Tight end’s blocking makes him a key factor in OU offense

By John Helsley

Published: September 6, 2006

NORMAN - Joe Jon Finley lit up all over again, breaking down his big moment from Oklahoma’s win over Alabama-Birmingham.

The block, not the catch.

“I knew I had a cleanup shot,” Finley said. “I just had to hit him in the ear hole.”

Finley’s blind-side blowup of UAB’s Orlandus King sprung Adrian Peterson’s 69-yard touchdown catch and run, the decisive play in the Sooners’ season-opening survival. And it punctuated why Finley finally figures to be a major factor in OU’s offense.

The junior tight end caught a career-high four passes for 79 yards and a touchdown Saturday, suggesting he could become a reliable receiving option.

But more than playmaking potential, Sooner coaches like the physical transformation that’s taken place with Finley, who now appears to be a more complete player at tight end.

“Joe Jon had 19 knockdowns in 50-something plays,” said offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson, who also coaches the tight ends. “He knocked a couple guys off the field.”

Pass-catching tight ends have their value. But with these Sooners, receiving skills may be more of a bonus in an attack that requires consistent edge blocking for Peterson in the running game.

“This year, Coach Wilson is all about the physical presence,” Finley said. “That’s all we do at practice, work on the grunt work.

“But that’s what makes it fun - when we get out there and get a lot of knockdowns, it makes you feel like your hard work is paying off.”

Surprisingly, Finley, who could have been a college quarterback at Nebraska, doesn’t so much mind the grunt work. And, he said, above all else - long bombs thrown or caught - he covets nothing more than the kind of crushing block he stuck on King, even if it did come as the result of him running the wrong route.

“Ever since I was a kid growing up, that’s been my favorite thing on a football field, peeling back where they don’t even see you,” Finley said. “Finally, getting to do it on the big field, that’s one of my best.”

Said Peterson, who shared a SportsCenter moment with Finley: “Without that block, I wouldn’t have made it to the end zone.”

Finley still likes the idea of Paul Thompson flinging a few passes his way.

And his game-high four catches was a continuation of a strong preseason of practice.

“We laughed about it,” Finley said of a shared moment with Thompson. “He asked me how many catches I had. I said, ‘Four - that’s a good job P.T.’ ”

For Finley, a former Texas prep star, it’s been a matter of growing into his current role.

After starting two years at quarterback for Arlington High, he arrived at OU in 2003 carrying 210 pounds on his 6-foot-6 frame.

Now he’s at 255, more than 15 pounds heavier than when the Sooners finished last season in the Holiday Bowl.

“The weight has helped me so much,” Finley said. “It helps me with the blocking. And I’ve been able to keep my speed.

“I feel like I can compete with anybody out there.”

Not just compete, but conquer.

“He’s stronger,” Wilson said. “Joe Jon played hard, he played fast (Saturday). He was having fun, flying around. Hopefully, he’ll have a chance.

“He showed what he’s capable of. He’s shown he has a chance to be an upper level player.”