Smith will play more on offense The three offensive plays for which Oklahoma sophomore Reggie Smith was on the field last Saturday will likely be surpassed this week when Washington visits Owen Field.
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"I'd like to get Reggie some more snaps offensively," Sooners head coach Bob Stoops said Tuesday at his weekly media conference.
Smith was in on all 57 defensive plays for the Sooners, as well as some on special teams, in the 24-17 win over Alabama-Birmingham. He lined up at slot receiver for three offensive snaps in the first half, but was not thrown to.
Other Sooners in line for more playing time are tight end Jermaine Gresham and cornerback Lendy Holmes.
"He'll learn from that one turnover," Stoops said of Gresham, who fumbled after his only reception Saturday. "He made a nice catch on that ball. It was thrown on his back hip.
"(The fumble) probably spooked us a little bit, but he's got to learn from it. He can make some big plays and is a good player, so we gotta get him to learn how to take care of the ball."
Holmes could relieve junior D.J. Wolfe at cornerback on the boundary -- or short -- side of the field. Holmes has been impressive in practice and Wolfe was hurt by a few successful UAB pass plays.
"We know what Lendy can do and there's a possibility he'll get some more snaps, but I also think there's a possibility that D.J. will play better," Stoops said.
Paul's performance pleases: Stoops said he was happy with the way senior Paul Thompson played in his second career start as a quarterback.
"He managed the game in a really good way," Stoops said. "And he'll get better. You look at the whole thing and he threw a lot of really good balls. He'll only get better as he goes and the more practice and the more game experience he gets."
Thompson admitted Tuesday that putting points on the board early last week was important to his success as well as that of the team.
Thompson threw a touchdown pass to Joe Jon Finley on the Sooners' second possession.
"We wanted to start the game off quick and not be behind the chains and behind on the scoreboard," Thompson said.
"That definitely helps with the confidence and definitely helps moving into next week."
Thompson could gain more confidence, as far as his passing ability is concerned, Saturday against Washington. The Huskies secondary allowed 323 passing yards to a mediocre San Jose State squad last week.
Blocking challenges Gresham: Gresham played primarily as a receiver at Ardmore High School, so when the Sooners made him a tight end, he had to learn how to block.
"Coach (Kevin) Wilson's on me all the time to pick up the blocking schemes," Gresham said.
"It was all new coming in. All it is is effort. If you give effort, you should be all right."
Still, Gresham knows he's most able to help the team in the passing game.
"We have great tight ends here, so we're going to be throwing the ball to the tight ends," he said.
Stoops on Arizona: Stoops couldn't offer much commentary on the season-opening victory of his younger brother, Mike Stoops.
Mike is the head coach at Arizona, which defeated BYU 16-13 late Saturday night.
"It's too hard for me to watch my brothers," Bob Stoops said.
"It's like you're feeling everything they're feeling, and I can't do it twice in a day. I did see the last kick, although my wife told me it was good before I turned around."
By Scott Wright
Tight end’s blocking makes him a key factor in OU... 09/06/2006 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....
