The Football Brainiacs

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– Spoke with a source regarding the Kenyon Frison suspension and what it might mean to the team. Source said Frison had a “mountain of potential” which certainly comes as no surprise, but they also said he wasn’t going to be the starter at RT as has been mentioned as a possibility numerous times since word of his suspension first broke.

Now, obviously if Frison were going through camp perhaps he could have eventually won the spot. We can’t know that now, nor will we get the chance to find out.  At a minimum, however, the loss of Frison definitely hurts from a depth standpoint if nothing else.

– On a more positive note, though, my source said there will be depth along the OL. They said the freshman look good, “they may just need some time…but Bedenbaugh is the best teacher and demands that everyone is ready to play.”

– In speaking with multiple sources, it sounds like the offensive line is coming together well. But I also get the sense that, from a run blocking perspective, it definitely helps having the kind of running backs OU will be running out there. When I asked one source about OU’s ability to run the ball the response I got was, “the running backs…Mixon…Brooks…those guys are going to get through the trash regardless.”

– I’m sure most fans will feel a lot better when they can actually see the offensive line in action, but behind the scenes it sounds like there is a lot of confidence in what coach Bedenbaugh can do to ensure the group is ready.

– Was told that Jeffrey Mead had a nasty one-handed catch yesterday. Evidently, he grabbed it as the ball was going out of bounds.

– Was also told that Carson Meier caught a long TD pass yesterday. Have heard that Meier has been very difficult to defend in jump ball situations.

– From everything I’ve heard, I get the sense that the starting 11 personnel grouping right now would be: Sterling Shepard, Dede Westbrook, Duron Neal and Mark Andrews with Samaje Perine in the backfield. But guys like Mead, Meier, Michiah Quick, Dallis Todd, Dahu Green, AD Miller, and others are, not surprisingly, getting a lot of reps as well. As I mentioned earlier in the week, there seems be a very concerted effort this year to create a lot of depth with competition.

– Related to the point above, I’m told the coaches are not shying away from letting veteran guys know that the best players are going to play. In the opinion of some (many?) OU may have had a tendency in the past to defer to upperclassmen, some might even go so far as to say play favorites. And I can’t definitively say that has gone away entirely. But I do believe that through sharing repetitions and just articulating the openness of the competition, they are creating a more competitive environment.

– A source recently had some really high praise for Lincoln Riley, saying that he is “amazing at dealing with the players.” Went on to say that, “(Riley) doesn’t cause them (the players) to overthink things…he keeps everyone cool and calm and makes sure they get it…something that’s been lacking the past few seasons…”

– Heard some more praise for true freshman Ricky Deberry. Was told he has received the highest grade on production points — which is a system the coaches use to evaluate players on film — of all the linebackers on separate occasions now.

– Also heard that Zack Sanchez is playing at a very high level right now. As one might expect, he’s had multiple INTs during camp. But even beyond that, I have heard that he’s just cleaner in everything he does.

– Was told Jordan Thomas has also had an excellent camp and snagged a couple INTs himself. Heard that yesterday wasn’t his best day, but overall he’s played very well.

– Was also told that Kerry Cooks is a stickler for technique, evidently it has been a huge point of emphasis in practices. He apparently doesn’t want guys just playing on instinct, he wants guys who learn and play with the technique he is teaching.

– Heard that Kahlil Haughton had an INT yesterday as well. Apparently it was tipped by PJ Mbanasor first, and Haughton hauled it off the tip.