Power Lunch Chat with Stephanie Kuzydym transcript, Sept. 21, 2012
The Oklahoman's Stephanie Kuzydym took questions from readers in Friday's Power Lunch Chat. Below is an unedited transcript of the chat.
Published: September 21, 2012
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The Oklahoman's Stephanie Kuzydym took questions from readers in Friday's Power Lunch Chat. Below is an unedited transcript of the chat.
NewsOK
9:46 a.m.
Stephanie will be logging in at 11 a.m., but you can start sending in your questions now. Here is a link to some of our coverage of OU vs. K-State from this week: http://newsok.com/sports/ou
11:04 a.m.
Good afternoon everyone. Sorry for the delay. I jumped in the wrong chat! Still learning after 2.5 months. Let's get started.
11:04 a.m.
One thing OU never does is put a spy on a mobile QB.....even when they know he is a runner. Let's hope they don't let Klein gash us this year.
11:04 a.m.
Has OU been pretty vanilla with its defensive schemes so far this year? Is that part of the reason D-Line has looked soft?
11:04 a.m.
Carter-OKC
11:06 a.m.
As for a mobile QB, I think it's difficult for them to practice. When I talked earlier this week with some of the defensive players, they said you can't really practice for a guy like Collin Klein because you can't ever hit the quarterback in practice so you're never really going full speed.
11:08 a.m.
As for its schemes, I wouldn't call Mike Stoops or his defensive schemes vanilla. The defense hasn't really given up a "big play". I think it took until the second quarter of the Florida A&M game for the defense to finally give up points.
11:08 a.m.
When a UTEP creates running lanes, they don't just "look soft". Has nothing to do with the vanilla flavor of the D...they ARE soft...or at least not "inspired".
11:09 a.m.
It's always great to hear a fan's perspective since, as a reporter, your'e supposed to report both hear both sides and if you ask the defense -- they feel like what they've played so far is fine, but they know they need to step up the intensity once Big 12 season starts. Maybe you could add the uninspired to playing a team like Florida A&M which isn't a big matchup for a team like Oklahoma
11:11 a.m.
Oklahoma’s recruiting has been very slow for the 2013 class. I understand that a large number of recruits will be in attendance for the KSU game. Is anybody planning on writing an article detailing who showed up and what these players thought about their experience?
11:13 a.m.
James - Not that I know of from our side. We don't get much access to the sideline but if we figure out who the recruits are and get their numbers, believe me, we will keep you posted. Our main focus Saturday though is on current players and the current team.
11:14 a.m.
They don't have the horses on the "D" line to scrape the "O" linemen and require double teams to keep the blockers off the LB's. That is why we saw LB's and DE's getting sealed against UTEP. The offensive line was getting to the second level blocks. Trust me.... K-state will take advantage of that. Gap responsibilty is an excuse for not penetrating.
11:15 a.m.
help help me. KSU 28-Sooners 24
11:15 a.m.
If OU struggles in the passing game, will Stoops quickly put an end to Jaz Reynolds suspension?
11:18 a.m.
I doubt it. Stoops doesn't seem to keen on reinstating any of the suspended anytime soon. My guess is that each of them will serve at least a five game suspension. That's a hefty suspension but not too deep into Big 12 play. Also, as a player, how would you like your coach running to the suspended players on the first sign of struggles? If I were Kenny Stills, I'd be asking what's up. Stoops has made it quite clear that Stills has really stepped up to being a leader and Justin Brown is all business. You have those two plus you're easing in true freshman Trey Metoyer? That's a solid receiving line - then you also have LaColtan Bester then Sterling Shepard and Durron Neal? Nope. Stoops will stick with what he has despite the struggles. If anything was a struggle for that part of the game, it was at the end of last season.
11:19 a.m.
With that said...I still think OU wins by 10+. Offense will keep the ball out of K-state's hands and out score them easily.
11:19 a.m.
your sports editor needs a tie. please email him. NEEDS a TIE..
11:19 a.m.
Sorry Harry..... more like OU 38 - KSU 23
11:19 a.m.
Type faster Steph :O)
11:20 a.m.
Totally agree with Steph on suspended players
11:20 a.m.
Guest I will be ready next week.
11:21 a.m.
Remember Harry Man, next week is a bye week.
11:22 a.m.
Why not change the media people that are talking to different sports writers
11:22 a.m.
If it was a road game ....you might be correct Harry. Landry has been known to struggle on the road.
11:23 a.m.
If OU doesn’t use freshman Durron Neal, Gary Simon and Ty Darlington the rest of the season, Bob Stoops basically just blew their redshirt year away.
11:23 a.m.
Glad to have you here, Steph, and looking forward to your frequent spins on the Sooners. Do you plan to also cover tennis??
11:24 a.m.
and on sept. 22 struggles continue
11:24 a.m.
Thanks Guest. About tennis, the desk has joked with me that they may make me cover it. In all seriousness, if they asked me to, I would be delighted. I started my sports journalism career at Indiana covering both the men's and women's tennis team.
11:25 a.m.
BOOMER
11:25 a.m.
Steph, Do you guys get frustrated with Coach Stoops? I thought the way he answered the Roy Finch question 3 weeks ago was chippy. (See Lane Kiffin). He is too good to be that small. I wish he would embrace the media process more. It was a legitimate question that was on most people's minds.
11:26 a.m.
Guest. Yes, we get frustrated with Coach Stoops and Coach Stoops gets frustrated with us. Just because he's a coach and just because we're media doesn't make us any different than any other job of people working together - ours just incorporates a lot of different personalities from a lot of different outlets. I would agree with you, his response to the Roy Finch question was short.
11:28 a.m.
Of course we don't want to know about every other player of the 90 other players, but knowing about Roy Finch is legitimate. That's frustrating from a sense of our job is to ask questions and sometimes it seems like he wonders why we asks those questions and to outsiders it seems like he's mocking. Maybe he is. I haven't known him for that long. However, he talked Wednesday about how he talks and he said look this is just how I talks. My wife still doesn't even get it. ... And they've been married a little over 25 years.
11:29 a.m.
Stoops also talked about how he's learned that he's not going to please everybody. That's true too. It's a give-and-take and take-and-give relationship between the media and a coach but I would say he isn't Lane Kiffin. He said on Wednesday that he has always made it clear when a guy will not play if he is injured and this season, he's right. He has been clear about it.
11:30 a.m.
Stephanie, Realizing that last year what lead to the Texas Tech debacle was that (as the players admitted) they didn't take TT seriously, or at least treat them with a healthy dose of respect, have the coaches shown any signs of concern that some of their players still were admitting following the UTEP game they weren't taking them seriously enough? What's it going to take for these bricks to get it through their heads that they have to go max effort EVERY week if they want to secure championships? (Rhetorical question, I know.)
11:33 a.m.
Oh, they are well away of the Texas Tech loss. But look, that's two different scenarios. Texas Tech may be one of the worst teams in the Big 12 -- but it's still good enough to be in the Big 12. I wouldn't say coaches have shown any "concern" but I would say that they have been very honest when somebody has made a mistake or taking ownership of their own mistakes. In the end, this is a game played by 18 to 23 year olds. If you look at their Twitter feeds sometimes, you'll realize they are the average 18-23 year old. (and this is why I follow them and do Sooner Tweets to better understand what I'm covering) but they still have struggles with girls and class and friends and making the right decisions.
11:33 a.m.
Will you go out with me after the KSU game?
11:35 a.m.
Reporters don't date players Sorry guys. On top of that, I'm pretty lame after a game. I transcribed and wrote the last time until 3:30 in the morning. Life of a reporter is so glamorous, right?
11:35 a.m.
Good "Q" Richard !!
11:35 a.m.
I disagree regarding the Roy Finch question. Media are not behind the scenes, they do not know these players anywhere close to the level of the coaches. I think it gets really old for coaches who are professionals at their "craft" to constantly field opinions from writers who in many cases not only are not coaches, but never even played the game. I know writers hate that when they hear it, because they universally seem to be of the opinion that just because they haven't coached or played doesn't mean they don't understand the game. But the fact is, there are nuances I think many writers don't understand... and don't try to. Maybe Finch loafs continuously in practice and other guys are busting their butts. Maybe his grades stink. Maybe he's been partying to much. And as Tramel stated earlier this week, maybe he's just not that good. (Which you could also read as 'consistent.). Honestly, I'd rather you media types back off some.
11:38 a.m.
Here's what I disagree with about what you wrote - do you not read what a reporter of the courts or money section or medicine section write because they've never been in jail or a judge, or never been a financial planner or never ben to medical school? Believe me, a good reporter does a TON of research. Our job isn't just to talk to people. It's to be extremely well informed. However, you are right that we don't know what goes on at practice, but it's our job to find out why Roy Finch went from starting last year after Dom Whaley got hurt to now not even being high on Stoops' mention list.
11:38 a.m.
Favorite thing about covering the SOoners so far?
11:41 a.m.
The history of the program and the tradition and the people surrounding the program that know so much about it and are so talented. It sounds corny, doesn't it? But it's really true. The history of this program has allowed me to sit down to interview Barry Switzer over coffee and somehow we ended up talking about his dogs and the Wishbone. But it's not even the "big names". It's been able to talk with fans too. It's great to get to know people more than just on the surface. That's what I love about my job.
11:42 a.m.
Richard, I think the answer is when Stoops first arrived they HAD to use max effort every game. Remeber the reverses and fake punts and QB throw backs. Now they just play the percentages and try to "execute" cleanly because they are back to being a "major" program that gets exceptional athletes who can just beat you by going through the motions. They have a sign in the weight room the need to take to heart "HArd work will beat talent every time talent doesn't work hard"
11:42 a.m.
I have a feeling that KState will beat OU in Norman this weekend. L. Jones never shows any leadership like Klein in the huddle. I predict Kstate: 42 OU 31
11:42 a.m.
Sorry Brennan - I'm a married man..... oh was that not for me??
11:42 a.m.
Have a great time covering the Sooners!! I say OU 31 KU 21..GO SOONERS!!
11:42 a.m.
Richard - good point; However the question didn't accuse Coach of not playing the best guy (Finch) it just asked What was the thinking (or coachology) of not putting him in the game. Stoops could have easily said with class and grace "Based on everything we do, he is not in the rotation right now because of the performance of the other players." or something similar "and when we as coaches decide he's that guy and the situation - down & distance etc dictates it - we will insert him".
11:44 a.m.
Good discussion. Thanks, Stephanie. (Good point, Guest.)
11:45 a.m.
Thanks Richard. You too. I enjoy a good, calm discussion.
11:45 a.m.
Thanks
11:46 a.m.
You have been well received. We like the way you "Report" and don't try to insert too much opinion or take it down some non athletic social road.
11:47 a.m.
Thanks, Guest. Ok guys, five more minutes. Anymore questions, comments, discussions?
11:47 a.m.
How about me? I'm not very likely to play Saturday...
11:47 a.m.
Roy Finch usually plays on the kickoff return team along with Brennan Clay.
11:47 a.m.
howdy stephanie.....i'm up here in southwest kansas, deep in the heart of KSU country ---- and i hope the Sooners knock the wildcat poop out of the Mildcats so i dont have to listen to these football wannabe's all year. Boomer Sooner !
11:48 a.m.
Watch for a big game from Trey
11:49 a.m.
Enjoy the game, Jimmy. And I agree - the wide receivers should be a definite show, but don't forget about Damien Williams - I'm interested to see his performance in conference play.
11:49 a.m.
Stephanie, sweetheart, you are doing a great job. But please take the gum out of your mouth before getting on camera. ;-)
11:49 a.m.
Could be his breakout game
11:50 a.m.
Haha. It's funny to hear people pretend to be my mom. I don't think she would ever call me sweetheart. She has a nickname for me that nobody else uses. But if I did have gum in my mouth on camera, I'm sorry! But my mom would also know that I had a hard time going to preschool because I didn't know what I would do if I couldn't chew gum in class. Some habits never die.
11:51 a.m.
So being from Indiana, would OU fooball in your opinion be more comparable to IU Basketball or ND Football as far as fans intensity & interest goes to match the tradition of the programs?
11:53 a.m.
That's a good question. Notre Dame football definitely has a high fan interest and intensity but when something goes wrong on a Saturday in the fall in Indiana, the conversation immediately turns to "well, there's always basketball season." So, I'd have to say basketball wins.
11:53 a.m.
C'mon Stephanie, you cannot leave that hanging.... what's the nickname?
11:53 a.m.
Have a great weekend Steph. Awesome job today.
11:53 a.m.
Thanks Larry.
11:54 a.m.
Richard, it's a special mother-daughter thing. Tennis friends from high school know it because she would use it while cheering for me while I was on court and people would be like, 'Who the heck is she cheering for?' but it's a Greek word for baby because I am the baby of my entire family.
11:56 a.m.
Thanks for joining me for today's Power Lunch Chat. If any of you are out tailgating tomorrow, tweet me (or email me at skuzydym@opubco.com) where you're at and I'll come find you. I'll be walking around campus again taking in the sights and trying to do another tailgate blog.
If you prefer your thoughts to appear in The Oklahoman's Opinion section, we encourage you to submit a letter to the editor.
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