Desert Sapper's Blogistan

OU officially wrapped up spring practice with a full pads workout on Tuesday.  In his interview on Soonersports, it sounded like Juaquin was pretty disappointed with the offense.  After their performance on Saturday, I think the receivers are the only ones that need to be disappointed.  He said as much, commenting on the dropped balls and on how important it is to catch everything, no matter where it is.  The videos this time only showed Sam Bradford at QB.  Is that a hint?  Or is it simply a coincidence? 

It looked like Mossis had returned to action from his injury.  I think the defense will improve tremendously when Gerald McCoy and Ryan Reynolds return from injury.  It sounds from a DMN article that Brody Eldridge is going to be okay.  That hit from Reed and Baker in the Red-White looked pretty bad.  Apparently it caused a high-ankle sprain and a slight MCL tear.  Nothing big enough to keep him from returning in the fall.  The OL should be even better (if that's possible) when 'The Load' - Phil Loadholt - returns from the injury that kept him out of the Red-White.  Of course, the most anticipated return from injury is Malcolm Kelly.  Being that he is one of the best receivers in the country (and at times looked considerably better than everybody except Calvin Johnson last year), the offense and especially the starting QB should get a huge boost when he returns.  The other receivers are good, but Malcolm is on that superstar level.  When he is out there, Juaquin is more open and the whole offense just opens up.  Not having him in the Fiesta Bowl was a killer. 

I'm going to take a shot at picking the probable offensive depth going into fall.

Some are pretty obvious.  I am going out on a limb and saying Bradford is the man at QB.  I'm also going to say that Murray has moved to the top of the RB rotation.  The O-Line is good from whatever angle you look at it.  I didn't even know where to put Cody Cooke, but he was getting in there.  Next time I'll do the D.  Without further ado:

A few things that would be blatantly obvious to anyone that watched the game:

DeMarco Murray is INCREDIBLE.

The OU O-Line is prime time ready.

None of the QBs is exceptional, but all are capable.  Bradford looks the best.

The OU Defense isn't ready for the season to start.  The OU Offense is (with the exception of QB - but whomever that is should be perfectly fine).  This may be the first time that is true in the Stoops era. 

Whoever Carter Whitson is (I admit, I didn't know before Saturday), he is the best looking receiver for a Sooner receiver corps that I sure thought was loaded before Saturday (but looked like a team of TO dropaholics on Saturday -- which pained me as a Cowboys fan last season).

Now for some less obvious stuff. 

The OU D-Line looks the best it has in 4 years.  The two young DEs - Auston English (33) and Jeremy Beal (44) did very well.  DTs Adrian Taylor (86) and DeMarcus Granger (96) looked very good, as well.  All four were getting great penetration and pressuring the heck out of the QB.  All this without former national high school defensive POY Gerald McCoy, who was on the sideline with a late injury.  If you had in the two senior DEs - John Williams and Alonzo Dotson, this looks like a very impressive D-Line.

The Linebackers looked less certain.  Mike Reed was brilliant at times, slow at others, and out of place on occasion.  Curtis Lofton was similar.  Lewis Baker looked pretty good, forcing fumbles, getting INTs, and staying in relatively good position.  I think he should move to the ROY.  Ryan Reynolds' loss was felt, to be sure. 

The secondary had some good things going for it.  Marcus Walker was the only one that could chase down Murray on the long run.  The secondary was disruptive, as indicated by the amount of dropped balls in the game (although the chilly weather is probably as much to blame).

All told, this was a good scrimmage and the Sooners gave the nation a pretty nice preview, courtesy of ESPN.

Some Links:

YouTube Video

Official OU Page (with Highlight Video)

NORMAN, Okla. -- In each of the first two scrimmages of the spring, redshirt freshman running back DeMarco Murray dazzled with his rushing and receiving ability.  
 
It was more of the same and then some Saturday at the Red/White Spring Game when 21,020 braved unseasonably cold temperatures at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
 
Murray rushed four times for 103 yards and one touchdown as the offense out-scored the defense, 53-30, in a scoring system devised by the coaching staff. The offense, which wore the red uniforms, scored five touchdowns. 

“It was a good day for us,” said OU head coach Bob Stoops. “DeMarco has been special all spring and he was good again today. There were some big plays and I think the fans probably enjoyed that.
 
“We still have a lot of work to do, but I felt there were a lot of positives for us. We’ve seen some guys improve and we’ve also had a chance to see where it is that we need to get better.”
 
Through three scrimmages this spring, Murray has carried 29 times for 327 yards, an average of 11.3 per attempt.
 
A lot of eyes were focused on the three quarterbacks and all three had bright spots. Sam Bradford was sharp, completing 9-of-14 passes for 110 yards and one touchdown, a 23-yard strike to Carter Whitson.
 
Joey Halzle hit on 7-of-18 tries with one touchdown, a 45-yard toss to Adron Tennell, and one interception. True freshman Keith Nichol completed 3-of-7 for 25 yards.
 
“I’m real pleased with all those guys,” Stoops said. “They took better care of the ball today and that’s important for us. We didn’t ask Paul (Thompson) to win game for us last year and we won’t ask any of these guys to that for us either. We just want them to play consistently and keep their mistakes to a minimum. If they can do that we’ll be fine.  
 
Murray scored on an 18-yard run for the first touchdown scrimmage. Later he added a 68-yard non-scoring burst. Allen Patrick later plunged over from 1-yard out to cap that drive, which covered 80 yards in just three plays.
 
Whitson’s TD reception was the third touchdown of the scrimmage. It came at the end of a four-play, 53 yard march.
 
Tennell recovered a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown before capping the offense’s scoring for the day with his reception from Halzle.
 
Safety Nic Harris topped the defense eight tackles. Junior college transfer linebacker Mike Reed added seven stops plus one tackle for loss, a forced fumble and one pass deflection.
 
DeMarcus Granger was credited with three sacks while fellow defensive tackle Adrian Taylor had two. DE Auston English also had two sacks.
 
LB Lewis Baker had three tackles, one interception for 13 yards and one fumble forced.
 
The scoring systems award points to the offense for a first down (1 pt.), a point after touchdown (1 pt.), a play of longer than 30 yards (2 pts.), a field goal (3 pts.) and a touchdown (6 pts.).  
 
The defense scored by holding the offense to a three-and-out (2 pts.), a forced punt (1 pt.), a fourth down stop (2 pts.), a turnover (3 pts.) and a turnover for touchdown (9 pts.).
 
Oklahoma’s spring drills continue Monday and Tuesday with closed workouts at the stadium. Tuesday’s practice will be the last of the 15 for this spring.
 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
 
Scoring Plays
Murray 18 yard run
Whitson 23 yard pass from Bradford
Tennell fumble recovery in end zone
Patrick 1 yard run.
Tennell 45 yard pass from Halzle
 
Passing
Halzle -- 7-18-162, 1 TD, 1 INT
Bradford -- 9-14-110, 1 TD
Nichol -- 3-7-25
 
Rushing
Murray -- 4-103, 1 TD (18)
Brown -- 11-67
Patrick -- 8-20                                                                                                                                                                     Gutierrez -- 9-15
Nichol -- 6-15
Anderson -- 2-(-3)
Bradford -- 1-(-7)
Halzle -- 1-(-8)
McEachern -- 3-(-13)
 
Receiving
Chaney -- 2-65
Tennell -- 2-64, 1 TD
Whitson -- 2-45, 1 TD
Brow -- 2-35
Johnson -- 2-23
Zaslaw -- 2-19
Gresham -- 1-14
Caleb -- 1-11
Strong -- 1-8
Eldridge -- 1-5
Finley -- 1-5
Murray -- 1-4
Gutierrez -- 1-(-1)
 
Kicking
Hartley -- 4-for-4 PATs, 0-1 FG (52)
Moreland -- 1-for-1 PAT
 
Punting
Knall -- 6 punts, 33.7 avg.
Cohen -- 5 punts, 41.6 avg.
 
Kick Returns
Murray -- 3-60 (20.0 avg.)
Johnson -- 2-24 (12.0 avg.)
Iglesias -- 1-18 (18.0 avg.)
 
Tackles
Harris -- 8
Reed -- 7, 1 TFL (-2), 1 FF, 1 PBU
Lofton -- 7, 1 TFL (-3), 1 FR
L. Robinson -- 6, 2 PBU
Bowers -- 6, 1 sack (-3)
Smith -- 6
Nelson -- 6
Wolfe -- 6
Granger -- 5, 3 sacks (-12)
B. Jackson -- 5, 1 PBU
Holmes -- 4, 2 PBU
Davis -- 4
Franks -- 3
A. Taylor -- 3, 2 sacks (-6)
Baker -- 2, 1 INT (13 yards), 1 FF
Clayton -- 2, PBU
D. Pleasant -- 2, 1 TFL
English -- 2, 2 sacks (-12)
M. Walker -- 1, 2 PBU
Beal -- 1, 1 sack (-3)
J. Williams -- 1, 1 TFL (-3)
Bennett -- 1
Crow -- 1
Box -- 1
Macon -- 1
Taggart -- 1
 
Punt Returns
None
 
Attendance
21,020

The 10th practice looked good from two perspectives - the defense is taking good pursuit angles and the running backs again looked great.  Dare I say?  This may be the best RB group since Barry Switzer was roaming the sideline.  Allen Patrick and Chris Brown are brilliant N-S runners.  Mosis Madu and DeMarco 'The Human Highlight Reel' Murray are the second coming of Little Joe X2.  The D seems to be coming right along.  No more of this 'behind-the-guy' pursuit or overpursuit.  The D is right on the money every time (on the limited video feed) and the receivers + Madu and Murray are not the easiest cats to catch in the open field.  Unfortunately, it looked like the QBs are still all three off a little in their timing, still under and over throwing, and missing great opportunities.  Halzle looked the best in the video, although Nichol looked okay.  Some of his throws were a little behind.  Bradford was throwing too high, too hard, and missed on a few throws -- and that was just on his 'highlight video'.  I say Halzle looked the best, because it seemed like he had the right lead on his guys much of the time, and was putting the ball in catchable spots (meaning the receiver didn't have to make a Ringling Bros catch EVERY stinking time).  I don't know what the QB situation is right now, but it doesn't look very encouraging right now.  It was good to see Bob coaching the CBs.  I don't know of very many head coaches that get out there and coach positions like that.  I also can't think of anybody I would want to help BJ Wright more than Bob with the secondary. 

It looks like DJ Wolfe and Reggie Smith have swapped positions, with Wolfe going to safety and Smith dropping down to the Boundary Corner.  I'm not sure how I feel about that.  If it works out, great, but I just don't know that Reggie needs to leave the safety spot.  He was great back there last year.  I can't wait for the Spring Game on Saturday.  I can't be there, but I hope the stadium is packed.

NORMAN, Okla. -- Oklahoma began its final full week of spring football on a warm and windy Monday afternoon at the Bud Wilkinson practice fields.
 
The Sooners, in their 10th session of spring ball, worked in full pads for two and one-half hours.
 
After position drills on the practice fields, the team concluded the session inside Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

  Spring Practice No. 10 Photo Gallery 
 
OU head coach Bob Stoops expressed his desire for a strong showing from Sooner fans for the players and ESPN cameras at the spring game.
 
"We'll get great coverage across the nation again with the live ESPN broadcast," said Stoops. "It's their third time to carry our spring game.
 
"We always get great support from our fans and we expect to see them on April 7. We haven't had a lot of open practices this spring so it's a great opportunity for fans to come out here, have some fun and see what we're doing."
 
Purchase spring game tickets online or contact the OU Athletics Ticket Office at (800) 456-GoOU (4668).

Spring Media Guide (PDF) |2007 OU Spring Football Central |   Printable Roster (PDF)

OU had its second spring scrimmage on Saturday, gearing up for the Red-White Game on ESPN this Saturday.  From the video on Soonersports, it sure did look like the defense is improving immensely.  The tackling was superb, although once again DeMarco 'Wunderkind' Murray lit it up rushing and receiving, scoring a TD and gaining some serious rushing yardage.  Murray looks like the real deal, and Stoops agreed with that assessment in his commentary after the game.  I wish Ryan Reynolds hadn't hurt his knee again.  He seemed to be progressing so well.  At least this time he'll be back for the summer and fall.  I wonder if it's a given that the WLB will have injury issues.  Ruuuufus had the same (or similar) problems in his Frosh (had to Redshirt) and RS Frosh seasons.  It wasn't until his Soph season that he could do anything, and then he really lit it up.  None of the QBs really stood out, although Nichol did hit Jermaine Gresham on a TD pass.  Gresham is going to be great this year.  He is a Keith Jackson level talent.

2007 OU Spring Football Central

NORMAN, Okla. -- Young players again were responsible for most of the offensive highlights when Oklahoma completed its second scrimmage of the spring Saturday at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
 
Three sophomores and a freshman accounted for the four touchdowns in the event. When it was over, OU head coach Bob Stoops, who was critical after his team’s first major scrimmage, was more positive about his team.
 
“It was better,” he said. “The intensity, the effort, the enthusiasm all were really good. We’ve got improvement to make in clearing up some mistakes but that’s why we practice.” 
   

 
Redshirt freshman running back DeMarco Murray again practiced well.
 
He rushed 16 times for 132 yards and one touchdown. He had one 65-yard burst and then scored on a seven-yard sweep. The versatile Murray also caught one pass for a 19-yard gain.
 
“DeMarco’s a special player,” Stoops said. “All spring he’s made plays and he made a lot of big plays today. He’s going to be a boost to us.”
 
The offense’s first touchdown came on a 40-yard backward throw from Sam Bradford to Brandon Caleb. Ruled a lateral, Caleb took the ball and ran down the sideline for the score. The play capped a three-play, 60-yard drive.
 
Murray then tallied his score before tight end Jermaine Gresham scored a touchdown on the 12th possession of the day. He hauled in a 15-yard throw from true freshman Keith Nichol.
 
The final touchdown came during red zone work when Chris Brown pounded in from five yards out.
 
All three quarterbacks vying for the job, Joey Halzle, Sam Bradford and Keith Nichol, saw considerable action.
 
Halzle hit on 7-of-15 passes for 76 yards with one interception. Bradford was 8-of-13 for 114 yards with two interceptions and Nichol was 4-of-8 for 96 yards with one interception and one touchdown.
 
“Sam has thrown really well all spring,” Stoops said when asked about the redshirt freshman. “All three of them have. They made some mistakes, but that’s the reason you can’t get enough snaps. They need all the work they can get to make those mistakes out here.”
 
The defense had a youthful flavor like its offensive counterpart.
 
Redshirt freshman cornerback Dominque Franks picked off two passes and another redshirt freshman, DT Gerald McCoy, had 1.5 sacks. 
 
Safety Nic Harris led the defense with eight tackles.
 
OU now gears up for the April 7 Red/White game. That contest begins at 1 p.m., and will be televised by ESPN.
 
Tickets are $5 in advance, $10 the day of the game. OU students will be admitted free with a current ID.
 
Scoring Plays
Caleb 40-yard run (Hartley kick)
Murray 2-yard run (Hartley kick)
Gresham 15-yard pass from Nichol (Hartley kick)
Brown 5-yard run (Hartley kick)
 
Rushing
Murray -- 16-132, 1 TD
Brown -- 13-72, 1 TD
Caleb – 1-40
Patrick -- 10-35
Madu -- 9-20
 
Passing
Halzle -- 7-15-1-76
Bradford -- 8-13-2-114
Nichol -- 4-8-1-96, 1 TD
 
Receiving
Iglesias -- 2-30
Murray -- 1-19
Brown -- 3-5
Madu -- 2-23
Chaney -- 2-26
Johnson -- 2-19
Gresham -- 3-73, 1 TD
Finley -- 1-26
Tennell -- 2-17
Caleb -- 1-48
 
Tackles
Harris -- 8
Wolfe -- 7, 1 INT
Lofton -- 7, 1 FR
Baker -- 7
Reed -- 6
McCoy -- 5 , 1 TFL  (-1), 1.5 sacks (-8)
Nelson -- 5, 1 TFL  (-1), 2 PBU
Robinson -- 5
D. Pleasant -- 5, 1 sack (-9)
Granger -- 4
Macon -- 4, 1 sack (-6)
Franks -- 3, 2 INT
Smith -- 3, 1 INT (9)
Bowers -- 3
Q. Carter -- 3
Dotson  -- 3, 1 PBU
M. Walker -- 2, 1 PBU
Crow -- 2 , 0.5 sack (-3)
Beal -- 2, 1 sack (-1)
Bennett -- 2
Williams -- 1, 1 PBU
Davis -- 1
Taylor -- 1
Taggart -- 1
Clayton -- 1
Jackson -- 1

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. 

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.