More Spring Practice Notes | March 8th
Posted on: March 8, 2015
Image via Soonersports.com
Talk to some additional sources and while I still don’t have a ton of information, it’s definitely some interesting information:
– I was told that Oklahoma was exclusively in a 4-man front yesterday. It sounds like they’re running single gap across the line so this would likely be a similar front that coach Bob Stoops, coach Mike Stoops, coach Venables and OU have traditionally run. I’m guessing it’s an under front alignment.
– Obviously the difference in this front is that while it is a 4 man front alignment, Eric Striker is the defensive end and is standing up. I didn’t confirm the alignment but I’d assume it’s a standard 1, 3, 5, and 7 (maybe Striker plays a loose 9 in situations). As I understand it, Walker would be at the 3, Romar would be at the 1 and Tapper would be at the 5 with, again, Striker as the end.
– The guys rotating at linebacker are Jordan Evans, Tay Evans and Curtis Bolton. It sounds like Tay Evans would be next up to take Dom’s spot if the season started today.
– Also, told that they are running mostly nickel packages (5 DBs). Essentially what it appears they are working on right now is something right in the Stoops brothers wheelhouse with a 4-2-5 (technically there is a distinction between a “nickel” package and a 4-2-5). The secondary appears to be Zach Sanchez and Jordan Thomas as the corners. Ahmad Thomas, Steven Parker and Hatari Byrd are the safeties. No surprise there and I do expect there to be competition for these spots come summer and fall camp when the freshman class get to OU.
– All this really fits in line with the idea that coach Bob Stoops is going back to his roots and it appears he is doing so offensively and defensively. Obvious it’s just a first practice so perhaps they will work their odd front as well but again I was told that it was exclusively even fronts yesterday.
– For me personally I think this is exactly what OU needed. It’s a defense that the Stoops brothers are comfortable with and it fits Oklahoma’s personal. I do hope that they work multiple alignments like Texas does under coach Strong. I think having that versatility is important.
105 Comments
Will also try to get some offensive notes as soon as I can
Thanks k. Good read. You make it sound exactly like its what you think we need and what they’re comfortable with. Very exciting
You are welcome! And yes, def something they’re comfortable with
Sorry but is 1, 3, 5 etc the gap? You’ve probably explained it til you’re blue in the face but would love a link or another tutorial for us dummies if you can find the time please sir
yea its the gap, or rather, the technique played in connection with the gap… image below.
Here are a couple images of a 4-3 front with the dline lined up in certain gaps..
according to K, sounds like our front was lined up in the 1,3,5, and 7 that is on the bottom picture, the 4-3 “under” alignment, except maybe opposite of this one, since he said Striker could be in a loose 9..
here is another image that just shows the technique played (number) and the gaps they are close too (a, b, c, d )…
Thanks DR.
Awesome thanks to both of you. Especially the pictures
This is more common technique numbering system. Every number is the same as the picture daddy r posted but the 7. from Bud to Coach Lee coaching the straight d1ck 50, or Lovie Smith to Monte Kiffen coaching the 4/3, to Patterson 4/2/5, Saben’s 3/4, to Todd Ghramn’s 3/3/5 all of those guys call a 7 inside eye of the TE.
freaking sweet. thank you brother. you a coach?
The advantage I see to this is that they can move Striker from side to side, or shift before the snap, and play both of alignments. For example, having Striker at RDE allows him more freedom to rush the passer from the blind side in these pictures.
Uhh that must have been a communist or JHigh coach come up with the 7 tech on the outside of the TE. I promise you 99% Of every coach HS, college pro etc number their defensive techniques on TE. Inside eye being a 7, head up a 6, and outside eye a 9. Daddy R who’s defensive front did you pull that from? Interesting
I just googled 4-3 front. and this had the “over” and “under” front, so I chose it. Unknown as to source ( I just saved image, lol). Your point is certainly valid. I was just providing a quick picture for a question earlier..
Oh I see daddy o.
You are right daddy R. im not familiar with the 4/3 under stuff and as too why the would change the technique numbering system. I believe that’s a Belichik / patriot deal. Coach Belichik would be the one quirky enough to change what is the quirkiest defensive tech by number
Really the most important take away is that it’s a single gap more attacking style front. OUs front past couple yrs had a nose guard responsible for both A gaps. Those numbers are alignments that coincide with an assignment/assigned gap.
refresh, I posted a picture of front for you with gap assignments..
1, 3 &5 are in defensive techniques. 1 being a shade, 3 being outside eye of OG, 5 being outside eye of OT,
Personally, I love the idea of a 4-2-5. It fits our personnel and it’s a scheme coaches know. Plus the idea of blitzing Striker more has me very excited. Even though I’m trying to temper my expectations, these notes and seeing the offense do drills with new coaches yesterday has me feeling optimistic.
On that note, I don’t expect to see any major progress defensively until we stick with a scheme for more than a year.
Should keep him (striker) from having to drop into coverage very often, if ever..
So in this new dendensive alignment there is still just 3 DLinemen right? And striker just plays a de facto 4th lineman who rushes off the edge? And then just 2 other linebackers on the field?
yup.
So then would Obo and Bond play the same position as striker in a rotation?
Well of course that depends on where coaches feel they line up best, but if they are good pass rushers, than it could be likely..
Yes I’d guess so
It’s really the same as 4 DL. Just one person is standing which is essentially inconsequential. You have to think of it more in terms of alignment and assignment and less about who is standing and who is on the ground. Sometimes TCU stands up their end but it’s still an even front/4-man front
Do you think there’s a chance they want teams to attack striker in the run game? As in they may have a game plan to keep that from being as exposed as it was in 2013
They will try. I mean there are not a whole lot of run schemes I like against Striker. Striker is so quick and his hands are so violent wether he is playing the 5 or 9. Striker isn’t playing the 7 unless he ligns up wrong in which case Coach Mike is having a stroke. what are you going to run? Stretch? No way. He’s too disruptive versus the stretch at him and he will make play from the backside away. Penetration kills the stretch. So gap scheme him, power o and counter. Still like Striker vs Power O, counter trey is tough but no one runs counter trey at that level. If I had to scheme him I would try to gate him outside and run him up field. Sprint draw and or Dart stuff.
That alignment should be perfect for DeBerry, who is a bigger LBer.
It is essentially a 3-3-5 alignment. Better to call it that because its 3 Lb’s and 3 DL
In personnel maybe (though Striker is playing DE, not LB).. but with a 4 man front continuously, its not a 3-3-5, its a 4-2-5.
Agree DR. You are correct from what I’ve heard.
The 3-3-5 attacks but it’s initial alignments are traditionally head up. They are running a 4 man front alignment
Kinda like this ?
http://cdn.fansided.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/59/files/2012/11/335-vs-stack_01.jpg
Oh you mean a 4-2-5.
By alignment it looks like a 4-3 but — by concept — why couldn’t it be a 3-3 with the circled defender being an OLB walked up? Whoops! That’s Denver. Probably is a 4-2. My bad.
Hey K can you also find out what/who the starting 4 receivers are? Thanks
Yeah I’ll work on that bud
I know it’s been said a million times. But dang you guy’s are the best.
As long as Striker is not dropping into coverage and doing what he does best, i’m all for it.
Totally agree. But remember MS went off in a newspaper article and said Striker may be rushing the QB TOO MUCH? Perhaps our perception is inaccurate.
Which is why I think Mike lost his mojo and shouldn’t be coaching at OU.
Would someone smarter than me comment on how well Striker was in coverage? Not that I’d want to see him doing anything other than rush the QB, I just seemed to get the impression that while he wasn’t amazing at pass coverage, he still did pretty well and was still all over the field.
Im not totally sure I remember how well he was in coverage, I think people just keep saying to keep him out of coverage (including me) because they want his disruptive abilities in the backfield on every play possible. I dont think he ever got “burned” for td’s or anything, just that we have other people who can cover (well, hopefully) and not many others who can rush like Striker.
It is my impression that opponents were scheming for Striker by keeping extra players back in pass protection, swhich was neutralizing his effectiveness, and that’s why they had to develop other uses for him. it wasn’t just deciding not to rush him. It was a reaction to effective adjustments by the opposition.
I remember a couple of years ago when we would have two linebackers, the teams would run their back out of the backfield and leave one backer in the box and teams would chew us up. How will they protect against that?
Depending on the coverage, hopefully the nickelback would compensate for that. Otherwise, I definitely agree with what you’re saying. Hoping we have an answer.
It depends if we run more zone or man. Plus, just saying, TCU runs a mean 4-2-5 scheme that can handle running teams. Plus looking at our schedule I think Tenn is the only team that really runs power consistently, unless changes have been made to other teams that I’m not aware of. Plus I hope Stoops and the troops work this team on one-on-one tackling drills this year. That will help.
Plus if they really want to stop a run game and use a 4-2-5 they can morph it into a 46 pretty easily with no subs. Could be really nasty against run oriented teams.
I like the fact that it appears Bob is getting his hands dirty and does what most successful people do when they are trying to get back in the groove…they get back to basics…and it starts with recruiting as it seems Bob has been involved in almost every recruit and is reaching out to them….then the renewed youth and staff….and finally, back to his core football beliefs from an offensive and defensive perspective. I also like the fact we will not be ranked going into 2015…that usually brings out the best in Bob and team.
I agree. I like when we play with a chip on our shoulder. I think in 2000 we started at 19 or 20 after a 7-5 season.
I like this……Bob is not a BS’r, this will win over the smarter athletes, plus the parents of the kids he’ll be watching over for 4-5 years.
Four different defenses in the last 5 years. First 4-3, then went to 4-1-6, then 3-4, and now 4-2-5. Lmao…who is the extra DB? Do we have anybody on campus that can play that position?
Thats why they are getting back to what they know, and do, well. Lets hope!
Asking for trouble with 220 lb DE in the run game. Then on top of that, our weakest position area is the secondary. Dont know about this move but my job isnt on the line either.
I’m guessing they will move one of the larger safeties closer to the LOS (Byrd?) on obvious run downs.
Dont know if he is that type of hybrid safety/ linebacker.
A. THomas is that type. He is about the same size Lewis Baker was when that linebacker’safety hybrid was put in for the 2006 season (I think that is the right year, it was Bradford’s first as a starter). Baker was pretty good at that role but Thomas may be more athletic than he was in coverage. Of course, that defense also featured Lofton at MLB which made that defense pretty dang good.
Not high on Thomas .if we do play this 4-2-5 some freshmen will have to play.
I like JT. For a freshman I thought he played well.
I meant ahmad thomas. I like jordan thomas also
Okay, then.
In the future, any reference to an Evans will require the full name. 🙂
Hahaha you got sir.
Disagree. No one in the Big 12 besides us, has a power running attack. Hence Striker will play the read, wide runs, something he does well.
Doesnt have to be a power running attack. Baylor runs the ball more than people think. TCU runs the ball.
Both teams actually are run first.
KC in the NFL used Derrick Thomas at DE and they got to the AFC title game. I think Striker can be effective against the run. When he payed coverage we had no pass rush.
We had no pass rush bc of max protect and a lot of three step drops.
The extra db will actually be a db on the field and not Striker playing the “nickel” position…think Julian Wilson his junior year or better yet…Tony Jefferson his fresh and sophomore years…playmaka closer to the line that can also drop….we have multiple people that can play that position
I have to admit when I first read this I didn’t think I was very excited about this change. In looking at the differences in a 3 man fron DE and a 4 man front DE I thought we spent the past couple years getting the players to finally be successful running the 3-4 defense. Giving it the benifit of the doubt and doing some research on the 4-2-5 and going over our rostor, I am starting to get excited by this change. The obvious reasons of coaches being more familar aside, I really think K is right,(no suprise in that) the change really fits our personal. And if the 4-2-5 is our base it can easly morph to a 4-3-4, 3-4-4, or a 3-3-5, with the personal we have on this team based on what the opponent is trying to do. The bottom line is we have to play multiple people at every position in this defense because if there is one thing a quick strike offense needs from a defensive standpoint, it has to defensive depth. Can’t allow the starters to get tired by the start of the second half.
It seems that the difference isn’t huge, with Striker playing standing up outside the DE, Tapper. In the old eagle defense that the Stoops used to run, the SLBer was lined up on the LOS outside the SDE.
K, any word on secondary alignments yet? Going back to their roots is fine, but if that means they stick with their “tried & true” soft cover 1 or cover 3 shell, it doesn’t matter what front they run. Have your sources said anything about them incorporating more press & man schemes into the system? In the past you’ve said they haven’t worked on press coverages & techniques in practice. I’ve always thought this was why we we’re bad at it on defense, but also why our WRs struggled against it so much. They never saw it during the week.
Hopefully the influx of freshman secondary players in the fall will allow for more man and press options. I agree with you, would love to see some man press (thats what she said.)
bingo!…..great ?…….while the season was spiralling down last yr, I think it was sk who said he found out that they barely practiced press coverage each week
Indeed, from all the folks I talked to at different universities, OU practiced 1 on 1 drills the least. It was a head scratcher for sure. I suspect under Cooks they will follow suit with other Unis and do 1-on-1s every practice day.
For the millionth time, they didn’t have the players to run press last year and when they tried it, they got beat deep. They’ve been recruiting bigger, more physical corners like PJ and Stephens so they run press. They’ve also been recruiting bigger players at DE and LBer.
Julian Wilson would have been better served if he’d been playing bump & run. That was what he was built for with his size to get physical on the line and knock receivers off their routes. He didn’t have the lateral speed or quick turns to play off a receiver the way he was coached to do last year. The rare moments they put him on the line he wasn’t physical with the receiver, and got burned for it against Baylor once. I expected that since he’d been told all season to play one way, then miraculously switch on another. That would have mixed me up as well.
Julian Wilson would have been better served if he’d been playing bump & run all season. That was what he was built for with his size, to get physical on the line and knock receivers off their routes. He didn’t have the lateral speed or quick turns to play off a receiver the way he was coached to do last year. The rare moments they put him on the line he wasn’t physical with the receiver, and got burned for it against Baylor once. I expected that since he’d been told all season to play one way, then miraculously switch on another. That would have mixed me up as well.
I’ll check for you and if I’m able to find out then I’ll post it. Alignments are usually dictated by the call but OU has been playing very conservatively even within calls that don’t require it so hopefully that changes this spring and going forward.
The new secondary coach might make changes to technique that works better, plus we’re bringing youth that seems to be good at press and zone. All are solid tacklers too.
Any Frank Shannon sightings at Practice or on the Roster?
From what I understand he will not rejoin the team till May.
Thanks!
I don’t mind the 3-4 or the 4-3 as they don’t need to re- invent defensive football. Just get your best 11 on the field, get pressure on the qb, cause some turnovers and get off the field on 3rd down.
Amen, It’s not rocket science is it? Although it’s harder then it used to be. D@m offensive coaches have gotten a whole lot smarter then the old days.
It’s more like anti-missile science now, what with all the high scoring offenses and speedy receivers.
And rules favoring the offense at the expense of defense
Exactly!
I honestly like the implied move to the 4-2-5. I’ve always liked that style of D plus it’s very versatile and can easily morph to a 3-4, 4-3, 3-3, 3-5, or even a 46 if you need it to. Making Striker a permanent standup edge rusher is also a good call since coverage really isn’t his strong suit, plus Bond seems like the same type of player so Striker can rest some when needed. I think we can have a better D with this being added in or if it’s being made the base front since it can change at will depending on who we’re against that week. Can’t wait to see how it evolves.
SK, what is your assessment of Striker’s coverage skills? I thought he did well last year but after reading some other comments,maybe I’m wrong.
I think the real takeaway from this post is Stoops wearing the Jordan sweatpants. Something that should definitely not be understated moving forward.
I love TFB.
That is all.
Great stuff! There’s just something about two ends (one named striker) collapsing the pocket with two dtackles simultaneously creating a push up the middle that makes me immensely happy…
Throw in a safety or LB shooting through the middle and it’s a mayhem party.
Hope they learn to tackle. System is nice, but fundamentals are more important than any system.
Agreed tackling needs to be a priority even if some minor injuries happen. At the very least practice heavy bag tackling drills to simulate a player.
Tackling must improve and they have got to quit cutting their blitzes short. Those guys get going and then just stop and hop. If you’re going to the QB…get your keester to the QB!
I would disagree the 4-3 is better suited for our personnel on defense since we’ve recruited players to the 3-4 (at least on the D line, anyway). I don’t want to give up on the 3-4, I only had a problem with how it was (mis)used. I want to see us stop dicking around with trying to use safeties in a LB position, playing CBs deep off the WRs, and rushing 1 LB with the 3 DLs. I want to see us use 4 true 235 lb+ LBs, rush a minimum of 5 and more often 6, heat coming from all angles–Dick LeBeau style, constant QB pressure and primarily man coverage from the secondary.
This crap with trying to play undersized faster personnel in positions they aren’t suited for has been an utter failure. Mike took Roger Steffen out of the lineup vs FSU’s spread offense and substituted Roy Williams in his place while Ontei Jones filled in at SS. That worked because Roy was LB size with safety speed, was an amazing tackler, was very intelligent and had uncanny instincts, and was an all-around freak of nature. He was a rarity. Ontei Jones was a pretty special safety as well.
Mike has been trying to replicate that ever since, moving safeties to LB. Without that once-every-20-years player like Roy, it doesn’t work. And we don’t have a lock down secondary like the Roy Williams/JT Thatcher/Michael Thompson/Derrick Strait secondary. We must get pressure from the front 7 to stop Big 12 offenses. We can do that from the 3-4 if we had enough LBs. Too bad we didn’t recruit more this year.
If we keep switching defenses, our players will continue to be confused and make mistakes. I don’t mind an occasional series or two in an even front, but I think we should stick with the 3-4. JMHO…
Roy Williams
Season Class # POS HT WT
1998 FR 38 LB 6-2 190
1999 FR 38 DB 6-0 215
2000 SO 38 DB 6-0 218
2001 (C) JR 38 DB 6-0 221
Kinda hard to get your point across when numbers are actually put up huh? The 3-4 is not a fix all defense. We could run almost any defense we want, but if the players don’t believe in it then it’s worthless. Mike’s a good DC but comparing him to a legend like LeBeau is just stupid. Plus something you missed when comparing our defense to the 2000 champs is the type of offense that’s in vague now. Very few teams run the systems that were top of the world in 2000. Nebraska ran the power I option and FSU ran a pro-style hybrid. Now teams run the spread and air raid with track stars at the skill position. 4-3 or straight 3-4 can’t cut it like it used to, a 3-4/4-2-5 hybrid on the other hand? Who knows. Don’t knock it till we see what they are planning first huh?
Jonathan, thanks for your input but please make your point without using derogatory words like “stupid”. Please edit. Again, thanks.
Thx for the info guys.