It's hard to believe that it's finally here. I spend from Mid-January on thinking about going to 6 games. Utah State gametime is set for 6:30. We'll probably head down about 2:00PM.
Our typical gameday looks like this. We'll park North of Campus Corner (Norman's bar scene situated North of the stadium). We'll walk through Campus Corner and have some beers, do some people watching, chat up friends and so forth. Then we'll head South and make our way to the East side of the stadium to meet up with my father-in-law and his tailgating buddies.
They go all out. Picnic tables, tablecloth, usually two grills, beer, liquor, wine, satellite TV to watch the day's action and plenty of people moving in and out. It's a great spot to hang out up to gametime and even better postgame. Once the traffic has dissipated we'll head back North, again through Campus Corner before heading home. It'll be a full day.
I'm going to snap some photos of the gameday scene. The pomp, the pageantry, the tailgating, the beer. I'll also show you the view from my Uecker Seats.
Check out Navin's recap below. I'll have mine up Thursday or Friday.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
Utah State
I know this gameday post is a bit premature, but I'm going to be on vacation next week and will likely not have access to the internet. Normally, I would make this post on the Thursday or Friday before gameday, but this week will have to be an exception. Expect Mitch to post his pregame analysis later next week.
Utah State hails from the WAC and is likely scheduled as a last tune up before Florida State and the rest of the schedule. They return their two best offensive starters in runningback Robert Turbin and quarterback Diondre Borel, who happens to be the Aggies second leading rusher from last season behind Turbin. The fact that they have a little experience on offense leads me to believe they'll score some points on us. However, I don't seem them shutting us down when they line up on defense. I look for a big day from DeMarco and Lonnie. I think DeMarco will run it straight up their ass with our highly questioned offensive line looking to make a statement. In turn this should soften up their defense a little in the secondary so Lonnie can go to work. Don't be surprised to see something big thrown in the direction of Kenny Stills early, I suspect the coaches will want to get him rolling early in the season.
Defensively, I think we'll give up some points maybe even some yardage, but we'll buckle down when we need to and even though I'd love to pitch a shutout and straight dominate, I think we'll settle for a solid performance with a win. Even though Turbin is a nice player, nobody comes in our house and runs it up our ass. That said, I'm looking to buy stock in whoever supplies Utah State with ice. The real test will be how our secondary steps up when they inevitably start going for broke and emptying their playbook on us to try to win the biggest game they'll play all season. This is where I think they'll hit a few plays. The combo of inexperience in the secondary with these assholes playing with nothing to lose (see: fake punts, and other general playground horseshit) will probably burn us a couple of times. The good news is, aside from blitzing there isn't much they can do defensively to "pull out the stops". All of that leads me to this week's predictions.
Offensive player of the game: Demarco Murray seems like the guy on the offense to me who is going to have a big day. I think he'll make some nice catches out of the backfield and his legs will be fresh to break a couple of long ones. I like him for two touchdowns and over 200 all purpose yards.
Defensive player of the game: Not exactly venturing out on a limb when I pick this year's MF'er Quinton Carter to stand out. I think he'll make their passing game pay more than once whether it's a pick or a permanently disabled Utah State receiver, or both. Not too mention, I think he comes up and makes some nice plays against the run.
Final Score: Utah State will no doubt be fired up and playing to win it all in this one, however we've only dropped two home games in Stoops' tenure and I don't look for this to be three. I like a final score in favor of OU 41-20.
Boomer to the Motherfuckin' Sooner.
Utah State hails from the WAC and is likely scheduled as a last tune up before Florida State and the rest of the schedule. They return their two best offensive starters in runningback Robert Turbin and quarterback Diondre Borel, who happens to be the Aggies second leading rusher from last season behind Turbin. The fact that they have a little experience on offense leads me to believe they'll score some points on us. However, I don't seem them shutting us down when they line up on defense. I look for a big day from DeMarco and Lonnie. I think DeMarco will run it straight up their ass with our highly questioned offensive line looking to make a statement. In turn this should soften up their defense a little in the secondary so Lonnie can go to work. Don't be surprised to see something big thrown in the direction of Kenny Stills early, I suspect the coaches will want to get him rolling early in the season.
Defensively, I think we'll give up some points maybe even some yardage, but we'll buckle down when we need to and even though I'd love to pitch a shutout and straight dominate, I think we'll settle for a solid performance with a win. Even though Turbin is a nice player, nobody comes in our house and runs it up our ass. That said, I'm looking to buy stock in whoever supplies Utah State with ice. The real test will be how our secondary steps up when they inevitably start going for broke and emptying their playbook on us to try to win the biggest game they'll play all season. This is where I think they'll hit a few plays. The combo of inexperience in the secondary with these assholes playing with nothing to lose (see: fake punts, and other general playground horseshit) will probably burn us a couple of times. The good news is, aside from blitzing there isn't much they can do defensively to "pull out the stops". All of that leads me to this week's predictions.
Offensive player of the game: Demarco Murray seems like the guy on the offense to me who is going to have a big day. I think he'll make some nice catches out of the backfield and his legs will be fresh to break a couple of long ones. I like him for two touchdowns and over 200 all purpose yards.
Defensive player of the game: Not exactly venturing out on a limb when I pick this year's MF'er Quinton Carter to stand out. I think he'll make their passing game pay more than once whether it's a pick or a permanently disabled Utah State receiver, or both. Not too mention, I think he comes up and makes some nice plays against the run.
Final Score: Utah State will no doubt be fired up and playing to win it all in this one, however we've only dropped two home games in Stoops' tenure and I don't look for this to be three. I like a final score in favor of OU 41-20.
Boomer to the Motherfuckin' Sooner.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Quick Update
Well, after I finished posting this morning I learned that Roy Finch is out for 6-8 weeks with a hairline fracture in his ankle. So you can suck it, basically, if you didn't like that I misinformed you earlier. Same thing with DeJuan Miller, although given the relatively equal (average) play of the receivers, I'd say that depth chart will be pretty fluid until someone steps up in games.
I'd like to throw a guess out for which body part DeMarco will injure next and go with hymen...as in all of the pussy he's going to be tearing up after he goes for 200+ and 3 TD's against Utah State.
Finally, one last point, I didn't want Nic Harris to feel left out, but he too was a recipient of MF'er, for the 2008 season.
I'd like to throw a guess out for which body part DeMarco will injure next and go with hymen...as in all of the pussy he's going to be tearing up after he goes for 200+ and 3 TD's against Utah State.
Finally, one last point, I didn't want Nic Harris to feel left out, but he too was a recipient of MF'er, for the 2008 season.
The Offense
Losing three first rounders to the draft is difficult if not impossible to replace. Lack of experience alone by the replacements will generally create a notable drop off. However, with two of those first rounders, including the reigning Heisman trophy winner, basically missing the entire season last year to injury the offense is in better position this season as a result. Though Bradford and Gresham going down certainly accounted for the most talent being lost to injury, the offensive line arguably took the worst beating to injury. Any time you’re moving around your all American left tackle to fill holes, you might as well order a new fan because the one you’ve got is already dripping with shit.
The offensive line is, for the second consecutive year, the biggest question mark on the team. Even though last year’s line went through a lot of the growing pains of new faces, injuries made it pretty damn hard for anyone to get consistent reps. Basically that means we’ll be seeing a lot of the same learning curve this season. What we can hope for, and what may determine what bowl we’re in, is that the experience gained last season has the line running well by the Cincy game. Going from left to right the current starting line looks like this: LT Donald Stephenson, basically this is his first shot after not playing last season and seeing limited duty as a backup two years ago, LG Stephen Good, the only OL that started all 13 games last season, C Ben Habern coaches were really big on him last season and he played well before ending his season at Tech, RG Tyler Evans, by all accounts a “big fucker” (6-5, 316) also started last season before getting hurt, RT Eric Mensik, a converted TE a plus is he’s a senior and likely knows the offense well, but he’s also the smallest OL we have at 288. Jarvis Jones backs up at LT and was a starter much of last season at RG and RT before going down at Nebraska. I’m not sure if it speaks more to Mensik looking really good or Jones sucking ass that we’ve converted a TE to start at RT. My guess is Jones didn’t look that great. Other backups include Bronson Irwin, Brian Lepak, Gabe Ikard, and Josh Aladanove going left to right. Hopefully we don’t have to get to know of them any more than that.
The TE position will be manned by starter Trent Ratterree and James Hanna. Neither of who will make us forget Gresham who was voted guy people least wanted to tackle (note: unofficial vote, results may or may not be true). Ratterree did little to make me remember him last season aside from dropping some easy touchdowns, and Hanna seems to be a guy that could dominate but never has for whatever reason. The fact that Hanna is still the second string guy tells me he hasn’t fulfilled any of that potential. Nothing about the TE position makes me need to undo my zipper for breathing room, but hopefully they’ll at least block well enough in the run game that we can forget about them and leave the pass catching to the receivers.
Speaking of, this may be the most loaded position on the field if not yet proven. Broyles is an animal. The obvious comparison is Mark Clayton in their size and style of play. Given that Broyles has potential to break a lot of Clayton’s records this season it’s a fair comparison, and one that gets me hard. That’s right, hard. Behind him we’ve seen some flashes of brilliance if no real consistency. How many times last season did we see a guy have a game where we thought, “OK, this is the guy he’s ready to break out” only to see them fade into bolivian (thanks iron mike) afterward. If Brandon Caleb, Jaz Reynolds, Adron Tennell (speaking of Tennell how much of a disappointment has he been? He’s not even listed on the two deep at this point) or DeJuan Miller decide they want to do it week in week out then we have something potentially special out there. But, I’ll settle for one of the four stepping up for a little hot streak for a game or two so there is a viable second option. If that seems like a long shot, it probably is but don’t fret. How telling is it that Kenny Stills is already penciled in to start ahead of two Sr, a Jr, and a So (three Sr’s if you count Cameron Kenney)? By all accounts he is the real deal and for once it isn’t just coaches yammering about how he’s “playing in a good way”. He’s basically been a starter since he got here and that’s against some pretty good receivers who already have experience in the system. The last piece is Cameron Kenney, he backs up Broyles in the slot. Allegedly a sure handed possession type guy, but did nothing exceptional last season. I think I read something about him saying he was “nervous” last season. Excuses are useless for the most part and that one is about the dumbest one I can think of. Don’t tell people that, Cam, just go play like you’ve got something under your cup.
The backfield rivals WR in terms of top to bottom talent. Question: who was the Sooners second leading receiver in 2009? DeMarco Murray. Everyone knows what we have with DeMarco, a true stud who can make anyone miss, pass protects, catches the ball out of the backfield (obviously), returns kicks and breaks his share of tackles too. Provided he stays healthy, he’ll be a force. Backing him up currently is Mossis “Ma dogg” Madu. Madu is another guy who can catch the ball out of the backfield and has shown some flashes of being a true stud. Last year was a little disappointing for him, but he’s played well enough to stay second behind Murray this Fall that I feel like he’s due to rebound a bit. Behind him are Jermie Calhoun, Jonathan Miller, and newcomer Roy Finch who all have looked good so far. It remains to be seen how much they’ll use Finch but by all accounts he’s played well enough he should see the field at least some. I personally would like to see Calhoun get it going. Elsewhere in the backfield, Matt “ivegotthe” Clapp (aka Malibu) is gone, so that leaves the FB and Greasy Bleached Mullett positions open. Currently redshirt frosh Marshall Musil is the starter, who I know nothing about. He is however backed up by Brandon Crow, a converted LB who you may remember looking as comfortable as a fat guy at a salad bar against Texas a couple of years ago when Reynolds went down.
Lastly are the QBs. Landry “Lonnie” Jones (call him Stache if you want but I think that is pretty weak, especially given the fact that Lonnie looks just as likely to drop a couple of edelbrock's in your Fiero as he does to be our starting QB) is the returning starter after doing a solid job of replacing the injured Bradford a year ago. With basically a season under his belt, a bowl victory, and some forgettable games (see: Nebraska et al) he claims a new level of comfort in the offense. Hopefully this translates to wins and fewer mistakes. It’s hard to follow an act like Bradford, no matter how good you are but coming in for an injured starter is probably the best way for him personally. Expectations were the lowest you can hope for from our spoiled fan base when he came in last season (though still not exactly low). I think he would have had less of a chance if Sam wins the Heisman again last season and here comes Lonnie trying to fill those enormous shoes. He still has a long way to go, but if he simply cuts out some of the mistakes we’ll be fine. The O-line will go a long way toward that end of course, but I think Lonnie will improve and with him so will the offense. Backing up Lonnie is Drew Allen a redshirt freshman who we haven’t really seen. The biggest noise in camp came around true freshman Blake Bell who evidently looked damn good. However, at last look he wasn’t listed on the two-deep, which sounds like a redshirt and compete to start next year. Nice to have that insurance though if Lonnie gets hurt and Allen sucks.
More than the defense, I see question marks on offense. Namely up front which is where you absolutely have to be good to compete for championships. The skill positions carry their share of questions also, but we have enough strength there to win games with the run or pass. I think the offense will definitely improve, barring the same rash of injuries it almost has to. It looks to be another good year in Norman, the early tests leading up to and including Texas will determine most of our fate. Aside from Utah State, we can’t afford to be sloppy early, so hopefully we’ll get a good start and get rolling early.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Questions on Offense
Now that my esteemed colleague Navin has so completely broken down the Sooner offense I'd like to ask and answer some offensive questions weighing heavily on my mind as we approach the 2010 campaign.
1A. Whither the Stache?
Indeed all of Sooner Nation waits with bated breath to see if Landry "Lonnie" Jones brings his perfectly groomed, Camaro-inspired flavor-savor to the huddle. He says he will but, according to this article, both his mother and girlfriend prefer him clean shaven. Uh Oh. In what may be the quote from fall camp, from Lonnie himself no less, "Sooner Nation needs the stache". Amen brother (In Sam Elliot voice).
1B. Stache Aside, What Can We Expect from Lonnie?
The biggest leap a player makes is from year one to year two. This is true in all sports. Now, given the fact that Lonnie got more than garbage-time reps, (he got a full season's worth of priceless meaningful game reps) he should be more improved than anyone on the team. Period. He entered the offseason as The Man and it has been his job to lose. And by lose I mean he would have had to fall out of a truck (twice), get caught stealing pot or get an illicit job at a car dealer. I expect him to be vastly improved.
So where does that put us? Would you be willing to say at least equal to Sam Bradford's first season (2007)? That would mean a nearly 70% completion percentage and a TD/INT ratio of 36 to 8. Gaudy numbers. Last year Lonnie went 58% with 26 TD's and 14 INT's. ~65% with 30+TD's and 8 INT's suddenly doesn't seem so far fetched and good things will happen with numbers like that.
2A. Will there be Some Semblance of Stability on the O-Line?
As Navin pointed out this unit is the biggest question mark on Offense. Last year these guys changed positions more than Sasha Gray in Face Invaders 4(Link Safe for work). Of course injury can be blamed for much of this. Hell, when a First Round Left Tackle is playing Center because of a lack of depth you have problems.
That said, I'm of the opinion that last years weakness is this year's strength. That's the beauty of college football. Because of injury and player movement, a lot of these guys got some meaningful reps across the line. This can only make this unit better, right? Can they stay healthy? Can they gel as a unit? I sure hope so because there are some fine players on this unit.
But it begs the question...
2B. Will some Mouth-Breathing Knuckle-Dragging Clod on the O-Line Quit the Team Come September 2nd?
I don't know what it is about O-Linemen but it seems like a right of Autumn that one of these jackoffs has had enough of windsprints and Oklahoma Drills and quits the team. I'm always one who says if they're not tough enough to handle it we don't need them anyways. Which is true. But just this once can these jackholes keep it together long enough to develop some chemistry before Cincinnatti? Pretty please?
3. What Body Part will Keep DeMarco Murray Off the Field at the Worst Possible Moment?
Frankly, we're running out of options here. The good news is he spent the offseason honing his MMA skills with 2010 M.F.er Quinton Carter. This bodes well. Also, this is the first offseason Murray has spent completely healthy. If you don't think I'm banging on wood right now like a hooker at a handjob contest you don't know me very well. We need this guy healthy. He changes absolutely everything we do. And whilst he's not the only home run threat the Sooners have on Offense he is still the most electrifying.
4. Uh, Does Anyone Want to Step Up at WR Besides Ryan Broyles?
As Navin said there is a Conglomerate of Mediocrity with Brandon Caleb, DeJuan Miller, Jaz Reynolds, Adron Tennel and Cameron Kenney. Each have had their opportunity and each has done some good, some bad with it. Evidently the smart money is on Freshman Kenny Stills. As Navin pointed out he's been penciled in as the starter since he arrived on campus. Personally, I try to avoid the recruiting hoopla and thus haven't paid much mind to this guy. But his high school numbers are ridiculous. Take it with a grain of salt of course but in three years the guy caught over 130 balls for 3000 yards for an average of 22 yards per catch. He could be the answer if he can simply complement Broyles and DeMarco and keep opposing defenses honest.
Great, now I feel like I just flushed a handful of Viagra with some Crown Royal. An improved Lonnie at QB with cohesion on the O-Line coupled with three home run hitters in DeMarco, Broyles and Kenny.
1A. Whither the Stache?
Indeed all of Sooner Nation waits with bated breath to see if Landry "Lonnie" Jones brings his perfectly groomed, Camaro-inspired flavor-savor to the huddle. He says he will but, according to this article, both his mother and girlfriend prefer him clean shaven. Uh Oh. In what may be the quote from fall camp, from Lonnie himself no less, "Sooner Nation needs the stache". Amen brother (In Sam Elliot voice).
1B. Stache Aside, What Can We Expect from Lonnie?
The biggest leap a player makes is from year one to year two. This is true in all sports. Now, given the fact that Lonnie got more than garbage-time reps, (he got a full season's worth of priceless meaningful game reps) he should be more improved than anyone on the team. Period. He entered the offseason as The Man and it has been his job to lose. And by lose I mean he would have had to fall out of a truck (twice), get caught stealing pot or get an illicit job at a car dealer. I expect him to be vastly improved.
So where does that put us? Would you be willing to say at least equal to Sam Bradford's first season (2007)? That would mean a nearly 70% completion percentage and a TD/INT ratio of 36 to 8. Gaudy numbers. Last year Lonnie went 58% with 26 TD's and 14 INT's. ~65% with 30+TD's and 8 INT's suddenly doesn't seem so far fetched and good things will happen with numbers like that.
2A. Will there be Some Semblance of Stability on the O-Line?
As Navin pointed out this unit is the biggest question mark on Offense. Last year these guys changed positions more than Sasha Gray in Face Invaders 4(Link Safe for work). Of course injury can be blamed for much of this. Hell, when a First Round Left Tackle is playing Center because of a lack of depth you have problems.
That said, I'm of the opinion that last years weakness is this year's strength. That's the beauty of college football. Because of injury and player movement, a lot of these guys got some meaningful reps across the line. This can only make this unit better, right? Can they stay healthy? Can they gel as a unit? I sure hope so because there are some fine players on this unit.
But it begs the question...
2B. Will some Mouth-Breathing Knuckle-Dragging Clod on the O-Line Quit the Team Come September 2nd?
I don't know what it is about O-Linemen but it seems like a right of Autumn that one of these jackoffs has had enough of windsprints and Oklahoma Drills and quits the team. I'm always one who says if they're not tough enough to handle it we don't need them anyways. Which is true. But just this once can these jackholes keep it together long enough to develop some chemistry before Cincinnatti? Pretty please?
3. What Body Part will Keep DeMarco Murray Off the Field at the Worst Possible Moment?
Frankly, we're running out of options here. The good news is he spent the offseason honing his MMA skills with 2010 M.F.er Quinton Carter. This bodes well. Also, this is the first offseason Murray has spent completely healthy. If you don't think I'm banging on wood right now like a hooker at a handjob contest you don't know me very well. We need this guy healthy. He changes absolutely everything we do. And whilst he's not the only home run threat the Sooners have on Offense he is still the most electrifying.
4. Uh, Does Anyone Want to Step Up at WR Besides Ryan Broyles?
As Navin said there is a Conglomerate of Mediocrity with Brandon Caleb, DeJuan Miller, Jaz Reynolds, Adron Tennel and Cameron Kenney. Each have had their opportunity and each has done some good, some bad with it. Evidently the smart money is on Freshman Kenny Stills. As Navin pointed out he's been penciled in as the starter since he arrived on campus. Personally, I try to avoid the recruiting hoopla and thus haven't paid much mind to this guy. But his high school numbers are ridiculous. Take it with a grain of salt of course but in three years the guy caught over 130 balls for 3000 yards for an average of 22 yards per catch. He could be the answer if he can simply complement Broyles and DeMarco and keep opposing defenses honest.
Great, now I feel like I just flushed a handful of Viagra with some Crown Royal. An improved Lonnie at QB with cohesion on the O-Line coupled with three home run hitters in DeMarco, Broyles and Kenny.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Welcome to the Steamroller
Welcome all to the Steamroller. This is a blog initiated by my good friend Mitch and I. We are feeling it out as we go, but basically we've been talking Sooner football for the past 10 years or so and decided we'd put it out there on the interweb, more or less to keep track of what we talk about. Our plan at this point is to make a couple of preseason predictions, discuss some of the new faces on both sides of the ball and get ready for another fall of OU football. If you're looking for in depth analysis, statistical breakdowns, or coherent family friendly fodder you are most definitely in the wrong place. We have no inside scoops or connections to break any stories. Basically we are two fans who love the sooners and will try to make each other laugh a little bit as the season unfolds. As Mitch put it so adeptly, we aren't trying to be Berry Tramel...because nobody likes Berry Tramel (Berry with an E? Really?). Each week we hope to talk a little bit about the previous week and the upcoming game as well. It's likely conversations will stray from OU to other programs on occasion, and possibly even to topics outside of football. Anyway, I suppose I should quit rambling on and get into some football.
This past offseason saw some notable losses to our team on both sides of the ball. I personally think defense was hit a little harder, and the reason is because we essentially lost Sammy and Gresham last year even though technically they were on the team. The loss of McCoy is huge, we haven't had someone that dominant in the middle since Tommie Harris, and we'll be lucky to have someone that dominant as soon again. That said, the loss at CB may be more substantial based exclusively on the fact that we lost two starters there. Dominique Franks and Brian Jackson were really outstanding starters for us last year. Brian Jackson might have been the most underrated all around corner in the Big 12 last year. Solid in coverage and against the run, he will be tough to replace. Pair that with the loss of Franks, another very solid CB and that is one giant hole to fill (insert Jenna Jameson joke here). However, the company line is that the young guys stepping in are more than capable. As far as I can tell, the current favorites to replace them are Jamell Fleming and Demontre Hurst. From what I've read, they both seem to be smallish guys with serious speed and athleticism. Both have experience on special teams, and Hurst played a lot in the Sun Bowl and piled up 14 tackles (where the hell was the front?). Even though Fleming is the more tenured of the two (a junior to Hursts sophomore), he has less experience. Coaches of course rave about their ball hawking skills and athletic ability and etc. Not a surprise to hear that sort of talk of course. Hopefully we'll know what they're really made of by the Florida State game or at least the Cincy game so that if changes need to be made we can do so before Texas. A nice insurance policy is that Jonathan Nelson can move over from Safety and play corner which would allow a more experienced Sam Proctor into the lineup to replace Nelson, if either Hurst or Fleming suck. Gabe Lynn is also someone likely to get playing time even though he seems to get little press. A couple of true freshman are getting a little mention as well including Javon Harris and Aaron Colvin. Both appear to be great cover guys, which is always key given the pass happy state of college football. Colvin already has earned a nickname...slick. Hopefully for his play, although I haven't seen if he sports a jheri curl or not. The mainstain in the secondary is of course Quinton Carter (more on him later), who I think is poised to break out this season into some national attention. I wouldn't not be surprised if he winds up getting some mention for the Thorpe award basically because he's a tremendous badass. Mitch told me the other day about how he did some MMA training in the offseason which had me believing we may see our first death on the field this year for an opposing player.
Next I'm tackling (get it? because it's about football?) the LB's. Travis Lewis is a rock. He gets the quietest 100+ tackles every year. The epitome of solid. Never blows my mind, but also doesn't miss many plays either. He's poised to take the "Old Steady" moniker from the departed Chris Brown. In the middle it looks as though Tom Wort is the guy we'll be starting the season with after the injury to Austin "Soggy" Box. Though Soggy had evidently made some nice strides and was looking like the real deal in the middle (finally), let's not forget that the coaching staff couldn't stand up from behind a desk without catching their boner on it over Tom Wort before he got hurt last year. Which leads us to Ronnell Lewis who the coaches seem equally eager to let take their daughters innocence this season. Already being proclaimed hardest hitter (EVER) by Venables, he's certainly got some expectations to live up to. I think I'll be let down with anything less than him leaving his victims with messed jockey's. Seriously though, if he's half as good as everyone seems so sure he will be, the Sam will be aptly manned, and our LB corps seems like it will be really solid.
Finally, let's talk DL. As I mentioned before McCoy is really irreplaceable, at least with who we have. Though, we might not be able to trade out one All American with another top 5 draft choice, we have some seriously capable guys up there. First of all Jamarkus McFarland will hopefully live up to the hype he had as a recruit. He wasn't terrible last season, but next to McCoy it's easy to look inferior. Plus, without McCoy soaking up 2 or 3 blockers on each play, things should only be tougher for McFarland or whoever earns the starting nod. Stacy McGee and Casey Walker are currently battling for a starting role (or at least at my last check they were, that may be established now), but really it doesn't matter too much who starts, because it's likely that all three will rotate fairly heavily unless two really rise up. Adrian Taylor is still a ways from coming back, and likely even farther away from mattering when he does. The outside of the line really looks good though. Jeremy Beal and Frank Alexander are both potential all conference players maybe even all american. Either way, they are two players that offenses absolutely have to plan for and who are capable of making game changing plays. However, behind them David King and Pryce Macon are still largely unproven.
That's pretty much the state of the defense right now. Though there are certainly going to be some new faces, the returning starters are a really talented bunch which should help hide some of the growing pains that we'll see on the outside in particular. I'll be back later to discuss some preseason predictions, and I think Mitch is working on reviewing our thought process for handing out our annual MF award, likely the most prestigious preseason award handed out anywhere. Mitch, feel free to verbally depants me on any mistakes, omissions, or egregiously ridiculous points, it's likely that my first entry is littered with them.
This past offseason saw some notable losses to our team on both sides of the ball. I personally think defense was hit a little harder, and the reason is because we essentially lost Sammy and Gresham last year even though technically they were on the team. The loss of McCoy is huge, we haven't had someone that dominant in the middle since Tommie Harris, and we'll be lucky to have someone that dominant as soon again. That said, the loss at CB may be more substantial based exclusively on the fact that we lost two starters there. Dominique Franks and Brian Jackson were really outstanding starters for us last year. Brian Jackson might have been the most underrated all around corner in the Big 12 last year. Solid in coverage and against the run, he will be tough to replace. Pair that with the loss of Franks, another very solid CB and that is one giant hole to fill (insert Jenna Jameson joke here). However, the company line is that the young guys stepping in are more than capable. As far as I can tell, the current favorites to replace them are Jamell Fleming and Demontre Hurst. From what I've read, they both seem to be smallish guys with serious speed and athleticism. Both have experience on special teams, and Hurst played a lot in the Sun Bowl and piled up 14 tackles (where the hell was the front?). Even though Fleming is the more tenured of the two (a junior to Hursts sophomore), he has less experience. Coaches of course rave about their ball hawking skills and athletic ability and etc. Not a surprise to hear that sort of talk of course. Hopefully we'll know what they're really made of by the Florida State game or at least the Cincy game so that if changes need to be made we can do so before Texas. A nice insurance policy is that Jonathan Nelson can move over from Safety and play corner which would allow a more experienced Sam Proctor into the lineup to replace Nelson, if either Hurst or Fleming suck. Gabe Lynn is also someone likely to get playing time even though he seems to get little press. A couple of true freshman are getting a little mention as well including Javon Harris and Aaron Colvin. Both appear to be great cover guys, which is always key given the pass happy state of college football. Colvin already has earned a nickname...slick. Hopefully for his play, although I haven't seen if he sports a jheri curl or not. The mainstain in the secondary is of course Quinton Carter (more on him later), who I think is poised to break out this season into some national attention. I wouldn't not be surprised if he winds up getting some mention for the Thorpe award basically because he's a tremendous badass. Mitch told me the other day about how he did some MMA training in the offseason which had me believing we may see our first death on the field this year for an opposing player.
Next I'm tackling (get it? because it's about football?) the LB's. Travis Lewis is a rock. He gets the quietest 100+ tackles every year. The epitome of solid. Never blows my mind, but also doesn't miss many plays either. He's poised to take the "Old Steady" moniker from the departed Chris Brown. In the middle it looks as though Tom Wort is the guy we'll be starting the season with after the injury to Austin "Soggy" Box. Though Soggy had evidently made some nice strides and was looking like the real deal in the middle (finally), let's not forget that the coaching staff couldn't stand up from behind a desk without catching their boner on it over Tom Wort before he got hurt last year. Which leads us to Ronnell Lewis who the coaches seem equally eager to let take their daughters innocence this season. Already being proclaimed hardest hitter (EVER) by Venables, he's certainly got some expectations to live up to. I think I'll be let down with anything less than him leaving his victims with messed jockey's. Seriously though, if he's half as good as everyone seems so sure he will be, the Sam will be aptly manned, and our LB corps seems like it will be really solid.
Finally, let's talk DL. As I mentioned before McCoy is really irreplaceable, at least with who we have. Though, we might not be able to trade out one All American with another top 5 draft choice, we have some seriously capable guys up there. First of all Jamarkus McFarland will hopefully live up to the hype he had as a recruit. He wasn't terrible last season, but next to McCoy it's easy to look inferior. Plus, without McCoy soaking up 2 or 3 blockers on each play, things should only be tougher for McFarland or whoever earns the starting nod. Stacy McGee and Casey Walker are currently battling for a starting role (or at least at my last check they were, that may be established now), but really it doesn't matter too much who starts, because it's likely that all three will rotate fairly heavily unless two really rise up. Adrian Taylor is still a ways from coming back, and likely even farther away from mattering when he does. The outside of the line really looks good though. Jeremy Beal and Frank Alexander are both potential all conference players maybe even all american. Either way, they are two players that offenses absolutely have to plan for and who are capable of making game changing plays. However, behind them David King and Pryce Macon are still largely unproven.
That's pretty much the state of the defense right now. Though there are certainly going to be some new faces, the returning starters are a really talented bunch which should help hide some of the growing pains that we'll see on the outside in particular. I'll be back later to discuss some preseason predictions, and I think Mitch is working on reviewing our thought process for handing out our annual MF award, likely the most prestigious preseason award handed out anywhere. Mitch, feel free to verbally depants me on any mistakes, omissions, or egregiously ridiculous points, it's likely that my first entry is littered with them.
Your 2010 Sooner Football M.F.'er
Every year there's a player on the Sooner defense who is such a baby-eater that he must be addressed as (First Name) Motherfuckin' (Last Name). Identifying an M.F.'er has become tradition for Navin and I, a tradition which began with Roy Motherfuckin Williams and has included such luminaries as Tommie M.F. Harris and, most recently, Gerald M.F. McCoy. A tradition which now includes T-Shirts (Order yours here).
To be M.F.'er you must be well established in the Sooner program (No Freshmen). You must be ferocious. You must embody the spirit and tradition of Sooner Defense badassery. Your name cannot sound cheesedick with M.F. sandwiched betwixt your first and last name (See how Patrick M.F. O'Hara does not work?). Finally, being a "Can't miss" pro prospect is not required to earn the coveted title of M.F.'er though it makes the decision a little easier.
Based on this criteria there are only four candidates for the 2010 Sooner football season. Those candidates are Quinton Carter, Travis Lewis, Ronnell Lewis and Jeremy Beal. Let's look at them individually.
Jeremy Beal - He is well established and a beast at the DE spot. Opposing offenses will need to know where he is lined up on each play. However, he just isn't the kind of player I could discuss with Navin and have a conversation like this:
Ronnell Lewis - Ronnell Lewis will be an M.F.'er before his career is over. He is the next great Sooner Linebacker and he's cut from the same cloth as Torrance Marshall, Rocky Calmus and Curtis Lofton. Hell, he could be better than all of them.
But hype and promise are precisely why he can't be the 2010 M.F.'er. As Navin pointed out recently, you can't, "crown his ass" (invoking the voice of Dennis Green) when he's started one game in his career. This is a tough decision (and one that could be regretted) but Ronnell needs a season to marinate. This is my father-in-law's pick and if you took a poll of Sooner fans, he probably would be the leader in the clubhouse.
Travis Lewis - On paper he seems an obvious choice. He'll be a Captain. He's been in the system for a long time. He could lead the country in tackles. By all accounts he's a great teammate, human being and a sensitive lover.
But he's just not a sexy enough pick. He does everything well and none of it with flash. Perfect for any team but not M.F. material. You have to have swagger if we're going to make a T-Shirt with your name on it.
Quinton Carter - He is the headhunter of the 2010 Sooner Secondary. He's been in the system. He practices MMA in the offseason. Recently I had the opportunity to play golf with Sooner legend Joe Washington and I asked him who the badass of the Sooner D would be this year and he said Quinton Carter. Finally, Quinton Motherfuckin Carter sounds awesome. In short, the honor is his. The calling is great but the reward is T-Shirt immortality.
Enjoy these video's from M.F.'ers past:
Roy M.F. Williams
Tommie M.F. Harris
Gerald M.F. McCoy
To be M.F.'er you must be well established in the Sooner program (No Freshmen). You must be ferocious. You must embody the spirit and tradition of Sooner Defense badassery. Your name cannot sound cheesedick with M.F. sandwiched betwixt your first and last name (See how Patrick M.F. O'Hara does not work?). Finally, being a "Can't miss" pro prospect is not required to earn the coveted title of M.F.'er though it makes the decision a little easier.
Based on this criteria there are only four candidates for the 2010 Sooner football season. Those candidates are Quinton Carter, Travis Lewis, Ronnell Lewis and Jeremy Beal. Let's look at them individually.
Jeremy Beal - He is well established and a beast at the DE spot. Opposing offenses will need to know where he is lined up on each play. However, he just isn't the kind of player I could discuss with Navin and have a conversation like this:
Me: Did you see Jeremy Beal out there today?Beal is a key to the defense but he's not the M.F.'er of this defense.
Navin: Oh goddamn! Jeremy Motherfuckin Beal!
Me and Navin, in unison and clanking beer steins: Jeremy Motherfuckin Beal!
Ronnell Lewis - Ronnell Lewis will be an M.F.'er before his career is over. He is the next great Sooner Linebacker and he's cut from the same cloth as Torrance Marshall, Rocky Calmus and Curtis Lofton. Hell, he could be better than all of them.
But hype and promise are precisely why he can't be the 2010 M.F.'er. As Navin pointed out recently, you can't, "crown his ass" (invoking the voice of Dennis Green) when he's started one game in his career. This is a tough decision (and one that could be regretted) but Ronnell needs a season to marinate. This is my father-in-law's pick and if you took a poll of Sooner fans, he probably would be the leader in the clubhouse.
Travis Lewis - On paper he seems an obvious choice. He'll be a Captain. He's been in the system for a long time. He could lead the country in tackles. By all accounts he's a great teammate, human being and a sensitive lover.
But he's just not a sexy enough pick. He does everything well and none of it with flash. Perfect for any team but not M.F. material. You have to have swagger if we're going to make a T-Shirt with your name on it.
Quinton Carter - He is the headhunter of the 2010 Sooner Secondary. He's been in the system. He practices MMA in the offseason. Recently I had the opportunity to play golf with Sooner legend Joe Washington and I asked him who the badass of the Sooner D would be this year and he said Quinton Carter. Finally, Quinton Motherfuckin Carter sounds awesome. In short, the honor is his. The calling is great but the reward is T-Shirt immortality.
Enjoy these video's from M.F.'ers past:
Roy M.F. Williams
Tommie M.F. Harris
Gerald M.F. McCoy
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