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OU football: Under construction
Sooners address challenge of rebuilding line, receiving corps after loss, injuries

OU's Chris Brown struggles for yards against BYU. Stephen Pingry/Tulsa World
 
By JOHN E. HOOVER World Sports Writer
Published: 9/12/2009  2:26 AM
Last Modified: 9/12/2009  7:32 PM
Related stories: OU Notebook: And then there was one.

OU: 3 Storylines.

NORMAN — Last week, after an embarrassing 14-13 loss to BYU essentially ruined Oklahoma's season before it even got started, offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson gathered his players in the underhalls of the world's fanciest football stadium and uttered these words:

"It was a complete effort by everyone," Wilson told his troops, "starting with me."

Turns out replacing all those graduated offensive linemen and wide receivers is problematic after all, and coaching up all their replacements is more of a challenge than Wilson and the OU staff figured.

"In a million guesses I would never guess that we'd come out that undisciplined and unfocused," said Brian Simmons, one of four new starters on the offensive line. "So yes, it definitely was a shock."

Things will look better this week when the Sooners — down 10 spots to 13th in the Associated Press poll — host Idaho State at 6 p.m. at Memorial Stadium. The Bengals are a Football Championship Subdivision program (formerly I-AA) that went 1-11 last season and opened 2009 with a 50-3 loss at Arizona State.

But against such an outmanned opponent, can things actually be better? Conference USA contender Tulsa comes to Norman next week. After an open week, a trip to resurgent Miami is next. Big 12 play, with upstart Baylor and No. 2 Texas, is after that.

"Listen, we're glued in on this game," head coach Bob Stoops said. "(If) we can't get any better than how we executed a week ago, we'll struggle this week."

Execution against BYU was almost non-existent by the OU offense. The Sooners set an NCAA record with 716 points last season. Many assumed that just because Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford was back, along with a pair of 1,000-yard rushers, an All-American tight end and an All-American left tackle, the offense wouldn't miss much of a beat.

But last year's beat was clearly provided by a veteran offensive line. Without that group, and without a posse of proven receivers — including Jermaine Gresham, who's now out for the year with a knee injury — Bradford wasn't going to attend another Heisman ceremony, even before he went down (2-4 weeks) with a shoulder injury.

This week, it's back to the drawing board.

"Not starting over," Stoops clarified. "But you have to reassess what we're asking 'em to do."

That starts with Wilson. During a 35-minute session with the media on Tuesday, Wilson referenced one of his own basic tenets — what are we doing, and who are we doing it with? — nine times.

"Is it what we're doing or is it how we're playing?" Wilson said. "When you perform the way we did, you take a big look at everything."

That's why wholesale changes are expected at center, right guard, right tackle, tight end and at least two wide receiver spots.

"I thought it was a pretty average effort by our guys," said receivers coach Jay Norvell. "We have to move things around a little bit, shake it up a little but and get some guys in position to make plays. We'll see some other kids get a chance this week."

The offensive line was shell-shocked by the atmosphere, and three false-start penalties on the opening drive created a snowball effect.

"You've got to be disciplined enough to not move before the ball is snapped," said offensive line coach James Patton. "In some cases, the defense moves and you react to it. The holding penalties, get your hands inside. Those are things we coach every day. Yeah, if guys make mistakes, then the next guy's gonna play."

That, and the insertion of redshirt freshman Landry Jones into the quarterback spot in place of Bradford, is why Wilson has all but shredded his voluminous playbook down to a few basic sets, and why he will put the brakes on his hyperspeed play calling. Players even said they spent time huddling this week, though Wilson denied it.

"I don't think we'll huddle. I think . . . sometimes we can get a little too frantic," Wilson said. "I need to be smart in game management."

Before the 2005 season began, Stoops warned of a sense of entitlement among players who were stepping in to replace a veteran offensive line (Jammal Brown, Vince Carter, Wes Sims) and a veteran receiver corps (Mark Clayton, Mark Bradley, Brandon Jones, Will Peoples). That year's team struggled out of the box and finished 8-4.

Wilson said he never sensed that entitlement from this year's group, but he sensed something nearly as bad.

"I sensed from spring," he said, "that some of those guys weren't ready for it."

Building Projects

In the coming weeks, Oklahoma’s offense must address four specific issues:

Landry Jones: Jones is a big, strong-armed redshirt freshman. He has the confidence of his teammates.

But if they don’t give him reason to be confident in them — if they keep committing penalties, fumbles and dropped passes — then Jones will be just an average quarterback.

Jermaine Gresham: OU’s best offensive player (besides Sam Bradford) is out for the year. Defenses no longer fear matching up with Gresham, so OU’s offense has to find other alternatives. Sophomore James Hanna has to step up big, or coaches need to find an entirely new package for Mossis Madu, Ryan Broyles, DeMarco Murray, etc.

Wide receiver: Coaches said last spring Adron Tennell had separated himself. He hadn’t. They said Ryan Broyles was ready for the spotlight. He wasn’t. They said Mossis Madu, Cameron Kenney, Dejuan Miller and Jaz Reynolds were playmakers. They hardly played. Somebody — anybody — has to emerge or the offense goes nowhere.

Offensive line: The most important, most unknown element was a major letdown. It was the o-line that committed nine penalties. It was the o-line that got Sam Bradford hurt. Brody Eldridge played well at center but he’s needed at tight end — especially with no Gresham. Either the o-line grows up or the Sooners go 7-5.

OU GameDay tips

Pack some rain gear: There is a 30 percent chance of thunderstorms. Otherwise, the temperature should be around 80 at kickoff.

Plug your ears: There will be a pregame flyover

Do your homework: OU's National Merit Scholars will be recognized

Save a life: The Oklahoma Blood Institute will be registering marrow donors outside the Student Union

Arrive early and expect to walk: There is a limited number of pay lots for $10 in the stadium's vicinity. Parking that once existed on Brooks Street north of the stadium is no longer available. Free parking is available at the Lloyd Noble Center approximately one mile south of the stadium. Fans may take a shuttle from there to a drop point a block south of the stadium for $2. It runs three hours before kickoff and for one hour after the game's conclusion.

Stay a while: Once you're inside the stadium, expect to remain until you're ready to go home. Fans will not be allowed re-entry into the game unless there are extraordinary circumstances such as a medical emergency.

Pack light: You are not allowed to take bags, backpacks, camera/binocular cases, fanny packs are purses larger than 10" by 10" inside with you. Exceptions will be made for medical conditions and child care. Also, clear personal-sized containers for drinking water are allowed.

Leave in the car: Other items not allowed inside the stadium include outside food and beverage, video cameras, umbrellas, baby seats, strollers, folding chairs, banners and signs and noisemakers

Get your picture with the Heisman: The free interactive Sooner Fan Fest will once again set up directly north of the stadium three hours before kickoff, and this game will include a chance to get your picture taken with the 2008 Heisman Trophy from 2:30-5:30 p.m. Fan Fest closes a half-hour before kickoff.

Let the music play: The Pride of Oklahoma marching band will perform on the lawn just north of Jacobsen Hall directly across from Campus Corner an hour and a half before kickoff. The band will also parade to the stadium, passing through Campus Corner en route.
John E. Hoover 581-8384
john.hoover@tulsaworld.com
By JOHN E. HOOVER World Sports Writer

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lovethemsooners, Fayetteville (9/12/2009 5:13:47 AM)
He's right, without Gresham we have to change it up. Him not being in there changes everything offensively for us. No disrespect to Hannah or any other TE on the squad, but none of them pose the same type of threat that Jermaine did. I'm thinking a little more Brown and Calhoun in the backfield, giving Murray and Madu a chance to get in the open field a little more, and going to them often. Especially if we aren't going to have any receivers step up. Of course, we'll never know who can play if Norvell doesn't get them off the bench!
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AtlantaSooner, Atlanta (9/12/2009 7:29:31 AM)
"It was a complete effort by everyone," Wilson told his troops, "starting with me."

Why do the local reporters like this quote so much? It seems to me that the quote does not even mean what Wilson intended. I never understood this quote the first time that I saw it, but it keeps appearing as if it were the greatest words ever uttered by a coach.
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hornhater2, (9/12/2009 7:45:14 AM)
You're right Atlanta Sooner! It appeared to be a complete lack of effort to me by about 80% of the team and 100% of the coaches.
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Chiefs, Gore (9/12/2009 8:46:31 AM)
After that pathetic effort last week charging $40 for pay-for-view is outrageous. This is just a glorified scrimage. Right now TU is licking their chops at the chance for the upset in 2 weeks. The line better grow up in a hurry and they need to find a wide out that can catch real quick.
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Bullhead, Nicut (9/12/2009 7:24:09 PM)
We can do it. I say we because the fans are over half the reason OU is great. I think OU has the most diehard fans ever. BOOMER SOONER!
 

 
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