Desert Sapper's Blogistan

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