Can the Sooners survive Thursday's first round? Apparently
Published: 4/23/2010 12:35 AM
Last Modified: 4/23/2010 12:35 AM
Interesting. Instead of doing a pick-by-pick analysis of the players drafted in Thursday's first round, the New York Times' Nick Corasaniti examined the players' college teams. Specifically, how those teams currently stack up at the draftees' position.
For instance, after Oklahoma tackle Trent Williams was selected No. 4 overall by Washington, Corasiniti wrote: "Even as they say goodbye to their stalwart and constant left tackle, the Sooners' offensive line has the potential for drastic improvement in 2010 by simply staying healthy."
On OU replacing Gresham, Corasiniti wrote: "The two tight ends who saw the most time last season in place of Gresham have both returned, which is either a glass half-full or half-empty situation depending on expectations. Trent Ratterree and James Hanna will not be able to replicate the receiving threat of Gresham, and there is no high school All-American waiting in the wings to pick up the slack."
True, although it might be worth keeping an eye on incoming freshman Austin Haywood (6-5, 245).
Corasiniti has a little more faith in OU's ability to replace Tampa Bay draftee Gerald McCoy, calling sophomore defensive tackle Jamarkus McFarland "the all-star on the line ready to step into McCoy's spotlight."
That's eye-opening. This, on the topic of OU's quarterback position post-Sam Bradford, is jaw-dropping...
"Waiting in the wings is true freshman Blake Bell," Corasiniti wrote. "Bell won't arrive in Norman until the fall, but he has drawn comparisons to Washington's Jake Locker and the Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger. At 6-foot-6, Bell is unusually agile, and his accuracy screams 'Bradford.'
"As of now, the position still seems to be (Landry) Jones's to lose. Bell may be the future, but Jones is the present."
-- Guerin Emig
Written by
Guerin Emig
Sports Writer
