This Is What the Sooners Are Missing Without Broyles
Published: 11/30/2011 7:59 AM
Last Modified: 11/30/2011 7:59 AM
It's hard to explain the hole in Oklahoma's offense without Ryan Broyles, literally the most prolific pass-catcher in college football history. You can try to use numbers, his captaincy, or the fact that besides being the best receiver in OU history, Broyles is very likely the bravest. Nobody handles contact, during and after the catch, like him.
Or you can listen to how he answered a question about his slot receiver position at Tuesday's press conference, when his value to the Sooners reached a new zenith.
"It's a different position," Broyles said. "You play on the outside, they give you a route to run, you know to run it. In the slot, you have bunch of read routes. You've got to think on the fly. You've got to maneuver between different individuals. Outside, it's basically you and the corner. So you have to think more.
"You have to feel comfortable with the quarterback and how you guys sync. As far as helping Kenny (Stills, Broyles' replacement in the slot), he's a great athlete. But you can't just throw a guy in there and expect him to be great at it from the beginning. Kenny definitely has great upside, and he's going to feel his way out there."
It's no knock on Stills, the sophomore who most believe to be Broyles' heir. It's just fact. As good as Stills is, he's not ready to replace Broyles. Not right now.
Fans wanted to believe that OU could absorb the blow of Broyles' torn ACL. That the quality at the wide receiver position could overcome any one injury, even one to a Biletnikoff Award finalist.
Wrong.
There is an obvious quality to Broyles' greatness, something you can measure by his 349 career catches for 4,586 yards. There is a subtlety as well. The next time he plays the slot on some Sunday, forget about the other 21 players on the field and follow only him. That way, you might see what he's talking about, and begin to fully appreciate his value.
For now, watch the Sooners' offense at Boone Pickens Stadium. Watch Landry Jones at quarterback or Stills in the slot. It's still productive, still dangerous.
But it's nowhere near the same without Broyles. That becomes more obvious every time you watch OU play, or pause to absorb all of the nuances he provided that team.
-- Guerin Emig
Written by
Guerin Emig
Sports Writer
