Looking to autumn: What we learned about OU in spring
Defensive line, WRs solid; special teams, o-line uncertain
By Jake Trotter
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Published: April 13, 2009
NORMAN — With the Red-White Spring Game in the books, Oklahoma has only fall camp before the Sept. 5 season opener against Brigham Young.
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Visit the OU blog at http://blog.newsok.com/ou for a list of four spring standouts that could make an impact in the fall.
Visit the OU blog at http://blog.newsok.com/ou for a list of four spring standouts that could make an impact in the fall.
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What we learned
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The defensive front is stockpiled with depth and talent
Clearly, the most impressive unit of the Red-White game was the defensive front, which boasts five capable defensive ends, including standouts Auston English, Jeremy Beal and Frank Alexander, and enough linebackers to go three-deep in the middle and both outside spots. Injuries crippled the defensive front last year. But with this much depth, the Sooners should be able to overcome any injuries to defensive end or linebacker next season.
→The rebuilt wide receiving corps is good enough for OU to win big
Despite losing three of its top four receivers, OU quickly reloaded at wide receiver, thanks to the shrewd move of shifting Ryan Broyles to the outside, and bumping third-team running back Mossis Madu to the slot. That, combined with the emergence of spring MVP Adron Tennell, has allowed OU to put its best skill players on the field at once. The group is deep, as well, with Dejuan Miller, Jameel Owens, Brandon Caleb and Cameron Kenney sure to contribute.
What we don’t know
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Can special teams become a strength, or at least not a weakness?
Last year, poor special teams hurt OU in its two biggest games, Texas and Florida, both losses. The Red-White game didn’t do anything to suggest the kicking game will be any better in 2009. Tress Way averaged 37.6 yards a punt, which would’ve ranked 95th in the nation last season. He also didn’t have a kickoff go past the 8-yard line. Place-kicker Jimmy Stevens was 3-of-3 on extra points, but he didn’t even attempt a field goal.
→Can the offensive line protect QB Sam Bradford and pave lanes for the running game?
On the first series of the Red-White game, the line allowed Bradford to be sacked twice, then failed to establish the running game the rest of the day. In fairness, the group was shorthanded due to injuries to Stephen Good and Jarvis Jones, which forced Trent Williams, Brian Simmons, Brian Lepak, Ben Habern, Alex Williams and Cory Brandon to play a ton of snaps. But even in the early going, when they shouldn’t have been tired, the offensive line was whipped by the defense more often than not. Time will tell if this line, which has the potential to be stout, can gel into a championship-caliber unit.
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that were in the top 10 last year. Big 12, great conference for putting points on the board, but
the teams don't play any defense. I thought he was a little harsh on OU last season when he did
their games, but he ended up being right. Their defense was suspect. along with T.T., and OSU.
Texas was the only team he gave a passing grade to. He was right there, also. Texas has
found a way to win their Bowl games the last two years. Key phrase, find a way to win, just
like OU did under Switzer. Those were great days, with accountable teams on both offense
and defense, and Special Teams. Mr. Danielson also thinks this new Texas defensive Co.
will have better results this year, after his team has had a year to learn his system. OU
wasn't mentioned, wonder why? Could it be that there's been NO improvement from one
year to the next for the last 6 season's on defense. Stats. don't lie. Thats where the proof
lies.
with 10 defensive starter returning? What do you think we will see this year with 9 defensive
starters returning? What have we seen in the past with lots of defensive starters returning
and the same defensive co-ord.? When is the offense going to be able to stop carrying the
defense? When is the defense going to start taking charge in crucial games to show the
offense they are part of the team, also, like the Switzer era? When is OU going to field a
kick-off team that doesn't allow the opponent to start from their own 35-40 yd. line, or
run the kick back for a TD? When is Bob Stoops going to take charge of his team and make
some logical game decisions, that separates him from Blake, Gibbs, and Big Howie? When
are all the fans and supporters, faithful follower's of one of the most storied programs in
College Football History going to get a return for all the money they spend during the
season, in the form of a Bowl Victory or NC? Some of just a few of the many questions
that Stoops needs to be held accountable for answering. The press can give Bob a pass,
thats to be expected, but, the last time some of us received an answer in the form of a
question, like Bob does on Tues. or his show, was when we were dealing with our kids.
I guess you might say on Tuesday it's the Buffalo Bob Show and the Peanut Gallery. Will
Howdy Doody come from the Printed Press, Telecast Press, or Broadcast Press? You pick'em!
D-line will make the O-line better after pounding the crap out of them all summer and fall, this is going to be one of the best D's we've seen since '85 or '01.
The reason for my optimism is that they (Defensive 1 & 2's) seemed to know their assignments for the first time since Mike Stoops left. , and they are really scary talent wise. Jay/Tulsa
short yardage, clutch situations, and most all of the same guys that couldn't do it then are
back this season. 50th in the nation in '08 in total defense, before Florida, what do you think.
Offense: Good enough to carry the defense again, like usual. Coach Wilson know's what he
has on Venables side of the ball.
Special Teams: Hope they aren't a joke like they were last year. Of course that is Stoops
area of "expertise". 11 games into the season and they were still giving up big chunks of
yards and TD's. Maybe this year OU can find a KO guy that can get the ball, at least,
inside the 10 and maybe find a punter, so every punt is not a "look-out" punt.
Same players on special teams that were there last year, what do you think the outcome
will be?
Unknowns: They'll be unknown when the season ends, like every other season. Thats
an area that the press can stop on Tuesday's if they will create a "No Spin Zone" for
Stoops and Co.
Overall Prediction: Offense-Top 10../.Defense-50 to 60. Special teams-???