Desert Sapper's Blogistan

It sure does look like everybody is getting after it in the OU Spring Camp.  I like the way the LBs look, and the D-Line looks great.  The DBs looked out of position a lot on the one-on-one drills, but that is a difficult judge of how far along they are at this point.  Apparently, Reggie Smith is back at CB again.  I'm not sure that I like that move.  It didn't seem to be that spectacular last year.  Once he moved back to safety, the secondary seemed better off.  I guess we'll have to see.  None of the QBs has really singled himself out.  I hope somebody starts to step up soon or there might be a three-way race come fall.  Getting Landry Jones to commit was great, but one has to wonder if he will stick around if the OU starter is a freshman.  I have great optimism for the defense, and the O looks good in the run game.  OU has great receivers (in depth), so I am pretty positive about whomever the starter is.

Well, the doc cancelled my LASIK on the day of the surgery for, of all things, a cold sore.  Apparently a cold sore is a form of Herpes, which could have permanently blinded me if it got to my eye.  At least the doc had the conviction to cancel the surgery and not risk it.  I was all ready to sign waivers and everything.  It took quite a lot to get me up there, paying for a room, with people to escort (the military is anal).  I may end up doing it outside of the military.  It could end up being cheaper (no hotel/meals) and easier (no need for escort). 

So I finally got to see the spring scrimmage vids.  DeMarco Murray looks out of this universe.  He is very, very fast.  He is exceptionally quick to the hole.  He is surprisingly very strong. 

Of course, the D looked pretty flat in the videos too (which could be a bad sign).  The O Line is going to be pretty badazz this year, though, so I can't really point the finger at the D.  The QBs looked pretty equal.  All of them threw TD passes.  Nichol didn't have any INTs, but had the least yardage.  Bradford had the most yardage but had an INT.  I wonder if any of them have singled themselves out to the coaches?  I hope they do before spring is out.

 

I'm Permissive TDY in DC right now to get frickin' laser beams shot at my eyeballs.  They abused the heck out of my eyes in the preop today.  Pokin' and proddin' and firing high intensity light at my eyes after dilating them.  Can't wait to have them slice my eyes open.  Yippee.  Anyway, I've missed much of the initial spring reports and it's killin' me, especially since Soonersports is posting so much multimedia.  The hotel out here only has dial-up, so I am having a hard time even seeing the pictures, never mind the videos.  I'm going into Sooner withdrawal. 

Welcome to My Blogistan.  My Blogistan is my own little country in the CENTCOM AOR.  It is all things that I choose to discuss.  I will remain at all times in accordance with DA and DOD regulation.  Mostly I will talk OU Football, probably a little religion, and some Army/Military stuff.  I hope you enjoy it.

I recently saw an article from the Armed Forces Press Service in which new SECDEF Robert Gates suggested (scratch that, specifically stated) that China is not our strategic adversary.  Although I can agree with the Secretary (and am bound to at least support him by law) that China is a chief financial partner with the US, and that even if we were considering China a strategic adversary, we certainly wouldn't want to make that as blatantly obvious as we have with say "The Axis of Evil", I am not so quick to put China in the "friends" category (as I am also certain Mr. Secretary also does not). 

China represents an animal of a decidedly different color.  It is not only big (as in GINORMOUS) it is also a savvy political thinker and strictly regimented socialist society, in which all MUST contribute to the whole.  That being said, our capitalist, "me first" thought process would have a very difficult time managing a conflict against a NATION that can truly bring it.  Without any significant changes, they could easily involve their entire economy in waging war. 

In this man's opinion, that would be a very tall order in this country at this time, and without something economically significant to motivate our people.  Too many are more concerned about that new SUV they want to buy for their three-car garage than about the future of our nation.  I suppose in many ways it is a reflection of the "Turn on, Tune in, Drop out" leadership of our nation.  Why solve problems when you can leave them to the generations that follow you?  I would rather, although scared to death of a potential ground war against a decidedly larger foe, take a stand a la David, hurling rocks at the head of the giant, or in this case...DRAGON.

The Sooners opened spring practice yesterday, and it looks like the players and coaches were at least as anxious to get started as the fans.  Probably more so.  I went onto Soonersports to see if they had an article posted about the first day, and boy did they.  It seems like they have more media stuff every year, and this year they already had photos and VIDEO.  It's great to see these guys out there getting fired up and getting some spring ball in. 

Brent Venables sounded pretty fired up about Ryan Reynolds (picture below), saying that he could play all three LB positions this year.  He said that Mike Reed was definitely staying at MLB, but that Curtis Lofton would play Mike and Sam.  Reed is on the field with Brandon Crow and Demario Pleasant in the soonersports video.  He didn't look as fast as advertised, but the biggest part of that is probably that he is learning a new D.  He looks every bit as big as the 6-1, 250 they have him listed at in the roster.  It sounds to me like those three are going to end up the starters, even if BV wouldn't comment on where they were as far as the depth chart.   

As far as RBs, it looks like DeMarco Murray and Mossis Madu are going to give the guys with playing time from last year (Allen Patrick and Chris Brown) some serious fight for playing time this year.  They both look fast and elusive.  Granted, it's without any pads, but they looked good in the limited soonersports video.   I'm excited about the running back position. 

Phil Loadholt (6'8", 350) is a true man-mountain.  He's wearing #79 (below), and he just looks huge.  He doesn't look overweight, just BIG.  He, Trent Williams (#71) and "Duke" Robinson (#72 below) are by far the biggest guys on the team, and they look like together they could push a fleet of bulldozers out of the way to open a hole.  My guess is that those three, Jon Cooper at Center, and Brandon Walker at the other guard spot make up the starting O-Line.  With Branndon Braxton and Chase Beeler close in the rotation, I think the O-Line is looking the healthiest it has since 2004.

 

As far as QBs, incoming freshman Keith Nichol was wearing number 6, and looked like he was picking some things up and was happy with the way he was being brought into the fold.  Joey Halzle was wearing number 15, just like last year, and seemed excited about the receiving corps (and going for another Big XII championship). Sam Bradford was sporting the same #14 (QB coach Josh Heupel's old number) he did last season, and he just seemed pumped about not being in the winter conditioning program anymore.  None of the QBs really stand out (Bradford's a little taller and skinnier), but that's to be expected.  It's early.  The video is limited (just a few drills).  I just really hope that somebody stands out by the end of spring ball.  I would hate for another 2005 to happen.  Not only does the starter need to stand out, he needs to leave no doubt, so the coaches aren't tempted to pull him midway through a game (*cough* Paul Thompson *cough*). 

Soonersports videos and pics

Spring Practice starts today for the Sooners.  This should be the first look at the future QB, whoever that may be.  It sounds like the freshman, Keith Nichol is holding his own, but I'm leery about starting a freshman, especially a true freshman.  This isn't Sam Houston State.  It is the University of Oklahoma.  We have to play Miami on 8 September, and it isn't the MAC Miami that plays in jerkwater, Ohio.  It's the real deal Miami Hurricanes.  Starting a QB that's not ready will spell DISASTER. 

The last time we started a Freshman QB, we beat Oregon in the Holiday Bowl.  The season leading to that dramatic last second win (on the strength of a Clint Ingram INT in the closing seconds), was not a pleasant one.  8-4 (9-3 with the win in Lubbock) is not a good season in Norman.  This was supposed to be the year the Bonehead was a Junior three-year starter, not in his second season at SHSU.  Dang BRSI. 

That being said, the rest of the team looks pretty solid.  I'm looking forward to seeing what Ryan Reynolds can do (finally).  I'm looking forward to seeing what newcomers Mike Reed and Phil Loadholt can do.  Every other position has proven players.  The QB position will be KEY.  Let's not wait until the fall to pick a starter this time, coaches.

Well, I suppose this is my first entry.  I intend to comment on college football, the Army, the war in Iraq (without pictures or descriptive analysis of US tactics in accordance with Army/Defense Department guidelines), Christ and Christianity, and basically anything else that comes to mind as interesting.  I hope somebody gets something out of this and maybe enjoys it.  Yay!