Open Post | Monday, Jan. 26th (UPDATE 7:50 pm)
Posted on: January 26, 2015
Image of Pat Allen via 247sports.com
Van Jefferson: Wanted to share one last note on Jefferson. OU was indeed incredibly close to winning Jefferson’s commitment. In fact, he was already talking with a certain OU commit about being roommates. As we mentioned yesterday, Jefferson had told us as recently as on his way home from the Ole Miss trip that he was still an Oklahoma lean. However, he did also say, “I need to speak to my parents though.” The main issue all week we’d heard was getting the mother on board with OU. Perhaps due to the distance, but we were told she had given her blessing at a certain point during the week and things were a go for OU. If we take Jefferson at his word, something within the discussion with his family evidently sealed OU’s fate.
Carlos Strickland: OU is still looking to pick up a late wide receiver, and we’ve heard through the grapevine that a possible target could by Skyline’s Carlos Strickland. Talked to one of our Dallas partners, who said Strickland had a great in-home visit with Texas recently may be wanting to go to UT with his teammate, Anthony Wheeler. However, Strickland hasn’t taken an official to Texas yet and some feel he will end up at UCLA. Perhaps a late push by OU can get him on campus before signing day.
Josh Smith: As most of you know, OU was expected to host 2015 Tennessee LB, Josh Smith this past weekend. However, Smith cancelled the trip and left most, including us, wondering why. We asked around and were told that Smith cancelled the trip because he felt OU wasn’t necessarily the right academic fit for him. It is our understanding that Smith and the Sooners have pretty much parted ways.
Pat Allen: A few weeks back, Allen told us where he was going to school and despite including the Sooners in his Top 3, that school wasn’t OU. But we had a chance to catch up with him this weekend and it sounds like OU is definitely back in the mix. This weekend he said he still isn’t sure what he is going to do and that he is now re-considering his original Top 3: OU, Tennessee & Georgia. Allen was a one-time Georgia commit, but did visit OU for the Tennessee game. He has also visited Knoxville a couple times.
Bob Stoops did a recent in-home visit with Allen, and Bill Bedenbaugh was also in Maryland yesterday for another in-home visit. The Sooners haven’t given up and according to Allen, he’s still considering the Sooners.
Prentice McKinney: Talked to some of our sources in Dallas, and we’ve been told OU has reached out to the coaches at South Oak Cliff to find out where former ND commit and current North Carolina commit, Prentice McKinney, stands right now. McKinney is an excellent safety prospect who is close to some of the OU commits, especially PJ Mbanasor. We spoke to Prentice last week, and he told us he was solid to UNC.
However, if the Sooners can get him on a visit, there’s always a chance, especially with OU being so close to home. Prentice would not be a “backup” type of a player either. He is a stud and was an early offer for OU, but Notre Dame was able to lock him up and once he committed, he shut things down. McKinney is qualified but Notre Dame has some unique extra academic requirements that weren’t quite met, which is what led to McKinney switching his commitment to UNC.
McKinley Whitfield: An interesting side note related to the one just above. We talked to McKinley Whitfield this weekend and after McKinney parted ways with Notre Dame, the Irish coaches apparently reached to McKinley. It sounds like an offer was going to happen but, as noted above, Notre Dame has some unique requirements and apparently one of those is that a student needs more than two years of foreign language credit, which Whitfield unfortunately does not have. Whitfield will take an official to Minnesota this coming weekend, who have been recruiting him for nearly a year now.
Arthur McGinnis: We are told that Arthur McGinnis still plans on making the trip to OU this coming weekend. We’ve also been told that he really enjoyed his Arizona trip, and OU is going to have their work cut out for them to sway him.
Simi Moala: A guy that I (K) am really intrigued by is 2015 DE Simi Moala. I came across his film recently and actually felt he was up there in terms of talent with DaiShon Neal and a long-time favorite of mine (who recently picked up an offer from Michigan), Jake Pickard.
When I came across Moala, I actually felt he may be a better prospect than Neal at this point if only because he seems to have a bit better get-off. Moala has fantastic length and at 240 lbs, he’s got plenty of room to grow still. His final official visit is set, and he will head out from his home in Los Angeles to the University of Miami. Perhaps the Sooners can get in and shorten his trip at the last minute.
– UPDATE (1:23 pm): Well, would you look at that.
Gotta love last-minute recruiting tales.
Per @SKYLINErecruit, #Sooners now on all-out blitz recruiting WR Carlos Strickland. Can they win?
— Damon Sayles (@DamonSayles) January 26, 2015
– UPDATE (2:03 pm): After speaking with one of our partners in Dallas , TFB has learned that OU actually went down and visited Carlos Strickland at Skyline last week.
– UPDATE (2:06 pm): OU appears to have offered 2016 RB Abdul Adams, per his Twitter.
– UPDATE (2:09 pm): One more quick Strickland update.
Just been informed by @SKYLINErecruit that OU also stopped by to see Carlos Strickland again today.
— TFB Sooners (@TFB_Sooners) January 26, 2015
– UPDATE (3:18 pm): Demetric Warren reporting OU has offered 2016 DB, Chanse Sylvie (Shreveport, LA).
– UPDATE (7:11 pm): OU still hitting the trail hard with a new 2015 WR offer to A.D. Miller
– UPDATE (7:50 pm): AD Miller has just informed us that he will take an official visit to Norman this weekend. Stay tuned…
994 Comments
Van Jefferson not going to OU sealed the deal on Josh Smith not going.. Boo
That’s not the impression I got at all, but obviously at this point it’s pretty much irrelevant.
You would think the “national merit scholar” campaign would be enough to fool people of the academic standards.
Maybe he looked beyond general academics into his preferred major and compared departmental standings. OU, for example, is a world beater in petroleum geology…not so much in poli sci (good department, but not top ten).
Lolz. I hate that ad!
Major bummer regarding Jefferson. It’s honorable that he wouldn’t go anywhere without his mother’s blessing and he seems like a solid kid…but man, that one stings.
I also firmly believe Wariboko’s going to UCLA because his twitter is full of UCLA/Cali stuff and his bio has the area codes of “Norman to Cali.” Can’t say I blame him because Westwood is awesome and it’s a great school.
I like this Moala kid. Is there any chance that OU A) is looking at him or B) has even a puncher’s chance at landing him?
I talked to him last weekend and he definitely seemed open to OU. As far as whether OU is talking to him…not as of the last time I talked to him but I figured it can’t hurt to highlight him on here 🙂
Does OU have plans to reach out to Whitfield, now?
God I hope not!
Regarding Jefferson and Smith, this is why it can be silly to call for a coach to be fired simply because they don’t get a player to commit. There are times when a coach simply doesn’t excel at recruiting. These critiques can be legitimate. However, lighting the torches because of one or two players isn’t prudent.
Sometimes kids have a reason for choosing a particular school that has absolutely nothing to do with recruiting.
yep
Are you making a case to keep kish? Because if you are I couldn’t disagree with you more.
Was Kish recruiting Jefferson?
The post was a generality to the ephemeral emotions that people have toward recruiting.
As for Kish, most here want him gone, but can’t actually provide specifics on why. Care to elaborate? You’d be the first. As I’ve stated many times, I’m not overjoyed with Kish.
Was Kish recruiting Smith? Who else would you be talking about? We don’t have a WR coach. Kish hasn’t landed anyone since he has been here. Coaches from other position groups have had to take up the slack and recruit lb’s because of Kish’s inadequacy, which takes time away from them recruiting their position groups. It hurts recruiting all around when a member of the coaching staff can’t recruit. You can’t argue that recruiting isn’t a huge deal for a college coach because that’s the lifeblood of the program. This isn’t the NFL. I’d also argue that Kish is a poor to mediocre lb coach and is subpar at development. The lb’s have taken a huge dip since BV left. Kish needs to be gone it’s not even a question at this point.
Just what IS the fall back position for the five or so ‘ships left for 2015?
I won’t be at all surprised if some go unused.
Early enrollment 2016.
Do you guys know if we’re still pursuing Jefferson in spite of his commitment? Even though he hasn’t been one to rush a decision, I’m wonder if perhaps he/his family had concerns about something Ole Miss had that Oklahoma maybe didn’t, and if the coaches could learn that, if they could address those concerns and maybe earn a flip?
K could probably speak to it better than I, but my guess is they just move on to their other target/s.
Can’t wait for the Spring Game. At least in that game, no matter what happens, OU wins.
lmao….great point
After last night and after reviewing who OU is still in on (but not leading on) I’ve pretty much lost all interest in recruiting for this year. There is no excitement surrounding OU right now and honestly, I don’t see why there should be, considering the current state of things. “Just wait on it” might as well mean “keep on waiting on it”…I haven’t been this unexcited for recruiting or for spring practice since 1998.
Certainly a sentiment shared by some (many?) right now. But at least you’re not paying for the bad news 😉
Three 3 weeks ago Texas was flying high on the recruiting trail. A week later everyone was decommitting. A week later everyone is thinking they’re in on Kyler Murray and Lodge. It’s just the nature of it all. OU is going to get a great staff in and things will turn around for the Sooners.
I’m just a realist so I’ll just say to what extent do you see things “turning around”? Is losing 2 games instead of 4 turning it around? What tangible evidence will be told as shown to be turning it around? Is not losing a game at home while losing 3 on the road turning it around? There has to be clear evidence of something turning around..2 examples Miami from 200-2003 they had a QB never started lost at Washington then never lost again for 29 games…Miami was bad before then Butch Davis got them turned around. Or Ohio St. They were on probation had a really bad year & hired Meyer, they had no bowl but went 11-0 that is turning it around..Culture of Winning, these players are not sooners imho because they are used to losing as is the coaches. U can’t go back but you can go forward…..
Turning it around can be measured in “progress” on the field. Next years record may not be as good as this years due to our incredibly tough road schedule (Tenn, Baylor, OSU, K-State). What I want to see is measurable improvement. That’s all. I want to see us moving in the right direction with both our offense and defense.
Which isn’t going to be enough to save some jobs in Norman. The wiggle room is gone.
But I don’t need to hear that from you Dave! How difficult is this for you guys to understand. Let these coaches create the atmosphere that we are to roll from. It is not your job unless you are the PR person for OU football..? If not I believe it is stoops jobs to give the blunt pulse as to where his team is at. Don’t create these expectations and then feed them to the fans or we’ll want to be fed! It’s that simple.
yep. seems you went to brainwashing camp. repeat after me “realist, realist, realist” “pumper, pumper, pumper”. we have a soso season and the “realists” think bob’s whole tenure sucks. we do good. we got lucky. the “pumpers”, which is what we have to be, think everything is ok. bob is good. bob is great. let us thank him for this food. is that the company line? something like this?
Because I know who they hired as a DB coach and it tells me a lot about what coach Stoops is willing to do to get the program back on track. Despite everything coach Stoops still managed to be almost beat TCU, OSU and KSU. I truly believe he can win with the right staff and I think he’s working on that.
Sorry K but as long as Kish is on staff, linebacker recruiting will be suspect at best and with no position coaches for wide receiver and cornerbacks(which should of been done by now with signing day closing) this season in every aspect has been a disappointment. Tired of Saban creating positions to gain advantages while our coaches are in limbo. B. Stoops will not get another chance to right the ship and if he’s not making any changes on the D end and putting his eggs in a 31yr old OC, good luck. Just tired of the rich getting richer and we are a shell of what we once were. Kish kills me everyday he’s here
Im on the same bus as you are Tom
Don’t dismiss the players OU already has committed. This is a good class full of potentially excellent players. Yes, there are some position concerns (LB) but overall a top 10 class so far.
I hear you.
You think not having some of the position coaches has hurt us?
Not to the extent that some are probably thinking, but it certainly hasn’t helped things.
I know it would certainly affect my decision, I would want to know who I would be learning from and spending the majority of my time with
perfectly sound logic, IMO
But on the flip side, if Bob hasn’t found the guy he wants or has to wait for any reason I can see where he is coming from as well. Above all he needs a great hire and if that means we wait, then I’m all for it.
distance?
in regards to what/who?
jefferson
Oh, I don’t know. Maybe. But as K has said, he was all OU and even said he was still leaning that way hours before he committed to Ole Miss.
I think it has to. I would want to know who I’m going to be playing for / learning from for the next few years.
Agree with Jordan. I mean Van was all OU. Something happened and if I had to guess I’d say it was family pressure and not something related to OU not having a position coach.
I’ve come to the conculsion that the two position coaches are going to be filled by people who are not big names or by people that have some tie to another university. I’m leaning towards the first. Otherwise it simply makes no sense to me to wait until after NSD.
<><> SEC bagman <><>
bs
Who is to say Bob didn’t tell a guy like Jefferson who the next WR coach would be? Assuming Bob knows, and it’s a done deal.
If he did tell Jefferson i hope we like him more than Jefferson did!
I doubt he would do that because he was so ticked when the Lincoln Riley hire got leaked, would just be asking for it to get out
Maybe, but I think he would trust the Jefferson family. Or maybe he didn’t. I just can’t see Jefferson or his dad asking questions about the coach, Bob having an idea who that would be, and not saying anything. But true, we don’t know.
Just a heads up, today’s open post title has “Dec. 26th” and should be “Jan. 26th”
Lol, good catch!
good lookin’ out! fixed it. obviously been a long weekend for us, too 😉
No worries, love what you guys are doing here.
thank you for reading!
I dont get why we arent going after JUCO LB’s. We have a really solid class, just get 2 Juco LB’s to go along with DeBerry and the class would be good to go
We already have upperclassmen in the LB position.. Juco’s wouldn’t help.. Need younger depth for the future.. Next year’s class is crucial…
Because we don’t need them.
Striker, Evans, Alexander, Shannon, Evans, Bond, Bolton, DeBerry, and Okoronkwo. That’s not counting other bodies that probably shouldn’t ever start, but could play in a pinch.
Then you hit the 2016 class with reckless abandon.
I think your statement incorrectly assumes: (1) that the guys we have on scholarship are good players (I think we have very average to below average linebacker play); and (2) that we currently have sufficient depth at the position to effectively play a 3-4.
Is OU still in contact with Wheeler.. Or is it only, Houston/McGinnis/ or bust…?
the latter, IMO
A couple of questions – did Vontre McQuinnie ever qualify after going JUCO? Ditto Curtis, the OG? Was wondering if OU kept tabs on those guys who failed to qualify last class. I know McQuinnie was a LB to most but OU was tabbing as a S. I figure we could use someone at either position.
Any other Oklahoma based guys who may be diamonds in the rough? I know you guys usually do an awesome job highlighting local kids who are under the radar.
I had heard Curtis was staying local for family reasons. He has a kid to take care of.
That is a great question. I, like most people, have a short memory when they drop out of sight.
I think we all need to take a step back and look at what really happened over the weekend. We lost out on two guys that a month ago none of us were even talking about. Big deal. How that turned into some claiming OU won’t even make a bowl game or how no recruits would consider OU is just silly. We still have a solid recruiting class and it is still Oklahoma. To me, even the worst year of being an OU fan is still better than the best year of being a Texas or Ok ST fan. OU fans shouldn’t give up this easy. We will live to fight another day.
If I wasn’t at work I would link the John Belushi speech in Animal House.
I hear ya!
You mean the “Did we give up, after the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor” speech? lol
Absolutely!
I really think this site has been invaded by a bunch of bags from the horns and aggies. There is no way people put stuff and people down as much as they do and are actually fans of whatever it is they are putting down. And yes I do realize what fan is short for. If people have this much hate for something they say they love, wow, home life with them must be a real treat
Amen to that!
This your first time on a OU football fan forum/message board?
haha. i love it. has to be huh? we should just let you guys go and complain all you want. well you know what? not gonna happen. i don’t wanna read this garbage. skip over it you say. wish i could. wish i could remember who sucks at posting and just cries and whines and complains nonstop. or better yet i wish disqus would have a block function. there’s plenty of people i have no interest in reading. the point is there are plenty of places where crying is the norm. go there. i don’t want this place to become one of them. so if it ruins pessimists time here…good. does that make me a policeman? i really don’t care, but you guys have PLENTY of other sites to go to. so that is my advice. leave us “pumpers” or whatever we’re getting called this week this one site and you guys can have the 13 or so others
….didn’t read
of course you didn’t. you seem pretty set in your ways with complaining about everything and carrying a freaking argument for a good solid 45 minutes to try to prove to someone you’re actually john madden reincarnate
settle 🙂
I apologize if my knowledge of the game intimidates you.
okay, let’s just go ahead and end this here
your knowledge of the game? haha. thanks for that
Easy method, stop reading the message once you realize it’s turning into a rant. Recently started this and has worked wonders.
You serious???LOL…………….
Don’t feed the trolls. Works for me.
i’ve tried. they’re too much like gremlins. someone got them wet and now they won’t quit multiplying. ignoring them hasn’t worked. “they have alligator blood”
I understand. I get sucked in every once in a while, but most of the time it’s just boring to try to discuss anything with them so I ignore and move on. I think some even have the alter egos so they can talk to themselves. That’s actually entertaining sometimes, but I try not to interrupt the conversation.
haha. yeah i be willing to bet there’s some jekyll and hyde’s on here
I don’t need anyone to feed me. I have enough of my own knowledge to keep us both fat & giggly…Seinfeld!
Amen brother! One really bad year doesn’t equal a collapse of the best program in the country! These people have absolutely tainted a great site! Whiners…take your small balls and go home!
And get plastic covers for their mattresses.
Yeah, but is that what they said in Austin 3 years ago. The new world is different. Tradition is less important than being the hot thing. One bad year must be recovered quickly or the rebuild is a major exercise (new coach as at Texas).
My thoughts exactly.
I got ya!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7vtWB4owdE
Time for the “Eat Me!” cake!
Awesome. Thanks!
That’s enough sunshine pumping for one day.
Thanks buddy. I have to be the optimist to your pragmistist!
Are you Serious???? Naw my friend I’d take us Winning over USC like the shorhorns did than us Losing to USC like we did any day of the week!! I’d kiss a longhorns girlz ass just to win over usc like that!
What ever happened to the surprise commit? Is he still a consideration or has he changed his mind?
I think he’s the one staying solid to Nebraska
Gotcha
Someone who’s been following high school players and their film longer than me want to offer an opinion on Nela Otukolo? He’s out of Bishop Gorman in Nevada. He just committed to UNLV on Friday. Is he worth going after? Nice MLB to me.
Big enough, but no real interest from the major schools. No idea about his speed or smarts.
Seems like now OU is REACHING for anyone, just save the scholarships for next year
R-E-L-A-X!!
Simi Moala is interesting indeed. Didn’t hear too much noise about him during the season. But got to see him at the USC lineman camp in the summer. He looked like he was about 6’7″ and lanky but during the 1 on 1s he showed alot of power. I thought he would have a lot more offers than he does. The kid can definitely play DE.
I really hope that B.Stoops goes out and hires a great WR & DB coach that are great recruiters ,but after this Kish fiasco ,I am afraid he is going to hire some no-names.The only reason I say this is these coaches should have been hired and in place weeks ago!!The days of OU just blowing a recruit away are over with for now,untill OU gets backj into the NC picture.
I could care less if every coach is a great recruiter. I want a GREAT coach who can develop players. We all know Kish is not a great recruiter, but by most all accounts, he is a very good LB coach. That is what I want. Let Monty recruit LB’s. During Switzer’s days, Gary Gibbs was considered an average to poor recruiter but a great LB coach. Galen Hall was supposedly a horrible recruiter, but a brilliant OC. Not everyone on the staff needs to recruit like Monty and Cale.
So…you want to keep Kish?
That’s out of my hands, now isn’t it? If he as good of a LB coach as most say he is, then it have no problem with it. Now if Bob is willing to let Mike go, then I say let’s bring in all new blood.
I can attest to that with Gibbs. Wonderful man, but he couldn’t inspire a dog to chase a cat.
Herman there is not alot of inspiring going on from staff If U really want to get technical. They expect the players to motivate themselves. Is that not what coach stoops preaches?
I’m Sorry but Murray & Peterson were not judged by Cale to be good..Everyone who knew football knew that!. A 3 yr.old looking out the window for the first time could give you the same evaluation Cale could give you..Some of you folks amaze me by the lack of football 101 you have…Cale has had quite a few backs that never “panned out” also….
And yet we continue to have above average to great backfields. Amazing that the other coaches who must be covering Gundy’s incompetence have been willing to keep beavering away in the shadows and let him take the credit. Really restores my faith in the generousity of human kind.
Never said he was incompetent..! LOL I said he was not this grand evaluator of talent that he just found Murray & Peterson by looking thru film & film…These guys were known by everyone…Kudos for cale being the RB coach who handled them but I’m not sure he was the primary recruiter on those 2. If you believe so, was he the primary guy on those 3 busts/guys who transferred out we had 2-3 yrs ago too?
So BR, who would be a great RB coach for OU who wouldn’t have a single bust and produce a lot of quality RB’s.
I’m just saying lets not exalt anyone on this staff at this time. All of them need to do better. If they are not up to improving on their craft everyday then it will show decline….Cale been on a good roll lately but with one injury the “winds could change real quickly”. U know this staff is not highly regarded for “circling the wagons” once something unforeseen happens. Broyles, Bradford, etc…
you’re losing bad. in fact you are “bleeding” out 🙂
LOL….
Funny I never feel I’m losing anything….The last time I felt..https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLVdsUwFVQI
….
BR, this has nothing to do with the question. If you bash, have a name as a back up.
Ah, I see. So, if he concurs in a correct, but widely held, evaluation then he’s to be discounted as a judge of talent. Am I to take it he only scores on that scale if he, say, recruits HS debate teams and bath house attendees and uncovers All Americans?
Our RB’s have been a strength for a long time now. I suspect that the guy in charge of the RB’s has something to do with this.
If he is such highly regarded running back coach, I’m sure some NFL team would have taken notice.?. Many scouts come here amazed at our running back talent…
I have no idea what his personal ambitions are. He doesn’t seem to be chasing after a head coaching gig, either. He’s a Mid-West City guy. Maybe he’s happy where he is? He might have had NFL opportunities and passed them up. We’d never know if there was a lunch or a conversation that indicated lack of interest and the NFL team went another direction.
Which he recruited and developed!! Please think before you post!
Ha that just like saying Gerald McCoy learned all he did & was totally developed by Jackie Shipp. Love Both Jackie & Cale but neither one Made peterson or Gerald McCoy who they are today…Just Like Mike did not make Roy Williams what he was…Any of these guys would have done the same things at USC, Miami, Penn State any where….
here we go again with the make believe non existent pasts. you DO NOT know this. these guys went where they went and were coached up by whom they were coached up. then they got to chase their dreams. PERIOD. if any of em went somewhere else they could have gotten hurt or hurt worse than while here. they could have fizzled. they could had a coach who recruited him move on and then hated the next guy and transferred. any number of things. you have no idea what would happen because it did not happen
Also USC had a RB from Colorado I believe who tore us up in the Orange Bowl, now was that player talented already or was it the running back coach at usc?
You guys continue with the Congratulations Tour… What City will u be in next? We all want to here how special the staff is after another 8-4 season next year….
here, or hear?
hear………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
obviously you know very little to nothing. somewhere in that range. please please please go back to landthieves where they’ll enjoy your “witty” banter
BloodRed, are you a total idiot or do you just play one on TFB? Cale’s position is year after year the best recruited position on the field. Period! Please engage your brain before you type!
Coming from a sunshine pumper I think I’ll wait on the anointing…
Being a great coach is an amazing advantage but unless you have great talent that can be coached up to the hilt you wont win NCs. OU shouldn’t have to accept anything less than a great coach who can also recruit.
Let me clarify,The coaches first and formost should be able to evaluate and develop players ,the good recruiting is a bonus.
Its a balance. UCLA basically has a staff of awesome recruiters that can’t really coach that well. At least that’s the running joke.
Not recruiting related but doe anyone else think that Brooks should be moved from RB to WR? The kid is lightning fast and it seems as if Rileys offense will be predicated on speedy WRs. I assume Brooks hands are adequate at least and even if not he’d make a great decoy going deep. I wouldnt even suggest this if we werent so deep at RB.
Either him or Ross wouldn’t be a bad idea to experiment with.
Better Brooks than Ross. Ross doesn’t have the fluidity needed to be a good wide receiver.
What do y’all think of this kid…Brad Zaffram (MLB/OLB) Canisus HS 2015. Video is on hudl and YouTube.
Love this site and most of its posters but it is being poisoned by a few. I’m out.
Would hate to lose you, but given the nature of the internet you’re going to find this type of stuff wherever else you may go. I frequent all of the other ‘big’ OU sites and I doubt I’m telling you anything you don’t already know that this is a similar complaint there as well (and has been for some time).
There is no perfect forum, be it OU or otherwise, that exists in which everyone is BFF all the time. We’re doing our best to cultivate a certain type of community here, but we can’t do so at the expense of allowing people to express their opinions (within reason).
All you have to do is ignore it and/or don’t participate in it. This definitely works for me.
Best sire around from my point of view. Most of the time you can get solid feedback on OU football, and that’s what I’m out here for. Just don’t feed the trolls and the rest is gravy.
Jordan, something you guys might consider that would go a long way in alleviating this type of thing would be an “Ignore User” feature- if available for this product.
Don’t disagree at all, but unfortunately we’ve kind of at the mercy of the platform and as I understand it they don’t currently offer this feature.
You should suggest it. Takes only a minute and you don’t need to revisit the issue endlessly and waste time. Who knows? The platform designers surely do upgrades periodically and might actually check the suggestion box before they do.
They (Disqus) are VERY aware of the demand for it.
cool.
Seriously, Jordan. An ‘ignore’ feature or some ‘weeding’ needs to take place. There are 3 in particular, and I think that 2 of the 3 if not all have the same IP, that if you go through the posts stand out as no more than instigators. Otherwise, you will begin losing readers/viewers/posters.
I don’t disagree. Email K at the admin address here on the site and let him know.
You’re not losing me over those tools. Rather than get into an exchange with them, I’ll walk away for a while. Like others, I hope you get the ignore button soon.
I am almost there too my man! Just ask a simple question about expansion and all I get is some negative response!
oh i was being silly. that’s why i put the face on there. i was trying to be funny. swing and a miss on my part. sorry about that
quit fouling them off, we’re running out of balls
sorry. maybe we need the softball rule where so many fouls and i’m out
As a young kid in a small town, when someone fouled one off, there would be a bunch of us running after it so we could get a free snow cone when we brought it back. Spent alot of time at the ball fields.
yep. i’ve loved baseball for as long as i can remember. this speech in field of dreams will always give me goosebumps. and when he plays catch with his dad is probly my favorite part of any movie
“Ray, people will come Ray. They’ll come to Iowa for reasons they can’t even fathom. They’ll turn up your driveway not knowing for sure why they’re doing it. They’ll arrive at your door as innocent as children, longing for the past. Of course, we won’t mind if you look around, you’ll say. It’s only $20 per person. They’ll pass over the money without even thinking about it: for it is money they have and peace they lack. And they’ll walk out to the bleachers; sit in shirtsleeves on a perfect afternoon. They’ll find they have reserved seats somewhere along one of the baselines, where they sat when they were children and cheered their heroes. And they’ll watch the game and it’ll be as if they dipped themselves in magic waters. The memories will be so thick they’ll have to brush them away from their faces. People will come Ray. The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it’s a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again. Oh… people will come Ray. People will most definitely come.”
GET OFF MY LAWN! 🙂
i don’t get it
Sorry, you were using a movie line that included my name, I was using one of my favorites from an Eastwood movie.
yeah i realized it said ray quite a bit and here you are. kinda like cnadyman 🙂 love me some gran torino
It’s the off season. The trolls tend to come out now; or at .least are more evident. It’s like being at a party late: the a-holes have been there all along, but, with the departure of most other people, you notice the a-holes more the later it gets.
Like Jordan said below, every site is going to have some irritants to it, but this one has substance as well. No OU nirvana website out there.
I don’t visit other sites and have no interest in them. This is the go-to place for good info and football talk until a few show up and zap the life out of good conversation.
Please leave your ball before you go home 😉
Haha. Reminds me of an old blues song; goes something like this:
“Don’t you leave me here,
Don’t you leave me here.
But pretty darlin’ if you go,
Leave me a dime for beer.”
Obviously a very old song.
please don’t go. hope you just mean for now. i like reading your stuff
Appreciate that. Not going away, will just take a break when the negmites show up.
We love you, bruh.
Thanks for your contributions SJ.
Anyone heard about the stadium expansion?
if you listen on here long enough, it probly sucks too 🙂
FIRE THE STADIUM EXPANSION!!!!!
What about it? I’ve heard some things.
Last info on the subject noted that the renovations would likely be done in phases with the new revisions relating to the weight room and training facilities being in the first phase. I do believe that funding is also an issue at this point. Lastly, I think the original plans are overbudget…so the initial markups may be tweaked from what we were told would be renovated in the fall.
Edit: Full disclosure…this is information from another site.
K is OU completely out on Cassius Peat?
I’d be surprised if OU is still recruiting Peat.
It is interesting though that he decommited from UCLA.
People need to remember we are getting 3 guys who can come in and make immediate impacts in Frank Shannon, Joe Mixon, and Baker Mayfield. We had none of those guys last year and they all should provide immediate help and depth this year. Next year could be a really BIG recruiting year for us. The guys we have are solid. Even though we could do better it’s still a great class.
Yep. New players. New scheme on offense, with new OC/QB/WR coaches. Possibly adjusted scheme on defense, with at least a new DB coach. I still think there is a chance Kish and Mike Stoops are gone.
So, maybe this Leavitt talk isnt about just LB coach eh? hmmm, would be nice to see him paired with Monty at Co-DC. I find it hard pressed to believe Leavittt would come and work under anyone besides Bob.
Solid observations and I agree. Not ready to anoint Mayfield yet, but I think Riley will put someone out there who can get the job done and the supporting cast should be very, very good. Need to shore up the secondary, but experience combined with a little new blood should help there. Come on Spring (in more ways than one).
I’m not anointing mayfield but the depth at qb last year was bad. He can help with that if he’s not “the guy”. Still excited about spring ball. They should do an autograph session this year to get more fans out to the spring game and reward those loyal to the team.
Agree about Mayfield. I give him as good a shot as any but not better at this point.
I would give him a bit of a lead on the scheme. Air raid…tt ran a form of it.
Good point. Much needed depth at the very least. I don’t know who I would put to the top, but I have faith that Riley will pick one who can execute the offense, and that will make me happy.
Really excited to see what Mixon will be doing in Riley’s scheme. I think hes going to be a nightmare matchup with his pass catching abilities.
Would love to see formation shifts wear we split him outside sometimes. Starts in backfield, shifts to receiver. Lets see how defense likes that.
Same with Flowers. Guys shifting outside or going from split to coming back across as potential RB/blockers.
Absolutely!
i’d defer to zach’s input but my amateur opinion, i hope we’d use him like GB does cobb. let him line up and run all over creation
Agree with all of that. Only real worry is LB depth down the road after a class this small.
with you but there is always JUCO next year too.
Huge problem. I would argue that we do not have enough depth this season. Injury or two…things look bad.
So you were counting on true Freshman to provide that depth, were you?
Well the LB recruiting issues span at least 2 years now…probably more like 3 full recruiting cycles. We should have greater depth already on campus. JUCO or elite to fringe elite true freshman LBs would provide much needed depth at the position this year….but I guess I talking more about depth issues that have arisen over the last couple of years.
You mean since Mike trotted out the infamous ‘Orlando’ 4-0-7 defense? We’re still dealing with the repercussions of that failure.
Yes, I believe we are still feeling the sting.
Exactly what has JM or BM done to prove they can make immediate impacts?
Speaking of Mixon, I saw him working out at OU’s rec center today and the dude looks even stronger than he did in the fall. He was throwing up some weight on squat
Still can’t use the team facilities? I thought that was over and done.
I thought it was still a bit longer for Joe…but I could be wrong.
either way though, occasionally guys will work out at the huff with their friends that arent teammates.. I saw Blake and Taylor there working out a couple times when they were in school..
Any insight into Toby Weathersby possibly signing with OU?
I thought he was a big LSU lean at this point. I could definitely be wrong about that.
Doesn’t seem very likely
247 sports new juco rankings! OU WR jumps up.
***Oklahoma commit Dede Westbrook put together a dominating season at wide receiver. The Blinn College standout had 185 receiving yards per game and caught 13 touchdown passes. He moved up to within the four-star range and is the No. 3 wide receiver in the country.
He and Shepherd on the outside and Quick in the slot.
Unfortunately, I think Westbrook is more of a slot type.
Even w/o another WR this cycle, it’s not like the cupboard is bare. Riley will coach some of these receivers up by next season. Expecting to see a huge difference in some of these guys as they mature and learn.
So, I’ve been sitting here watching things unfold on this site the past few days. There seems to be two camps:
1. Those who are intent on holding it together who believe OU can still get it done (affectionately named: sun pumpers).
2. Those who believe the program is in shambles and the end is near ( who have been tagged Debbie downers/wet rags)
For the record, I’m in camp number one. I’m always optimistic. That’s what works for me in my personal and professional life. If it’s too negative for my taste, I will rarely post. It makes little to no sense to try and reason with anyone who are, figuratively speaking, covering their ears. I’m too practical: If you don’t want to hear what I have to say, I will stop speaking.
Because I’m in camp 1, that does not mean I’m not a realist. I am very much aware that things could have gone better this year. Yes, I’m aware we missed out on some recruits. I’m aware that OU was 8-5 and, while disappointing, is not bad. The team kept playing hard. I saw effort. As for recruiting, we have some damn good kids who will be coming to OU. That’s good, right?
But, we all have our right to speak, respectfully, as we please. I post what I believe. Others post what they believe. We all believe what we believe. From my observations, some of us are determined to get other to believe what we believe, even when it’s evident you’re trying to convince someone in the opposite camp. I’m as guilty as anyone. Some fellow posters have cordially brought that to my attention.
Now that I’ve spoken to our differences, allow me to speak to where we are similar, what we have in common.
1. We are OU fans.
2. We want OU to win (games and recruiting)
3. We do not want this site to become like other OU sites.
4. We all love the work Jordan, JY, and K put into getting us information.
There is no right or wrong. We’re just having a discussion. A good conversation allows for good dialogue. If we speak long enough, something we’ve said to one another will stick with the other, just like fibers from a tennis ball on a racquet.
Thank you for saving me a lot of typing. My sentiments exactly from top to bottom.
( thumbs up )
You’re welcome. Pay it forward. LOL!!
wait. i thought this site was free 🙂
It’ll be free for someone. LOL!!
love reading your stuff sam. i too fall in the rut. its the idea that no way some of these guys are fans. i really want the ignore button and i wish it would tell you who is ignoring you as well as who you are ignoring. i think that would be a cool “man up, own up to it” type feature. i do not mind differing opinions, its the constant, pervasive “negative all the timers” that makes my blood boil
I appreciate the kind words. I feel ya. Like you, it’s the “I want to bring you down post” that get me when all I want to do is feel good. Or feel bad for that matter but say to myself, “Oh, well. Time to go back to work.” I want to accept the facts but not dwell there for too long.
take a check?
Sure, make it out to the Sooners.
Trust me when I tell you I’ve given them more than enough $$$$ over the years
Fair enough.
“But, we all have our right to speak, respectfully, as we please. I post what I believe. Others post what they believe. We all believe what we believe. From my observations, some of us are determined to get other to believe what we believe, even when it’s evident you’re trying to convince someone in the opposite camp. I’m as guilty as anyone. Some fellow posters have cordially brought that to my attention.”
This is really key. Many people on the Internet (in every imaginable topic) can’t remember that other people have differing points of view, and nothing is going to change their mind absent tangible results on the field, and sometimes not even then.
Amen, I will be a Sooner til Im dead! Ups Downs Turnarounds!! I am in for the long haul!
In for the long haul. Forever, until I die. When I die, bury me with something that has OU on it.
Get a tattoo to be safe. Worked for me.
Sounds like a plan.
Strong post. A couple of things come to mind: Being an optimist doesn’t cost any more, and it’s more fun. I stole that from somewhere but don’t know where or when. Also, I try not to get too caught up in the expectations before the season starts. Only one team per year wins it all. If I truly allow myself to expect a championship every year, it becomes painful. I’ve tried it, so I know. lol
Mojo, thanks!
I take it one game at a time, see where it ends. I’m always happy to see my boys play on Saturday.
Made i through the horror that was the 90s, Im not giving up cause we missed on a few hundred linebackers!!.LOL
Hardly even feels like I stubbed my toe in comparison.
All well & good Just don’t have the head man stating expectations then making excuses later. If U say were going to struggle out the gate fine…Us fans we’ll get behind someone who is honest with us. But what I don’t respect is eternal sunshine being blown up the butt by folks and they continually do it year after year. It is not negative to be honest!
The only coach that I ever knew of that continually expressed how poor he thought his team would be and yet was a consistent winner was Bud Wilkinson. I never understood how he was able to do that and not have his teams play half- heartedly or give up early. Every other coach wants to continually encourage his team publicly.
I disagree…Lou Holtz, Joe Paterno, just off the top of my head were this way and their players played with a chip or an edge because of it. For some reason it made those kids play harder & play to greater heights & play for each other….More than someone blowing smoke up their behinds all day….
To be honest CBS has a mantra: every year is different. To say that he is giving false hope is not the truth of the matter. He says we’ll see.
Agree. The problem arises when dialogue stops because 1 is seeking to proselytize and resorts to the ‘you know nothing – I have the answers’. This has become pervasive with a handful of newly arrived posters to the point nothing can be said without them interjecting their very strong opinion. If it isn’t nipped in the bud, good posters are going to stop/leave.
I see your point. It can be frustrating. I don’t want this site to go the other direction. I like coming here. So much information. It’s unbelievable. Let’s agree to stay.
Teams 1 & 2
well played
seconded
don’t see one athlete from the above mentioned article that OU has a realistic chance of signing in February…there are several prospects in Oklahoma HS that might be developmental projects…….
The image just came up for me. Now, that’s funny.
LOL
Thats probably the dang shirt i ordered that hasn’t came yet?
If it shows up like that i am putting Kished on the back.
You opened some shades, let some light in, with this hardy post. Oh how we need the sun.
haha. i love it. we need the sun. but i guess we’re just not supposed to pump it? is that how it goes? you’re a positive guy so i need somebody from the other side of the tracks to clue me in on this whole thing 🙂
You’re pretty much two to three steps ahead of me most of the time. I’m looking for opportunities to encourage and participate in, good quality workmanship here on the TFB board.
i encourage when needed. 🙂 what i don’t like are the people who never have anything positive to say…ever. such as, easton, i enjoy reading you too. along with eastex, sam, boomerdave, zach, and many others. i respect what you have to say and usually agree with you. there are several handfuls of folk on here who i enjoy. and then there are around 30 i would guess who spit on anything good and/or positive. some trolls. others just pessimistic pieces of garbage. toats and i disagree on stuff but we both try to be funny and get along just fine. others bring out the worst in me. and its usually people who feel they know it all, who are negative every waking second, who live in non existent places(make-believe-land where they can speak knowingly about something that never happened) or a mixture of some or all of that. all of that to say this….you’re a good kid and seem to know what you’re talking about. keep it up
How do you feel? Was that therapeutic? Looks like you’ve done some research there, Boomer. LOL!
On a serious note, I appreciate what you put out there too. Brighter days are coming.
haha. feels good to let someone know that they add to the equation. and sometimes it also feels good to put some pessimists in their place. and thank you for the kind words. i have been in a love affair with all OU sports for a while now and i wouldn’t have it any other way. like you when i die i’ll be sooner dead. i don’t need to be told i’m not a true fan because i don’t think the whole campus needs to be torn down and lets just scrimmage UAB every week next yr 🙂
I saw what you did there.
I think truth is we all fall in about 2.5 on your scale. Win enough to keep us interested and lose enough to piss us off.
Amen?
I wish I had seen effort. In the bowl game, I saw a team that would literally have rather been anywhere else.
I am an optimist too. I can see how we might get this turned around. But I have to disagree on the effort thing.
Tim, the bowl was bad, hard to watch. But there were some players going all out. It’s just there wasn’t enough players.
Being a realist, I think the pumpers and the sky is falling crowd are both wrong. There is ample reason to be concerned. I’m bothered that we haven’t filled the open assistant positions. I’m troubled that our recruiting strategy has more failures than successes. Trying to get in on a highly rated kid this late almost never works. Logic says the kids we’re offering now weren’t priorities a month ago. One has to be concerned with that situation.
Kids aren’t that moved by tradition. Today it’s about who is hot (see Wariboko), not national championships won 60 years ago.
Kids want to know their position coach. The don’t worry you’ll have a good coach line doesn’t carry much weight.
It seems we were hoping to flip kids from NU and UT. Really, what’s been our historical success. Obvious to me that Neal wants NU to give him some love. He was never OU bound.
Kids are leaving UT to go somewhere with less discipline than Strong imposes. That isn’t OU.
So realistically we are pretty much done with this class. We have a number of good prospects coming. Can they make a contribution right away? Who knows. But next year can be successful if we get good Qb play. That is the key. If we can’t then the realist will become a pessimist real fast.
It’s quite possible that the recruiting trail ends quite like the season did– Crash Landing.
We were probably 1 pick-6 away (TCU) from winning the conference and making it to the playoffs this season… You shouldn’t judge the state of a program based on a bunch of injured and/or disappointed kids who didn’t have anything left to play for.
I just want to address the last part of what you said because I know there are “old school” guys who probably won’t kill you for this comment but may give you hell. But OU players should never be graded on a scale of “injured, disappointed, and nothing to play for”. This is Oklahoma and if that describes the kids on our team (which it might) then it’s time to find some new blood.
Agreed Zack. Our ability to produce when the “next man up” was needed used to be a huge strength here at Oklahoma. Perijne did it for us this year, Jordan Wade did it for us last year, but neither the QB or WR position has been able to produce when the starter goes down. That stings.
We need guys that play with a chip on their shoulder.
https://twitter.com/TheFbBrainiacs/status/559764248247549952
I didn’t think we were even on his radar, but I’m working off my limited memory here.
we haven’t even offered him per 247
Memory might be better than I thought.
Is Strickland the former TTech commit?
He’s a Rivals 4-star that is ranked the #12 WR, 1 spot behind Van Jefferson.
Do we like Strickland more than Hughes?
Take both, I say!
Do we need both? I don’t know. A lot depends on what we can expect from guys like Neal, Todd, and Smallwood.
yeah, but both look like game changers to me. Can never have enough of those guys sitting around!
More news, Just got an update on my phone that my Oakland Raiders are trying to get Louisvilles DC. Who in there class can we flip?
Caban, he has and OU offer and he is a LB!
http://espn.go.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/player/_/id/189319/amonte-caban
Although it sucks to miss out on a player the caliber of Smith, it certainly is refreshing to see a kid considering his education above athletics. He is definitely one student-athlete I will be keeping my eye one over the next 4-5 years. Best of luck to the young man.
From the high potential recruits Monty has gotten it seems if he has months to develop a relationship, he is likely to get them to OU. Norman/OU does not have the ‘wow’ factor that is going to grab the attention of high profile recruits in 1 visit. Gabe Campbell is a Mississippi kid who visited UMiss and MSU with a lot of pressure to stay home. Somehow, Jefferson, like Laquon Treadwell previously, was ‘wowed’ by Miss and the sec. He was a Georgia commit, too. Noone had time to really develop that with Jefferson. Monty almost got it done with Neal. Not so disappointed in the Neal decision as the Jefferson but Jefferson was never a guy I thought OU would get from the beginning. OU might get 1 more recruit who falls to us like Orlando Brown but think we undersign this cycle.
Agree with almost everything here. It pays to get in on guys early…but OU made a valiant effort.
Oklahoma is NOT the right academic fit for Smith, but Oregon is???
fair point
It’s not about overall academics. He is intent on bio-mechanics as a course of study. Vandy has a good course as does UO. OU does not offer that particular degree course.
Hope it works out for him but when his major changes to something else who knows which school he would rather be at.
…but we know kids never change majors or their minds. ; )
Do we know is Smith is still visiting Oregon?
I switched from Anthropology to Accounting, that’s how I became so versatile.lol
I switched from geology…down trend in the industry…to anthropology. LoL Not so good, either.
I switched from meteorology to psychology
Then you would be the person who could tell me why Winter makes me depressed.
.
How’d the accounting major do for ya? I am starting my accounting degree this semester.
Worked out really well for me, but I’m the kind of person who enjoys solving. I have a propensity for math, military service gave me the GI bill to help cover my bachelors and my employer paid for my masters. I’d recommend finishing your bachelors and then hopefully get a job with a company that offers educational benefits. Then get your masters. You can thank me later in life.
Thanks I appreciate it. Do you mean MBA or Masters of Accounting? I was planning on getting a bachelors degree, working for awhile eventually getting my CPA.
I got the MBA. Never sat the CPA cause I didn’t really want to go into auditing. I realize there is a certain amount of prestige that goes with it, but for whatever reason the MBA seemed more attractive to me. You can do both of course. Good luck.
US News ranks both schools at tied for #106…
Thats just 3 spots better than where our passing defense ended up.
Haha! Warning: your post did not contain enough sunshine!
And it’s sad how very funny that really is in a pathetic sort of way.
Any word on where gundy and riley are flying to? I hope it’s to talk to Hughes
It’s a commercial flight, hard to track unless they give some actual clues.
Hmmm…having to fly commercial? So who has the private and where is it headed?
Dont know where its going but i bet its not the northeast!!
Deduction of the day.
Monty most likely. Only let Riley use it for the brief honeymoon period.
Hope he at least go an upgrade to economy+ xtra legroom.
looks like the ou recruiting class will be 20–IF–there are no decommits on NSD…that will leave a few scholarships. OU might consider doing what KST does and reward walkons who show some developmental ability… its good for morale and rewards those who show some love & loyalty to the program…..OU might find a ‘diamond in the rough’ or two amongst the walkons…….
As mentioned by many. If you’re going by quality over quantity then OU is in the top 10.
Sorry to sound like a sunshine pumper but facts are facts.
Agree, given the way things went last season, I would say this class is a good one.
Agreed. We have some high quality recruits already committed.
Somewhat negative, but very true statement: We are just missing on positions of need…primarily at LB which I believe discounts the class as a whole.
Followed up with some sunshine: I read that McGinnis has confirmed that he is making his visit this weekend.
OU rewarded Caleb Gastelum with a scholarship last season.
Is Carlos Strickland the former TTech commit?
Yes
Assuming we offer Strickland and we aren’t able to flip a current commit to another school, we are pretty much down to Dominque Reed, A.D. Miller and Strickland at WR, right?
Hughes as well ( I hope)
Ah yes, thanks, but we still need to offer Hughes too.
That looks about right to me.
Yes, one can only hope, but my job is not on the line with offering any of these young men as the coaches jobs are. So in the staff I trust 😉
Katyboomer, are you from Katy, TX? If so, who should OU be in on for 2016? I know the backup RB/athlete is supposed to be solid.
I like one of the DL, DB and a LB ( he is a little light, but is a great player) After this next year Katy will take a little hit ( unless we get a transfer, I mean unless someone moves in LOL), then be back up in 2017 IMHO
Strickland looks great, plus close to campus.
If we have room, can we go after D Patterson late? Then see if the grades workout. I would hate to see him @ BU
#justwaiting….
…
Pack a bag sounds like we will be waiting awhile. When’s the next Olympics?
Snickers anyone?
I am optimistic though. I hope Monty, Riley and the crew can get some last minute flips/talent!
Anyone else think Rodney Anderson isn’t getting the credit he deserves? BR ranks him as 21st best running back in the 2015 class. When looking at some ranked above him, he’s beating them by several hundred yards and up to 10 touchdowns. Is it just ignorance or is it because he’s wearing the Crimson and Cream in the fall?
Yes very underrated much like a guy we call Optimus perine
^^I think this is a fair comparison. I believe Perine’s ranking/rating got discounted b/c people believed he lacked the necessary speed to play in college…somewhat like with Anderson. Well, we all know what Perine can do now…I’m hoping Anderson is more of the same.
and herein lies the huge problem with the services. if he had gone to bama they would have reinvented the wheel and given him a 6th star. we know he’s awesome and the world now knows he’s awesome but it don’t take going to bama to prove it. its just like the mythical national championship in high school baseball. it exists on paper. if you don’t play for it, it don’t exist
Few things in response: You did not include enough sunshine in your response…JOKING!
Seriously, while rankings are never 100% accurate, I’m not sure anyone could have anticipated the type of season Perine had this year.
FWIW, Bama did offer Perine.
i know. they almost got him. my point was with the national championship in high school baseball or with any professional draft, its all about taste. it would be really hard to take 250 peoples assessments of different kids and rank them and then take the different positions and start to comingle those rankings. its all need. you can’t have one dude scour the country and look at every single kid. so to me, its kind of like preseason rankings. they don’t mean squat, they just kind of give john q. fan a starting point on what to talk about
Point: I don’t think I would disagree with your belief that recruiting rankings are meant more for fans than coaches.
Counterpoint: There is a lot correlation between highly rated recruiting classes and championship teams.
yes to a point. i agree that you need studs. but for every stud you’re gonna have 50 guys who aren’t as talented who will outwork that stud and might just have a better career. depends on a lot of stuff. studs with high work ethic don’t necessarily grow on trees. and if your coaches are relying on the recruiting sites to do their jobs then you have other bigger issues. its a good discussion, that’s for sure
I’m not sure what all goes into the rankings but for perine I think I read he had knee surgery after his sophomore year so that may have affected him a bit. But I think had bama gotten him then he would have gotten that 5th star.
^I forgot about the knee injury. Also a factor. However, Perine was not on the fringe of a 5th star…so I’m not sure that would have happened. JMO.
I don’t believe that everyone is against us etc. stuff. You guys make this stuff up in your heads better than any of your “perceived enemies” of OU could ever do…You want respect….? Prove it! Too much arrogance, is why this program is going thru what it’s going thru right now…
They forgot to factor in the fact that people can’t tackle when they’re laying on the ground after he runs them over!!! BOOM!!!!
I think he is better then his ranking, but will need to hold onto the ball a little better at OU to see the field. It will be something to see as he is from a power running team and now will have to go to the new system that OU will now be running
After watching Anderson during Katy’s playoff run, I think he will be a very good back. Reasons why his ranking/rating take a hit probably include the following:
1. He lacks a truly elite speed for a RB and is really good at most phases of the game…but not elite.
2. Some may argue he is the product of the Katy HS system. Much like Tech QBs, I believe some now would say that Katy RBs are a product of the offensive system which churns out 1000 yard backs like it’s nothing. Also, I know of a recent Katy RB that committed to Neb. that hasn’t seen the field.
Just a couple of reasons…not my opinion.
Anderson was sharing the back field with said NEB RB when he was a SOPH. and to give the NEB RB a break he was behind one of the best RB in the Country. Anderson is a great kid, he is in the mold on SP. Great kid to be a Sooner
I agree with the counterpoints. To be clear, I was just offering up reasons for why some may not rate Anderson as high as other RBs.
Yes and I think your counter points are spot on, and will be something worth watching to see if they prove to be valid
247 has him as the #4 rated RB.
Ratings are so subjective.
#4 all purpose back, not overall RB. He dosent even show in the normal RB list.
http://247sports.com/Season/2015-Football/CompositeRecruitRankings?InstitutionGroup=HighSchool&Position=RB
Stephen let me take a stab it this….I have seen his Anderson’s film and he is a downhill straight line runner. It is hard to get an evaluation on him because of Katy’s size. They have so many people at that school, people feel he has much more people helping him get those yards. He’d be rated higher if people felt look at film and felt like he was getting all those yards on his own. People think he is the product of the system down there. Katy has has other backs gain lots of yards and they have not produced those numbers in college. Maybe Anderson will be the first….He has speed and the body.
We are one of the smallest 6A schools in Texas, plus they stacked the box on him every play. I think if he sees the field at OU everyone will love him.
Okay….
But do they still have around 2000 kids? 6A in Oklahoma usually averages 2000 unless it’s the Tulsa area and then it’s like 3500
yes I think its around 2100 give or take 100 or so kids
Kathyboomer, consider he source. BloodRed is an idiot. Anderson is an absolute stud. Reminds me of Perine with his great speed and power.
Thanks for the info! Appreciate your perspective. His determination kind of reminds me of Chris Brown.
Agree, but faster, I think he will surprise a lot of people with his speed and vision. He’s a really good kid as well. My son and he are good friends.
I’m with you, Katy.
Love this young man and his game. The only areas that I think he needs to work on are ball security and upper body strength, which I am confident he will accomplish with the OU nutrition and S&C programs.
I don’t doubt his speed, elusiveness or power and haven’t since he was a soph.
EasTex, everyone on that field knew who was getting the ball. QB was fair at short passes but couldn’t stretch the defense. Knowing that, the defense lined up 8 or 9 in that box and he still ran for all of those yards. On a final note, he was great in his interviews. He was very well spoken and always complimented his teammates.
A talented player that is smart, serious minded and comes from a nice family.
His future is boundless.
Well, BR isn’t really that great.
Your first problem was relying on B/R for anything of credibility and/or substance 😉
I just like bringing B/R up to keep you on your toes.
I don’t know what BR is…
You’re not missing out. It’s bleacher report. I had to delete it from my phone because it’s never accurate about anything.
Oh, okay. I always thought Bleacher Report was sort of like the sports version of The Onion. I never considered it a serious sports network.
Thought it referred to good ole’ Bloodred aka Castortroyboy. Joking.
Shhhhhhh!
I want him to be a nasty little surprise to people. I saw him once this past season and he was a man amongst boys. As an early enrollee, he might just surprise some of the current roster.
Anyone heard anything about Smitty’s opinion of him?
I watched this video: http://stormininnorman.com/2014/06/08/four-star-running-back-rodney-anderson-commits-oklahoma/
Looks great! Determined runner, nice speed, breaks arm tackles, catches out of the backfield. What’s not to like?
What I did notice was his high school team seemed to have better running plays than OU under JH. IMHO
Let’s change things up a bit. Who are the Oklahoma kids in the 2016 class that might be worth recruiting? I just skimmed a list online, and it appears to be a weaker class than a lot of years? Maybe? I know we have the verbal from the WR. Anybody else have an offer already?
I think OKpreps takes a hit in 2016. OU has already offered Calvin Bundage. Other potential offers may be: Hogan (RB – Norman North) and Noah Jones (DE – Southmoore).
We’ve offered WR Lookout and Safety Bundage. Other guys that on the board that we might look at offering are: RB Q Hogan, Safety Austin Quillen. Looks like a ton of TX, LA, and AR talent we need to go after.
I didn’t know we offered Lookout.
Edit: I think he was offered a baseball scholarship.
Well, let me say this, I saw on a site that we had but that doesn’t necessarily mean their data is accurate 🙂
You are correct. He is not a football offer.
We need to keep going after Cali & FL talent, the best talent in the entire country. These are the top 2 states for producing NFL talent, with Cali leading the rest, by far.
We have a verbal from a Baseball player from Westmoore, Desean Lookout, who wants to tryout for football as well. He is not a football offer or commit, at least at this time.
I don’t know if some of the people posting are not ou/big12 fans or what. But imho some of the negative post are counter productive. So the sec had a good football team. But the league is being built by comments like that. Granted mostly by ESPN. But here (again imho) we are in the business of building up our own brand strength and still believe that ou and our league is as good as any, and that it will show on the field.
Hey I admit I’m not a fan of the re-imagined big12. Guilty as charged…We missed the boat my friend….
Sorry, friend. I cannot pump sunshine any longer. We as a program (as well as this conference) are underperforming badly. The status quo is unacceptable. Change only comes when fans complain en masse. If they don’t make their opinions known, then the powers that be will assume that everything is fine and no changes need to be made. So, until the necessary changes are made (most specifically the entire defensive staff minus Montgomery is replaced), I can’t be cavalier about OU or the Big 12 and their poor showings.
Also, with historically dud programs that lack a great following like oSu, Baylor, Texas Tech, Kansas State, Iowa State, and Kansas, no one will ever take this conference seriously. KSU has built up some loyal fan support under Snyder but they’ve won exactly 2 conference championsips, lost a bunch of bowl games, and no national championships. Baylor & oSu have gotten better lately but they also have no history or tradition to speak of. Even with recent success, oSu STILL can’t sell out their stadium. I don’t think TTU has ever won a big 12 championship, let alone anything else of great importance. Iowa State and Kansas are basketball schools but a lost cause when it comes to football. There are 12 national championships in this conference, all belonging to OU, ut and TCU.
All the pumping up of the Big 12 isn’t going to fix that, and certainly won’t convince anyone.
Like Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Indiana, Minn, Iowa, Purdue etc…? Every league has lower level teams.
Dude, we came within an eyelash of having 2 of the 4 teams in the playoffs be from he Big XII. Why is everything so dramatic and doom and gloom.
Actually I really began to feel differently about our football program starting in 2007. I tried to block out what I saw in 2003 and 2004 just did not want to think hard on it but when I did I started to really see the problems…
Recruiting finishing up like the season. And as usual, we ignored most of our in-state talent like McKinley Whitfield, Dahu Green, Darryel Patterson, etc. No QBs, 1 LB…Brilliant!
Enough with the Whitfield talk. Every major school that has seen him up close at their camps have passed.. He is a talent only in the eyes of the TFB.
In the seconday were not getting the guys like Darnell Bing, Cravens, etc. They don’t have pete down there anymore and they were on probation..But we had our head in the sand when we could have really hired some great recruiters to really get a foot in the Southern Cali area…Going to be tough going but U got to win battles with these names schools if U wanna to be a champion….
I’m assuming that means they’ve offered Carlos Strickland?
You’d have to think it’s coming (assuming it hasn’t already)
Kish, called and left a message that they will keep in touch.
To be fair, we do have a little over a week left. No reason to be rushed.
When you offer a kid with just a little over a week left, you have every reason to be rushed. You’re already behind the 8-ball when it comes to other programs.
You must be new here. Sarcasm is prevalent in the open post comment section
Nope. Was here when the site first started. Stopped reading comments when it got over flooded with negativity and bickering. Just started reading comments again recently and it has become hard to tell when one is joking or being completely serious. I’ve seen some pretty ridiculous comments where I think they’re joking but were being completely serious.
I was joking. Sorry.
My bad. Always hard to tell when reading plain text.
Less. Dead period begins Feb 2, likely Sunday midnight through NSD. 6 days.
WTF? Why is a receiver a top priority? Why not Linebacker???
Offensive coaches need something to do too…
5-0-6 bruh that’s why
It’s a mystery to us all.
What LB do you think we should go after that we are not already on? Just any ole LB will do? Just give me some more LB’s? I hear Gotebo has a guy!! We were only looking to take 2, perhaps 3 this year anyway. We have one. Perhaps McGinnis gives us our allotment, you guys act like we were gonna sign every LB we offered.
Are you suggesting taking 1 this class is sufficient? 😉
No, but one is not far from two. I don’t want to just take a “body” to say we signed a LB. I would save it for an early enrollee next year when our need is greater.
I guess I disagree with your belief as to our current need, especially since we haven’t heard much regarding the development of our underclassman, i.e. Bolton. I would like us to at least go out and try to get a JUCO guy this year.
Juco LB is no good cause they would be done after two years.
Yeah, I know what a JUCO player means. My point is that we have a current need at the position. We are an injury away from being relatively desperate this coming year.
Here are the names I would go after that haven’t declared a school yet: Houston, McGinnis, Peat, J McMillon, J Ferguson (TBF mentioned him a week or so ago).
boulware………there was rumor for a time that he might be game for ut ………nothing has happened yet……..is he assumed to be retained at this point and fits in with the new oc plans….
yes
Good.
Is OU still recruiting DeMarkus Lodge?
There is still a small piece of my heart that wants to believe all the excitement from the coaches in recent days, and all that jazz, the wait, we’re not done yet, patience, comments, is a preview of Murray/Lodge ending up at OU.
That said, I can’t really see OU going as hard after Jefferson and now Strickland as they are, if that were the case. 🙁
Man does Carlos Strickland look fast!
Will be hard with no WR coach
I think we are in good shape as far as recruiting is concerned. ..we have a ton of depth..except at linebacker…but we have a year to iron that out.. as far as the wide receiver position is concerned. ..we have some depth there as well….so missing a receiver that hasn’t Played a down..is not that big of deal…now that Overton thing…..a different story entirely.
Not to be argumentative…but do we have a lot of depth? I’m NOT sure we have depth at any position with multiple quality players where there’s very little drop off in talent level…except for RB.
I think you can argue it either way. Perhaps the most accurate way to describe things is that we have depth at some positions considering the schollie limits. I, too, remember the way things used to be, in the ’80’s, 70’s or earlier and we simply aren’t going to see that sort of depth again.
QB: if TK and CT are the best we have to offer, then we are in trouble there. I do think Mayfield will work out in our offense though. Maybe Hansen will be good too. Not getting a quality QB in this class is a mistake.
RB: Loaded.
WR: Sterling Shepard, and maybe Miciah Quick. No others are difference makers. No depth.
OL: Good depth here.
TE: Hard to say if we have depth here or not, since they hardly ever have balls thrown their way.
DE: Good depth.
DL: Decent depth, but losing Jordan Phillips hurts.
LB: No depth. We are hurting.
DB: We have numbers, but last year proved we don’t have quality. I’d say we’re hurting here in spite of the numbers.
This is a good breakdown. My only amendments/comments would be:
1. Oline depth – we don’t have a solid 2 deep at every position. We will need to hit on guys that have never played before to have a 2 deep at Tackle and Guard. I do think Oline recruiting the last 2 years has been solid…so hopefully this will work itself out.
2. WR – we don’t have enough guys to go 5 wide IMO. Westbrook must be a player.
3. No TE depth – we just don’t have anyone good enough to play. I’m hoping the move of Mark Andrews gives us a weapon at Flex TE.
4. NT – Not a lot here. Romar (undersized, but serviceable), then someone else who hasn’t played a lot of the position. I guess Wade?
5. DB – spot on. We have bodies, but no players.
I tend to agree with you. Not upset at all about missing out on Jefferson or Neal, they were last ditch effort at gaining depth in the two positions we already have depth in. Would still like Jefferson’s dad to be our WR coach though…
Also, I have faith in Baker Mayfield being able to step in right away. So really, for me, the only sad part has been how LB recruiting was handled.
It’s funny how people react to the decision’s made by high school seniors and the number of “stars” they have after their name. Sports in general and college football in particular, are littered with five star busts for any number of reasons, but also with three star successes. By definition, if Rivals says there are 100 “Five Star” football players (which is a subjective analysis) that means there are more schools playing D-1 football than there are five star talents. The stars mean little once they step on the field. They have to compete. And, like him or not, Coach Stoops has built a reputation as knowing and developing talent, and his record reflects that. I, for one, trust him and his staff much more than any poster here, most of whom have never evaluated a player, much less coach at the highest levels.
I wonder what Analyst think of Mike Stoops as a secondary coach nowadays??
I think many of us our already selling this class short. Ya OU recruiting has taken some hits the past few days but we still have a very talented class coming in. LB recruiting is the only gripe people have a legit reason to complain. Comment on whatever you want and the sky is falling etc but please don’t forget that we have some guys coming in that look like the real deal. This class may end small but on paper this looks like one of the more talented classes we’ve had in a while.
How hard is it for OU to pick up a few 3* lb’s last minute? You would think it would only take a few phone calls. If we can’t get the guys we want then why not go for the guys that want us? The odds say one out of three of them will be a solid player.
You would think we could take a linebacker committed to schools like Purdue and Maryland but then again we can’t steal one from vandebilt or tcu.
I have nothing more to say…..
What would he play? We don’t need him at safety, and I don’t think trying to convert another safety into an undersized LB is the answer for 3-4 defense…
Year three he would be a nice ILB if he really committed to the strength program
In that scenario, he’s not worth the scholarship. I would try to get him on campus as a preferred walk-on.
He is very thin right now….definately looks more like a basketball player than a football player. I was thinking of the same as you until I have seen him in person. He will need to mass up, just to play safety at the next level.
195 is a small safety? that weight was last year and I’m sure he’s over 200 by now.
With what everybody is saying about moving Stricker back to OLB the nickel Back spot that he played last year would be open for competition. Looks like a guy that is athletic enough and physical enough to play the position. And if he grows like JD suggests below they could slid him inside. I am not sure if he is worth it either though, nobody is after this kid but he looks real athletic and like a playmaker on film. One of those classic tweeners could make you look really smart or have you scratching your head!
What do we have to do (or who do we have to pay) to get some HS linebackers to play linebacker and some HS safeties to play safety?!?!
I’m very much against trying to convert safeties into LBs, especially when running a 3-4.
I know he gets a LOT of love around here, but nobody has offered this kid. What is his best offer, Tulsa? Memphis? Minnesota?
If OU is missing on him, so are a lot of other schools. If he were Big 12 worthy, he’d likely have offers from KU and/or ISU. But even they haven’t offered.
The deck is stacked against a small town kid. The deck is stacked even more against a small town kid from Oklahoma. It’s stacked even more when he’s from Oklahoma and his two in-state schools didn’t offer. The fact that Kansas State or Iowa State or anyone else didn’t offer doesn’t mean they don’t necessarily think he’s good. Often coaches will hesitate on a small town kid because they assume the in-state schools would take him. As one friend who coaches D1 ball told me, “the recruiting game is a copy cat game”. Minnesota sees something in McKinley and they’ve been recruiting him hard for a while now. They chose not to be deterred and if he ends up there, I personally believe it will pay off.
Thank you. Some don’t understand. For example, how many trainers are in Spiro, OK. Most if not all top kids have trainers/handlers who make sure they have the skill set early. Also, he’s had no type of organized sports growing up. Not to mention no competition to sharpen iron. No other athlete/s to push him at an early age.
Next, what type of facilities does he have at his disposal. All of these hurdles add up. He’s raw which doesn’t mean he’s not good. Some kids get to college as a finished product. McKinley hasn’t even scratched the surface. If he went to OU with all of that competition, trust me, that small town tuffness would flow out of him.
I am a fan of his and I will watch his career, I just wish OU would give him a shot.
I understand all of that, and don’t necessarily disagree, but a) there are plenty of small town kids that DO get found, and b) this kid’s name has been out there for awhile now, in part to this website. And the kid has been to a few camps, so he’s had exposure. I truly think the coaches that have seen him just don’t think he fits at the major D1 level, at the position he’d likely have to play. If he ends up at TU, I certainly hope I and most everybody else are wrong, and he turns into a stud.
https://twitter.com/Jordan_Esco/status/559806041504772096
Now I know why we aren’t landing these guys. That’s not very creative and doesn’t really look all that good, if that’s really from OU.
That isn’t from OU
Oh good 🙂
Where’s it from then? The @OUGridiron is an official OU branded account…
We I clicked it went to Jared Hall Young on twitter
Yeah, he tweeted it, but that doesn’t mean the product itself didn’t come from OU.
Oh it def looks like it is OU original work but it looks like it was photographed off of some material by the guy named that tweeted it..I was talking about OU tweeting that out not actually making it in the first place
Who is making these things then? The one Stephens tweeted about feevaisland looked pretty legit.
I wouldn’t be surprised if someone at OU is making them. They have all the trademarks and everything. I hope it’s not true though, this one is god awful.
I’m not sure. There are a lot of people who make edits, they range from pretty good to not so great. This one is just really cheesey and uses a picture from La.Tech which isn’t too impressive. Also, good point on the trademarks. I’m not sure why they would use official trademarks to represent the program. I can understand Nike though.
I was talking about the tweet
Shouldn’t the only OU LB recruiting media be a picture of Boz in a fur coat surrounded by Tri Delts? #Bringthewood
wrong wood 😉 😉
I like Lincoln Riley until he gives me a reason not to but I’m hoping that while out on the recruiting trail, Cale made sure he knows “this is OU, not ECU” and we go after and get the big dawg, not the scrubs. I see that we’ve offered a 2016 RB that’s currently committed to ECU. He better be a stud!!!
He isn’t committed anywhere. He has offers from Michigan St and Notre Dame to name a few so I think he is perfectly fine to offer.
I hate it when sites post bad information.
I agree.
https://twitter.com/BruceFeldmanCFB/status/559806852041420800
He was already on staff at Bama.. He wasn’t going anywhere..
At least they’re open about their willingness to break the rules. What will it take other than Saban to retire to knock them off the No 1 recruiting spot?
No kidding.. They brought him in as an “defensive intern” last spring while he was still under NCAA investigation..
Can we finally get a “BOOM” update?
So… Someone needs to go “recruit” Jefferson’s Mom. Git er done Monty.
Also, I understand that Vanderbilt is a really good engineering school, and Nashville is a happening town, but OU has a pretty solid connection to the oil and gas world. Engineering at OU will get you a job in that field without a doubt. He should talk to Sam Grant.
Smith was the one with the academic questions…we’ll see where he ends up to see it that truly was the reason
What are the chances that current players (non Safeties) move to OLB like DJ Ward ?
The first reasonable suggestion regarding moving a player to backer (I’m not a fan of moving safeties to create undersized LBs). I think the hang up with Ward is lateral quickness and his overall stiffness from playing with a hand in the dirt his whole career.
Exactly. You can’t spin a guy up from DE to OLB unless they can play in space. Guys like Obo and Grissom can somewhat. DJ Ward, not so much.
Understood.. Maybe with a year to learn him and incoming guys like Mann and Campbell can be those OLB that we all are hoping for.
I think Mann and Campbell will be DEs in the 3-4. I would expect those guys to put on weight and set the edge on the 30 front.
I think DeBerry is more the prototypical OLB in a 3-4. I would expect DeBerry to play at 250lbs or so…rush the passer with the ability to back into coverage when necessary (hopefully not often).
I agree with you about Mann and Campbell. But I think we may be going back to a 4 man front.
I will say I wonder how well Mann could play in short zone coverage…he tweeted at someone that he is down to 238 because of basketball season
That’s too light if we stay in a 3 man front. A DE needs to be closer to 300, not 200, to play DE in 30 front.
I can see that.. I just like the thought of 6’6 and 6’4, 250-275lbs on the outside better.. lol
DeBerry will occupy Grissom’s old position and be a gamer.
Preferrably not the one of the bench…
Seems to me he started all of last year until his injury.
His playing time dipped quite a bit even before the injury about the time that Bond started to emerge.
Agreed. The only time I’d move an oversized safety to LB is as a WLB in a 4-3, sort of like Terrell Farley at NU in ’94-’95. But you need bigger LBs to stop the run in a 3-4.
We’re just paying them like we used to. Consider the athletes before the Big Red debacle and since. Stoops just doesn’t want the scrutiny that comes with OU envy. Dont get me wrong, all big time schools do it, its just you can tell that Bob seems to find it distasteful, and wont give in. Im content in knowing that we will never be top 5 without the horses but we will compete. Boomer Sooner!!
Not saying that he’ll ever be more than a ST player, but OU has a walk-on from Norman High named Cade Parker that was RS last year that played DE/OLB and set the sack record at NHS.
He was absolutely killing all the best OL in the state last year. He’ll be a ST stud and a fan favorite. Mark it down.
he’s listed at 6’1 231 and that was last year as a frosh. Hope he steps up the game and is a surprise player for us outside of ST.
Actually sounds ILB-ish to me from his size.
Is this sarcasm?
I would like nothing more, but he’s more in the mold of Rashod Favors. Kind of a tweener. DE skill set with LB size.
I would Favors could play. I like his size.
If he’s a gamer, they seemed to find a place to play.
Is there any chance with Strickland? Did we just start recruiting this dude?
Apparently he’s supposed to commit somewhere tomorrow so if he puts that decision off and visits this weekend, then I would think our chances go up but currently i would say less than 10%
#deano
Thanks Zack. I am not going to put my hopes up, but he is a Dallas kid, if that means anything… I would love to get true elite talent at WR.. if anything, to push the other WRs. If he can start from day 1, power to him
Tomorrow? Guess we can hope he’ll put off the decision and visit. Too late to the fight, again. Would love to see OU get to the point where there is none of this last minute panic offer stuff and have kids waiting to see if the numbers will work so they can get a ‘committable’ offer.
That’s a good question. I’ve checked 3 different sites. 2 said we haven’t offered him nor does he have any interested in OU. The other site shows that we’ve offered him. I’d assume that we’ve offered him at this point since we’re all over him but I don’t know when the offer was made. I know he was committed to Tech for a long time then decommitted late in the Fall. Doesn’t appear that we were really recruiting him much.
Gonna have zero expectations on him and then hope we can flip him, Hughes or Miller on NSD
Update added, another 2016 offer going out
Go all in on what they can with Strickland, Allen, McGinnis, Daniels, Wariboko and work on Miller and possibly Hughes. Montgomery may work his magic with Lampkins, but we’ll see. I’d sell out on those other prospects.
Dang these 16 offer updates!! I wanna see a BOOM!!
#justwaitforit
#stillwaitingonit
#whatarewewaitingfor
#stillwaitingonsmokepatterson
A blast from the past.
#2016
hilarious!
18 days until Opening Day @ L. Dale Mitchell vs. Notre Dame!
All I have to add really is that these WR and DB (and possibly LB) coaching hires had better be well worth waiting until after NSD to make public/announce- We seem to be swinging and missing more often here lately. Gotta think that if we had those position coaches on staff, things would be different.
Super K already hinted that the new DB coach will be from the college ranks and they usually wait till after signing day to announce these things as a courtesy to there previous programs. I am hoping that is also the case with the WR coach as well!
Yeah, just saying that it had better be worth it.
It has been said and needs to be said again over and over and over again. Kish’s inability to recruit more than 1 LB for this class has to be a terminal offense. At this point the position should be able to sell itself. How could recruits not see our team and see immediate playing time? Our LB’s are the weak point of our class and it could be argued our defense. Keeping Kish around has destroyed our ability to address this critical need.
Ditto, Bear
What quarterback would you think OU will get for 2016? All hope has gone out the window for Murray for ’15 in my opinion.
Shane Buechele
I don’t understand why the position coaches have not been hired, it has to an effect on recruiting….
I don’t either but BS has his reasons and he doesn’t care what we think he should do. Right now as I look at it is 2015 is pretty much out the window and with all these 2016 offers going out, it looks like they are moving on and getting a jump start for next year. I think we have a very good class with who we have and potentially get to see some of these young men play early this year.
Lol Soso Jamabo (once an OU target) gave an interview today & said his top two schools were “University of Phoenix and ITT Tech”
https://vine.co/v/OTiZXP3FzQF
This is awesome. Gotta have a little fun with it. That’s top bantz Soso.
Total meltdown on the DeVry message boards right now.
GENIUS.
Comment of the month
I’m starting to think Strickland may be a better fit than Jefferson would have been. I don’t know if there’s a chance there but I’d be pretty happy if they pull it off.
Well obviously when a guy commits to us, he’s all-world, but if he commits elsewhere, he wasn’t good anyway. /sarcasm
Not saying Jefferson won’t be good at Ole Miss but we kind of have guys already like him (play style wise) playing. We don’t have a big physical WR on the field right now, you know what I’m saying? I do get your point, some fans do trash a players ability because he doesn’t commit to their school which is ridiculous.
Yeah. It’s just such a crap shoot to project. I think Jefferson will be really good. Strickland looks raw to me. But nothing surprises me in recruiting/development anymore.
Even if he was a bit more polished, I bet he would be redshirted anyways.I’m probably biased because I’ve always wanted a bigger more physical WR on the outside that can bail a QB out but like you said it really is a crapshoot.
I will have to watch Strickland when I’m not at work. Something tells me Ive seen his film before and the fact that I don’t remember it isn’t a good thing. I know I’ve seen Hughes and miller and I would want both of them here asap
He’s a little similar to Dallis Todd in that he’s not blazing fast but can out stride the DB’s. Uses his size as an advantage and actually has some open field moves that you might not expect a big guy to make. He does look a little stiff, though and definitely a project.
He looks faster than Jefferson to me, but they’re not really the same type of WR. Strickland has more speed, good hands, but a taller, tougher kid. He makes some great catches.
Jefferson is more polished, IMO. But I’m not sure if he’d be an upgrade over Strickland.
Jefferson is by far more polished and would make an immediate impact but I’m more impressed with combination of how physical he is in some of the red zone and his speed between the 20’s. I think that combination would fit (keyword) OU better. I’m not saying I wouldn’t want Jefferson or I think Jefferson isn’t good, I do. I just like the potential of Strickland in a Riley offense more.
Jefferson was better, otherwise we’d have been after Strickland before. We lost out on a big time player.
I’m talking about fit, not talent if that’s what you’re referring to.
Chances that they would move players from other positions to play LB maybe? Ahmad Thomas is already close to 220. Sunderland is almost identical to Thomas in my opinion. And what about a DE switching like Grissom did this year?
Unnecessary IMO. Not worth forcing someone to play in a spot they aren’t natural at just to have numbers. We can go JUCO next season if need be. Despite the constant whiffs on LB’s this cycle, it’s not really a position of need.
Two RBs in this class? ? Is that a need ?
Am I reading something into that?
That RB is for next year. A ’16 kid.
I would like everyones concerns for 2015 (including The Football Brainiacs). I think there are some major ones that OU might not be able to over come
brutal posters and i don’t mean that go on the wall
You must be one of the morons that think 8-5 is a good year
Jeff, you’re on a highway. A highway, to the Danger Zone.
No no no. There’s two O’s in Goose boys
if you say it, it must be so. one thing you’ll learn in this life, hopefully, is that the more you bitch, the more you moan, the more you cry, the more you complain….it never fixes anything. it just shows your true colors, which is what you just did
Yeah that 8-5 sucks and is not good enough. I guess you are okay with being average at best because most OU fans are not
is your record stuck? or do you always talk in circles? another thing to learn in this life. repeating yourself is often unnecessary
I have to respectfully disagree. If dedicated fans don’t complain and don’t stop buying tickets, administration gets the idea that the status quo is acceptable. All my sunshine pumping prior to this season didn’t fix or improve anything. The cancellation of my season tickets after 24 years along with a letter to Joe C, combined with similar action by other OU fans and money donations from big boosters drying up, sends a very potent message and forces change. So, I’d have to argue that complaining will have the effect of causing the administration to take corrective action. Saying everything is fine when it clearly is not, I just don’t see that helping in any way.
I understand complaining about a bad season and definitely wanting change which I am all for but, the cancelling of season tickets and not donating actually to me shows that those people shouldn’t have season tickets or donate elsewhere because they are obviously not willing to stand by the team through a bad patch. Yes, things need to change and they are underway but all schools go through rough stretches but no need to act like the sky is falling at OU.
Completely and vehemently disagree. I cancelled mine two years ago, and I still go to the games – and I pay 40 percent of face or less to go, without donating and enabling the current situation. To intimate that season tickets are a prerequisite to fandom is absurd.
I never said having season tickets is a prerequisite to fandom. I know plenty of fans that don’t have season tickets because they are on the waiting list or can’t afford them but, no one I know would cancel their season tickets to try and prove a point just because there have been some bad seasons and that’s good you are still going. So did you cancel your season tickets to prove a point then? To me it and of course it is an opinion I would never quit donating or get rid of my tickets just because of a few bad seasons. Bob knows things have to change without the program losing out on extra dollars for the projects trying to be done to help bring in recruits. IF you disagree then that is fine everyone is entitled to their opinion.
I am not at all interested in my money enabling the neglect that this program has suffered over the past five years under Bob, nor do I appreciate the “how fortunate you are for us to take your money” attitude of the OUAD. I’ll get season tickets again, but not until the leadership changes – at the university and of this program.
Other than losing some football games, exactly what is wrong with the leadership at OU in your opinion?
Sorry Jonesy but I disagree…The Keystone cop offense is nothing more than likely will be a refurbished Josh Heupel retread…It not yet shown but I saw enough on youtube to have me concerned…Everyone in the big 12 runs spread principles. They see it, practice against it on a daily basis. Who is going to be caught by surprise by this offense? Anyone on the schedule? Name em’?
I never said anyone would be and I think changes need to be made on the defense too. As much as I have respect for Heupel he had to go because whenever he took over the QBs quit progressing like they should. The problem was always play calls in key situations that could be better and having more then one receiver. I think that’s why the change on offense was needed. I just don’t think not donating and selling season tickets is the wrong way to get the change needed but, again that is just my opinion.
Was it a stern letter?
JB you have my support anytime Brother. We Sooners all of us want the same things…Some are just not willing to critically look at every aspect and are not willing to go above & beyond to everything necessary to attain those goals….
I would say that would be the exact reason boren called bob in. Funding for the stadium sounds sparse. Everything is getting put on the shoulders of the stadium (bad record, bad home record, etc). I think after this yr people are speaking with their wallets and wanting change. Change is happening. Thank you for the respectful reply and a solid back and forth. My thing is showing your hind parts on an internet chat room ain’t gonna change much unless its a bunch of folk telling each other they ain’t buying season tickets no more. I’ve never ever said everything’s fine. 8-5 is proof of that. He’s made changes and now has made more. To sit and complain about everything still(bob’s still here, what if Riley stinks, kish smells like a turd covered with burnt hair etc) before changes have had a chance to take shape or before this class even gets signed up or the other changes are made is silly. Bob doesn’t care what castorboytroy has to say. Bobs life is not on anybody’s timeline but God’s, bobs and borens when he sticks his nose in there…oh and his family’s
So Jeff, did calling Boomer a moron change the 8-5 season to a 12-0, get a Big 12 Championship, and National Championship?
Very sneaky move. Now we can mark all of the non-believers….
Injuries and would like to see kids step up and play better in the DBs. I was hoping Phillips would stick around one more year, but I think we will be very good there anyway.
OPEC keeping oil prices low, it’s killing my 401k.
It’s not actually OPEC, it’s Saudi Arabia who is going against OPEC.
True, I shoulda said Saudi instead of OPEC.
Grown men that live and die by college football
The thing I will be concerned about more than anything is whether mike can figure out the defense. I think the offense will surprise people. If the defense doesn’t improve even slightly then it could be a disappointing season. Even as bad as the defense was this year, we were a couple field goal blunders in one game, a complete choke on offense vs tcu, and a horrible re-punt away from 11-1 and playing a different bowl team that maybe didn’t have as much to prove. I know “coulda woulda shoulda” but we know basically 3 plays defined the season
That is my greatest concern, the defense. I’d go a step farther by saying that if the D doesn’t improve, it WILL be a disappointing season.
I think this is what a lot of the doomsayers don’t seem to realize. Last year our passing offense was bad, the secondary was bad and despite all of that, we were 8 points away from being 11-1. We have replaced the two position coaches responsible for the passing offense, we are replacing at least one of the coaches responsible for the secondary, given the last set of hires and the one we have seen so far this time I think we might be able to make up that eight points. I doubt we will place for a NC next year but I think we will be better. I still question whether Mike is the right guy to lead the defense, but I think we can do better than we did last year.
I think we have enough talent at QB and WR that, with better coaching, we can have a functional passing game. Combine that with a stout running game and we should be good on that side. Perhaps with a good DB coach Mike can focus on game plan and we can have some success on defense. If that happens we could be pretty good.
As of right now, I’d like a nice gryo from the Greek House. But that isn’t happening anytime soon.
Because you don’t live in Norman? Cause they came back and re-opened it. That whole, Greece going bankrupt thing.
QB is the only concern I’m worried about…
Think Baker Mayfield. The real concern will be the WRs. They need to step up.
That Lincoln Riley’s offense is a terrible fit with our defensive problems, leading to quick three and outs, higher defensive time on the field and a bunch of big score losses. A bunch of them.
Win some lose some….i think out of this class only 6 have some impact NEXT YEAR. Westbrook, johnson,Danley, Deberry, Haughton , and Seibert. With saying that, i really like Oline, Dline, and Db recruits for future of this program. I think we got 4 future starters on the Oline down the road. Might be a couple of years but i see 2 year starters. Dline same thing. After saying that, it does concern me we are going after WRs late in the game. Do the coaches believe Todd, Mead, or smallwood cant make an impact? Then with LB recruiting, do the coaches think they got two good players in the future with Bolton Evans? We never hear how they are doing. All you hear is that they working hard. Quite Frankly, i dont know what their plan is…..it could be worse. Like john blake as coach or howard drunk ass .
The problem for Bob is that he needs players to have immediate impact. Bob won’t survive a 4-5 loss season.
Besides Oline, we have a lot of players coming back. So i dont see 4-5 losses but that’s my opinion.
You should look at our schedule next year. At Baylor, at KSU, at OSU, at Tennessee, and we’ll have a full strength TCU at home. That’s 4-5 possible losses right there. Can’t take home games for granted anymore.
Well KSU and Tennessee have to replace it’s QB. That’s a big deal.
We don’t have a QB at all. That’s just as big of a deal.
I kinda think Mayfield is a decent QB with division I experience
Alot of people placing all their hope in a guy that got benched at T-Tech and went for 12TDs and 9INTs in his 7 starts.
Thought he got hurt, not benched.
He did get hurt and never regained his starting spot. That’s being benched. All of his production came against Stephen F Austin, Texas State, SMU, Kansas, and Kansas St. Against any other decent team, he was a Trevor Knight clone.
Well that’s better than what KSU and Tennessee can say right now.
I think Bob is on the hot seat, and he is not in the best of mood’s. Bob said he is going to change the culture, that meant change everything. Bob has been humiliated, embarrassed, 11:00 o’clock games (6) I believe correct me if I’m wrong, and now getting kished a term on his shift. I think there are going to be some mean kid’s come this fall. Your playing for a man that is definitely on a mission. 2015 won’t be nice. Any time Bob is ranked low, they come with heat and bring the wood. Look at his history if you want a look at the future.
Like a multi-millionaire told me once that he stayed broke in his mind. Well, Bob needs to stay the underdog in his mind. Seems to work every time.
Offer me, Bob. According to my wife, I’m a 5-star (out of 10). I’m a solid 200+ pounds (at 5’8). And I’m the fastest man in the world when in danger. You won’t regret it. Great team player, I am. I’m also great PR for the 30-40 age demographic.
You definitely have the spirit for a championship run.
Can’t coach that.
Balding?
Only on the dome. Easier to slip on a helmet.
Haha….nice 😉
Pretty sure OU is looking for solid intangibles, such as acid reflux
Doc says my cholesterol is looking better. Must be a sign.
is this you?… 🙂
LOL! That got me good. Pretty close, yeah. Just a little softer around the edges.
….ole miss gets creative in recruiting…….
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/recruitingreport/2015/01/24/ole-miss-makes-jersey-cakes-for-visiting-recruits/22270395/
…….
saban hire………..
…….http://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/alabama-football/mel-tucker-alabama-hired/
Wish Bobby moved this quick. NFL pedigree…like Bama doesn’t get enough recruits as it is…
…bu hired and nfl guy also for dbs
https://twitter.com/admiller_9/status/559874917844660224
Here we go lets get him on campus
I like it
Robertson, Easton,BoomerSooner, Tulsa, Zach, Dustin, I’m sure you guys are all decent dudes, But you all just have a very different opinion on where this OU program is at these days. Yes life will go on and most of U will just go out to dinner and enjoy life after OU is beat by 40. That is how U all handle disappointment I guess….Me I’m sure I will eat something but every bite will not be savored, my smiles will be forced, my conversations short! I’m sorry alot of U have gotten used to OU playing poorly, getting their manhood challenged on that football field….Some of us take this to heart & most of U don’t….
Hey man I love the Sooners but life is too short to go around mad because OU got beat or any team you root for getting beat. That’s just my way of doing things and I’m not saying my way is right but it’s right for me.
yep. we’re just not the fans you are apparently. guess i’ve got to work on my douchebaggedness and then i’ll be up to your standards
Ironic…you’re the guy that scolds everyone about civility on this board.
i think you got the wrong guy there 45 minute argument maker
There’s nothjng wrong with a spirited debate/ back and forth. My arguments are well-grounded. I also believe that’s the point of this board. Sorry you disagree…but I’m pretty sure you don’t need to scold everyone over and over. You’re turning into the thing you keep complaining about
……..congrats, you noticed……
know it alls, and pessimistic know it alls to boot, like yourself and your friends castor, stephen dale, rphokc and several others are what are bad for this board because you think you’re better than everybody else. if that turns this place into a sunshine pumping head in the sand place then so be it. what doesn’t need to happen are for you sycophantic nellies to come here with your rants and raves about everything little thing and harp on it and harp on it. it is tiring. and i’ll say it again. there are a gazillion other negative OU sites. a lot of us don’t wanna sift thru this trash. leave and go find others like yourself. but if you keep on thinking you’re God’s gift to the sport there johnny madden, this place ain’t for you or your friends. discourse, yes. wanting to overtake a conversation about bama vs OU and the like for hours on end, no good
Dude, you’re doing the exact same thing you bitch about on here daily…hourly. You rant and scold in REALLY long posts all day. Haha so ironic…
My posts are well-reasoned and factual. I’m sorry you can’t see that, but based on your rants I’m not surprised.
I’m going to keep posting. I won’t respond to any of your posts…do me the favor and don’t respond to mine. You won’t add anything to my discussion points anyway.
agreed. one last thing tho. how’s pat summerall?
The jokes though, he has the good ones.
haha. i know i rub some people the wrong way. i don’t really care. they don’t belong here anyway. when you can get on zack’s nerves, you’re accomplishing something
Roger that, roger that.
I thought we were done…guess not. Why don’t you focus on bringing something of value to the discussion and stop your bitching. Your mission to civalize is off topic and tired. Join the football discussion…and stop scolding
what do you bring besides a tired attitude and someone who thinks he knows it all. you freaking argue with everyone under the sun. like i said if you can annoy zack you’re doing some serious trolling. unless you’re bosworth or madden or some such, your opinion is just another in a long line on here. but for some reason you sit and argue for 45 minutes with several people trying to prove yours is right and everyone else’s is wrong. you are a tired act. go ahead and get the last word like every other of you pessimistic pieces of garbage. this will be my last words to another useless poster on here. good riddance
The guy begging people to be civil is calling me a piece of garbage, and then ranting about me “getting the last word” (which is what you’re doing).
I think I get it now. Youre not very smart and hypocritical…that’s fine. You’re obviously not looking to talk football, you’re looking for high fives and hugs….that’s fine.
You’re moronic scolding and ranting will be ignored by me. “Good riddance” haha
Once you learn to separate fan hood from real life, and realize what OU does on the field won’t effect your day-to-day life, I think you’ll enjoy college football a lot more.
I know none of this was directed at me…but I have to say this.
I took OU’s season VERY hard. I stopped watching any sort of sports channel during the week and just checked in on the games every once in a while. I was very depressed. I couldn’t even force myself to check in on TFB. I took it hard…
With that said, that’s the way “I” handled it. That doesn’t mean that I’m more of a fan than the ones who still read and commented on this site, or more of a fan than the ones who went about their day like it was any other day. To think that way is completely ridiculous. The way I choose, or you choose to handle your disappointment does not reflect, in ANY WAY, on the fandom of others. I think it is completely absurd for you to suggest otherwise.
No offense…I think the reasons folks like myself started to voice our opinions loudly was we feel so disconnected to this program. I have to get my info from my Alum buddy. Bob does not care how we feel at all so I guess some will stop supporting the program, some will not give any more money, and then there some who will vent on forums because they feel that is the only way to be heard…
I get it. I just think that people take your message the wrong way when you try to convince them that you care more than they do.
What exactly does bob owe the fans besides running a clean program and winning as many games as he can? If not sharing info or not appeasing the masses, helps his team win games in his mind then so be it.
You have no affiliation to OU or it’s football program. That’s the feeling of disconnection. No one at OU owes you anything.
“Look at me, I’m the biggest fan here”
BloodRed (aka CastorBoyTroy), we’re all very impressed with your dedication as a fan. We all bow down to your fandom. Can we have our own opinions now?
You sound like a fucking idiot. – Everyone
You don’t look nor sound like a “Maverick” to me…….You sound like a lowdown burned out Bubba that is satisfied & looking for a place to hide….
“lowdown burned out Bubba” ??
Can anyone translate this for me? I don’t speak trailer trash.
But U are trash my Maverick….
this is the last piece to the puzzle that this clown is castorboytroy. he called everybody bubba. not that anyone ever doubted. so we will all bid adieu and smell ya later
No translation necessary, this turd has been banned once by another name.. When he first appeared with a nonsensical comment I looked at his disqus profile(which he has now made private) and he is a follower of hateful ideology and is an extreme racist.
Why people take his low hanging fruit as bait and respond to him never ceases to baffle me.
Lol, Trolls be trollin. I fall for it occasionally. Must be offseason.
The next thing he does after calling you ‘bubba’ is to challenge you to meet him face to face, but you have to drive to Houston.
After that he posts Obama videos.
If I met him in person, I’d be able to smile and dismiss him for the nutjob he is; but something about him getting equal screen share as everyone else really bugs me.
This is why I can only take message boards for a few weeks at a time, then I need a year long break. They attract idiots like bugs to a giant neon light.
I hear ya’.
I’ve probably got a few years on you and have developed some strong filters. Posters like BloodyRag/Jeff/Stephen Dale and a few others I see their nic and I scroll-over. I often do look to see what and why someone actually replies to them, but I never read their crapola.
I thought that he was in Cali?
Not what was on his now blocked disqus account.
I thought he commented that he was in Cali…my bad.
After the last threat I saw, he claimed to be in Cali….guess he’s on the run.
I was not going to respond eastex but since U live in east texas U should know hateful quite well from those parts…Calling someone else these things just deflects from what U are….We all learned that in psychology….
*scroll*
Wouldn’t it be reflect? Sorry just wanted to butt in on this nonsensical post.
LOL…Butt in…? Ass leadeth the mouth….good for you man…
Hey, I just like to make you educated folk make fools of yourselves on the Internet.
“In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on.” -Robert Frost
Say that to the kids at the OU children’s hospital.
^^^I get lumped in with this guy (no offense BloodRed), b/c I offer different opinions regardless of how well reasoned and being supported by facts.
To be honest, its just a game. I will not let my life be dictated by 18-22 year olds. Sorry If you let OUs average seasons get you down
Phins I have lived all over this country. Alabama, New Jersey, Northern Cali. Kansas. etc.. You would be amazed out how many people know about OU football. But the first thing these people say since 2003, What happened to big game Bob? I stopped trying to defend it. Those Big games versus overrated KSU, Nebraska, etc. None of those teams ended up ranked high at the end of the bowl season & were exposed by others…It is just a pride thing with me nowadays. I externalized it as if they are talking about someone in my family. I’m not going to spit blood over Stoops Sooners. In Alabama I know people who have died over a bama game. If I ever have to fight someone over these Sooners it will be a Sooner Program that is worth fighting over!
So I guess we cant count on you for the Rumble in Big D next year?
No chance in hell, I thought I would meet the kinds of Sooner fans that U know are a little more liberating in front of their computer. But I’ve just learned from this site you can be a Sooner fan and still hate another Sooner because they have a different viewpoint than they do. Back in the day I would jump in a fray to protect a fellow sooner no matter their color. Now learning from some so called sooners on this site I’d have to know for sure where they stand on race and what not pretty sad….
I couldnt agree more…lets leave this site for good! I’ll follow you out the door.
“No matter their color” Come on Mods… Is this blatant racism enough? Finish him!
The A.D. Miller highlights in case anyone hasn’t seen them. Take a look at the second play.
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2681454/highlights/70419379
Thanks!
No problem.
I like his ability to go up and get the ball
That was the first thing that jumped out at me. Don’t wait for the pigskin to get to you, go attack it.
Something we’ve been really lacking other than Shep…looks kind of like Kelly
I didn’t want to throw out that name too fast but I can definitely see similarities.
Update added
Will OU make home change his name? We already have an AD;)
guess what his first name is
Adrian.
Jordan, bloodred is out of control with his posts.
OU and Lincoln Riley has offered 2 tall 4.5+ guys kinda debunking your speed, speed, speed theory….
OU and Lincoln Riley have offered 2 tall 4.5+ WR in as many days, kinda debunking your speed, speed, speed theory….
I guess he’s waiting to offer Hughes who has all that speed. One thing he’s probably looking for is the next Crabtree who wasn’t the fastest guy by any means.
Maybe. Maybe not. You need a big body to attack the middle of the field and you can have burners on the outside.
OU has DL’s that run 4.5’s. I’m sure they could work on his 40 time…
Just want to say, a fan’s love for his/her team isn’t any less when losing or any more when winning. When it comes to OU athletics, my proudest moment of this program was when the pics started surfacing of Stoops, without fanfare, stood side-by-side with my beloved Okie and pulled rubble off damaged homes in Moore. Please remember, “Sooner” represents something for some of us that is more meaningful than trophies. That is all.
Rivals reporting Carlos Strickland announcing tomorrow
https://twitter.com/CalRivals/status/559866704352669696
Not good for OU
Agreed
Anyone we get to commit ir flip this late in the game will be a miracle.
Whatever happened to that LB transferring out of Florida State?
I love the tape on Miller.
Me too. I didnt check on how tall he is but kind of looks a bit like DGB on the vids
Rivals says 6’4″
And I believe DGB is about 6’6 so not too far off. I think AD looks to have real potential. I’d applaud this get.
His recruitment is odd to me. He committed to Illinois fairly early despite having some big name offers.
I just checked it out. OSU ( the good one ) ND and Mich to name a few. Hes from Texas so maybe we can get up to come up next weekend.
I believe he’s from the same HS as Darrion Daniels
If OU can get him I would be completely on board.
Reminds me of a more explosive Jeff Mead from last year.
I think that’s a fair comparison…if anything a more filled out Mead
I wonder if Dannon Cavil is regretting leaving now.
Cavil knew that he would never see the field. I didn’t understand his offer.
Actually Mead is pretty fast and very athletic. He just needs more weight and experience.
FWIW, I think Mead will be a contributor if he can fill out
I agree. I actually think that with another year of experience, Rileys tutelage and more consistant QB play several of our kiddie corps WRs will show up better this coming year. Most notably Smallwood, Mead and Quick.
Mead and Quick…yes…I don’t see it with Smallwood. I would love it if I was wrong with her
Actually I see it with Smallwood maybe the most.The thing that he has that the others dont is strength. The kind of WR that will win one on one battles for the ball against DBs
Her?
The one word I would use to describe Miller’s film is Smooth. He ran smooth routes, from what I saw, and he attacks the football in the air. He’s got long strides and covers quite a bit of ground quickly even though he doesn’t look like he’s running hard. What class is Bishop Dunne in TX?
TAPPS…Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools. Some good players and programs.
http://www.maxpreps.com/high-schools/bishop-dunne-falcons-%28dallas,tx%29/football/home.htm
Thanks for that, ET! The more I watch A.D, the more I hope ends up in Crimson & Cream.
Good looking athlete, no doubt.
EasTex, we missed you today. Glad you could join us.
Thanks, bruh!
Monday’s are typically a very busy day for me. Was up at 3 and headed to the big airport at 4:45a.m.
Busy, long, productive and profitable day, though. 😀
You too? 3 flights and I was across the country by Noon. At least TFB is here to give me my fix when I need a breather!
LOL!
Yeah, I’ve gotten to be so familiar with D/FW I know which lane to be in at each terminal to avoid the pot holes and construction delays.
I don’t envy you for that. DFW is a cluster. Will Rogers is a stroll in the park compared to DFW.
The key to learning D/FW is to look at it from a bird’s eye view, not from the ground level view. Looking from above it makes perfect sense.
Reminds me of Malcolm Kelly
He doesn’t have any wasted motion, he catches the ball and goes up field. Doesn’t dance around to find the open lane. Very fluid when he runs. Good speed and did out run some guys. Looks very good.
Why more WRs? Are we stocking up, best player available, position of need? Anyone have any insight?
I think the coaches believe that our talent on campus is really lacking
Thx! Seems to me we have plenty of stud WRs but I guess I’m wrong.
I think we one good WR, Sterling, a few guys that could be good, Quick, Westbrook…maybe Neal and Mead… and a lot of dead weigh.
How about the Juco guys just signed?
I think Westbrook could contribute right away (and he has to)…hump should probably redshirt
Thx! I guess maybe I was thinking there were other areas of greater need. You can never enough good players though.
I think there is a need for more WR talent…particularly in Riley’s offensive scheme
why?
Because it is. I’m trying to think of a time when the receiving corp has been so unproductive during Stoops tenure.
Never. Last year was a disaster
Probably for the system….the machine that Riley is putting together in his workshop.
Riley in the lab!
Gotta have lifters for those pistons!
What is your honest opinion of Bob Stoops being a great closer on recruits???”
Better than most (:
OK.that is your opinion
Not where it needs to be. You are either a great recruiter or you are a great coach Like a General that let’s his lieutenants handle the battle..He just chimes in for the winning formula. If your General does not have the winning formula then you will lose…
Why can’t everyone like everyone?
I resent that!
/sarc
human nature…deep down were all animals lol
I just got in but without reading anything I will guess that castor red blood troy has still been trying to force himself on everyone. Am I right?
Don’t read into it if you don’t want a headache. There was some good discussion on some WR prospects earlier that was civil and in my opinion well thought out on all sides.
I will read some this evening but I use the collapse feature so that I don’t have to see the cancer.
#innovative
There’s only a handful of names I look for anymore. I mostly ignore all others. Only way I can get throght it all the sh… stuff.
That’s what one must do with all the “knowledgeable realists” that have invaded.
I will give you my knowledge and you will like it! 🙂
Knowledge is power!
But mine is greater…the greatest of all time!
/lol
It is pretty good…..most of the time!
Are you impugning my greatness!
Wha…..me, no never! I said pretty good.
/funnin’
Tell him what he has won Bob!
A new kaw!
Hypocrital comment??
Is that a question or do you just want to tell me?
Not really pointed at you,just maybe took a reply wrong.We all are just trying to figure this OU puzzle out!!Go Sooners!!
All good, that’s why I asked. I’ve followed recruiting for a few years, been a reader for about a year and half and poster about a year. You come to realize that every fan wants the same thing here. We all just have differing opinions on how and who is going to get us there.
I fig AD will jump all over his offer and prob looks bad on the Strickland front…I hope I’m wrong
Moderator: review the board please.
Disqus has a “comment waiting for moderation” feature. Just a heads up for the TFB mods
For……………?
Technical problems.
FWIW I use google chrome.
Blatant Racism are you mentally disturbed???
All I have said is just because someone says they are a Soonerfan, I will never just blindly trust their intentions. Especially ones who have attacked me on this site!
Question for the guys who are more qualified to evaluate talent watching film than myself. Why would OU offer AD Miller but not Dahu Green?
I get the sense that dahu doesn’t want to stay in oklahoma
Isn’t he from cali
That’s what I’ve read. If OU was “missing” then why hasn’t osu offered unless he’s given the impression he doesn’t want to be in Oklahoma. I think he can be a really good player btw
I think therein lies the issue at OU: coaching and talent evaluation—-particularly at critical positions like QB.
AD Miller is more polished whereas Dahu Green would be a project for a couple years. Just my opinion, I’m no expert.
Don’t shoot the messenger, but the word around town was Dahu was kinda lazy.
There might finally be some movement on the dahu front. We will see. I thought Louisville would be a good fit for him, he reminded me of the Parker kid they had.
Boom alert Boom alert…AD to OU…just sounds right
Holy Shyte! I thought this was a good discussion board. I got the feeling everyone respected that all of us are Sooner fans, and that we have minds of our own. I don’t know any of you personally, and never will, so lighten up folks!
It is good and has been from the beginning but cancer is a terrible thing, some come here with the intention to turn it into the $hit fest that is every other board.
You speak the truth.
I really liked the ESPN SoonerNation board. It was very civil.
This one is great too most of the time.
More than most of the time, it’s really just a few days every now and then that trouble rears its head.
It’s really turned bad in the past few weeks with most posters calling for coaches to be fired. And, let’s not talk about recruiting.
If only we could all be in the same room. Take some of these threads, turn them into scripts, and put them in a theatre show. The highlights, the hidden lives of adult football fans, the camaraderie, the friendship, the hatred, the doggedness.
August Osage County?
That is good. Yeah, all in a saloon.
We have the cast and script, let it roll!
My wife is sitting with me. She thinks I’m crazy because you made me LOL!
We should make some YouTube videos. Message board threads acted out by children. Some of the dialogue would make so much more sense then!
We really should do that. I mean it. Millions, I tell ya.
That would be amazing!
Let’s do it and post it here. That might curb some of the enthusiasm.
Anyone see the Breaking Bad musical with kids? Classic.
Like this.
That was funny. Grumpy old children.
I wouldn’t be able to resist. Metal detector at the door though.
As EasTex would say, this material on here could rival Bill Shakespeare.
That would be comical.
That would require extra butter for the popcorn.
Get some artists and we can speed up the voices and make a Southpark type called Nompton
Pre signing always turns up the stress, add in the coaching changes and you get chaos. It will all be fine in the end.
Or playoffs…
Well as I have done on other sites, I will just delete this one if it continues!
Please don’t, the goofs will then have what they want, all OU forums turned into a fever swamp.
I have loved my Sooners for as long as I can remember, when they lose I hurt, but I don’t let it control my life. I have walked thru hells that most people wouldn’t make it out of, and still have their sanity! I just don’t need the BS!
Perspective.
Easton, you know that we have had intelligent discussions. I just like intelligent opinions, I don’t care if they differ from mine!
Yes indeed. I don’t like falsehoods broadcasted in the spirit of truth-hood.
Because you’re an adult.
Church!
This place is for fun and friends.
And friends and fun.
And beer
Non of us need it and like you have I walked through gore, came out the other side with my dignity and sense of humor in tact.
The miscreants we have had to deal with lately cannot be allowed to ruin yet another good site.
And thank you for lightening up the post with your comments below
I appreciate your appreciation. 🙂
And I appreciate that you appreciate the appreciation…
Boom.
I appreciate that.
(nods head) I see what you did there…
Okay, EasTex, I like the use of miscreant by you. I’ve been looking for a clip of the two possums in Ice Age. One of them called Diego a miscreant and said you don’t want to eat us because we carry diseases. That is so appropriate for some of the posters here.
Words…they do have meaning, no?
I’m all for a trigger happy banned button on this site…been here since the beginning and hate to see it go to the crapper because of a few negative people
I believe there is an inverse correlation between how smart ass people get on these boards and their overall quality of life. Also, sometimes, the more senior a person feels on the board the more latitude they give themselves with their comments. There are the blatant offenders but sometimes the sarcasm can be taken the wrong way and it contributes to the “dysfunction.” We all need to chill.
That was a nice read. Thanks Jackson.
Perceptive and well stated.
The endless struggle between reason and passion.
http://www-personal.umich.edu/~jrcole/gibran/prophet/prophet.htm#Reason
Wow… AD Miller’s highlight tape was way better than Van Jefferson’s
I hope we get AD Carl but wouldn’t go that far. Van, perhaps due to his father, is more polished and very smooth as a route runner for HS, a rarity. AD is a little slow to get off the line and may struggle with press but he is really deceptive with his long speed and high points the ball well. He looks slow at first but due to long strides, once he passes you, no catching up.
No I agree and a lot about these players is hype. Van Jefferson looked like he was in a better Division. I was just disappointed in his highlight tape
After watching AD Miller’s film
“Ummm…would it be too much to ask to get AD Miller and his coach???”
LoL there are 4to 5 LP on here always talking about someone spoiling a thread and yet as soon as someone post something those same 4 to 5 will be the first to have something smart ass to say…Hypocrites..lol
See yourself out then.
Let it go! This is a freakin football forum…not Days of our lifes
No problem man, will see if those I have mentioned today start doing the same…Time will tell…
Here.
FROZEN – Let It Go Sing-along | Official Disney HD: http://youtu.be/L0MK7qz13bU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdug6yHJB40
TFB, What are your thoughts on the two “new” wide receiver prospects? Quality? Chances of signing???
I’m not one of them but I think AD is ours and Strictland is not
They’re both nice. Just talked to Broyles. He likes them both. He liked Strickland a little better but both are players.
Any movement on Hughes?
Alex hasn’t been able to reach him this week.
Thanks man. Hopefully riley can pull him to Oklahoma
Does any one know what rivals was talking about on the Jean de lance taken an sec vist to atm
Exactly that…he visited ATM
After the visit, someone quoted him saying is what a Sooner no matter what. Wouldn’t worry right now.
That was our guy, Brandon
Yes! I remember reading it but couldn’t recall who exactly it was from.
Went down for a Junior Day, but Brandon spoke w/ him and he’s still 100% OU
Just noticed ESPN took Overton off the OU commitment list.
Rivals took him off over a week ago.
I’m slow
He will sign in the summer if at all. Hoping he does.
Keeping my fingers crossed.
Me too. Hes been Sooners from the start. Gotta love the kids that really want to be here.
Not only wants to be at OU, but is a serious talent at NG.
Not sure what his qualification issues are but hopefully he gets it figured out. I know the spot is his if he qualifies and the numbers allow it.
ACT score
Me too. Always good to get someone that truly wants to be a Sooner!!!
Has anyone here ever had Bible Belt Beer?
Where is it made?
Here in Oklahoma I believe.
If you like local beer, I suggest COOP DNR.
Careful with those, they’re pretty strong. Also, Coop Negative Split is pretty good, too.
For sure. Anyone who lives in OKC, I recommend buying a ticket to Zoo Brew, can’t remember when it is, but basically all the local breweries bring their beer and you can sample it alll night long!
Crawled out of there once.
Let’s get tickets.
Coop is the goodness!
That’s stronger than some liquor lol
If it is made by Prairie, then yes I’m pretty sure I’ve had it.
http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/30356/115939/
Heard it twas really good! Gonna get a 6’er for tomorrow nights thread!
No but I’ve had beer in the bible belt.
I actually had beer in the sanctuary of a church last week.
I cant think of a place where I havent had a beer.
I can respect that
My dad has whipped me with a belt while quoting the Bible, if I had beer in church he would have killed me. LOL.
Traumatic much?
Well I’m not sure if you’re from OKC but there is a nifty church in Midtown that also supports local music and Coop beer pretty often.
Are you referring to Frontline?
Possibly. It’s on or near 13th Street pretty close to Mcnellies (another wonderful place).
I think your mom would have had first dibs tho
She always warmed me up for when dad got home. HAHA.
Lol…. She’s a sweetheart, but I wouldn’t push my luck 🙂
Oh my god… There’s the man I know
You know nothing! 🙂 and you never saw me. 🙂
I am an angel & you know it lol
That just sounds… wrong. But hey, beer is beer.
does it require repentance after every drink….prob would after a 6er!!
Sigh….I just want to treat everyone here like an adult. It’s certainly not like I’m above a good argument. But some of this stuff is just taking it too far.
BloodRed, this is your one and only warning. I don’t know everything that has been said, on either side of things, but I do know I’ve received multiple complaints about your participation here. Clean things up or the ban hammer will drop.
And that really goes for everyone. We’re all frustrated and clearly we all have our own opinions. If you choose to do so, express them respect for others, even if you don’t always agree.
We’re not going to allow this place to devolve into your typical message board. We don’t want that to force our hand and start banning people, but if that’s what it takes then we’ll be forced to do so.
My sincere (and I do very much mean that) apologies if this comes off a-hole’ish and/or like a lecture, but please don’t make us deal w/ stupid b.s. like this when we’d rather be out chasing down OU news for you.
Cool?
You got my cool. Cool.
Yes, and you have nothing to apologize for. This isn’t the UN and we don’t all get a vote.
Doesnt come off as a-holeish at all. Thats one of the best aspects of TFB is that they dont put up with the “crap” and I for one apologize for any part that Ive had in it.
Best site on the internet IMO
Thank you young man, I truly enjoy your articles, and your insight on some of the recruits OU is chasing.
Amen! Leave the testerone, politics and religion off the board. I want to read about football – nothing else.
Lol well maybe a Lil basketball thrown in!
I can also go for a little basketball, softball and baseball.
What, no guns or music?
/dang
I like both, but the gun issues is a lot like politics.
A little ego-loss for some would be helpful.
I’m agreeable. Thanks for taking a stiff stance.
Jordon, the main reason I come here is that there is actual football talk not just a bunch of narcissists who only listen to the sound of their own voice and attack anyone who disagrees with them. If I wanted that, I know of several message boards where I can get it.
I have been around the Internet since telnet and ftp were how you got around instead of a web browser. The groups that I have seen that were worth being on were the ones that banned a small portion of the people coming there. Some people will not behave and the only way to solve that is the ban them. When you do that most of the rest will either shape up or leave and that’s OK. Then the grown ups can have a real discussion and even disagree with each other. The difference is that they attack each others IDEAS and not the persons.
So for those of us who like what you have here, please bring down the hammer on occasion. From what I have seen so far, you guys will be fair and probably not be as quick to ban some as I would.
In the end it comes down to your house, your rules
You are a good man, Bob, I can tell from your pixels.
Thanks, EasTex I always enjoy reading you comments.
Back atcha.
I like your stuff too. Always read your logic and sense. Keep it going.
me too. bob, lecarpeton(or whatever), you, eastex, easton, sam, zack and quite a few others are good reads and bring something to the table. ray and toats i don’t always agree with but we try to keep it light. some just are mad at being born
Agreed!
Sounds good to me. I must have missed something spectacular.
This is very cool with me! And let me say IT COULDN’T COME FROM A BETTER SOURCE! Jordon is the perfect example for us! Like many of us he gets extremely frustrated with OU (coaches,players, and Admin) and he voices his opinion and is very clear where he stands on subjects! We agree with him sometimes and sometimes we joke about him being a Debbie Downer(actually he jokes about himself being a Debbie Downer quite a bit) but never once do I remember him disrespecting anyone for their opinion. He might not agree with you and he may say he is on the complete opposite side of the fence from were you stand but he is upfront honest and displays a passion for OU that we all have and can be proud of! I love this place! I love OU and talking about OU! My wife loves this site because now I don’t try to talk to her about OU football stuff! I hope we can all continue to mantain our passion for a great tradition rich football program while also respecting the opinion of those who don’t always agree with us! I take this opportunity to apologize for any feathers I may have ruffled along the way and I look forward to continued UNPARRALLED COVERAGE of OU FOOTBALL!
Don’t back down, this is TFB’s environment. Keep your vision of how you want the board and act accordingly. We appreciate this vision and your help in keeping it this way. Thank you.
I’m watching Sons of liberty on history channel, just think without those guys, we wouldn’t be able to voice our opinions
Yeah but you have to think about this place as somebodies home or establishment..they can refuse service to anybody disrupting the other patrons and should absolutely do so if guys don’t tone it down a bit
Yeah. We don’t own this bar. The guys that do, do the work that brings us here.
Watching it too.
God Bless’em.
It makes you think, would I have the gonads that they had!
I would like to think I would, my ancestors were there.
What amazes me more than the courage and privations, but the ability to construct a representative republic out of nothing.
Recording all the episodes first and then will watch them all back-to-back-to-back.
Good plan.
I’m not sure I can give myself that much credit. But one thing is for sure: I’d be hitting up the after-party like a champ. Cleanest uniform in the room. Not even a grass stain.
I recorded the series. Pumped to watch it. Love this country.
Could I make a friendly suggestion to all of my “positive” comrades? We need to stop reacting to the jerks; it just encourages them. I think that’s what a lot of guys love to do on the net: just provoke others. We need to just ignore them, not argue with them. The one time I know I violated that was when I went after a guy who made a race-specific remark … and it didn’t do any good then. It never does.
There’s tons of great guys on here … let’s just ignore the few. And the info … second to none!
You got a good frame of mind in exile. Agreed.
Might be headed to Cripple Creek in August, but will be driving not riding!
August. I might flag you down on your way up there. We are up that direction in the summer, we go to cool off in the river waters in the area.
I like the Casinos and my lady hasn’t had the pleasure of going there. I would rather ride, but my lady doesn’t wear anything but dresses, so her and bikes don’t work well lol
haha. Yeah, The A/C will be favorable too.
I don’ think I’ve ever been in a house home in OKC that does not have central a/c. Here, most homes don’t have it because when they built most of the homes, it was still mild in the summer. It gets hot here, dry, but hot.
I’m in, Exile.
Arranging words is great.
I see what you’re saying. And grammar helps. Funny, huh?
It is funny, and fun.
No you aren’t … I am!
Yeah, I agree with you even though I’m guilty of provoking a contrarian every now and then. A lot of good posters on here despite the occasional Aggie troll wondering their way in.
I’m witchu.
I’ve been scrolling over the nutjobs as much as is humanly possible and try to never get involved with them.
But you always have good responses…
Thanks, you are fun to hang with.
I agree with ignoring them. I try to do that myself but there’s some who just blow up the board with posts. I’m not sure if flagging the comments helps the mods but I do that from time to time.
No apologies necessary, my man.
Let’s get ready for another day as Sooner fans
its mostly my fault. i let these turds suck me in because i don’t want this place to turn into the places they are used to. its obvious some of them aren’t even OU fans. so sorry fellas for egging these turds on and giving them a reason to spout off at the mouth. i will never apologize to them but to you guys i will apologize for making this a worse place for a little bit. i will try to keep away from them in the future. thanks for the check exiled
Haven’t posted a lot cause of the vibe of the board. I will just say there are a lot of folks who just don’t like anything that is going on so I restrain for the most part. If I do respond, it’s in a question, that throws them off their game.
i’m ron burgandy? something like that?
Whatever the rant is, I refrain but on the rare occasions I ask who is the answer and they have nothing.
yeah i’ve noticed that too. they never wanna answer and just want you to let them rant because that’s how it is everywhere else. i really really don’t want that here and have a hard time not putting them in their place
I like your vibe, we need more of it.
Ditto, you the man on this site, we all know that and enjoy your stuff. Also, in between my son’s basketball and training, I been working hard on my 7 on 7 team. We had a blast last year and we plan to do the same this year. Amazing how well 6th graders can play the game.
Fun to watch them grow and learn.
When their hands get big enough and can grip the ball one handed, their skill levels and confidence really take off.
ESPN, good or bad has provided a platform for these young kids to learn the game. They listen to the x jocks discuss plays etc. That said, the kids want to play like the pros. From a coaching aspect it helps a lot.
They can flat out get it and the QB play is off the charts. Fun stuff and hope to be involved for many years. Nothing better than to hear a player say, thanks coach. Grips you like a python.
There is a proverb that applies here:
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him.
I remember the first day I discovered TFB and thought I had finally found Sooner heaven. What a great place for information on my beloved Sooners and you didn’t have to wade thru all the crap that is on the other sites. Lately, some of those types seem to have found their way over here. But, this is still be absolute best place for great information and hopefully they will get weeded out.
Deal.
Anyone else excited to see the QB competition at the spring game yet? Ready for recruiting to be “over” and the football to begin.
And Bingo was his name-o.
Yes, I think that a lot of people are going to be surprised how much talent we already have on campus. We have the Trevor Knight that beat Alabama, the Baker Mayfield who was 2013 Big 12 Offensive Player of the year and a couple of other four star guys that just need some development and a system that let’s them use their talents. I suspect Lincoln Riley is going to be the guy that brings that development and the system to make one of them a star.
Don’t sleep on Justice Hansen.
He’s one of those four stars I mentioned.
Yep. I like the cut of that boy’s jib.
Just don’t. I think, I hope, he is real high quality at running the ol’ spread em out, throw it, run it, score it.
I think he’s the key to the Air Raid
I know you’ve never been high on Baker but do you think he would be better under Riley than under JH?
I think that Mayfield has already hit his ceiling, that’s all. JH struggled to call plays suited to the QBs strengths (see first half of tech or entire bedlam game with zero QB runs). So, mayfield would benefit from Riley, & he probably has the best working knowledge of the new offense. But Baker was a turnover machine (fumble issues as well as INTs) people forget he piled up numbers against techs very rigorous (sarcasm) non conference schedule 🙂
Having said that, I do think JH was the biggest problem. Whether he & Norvell were not on the same page or QB development was ignored…
Yea, those were in a recklessly wide open system. His production dwarfed anything we had also. So tell me again about the pick 6’s he through compared TK?
I’ll double check with my TT alum co workers but I am pretty certain he was very TK like. Maybe 12 Tds & 10 ints & lost a fumble every single game. TK has got the pick 6 record… You won’t get an argument from me 🙂 I thought everyday we faced should go in a 6 point favorite based on TK…
BM: 64% 12 tds 9 ints 2315 yds “wide open system”
TK: 57% 14 TDs/12 ints 2300 yds in whatever the heck we were running.
I don’t know what the future holds, but I do neither one of these guys are world beaters. In fact they aren’t even that far apart…and for the record I decidedly not a TK fan
Remember the other stats that go along with the above post. Six games for BM, 11 for TK. 6-0 record for BM, 7-4 for TK.
He’s actually 5-3 with four of those victories vs the power houses of Texas St, Stephen F Austin, SMU & Kansas. Just you know for the record, his lone “quality win” was versus a TCU team that finished under 500. And half of his TD total came against SFA …. It’s not to difficult to look up stats, game stats etc…
I replied don’t know where it went at TT was actually 5-3. With 4 wins against the powerhouses of SMU, Texas St, Kansas & division lower Stephen F Austin. In fact half of his TD totals came in that game. His lone “quality win” was against a below 500 TCU team…
I just don’t think Mayfiekd is “the answer” people think he is. Easy to look good in a blue jersey
I don’t think he’s the next Jason White but based on what we’ve seen, I think he can hit the throws Riley expects. Hanson may be the next great QB until our next recruit gets here….who knows. I remember watching Baker make freshman mistakes and just hope for the sake of the program he has matured enough to get us over the hump.
I just think Mayfield is Knight on a taller body… Both try to do to much & will kill as much as they wow ya
I know exactly what you’re saying, I’m just being optimistic thinking Baker has had an offseason to study and refine his game. He will have to prove it on the field before I fully give him props but unless someone else steps up quick….I’ll give him a short rope.
Baker made the freshman mistakes when he was a freshman correct?
Last 2 championships were led by QBs with the initials JH.
I’m hopeful that whatever system we use will put our QB’s in a position to win. We don’t have a Sam Bradford, but I think we have guys that could win in the right system.
I remember a little 5’11” Freshman QB that could barely hit the broad side of a barn past 20 yards that led us to a NC. It’s more about putting players into a position to win then it is getting the perfect players.
Very excited and I don’t care who emerges. Just want to see someone able to complete a pass longer than 20 yards and someone who will use all of the receivers (tight ends hopefully will be included).
Yes.
I miss those nice shots down field for 12 to 25 yards.
I also miss the HUNH. There were numerous games in 2012 when Landry would throw for three first down in the first minute of the game. Gets the opponent’s defense all lubed up and discombobulated.
Sigh. Yes.
This may be one of the most anticipated spring’s at OU in quite a while.
With a new OC the players will be eager to show what they can do.
A lot of time a reset like having to go back and earn your spot under a new leader can breath life into a stale organization. If Riley is a better OC on top of that, we could make a lot of progress next year.
Even the guys that have proven their chops need to show the new coach who they are, the younger players eager for playing time will reach down deep to make plays.
Can’t wait for September, but am not prepared to start a count down clock. LOL
Yessiree Bobcat tails!
Riley must have some idea how to work with shorter QBs or he wouldn’t have gone after Murray…and that means he can work with Knight and Mayfield. Hansen will be the one I am most interested in if only because I’ve seen him not at all. Thomas is, to me the question mark; he may just prove the best ‘fit’ for Riley’s system.
And will last year’s class of WR’s finally wake up?
Even though spring games are normally rather tedious, I’ll be at this one with bells on.
I just watched the A.D. film. He isn’t exactly the fast-twitch burner that we hear that Riley is looking for but I can see what Riley likes. The kid seems to be coming out of a program that is pretty similar to what OU will probably be transitioning to, and his technique is remarkably crisp for a high school athlete. He makes sharp cuts across the middle, and comes out of his brakes quickly on the sideline curl routes. His catching is equally refined. He watches the ball in, catches with both hands, highpoints everything on jump balls, etc. Even his blocking is good. He gets both hands on the defender, stays square, and drives through his blocks. The kid has been well-coached.
Jordan, K, or someone in the know…saw on another site that Lincoln Riley is planning on visiting Dahu Green in the next couple of days and curious if you’ve heard the same. Do you think they’re in damage control mode or is there significant interest on ou’s part?
I think they’re giving riley a chance to recruit some guys on offense. Outside of linebacker recruits there isn’t a glaring need. They have shut down the secondary recruiting (although rumor Patterson may get that spot still). So it’s possible they might take 3 more receivers
K is on it
Thanks Jordan.
Maybe it’s just me but I don’t think another A.D. would be bad for this program.
I like the coaches that he has put in place.
The grass definitely might not be greener……
gotta agree with you. if you look around the entire athletic department, OU has a really deep set of top programs. Both gymnastics programs are amazing. The sofball team is an armada. The wrestling team is once again a top 10 program. The tennis team has come out of nowhere. OU doesn’t have any program that is just terrible. I appreciate how much tfb covers them actually.
One reason to be optimistic about football is that at OU, the admin backs football with unparalleled vigilance. This may sound like an obvious statement but our admins’ motives for backing football the way they do are actually fairly unique.
See, Boren is a very savvy president. He knows that reputations of colleges are built on the backbones of their faculty achievements (famous professors that publish etc and bring research dollars…). The faculty bring recognition and bright students who want to learn. How many great faculty you have, and the subsequent work they produce, that is the only currency that matters in the world of academic hierarchies.
The thing with OU is that we’ve never had “those” advantages. George Lynn Cross said “I would like to build a University of which the football team could be proud.” When Boren came to OU, he started to immediately promote and invest in the things that would get us in the public spotlight, in order to raise the academic reputation of the school in a quick and dirty way, while knowing full well these in and of themselves would not be enough to curry favor with the country’s academic elite. The National Merit Scholar campaign that you see commercials of ad nauseam is a classic example of this (top universities don’t give two shits about national merit because they have the faculty which are more important). Football then is another domain that keeps us in the public eye, not to mention donors etc. Now I can’t say but I’m assuming that some SEC schools would be happy with the tradition, money, and donors and leave it at that.
But Boren’s ultimate goal I believe is to raise the standing of OU academically from a lower mid tier school to a top level public institution (like Michigan or yes, even Texas). You better believe he badly wanted us to go to the Pac 12, so we could rub elbows with the UCs and Stanfords. And it almost worked despite our lack of academic capital…because of football. Look up Association of american universities and you’ll see why he wanted to be in the Pac 12 (and a significant undiscussed reason the SEC wanted ATM and Mizz).
So, as long as he is president, you better believe that we will double down on both merit scholars and football (in recent years, a large investment in our university hospitals as well) because they give us the kind of national podium we need for greater goals. So fear not, actually given resources and the changing market of college sports as a business, we have overachieved on average for the past 15 years and I hope last year was an aberration.
Thanks to the few that read this. I am procrastinating with a work project right now to be honest but it was fun to write. Boomer
I read it and props to you for writing it but I will process it in it’s entirety in the morning.
cool to read. thank you. i’ve heard something similar before. where would you put us if it were your call?
Thanks. If you mean leagues, I think Pac 12. Then Big Ten. SEC wasn’t going to happen imho (narrow view of fans who only see colleges existing for football). College presidents think about much more than just football even if it is a part of their strategy for branding. I think in times like this it is cool to just take a step back and see the big picture. We are not doing so bad, us Sooners. We’ve always been underdogs, we’ve always had a chip, and we come together. That’s why I love Oklahoma.
yeah i meant leagues. i tend to agree. i think we should have added louisville and someone(cincy or memphis?). then pac. then big 10. sec just seems shady. bagmen, oversigning, grey shirts, everything just screams cheat or get trampled. having a chip on the shoulder is the best way to go thru life. someone wants to underestimate you, they surely can at their peril. i don’t care if i’m standing in dog turds, the grass will always be greener on my side of the fence. thanks again
Thanks for the time u spent on this.
I would like to see OU move up the scale academically. My son is a senior at Baylor Honors College. He is on academic scholarships. I really wanted him to attend OU, but it was his choice and the value of what a degree from Baylor vs a degree from OU. I want OU to compete for the best talent and the best minds.
I agree. Baylor is a great school. Sounds like you have a son any father would be proud of 🙂
TY, and I am. In fact he called me tonight to tell me that his Honors College Intermural team won their first basketball game since he was a freshman…. I had a nice belly laugh and got to listen to how they hoped to win a couple more games this season… Gotta love it when the BRAINIACS win one… lol
I feel with you. My step daughter has applied with Stanford and has a ride waiting at OU as a backup plan. She doesn’t understand why I want Stanford to be the “back up”. Kids, I tell you.
Man, I bleed Crimson, but if my kid had the opportunity to attend Stanford there’s no way I let that be a back up plan. Talk about a great and rare opportunity!
My daughter is currently a sophomore at OU. She turns 20 today! Seems like it was just yesterday I was teaching her how to sing Boomer Sooner.
Was that a typo? Did you mean Boren is a savvy president? Cause I could see him being a sorry president, but not a savvy one.
Well you would be wrong and way wrong. Boren has done great things for OU. Essentially rebuilt the whole campus and made great strides in improving academics and OU’s reputation as an educational institution.
Sports are just games and while they are important they aren’t the mission of a university. Academics, education of our youth along with research is the mission of OU.
Besides you focus on the last 16 years of Bob Stoops and the OU football program has been right up there. For you to say you could see Boren as a sorry president is way missing the mark. You are dead wrong.
Some people simply miss the big issue.
Some, and I have seen it personally, don’t like the old boy network feel that is a byproduct of Boren’s admin. Nevertheless, as you say, the results speak for themselves. Now this part has nothing to do with football but Boren started to invest in the health sciences campus back in the early 2000s. Nothing short of brilliant strategy.
You see, if we learn from history, we should know that economies built on commodities in the US (oil/ gas) are cyclical and prone to booms and busts. On the other hand, there are many success stories of towns and cities being built on the back of healthcare. Mayo in Rochester MN, U of Pittsburgh (they have transformed their reputation as a hospital and the city), and even Mass General in Boston (many reasons for Boston being successful of course). So this investment in healthcare infrastructure will continually provide steady jobs that buffer the inevitable ups and downs of a Nat Gas economy. So Boren is not only benefitting OU, he is a great gift for the whole state, regardless of what we think of him personally.
The state undertook a very focused and intense review over a period of years to determine where the admittedly limited funds and resources could be put to maximize benefits to the population of the state.
People don’t credit our government for this and it covers both parties over a sustained period. Frankly, it’s probably the most intelligent thing our state government has ever done.
As you say, extractive commodities were viewed with skepticism and a ‘value add’ proposition was the goal. Electronics were out as Cali, GA and others had that pretty well cornered. Likewise automotive, robotics, aerospace, etc.
Medical, however, was available, was growing and would always be needed.
So, now we’ve got a nice little core of educational facilities, mainline hospitals, specialty clinics and surgery centers. We’re building out into rural areas, in many areas setting the standard for cost controlled rural medical care delivery. Indian tribes are contributing their dollars as well.
And we’re starting to see a ‘halo’ effect in terms of ‘service industry’ development to service the rest.
Boren, and others, including Fallin, have been a part of this and deserve credit rather than criticism.
As speculated below, the OU coaches will be going by Westmoore to visit with Dahu Green. Green says that supposedly Lincoln Riley thinks highly of him.
Interesting that the Rivals OU site posted something on ‘A surreal moment’ in regards to an in-home OU coaches had with John Houston. I’m guessing it’s just a classic cash grab teaser post and nothing is happening there. Just had me curious though.
Just talking about how it was a surreal moment to have Stoops in his house and that it humbled him.
He should take that a step further and play for him lol.
LOL!
Now that would be surreal.
That’s what I’m saying. But the article was about ASU, OU, and Miami all doing their in home visits last Thursday and what he thought about each program’s coaches. USC and Oregon to do their in homes yesterday or today. (Article’s posted date is the 24th)
I figured it wouldn’t be much. Thanks for sharing. I looked at it again and saw it was written by a nat’l guy and not one of the guys from the scoop. It would be a stunner if he leaves the West Coast.
There may have been a surreal moment, like a spectacular weather or tectonic event, but it certainly doesn’t mean we get him away from USC. 🙂
Yeah, he’s good friends with Adoree Jackson from the looks of it. He’s a Trojan unless something crazy happens.
My surreal moment is seeing pen to paper, until then it’s just smoke, mirrors, and pipe dreams.
I’m gonna play to the crowd and say Kish went to use the bathroom and ran out of toilet paper then found out the toilet was broken andor clogged
You’re right. Typical OU Rivals teaser. Very little substance.
Approaching 1000 comments.
I’m out, but will leave a little night music for those still up.
http://youtu.be/9cadbYIzhqQ
OK is it just me or am I missing something with Miller? His film is ridiculous… He is one slimy WR! Looked at his 247 page and he has some pretty nice offers. Don’t see why he isn’t rated higher and why he hasn’t been offered yet. Would love some input on this.
I really, really, like watching Adams run. I hope Gundy gets it done like he normally does.
Could watch him all day. True HR threat every time he gets the ball.
Just to help get to 1000…
Ad Miller really does have great film. I wonder what the holdup was? I Mean his “highlight ” film looks amazing, it seems he had great hands off the line, and great concentration while catching.
So on Carlos Strickland….is he a SPEED guy? I thought that was what Lincoln was going after now. At 6’4″ I would almost guess that he isn’t. But maybe he is a 6’4″ track guy. Anyone know??
Usain Bolt is 6’5″
You don’t have to be short to be fast.
True. I had gotten the idea though that we are looking for speedy, shifty guys with this new system. Didn’t know if this guy fit the build.