Sooners News Daily 8.18.16
Posted on: August 18, 2016
FOOTBALL (FREE)
From walk-on to starter (twice).
Seven things to know about Baker Mayfield: https://t.co/gu66Uyu1Zz pic.twitter.com/I3e5uVzrgp
— NCAA Football (@NCAAFootball) August 17, 2016
Top 25 College Football Countdown: No. 6 Oklahoma Sooners https://t.co/pTC6J53fNm pic.twitter.com/WDB6JwCBH9
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) August 17, 2016
.@BlatantHomerism, @KevinOnCFB, @BryanDFischer & others predict Oklahoma's 2016 season. https://t.co/01xg6PObFI pic.twitter.com/JRLQJLgCSv
— Athlon Sports (@AthlonSports) August 17, 2016
Cougar opener will make season-long impact regardless of outcome (Daily Cougar)
Big 12 preview: Projected standings, top storylines and more: https://t.co/3mGWqg54OL pic.twitter.com/p74CsZIGtB
— SI College Football (@si_ncaafb) August 17, 2016
.@MoveTheSticks + @LanceZierlein held a QBs-only mock draft.
See the results: https://t.co/k9cr7gpSez #CFBMockDraft pic.twitter.com/8ocJOlJJJW
— CollegeFootball 24/7 (@NFL_CFB) August 17, 2016
Ranking the Big 12 linebackers https://t.co/QEwVfXhECU
— ESPN Big 12 (@ESPN_Big12) August 17, 2016
In April, Sam Bradford wanted out. The #Eagles' condition now shows his instincts were right: https://t.co/Oat9UA2pQd
— Mike Sielski (@MikeSielski) August 17, 2016
FOOTBALL ($)
How #Sooners linebacker (and poli-sci major) Ogbonnia Okoronkwo began his emergence https://t.co/esLRaZSaqj pic.twitter.com/nP3QokSEpK
— OU Sports Extra (@OUSportsExtra) August 17, 2016
OTHER
RECAP | #Sooners win Spain finale Wednesday night in Barcelona: https://t.co/kctnPrXhNe#UncommonExperience pic.twitter.com/8vAsufS8jc
— Oklahoma Basketball (@OU_WBBall) August 18, 2016
UFC 202: Don't overreact to the McGregor-Diaz news conference https://t.co/73Q8FAsyWR pic.twitter.com/2pzbaUI06S
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) August 18, 2016
146 Comments
First
BOOMER!!!! Good morning, fellow Brainiacs!!
Sooner!!!!
Magic!!
Jr!
SOONER!!! Good morning Jr.
Good morning, Oracle!!
Good morning
Good morning, Devil Dog!!
Mornin, J.r.!!
Good morning, 47!!
Holy crap did y’all see the big football news this morning?? I didn’t know what to do
News was: Texsa sucks
Why yes. Yes it does. I know cause I checked first thing this morning!!!
apparently you missed the rest of the news. Charlie will be slithering in like a snake this December to steal some of OU’s commits—if he can……..
The root word of “news” is “new”. And there’s nothing new about whorn suckage.
Touche
@KJ
Curious about something.
I’m aware of all the theories re: the Alvarez/Wrenn thing. I mean I guess there are really just two — (1) it’s a motivational ploy and Alvarez will still be the starting C or (2) it’s legit and Wren is the fave to win the job — but I’m curious about one particular aspect of the whole thing.
So one thing I keep hearing is that if Wren wins the job, then it allows the coaches to move Alvarez back to LG. Here’s my issue w/ that.
He wasn’t particularly great at LG last year to being with, AND he will have just been beaten out by a walk-on for the C gig. So his “reward” for both, in theory, of those things is to slide left and push Cody Ford off the field?
I really struggle to understand the logic behind that (again, assuming it’s a reasonable possibility).
It could just be a bit of motivation so that Alverez does not get too comfortable. Losing the edge has disastrous consequences.
If it were just a day or two, or even a week, I might agree (ie, motivational). At this point though, you begin to take away from him valuable snaps that are needed to build continuity.
I don’t know if Alvarez got lazy, or simply isn’t as good as many of us hoped, but if Wren is playing better, he should be starting. Interesting to see how it all shakes out, and who gets the snaps this week.
How much is Wrenn running with the 1’s? Are they splitting time or has he fully replaced Alvarez?
Possibly valuing experience over on field talent which would be a mistake, IMO…
Best 5, no favoritism, win, period.
This makes sense to me.
I agree. I don’t care if they are all 5 walk-ons, just give me the best 5.
I def want the best 5 to play but I do care a little if all 5 are walk-on players…makes me question what these guys see while recruiting.
Good point. If our 5 best players are walk-ons, it kind of says a lot about our recruiting. Either we are recruiting duds or somehow everyone screwed up their evaluations.
Seems that the question is how is the play of the walk-ons vs our field of opponents. If it turns out that the walk-ons are just really good (Baker, Whaley and Rip are really good examples), the fact that we and every other major program in America whiffed on them is not an indictment on our recruiting or our scholarship players. If it turns out they were better than everyone we recruited but boys-among-men against our opponents, then your concern is my concern.
Absolutely! Should be (and probably IS) the OU policy.
Juwinba.
Just win baby!
cOUld be they know what they have with Alvarez and giving Wren some 1’s time. Maybe he is that good. In BedenBOOM, I trust.
I know where you are going but, since there are two new guys on the OL and Alvarez does not have experience at center, I would tend to think that they need to use much of the practice time to work and gel together. It will be a disaster if the Houston game resembles the Vol game last year! We should be further along than last year at this time unless these guys are not as talented as we assume.
Whatever the reason, by having two de facto Centers on the field, it could provide more flexibility to do some tricky off balanced line plays.
Maybe a little over analysis? I think BB is liking Wren at the C because maybe he’s harder to move (more physical).
I agree with you. I guess if this is the case, Ford is viewed as a better option than the other guards, but is not better than Alvarez at guard.
3) There isn’t a legitimate backup at center so he’s building depth (and at guard by making Alvarez available).
Hasn’t K hinted at inside pressure to the QB being more important. Also, Alvarez did struggle on pass protecting last year.
Possible Wren has grown into the C job better than Alavrez.
Be prepared to answer that question during the Town Hall, Jordan. We’d all like to know. Is this something we should worry about?
JMHO but competition makes players better and should cause us fans no worry problems. Either Alvarez will rise to the occasion or be replaced ; either way OU wins.
The most positive thing he has ever said!!! What a day
JMHO but banning you forever would make this board better.
JMHO but banning you forever would make this board better.
good points one & all. is it fair to assume if Alvarez isn’t strong enough to handle DL from the C position , he’s not strong enough to handle DL from the OG position ? Like Sooner Ray, said : play the best 5 and identify the next best 5 for some playing time for depth purposes…………
Agreed.
I guess I’ll slide to LG. Does me being left handed help in any way?
I’m not so sure JA would even start from some stuff I have heard. Seems he would become the backup to all 3 inside positions.
That or we are just not very comfy with guards we have and BB would rather have Wrenn on the field than the second best guard outside JA.
The thing I worry about is last year it took us a loss in our what 5th game, and we don’t have that much time to see our line struggle this year! If it’s not the right group to start against Houston how long will it take them to switch things up??
I would think it would make more sense to move him to RG rather than left seeing as how they (in theory) seem happy with Cody Ford. Maybe Alvarez should just backup Wren and not start.
I trust in what the coaches are doing. I know people are getting worked up about the possibility of a walk-on starting at center over a scholarship player. All too often we see a 5-star player kill it in high school, only to come to the college level and never be seen or heard of again. Why can’t the opposite happen? Look at Mayfield or Dom Whaley. Maybe something clicked for Wren, maybe he put in a lot of work this offseason, or maybe he is just better than Alvarez at center, and the coaches are just now realizing it (last year Darlington and Alvarez were probably the only ones getting reps).
Then again, Alvarez could be slacking off a little, and the coaches could be using Wren as motivation. If this is the case, I hope it works because the last thing we need is a center slacking in practice and not being prepared come gametime.
Yeah, I truly don’t care that he’s a walk-on. I mean don’t get me wrong, it’s a little disconcerting that OU wouldn’t have a scholarship player they recruited who was better. BUT at the end of the day I’m always in favor of the best guy, whomever the coaches determine that to be, playing. Always.
This is way more about Alvarez for me than Wren, fwiw.
I agree, and I see your point. It is odd that a starter last year is being pushed by a walk-on. Makes you wonder if Alvarez regressed this offseason, or if he isn’t putting in the effort.
Like you stated in your original post, if Alvarez does lose the starting C job and is pushed to LG, not only did he have his struggles, but I can only imagine what that would do to his psyche. It would be his job to lose, which he did, to a walk-on player that had less experience. I would think that would affect his play even more.
Like at QB1? Classic Mayfield versus Cody Thomas. I get your point though.
16 DTG –
Eddie Crowder AA 50-52; Lewis Baker 03-07; Terry Peters 75-77
Mornin,Bleed!!
Morning 47!!
Crowder – fine player. DKR & Crowder – just how many opposing coaches did OU produce?
Good Morning BC!
Morning Cush!
Good Morning!!
Good morning, Coach!!
Morning, JK!!
Good morning fellow Brainiac’s!! “It’s another great day to be a SOONER” Spots are filling up quicker than before it seems, sooooo #SS17, #ST18 better get them spots before they are gone. Now let’s all get out there and make the best with what we have and seize the day. One last thing, Howdy Lurkers!!!
Morning
Mornin, Semperfi!!!
Off topic: Comedy gold.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-Wd-Q3F8KM
Texsa fan from last night just tried telling me their 1-2 punch will be better than Samaje and Mixon, I’m officially DONE.
That’ll learn you to hang out with Texsa fans. They dumb you down.
Texas has some big boys back there , but I highly doubt it.
They’ll be solid but Mixon and Perine is the best 1-2 punch in the nation.
Looks like your grammar lessons are from Texsa 😉
That’s from hanging out with Poke fans.
Ahhhh, ok, at least you cleared it up for me 🙂
Not even a chance
Earl Campbell, Cedric Benson, and Ricky Williams are not eligible anymore last I checked…must be hitting that McConahey gonja pretty hard.
Shame you put Cedric in that company. 😉
Touche, think I meant to say Jamaal Charles. Posting prior to coffee gets me every time
probably the Donta Foreman guy who burned the OU defense last October and the Warren kid who had a solid 2nd half of the 2015 season….Warren is a big back with power & speed , similar to the kid from Georgia who OU has committed right now ( trey sermons )………..
You’re out of your mind to put foreman/Warren next to the GREAT Campbell or Williams. So what your saying is both Foreman and Warren will both win heismans. This is your troll sh$$ that comes out.
I said nothing of the kind. I did say both Warren & Foreman are big, heavy backs….nothing more..
My point is you don’t even mention these guys names next to Campbell or Williams. When you can line up 8 in the box, be hard for two big guys to get going. Not scared of their passing.
They are. And they are good. Personally, I am glad that OU has placed an emphasis on bigger LBs that are also athletic and can also put bigger athletes in the box on the DL. Should be interesting.
Remember: These are the same people who insist Charlie Strong knows what the heck he’s doing.
His name wasn’t TexasExes was it?
Good morning
Good morning, all!
Murn, breh. Happy Thursday.
Mornin, Sam!!!
Sam!!
Sam! Jordan didn’t make my early window – settled at work now though.
I see you made it safely to work. I’m of the opinion that the OL will be just fine.
I’m beginning to wonder if all the tinkering with assignments on the Oline isn’t contributing to lack of cohesion? I really feel like we need to settle on the starters ASAP and burn in the reps so we can start fast against UH.
In a way yes but the other way no. Coach B is doing a couple of things, seeing who plays better and at what position. Also, and most importantly, he’s creating some heated competition and checking some hearts at the door. Who wants it everyday. I like it and it will settle down after this week.
I do understand the competition part. I just want to make absolutely certain that the players know their assignments backwards/forwards/inside/out and can be awoken at 3am with a drill sergeant screaming at them to shout out their assignments correctly while he’s banging on a trash can. And yes, that really happens in boot camp. Been there, done that. 🙂
Oracle, if you can’t see it, we’re all in trouble. LOL!
Seriously, though, I don’t think there’s anything to worry about. These are top caliber linemen. I would agree with you if we’re talking about marginal players: settle on your starters and let them gel. But, we’re not: these guys are good. Let them push each other for the rest of the season for the starting spot. That way, each of them will play with an edge all season.
I just have visions of our Oline last year early in the season. If we were honest about their level of play it would have been graded (generously) at a C- if not lower. I remember one play against Tennessee where UT only rushed three linemen and we had four blocking them – only to let all three rushers get to Mayfield untouched! I have never seen that happen before for a non-draw type play. Four linemen let three D linemen pass them in the gaps without as much as a pat on the shoulder. I just fear that all the experiments will hold us back on learning assignments, which were obviously challenged in that department last year.
You said “visions.” I know. I couldn’t resist.
It always works out. Good or bad. It will be what it will be.
Oh, I will accept whatever comes to be, but with our challenging schedule it seems to me that we need to come out of the gates firing on all cylinders. As they say – it all starts on the line. Just hoping for the best.
After this game and Texsa, the OL shuffled and it made a big difference moving forward. Some guys weren’t cutting it. This year, more experience, bigger, & stronger. Trust BedenBOOM.
Yep. And on cue coach BB was quoted today as saying “we need to get the guys settled into positions”. That makes it all better w/me now. 🙂
That’s also a prod he just poked to the guys on the fence.
Hope Daimler comes back to the level he was playing @ during spring practice. With his length @ 6’7, that would be great for the RT spot. This would allow Samia slide to RG and Bobby Evans back up both the LT and RT spots
What was Daimlers injury timetable?
May be ready for Houston.
Alright, that’s good news.
I recall Daimler getting abused by Rodriguez at the spring game.
I would start Samia @ RT for the Houston game, and start slowly bringing on whomever they feel would be best to play there, so that he can move inside.
wouldn’t you want him a RG for Houston to help out with Oliver?
Oliver isnt a projected starter. Rotation player only.
But, but he is a 5* guy. /s
heh, and a true 5* at that, kid will be a beast. Starting as a true freshman at DT is always tough though. Glad we see him in game 1.
Didn’t mean to be harsh on the kid as he’s very talented and OU would’ve love to had him. Wish him success, just not off the bat. 😉
Oh I know you weren’t man. You’d expect a 5 star to be an instant starter on any non traditional power. Just so hard to do it at dt
Listened to another interview with Charlie Strong. When speaking of the released Baylor signees, he said that these recruits “fell in [Texsa’s] lap”, as if getting their signatures was a sign of good fortune. If only the interviewer had a pair: “No, Charlie. It wasn’t fortune. It wasn’t luck. It wasn’t anything that you or your staff did or done. It was rape. You benefited from a Briles-made refugee crisis, and now your roster gives you less of an excuse to underperform. Just call it like it is, okay?”
Well, there you have.
looks like the OU girls BB team is finishing its nice Mediterranian vacation….wonder where they will be forecast to finish this season ? 6th behind Baylor, Texas, OSU, Kansas, WVU ? I’ll venture the Soonerettes will finish no higher than 4th and no lower than 7th…
So positive………………
He can eat a big one.
He’s a goof. I’m glad I can’t see what he posts anymore.
He can eat a big one.
Sooneretts? been saving this one for just this moment.
Llama, llama, llama – cue the dang llama – once the Germans leave, Metz will go crazy on this!
Woof, I can’t see who posted because I have them blocked. I’m assuming, according to your response, it’s HWMNBN.
Your suspicion is correct.
I’m glad I have that “fatherless child” blocked.
good morning everyone. Quick question everyone seems to be having a problem with Disqus. Yesterday I was having a problem with my email which is usually the way I get on so I got on via the inner web and it sucked everything was smaller and all the videos would glitch. Now my email is fine and so is FB.
https://youtu.be/cXIe4QJoCMs
I’m just killing time on the elliptical by watching OU videos. This is by far the best Sterling Shepard video out there. Literally gave me chills almost the entire song! I think I’ve watched every YouTube video that’s sooner related ?
Wasn’t that ISU catch the one that cost him the rest of the season? THAT catch is not one I like to recall.
The other parts are great!
I believe so, but that catch was filthy the way he just floated through the air.
Top o’ the Sooner morning, AM crew!! Going over OUr recruits, who other that Conliffe is OU recruiting as a ‘true 3-4’ DE (260-280#) a la Bledsoe?
Taquon Graham.
Yes, he’s the man, hope we get him.
in case anyone hasn’t heard this stat, prepare yourself. Ohio State has never lost as an underdog OR on the road under Urban Meyer. They are an underdog for the game on the road with the Sooners this season.The more I look at that game, the more I think Stoops and Co. are going to have to really put together a great team and great gameplan. I can’t wait.
I think you’re going to change your tune once OU comes out and hammers Houston. They won’t have any problems putting together a great game plan. And it’s going to be extremely loud so the home field advantage will be huge.
I’m not changing my tune because I expect the Sooners to win I’m just saying its going to be a heck of a job by Bobby Stoops to get the win.
I just don’t believe they’ve seen an offense of our caliber since that orange bowl against Clemson a few years back ( that they lost ) and we’ve all seen how their rookie Eli Apple has been torched all camp long for the Giants. Basically what I’m getting at it is I believe the B1G is not very good and they face weak offenses so their defense looks far better than they really are. Are they talented? Sure, but I’m not buying that stock until I see some sort of performance. I know you think we win, I just don’t think they are as good as everyone is making it out to be.
yeah its more their running game that scares me. I mean they completely shut down Oregon but Oregon was without several top receivers. They also did really good against Notre Dame last season.
That was two seasons ago. This is a completely different team for them. Their run game will be solid for sure. Norte Dame was so depleted by the time that bowl game rolled around and they still managed to put up points. I think we’ll be fine 🙂
BS didn’t lose a home game until TCU. Every coach has their time.
’01 Bedlam was in Norman, only home loss until that TCU. Just FYI
Ouch! You are right. I guess I’d blocked it out.
yeah the 05 team didn’t have the talent of this Buckeye team and definitely didn’t have a proven QB like they’ve got. To be clear, I expect the Sooners to win.
Two things work in our favor, its going to be week 3, and they face no opponent with even marginally equitable talent…where as OU will in Houston. The other thing is, that their WR issue is nearly identical to ours. Their RBs are extremely green so vision and cut decisions will not be as immediate. On defense there is a lot more to be optimistic about. Safety and CBs gone, LBs and DEs gone. They have a great DT, but if the OL can even get a decent push and the ground game moves, OU will win. tOSU has had a really bad habit of playing down early on, they almost lost to vaTech gain last year.
Lets all just hope, OU actually covers the fake punt this year.
OP is up
Funny how now people are seeing what bradford saw. I really dislike the media most of the time. Ok nearly all of the time.
I don’t know about the Whopperrito, but my son couldn’t stand the Chicken Burger. It sure wasn’t chicken…it was nasty.
“Out of the projected Power Five conference champions for 2016, Oklahoma would seem to have the easiest path to a College Football Playoff berth,” says Steven Lassan. Then he goes on to dismiss Houston, Ohio State and TCU as mere “obstacles.” What a doofus. OU’s schedule is murder in the first four weeks. And the remaining conference schedule is rough as well.
First five games imo