouldn't be judged on its merits until the fall, when it's healthier.

Not only that, as many as three starting lineup replacements in linebackers Mike Balogun and J.R. Bryant and safety David Sims won't arrive until the summer.

By Jake Trotter

On the hot seat — OG Duke Robinson and OT Phil Loadholt
Robinson and Loadholt have all kinds of talent, but they didn't warrant enough attention from NFL scouts to make the jump to the next level.

That's because they didn't always dominate and weren't always consistent.

Both could end up being first- or second-round draft picks next year. Both could also slip to the later rounds. How they perform in their senior seasons will determine the difference.

By Jake Trotter

How will Kevin Wilson and Jay Norvell coexist as co-offensive coordinators?
Wilson and Kevin Sumlin, who departed for the Houston head coaching job, had a workable chemistry, which is underrated in the coaching profession.

Norvell, meanwhile, who was UCLA's offensive coordinator last season and Nebraska's the year before that, will bring new and different ideas in offensive philosophy.

How Wilson and Norvell mesh together will play a big role in how OU's offense performs.

By Jake Trotter

Can Ryan Reynolds be the man in the middle?
OU has had the undervalued benefit the last two seasons of having back-to-back Big 12 defensive players of the year at linebacker in Rufus Alexander and Curtis Lofton.

For OU to have a championship-caliber team, Reynolds — who has been plagued by two knee surgeries — needs to live up to some of that 5-star billing he received coming out of high school in his position switch from outside to middle linebacker.

Spring drills would be a good time to start.

By Jake Trotter

Oklahoma State:

Who will back up quarterback Zac Robinson?
Robinson averaged nearly 14 carries in OSU's final seven games. He's fearless and not afraid to take a hit, which makes him more susceptible to injuries. That's why it's imperative a quality backup quarterback emerges now that Bobby Reid has transferred to Texas Southern.

Brandon Weeden, a 24-year-old redshirt freshman from Edmond Santa Fe, played minor league baseball for five years.

Weeden isn't as much a running threat as Robinson, but Weeden has a rocket arm. Because of his age and arm, Weeden probably is the favorite.

But Alex Cate, a highly rated quarterback from Salt Lake City, has been in OSU's system two years.

How Weeden and Cate perform during 11 spring practices, three scrimmages and the spring game could determine who has the leg up heading into two-a-days.

By Mike Baldwin

Three new assistants get acclimated
Coach Mike Gundy has three new assistants. The most high-profile change is Gunter Brewer, who coached wide receivers the past three years and is now co-offensive coordinator with Trooper Taylor. Brewer will coach quarterbacks, Taylor wide receivers.

On defense there are two new assistants. Glenn Spencer left Duke to fill the defensive line vacancy created when Nelson Barnes was fired. Jason Jones, from Tulsa, will coach cornerbacks.

Defensive coordinator Tim Beckman will coach linebackers, filling the void created when former linebackers coach Todd Bradford left to become defensive coordinator on Larry Fedora's staff at Southern Mississippi.

By Mike Baldwin

How will the secondary shake out?
There are so many candidates for starting jobs and backup roles that this could be an ongoing competition throughout the season. Who starts the season opener against Washington State might not be who starts when Oklahoma visits Boone Pickens Stadium on Nov. 29.

At cornerback, senior Jacob Lacey (26 career starts) has one spot nailed down. Junior Terrance Anderson, who finished strong late last season, enters spring as the other starter. Perrish Cox has tremendous talent and has started 12 games. Maurice Gray, a juco transfer, could emerge.

At safety, senior Ricky Price switched from wide receiver and started all 13 games at free safety. He'll be at strong safety this season. Juco transfer Lucien Antoine, senior Quinton Moore, redshirt freshman James Thomas and true freshman Markelle Martine, already on campus, will all be in the mix.

By Mike Baldwin

How much immediate help will OSU get from six defensive newcomers participating in their first spring practice?
This will be the most scrutinized story line throughout spring and two-a-days. OSU finished 101st nationally in total defense, 112th in pass defense.

Defensive coordinator Tim Beckman, entering his second season, has challenged his players to be a top-50 defense. To make such a dramatic improvement, several newcomers will have to prove this spring they're capable of playing key roles.

Six junior college players, five participating in spring practice, were signed to provide immediate help. Several young players, including some redshirt freshmen, have talent but must show they're ready for Big 12-caliber football.

By Mike Baldwin

What changes will there be on the offensive line?
Five starters return if you include David Washington returning from an injury, but the only certainty is Russell Okung starting at left tackle. Offensive line coach Joe Wickline moves his "guys” around to see them perform at different positions.

Washington will be held out of spring practice until mid-March. When he returns he could be evaluated at guard. Andrew Lewis, who played the final 10 games at center last season, could move back to left guard or might stay at center.

Right tackle Brady Bond faces competition to keep his starting job at right tackle. Andrew Mitchell, a junior college transfer who is 23 years old, will compete for the starting job.

If Mitchell wins the job, Bond could push Steve Denning at right guard. Two young linemen to keep an eye on are guards Jonathan Rush, a redshirt freshman, and sophomore Michael Booker.

By Mike Baldwin


 


Toolbar sponsored by: David Stanley Ford

Junkmycar.com
Read this Towing & Wrecking Service's reviews & find Auto Info.
Oklahomacity.Citysearch.com

Oklahoma City Jobs
$30/Hour Work From Home Jobs.View Home Jobs Now! Computer Required.
National-News-Gazette.com

shareView All

Buzz Up!


Leave a Comment

Something to say about this topic? Submit a Letter to the Editor online

Thank you for joining our conversations on newsok. We encourage your discussions but ask that you stay within the bounds of our terms and conditions. Please help us by reporting comments that violate these guidelines. To review our rules of engagement, go to Commenting and posting policy.


Log in below or sign up (it's free).





Choke-lahoma wont even come close to doing anything this year.Mark it down,they will lose at OSU,K State,Texas and,A&M and might even lay money that they lose at Washington.
Its over for the Gooners.It was a nice ride but,your time at the top is over.
Alex, Dallas - Mar 8, 2008 at 9:48 pm
Report as inappropriate or
Ignore Alex
OU isn't worth discussing, and yet you've posted about them twice. What does that say about your worth?
cache, heber springs - Mar 5, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Obviously TU has the superior program in the state of Oklahoma. OSU certainly does seem to attract large numbers of sex offenders. Must not be too much to do in stoolwater. OU will be lucky to go 6-6 with Mr. Magoo at QB. Hope he doesn't fall and give himself another concussion. maybe brent will "venable" another team to put up 500 yards on his defense
Kolvy, Beaumont - Mar 3, 2008 at 10:03 pm
JJ...I think the real question is how many 12 year olds will get molested by athlestes in Stillwater this year?
Roy, Lewisberry - Mar 3, 2008 at 9:51 pm
Report as inappropriate or
Ignore Roy
Yes...YES! OSU can find the answers this spring. And they'll get to 5-!7
Roy, Lewisberry - Mar 3, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Report as inappropriate or
Ignore Roy
Jeff in MWC, I say it's fewer than the number of lSOUrs that will be classified as sex offenders this year. I hear you took ball handling lessons from Byron Houston. Is that true?
Louis, Oklahoma City - Mar 3, 2008 at 9:32 pm
how many sooners will get arrested this year?
jeff, midwest city - Mar 3, 2008 at 9:13 pm
Report as inappropriate or
Ignore jeff
bob, he said TU is the best team in the state which means tulsa. and TU=tulsa UT=texas
Ryan, Dallas - Mar 3, 2008 at 7:50 pm
Report as inappropriate or
Ignore Ryan
Matt, notice where Kolvy is from, man...Beaumont TX ! He is obviously a Texas fan, or some other sub-human type, just yanking your chain! Ignore him, he's irrelevant.
Bob, Signal Hill - Mar 3, 2008 at 4:43 pm
Report as inappropriate or
Ignore Bob
Kolvy, please, you must be kidding. Tulsa can barely sell out a game. When OU plays at TU it is basically a home crowd for the Sooners. I would guess that it would be the same if OSU went there. If neither team is worth discussing, then why are you discussing them? I know you dont have a lot of options since nobody seems to be talking about TU. Apparently they cant sell papers with TU articles.
matt, Moore - Mar 3, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Report as inappropriate or
Ignore matt
OU and OSU will be horrible this year. TU is the best program in the state. No good seasons in stoolwater or snoreman. OSU will continue its long tradition of mediocrity sprinkled with occasional hope before being returned to the ooze of below average. OU isn't even worth discussing
Kolvy, Beaumont - Mar 3, 2008 at 2:53 pm

    Sports Photo Galleriesview all