Radical ideas: Quick fixes for the Sooners

Drastic times call for drastic measures. Five radical ideas for the Sooners to offset the loss of Adrian Peterson:

Next to Peterson, Smith is the best Sooner with the ball in his hands. He was a star tailback at Edmond Santa Fe, and Smith already has been working on offense, at flanker.

No one thought it possible two months ago, but quarterback Paul Thompson becomes the strength of this offense. Scrap all I-formation plays, and let Thompson run the spread, which coordinator Kevin Wilson employed at Northwestern.

In 2004, Wolfe was a promising freshman runner. Playing behind Peterson and Kejuan Jones, Wolfe gained 109 yards on 25 carries.

The strength of the offense is its pass catchers. So use five at a time. Empty the backfield, spread the field and throw every down, to Malcolm Kelly, Juaquin Iglesias, Manuel Johnson, Joe Jon Finley or Jermaine Gresham.

The Sooners need a QB next year, so start looking this season. And why not Holmes? OU does not use the flanker-turned-cornerback's greatest talent. He's ambidextrous, able to throw equally well with both hands.

By Berry Tramel