Best ‘o' the blog

Published: April 8, 2007

The OU coaching staff is already using (DeMarco Murray) in single-back and I-formation sets, as well as in the slot on passing downs. In each spot Murray has produced in a big way all spring and he's doing it again today.

But the coaches are also trying the super-quick back on kickoff returns, beside Juaquin Iglesias and Manuel Johnson.

Back there, Murray doesn't look quite as natural.

On his first two returns, Murray rushed up the middle 10 or so yards and stopped in his tracks. I suppose he was trying to change direction, but changing direction on a return is a lot different from changing direction in the backfield. And Murray's stop-start motion just looked awkward.

Ultimately, he gained little or no extra yardage.

Thanks to incredible depth in the backfield, the Sooners can afford to use Murray in kickoff situations. But he has to work on finding the seam and sticking with it.

He's not quite as nimble as Reggie Smith.

— Blake Jackson

Here's the difference between quarterbacks Sam Bradford and Joey Halzle at this point.

Decisions — good and bad.

Just before Bradford put together the best drive of the Red-White game, capped by a 14-yard strike to Carter Whitson, Halzle had just fired a pass to a fellow Sooner — in White, meaning defense on Saturday. That came after Halzle threw into traffic earlier, before rallying late in the first half for a scoring drive.

— John Helsley

I can't believe my eyes. There really are names on the back of the Sooner jerseys. Even the White Team. This is significant. It's been a good, long while since OU fans have had the pleasure of squinting to find out who made a play.

Maybe Stoops decided to replace the names as a gift to fans and media, commemorating the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad and the Easter holiday.

Who knows?

But we certainly do appreciate the change of heart. If only for the Spring Game.

— Blake Jackson

Right now, Lendy Holmes ranks behind Reggie Smith and Marcus Walker among defensive backs.

And as much as I like what Smith and Walker can do, Holmes always seems to make things happen. He's had two near interceptions, jumping out of nowhere to knock down the passes.

He snagged neither, but Holmes' instincts are evident.

— Jenni Carlson

Having seen exactly zero of Oklahoma's spring practices before (Saturday), I'm not the foremost authority on the Sooner quarterback derby.

But this I know: Sam Bradford looks pretty darn good.The Putnam City North product seemed thin and frail last year as a true freshman. But now, he looks thicker and heartier.

That's important when you're the man with the target on your chest.

Perhaps his play makes him look better, too.

— Jenni Carlson