Let them play
Published: 10/13/2006 1:05 AM
Last Modified: 10/13/2006 1:05 AM
OU fans will want to pay particular attention to Johnny Hoover's story in our Saturday edition. It lends keen insight as to why Bob Stoops' Sooners are struggling now, and have stuggled in general since being undressed by USC two years ago.
Consider my offering here a tease...
In 2003 and '04, OU signed eight offensive linemen. Grand total of linemen from those classes still around: one. Branndon Braxton. That's it.
And that, friends, is mindboggling.
The Sooners are blocking for Adrian Peterson/protecting Paul Thompson with Braxton, fifth-year senior Chris Messner (a 2002 signee) and a bunch of toddlers.
There are several theories as to the alarming attrition rate. Many of them focus on the immaturity of the departed linemen, who decided all too soon that big-time college football was a lot of work they didn't want to do.
Regardless of why, Kevin Wilson, now the Sooners' offensive coordinator and then their O-line coach, recognizes the gaping hole which was left. And he said something interesting recently as a means to patch it in the near future:
"When Jammal (Brown) and Davin (Joseph) and Wes Sims and Vince Carter were playing so much, a lot of the young guys didn't play. And I think when those guys get out there and play, it makes the offseason work and the summer... They appreciate that more because they've had some fun. When you're never playing a game, you're practicing and then you're working hard in the offseason, sometimes it gets to the point where you don't feel like you're having fun."
Translation: The Sooners won't just be using a young starting line the rest of the year, but giving even younger backups some fairly meaningful snaps. We've already seen true freshmen Chase Beeler and Trent Williams play significantly. Freshman Cory Brandon may be next.
Anything to keep the fun coming, and keep the defections from happening like they have the last couple years.
-- Guerin Emig
Written by
Guerin Emig
Sports Writer
