Bob Stoops Weekly Presser (KSU/BYE)

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It’s Monday which means Bob Stoops will be holding his weekly press conference. Which also means we’ll be here to recap things for you as they happen.

100 Comments

  • Jordan Esco says:

    This was from the Big 12 conference call earlier this morning.
    https://twitter.com/Jordan_Esco/status/524217571575205888

  • Jordan Esco says:

    No clue why they’ve tried to make this as confusing as possible. The gist being the time has not been set and probably won’t be until next Monday.
    https://twitter.com/Big12Conference/status/524225393759223809

  • Jordan Esco says:

    I think he read K’s post from yesterday! 😉
    https://twitter.com/OU_Football/status/524241127378276352

    • disqus_uj44WuVjt2 says:

      Don’t you think you need to figure out what your best is???? Your running out of daylight!!!!

  • Jordan Esco says:

    I’m expecting feisty Bob, even tho we know nobody will ask and/or push on a tough question.

  • Jordan Esco says:

    I miss Kuzy

  • Jordan Esco says:

    upset of the day so far, Bob is not in black

  • Jordan Esco says:

    these awkward moments of silence before Bob starts are just the best

  • Jordan Esco says:

    BREAKING: Bob starts by complimenting Kansas State

  • Jordan Esco says:

    Stoops: In a lot of areas we played smarter and made plays. We just made some critical errors we couldn’t overcome.

  • Jordan Esco says:

    Stoops: We needed to be a series better on defense… Not have the turnover in the red zone, not throw the pick. Any of those really.

  • Jordan Esco says:

    Stoops: Trevor had a great day outside of one play.

  • Jordan Esco says:

    Stoops: We didn’t adjust to not having Aaron Ripkowski and Blake Bell like we needed to (referring, obviously, to that series late near the goal line)

  • Jordan Esco says:

    Stoops on the play of OU D: We were much better in terms of missed assignments.

  • Jordan Esco says:

    Stoops: Everybody should be able to practice today.

    but he was referring to the guys who got hurt on Saturday, not those who were previously injured.

  • Jordan Esco says:

    Stoops says he expects to hear from the Big 12 on Ripkowski’s targeting call.

  • Jordan Esco says:

    Stoops asked about failing to put the ball in the end zone late: Here we go, yeah. Obviously since it didn’t work, yeah. That play with Samaje has worked well overall. I’m not disappointed about the call.

    • boomersooner says:

      Problems with that call:
      1. 7 yds to get 2 ft
      2. Allows outside blitzers to crash hard, like they did, just like on fg’s and pat’s-took his legs away to not be able to bulldoze in-i don’t know if your tackle is supposed to chip that guy, but free release is obviously not ideal
      3. If you run that, run it on 1st down and then pull it and hit somebody in the end zone on 2nd or 3rd- I would think even against a Snider d, it would work

  • Jordan Esco says:

    Stoops: Michael (Hunnicutt) has been as a good and consistent as any player we’ve had here over the last four years. And he’s been a big part of a lot of wins. He just had a bad day.

  • Jordan Esco says:

    Stoops says he doesn’t worry about that lingering w/ Hunnicutt. “I think he’ll get
    over it quickly. He’s got a lot of character and toughness to him.”

  • Jordan Esco says:

    Stoops willing to concede Ahmad Thomas had “a couple bad plays.”

  • Jordan Esco says:

    Stoops on Ripkowski: “It’s not like he’s peeling back or it’s some broken play. This is a guy that operates in the box, when
    you’re allowed to cut, you’re allowed to do all kind of things.”

  • Jordan Esco says:

    Stoops re: TK’s injury: “They always talk about protecting the QB over and over and always err on the side of if it’s close call it. But it didn’t seem to happen there.”

  • Jordan Esco says:

    Stoops says Cody Thomas came in poised and handled everything really well. “He looked very comfortable.”

  • Jordan Esco says:

    Stoops continues to harp on the linemen down field complaint he used in the postgame

  • Jordan Esco says:

    Stoops: Michiah (Quick) looked ready for the moment. He played hard, he played fast, he did what we needed him to do.”

  • Jordan Esco says:

    Stoops: Pass rush overall has been pretty good overall. Lot of people are protecting w/ 6 and 7 people and running 3-man routes. That’s pretty good when those TEs and backs are releasing.

    • Kdubracing says:

      So if most are protecting with 6-7, which they are a lot, then wouldn’t OU be able to bring more than 3-4 on a rush? I mean surely we can cover 4 with less than 5-6 just as efficiently as we have been with 7-8 lately right? I’d take 5 in man-free with 1-on-1 blocking on our pass rush. 5 to cover 4 for 3.5 seconds rather than 7 to cover 4 in zone for 8 seconds sounds better to me.

  • Jordan Esco says:

    Hoover must be at Gundy’s presser today, surely he wouldn’t have remained silent this long.

  • Jordan Esco says:

    It’s always struck me as funny that Blevins does Stoops’ coaches show and does nothing but lob softballs his way, then he gets in these pressers and tries to be a hard ass (at times).

    • soonermusic says:

      He wears different hats. When he is hosting the coach’s show, his job is to facilitate. When he’s got his “reporter” hat on at the press conference, he tries his best to ask those “difficult questions.” 🙂 No need to do it both places, it wouldn’t be appropriate.

      • Jordan Esco says:

        I completely disagree. I know why does one or the other, but sitting there reviewing actual film w/ Bob is the BEST time for the tougher questions. You have the film there w/ access to Bob to give an actual explanation. Rather than something like the ‘you wouldn’t understand’ b.s. he gave following the KSU game.

        How about you give me an explanation, Bob. And then I’ll decide whether or not I understand. Do I know as much about football as you? Obviously not. But that doesn’t immediately disqualify me as an idiot either.

  • Jordan Esco says:

    Stoops on the Big 12: It’s a challenge every week, but that isn’t a surprise to me.

  • Jordan Esco says:

    Stoops: Alex (Ross) did a nice job. Found the right spaces, cuts, he made some nice plays. He’s developing just fine.

  • Jordan Esco says:

    What a stupid question. Stoops asked if Shepard needs to be more aware of the people/equipment on the sideline so as to avoid an injury like the one he suffered Saturday.

  • Jordan Esco says:

    And that’s a wrap. Short and sweet today, as expected w/ the bye week.

  • @DallasSooner says:

    Where’s Tapper? Seems to have disappeared this year? I know he’s starting and has some tackles but just not as disruptive? Are they doing some new things with him that’s changed his production?

    • OUhound says:

      Tapper is getting plenty of attention up front, often doubled. And I don’t blame the opposing D’s one single bit. I’d double that load as well.

    • Jordan Esco says:

      3-4 DE is kind of a thankless role, well really the whole d-line. Phillips is asked to eat up double teams primarily.

  • OUhound says:

    Welp, certainly no surprises. I think I could have written this script before the start of the presser and been about 97% accurate. These always leave me with a feeling of “there’s an hour that I’ll never get back”.

  • vargo05 says:

    I hope Trevor is OK, as I would never wish injury upon anybody. However, it would be great to see more of Cody Thomas. For his 1st game action during a part of the game that actually mattered, Cody handled himself extremely well. His athleticism is plenty good and is there much doubt that as a thrower he’s better than TK? TK played very well Saturday after the floater he dropped in KSUs toilet, so I’m not “bashing” or “hating” as people like to assume. I’d just like to see Cody with more prime game action to see what he has. I know a lot of people think it’s nearly a foregone conclusion that it’s either TK or Baker’s job next year, but there’s no way in hell I’d count Cody out.

    • Krys Allen says:

      People were saying the same thing when Blake Bell was QB and Knight was the unknown. IMO he can do everything this team needs him to do to win games. The only game our offense actually stunk was the Texas game where we needed a pick 6 and KO return.Other than that we have scored enough points to win. The game vs K-State was the first game this season that Josh has called a game suited to Trevor’s skill set and guess what… he was 26 for 32 with 3 TD’s. I’ll bet Trevor would be a QB upgrade at any school not ranked in the top 20, you give him TCU’s offensive coordinator and I bet you money he would be in the Heisman race (assuming he wasn’t injured). Heupel is the problem. Also don’t forget Trevor hasn’t even played a full season’s worth of football games for OU yet.

      • vargo05 says:

        TK is OK, but to assume he’d be an instant upgrade over any QB not on a top 25 team is just foolish and flat-out not true. You can make big claims about him being a Heisman race guy if he had TCUs OC, but there’s a really good chance that he wouldn’t make it thru the season as he continues to show his body can’t sustain with the type of punishment that would entail. He’s been hurt 3 times now, IIRC, in less than a seasons worth of games (if you want to use that as some sort of proving ground). I understand that he’s a Sooner and a good kid who does the right things, etc., but if you’re going by facts, he’s just not what you claim him to be. He’s 73rd in the country in QB rating and 52nd in completion %, even behind Tyrone Swoopes. Point fingers at Heupel (who I’m not happy with either) all you want, but Heupel isn’t the one making his completion % below 60% and isn’t forcing him into terrible throws like the one Saturday for a pick 6. If you want to be reasonable, fine, but a Heisman candidate, based on what we’ve seen in his time at OU is just not reasonable for TK, at this point.

        • Krys Allen says:

          Thats just it though…. Heupel is forcing him into low completion % with his play calling (see Tulsa game for example, no short throws for rythm and easy completions, lots of go routes which are a lower % pass) and Heupel is the one forcing him into terrible throws like the pick 6 by playing to the defenses strengths (easier to gamble on an interception while on your opponents 2 yard line).
          Given, none of us are in the QB room to hear it all from Heupel’s mouth, but judging by appearances I think Heupel is making most reads for Trevor pre-snap. Now sure Trevor could have thrown that pick 6 into the stands, but I would argue that if Trevor didn’t spend all of his pre-snap clock time looking at those stupid posters on the sidelines just waiting for the play call, maybe just maybe he would have more time to read the defense and see things that could be trouble.
          Just judging by the games where Heupel seems to call what most of us would call a nice game, I think Trevor is capable of being in the 65% completion range if not higher. He has the speed and agility to rack up some good yards and possibly a TD a game. In a scenario where OU/Heupel played to his strengths and if OU were to go undefeated and make it to the playoff, I see no reason why he wouldn’t be in the Heisman race (not saying he would win, but he would be mentioned).
          So in summary I think Heupel is what is holding TK back, if you want proof of the difference a great OC can make, just look at Boykin. Last year he was a quicker Swoopes, this year he is lighting it up. Sorry to ramble….

          • vargo05 says:

            I’ll give you some of that for sure. He typically is throwing a lot of passes outside the hashes and downfield. However, there have been many, many throws where he has just flat-out not made the throw, including things to get him in rhythm like slants and other short easy throws. He has put guys in bad spots where they could easily have gotten hurt because of bad throws. Another issue is his height and the number of passes he gets batted down at the line. Don’t get me wrong, he’s not a terrible QB by any stretch. I think you and I tend to be on opposite ends of the “good” QB spectrum. I think he’s closer to the bottom end of that and you feel he’s closer to the top end of it. That’s a matter of preference and perception. I just happen to be a big fan of what I’ve seen of Cody Thomas, whether it be in limited game action, HS or otherwise. I think he has big-time D1, 1st round draft pick QB tools in his arm, and that’s not something I see in TK, or Mayfield, or Hansen, for that matter. I have to reserve total judgment on all of these guys as QBs overall because there is more than just arm talent and each of these guys grades are incomplete at this point.

          • Krys Allen says:

            I have not seen as much of Cody, I only watched him in the spring game and was not “blown away”. If he is as good as you think he is, I am curious why he has not played his way into a starting spot by now?

          • SamSooner says:

            I agree. The interception Saturday was because of OU’s tendencies. The KSU DB was breaking before the throw, though he had zero support. If Neal turns up field it’s Neal and green grass, 88 out the gate. That pass was too risky and Knight should have never been asked to make that throw.

          • vargo05 says:

            The INT was both because of a stupid playcall and a terrible decision on the field by the QB. The throw was risky and not a good call, but Knight should know better and either send it over their heads into the stands, or not throw it at all. Even the throw itself was poor. And the DB was breaking on it because he had over the top help and because he knew our tendencies.

          • SamSooner says:

            Vargo, yes. The DB does have help, but the help was on the left hash. There were two DBs on the corner and Two safeties on the left and right hash.The ball came out quick. If Neal turns up field.It’s a race.

          • Tyler Cheek says:

            The safety blitzed, the only help he had over the top was the janitor from Buffalo Wild Wings

    • Wilson says:

      I don’t think the coaches consider it a “fore gone conclusion”. If he shows it consistently in practice, outplays the other competitors for the job and gives the team the best chance to win; the job is his. But, he can’t be just as good…he is going to have to be heads above the more experienced incumbents.

      • vargo05 says:

        I agree Wilson. I didn’t mean the coaches, I just meant those of pontificating about the fortunes and misfortunes of our beloved Sooners. If Cody can figure out the defense and get thru his progressions properly, I think him winning the job is as likely as the other two.

    • hOUligan says:

      Always want the best guy in at every position, no politics, no matter. If TK can go and he gives OU the best chance, let’s roll. As for next season, I expect it to be wide-open and one heckuva battle during spring and the first weeks of August. Cody should be given every opportunity to beat out TK and Mayfield and I hope he does. That would say a ton.

      • vargo05 says:

        Me too. Give me the best, even if it’s a walk-on who nobody has ever heard of. With the guys we’ll have on campus next year, including Justice Hansen, if we struggle to find a QB who can truly lead this offense, then Heupel needs removed from his job immediately.

    • SoonerfanTU says:

      I don’t understand this. Thomas isn’t going to start next year. It is going to be TK or Mayfield. While I’m not a huge fan of TK’s throwing, he did throw it pretty well Saturday, and I’m not ready to just throw the season in the trash b/c we have two losses. We had two losses last year, won out, and beat Bama in the Sugar Bowl. Zero reason we can’t do the same this year.

      • vargo05 says:

        Well, most people figured that Blake Bell would be the starter for sure to begin last year, the way you are projecting for next year. That didn’t really pan out, now did it? I also don’t see anywhere that I said we should throw away the season. It’s not there, if you want to check again. And how would using Cody be “throwing the season in the trash”? YOU, nor anybody else for that matter, have a clue about what he would do. I hope we can win out and do the same as last year, just like you do. And if TK comes out and plays well every game, then so be it and he should play. All I’m saying is that Cody is an excellent athlete with a lot of talent in that arm. If TK is playing poorly and in a rut, I’d like to see Cody get a chance to play again in some meaningful spots. The kid handled himself very well in his first meaningful action and I’d like to see more of it to see what he can do. When a kid coming out of HS gets compared to Troy Aikman, call me crazy, but I’m interested in seeing what he can do.

        • SoonerfanTU says:

          Uhh, pretty sure TK was the favorite to win the starting job last year. Most people thought Bell was nowhere near good enough to be our starting QB, after the Belldozer years.

          And who compared him to Aikman?

  • boomersooner says:

    Jordan. Thanks for putting these together for us. Not much meat on the bone with em but chasing everything down must get tedious at times, so thank you brother

    • Jordan Esco says:

      happy to do it.

      well….maybe happy isn’t the right word, but still you’re welcome 😉

  • Stephen Dale says:

    I question everything about the OU staff from BS to every grad assistant for the simple reason OU is not recruiting the talent necessary to win another NC..More than any coach’s ineptitude, OU recruiting has to do with conference affiliation, demographics, and location. All three elements make it tough to compete with SEC/PAC12 / ACC/ B1G schools and OU’s record reflects those difficulties over the past 5-7 yrs..I don;t think BS and this staff can ‘turn it around’, overcome poor national perceptions, and ever win another title. Not even sure BS can win another conference title..All too often, OU misses on the top 10-15 players it wants at a certain position and settles for a ‘developmental, diamond in the rough’ type. It happens every year and is happening again this year. Its been 15 yrs and the fans are still waiting for BS’s next title. None of us may be alive the next time OU wins a title.

    • SamSooner says:

      Stephen, I’m not sure you would be able to substantiate your point-of-view with any supporting data. Seems speculative to me. College football has been played for over 100 years, yet the SEC does not have over 100 National Championships.

      • SoonerfanTU says:

        I’ll go one step further, a lot of what he said is flat out doodoo.

        • SamSooner says:

          That was an LOL moment. I’d say OU is doing pretty good not getting the best talent: wink, wink. Some fans don’t see, or won’t accept, that it takes time. I’m a patient man. And I have the rest of my life. Sure, I want them to win every Saturday. However, the real joy comes from seeing them play. That’s valuable to me.

  • Tyler Cheek says:

    Really racking my brain to recall a poorer decision and throw than the one TK made on his own goal line. What is even more frustrating is that with an ounce of creativity, the same route gets turned up the sideline and puts six points on the correct side of the board. My grandfather was a QB coach and OC for programs like Washington and Washington State, to name a couple, and though I wasn’t old enough to see him coach in those places I was fortunate enough to see him take his creativity to the high school level. It is simply maddening to sit back and watch our offense rely on individual battles as opposed to finding the space(s) the defense is giving you. You would think that Heupel would be able to damage from the press box but he simply can’t and this play is a wonderful illustration. The truth is, it starts long before they step foot on the field or Josh sits his ass in a press box. Oklahoma has the athletes to win every game they show up for but whether or not they are put in a position to do so is a different story.

  • Stephen Dale says:

    SamSooner……….you are certainly entitled to your opinion as I am mine. We view OU’s recent history ( past 15 yrs) differently. You apparantly are happy with OU losing 2-3 games per year, faltering in key games, annually failing to meet its announced goals, etc. I am not.