OU defense's mentally challenging week, Franks' move to safety and even more injuries
Published: 8/21/2012 8:59 PM
Last Modified: 8/21/2012 8:59 PM
The days leading up to a season opener are usually the most mentally challenging for a football team, Mike Stoops said following Tuesday’s practice.
“This is always the hardest week,” he said. “Everyone is anxious to get into game week and game preparation. We started a little bit earlier spreading the time up between good fundamental work with our offense and getting ready for UTEP. We’re getting a few extra days and more repetitions than we normally would ... we’re trying to get as much preparation in that we can and trying to get everyone where we they need to be. It’s been good and we’re still making improvements.
“Things are cleaning up as we get into game week. This is a good week to try to spend as much time preparing for UTEP. We’re so used to seeing our offense. You almost have to de-program yourself and get focused for another team.”
The Sooners open the season on Sept. 1 at UTEP.
*** Trey Franks, who is indefinitely suspended from game action but allowed to participate in practice, has moved from wide receiver to safety, Bob Stoops said. Franks has been working at the position for the past week.
There will be a learning curve, defensive coordinator Mike Stoops said.
“He’s a very athletic player,” Mike Stoops said. “He’s very physical. He runs and is a very explosive player. There are possibilities.
“Is it natural? If you’ve got to coach him all the way around the field, it’s going to be a struggle. I don’t have a feel right now of how instinctive he is, and how much I’m going to have to coach.” ...
*** Mike Stoops said Julian Wilson is expected to see playing time with the secondary this season. Wilson, from Southmoore, contributed in special teams last season. He also mentioned after the top five or six defensive backs, the secondary thins down quickly and it’s important to develop that position as the season goes on ...
*** Defensive ends coach Bobby Jack Wright said Chaz Nelson (MCL injury) will be out at least six weeks and P.L. Lindley (high-ankle sprain) could also miss time.
Starters at the position remain R.J. Washington and Chuka Ndulue, but with David King’s move from defensive end to tackle following Stacy McGee’s suspension, the position is thinning out.
Wright said true freshmen Mike Onuoha and Charles Tapper will not redshirt ...
Written by
Eric Bailey
Sports Writer
