Remember these guys?
Published: 11/23/2007 12:41 PM
Last Modified: 11/23/2007 12:41 PM
Time was, the foundation of the 2007 Oklahoma football team wasn't represented by Sam Bradford, Curtis Lofton or DeMarco Murray. Let a 2-month-old NFL Draft Site Web entry clue you in:
"The real strength of this team is their massive offensive line. This line is brutal and has been pushing people around all year. A lot of credit needs to be given to Coach (Bob) Stoops for landing two time junior college All American left tackle Phil Loadholt. This man mountain blocks out the sun at 6' 8" 350 pounds and has surprisingly nimble feet. They have a super talented left guard in George (Duke) Robinson, who projects as an 2009 Top Ten NFL Draft Pick. Robinson has started since he was a true freshman and has lost 46 pounds since arriving at Oklahoma. They also have a very talented sophomore right tackle in Trent Williams, who will be sharing time with junior Branndon Braxton."
Well, this week, I spoke with Loadholt and Braxton, as well as center Jon Cooper and James Patton, the Sooners' offensive line coach. None of them thought the O-line was playing well. There was liberal use of words like "stupid" and "silly." And while I never heard the word "sissies," it was very clear that nobody felt anybody was playing up to his physical capability.
So here we are, the day before Bedlam. Murray is missing. Senior tailback Allen Patrick is slumping. The same line that paved the way to four Big 12 games of at least 200 rushing yards a year ago hasn't led this year's Sooners beyond the 186 they ran for against Texas A&M.
Where have Loadholt, Robinson, Cooper, Williams, Braxton, Brandon Walker and Brian Simmons been since earning all those plaudits in September? Stoops and Patton would love to know. They'll be all too happy to have them back, tomorrow afternoon if possible.
-- Guerin Emig
Written by
Guerin Emig
Sports Writer
