As the line turns
Published: 8/31/2009 11:10 AM
Last Modified: 8/31/2009 11:10 AM
The most scrutinized offensive line of the Bob Stoops era has taken final shape, at least according to the updated depth chart posted on Oklahoma's Web site this morning. Here it is:
Left tackle: Trent Williams
Left guard: Brian Simmons
Center: Brody Eldridge
Right guard: Jarvis Jones
Right tackle: Cory Brandon
The eyebrow-raiser is Eldridge, the invaluable tight end/fullback who apparently will get the call over Ben Habern, at least until Habern's back heals and he gets in peak physical condition.
Any OU player or coach will tell you Eldridge is the toughest blocker on the squad. But he's also listed at 265 pounds, and when I saw the starting lineup, I thought of something defensive tackle Adrian Taylor said after a recent practice: "Brody is the number one hardest worker on our team, hands down. But he needs a little weight under his belt."
I figured if Habern wasn't ready to go, the Sooners would try 6-6, 291-pound Stephen Good over the ball. He, however, is listed as Simmons' backup. True freshman Tyler Evans, meantime, backs up Jones at the other guard.
One more thing -- there is a lot of curiosity about Williams' shift from right to left tackle. Can he protect Sam Bradford's blind side as effectively as Phil Loadholt did the past two years? But here's an equally vital question: Can Cory Brandon, a reserve the past three seasons, handle Williams' old job at right tackle?
I thought it was telling when Pete Fiutak of CollegeFootballNews.com listed Brandon among his five players with the biggest shoes to fill in the Big 12 Conference, right there with Blaine Gabbert, Taylor Potts, Detron Lewis and Sergio Kindle.
-- Guerin Emig
Written by
Guerin Emig
Sports Writer
