Open Post | Thursday, Mar. 26th (UPDATE 2:24 pm)
Posted on: March 26, 2015
Image via OU Football Facebook
– Team News | Keith Ford: Many of you have probably heard the Keith Ford transfer rumors by now that have been spreading on the message boards. I asked around and was told that Ford was at practice yesterday. Beyond that I have not heard any reportable information. – (Super K)
– Team News | Linebackers: Talked with a source and got some notes about the young linebackers and just the overall depth at the position. Keep in mind the team is running a lot of 4-2-5 with Eric Striker/Devante Bond in a stand up DE ‘even front’ alignment, which clearly leaves just two linebacker spots on the field when they’re in that particular alignment. – (Super K)
* Curtis Bolton: It sounds like Bolton is beginning to take the next step in practice, which is welcome news as we’d heard some to the contrary in the past. Bolton is now running with the 1’s at MLB and we’re told that he has not only put on size (he’s up nearly 20 pounds from his previously listed weight), but he apparently hasn’t lost a step after having done so and is still “surprisingly agile.”
* Jordan Evans: Evans, who has also bulked up considerably this offseason, is running with the 1’s at OLB right now.
* Tay Evans: I did not check on where Evans is currently playing (OLB or MLB), but he is running with the 2’s currently and starting to look good based on what we have been told. He was described as having ‘great length and speed.’
* Linebacker Depth: With Bolton and T.Evans starting to come into their own and there only being predominantly two linebacker spots in this 4-2-5, it’s going to be really interesting to see who exactly wins those starting jobs come fall.
Frank Shannon is still expected to return in May, and Dom Alexander out for the spring with an injury but arguably OU’s most experienced LB and a returning two-year starter. So you’ll have all of those guys fighting it out for just two spots. Which, I suppose, could be viewed as somewhat of a negative, but I really see it as more of a positive in that it should create some great competition. And, at least in theory, better depth than OU had in recent years due, in part, because of the new scheme. This is a good problem to have but it sounds like there could potentially be a case to be made for all five guys who will be fighting for those two spots. – (Super K)
– Team News | Carson Meier and Mark Andrews: I’ve been told that while Meier is extremely talented, based on the wide open scheme they are running on offense, there just isn’t a natural spot for him as he’s more of an in-line TE (and in my opinion could be a dang good one). Which is not in any way to say Lincoln Riley will be unable to find a role for him in this offense, but it just may not be the more natural of fits.
Andrews, though, is beginning to get some attention in this new scheme. In fact, he’s been getting a healthy amount of reps with the first team offense. – (Super K)
– Team News | Dallis Todd and the Starting WRs: Also been told Todd is starting to really come on and is currently taking snaps almost exclusively with the 1’s. The four guys on the field the most with the first team offense thus far (*however, see note below) have been: Todd, Andrews, Sterling Shepard & Dede Westbrook. That is a lot of speed and size on the field at the same time. Sounds like a nasty combination of guys on the field, plus a strong stable of players behind them who will be rotated in early and often. – (Super K)
– Team News | Injuries: Some of the wide receiver rotation, however, may be at least in part due to the number of guys currently dealing with injuries. I’m told Michiah Quick has not practiced yet this spring due to a nagging injury. Have been led to believe it’s not serious, just more something they simply have to give time to heal.
Have been told both Durron Neal and Austin Bennett are also dealing with injuries and have not practiced, or been somewhat limited, this week as well. – (Super K)
– UPDATE (2:00 pm): During a radio interview just now, Bob Stoops said true freshman running back Rodney Anderson suffered a sprained MCL and as a result will miss the remainder of spring practices. Stoops added that the injury is not serious and that Anderson should be healthy and ready to go once things get started back up again this summer.
– UPDATE (2:24 pm): I checked with an additional source regarding Michiah Quick and Durron Neal’s injury situation and the source was able to clarify what I was originally told by another source.
My source said Neal has been “limited with a groin injury” so to say that he has not practiced would not be completely accurate. Also Quick has only missed this week of practice “with a calf injury that is not major.” – (Super K)
236 Comments
A+ info for Free-Ninety Free!
Thanks K…keep up the good work!
Thanks!
K, on the 4-2-5, do you think this will be run the majority of the time? Seems we have some talented & experienced LBs w/size that will be sitting. Obo & Bond did well last year in their limited time.
I’m assuming it will be dictated by the personnel they line up against. In other words I don’t believe OU has become a true 4-2-5 in the way TCU is.
A couple of years ago, everyone was saying that all was lost because we had no DL. As it played out, DL was a major strength of the team. Perhaps this year it will be WR; it would be great if they were a huge asset this year! Of course, that requires a strong QB, but I’m optimistic.
Yeah injuries might be a reason Todd is running with the 1’s
When its all said and done it will most likely be Neal, Andrews, Shepard & Westbrook
I gotta believe Quick has a big place in the LR offense. Neal may step it up this year, though; his ability to run after the catch may show better in the new offense as well.
I like Quick better in that spot.
Personally I really like two really tall guys out there and two really fast guys. As for Neal he really hasn’t ever really been impressive and Quick will get tons of reps behind Shep and Dede.
Shepard and Dede are playing different positions at this time. Westbrook is outside and Shepard in inside.
Correct. And Quick and Andrews are inside receivers in the new scheme.
Quick over Neal any day.
Would hate to see Ford transfer but I completely understand his position. The talent we continuously recruit at RB is unreal!
So defense will most likely be
Tapper – Romar – Walker – Striker
– J.Evans- – Bolton –
– S.Parker –
-Sanchez- – A.Thomas- – H.Byrd- – J.Thomas –
As of right now yeah. But the freshman secondary class is good
But can you really see any of those DB’s replacing any of these guys this year? Maybe at safety but cant see it at CB
Be prepared to have the ball run down our throat with that lineup.
By who? No one runs the ball all that effectively except Baylor and Texas
Ok State has in the past, not so much last year w/o Wickline tho
Have to figure that KSU will be accentuating the run as well, due to losing Waters/Lockett, plus the game being relatively early on the schedule.
OU will play a true LBer for the NB against running teams or on obvious running downs.
No one is capable, this ain’t the NFL.
Always hard to replace upperclassmen. Two guys with the best shot IMO would be pj and kahlil but I certainly wouldn’t say it’s likely. Think kahlil brings a good knowledge of the game and an athleticism that Thomas doesn’t have. Pj brings more length and similar size (he’s 190 right now) as JT but unlike JT, PJ has been a true CB for a while. But again, hard to replace guys who have been on the big stage.
Maybe PJ will work into rotation via nickel or CB moving JT to nickel for better coverage. Kahlil & Mckinney are interesting to me as well as RS Freshman Green. Also, wonder how Tito will fit in. Like to see him returning punts.
Correct. As talented as Steven Parker and Jordan Thomas are, they had some growing pains last year. We don’t want to be in a position to rely on true freshmen in the defensive backfield.
K, I’ve heard real positives on Johnson. Saw some Sanchez quotes that implied he would be the nickel, if the season started today. What’s your view/feedback on him, kind sir!
I’ll have notes on him tmrw or Monday
Thanks K. Appreciate you guys (including Jordan)!
Flip Parker and A Thomas. Parker likely FS, A Thomas likely NB.
Shannon for Bolton in the fall.
And I agree with Jordan Esco that it’s really terminology whether Striker is a DE or an OLBer.
And yes, the freshman class at secondary is superb! Can’t wait to see PJ and A Stephens playing bump and run!
I’m betting that by 1st game, Shannon would take the place of Bolton; Also, I see Parker and one of the freshmen at Safety, and Will Johnson at nickel.
If A. Thomas and/or Byrd are on the field, I’ll need a large supply of Rolaids this fall.
I was called a fool and Stoops was called a liar for suggesting that we were only looking to sign 2 LB’s in the last class. Most contended, including TFB, that we were wanting 4-5 and settled for 2. Since we are planning on only playing 2 LB’s in this alignment, it looks to me that Stoops and my source were correct.
We are actually playing 3 Lb’s
Only if you now consider Striker a LB, which I don’t.
Then you would be the only one
They weren’t working the guys late they were working just to waste their time. They would have taken another kid or two had they been able to get them.
Not sure who you are referring to. McGinnis committed just days before NSD. Didn’t see any real last minute push for a LB like we saw with Jefferson and the other WR who’s name escapes me now.
They were after Josh Smith. And while I never thought they had a real chance w/ John Houston, he’s another they were pursuing heavily. Pretty sure there were others as well.
Yes they are considering Striker a DE.
True, but that doesn’t actually MAKE him a DE. He’s still a LB playing DE.
No, he a tweener playing DE. We all saw the results of him playing LB last season. This experiment was done to help showcase Eric as an NFL LB. It failed IMO. Striker is an undersized, but extremely quick DE. And that’s how they intend to use him this year.
The decision to go away from the 3-4 happened after the Clemson game. They wanted more LBs but simply didn’t have the recruiting prowess to get them. They even tried to get a long athletic LB out of Tennessee in January which was after they decided to move to the new scheme. Additionally both deberry and McGinnis were defensive linemen in hs and will likely end up as 7 tech Dlinemen in college. So by your logic and based on the new scheme OU signed 0 linebackers last year.
I agree that DeBerry is perfect for the 7 tech DE, but I see McGinnis as a big MLBer.
Beat me to it.
According to guys I trust down that way I’ve been told repeatedly that he doesn’t play well in space which is why he was moved to the DL by his coach. Perhaps he can play the position but the guys I know are skeptical
Could be true about DeBerry and McGinnis. IMO, McGinnis looks like a Mike.
Also, in a 4-2-5, OU could have the Nickel be the size a “small-ish” LB, right? Wasn’t Roy a Nickel, but almost LB size?
Yes, Roy was a SS, but Ontei Jones came on in the nickel package replacing Roger Steffen (SLBer) and played in the secondary; then Roy lined up next to the LBers.
Bob, Kish and Mike have all said DeBerry is an outside linebacker and oddly enough McGinnis an inside linebacker…but whatever.
And regardless of the flawed logic the standup outside linebacker in Oklahoma’s 3-3-5 doesn’t make them a 4-2-5 team and doesn’t make Eric Striker a defensive end.
I would expect the Oklahoma defense to jump around from scheme to scheme this fall…with very inconsistent results.
I guess that depends on what you believe the defining trait of a defense is. To me it’s defined first and foremost by assignment and alignment. So whether Striker is standing or has his hand in the dirt he is being given the alignment and assignment of a 40 front defensive end and not that of a traditional 3-3-5 LB. You’re defining it based on personnel which makes sense as well but not as much as focusing on alignment and assignment in my estimation.
I guess I should be clear that I don’t believe for a moment that the assignment of that position within Oklahoma’s defense will be exactly that of a four down defensive end. By playing Striker, Bond and Obo in that role it would seem clear to me that it will be a hybrid role that drops into coverage and has a variety of roles…not just C gap or contain player against the run and a pass rusher versus the pass.
Semantics I suppose.
Lol!!
theres video of Neal going up against Sanchez and other DBs in the practice videos soonersports.com put up in the last few days. unless some other WR is wearing #5
He’s been in and out
or he might be doing the 1-on-1’s but not the actual scrimmage like portion of practice. Kinda like Dom Alexander
Imo if Mead could add about 10 or 15 more lbs of muscle, he would remind me of DGB.
DGB was 235, Mead adding 15 would only be around 200/205. still a big difference but like the thought. I would like to know all of their 40 times
The spring roster on paper showed mess up to 200 already. Still, I would like to see his 40 also. Looked fast in high school but he went to Jenks, which makes every other school look slow.
*87 WR Jeffery Mead: IS – 6’6″ 189, WAS – 6’6″ 184 (+5, still pretty slim) TFB
Still a slender guy but I’m with you and pulling for the Oklahoman product. Love to see him run in the low 4.5s
Also went to Union, not Jenks. But, you know, whatevs 🙂
That’s why i didn’t say Jenks product because it didn’t sound right. pulling for all of those guys.
The paper handout the media got had him listed at 199. So whatever. He has another year and this summer to put on. He will be awesome.
fwiw, this still says 189. http://www.soonersports.com/SportSelect.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=31000&SPID=127245&SPSID=750326&DB_OEM_ID=31000
If you watch Coach Cook’s Mic’d Up on soonersports, you can see #5 running a lot of routes against the DBs… He has the same size and build of Durron Neal, so not sure if that one is correct. Just a heads up
Durron has been in and out.
I see what you all are seeing. Just reporting what we’ve been told. May be a case of him being somewhat limited, rather than truly “out” per se.
Yes he’s been in and out
maybe thats why he wasnt able to catch any of the passes in the video…. well…. thinknig about it…. probably not why
How’s Mixon looked and Ross?
Mixon must look real good if Ford is thinking about leaving
Yes, I’ve heard that Mixon and Anderson are both the real deal. How many footballs can we have on the field at once?
Any rumors or observations on who we may be utilizing next year as returners? Particularly the punt returner? Does DeDe Westbrook return punts? Or maybe Quick?
Also, any observations on our new kicker? I am assuming Seibert will win it based on his huge talent and leg. I wonder if he will punt and kick or if we plan on using a different punter?
Cant use Quick to return punts, he has un-reliable hands. I bet Dede Westbrook does it, heard he hardly ever drops the ball.
Hodgson is doing the placekicking now I believe. Though, as you’ve said, Seibert will certainly have a chance to compete for that job once he arrives this summer.
Can’t beat info like this. I appreciate y’all
Thanks!
yes, second that. Your info is like sustenance to an insatiable appetite for Sooner news!
IMO, our style of defense creates a recruiting problem at the LB position, as I believe it requires “the right guy” with a very unique skill set due to the responsibilities created by the schemes up front and in the secondary. I would rather recruit “the right guy” every season, even if we don’t land a large quantity, and build our inventory strategically. Super K’s comments on the LB depth touches on this a bit, and by virtue of two true LB’s dictated by our current scheme, we have more depth than previously thought.
Hale had similar things to say about Andrews & Todd.. Nice to hear Bolton is taking a step in the right direction, really like his potential… Hopefully Stanvon is doing similar things in the secondary.. Any word on the safeties..?
re: safeties, if you’re reading Hale then you should know already. They’re all doing great! Just like last year 😉
I don’t read him, he comes on Tulsa Animal for about 10 minutes everyday.. He mentioned young guys practicing well early.. Andrews, Todd & Stanvon were the guys he mentioned.. I am curious about the safeties though..
He has written they’re all doing great. Just like he did last year. Just like he does every year. But I believe K will have some more notes on the defense tomorrow.
That never stops being funny. I crack up every time because it’s sooooooo true.
You know hell’s frozen over the day hale gives a brutally honest report. “Today, the defense showed why we lost so many games, and Mike Stoops is an utter failure as a DC.” If you hear him say those words, start looking for signs of the Apocalypse.
I’ll have some additional notes on the secondary tmrw I hope
Thanks!
Receiver is very fluid right now, I think a bunch of them will play.
Only sure starters are Shepard & Westbrook, all others will be battling well into August
I think that’s pretty much in line w/ what K has been saying as well. They’re going to rotate a bunch of guys thru so much like RBs before w/ Gundy, who starts probably won’t wind up mattering much.
What about Nila, thought he would be out only a few days. Anything on him?
I think he’s been hurt some and Dalton is playing in his spot. Saw Dalton at RG in a video.
Great report, thanks! I seem to recall that someone named Sooner 76 predicted that Jordan Evans would move to Dom’s WLBer spot. Just sayin’. 😉 Great to hear that Bolton, Andrews, and Dallis Todd are making statements.
Would love to get a report on the secondary and who is excelling and who is playing strong and free safety, as well as the nickel behind A Thomas.
Thanks! I’ll post that tmrw. Didn’t have time to get it up this morning.
Thanks. Love your reports! And the ensuing discussion that follows.
🙂
There is a pill to help with that, btw.
Parker tweeted that he likes playing the nickel and playing coverage…I too have been positive about he backers…they’re young and gaining good weight…with Dom out this spring he might not ever get his spot back
Really like the Andrews update. He was the receiver I was highest on in that class.
Also,other than possibly experiencing his first tornado, any news on how the Kendall visit went?
I am surprised Bond can sniff the field in front of Obo.
Also….this 4-2-5 talk is inaccurate. It is a 3-3-5 with an outside linebacker aligned on the line of scrimmage.
I wonder how teams will deal with a 5-10 220 pound outside linebacker aligned on the line of scrimmage….probably the same way they did in 2013 and just run right at him. That genius scheme is a huge reason why a bad Texas team crushed Oklahoma that season. Heck the Sooners have up over 225 yards rushing against every opponent that knew how to give the ball to a running back.
Bond had passed Obo on the depth chart by the end of last year.
It is largely terminology, IMO, as to whether Striker is an OLBer or a standup DE. Personally, I think Striker is most effective when used as a true Jack and moves before the snap to confuse the QB.
When texas ran all over OU in 2013, it was right up the middle, not off tackle. Phillips and Corey Nelson were both hurt. Dom had 19 tackles, most of which were 8 yards up the field.
It didn’t look like Bond had passed Obo in the bowl game when Obo was actually getting after the quarterback. I have seen a great first step and pass rush ability from Obo, none of that from Bond…though he played the run well a few times.
As for gashing Oklahoma in the run game, it was done everywhere…inside and out. Texas, Notre Dame and Alabama all just realized that Oklahoma didn’t know how, or physically couldn’t, defend two tight end sets. Teams would spread Oklahoma laterally with double tight and just push Oklahoma around man for man. Baylor and Oklahoma State did it without double tight.
Obo is a good player; not saying he isn’t. Just saying that Bond was on the field first when Grissom was out. Obo was playing on obvious passing downs.
OU is recruiting much bigger players now at just about every defensive position, so I am more confident that it will work. I am a little concerned, however, about Striker’s weight at the new position. DeBerry is a bigger player (already 240) than Striker and expect him to be a beast at that position. He should compete with Obo for that starting position in 2016.
I don’t call it a 3-3-5 because a traditional 3-3-5 isn’t an under front alignment and OU is in one. Bottom line is the alignment and assignment of the stand up DEnd isn’t that of a typical 3-3-5 LB
K,
The Houston Texans’ run an under front 3-man front, but it’s a 3-4, not a 3-3.
I haven’t found a team that runs what I’m reading OU is doing. Would love to have a technical discussion of this defense.
On a facebook group with fords sister, and she has been adamant about him NOT transferring. How much weight that carries, i dont know. She says hes not afraid of competition, and wants to be a sooner.
From what Ive read about Ford he likes to attack a challenge. His problem has always been fumbles not talent
Ya, and he has to know hes going to have trouble getting on the field with fumbilitis, no matter where he plays. Transferring wont fix that.
Yep, he has NFL potential if he learns to quit fumbling
Ya super talented kid. He scored what 8 td in his 1st 4 games last year i think.
Im hoping he gets it together, really one of my favorite players
Me too, was stoked when we signed him.
Apparently the rumor started by someone interpreting a post of hers on her FB page…lol
Thats funny lol. I remember we had a big discussion with her about 3-4 months ago, and she was adamant he wasnt going anywhere.
Easy to misinterpret on the internet though i guess.
Kendall commit yet?
Haha I asked the same thing about Dahu Green everyday till he finally committed, I’ll take full credit for it.
No.
I keep looking for excuses for optimism in the coming year, and I expect our offense will be markedly better. But the defense looks to be a disaster once again. Based on what I read above, it sounds like we’re running mostly nickel or 4-2-5 with Striker/Bond lining up at the stand up DE spot. It looks like Mike Stoops refuses to learn and continues to try to force a square peg in a round hole. The front 7 absolutely has to pressure the QB for the CBs and safeties to consistently succeed. Even the best DBs can’t hold tight coverage for extended periods. WRs will get open. Mike seems to have forgotten this principle or won’t accept that 3 down linemen plus Striker ARE NOT SUFFICIENT to pressure the QB. That was proved over and over and over again last season, and our best NT (Jordan Phillips) is gone. But it sounds like he wants to keep trying to make that work. It doesn’t stop there…he takes another player out of the box by putting another DB on the field and hope against hope they can keep 4-5 ball catchers from getting open? Unreal.
Our best defense will be our offense. What a flawed strategy! Offense wins individual awards. Defense wins championships.
Dude it’s, like, the 3rd spring practice. Go have a Coke and a smile, bruh.
You make a lot of assumption, don’t you? How do you know what Mike’s plan for the defense is? You been in meetings or attending practice? First of all, Striker is a DE, and a dang good one. Haven’t seen anyone get around the corner quicker, ever! So that is a 4 man front, and with timely corner or safety blitzes, that should be sufficient to get pressure on the QB.
Personally Id like to see us use a true 4 man front looking something like this
Tapper Romar Walker Dimon.
As good as Striker is at what he does well ( rushing the QB ) Id rather see him being played more as a passing down/ situation DE speed rusher.
On running downs we will drop the nickel and go big…might only be Bond but we’ll go bigger depending on the team and situation…imo they are hitting the Striker version of the 425 hard in preparation for our toughest games…Baylor and TCU and to deal with the spread and they should be
Dale – is that you?
If you would just say that you are concerned that the new defense won’t get enough pressure on the QB to help the DBs, then your ideas would get a better reception. Instead, you come across as just taking shots at Mike.
JMHO.
Guys, JB has said over and over that Mike & Kish are the problems at OU. Until both are fired, JB will write the same pompous comment over and over.
thanks for the notes, k. nice little write up. also, very cool of you to stick around, when you have the time, to answer questions
Thanks for being so gracious! 🙂
don’t want to take you guys for granted. it goes plenty of days without me mentioning it. and i know you guys put a lot into this as well as your own lives and jobs and kids and whatnot. very much appreciated
Whaley commit yet?
No
Neal has definitely been practicing as he has been in all the practice videos.
Thanks for the update
He has been practicing on and off I’m told due to a lingering knee issue but I’ll check with someone else on it. Michiah however, I’m quite certain hasn’t practiced at all
Michiah has practiced at least once, I’ve seen him in the black practice jersey on OU Football’s twitter.
I guess the problems with not recruiting enough LBers vanishes overnight when we move from a 3-4 to a 4-2. Honestly though, do you guys expect the staff to almost expect a year of leeway before getting results due to the changes in alignment?
I think the defense will be better than last year but that isn’t saying a ton
I think they will be better in coverage but the run game won’t be as good.
I’m liking what I’m seeing from Bolton and Todd (which, admittedly, is very little at this point). Seems like they have the attitude you want to see in young players.
I have this same attitude when I walk in the doors of a buffet. Grit. Fortitude. And determination.
I love a guy with a plan!
Always appreciate the info TFB provides.
I just take it all in while maintaining the “I HATE THE OFF SEASON” mode and the “WAITING FOR SEPTEMBER” mode.
I so want to see all/some of these young men step up and make memorable plays.
Is there any information on Nila Kasitati, I keep reading that he is out and will be back.
Minor injury, they’re just holding him out as a precaution. Stoops does this all the time w/ upperclassmen.
Great thanks J.
Just glad to hear everyone is working and having to compete for a spot, that develops good depth.
Need to get everyone ready, always some dings and dents during the season.
Rodney Anderson is out for the rest of the spring with a strained MCL, per Stoops. Also praised DJ Ward and Devonte Bond and Dede Westbrook for looking really good early. Bad luck re Anderson. Was having a monster spring.
I guess that means more time in the gym for him to bulk up even more. He’s already a big kid who should still be in HS getting ready for prom
Hopefully stronger and not too much bigger, be easier on that knee.
Just thankful its a strain and not a torn MCL
Sorry to be dickish and really this is not meant to be rude but just technically you sprain ligaments, strain tendons/muscles. MCLs are generally managed nonoperatively. After some rest, he should be good to go.
injury update added
DJ Ward & Devonte Bond showing up.. That sounds really promising!
Is there a list of visitors to the Spring Game?
I’m sure Brandon and Alex are/have already been compiling some names. We’ll probably wait just a little while longer before running w/ anything just b/c plans can always change.
Thx
no prob
add’l injury update added
I gave you a +1 although not sure why I did that … the topic is “injuries” after all
we can only bring you the news, we can’t make it. sorry 🙂
What kind of a journalist are you? Reporting facts and not making them up.
Jeez.
😉
“When the news breaks, we fix it.”
Great notes (except for the injuries), guys! Thank yall very much! Maybe Mark Andrews can become our offensive version of all the Shawn Oakman craze due in part to the fact that he’s become an unnatural combination of size and athleticism. A lot of wishful thinking this offseason haha.
Looking like LR’s approach going in to the season is if you want to play for me and Oklahoma. You have to earn it. It wont be handed to you. It’s only what day 4 of spring practice. And already sounds like everybody is pushing everybody to be the best they can be. I think I’m going to like this guy better than JH. He seems like he knows how to push his players to be the best they can. And I am sure that Cale and Dennis are right there behind him putting there two cents in as well. If the first 4 days of practice are any indication I think he is on the right track. Man I love to see fierce competition for the starting spots. Good luck to them all and may the best man win!!!!
BOOMER!!!!!
I’m looking forward to watching Mixon, he’s pretty shifty but he can put his head down and power too, thick in the lower body. At 6’2″ 220, that’s a good size RB…hope he gets more touches other than just on 3rd downs as folks are predicting.
So is A Thomas playing the nickel or Parker and Johnson?
K promised the answer tomorrow.
gotcha
Sanchez said Mike is putting Johnson at cb safety and nickel…he might be a wild card contributor…he has 3 years too…Parker said he likes coverage at nickel…I’m sure all are working at it..still way too early for a front runner
Jd is correct. Will is playing some nickel and some outside CB
thanks JD.
Won’t be surprised if Keith does transfer. He has stiff competition and seemingly caught fumble-idess. Too bad, but the best players have to play.
Yeah but he is a good player we can’t afford to lose good player’s it hurts our depth if we start losing players the next thing you know we’re down in the seventies on scholarships we need need everybody for next year to make a run.
Surprised to see Ol’ Stephen Dale hasn’t been on here sharing his uber positive messages with everyone today. Must be in too good of a mood to get on here.
don’t jinx us
I’m posting this simply for the sake of full disclosure, but I’m telling you VERY CLEARLY don’t fall for it.
https://twitter.com/RivalsFriedman/status/581195720373460994
Token jesture
Looks like our hat is ready for a return to the story 🙁
That’s how the kids wear ’em nowadays, I think.
yeah some do but he’s wearing the other three shaped so I thought I’d mention that…I’m not really expecting OUr hat to get put on honestly
Seriously…why is it even up there then?
Out of respect for Bob and OU?
Could be, would just rather it be for OU having a VERY good chance.
Me too, but no Monty put the brakes on for him.
Went to Clemson. BV…
But but OU is the only flat bill hat. It MUST mean he’s picking ou
Who do you predict gets his early commitment?
Clemson
opps I was going off the hats…Clemson must be on his head lol
Probably in a backpack or something to that effect
I fig it’s just off pic…maybe on purpose, for effect…you know how it is
Teenagers, man…..
I thought I remembered you saying that.
Either the Terps (homeschool) or Bama…edit…didn’t see Clemson hat…don’t count out BV
Wait, wasn’t this a Monty dude?
Yep…we should have put BJW on him…he’s also friends with Tap…oh well…it’s not over
I hope Ford doesn’t transfer. Not a big fan of kids transferring because teams bring in top talent and positions have depth. Battle and win your way onto the field/rotation. I understand things come up where transferring is the only option. But if it’s just because they see the proverbial “writing on the wall”, then I think that’s a cop out imo.
True. Allen Patrick played behind AD, but got his shot as well as a shot at the NFL.
KJ Costello to Stanford… I think he’s the best of the bunch this year.. Good get for the Cardinal..
Jordan Evans at outside linebacker is a great move. Alexander is the odd man out and Shannon will start. Alexander was weaker than Evans. A lineup up Evans, Shannon, Striker, Walker, Tapper, Romar, Parker, Sanchez, Thomas, Byrd, and Thomas is better than last year.
Agree with you totally Alexander is a solid lb but he seems to get dragged to much
If I remember right we’ll have a Mike Will and Nick with the 425 so I suppose this means Jordan is practicing at Will with Bolton at Mike this spring
I seemed really optimistic at first about this offense but is it possible that we find our self “soft” again I know Riley is a smart oc and his offense seems to move down the field quickly but what about inside the 20? or the red zone?
I am going to believe in him and his system until they show me otherwise. I think Stoops did his research and found the some of the best coaches at their respective positions. Really liking what I have been hearing and reading here on TFB
I hear you and Bob stoop is obviously trying to get back to system that worked before while hiring one of the best up and coming oc in the country it those Landry jones “post kevin wilson” years that scare me
Jones had freakin Demarco for two years and was it that soft? When your OL can’t move people at the goal line it’s not the offense it’s the OL men or the play caller.
TFB were spot on, QB Costello to Stanford. Better than USC. What I don’t get is why are these two schools considered better destinations than OU for QB? Heupel 2nd in Heisman, White won and finished third, Bradford won, LJ in the NFL. Sure Luck was great one guy, USC is on a par with us I suppose. But still OU should not be an after thought for QBS.
He’s from Cali, right? Probably just wants to stay there.
I would agree with this. Plus from an education stand point OU is nowhere close to Stanford although I do like Borens attempt to change that
Who says they are better destinations? Maybe the kid just liked the school better. The coaches better. The atmosphere better.
If you have ever been to Palo Alto then you would know. From March 15 to Nov 15 it averages 75 degrees and under a half an inch of rain per month. The education of course is worth tons but a degree from Stanford is like a resume from Apple or Google in the digital world. Boom instant interview and job. Any football player not from Oklahoma or California who had the chance to go there probably chooses Stanford 9 out of 10 times. Stanford’s S&C program and facilities make ours look like Tulsa Union. Their S&C guy is the best by leaps and bounds. Ours is gonna be great though.
I live in So Cal. Other than Elway, Stanford was a place where good football players went to become business execs. But that’s my point. You want to be a pro baller you choose OU.
That’s a joke, right? Stanford doesnt have A S&C guy, they have THREE sports performance coaches. ALL are from small colleges (Susquehanna, Gettysburg, and Cal State Stanislaus).
Our S&C guy Jerry Schmidt has 3 national championship rings and been a part of 6 NC games. He’s worked with 5 Heisman winners and 27 first round draft picks. The three sports performance coaches combined can’t compare to that. The weight rooms are pretty similar, but OU’s is about to expand drastically.
KJ is a pro QB.. Stanford & USC run pro offenses.. Stanford has proven over the last 7-10 years that they can play with anyone & get you to the league on top of being one of the premier academic institutions in the country… KJ is also a Cali kid.. I know we get some Cali kids.. But those QB’s tend to stay out west.. We’ll get a good one, we always do.. KJ was my favorite QB of this crop.. But there are good ones that we still have a shot at.. Im hoping for Woody Barrett but alot of people think Kendall may commit soon..
True. But enough with the “pro-offense” argument. Not rational. OU has also ran a “pro-offense.” Ever watch the Pats? Eagles?
…
https://twitter.com/Tahzh_/status/580853443478319104/photo/1
Good looking tweet right there.
Sure is. If I’m a recruit I’m keeping that one forever.
Julian Wilson playing 20 yards off the LOS.
harvey grant’s boy is having a great game. 9 pts, 11 asts, and only 1 turnover
Looks like the ncaa and the networks want to insure the late games tonight and tomorrow have low ratings and few viewers.
I’ll watch the Sooners on Friday night, but will have to take a nap during the early game so I can stay awake. Tonight’s late games, don’t know who is playing and don’t care.
9p.m. tip-off? Phffft!
Yep, I’m saving my energy for tomorrows game. Don’t even know who’s playing today.
Got Whisky and Tar Heels on in the background, waiting for Vikings to come on at 9. Hitting the bunk hard after that and have to watch Archer tomorrow off of the dvr.
Nope, looks like Whisky just won.
Saw your area was Rockin’N’Rollin’ yesterday. Hope the storms didn’t harm you or yours.
The bad stuff missed me, just got some crazy wicked wind off the backside of it and some small hail. Just a few tree limbs to clean up this weekend.
Ah the good old spring time.
I’ll take twisters over earthquakes any day.
Well on of OU top targeted QB is off the board
nice 1/2 post
Hello
Hello
Hello.
http://i.ytimg.com/vi/U1bcdkJiz3w/hqdefault.jpg
wow. 2 fouls on williams in the first minute and change? wonder who everyone wants to win? not calling anything on white jerseys. don’t think they need the help
Vikings are about to attack Paris.
is AD on his camel still? 🙂
I don’t know.
Ragnar isn’t on his boat, though. :-}
haha. i don’t know what that means, but from your recommendation alone i think i’ll have to find a way to check out that show
Odin will be pleased.
started watching that show. Only watched the 1st couple of episodes. its pretty interesting
It is on History channel, btw.
…..which will have higher ratings……..uk/wv or local weather
Is this really news for Neal not to practice. He didn’t practice any the last two weeks and then would play the games. That is why he never looked as explosive he was hurt all year.