OU football: It's all on the line

I wonder why Bobby Jack Wright is not on the hot seat. Year after year we seem to recruit good defensive backs, yet that seems to be the weak part of the defense. D line is always good. Linebackers are usually good. But D back constantly break down, give up a lot of yards. I know he has been here since the beginning with Stoops, but I have never thought he was a particular good coach. We see no imagination or innovation from his area of responsibility. I also never see him commenting on the game. Seems he is kept in the corner, only to be let out during recruiting, because he has Texas ties.

Man I hate that it worked out this way but in one of my comments to another article I said it, I got the same feeling about this as when we did this a few years ago. That the opener against BYU is the scariest game. I almost knew BYU was going to win. It's sad that Sam and Gresham and Brody got hurt. It hurts Gresham the most being out for the season. I wish he would have gone pro. I got up the next day after the game (They don't show it in Korea), and I got a sick feeling before I even clicked on the sports page and saw sam laying there on the turf. Lets hope we can get it together and fix those mistakes, pre-Tulsa. It wasn't conference so i doesn't affect a single goal we have (except maybe going un-defeated).

The play of the offensive line cost us the game. They were consistently bad throughout. The penalties and the poor blocking that got Bradford hurt and Landry drilled is the biggest reason BYU won. Game management issues at the one was the final nail. A complete collapse by the players and coaches. OU could have won despite the lose of basically the services of Gresham, Eldridge, who if he had been blocking the edge might have picked off the LB that got Bradford, and even Bradford, if the line and the coaches had done only 1/2 of what they did to get the team beat.

How can you NOT say it's the coaches fault, or at least spread the blame? What you didn't see on TV was all the times the team on the field had their hands looking at the sidelines wondering what play they were suppose to run. Both defense and offense. Coaches couldn't even get the plays out on the field quick enough. That absolutely disgusts me. Not the players fault, but comeon, who's the coaches here?

If you can take away the emotions and you take an objective look at the recent recruiting classes you see more hype than muscle. Kids being a crap shoot to start with, but there few 4 and 5 star recruits in those classes. Example-this years class is rated #1 by many people but that is because of numbers not talent because again there are few 4 and 5 star recruits in the class. Sooner fans get used to a declining talent level unless changes are made to recruiting and better talent is recruited soon. This years o-line is a sign of less talent available especially if you remove the transfers!

A hurry-up offense that gets up to the line and then backs out while the sideline coaches change the play, confusing the team and fooling no one.

Once again, focus is on getting highlight video on stars and not having a backup QB ready to step up (Lubbock, '07, Dallas, '09). Add that to receivers that couldn't catch a cold, here comes a butt kickin. A top 5 recruiting class for the last five years and coaches that don't seem to be able to coach and motivate, all that for 3 million dollars a year for the head coach, what a bargain.

Did they forget to include the article?

Hey Chuck I thought the assessment was right on especially how it relates to our pass coverage. If a team wants to have success against our defense then just as you said run the slot guy or TE out yards and turn around. It was frustrating to watch our guys get nickle and dimed all the way down the field. As far as offense goes it's time to pull out all the stops and get creative and quick. There is no room to be conservative now. Hopefully we will feel that sense of urgency. I still have hope for the O-line but time will tell. And somebody please put some glue on Tennels hands!

Whoever wrote the blog, which Chuck from Mustang posted, is on the money. OU needs a passing defense and has needed one since late '04. With a good passing defense and better offensive game mgmt. this team would not lose the big ones.

Sorry Bruce but Chuck is correct in his analysis. Many Sooner fans can and do see how a game could have been played and coached smarter. And don't give me that "Monday morning quarterback bs". Any nutsack knows we won't win every game we play. But it doesn't take a brainyact to know when a superior talented team isn't executing due to play calling and coaching. OU simply was not properly prepared and wasn't given the ability to win once the game was underway by not reacting to BYU's gameplan. We all love our team but let's not think for a minute we aren't entitled to critique what we see without being called bandwagon fans.

Bruce in Ft. Worth...Chuck only put into words what most fans already think...We get into the NC game last year and we totally quit doing what got us there THROWING THE BALL...play calling sucked and yes I was there and you find a bigger OU fan, so lets cut to the chase our coaches are highly paid and need to be held accoutable just like any other business professional! Our coaching staff has lost the intensity, excitement and emotion we saw in 2000 and it is time they get focused and earn back the respect we had for them in 2000...guts, taking risks, trick plays etc...we want it! The BYU game is history so lets take care of business starting today BOOMER SOONER!

Hey Chuck, why don't you try coaching the team then? Everytime OU loses you BANDWAGON FANS act like the other team was playing with a high school JV players. You know, BYU was pretty good. Did OU play well, NO. Did Kevin Wilson fumble twice or get called for 10 holding penalities? NO. Your post is amazing. Either support your team or go cheer for someone else. It's people like you that give OU fans a bad name. Pathetic. GO SOONERS!

Come on guys, remember the game where Troy Aikman broke his leg, we lost the game, and won the National Championship! The season is not over. It is really hard to comprehend that Troy Aikman was replaced on an OU team!

Two weeks ago, I would have thought Steve was crazy. Now, I feel that 4 losses would be a great season after what happened Saturday. If the rest of ya'll don't say it, I know your thinking it. Did you see the Miami/Florida St. game? We're going to get creamed. The speed of that time was simply downright scary, plus, we're playing at Miami? Lord help us. I'm still a Sooner fan, but let's be realistic. Texas? Miami? Texas Tech? Even OSU? Nebraska? This could get ugly my friends, but we'll hang in there. We can't be great all the time even though we sure wish it.

That was an absolutely brilliant write up. I've been listening to the sports animal and they all back Wilson because of what he did last year. Yeah, I could buy that, but what all did he have last year? Some pretty great receivers that we are now only realise. To me, and I was there, it seemed that OU was running the same offense as last year. Probably relying on Sam, I'm sure, but how could they have not seen, suspected or maybe thought, albeit just a little, that maybe things aren't going to be the same and every time that we play will be expecting that? BYU sure did. I didn't know they only returned one starter, now that, is really embarassing.

Doesn't look like the Sooners will continue their BCS losing streak...because it is doubtful they will make a BCS this year. I see 4 or 5 losses.

This guy is probably my favorite guy of anyone on breaking down a game and picking out the strengths and weaknesses. Here is his writeup of the game.

Okay...trying not to start by listing off the coaches I'd like to see demoted and/or fired...

Offensive line wasn't ready to play---lots of nerves, obviously---but the play-calling did them no service. This group can not run the no-huddle yet. We could last year but we can't this year. Not enough mental focus and their timing on the shotgun snap is awful. That's a timed snap by Brody---he peeks back at Sam and sees the signal, then puts his head up and after a predetermined pause time, he snaps it. I think we had 6 false start penalties so something must be changed. They won't go away by themselves---not even with another month of reps.

You know, BYU's offensive line only has one returning starter, too, and that kid's hand is broken. Maybe we should go hire BYU's line coach.

While we're at it, isn't it time for Bob Stoops to take some responsibility (and power) away from that loudmouth Kevin Wilson? That guy has been crowing for the last week about how things have come together swimmingly and we fans were in for a big treat with the new stuff they've put in.

Well, how about just putting in an offense for when the team gets down inside the 5 yard line?

Jerry Schmidt---how well is this guy really doing his job? Stronger, faster, better athletes out there wilted YET AGAIN in the 4th quarter of a close game. Bob Stoops will not win close games with Jerry Schmidt at OU. That's the way it feels. Either blow them out early so the opponent loses all hope, or just be prepared to watch said opponent trail for 3.5 quarters, only to be stronger in the last 7 minutes of the game and win at the end.

Doesn't Bob Stoops get tired of watching his players flop late in the game? Something must be done about Schmidt. He's not the miracle worker Bob likes to make him out to be.

Defense was okay---they were incredibly gassed in the 4th quarter and couldn't make a play to get off the field. Know why?

Because Keenan Clayton and Ryan Reynolds were in on passing downs. That's why. Yes, they are the guys who came up with interceptions but they are also the guys who kept giving up crucial 3rd down completions.

Wanna know how to move the ball with ease on OU? Have your slot receiver or flex tight end run straight down the field 7 yards and turn around. He'll either be matched up against Clayton or Reynolds, and neither one of these guys will bother to cover him.

I love Reynolds and Clayton. I think they are good players, but they are NOT 3 down players. Pull them and stick in the freshmen Trice and Hurst (did you see Hurst's wheels??? Holy mackerel we could use that speed NOW!)

Time to have 6 defensive backs in the game when it's 3rd and long. Instead, we saw a steady diet of Clayton and Reynolds trying to catch up to their receiver downfield after the guy has caught the ball and run for the first down.

The Ontei Jones of 2000 would be a special teams player only today. That's right, OU's 6 defensive back, the co-MVP of our last national title win wouldn't play defense on the 2009 squad. Pelini had a good idea back when our strongside linebacker was Clint Ingram: don't pull him off the field in passing situations. Of course it was a great idea! Ingram is an NFL linebacker!

But guess who is not? Demario Pleasant and Lew Baker and now, Keenan Clayton. Those guys don't need to be in on 3rd and long just like Roger Steffen and Pasha Jackson didn't need to be in on 3rd and long (or against spread teams, as a point of fact). When Mike Stoops was around, the Sam 'backer came out and the nickel and dime backs went in. In 2000, those players were Everage and Ontei.

Think we win a national title in 2000 without Everage and Ontei making the plays they made?

It's time to get more speed and better coverage on the field when we know the opponent is going to throw the ball.

What happened on BYU's game-deciding TD? Clayton didn't bother to cover his man so Proctor tried to jump out on the guy, leaving his back area open. That forced Hall to go to another read, and of course Reynolds' drop was too shallow so it was an easy throw and catch. Better pass rush would have been helpful, but that TD goes on Clayton for not covering his man in the first place.

Back to Wilson---from now on, I'll refer to him only as Idiot Wilson until he actually calls a good game again. I don't want to hear any more about Chuck "Third and Long". Back when Long was around, when the offense got a big turnover at midfield, the next play was going right for the jugular.

Idiot Wilson, instead, goes right to the jug.

In the first half, Idiot Wilson must have forgotten that Sam Bradford was on the field. At one point, 9 of 10 plays on 3 consecutive possessions were runs. How did those 3 drives end? A fumble and 2 punts.

Meanwhile, Bradford was hitting his receivers in the hands (can he help it if Tennel can't catch?).

Yes, offensive mistakes (penalties, drops, poor execution) cost us this game. But the poor play-calling was culprit #1. BYU had no troubles getting the ball into the end zone when it was 1st and goal from the 2. Made us look silly, in fact.

Wilson, on the other hand, is still trying to figure out how to get that last yard.

And when did Bob Stoops lose his nerve? 4th and a foot inside the 1 yard line and he can't simply call a time out to order up another QB sneak, this time instructing his rookie QB to actually streeeeetch the ball over the goal line?

Instead, the coaches look like boneheads with a delay of game penalty. Mark Mangino had a phrase: "Goose and go". Apparently Bob has forgotten what works from inside the 1 yard line.

I liked what I saw out of the running game---they just used it too much when Sam was in there. I thought the effort was there teamwide (although the receivers were standing around instead of blocking at times). In fact, if the receiver stay on their blocks, both Brown and Murray would have scored a TD each. On one play, Murray set up Ryan Broyles for a beautiful seal block.. But instead of scooting up the sideline for a long TD, Murray gets tackled because Broyles quit on his block.

The pass plays were there, especially in the first half. Their guys couldn't cover our guys. It was very frustrating to see Wilson trying to force that run game, but we can't say we didn't expect it. Maybe he was planning on Sam throwing the ball 30 times in the 2nd half. Who knows.

D-line played lights out but once again, the 'backers and DB's gave up big plays. DB's were terribly inconsistent, except for Brian Jackson who I thought covered his guys pretty well. Franks giving up the sideline in quarters boundary coverage when he had inside help from the safety was, to quote Mike Stoops when it happened to Strait back against Nebraska in 2000, "too dumb to even yell at him for it".

So hopefully we won't be reading any more quotes from Franks about how he can't decide if he wants to cover his man or try to bait the QB into throwing his way once in a while.

I thought Travis Lewis played great. I would very much like to see Bob and Venables put in a dime package with Lewis and 6 DB's behind the 4 d-linemen. Lewis covered pretty well (though a bit late getting out on a couple of receivers out of the backfield) and he was really good in run support.

McCoy was a man, no surprise. I would like to see him separating runners from the ball, though. When he gets a guy in the backfield right after the handoff, that ball needs to come out. He has the talent to take it to the next level, and this defense needs him to make some plays like that. That EXTRA great play.

Again, I love Reynolds.. Love his effort. But it's time to get Box ready to go at middle 'backer.. Reynolds has lost too much speed. He's fine in the box but get him in space and he's toast. He's a 2 down player and he should not be defensing spread offenses anymore.

Like we saw from '99 to 2003, the coaches had no troubles pulling the Sam 'backer against the spread offense and also in pass situations. Time to do the same with Reynolds. They should pull Clayton too, but that's only because he doesn't cover. Not "can't" cover. Doesn't cover.

But it wasn't the defense. 4 sacks, 2 interceptions, 2 recovered fumbles. 41 rushing yards on 30 attempts. Up front, OU dominated. The back 7, they gave up too many big plays, but giving up 14 points is good enough to win.

Bottom line? BYU smelled blood, OU didn't. I'm embarassed for Stoops because of this. His team, his coaches, they don't smell blood anymore.

Looks like the Big 12 South will come down to Texas and Oklahoma State. I sure hope the Longhorns don't catch the injury bug. The Horns only problem right now is how to get so much talent on one team enough playing time.

This article ranks about as high by journalism standards, as our offensive line's performance the weekend. Stop wasting our time with such nonsense. Either put the work into writing a real story, or leave it blank!

I can't believe the editors let this article get into the paper. Worthless content. All I have to say is that David has a keen eye for the obvious.

yep it was the line. Why don't our coaches tell it like was and is.

The following quote is from Bo Pelini about his offense - "“We were wallowing around,” Pelini said, “and it showed in our play. To come out of the huddle with an attitude and you’re getting up and down on the ball, it’s going to show when the ball is snapped.”"

Compared to Pelini, our coaches are WUSSES! I also read about the half time talk that Wilson gave the team. It sounded like Wilson has no fire at all. He was spoon feeding the clowns on the offensive(which was very offensive to watch) line. No wonder our coaches agreed to the hand-shaking crap. They are wussies.

An unfortunate string of injuries and a confused OL. OU will do what great programs do: turn it around. This season or next.