OU defense missing ‘the really big play'
Sooners' coaches like the numbers their defense produces, but are looking for more

By John Helsley

Published: October 11, 2006

NORMAN — Brent Venables, speaking cautiously out of respect for his players, hinted at a troubling problem plaguing this Oklahoma defense.

No difference makers.

None, anyway, that consistently cause opposing offenses to sweat.

Not even Rufus Alexander, the Preseason Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year?

"Nobody's game planning around him," said Venables, OU's defensive coordinator. "We don't have anybody like that on defense."

It's not that the Sooners are void of good players. Or good play.

In Saturday's loss to Texas, they limited the Longhorns to 232 total yards and forced five three-and-outs among the first six possessions.

"Not many people are going to keep them to 232 total yards," OU coach Bob Stoops said Tuesday. "I'm not here bragging on statistics. There's a lot of good play there."

But Stoops also lamented one key ingredient missing from his dominant defenses at OU.

"We didn't come up with the really big play," Stoops said.

And that, in contrast to years past, when Roy Williams and Tommie Harris and Derrick Strait, among others, filled highlight reels, is noticeable.

The Sooners' defense isn't producing game-changing plays. It was evident in losses to Oregon and Texas, when a play here or there could have swung momentum or even victory. It's been evident even in some wins.

Any attempt to build an OU defensive highlight film this season, offering anything outside moments against Middle Tennessee (five turnovers, three sacks), might be fruitless.

"It's hard to put your finger on it, in that we're doing a lot of the things we've done traditionally here for eight years," Stoops said. "We haven't been able to come up with that big play, whether it be that deflection for an interception, a sack that rips the ball out, whatever."

Alexander is having a solid year.

The senior linebacker tops OU in tackles and is tied for the team lead in tackles for losses at 5�. Yet, five of those stops behind the line came against Middle Tennessee.

The wow factor associated with Alexander, the havoc expected from the three-year starter in his final season…

"Prior to this year," Venables said.

Alexander, on the Butkus Award watch list, said he understands the focus on his play.

"Coach Venables is one of our biggest critics," Alexander said. "He coaches us hard and we wouldn't want it any other way.

"Hey, we set the bar high here. We have high expectations for ourselves and we expect to make a lot of great plays. And we're working hard to get better."

Venables wasn't picking on just Alexander.

"Can't put a finger on a couple of guys who are capable of playing a lot better," Venables said. "Playing solid, but not playing great."

Ends Calvin Thibodeaux and C.J. Ah You combined for 17 sacks a year ago. This year: none. Larry Birdine, who missed all but one game a year ago, posted seven sacks in 2004. So far: one.

"At this time, I figured I'd be among the leaders in sacks and tackles at my position," Birdine said. "So far through the year, I feel like I've just been average.

"A regular player. Just a guy."

Great defenses require great players. OU coaches believed they had some; still do.

"I think they're guys who are used to playing really well and making a bunch of plays," Venables said. "It's not that guys are not trying and not preparing and not practicing hard or working hard. Sometimes when you try to do too much, you don't do anything.

"It happens. And I've seen it happen over my coaching career with seniors more than anybody. It's because they want to do so well. They know they're being looked at (by the pros) and sometimes you can press and try to make every great play. So you're solid, but you're not spectacular."

The Sooners are tied for last in the Big 12 with six sacks, rank seventh in turnovers gained and last in red zone defense.

In Norman, they've grown accustomed to better.

"We definitely don't want to lower our standard, by no means," Thibodeaux said.