Open Post – Monday, March 10th (UPDATED 5:02 pm)

– The first couple days of spring practice kicked off this past weekend. Unfortunately, our primary source has been MIA since Friday so we haven’t been able to get any huge updates on what happened during practice. However, we did get some assistance from some other folks including a reader who gave us an interesting tip that we were able to confirm.

– Among the little bit that we got was a tip that Eric Striker is actually playing some nickel back right now. We checked with someone else, and he actually confirmed this He also said the coaches are indeed trying Striker at nickel right now, but said that right now it’s just something in an experimental phase and not necessarily intended to be a permanent move.

And the trial may partly be due to the fact that Julian Wilson is out right now. I (Super K) personally have always believed Striker could play the nickel position or is at least good enough in coverage that it’s something worth a try. Our issue at nickel, in my opinion, has always been that we really only have good coverage at the position. However, the nickel position really needs to have a true hybrid skill set…both with coverage and in-the-box type skills.

A player like Striker gives you the ability to disguise, send effective blitzes, and helps you in run support. But we obviously don’t know yet how good he can be in man-to-man coverage, which is incredibly important. On a side note, this is why I am a big advocate of Oklahoma going after Temple commit Adrienne Talan, out of Miami. Talan, in my estimation, is the ideal nickel back. Great in-the-box skill set, great size, and true cover corner skills.

– Was also told that the first practices went really well, particularly for a first practice, and that if anyone is worried about the losses at the WR and RB position…don’t be. Apparently there are plenty of guy of guys who are more than capable of performing at a very high level.

– Our source also said the QBs looked really good. He said that Justice Hansen has a great arm, but will still need time to understand the system — which is understandable. He said that Cody Thomas and Baker Mayfield were very similar in terms of their level of play. And obviously Trevor Knight has separated himself.

– Also, heard that there was some experimenting with Geneo Grissom as a stand-up OLB, but I haven’t been able to confirm that yet from a second source.

– Also, was told that Dakota Austin has been running with the 1’s.

– Just a little update on Jake Pickard. As most you probably read, Jake picked up a Rutgers offer over the weekend. Well, he also picked up a Virginia offer this morning, which gives him four offers now. As I’ve mentioned, Jake and coach Jerry Montgomery spoke last week and Oklahoma will be down to visit him in the spring. My guess is they want to see Jake’s body type and decide if perhaps he’s another Dan Cody type.

– We got a chance to check with CB Kris Boyd on whether the tweet he put out over the weekend, that was referenced in this past weekend’s open post, was meant to be a Top 4 and he confirmed that it was. That would make his Top 4 Oklahoma, TAMU, Texas and Texas Tech.

– UPDATE (10:19 am): Not football related, but just wanted to get this out there. OU’s Lon Kruger has been (deservedly) named the AP’s Big 12 Coach of the Year, after being inexplicably snubbed yesterday by his fellow Big 12 coaches who gave their award to Texas’ Rick Barnes.

– UPDATE (1:41 pm): 2016 Manvel (TX) WR Reggie Hemphill tweets he’ll be in Norman this Wednesday (for an unofficial visit) – VIDEO

UPDATE (1:58 pm): 2015 WR Dahu Green picks up another offer. This time from Indiana.

UPDATE (2:00 pm): Found some great footage (thanks to TCU Rivals reporter Billy Wessels) from the Rivals camp of PJ Mbanasor in 1-on-1s.

UPDATE (3:03 pm): Thanks to poster JSam, below for posting this interview of recent ATH/WR offer Stanley Norman. We posted his offer last week but in this video it’s clear that he’s got some interest in OU. Norman in Norman perhaps? Too easy?

UPDATE (3:51 pm): Someone was kind of enough to confirm that Geneo Grissom was indeed working at stand-up OLB. Again, we reiterate that the coaches are in the process of just trying different things right now.

Also, this person gave us a few more notes that we greatly appreciated and felt y’all would find interesting. He said Blake Bell looked smooth running his routes and it seemed there was a conscious effort to get him snaps/reps. He also mentioned a very interesting formation with Blake Bell that we won’t divulge. I’m sure opposing teams aren’t reading this (though based on some things I’ve been told behind the scenes, I’m starting to think there is one Big 12 staff that does). Either way no need to take any chances. But we’ll just say having Knight and Bell on the field at the same time would create some very interesting situations that could put a lot of stress on a defense.

This person also said that of all the WRs, Durron Neal stood out the most so far. But Jordan Smallwood and Danon Cavil also looked very good.

UPDATE (5:02 pm): Since we’re talking about the coaches trying Eric Striker out at the nickel position I thought it would be fun to take a look at a video of him doing 1-on-1s back in HS against some talented WRs. At 1:42 you see him against a 5’10 WR named James Brooks who signed with Kent State. Immediately after that you can watch him in a 1-on-1 against USC WR Nelson Algholor. He gets beat on that rep but then has a much better rep against Agholor at around 2:31. He isnt necessarily on top of the route but he’s in phase which says something about his natural speed. At 2:51 Striker matches up again against Brooks. At 3:01 he goes against Agholor another couple of times. And then again goes against Brooks.

129 Comments

  • Ed Cotter says:

    Man, I love waking up in the morning (On the West Coast) and getting some OU news. Keeps me from jonesing all day. Keep up the great work TFB!

  • Jed says:

    you guys are the little treat I give myself every morning before heading off to the coal face. Thanks as usual.

  • Zack says:

    I like moving striker to nickel to get more big pass rushers on the field and still have the threat of striker coming off the edge. Grissom to stand up at OLB sounds nice. Do you think his athleticism is anywhere near Demarcus ware? I know the size comparison is there.

    • Zack says:

      I didn’t look at the size of Grissom vs ware before that comment. Then looked it up just to make sure didn’t sound like I was smoking something….same height 6’4 one pound less.

  • Atlantasooner says:

    If you want to play Bond and Striker together on early downs, then Striker has to “replace” Wilson as the nickelback. In addition, that personnel look would force defenses to take speed off the field to leave in extra blockers. Striker is going to be a marked man this fall after his Sugar Bowl coming out party, we already saw that a little last year.

    • Jordan Esco says:

      No doubt. Also, as we all know, needs to develop at least one other aspect of his pass rush arsenal aside from just the straight edge rush.

    • Indy_sooner says:

      I thought they did a good job of rotating in Dom, Grissom and Nelson (before he went down). Add in Bond, Shannon this year, I doubt opponents will find success double teaming Striker or scheming away from him as they would have last year.

    • Zack says:

      It also gives us a big 3 upfront that shouldn’t get pushed around much (hopefully) especially if Phillips is healthy he will draw a double team and if walker is as freakish as is being told then I doubt he is left one on one. That should free up whoever is blitzing or at least match them up on a RB or TE

    • nate g says:

      Spread teams aren’t big on taking “speed off the field to leave in extra blockers”. They just get rid of the ball quicker/shorter.

  • Indy_sooner says:

    Well hello! Not sure if this was posted anywhere, but the photostream from practice is up. I noticed how big, Ty, Bond and Smallwood are.
    https://www.facebook.com/OklahomaFootball/photos_stream

    • Jordan Esco says:

      I thought both Smallwood and Stanvon Taylor looked noticeably bigger.

      • Steve Johns says:

        Smallwood is supposedly weighing 230 now. Josh should have a field day creating mismatches by moving him all over the field.

        • Doobie74OU says:

          If Smallwood grows just a bit more he could be our next ultra athletic TE!

          • Steve Johns says:

            Unless the new recruits are all duds, I think he’ll stay at WR. Can see him playing some slot and tearing up a nickel/S though.

          • Doobie74OU says:

            Yeah definitely just meant in certain match up situations forcing a Safety or LB to try and cover him! Should be a matchup nightmare!

          • Steve Johns says:

            I can’t wait until Todd, Andrews and Mead arrive this summer. All are 6-5+

          • j l says:

            dont forget about meier, 6’6 also. We wont be lacking in height with our passcatchers, thats for sure!

  • SoonerPhins says:

    Good to hear about Dakota Austin. I had a feeling he would be playing with something to prove.

  • nate g says:

    No chance Striker ends up at nickel vs Big 12 teams.

    • Steve Johns says:

      Why?

    • Zack says:

      That’s fair. I didn’t see enough of him in space but he did play safety in high school. So I don’t think his cover skills would be too flawed.

    • Doobie74OU says:

      Yeah not doubting Stricker’s skills cause I wouldn’t have believed before last year how disruptive he could be in the backfield but it will depends on the teams slot receivers. I don’t think he would have matched up well against guys that are like Sanders and Shepard. He would do much better against a physical receiver. IMO!

  • nate g says:

    Dakota Austin passed by Stanvon and Cortez last November. Amazing feet.

    • Jordan Esco says:

      We’ll see, it’s still really early (obviously). Won’t be surprised if it’s Austin, mind you, but I don’t think anything is written in stone at this point.

      • Gary Robbins says:

        Zach Sanchez 5-11/164 and Dakota Austin 5-11/151. Are some deluxe bacon cheeseburgers in store? Or is my OCD kicking in already?. Pictures of Smallwood in practice and he is buffed.

  • ratman says:

    Great news about Kruger. Well deserved!!

  • Leroy Jenkins says:

    Remember that time Rick Barnes didn’t make the Sweet 16 with Kevin Durant on his team? Yeah, me too.

    Still don’t understand how Barnes’s fellow coaches gave their award to him, considering they finished the season 2-4 and were swept by OU. OU finished 2nd in the toughest conference, replaced 68% of their scoring from last season, and were predicted to finish 5th.

    Glad to see the AP got it right this time.

    • Indy_sooner says:

      The BBall team sweeping both the Pokes and Whorns, great recuiting and making 2nd seed in the Big12. Looks like a great off-season for OU. #Winning

      • soonerinks says:

        Way to go Lon, you greatly deserved this honor. What he has accomplished with this team is remarkable. Don’t understand how the coaches could have chose Barnes over Lon! Lon grew up in Silver Lake, Ks which is about 20 miles from where I live and the guy is still a legend around these parts (as are all the Kruger boys). Just a great athlete and even a better person.

  • Will Narramore says:

    Could you guys see Steven Parker moving down and playing nickel or is he a safety all the way?

  • Jordan Esco says:

    So…..um….this just happened.

    http://instagram.com/p/lXk5YwzRdS/#

  • Doobie74OU says:

    The Stricker experiment seems all about OPTIONS to me. If Mike Stoops can have guys that play multiple positions and can mix up his defense then his defense will be ALMOST UNSTOPPABLE!

    • Steve Johns says:

      Yeah I’m also wondering if it’s to create depth, in case Wilson gets injured again.

      • blac1819 says:

        Striker is a great pass rusher but UT Osu and bama ran it right at us with success.
        He struggles against OTs cuz he’s 80 lbs smaller. Him at nickel allows us to get someone like lindley, bond etc on the tackle but still have him coming off the edge too. In early down situations or against power teams.

  • JJ says:

    Rick Barnes what a joke. Big 12 coach of the year because he managed to be over .500 & keep his job. Give me a friggin break.

    • Sooner Ray says:

      Not to mention Kruger beat him twice so far.

    • Sooner Ray says:

      Hope you’re mom is doing well, haven’t seen her in a few years, one of my favorite teachers in elementary!

      • JJ says:

        Lol…. That didn’t take you long 🙂 i was trying to remember when I saw your mom. I was with my dad somewhere. She looked great! Hope all is well with your family.

        • JJ says:

          Of course not many c’ville girls breK their ankles in a billion pieces in New Orleans :/

        • Sooner Ray says:

          Now your reply’s suddenly show up. Yes the family is doing great and sorry about the jack if I did that to ya. 🙂 It was even scary for a guy!

          • JJ says:

            Haha… No I meant when we got left here, you & Kyle saved our butts from god knows what… (And bought drinks) Oddly I do remember there was a redneck wedding reception there. My poor 21 year old self was astonished & frightened… Lol. Never worried about the OU scene, Dallas or okc. But scared of the 1 bar in my hometown. Haha.

          • Sooner Ray says:

            Oh good, I thought you meant I dumped you there and I was feeling bad LOL!

          • JJ says:

            Haha no… Things are hazy… Especially there

    • blaster1371 says:

      Because it’sTexass!!!!! Aka the center of the universe!

    • Sooner Ray says:

      JJ, your replies don’t show up on this thread, only in my E-mail notification for some reason. Reply’s from other people show up? SMH.

      • JJ says:

        That’s just bizarre…. Sorry. I can’t follow along who comments to who in this “layout thingy”. And I did tell y’all that it was ridiculous trying to get a login…

      • JJ says:

        I am taking my mom to a luncheon/event thingy with Stoops for her birthday. Seriously, she is soooo excited.

        • Sooner Ray says:

          Now they show up. The earlier ones still aren’t there. You can’t take me to the luncheon? we’re practically family:-) Ok, I was going to freak you out and you turned the table on me so I got to ask….. How and when did you know??hahaa!

          • JJ says:

            I told you I only know 2 Rays…. It’s Collinsville and I had a vague idea how much older you were than Terri, so u said 83… Sure I can prolly sneak you in. Maybe my wheelchair chauffeur? Or something?? I am probably you know dangerous to be around… But how did u figure it out?

          • Sooner Ray says:

            Pure stroke of luck this morning. A guy is in my office close to your age and I have this page open, point to your avatar and say”any idea who that is ” and he (Coulter) says yeah I’ve seen that picture on facebook. He threw the name and I almost fell out of my chair!!! You know that our mothers were classmates growing up. I remember you as a young girl but I didn’t think you would know who I was.

          • JJ says:

            Haha….good ole mark. I was afraid it was someone else… We have had a beer or 2 before. Longtime ago. I have stayed good friends with Jolynn (pat dungers ex wife). It’s been forever ago, I think I hadn’t been here long.

          • Sooner Ray says:

            HAHA I remember years ago picking Jolynn up at the beach (Oolagah) and taking her for a ride in my boat. She wanted to bring a couple friends along….. May have been you…. I was drunk.

          • JJ says:

            That sounds familiar… Lol. There was a time too that someone left us at the jack & I am fairly certain you & Kyle Armstrong were our table mates… It was scary even in the early 90s.

          • Sooner Ray says:

            I can’t confirm it, won’t deny it , but can’t confirm it! 🙂

          • JJ says:

            My dad sees your dad every morning… That’s something I miss about Collinsville. Honestly.

          • Sooner Ray says:

            Yeah, your dad is one cool cat.

          • Kris Wood says:

            Y’all are from collinsville! Skiatook guy right here. : )

  • tforce says:

    Striker is one of the more intriguing players on the team right now because he excels at one important skill, is early in his development at another (pass coverage), and is misplaced in a third (taking on OT’s in run defense on the edge).

    Last season, Striker was miscast as a 3-3 or 3-4 OLB vs teams want to run the ball. For those teams, running at Striker was the way to go. OU understood this and had two options: get him off the field or put him at another position where he wouldn’t have to set the edge. OU really did not have many LB options last year, and Striker was inexperienced in coverage (though not awful when asked to drop into a zone).

    This year, OU has more options at LB and Striker has the ability to expand his skill set. Vs teams with strong power running games, Striker could play Nickel if he can develop coverage skills. This is critical for him because if he can cover adequately, his exceptional pass rushing ability will make him an attractive draft choice.

    Putting Striker at Nickel gives him an opportunity to audition for his position in the NFL and gives OU great flexibility.
    Vs passing teams, Striker plays OLB, and Wilson is Nickel.
    Vs rushing teams, Bond/Ward/??? play OLB, and Striker is Nickel.

    The flexibility OU has in position grouping vs specific teams will be much greater in 2014 and extends to the DL and other LB positions too.

    There are some players who’ll start and play 80% of the snaps vs Texas Tech who will be relegated to specialty roles vs teams with strong rushing attacks (K St, UT?).

    This should be a fun year!

    • Zack says:

      Do you like the possibility of Grissom at OLB?

      • tforce says:

        I can conceive of certain situations that it may be successful:
        1. Short yardage where more muscle is needed
        2. Vs a OT who has trouble with power but not speed rushers

        Based on the Grissom-as-TE experiment a couple of years ago, the coaches think it is plausible that he moves well enough in space that he could function as the 1st-2nd down LB vs teams that want to run at OU.

        This year, there seems to be the depth and flexibility in the roster to allow these type of experiments.

        • Zack says:

          I agree vs the big 12 it may only be effective against a few teams but it does allow them to put more size out there to maybe get a guy one on one in an obvious mismatch or even a free rusher

  • JSam says:

    Just saw this on 247 re: California ATH Stanley Norman. Claims an OU offer. Any FB opinion on him?

    http://tinyurl.com/l78z6fh

    • Super K says:

      Thank you buddy. Added it above!

      • Alexander says:

        Great job guys. I’m getting so much more information on here versus a site I pay for that its starting to become ridiculous. Don’t know if they are so burned out and jaded or what it is, but don’t lose the passion you guys have, its truly separating you from everyone else

        Who are the top slot WR we have offered with legitimate interest? Who’s your favorite slots you’ve seen thus far?

  • j l says:

    Why striker at the nickel? Is this so we can get bond on the field, and not have to sit shannon or alexander? Would it not be better to just drop the nickel and go to a 3-4 at that point?

    • EasTex says:

      I can’t shake the image of Tapper running past Striker to catch Amari Cooper from behind in Bama’s opening drive.
      The only question I have about Striker is his foot speed. I know he is determined and quick, but not convinced he would be able to cover receivers.

      • j l says:

        i love the trend of basketball players playing TE/DE, such quick feet and pure athleticism.

        I worry a bit about striker in coverage as well. We know the kid is an amazing pass rusher, why not use him in a way that best suits his skillset?

      • JJ says:

        Absolutely EastTex…. Tapper blew by him

    • Super K says:

      I think it’s just something they are trying.

  • SoonerPhins says:

    Wasn’t it ULM that used two QBs at once and had some pretty good trick plays? Can’t wait to see what OU draws up

  • Swanny says:

    Against teams like Texas, OSU, and Bama the Striker move makes a lot of sense. Odds are that we’ll have to play a non-spread type team in the playoff if we get there. Putting Bond on the opposite side is something that excites me. You can use more beef at the 4i too in that situation since you have two great pass rushers outside. The options against a team that lines up with 3 or less WR’s is endless.

    • Zack says:

      Let’s not throw OSU in there. All of us on the board could probably beat them straight up. Haha

  • Terry Butler says:

    Do you think Julian Wilson is being considered at corner since Stryker is experimenting at nickel?

    • Zack says:

      Someone said it may be because he’s injured and not practicing right now. I would like Wilson outside but the coaches must think he’s better in the nickel because they are trusting 2 guys on the corners who are 3 inches+ shorter and 30 pounds+ lighter. Maybe they like speed on the outside to have the ability to recover if they bite on a fake.

      • Terry Butler says:

        Thanks Zack, I like Wilsons cover skills and he can cover bigger recievers the new normal.

    • blaster1371 says:

      Yep. IMO he is a better fit at CB and there are a few players who can man the nickel just fine.

  • Sonny Schovanec says:

    Brainiacs, Super K, JY you can get a feel of where they may be going with Striker working at the nickel and Geno at OLBer by the UT film. UT’s first couple drives is great film of how they might want to attack bigger run sets. Against UT who was in 11 personnel, TE and flanker one side, Split and A back on the other side and one back. OU lined their Nickel (Wilson ) up away from the TE splitting the difference between the inside receiver and OT. The Nickel was playing Flat – Force (Not Man). Striker was playing a loose 9 tech on the TE side also Flat Force. So they had a 0 tech – Wade, 4i’s Geno and Tapper, 9 tech Strike, and Nickel – Wilson splitting difference between Inside wr and OT. The corners and safeties looked to be in zone probably a loose quarters. Here is my point about Strike and Geno. Instead of Wilson in this look at Nickel they can play Striker. He’s a force flat player not in man to man. Geno can play the 9 tech on the TE. They can play in number of player at the 4i’s ie. Tapper, Walker, Nudule etc.. Wade and hopefully Phillips at the 0. In a nutshell a 3/4 vs. BIG SETS with Strike and Geno playing OLBer except Geno will slide down on TE. Watch the first couple of series of the Texas film. envision Striker playing where they have Wilson and Geno where Strike id playing. Would be a dynamic look against heavy run sets. Plus gets Walker on the field.

    • Sonny Schovanec says:

      Basically Striker goes to Nickel, Genos takes Strikes spot and they bring in a Big Butt at the 4i. Better personnel vs. heavy sets. Play zone making Strike a Force Flat player. If in man always give Strike safety help be it Man under two deep zone or man free.

    • Super K says:

      A good point. There are definitely down and distances and personnel groupings where I think it would work. I’ve seen Striker drop into the flat on other occasions as well and he not only looks good in his drops but he does a good job of matching. I think right now they’re probably experimenting with it, in part, to test the limits of his coverage capability. We should have more on that as the week goes on.

      • Sooner Ray says:

        You’re throwing some good info at us for such a tight lipped spring K, appreciate your work along with everyone else on the back side!

  • Rob turner says:

    What’s the best stations and times to listen to anything about Sooner Football⭕️

    • Zack says:

      107.7 will give you more focus on OU. I’m not sure about the an stations in Norman I’m sure they give a lot of info. But the best place to find ou football info is here

      • Rob turner says:

        Thank you! Oh I know! Nobody does it better than the Brainiacs. I live in Nebraska and would like to get some SOONER talk sometimes while I am at work.

  • Boomer4life says:

    I would hate to be a slot reciever with Stricker handed out body blows.

    • Sooner Ray says:

      I miss the blood of the Boz days, maybe we’re going to see it again! I wish he would come back as a coach and teach tackle technique, nobody got by that guy.

      • Boomer4life says:

        I totally agree with you Ray! The BOZ played with such an angry nasty attitude. I long for those days to return to Owen field.

  • blaster1371 says:

    I think we could see Wilson at CB and Thomas or Striker at the nickel. With two CBs weighing in at a buck and half each (Sanchez and Bennet) is giving up a lot. I can see both of them getting creamed and unable to set the edge. Sanchez played well for a red shirt freshman but he definitely needs to put on more muscle not just to have more sand in his britches but to be stronger on the outside. Sounds like a lot of what we are hearing out of camp thus far is Mike Stoops trying to figure out what guys can do if asked to take on a different role as dictated by the opposing formations.

  • Jackson1006 says:

    1. From the film, how good is vernon hargreaves! Wow.
    2. My guess is that M.Stoops know his D is undersized so moving Striker to nickel and having Grissom be a true 3-4 LB allows for more size up front (like charles walker). If either want to have a chance at the pros, they will want the move as well.
    3. Glad to hear WRs are doing well. But if we don’t have a home run threat, defenses can close down on us a la Texas and Baylor. Is Neal that guy?

    • Super K says:

      Vernon is indeed nice. And proved it this year. I think part of our issue with Baylor and Texas is they could play press/half off all day without having to worry about getting beat deep because the ball wasn’t going to be thrown accurately.