Defensive Notes

Image via collegefootball.ap.org

Had a few random notes about the defense that I figured we could just bullet point in one post:

– First, I wanted to briefly address the reason we stopped posting our spring practice notes. It isn’t necessary that we divulge everything, but I’ll just say that we didn’t believe anything we posted would compromise Oklahoma’s chances on the field or in recruiting. We still feel that way.

In fact, we feel, since fans don’t see what goes on in practice, our practice notes were a way of bringing the fans closer to the team. However, someone (we don’t know who) complained to people inside the athletic department which led them to speak to us. And while we thought everything was initially fine, apparently that wasn’t the case. The way the “complaint” was made to the athletic department, and then communicated to the coaches, created a misunderstanding that we are working to clear up.

We understand Oklahoma’s position and certainly aren’t upset with anyone. We always want to be on good terms with our readers, our university, and the coaches. Unfortunately, we’re going to have to disappoint y’all by no longer bringing you our practice notes feature. However, when we hear information we will try to let you know how things are looking in general. Hopefully that won’t prompt any more “complaints” to the athletic department.

– I wanted to talk a little bit about the nickel position, and in doing so I’m going to use OLB and nickel interchangeably. We all know that Julian Wilson was Oklahoma’s nickel last year. We also know that players like Eric Striker and Ahmad Thomas have been playing some nickel in spring practice (yes, we reported this a couple weeks back but it has also since been confirmed by the coaches in post-practice pressers).

A lot of folks, including ourselves, assumed that Julian would be back at nickel once he recovered from injury. However, I was talking to a friend and I was told that Julian actually wants to play outside at cornerback. It remains to be seen whether or not that actually happens, but what I’m hearing is he wants to compete for the open cornerback spot opposite Zack Sanchez. It’s hard to blame him because with his height and speed, if he was able to win that spot and excel at it, he would get a long hard look from NFL teams.

– To follow up on the previous point, let’s imagine the defense under a scenario where Wilson does win the other cornerback spot and Striker plays nickel/OLB. The first down (and potentially second down) defense goes from being an undersized defense with limited ability to play the run near the line of scrimmage or change the pressure point, to a much bigger defense with a lot versatility. You’ve got a very big corner (Wilson) and you’ve got Striker who you can blitz off the edge and get help from in run support – something that wasn’t necessarily Wilson’s forte.

Then, on passing downs, you bring the heat and can shift more of a true cover corner to the nickel spot. As I sit here and think of all the different personnel groupings and all the variations of players we’ve got coming in…..man, I get giddy. Coach Mike Stoops has got to be having fun!

– From the little bit we’ve heard about the scrimmage this past weekend, it sounds as though the defense was nasty. We heard the offense didn’t necessarily look bad or anything, but the defense definitely won the day. The offense did manage to break a few runs, but the defense was everywhere. Heard that the front six/seven looked fantastic and were playing on the other side of the line of scrimmage quite a bit.

139 Comments

  • Onikuno says:

    The only people that would have reason to complain are paysites that share same said info. Connect the dots and you can narrow down the suspects…

    • SoonerKevin says:

      My thoughts exactly, Onikuno.

    • pitbull17 says:

      This is exactly what I said yesterday and peeps disagreed.

    • lovethemsooners says:

      The pay site that I am a member of has a bit of an “envy” problem with this particular site. Wouldn’t surprise me if the source of the complaint came from one of them.

      …..and I thought for sure Esco and Hale were tight. ;o)

      • Sooner Ray says:

        Hale is like bad chili on Escoe’s hot dog 🙂

        • Jordan Esco says:

          You guys make me laugh

          • Gary Robbins says:

            Another case of the squeaky wheel gets the oil. I used to cover 8-10 sites per day ( I do not subscribe) getting the info that I can get in one spot now. Thanks TFB crew. With this one stop shopping I will have more time for happy hour!! One little tidbit that I read from Berry Tramel @ ok news. Only 3 Sooners on campus now and practicing caught a touchdown pass in 2013. It was a wide receiver, a fullback, and a kicker. Shows our lack of experience when your fullback and kicker are your 2nd and 3rd returning touchdown receivers. No reflection on our talent just inexperience at this point.

          • Zack says:

            I heard that stat yesterday and it made me think we have more guys on campus who have thrown td passes and if Thompson and bester were not graduating or transferring we would have 6 guys who have thrown tds on the roster.

          • SamSooner says:

            I am of the belief that you shouldn’t worry about perceived deficiencies.It’s not real until it’s real.

          • JB says:

            Sam, that makes way too much sense. It’s far too rational. No way in hell anyone will follow that advice.

          • ND52 says:

            FWIW @disqus_qEPVZJhSwX:disqus, I’d be much, much more concerned if we were breaking-in a new O-Line or a new QB.

          • Gary Robbins says:

            I agree with that. Our new receivers and new running backs only lack experience-not the talent. Our starting QB is talented- just needs more experience as a starter. Just wondering does OU have another QB prospect. T. Gibson was blown away on recent visits to Tennessee, Auburn, Clemson, no mention of OU. Jarrett Stidham committed to Tx. Tech (ouch), and J.W. Ketchum-ath./dual threat QBs a heavy lean to Texas(ouch). All 3 were OU offers. Are our present QB’s on campus a determent(R.So., R. Fr. , Fr. So. transfer). In other words is it about immediate playing time or is it something else?

          • ND52 says:

            @disqus_qEPVZJhSwX:disqus

            I think we’ll be fine at QB for the foreseeable future. I see all three on campus next spring unless Trevor Knight somehow conjures up a season to rival Bradford’s 2008 season. As far as recruiting goes, it’s just too difficult to project how an 18 year-old kid is going to adjust to being away from home for the first time and whatnot.

            Besides, we just beat a team full of (alleged) 5-star players with, according to the “experts”, a group of average joe’s so I really have a hard time taking the recruiting process seriosuly anymore.

          • Gary Robbins says:

            Amen. It’s a long time till next February. Stoops and company seem to recruit towards the team’s needs and what they see in each recruits film.

          • Zack says:

            I would think it’s about immediate playing time. But that’s ok not every 5* pans out and not every 3* is at best a scout team qb. To me you have to take a qb but for ou I would take an under the radar kid this year.

          • Gary Robbins says:

            Someone like Sam Bradford. Wasn’t he a 3 star coming out of high school.

          • ND52 says:

            @disqus_qEPVZJhSwX:disqus

            Bradford, Trent Williams, Q. Griffin, D. Strait—-the list of low-rated recruits that have left OU as decorated players is long and distinguished.

          • Zack says:

            Yeah and football might have been his third best sport back then. I went to Putnam city and he killed us every year in basketball at north. In football I don’t think north was very good, although they made a run to the semis I think with him.

          • soonersd says:

            also, would be much more concerned if our number 1 receiver wasn’t a guy like shepard. he has been grooming behind the likes of stills and saunders the last 2 years and I believe he is ready for an all american type season.

        • Learguy says:

          Every time I read that, I just feel, diiirty….

      • ND52 says:

        The way some people act, you’d think they were being embezzled left and right……………..:-D

    • Ed Cotter says:

      Haters (pay sites) gotta hate. What a shame. TFB is the bomb and they know it.

    • OUknowitscomin says:

      I guess not terribly surprising considering Stoops extremely heightened security awareness. Makes it pretty easy for anyone to inflame that, undeservedly. Bob would probably cringe reading just about any info on these sights, just his nature. But to for one site to tattle on another just screams desperation & is disingenuous considering if Bob read their site would not like it either. Just part of the deal.

  • oupunk says:

    Thank you for all that you do.

  • disqus_MGlT3IoZ53 says:

    I don’t see this at all. Not discounting the story, I just don’t see him at cb. No experience and not enough speed imo

    • dahldennsull says:

      I agree. I think he has good top end speed, but CB is so much more stop & start, quick burst, turning your hips and running. Sure it sounds good in theory with his height and speed, but if he is our starting CB, I see a lot of completed passes to his side before we get to celebrate our newly added run support at Nickel and his CB spot

      • J.K. Abbott says:

        10.2 100 meters and sub 4.5 isnt fast enough? Then cancel Christmas Nobody on OU’s roster is fast enough.

        • dahldennsull says:

          It’s not about straight line speed. 100 meters does NOTHING for a cornerback. Want evidence? Go look at the last first round CB’s and their combine 40’s…

          2014 – Dennard 4.51, Gilbert 4.37

          2013 – Milliner 4.35, Hayden 4.40, Trufant 4.38, Rhodes 4.39,

          2012 – Claiborne 4.50, Gilmore 4.38, Kirkpatrick 4.50,

          2011 – Patrick Peterson 4.31, Amukamara 4.43, Smith 4.46

          2010 – Joe Haden 4.57, Jackson 4.48, McCourty 4.38, Wilson 4.43, Robinson 4.46

          Over the last 5 years the average of a 1st round CB is 4.43, for the elite of the elite every year. You would think if straight line speed was so important you would never see a corner with over a 4.5 get selected in the first round but 25% of the 1st round CB’s have that. The reason for this? Shuttle drill, 3 cone drill, flipping your hips, planting your foot in the ground, and recovering when a receiver breaks on a route.

          Fast corners are nice, but they are a perk. I would rather have a guy who can cut and stick in a receivers pocket for 95% of the routes other than the few go routes he does run, when you usually have a safety over the top helping as well.

          • J.K. Abbott says:

            wilson is a 4.4 kid. Ran a 4.4 at the Army All American combine. Third best 40 out of every invited corner there. So wrong again.

          • BozemanSooner says:

            anyone disputing his speed needs to quit. He’s super fast. His knock out of highschool was flexibility, but imo he has quashed that concern by his play on the film. he does not look like a stiff guy on the field.

          • J.K. Abbott says:

            https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQovhPaRNa0
            He doesn’t look stiff to me. “not enough speed”??? Sheesh I saw this kid in person on a track. He’s a freaking burner..

          • nate g says:

            He looks a lot heavier now. And quite frankly appears a little stiff to me. But who knows. Chijioke was a little too and he could cover.

          • Sonny Schovanec says:

            Bring me some film. All the games are on You Tube. Give me a game and with the times he was beat in the slot because of stiff hips. The film don’t lie.

          • J.K. Abbott says:

            Great article about his track exploits. 21.4 in the 200 and 10.4 in the 100 meters dispute a sore ham string. Sheesh he can flat get it. The track meets stopped when Julian was about to run. He put on a show. Burner.
            http://newsok.com/high-school-track-julian-wilsons-hard-work-pays-off/article/3360330

          • nate g says:

            Taylor Mays (USC) ran a 4.3 and couldn’t cover anybody. Quickness as important.

          • Sonny Schovanec says:

            Proof is in the film. Watch the baylor game, West Virginia, Blah blah blah. Wilson covered up the slot in nickel all year. Maybe got beat under five times. Bring me the film of his stiff hips and him not worthy of playing corner and then I will concede. The film don’t lie. Crap all the wonder why OU would move Striker to Nickel is also a head scratcher. Juilian blitzed half the time. He isnt an ideal blitzer.If Stike can cover he perfect for OU’s Nickel position

          • J.K. Abbott says:

            And i’m not saying Julian is the answer at corner but to say he’s not fast enough is asinine. 4.4 is fast.

          • BozemanSooner says:

            I think it’s a great idea and he very well may be the answer. If you can man up against a slot and succeed as much as Wilson has, he can man up on the outside. He is a more fluid and quick twitch athlete than Dahl is giving him credit. Coming out of high school he looked stiff but not anymore. He has been a very underrated player and one put in a very difficult position. Going one on one, and not always man under, he had done a solid job. you are going to lose some of those battles, but he has more than held his own.

          • pitbull17 says:

            honestly how many kids at the combine run a sub 4.4 forty yearly? 2 or 3 at the most. That level is speed is not that common.

          • dahldennsull says:

            I was going the other way with that point. You read it wrong. I’m saying the best corner in the game don’t run 4.4 flat so saying Julian runs a 4.4 does not make him a good corner. All those kids do things that were julian’s weakness coming out of HS and could still be today. They sink their hips, their acceleration is top notch, they play in a receivers pocket.

            I don’t know how to get my point across other than : HIS SPEED DOES NOT MATTER TO ME. THERE IS SO MUCH MORE TO CB THAN HOW FAST YOUR 40 IS.

          • pitbull17 says:

            I knew exactly what you were trying to say dude.

      • wolfbuilder says:

        He has really play the against the fast quicker guys in slot and done a fine job so covering big guys on the outside shouldn’t be any harder

        • Sonny Schovanec says:

          It’s not rocket science is it wolf. The proof is on film.

          • wolfbuilder says:

            For someone to say its harder to cover on the outside has no clue, 90% of the time they r off the line which makes it almost impossable to jam and being inside they have way more room to run route making wheele, Flag, and Outs harder to covercausd there is more room to the outside for them to run and also slots r the fastest and quickest most ot the time then look at who he has covered Locket, Stewart, and Shipley non of which burned him and all but shutdown one of the best Stewart

      • Sonny Schovanec says:

        You have seen this on film and think Wilson doesnt have those atributes? Where? what film? The games are on you tube. Give me the game and time of film. Watch the Okie Light game. Heck go to 40:31 and tell me Wilson didn’t sink his hip and make a play on Stewart. But heck Stewart is a slap slot. No way #2 can cover an outside wr. Stewart is a slap.

    • Super K says:

      Well the word we got was that he’s expressed this desire to his family and the coaches because he feels his NFL potential is at that position. I personally am not sure about his ability to play the position. I will say that covering slot WRs is no easy task and he’s done a pretty good job of that in man. Additionally he’s got great top end speed. My question would be exactly what dahlden said below which is in regards to his start/stop and how quickly he can flip. But I’d definitely like to see him at the position. In fact a play that stands out to me from 2 years ago was when he turned to run with a very fast Baylor receive on a deep route…it opened my eyes. But we’ll see.

      • pitbull17 says:

        If he ends up at CB come fall we’ll all know that he can legit play the position, OU has the talent at WR where he will have had to have proven himself.

      • Indy_sooner says:

        Flexibility would be his issue, with being that big too. My main concern is with experience, but then again, his competition for the spot is also more or less at a similar level. I am glad the coaches are giving him the opportunity to try it out.

      • Jason Vos says:

        Julian Wilson at CB is definitely intriguing, he has the size (6’2 200) and speed. And he definitely has way more game experience than any of the other CB’s. He would be good against the run as well, with his experience playing the nickel.
        This would also allow the coaches to use one of the smaller CB’s in the nickel spot on obvious passing downs like S.Taylor or D.Austin to cover slot receivers.

        • J.K. Abbott says:

          Thank You. Geez thought I was posting at 247 for a minute.

          • Doobie74OU says:

            DEEP BREATH MAN! DEEP BREATH! I THOUGHT WE WAS GONNA LOOSE YOU THERE FOR A MINUTE!

          • J.K. Abbott says:

            I hear ya brother. I need to chill but people are posting stuff about kids/players that aren’t true. we are talking about a kid who had track scholly offers. He has world class speed. If Julian i’snt fast enough then we are screwed because he’s as fast as any of OU’s db’s if not the faster one of the bunch.

          • dahldennsull says:

            the thing is you are sticking to one aspect of his game. Most of us aren’t arguing about his speed, we are saying he has it. What we are saying is that playing CB is about so much more than speed. If speed were all it took, every teams fastest players would just line up at CB since it’s such an important position. As you get taller, it gets hard to sink, flip hips and react to routes of a WR. That’s why shorter corners are better at this aspect, less to move around.

          • Sonny Schovanec says:

            Show me. What game and time. The games are on YOU TUBE. Show me and I will concede. Ju;ian DOES NOT HAVE STIFF hips. Show me where his hips cost him a play on a slot WR this past year. It’s great to have film. The film doesnt lie. This reminds me of times when parents complain about their kid not playing. All it takes is a film session.

    • J.K. Abbott says:

      Not enough speed?? Julian??? If you mean Julian you sir are clueless. Wilson ran a 10.2 100 meters at the Army all American camp and had the 3rd best 40 time. He was a sub 4,5 guy in HS. Crap if Wilson isnt fast enough no one on OU’s roster is. Where do you guys come up with this stuff “not fast enough” Sheesh!

      • Zack says:

        Well they really haven’t used him in a way to show off his speed. It makes you wonder at 6’2 and about 200 pounds, why he’s not on the field at all times. I’m all for moving him outside though if he has the tools to do so. And straight line speed isn’t everything

        • OU_Sooners says:

          It is when you’re playing on the outside. Flag/Post/Go routes all deal with straight line speed.

      • OU_Sooners says:

        Remember when Julian caught Desmond Roland from behind during Bedlam? Dude wasn’t even in the picture and chased him down. Julian Wilson has speed to burn.

    • BozemanSooner says:

      not to pile on, but he will instantly be the fastest corner we have on the field.

      • J.K. Abbott says:

        Thank you. Sheesh. Julian can flat get it. He is a 10.2 , 4.4 guy. Crap there aren’t too many of those guys walking around. This sucker can cook it.

  • Sooner Ray says:

    I have no idea who would want to complain to the Athletic department about info shared here, but I might take a look at a chubby bald man with a high pitched voice who has been known to be a cry baby and gets easily offended. I don’t know, maybe a guy who has something to lose if people choose free info over paid for info? Probably not the toughest hunting trip I’ve ever been on. 🙂

    • pitbull17 says:

      It doesn’t exactly take Sherlock Holmes to figure this one out does it?

    • JB says:

      I actually called Hale’s show before signing day because I was concerned about the lack in numbers at DT, a position that we are/were thin at in terms of top-caliber players. Hale said with the switch to the 3-4, they were only going to take one DT a year, maybe two DTs in an unusual year. I considered that absurd at the time, but given we only had one DT in the class–Courtney Garnett–I considered for a tenth of a second that maybe he was right. Common sense won out.
      Now that there are already two DT commits in the 2015 class, and OU’s pursuing Fehoko and McKenzie (I’m sure they’d take both if both accepted), I’ve been tempted to call in and ask, “What happened to that limit of only 1 or 2 DTs per class limit you described last February?”

      • wolfbuilder says:

        They also took Orso who will play the same pos DT/Dend as Garnett

      • Zack says:

        I don’t listen to the guy’s show and really nothing on the radio is as good as what you would find here. The guys here are open to let you speak your opinion, the radio “insiders/experts” don’t want you to have your opinion or at least don’t want to make you feel like it’s legit.
        If you were to call him I bet he would have an excuse for it but to test his knowledge you should call and see what he says.

        • JB says:

          Not to mention, most of the guys on the radio are clueless. Mark Rodgers comes to mind. And who in their right mind is going to ask Al Eschbach anything about football? Eschbach was too scrawny to be a waterboy, let alone play the sport.
          Zack, you are so right about there being nothing on radio as good as TFB. This site rocks, it gives the information you want, and it’s commentary provided by guys who actually, TRULY know about the subject matter.

          I’m halfway tempted to call back, but I am not a frequenter of calling talk radio shows. I don’t know what came over me that day.

          • Zack says:

            I could go all day about criticizing the local radio hosts. Now I will say the franchise 107.7 isn’t too bad they have some likable people and they try to be more factual than opinionated or it comes off that way. As far as Rodgers he should step aside and let pj mills take over. I didn’t like mills style at first but I think he’s good now. And eschbach will read a paper or something once every other week so one day out of 2 weeks he will have current info for one segment it’s embarrassing. Outside of their 180 reactions to thunder games I have no clue what sports they keep up with.

      • Sooner Ray says:

        I never mentioned anyone’s name, you are a good detective my friend. 🙂

  • Sooner Sam says:

    I wonder who in the HALE decided that it would be in their best interests to make it look like the SCOOP of information that you guys obtained about spring practices was negative for the university? Sure is a shame….. I appreciate your work gentlemen.

    • Stikboy says:

      I just don’t understand how it matters? It’s a free country, can’t you post whatever you want? It’s a private site…??

      • Doobie74OU says:

        It is a private site and you can most definately post whatever you want! But if the Coaches and Addministrators ask you not to post certain things and you do anyway all this great info we are getting from credible sources and people connected with OU is going to dry up faster than you can ever imagine! I trust TFB will bring us the info we need and want and do it in a way that won’t ruffle any feathers on the people that matter!

        • Stikboy says:

          Right. I realize that now after reading further. I had thought it was just some panty waste from another site complaining. I now know that it got to OU and they have an issue…

      • Learguy says:

        Kinda like agruing with your wife. You can be happy, or you can be right….

    • blac1819 says:

      Ya I don’t see how this site has harmed OU.
      All we heard at the worst was Grissom playing Jack
      We struggled against bigger sets last year. Huge surprise to get more physical at the LOS
      Ross/Walker Are physical freaks. Bell looks the part of a TE. Nothing shocking

      • Zack says:

        Plus they’ve let jake trotter and others talk about the moves on defense and I believe mike stoops did an interview with kersey? talking about the same stuff only about 2 weeks later. And tfb if I’m not mistaken prefaced the comments about the defense saying it was probably due to Wilson being out.
        And for the conspiracy theorists they may not want to kill their paper writers considering their biggest donor.

  • SoonerfanTU says:

    Am I the only one not overly thrilled with moving Striker from a spot that he showed so much promise at? Maybe in the long run the move helps the team, but it just seems like a weird move to make, imo. Hope he excels if he is moved, and I hope whomever takes his place excels there as well, I’m just normally in the camp of not changing a good thing, until it’s not a good thing anymore.

    • Zack says:

      I agree with what you’re saying although I think the move allows the defense to be bigger on the front 6/7 and shouldn’t lose much athleticism across the whole defense. I like the move because Grissom is probably going to project as more of an olb in the nfl

      • pitbull17 says:

        It also helps Striker by getting him off the line and giving him time to put that athleticism to use. His biggest weakness last year was when teams ran the ball right at him.

        • Zack says:

          The move definitely will help against teams that run more than pass. I wonder how it holds up against tech Baylor and osu.
          And we were trying to figure out what was up with the shannon rumors and since no one really had an answer I will assume if anything shannon is the odd man out with all the moves. Grissom Alexander and bond are probably getting the most time. And if Evans is healthy he may be ahead of shannon.

          • SoonerPhins says:

            Why would Shannon be the odd man out? Shannon was the leading Tackler on the defense and is one of the top players on the Defense. I doubt he will be side lined.

          • Zack says:

            I agree and that is probably how a majority of people would look at it. But if there’s rumors surrounding him but no ones saying exactly what it is, then it must be practice and to a lesser possibility eligibility related. If he broke a team rule we would know of a suspension or whatever. So my guess he may have somehow fallen down the depth chart.

          • SoonerPhins says:

            I still do not understand this whole rumor thing. I have seen no link or proof of said rumors, so I think some one might just be stirring up the pot to get views.

          • Zack says:

            I don’t either I agree that it was to get people to sign up. But someone last week said there was a lot of talk but yet it’s all speculation and jokes like “he got caught hanging out with metoyer”.

          • SoonerPhins says:

            Like I said, people are just blowing smoke out their A**. Once I see proof then I will believe, but until then, no stock what so ever.

          • Zack says:

            Yeah I just went back and looked at that discussion the other day and saw Allen k and someone’s quote from josh with SS saying there’s nothing there.

          • Doobie74OU says:

            That “Shannon Story” came from the same person that said that the FB Practice Updates were “COMPROMISING” and both of the stories are great big giant loads of CRAP! THE FOOTBALL BRAINIACS WLL ONEDAY RULE THE WORLD (of OU football websites) AND I”M PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT DAY IS TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!

          • Zack says:

            Well hopefully whoever asked tfb to limit what is said actually goes back and reads all the posts. TFB is doing a lot to help readers understand the ins and outs of recruiting and some other aspects. Maybe that’s the issue? Or maybe they don’t want their opinions to be associated with ou. Whatever it is hopefully it gets resolved soon and we can get those reports again.

          • Super K says:

            Frank has been looking really good

          • Zack says:

            Well there goes my theory. Haha but that’s good.

          • J.K. Abbott says:

            Shannon Out??? Holy Crap!

            http://i.stack.imgur.com/jiFfM.jpg

        • BozemanSooner says:

          This.
          He will come off the edge plenty, don’t worry. This will allow him to be in space, where he will thrive next year. This Tony Jefferson when he played the Nickle.

    • wolfbuilder says:

      This isn’t to take Striker off the field or away from his spot it’s to keep him on the field and help the run D, cause if he can’t handle alittle Nickel in run downs then he would have to come off so the D would get ran over like Baylor, Osu, Texas, and yes Bama who kill us running off tackle.

      Striker will play that rush end spot he played so well in those 50/50 spots and passing down plus u can show some new blitzes with him playing Nickel, Overall if he can handle it will really help this D and his draft stock and also help this pass D with Wilson moving out cause he is a 2 year start and know this D and adds great size out there.

      I love the ideas they r playing with, shows growth and flexibility!

      • Sonny Schovanec says:

        If Strike can cover Nickel is perfect for him. Like Stoops said heck Wilson blitzed half the time. (film doesnt lie) Wilson did a heck of a job in coverage but wasn’t a ideal blitz guy. You know from playing the game, not every kid can blitz. It’s an art that not even the greatest athletes can handle. Ive put kids on a screamer blitz right into a sweep an the kid run right by it. Striker is a special athlete.

    • blac1819 says:

      I agree with ya,but its more about the situation.
      Striker was his best against a tackle blitzing. Moving to NB he may face more strong side meaning he could have a TE n front of him when he blitzes. He was his best when he could use his speed to go around the tackle.
      But this also allows Bond to take his old spot. So it makes us
      A. stronger at the point of attack. We have a true LB on the edge (Bond/Evans/Grissom) and we have Striker instead of Wilson at Nickle. So it’s now a true 3-4-4 or for the old cats a type of 5-2, Striker and Grissom/Bond are ur rush DE’s.
      B. (if Bond lives up to the hype) Now we got 2 good OLB who can get to the QB on the field at the same time with Tapper, Phillips, Grissom/Walker as the front 3.
      C. The drawback. We r now weaker in pass coverage. Wilson was pretty solid last year covering slot recievers or flex TEs. His size/speed makes him a really good NB in the big 12. I personally was surprised with how he played last year.
      So all n all this gives our D another option if we want to go big against a power attack. That was our glaring weakness least year. Not physical enough against power teams.

      • Zack says:

        I see your 5-2 and raise you a modern day bear 46

      • Sooner Ray says:

        That’s a lot of numbers and letters for a guy coming home from a happy hour or five but I think I understand what your saying and I have to agree!

      • Learguy says:

        5-2 YES!!!!! That’s what we played in HS. (old fat man!!!)

  • WilliamJack says:

    I have seen absolutely nothing on this site that would “compromise” the OU practices with information that other teams could use against the Sooners. Sounds like sour grapes to me and as usual follow the money. This remains one of the best OU sites! Keep up the good work!

  • Doobie74OU says:

    I wonder if Mike Stoops now secretly wants that “10 Second Rule” before the snap? With all these new toys to play with he would love to get them all on the field based on down and distance! But that is why they are working players at different positions so they can move and shift and create match up problems. Going to be fun watching this defense this year!

  • soonermusic says:

    Is the same practice info that was being supplied here available on the pay sites? or was the stuff here more than what the pay sites offer? Just wondering, since I don’t subscribe to the pay sites and don’t know in detail what they have.

    • Jordan Esco says:

      Can’t speak for all the pay sites as I’m only a member of one, but that one had absolutely nothing until just recently. So, in that respect, at least for that one site what was being provided here was substantially more (and FREE, mind you).

      • soonermusic says:

        thx Jordan. I totally get that this site was providing very cool, insightful reports about the practices, and free as well. A delight for those of us reading.

        I guess where I was going was trying to figure out whether there was info being released here that those within the program might prefer not to have out. If the same info was or is available elsewhere, then it’s a completely different issue than if this site is providing more.

        If it’s the same, or could be the same, then, as some have speculated, it’s clearly an issue with the other sites and the folks running them. If the info here is more detailed, then the debate might be whether those running the program “know best” and should be allowed to more secretive than we might think is reasonable.

        • Jordan Esco says:

          Well, there are a bunch of moving pieces to the story most of which I cannot share. But the gist of things is I think OU would have been upset almost no matter what we’d been putting out there.

          We all know how they have to “control the message” coming out of there and they do not take kindly to others putting out info, no matter how meaningless and/or innocent, that they don’t want out there.

  • rphdenton says:

    I belong to oui and frequent both sites ……….like 2 eyewitnesses to the same event, each account might differ to what they saw, so with 2 practice reports and recruiting info, I got a pretty clear picture what is going on. I never noticed anything on here that would seem to be a state secret leak harming national security. The limited reason you can give for being shut out as a result of a mystery person complaining makes me suspicious but that’s not proof……….I will say that the disdain for your site by a certain person on oui is no secret. In any event, do what you can do……..good luck.

    • Jordan Esco says:

      Feel free to share said disdain w/ me anytime you’d like. I’d LOVE to hear it.

    • rphdenton says:

      …though you lose, for now, the practice info, I hope you still have your recruiting sources and continue to cover that aspect……….that area is the other I’m most interested in and it seemed to be very accurate

      • Jordan Esco says:

        That won’t be changing and, to be clear, the practice stuff won’t necessarily stop either. It’s just not going to be as detailed/specific as it was previously.

        • Perry Dickey says:

          The specifics of the player moves or position was of much less interest to me as the feeling I was learning and hearing who had the ‘fire in his belly’ from someone who was there ! ! !

  • Herman Bubbert says:

    There’s a solution to all this at the administrative level of the program – open up spring practices to the fans. Other schools who once closed practices are doing it.

    It’s called positive public relations.

    I am at times amazed by the antipathy this program displays toward its fans.

    • wolfbuilder says:

      As long as we r winning, just keep doing what ur doing. Sometimes it’s less about what there trying to hide and more about taking pressure off the kids having people watch them.

      Most schools open pratice cause they don’t win 10 games or more every year

      • Herman Bubbert says:

        This discussion is admittedly secondary to winning football games.

        However, Barry Switzer didn’t conduct business at this level of secrecy, in the spring or the fall, and numerous other successful programs don’t. Perhaps if, as you say, our players are so sensitive to pressure, we should recruit stronger characters.

        It’s sad and counter-productive to cede the public relations and media advantage to NBA basketball by turning the lights out on OU football in the spring, including the veil that’s been dropped over this fine site. I don’t support that – in any way, shape or form – and I’m quite active making that lack of support known.

        • Sooner Ray says:

          I’ll just respond to the Switzer reference. I understand your basic point, but when Switzer ran the program there wasn’t the type of social media that there is today. In those days, every walking person didn’t have a high pixel/movie camera on their phone. It was just a different time that can’t be related to today’s time. I trust this staff to do whatever they think is best even if it isn’t popular with fans and media. If they win games and keep the Sooners at the top, I will gladly let them make the decisions.

        • Learguy says:

          Sometimes, you just HAVE to ignore the short bald man behind the curtain!!!

        • wolfbuilder says:

          Have u ever played at a level above high school, if u have then u would understand what I mean about letting people in, 99% of them want to go to pratice then go home not dealing with media or anyone else and if it’s so COUNTER-PRODUCTIVE how come EVEYONE still loves the team and program, and u can’t say it hurts in recruiting cause all they do is get guys and win every year!

          I don’t know about most of u but to not recruit someone cause the don’t like having to deal with the media at pratice is stupid, if that was the case AD wouldn’t have been recruited! AD is on board with Stoops not opening pratice

        • wolfbuilder says:

          This isnt the 80’s and the KING isnt the coach, quit living in the past! Its not just cause Bob want to be top secrect like I said he has said he want these 18-21 year old students haveing to deal with the press more then they have to.

          I want info more then anyone but to say we shouldnt recruit someone just to get ur rocks off for info is just stupid!!!!!!!!!!

      • Sonny Schovanec says:

        Well put man.

    • JB says:

      I don’t have a problem with the coaches closing practice. The important thing is winning. If they’re installing some different looks in advance of the big games this year, like Texas, Tennessee or Kansas State, why should they open it for anyone with a camera who can take intel back to their programs?

      What I have a problem with is this BS that the Brainiacs are giving away too much info. I think they’ve done a good job keeping things generic, only talking about player performance. If the position changes were to be kept secret, then why did the coaches give that info away too?

      • Herman Bubbert says:

        Neither do I – in the fall.

        I have a HUGE problem with it in the spring, in its entirety. And you know, practices aren’t closed in their entirety – they are open to a select few. That bothers me as well.

        See below for more elaboration.

        • Sonny Schovanec says:

          HS coaches have access to every practice. Nothing about being bought. Helps with recruiting.

    • Sonny Schovanec says:

      What let everyvody come to prcatice. Heck why not sell popcorn and hot dogs. Make it a circus. Yee Haw let’s have a grand ole time. Heck since they practice on the practice fields half the time, the fans have no where to sit and be out of the way. They would be right on the practice fields with the players. Heck let them call plays for huep.

  • JB says:

    I’m almost positive “Hale” is either Old Saxon or South Welsh for “Douche”.

    • JB says:

      It was okay for him to evade his income tax and for his wife to commit mail fraud & embezzle $435,719 from Thomas Ballinger. But when someone else does their own homework and publishes it for free when he can charge for it…well, that’s just criminal and cannot be tolerated.
      How does this guy keep getting radio jobs? I guess the station owners feel there is nothing in a radio studio to steal?

    • Jordan Esco says:

      I shouldn’t do this, but I just can’t help myself. This is someone’s sig over on Sooner Scoop and it’s…..well, it’s just one of the greatest things in the world.

      “OU is not looking to fire Coach Capel at all. Folks that is a fact and everybody needs to get over and move on.” – James Hale, less than 24 hours before Capel’s removal.

      “I have had been told by those close to Coach Venables that he is staying
      at OU, and I have been told that he turned down the Clemson job.” – James Hale, roughly 48 hours before Brent Venables announced he was leaving for Clemson.

      “All the talk about wide receiver Dannnon Cavil of San Antonio, Texas
      visiting this weekend has really just been a terrible smokescreen,
      because OU never really was aggressively recruiting Cavil. And at the
      end, they never really planned to have him visit this weekend.” – James Hale, roughly 36 hours before Dannon Cavil signed with Oklahoma in Norman.

      “…it still looks like to me that Coach Patton and Coach Shipp are on the
      staff and there will be no changes on the OU staff.” – James Hale, roughly 60 hours before Patton informed his OL he was leaving Norman.