The Football Brainiacs

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Quarterbacks: I know everyone is understandably VERY interested in the quarterback competition, so let’s begin with my notes on that:

– While most have assumed it’s only a matter of time before Baker Mayfield is named the starter, earlier this week I mentioned that Cody Thomas has legitimately asserted himself into this competition. And that all three guys are legit contenders to eventually win the spot.

– I am told that early in fall camp, the competition really was strictly between Mayfield and Trevor Knight. At the time, a source shared with me they felt it really could go either way. However, I have since been told that this past week Cody Thomas had been playing at a very high level.

– Was told Thomas has been the best quarterback the past 3-to-4 days, and I have multiple sources saying that right now (again, key words) the battle seems to be more so between Thomas and Knight.

– I’m told at times Mayfield makes some absolutely incredible plays. He scrambles around, gets himself out of trouble, and has the ability to give you those highlight reel moments. But again, I’m told that he’s also very risky with the football.

– Source told me that Mayfield rolled out of the pocket yesterday, had nothing open, and forced a throw that led to a “horrible interception.”

– However as I’ve been cautioned and have shared with you many times, this thing changes almost daily (as you would expect with any fluid QB competition). Which is to say it’s certainly far too early to say any one of the three has been written off in terms of the competition.

– One source really praised Thomas talking about his height and arm strength being advantages for him in this competition. I’m told that while Mayfield and Knight may occasionally have balls batted down and/or tipped at the line, Thomas “almost never has a ball batted.”

– LET ME BE CLEAR: I am not making, and have never made, a prediction on who will or won’t be named the starting quarterback. In fact, all I’ve ever done thus far is report where things currently stand based on the sources I have.

And based on reports from multiple sources, who attend practice regularly, it’s obvious this is a legitimate competition between all three quarterbacks. As it stands today, the impression I have been given is that Mayfield is not the clear QB1 favorite as has been widely theorized by many.

Additional Notes:

– One of our regular posters mentioned in the comments the other day that true freshman Dru Samia was getting some first team reps ahead of Derek Farniok (thanks for the heads up, btw!). So I checked on that and was told Samia did indeed take the first team reps yesterday.

However, I’ve been told Farniok was having some ankle pain yesterday and the source said this may have been the primary reason for Samia receiving those first team reps. Though it should be noted that Bill Bedenbaugh has praised Samia and at a minimum, it sounds like the true freshman is certainly going to push whomever is ahead of him.

– Was told that another true freshman, Marquise Overton, received a number of first team reps yesterday. However, Matt Romar also sat out yesterday. It doesn’t sound like Romar is suffering from anything serious though. It’s pretty common for guys to get a little dinged up during fall camp and be held out of a practice or two. But as I noted earlier this week, Overton continues to push the veteran guys.

– I tweeted this out yesterday so some of you may have already seen it, but I was also told that AD Miller had a fantastic 35+ yard catch yesterday. Apparently, Thomas threw a beautiful ball and all 6’3″ of Miller climbed the ladder to make the grab. I was told the DB had good coverage, but it was just one of those plays you can’t stop.

– Was also told that Dimitri Flowers had a reception coming across the middle and showed off some great athleticism getting up field quickly picking up another 20 or so yards. Which is exactly what can happen in this offense when you spread things out and get guys in space. You continue to put pressure on a defense to be sound and play with great leverage.

– Apparently Zack Sanchez also sat out yesterday. I asked a source who took the first team reps in his place and was told it was PJ Mbanasor. This is obviously interesting because it would seemingly indicate that, at least for the moment, Mbanasor is third CB behind Sanchez and Jordan Thomas. It’s also interesting because I’ve been told that Mbanasor normally plays right cornerback behind Thomas, but evidently filled in for Sanchez on the left side yesterday.

– One source described the offense as “fun” saying that the ball is distributed to so many different people.

– Source actually said that if any position group has been targeted more than another in recent practices it’s the……TIGHT ENDS!

– A source said that Mark Andrews is a devastating weapon in the red zone and has been ‘targeted frequently.’ Was told by someone that Andrews, “will play on Sundays.”

– Source also praised Connor Knight, who has apparently been receiving a number of second team reps.

– Was also told there are just so many young wide receivers making plays. And was told that although Durron Neal currently runs with the first team, “don’t be surprised if a few of those young guys start taking some of his reps.”

– As mentioned above, I’m told the tight ends are on the field a lot and have been heavily targeted. But I’m also told, and something we’ve mentioned previously, that Lincoln Riley has been putting every kind of personnel group possible out on the field…2 RB sets, 2 TE sets, 4 WR sets, etc.

– Related to the point above, a source said that Riley actually had Joe Mixon line up at one point as an outside WR.

– Perhaps the most interesting note I recently heard from a source was that early in camp, the offense was dominating the defense. But have since been told the defense is really starting to assert themselves. This sounds positive in that it may indicate that Riley’s offense is capable of overwhelming those who don’t have the advantage of practicing against it everyday.

But it may also indicate the defense is improving and perhaps facing so many weapons that (we hope) are being utilized properly has, in part, led to that improvement.

– Have been told the Sooners are expected to practice tomorrow, which may involve something of a more formal scrimmage setting. But we’re still working to confirm the latter.

– CORRECTION (Fri., 2:45 pm): Just a quick correction. I’m told that when Sanchez was out yesterday, Jordan Thomas moved over to LCB and Mbanasor took the starting spot at RCB. Also should note that Sanchez was back for yesterday’s evening practice and he practiced today.