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OU football: Issue at depth

OU's Chris Brown (center-right) celebrates a TD with Brian Simmons (left) and Jarvis Jones (right) against Baylor. Simmons and Jones are two of several Sooners who have sustained injuries.Photo Illustration by Brandon Rottmayer
 
By JOHN E. HOOVER World Sports Writer
Published: 11/11/2009  2:26 AM
Last Modified: 11/11/2009  1:17 PM

 NORMAN — Oklahoma has struggled to move the football this season for one reason: attrition.

Since 2005, no Big 12 South team has lost more offensive line recruits than OU. Compounded by a ridiculous run of injuries, the Sooners' startling lack of depth has played out all year, from the false start on the first play of the season opener to last week's 10-3 disaster at Nebraska.

Using the class of '05 — because members of that class could be fifth-year seniors this season, and these Sooners could use more than a few of those — Oklahoma has prematurely lost 10 out of 25 recruits on the offensive line. Whether through injury, transfers or dismissals, that 40 percent attrition is the worst among Big 12 South teams. Texas Tech has lost 38 percent (10 of 26), rival Texas has lost 23 percent (4 of 17), Oklahoma State has lost 18 percent (4 of 22) and Texas A&M has lost 12 percent (2 of 17).

Tuesday's news that yet another starter — Jarvis Jones, who had played both guard and right tackle — was out for the season further underscored the value of depth at offensive line. Bob Stoops said Tuesday that he'd ideally like to have 20 of his 105 scholarships go to offensive linemen, but the Sooners currently have just six players who have played in a game (one is a true freshman), two others who haven't played (including another true freshman), one who is a walk-on, and one who might move in from tight end.

Brian Simmons, a part-time starter last year and a fifth-year senior, has been on the shelf with a knee injury for a month. Brody Eldridge, a mauling tight end, has played center and left guard but now has been lost for the season with a shoulder/neck injury. And Jones, a transfer from LSU who played on the Tigers' 2007 national championship team, is gone for the year with a foot injury.

Still, such injuries would be tenable if so many players hadn't bailed out the last five years.

"There's a number of reasons," Stoops said. "Some guys don't want to go to class. Don't want to work out. They want to set their own schedule. That generally, with a team of a hundred guys, doesn't sit very well. Eventually, they're dismissed. 'OK, you don't want to do it, then don't do it. You need to go somewhere else.'"

Offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson, a former offensive lineman at North Carolina and Stoops' line coach from 2002-2005, said O-linemen are different.

"It's a position that takes time to learn to play," he said. "And as hard as you work, if you don't have success early, guys get frustrated. And it always happens in the second year. First year, everybody expects to be redshirted. Second year is the hardest year for a guy."

Wilson said the team's updated philosophy is to try to get young linemen into games early in their career so, during those grinding offseason workouts, they can see a light at the end of the tunnel.

"It's an unrewarding, difficult job," Wilson said. "Chris Messner's a great example of someone that really wasn't very good when he got here ... and kind of groomed and groomed and by his junior year he's starting and by his senior year he's a captain and all-league player. It was a grind. There were two or three years where I didn't know if he was gonna come back some days."

Of the 10 who left early, eight departed after playing or practicing for at least one full season. There have been tales of grueling treatment during offseason conditioning, and that happens to be when most of those players left.

"I don't question what we do in the offseason because our kids work as hard as anyone," Wilson said. "We run a great deal. Sometimes as a line coach, I wish we were stronger. But then you watch us play, we've got some good feet."

Stoops said there are "modifications" in place during offseason workouts that don't hold the offensive linemen to the same standards as defensive linemen, linebackers or other positions — they get more time to finish a run, for example. It's the torturous kilns of the offseason that harden players, Stoops says.

All those players that quit? They quit for a reason.

"In the end, I'm very confident in our standards and what we expect," Stoops said. "We start having a bunch of guys in here who set their own pace and go to school when they want and show up to practice when they want, or not, what we'd have is probably six to eight more linemen who can't play, or would get more penalties or not go where they're supposed to go."

There's the rub. The offensive line has committed drive-killing penalties all season, but the mistakes — the mental ones, like a false start before the play, or a personal foul after the play — have shown up repeatedly in the Sooners' four close losses.

"It's really frustrating," said O-line coach James Patton. "That's lack of discipline and lack of focus. Their challenge and my challenge is to get them to lock in and focus, not have those dumb penalties.

"They should have more composure and more focus in a stressful environment. It comes back to paying attention to detail and them looking themselves in the mirror and saying, 'Hey, I've got to fix this.' And me as a coach holding them accountable to it getting it fixed on the practice field."

Of course, the line hasn't been the only problem. Inconsistent play at wide receiver has cursed the Sooners all season, too.

Part of the reason for that is because a handful of highly regarded wide receiver recruits — five out of 14, another inordinately high percentage — didn't pan out, from the immaturity of Josh Jarboe (kicked off the team after rapping about shooting people just months after his arrest on gun charges) to the tragedy of Corey Wilson (paralyzed last spring in a car crash).

For those remaining, receivers coach Jay Norvell has been disappointed all season in soft play, incomplete pass routes, lack of competitiveness and dropped passes. One guy plays well here or there, but the group overall doesn't.

"We try to bring positive energy to these guys," Norvell said. "These are young guys. Everybody wants to think they're grown men, but they ain't yet. You gotta show them what to do and how to do it. Different guys, you gotta hit them different ways. You're not always successful at first, but you've just got to keep on prodding and trying to get it out of them.

"But the most important thing is they've got to understand what we need to do to win."

Aching Sooners

The following Oklahoma Sooners have missed games this season:

QB Sam Bradford, injured shoulder: Only full game was against Baylor Oct. 10.

TE Jermaine Gresham, injured knee: Missed entire season.

LB Mike Balogun, ruled ineligible by NCAA: Missed entire season.

LB Tom Wort, injured knee: Missed entire season.

DT DeMarcus Granger, back surgery: Missed entire season.

TE/OL Brody Eldridge, injured shoulder: Will miss remainder of season.

DE Auston English, injured foot: Will miss remainder of season.

T/G Jarvis Jones, injured heel: Will miss remainder of season.

G Brian Simmons, injured knee: Hasn’t played since Baylor game.

WR Ryan Broyles, injured shoulder: Missed Baylor game.

RB DeMarco Murray, injured ankle: Missed Kansas game Oct. 24.

WR Brandon Caleb, injured ankle: Missed most of Kansas State game Oct. 31, then all of Nebraska game Nov. 7.

G Tavaris Jeffries, suspension: Didn’t make trip for Kansas game, then missed Nebraska game for personal reasons.

G Tyler Evans, injured ankle: Has played sparingly since starting Tulsa game Sept. 19.

OL Donald Stephenson, suspension: Missed entire season.

— By GUERIN EMIG, World Sports Writer

OU 2009: What could have been

Inconsistent play and injuries at offensive line and wide receiver have been painful for Oklahoma’s offense this season, but because of recent attrition at both positions, the Sooners have few options. A look at some of the misses on offensive players in OU’s recruiting classes since 2005:

Offensive line

2005: Ben Barresi took medical hardship, didn’t rejoin team; Brandon Keith quit team after first two-a-days, now in NFL; Jesse White took medical hardship, didn’t rejoin team; *Brian Simmons started 2009, injured, missed five games in 2009 (so far).

2006: Curtis Bailey quit team in 2007; Chase Beeler transferred to and is starting for No. 25 Stanford; Chad roark quit team after 2006 spring.

2007: Kody Cooke quit team in 2008; Jason Hannan quit team in 2009; Donald Stephenson suspended for 2009; Alex Williams dismissed in 2009.

2008: Britt Mitchell quit team in 2008.

2009: Josh Aladenoye redshirting 2009; Jeff Vinson juco, hasn’t played in 2009

Summary: The real losses here are Keith (he’d be a fifth-year senior this year), Beeler (he’s starting at Stanford but wasn’t very happy at OU) and either Hannan, Stephenson or Williams from that ‘07 class. With three of those five in the mix this season, Brody Eldridge (and now Eric mensik) would still be at TE and things would just be more stable everywhere. All five of the Oklahomabred linemen the Sooners have signed since 2005 have bolted early.

Wide receiver

2005: Eric Huggins quit team in 2007.

2006: Corey Wilson paralyzed in car accident in spring 2009.

2007: Tyler Stradford quit team in 2008; Londell Taylor playing minor league baseball.

2008: Josh Jarboe kicked off team prior to freshman season.

Summary: The real loss here is Jarboe, the rapping, gun-toting Georgia product who’s now playing at Troy. Then again, Huggins would be a fifth-year senior and would likely be a contributor. The speedy Stradford was never consistent but still received countless chances to shine and could really give OU another deep target. Wilson might have made a move last spring if not for his terrible tragedy.

Quarterback

2005: No quarterbacks signed.

2006: Sam Bradford won 2008 Heisman, injured, played just three games in 2009.

2007: Keith Nichol transferred to and playing at Michigan State.

2009: Drew Allen redshirting 2009.

Summary: With Rhett Bomar in the fold, coaches didn’t feel a need to land another QB, and few wanted to come. With a little patience, Keith Nichol likely would be starting not only this season, but next year as well (he had a full year on Landry Jones).

The good news: OU already has QBs committed for 2010 and 2011.

Tight end

2005: Aaron Cummings quit team in 2006; *Brody Eldridge three-year starter injured, out final three games of 2009.

2006: Jermaine Gresham All-American, injured, missed all of 2009.

2009: Gabe Ikard redshirting 2009.

Summary: Nobody can replace Gresham, but Cummings was seen as a physical and athletic player who could certainly be helping a lot this year. Some recruiting services saw Ikard ready to step in immediately, but coaches haven’t been close to taking off his redshirt.

Running back

2005: No running backs signed.

2007: No running backs signed.

2008: Justin Johnson quit team prior to 2009 season.

Summary: Imagine where OU would be with a significant injury to Chris Brown or Demarco murray. Nobody came in 2005 because Adrian Peterson was a sophomore, and nobody came in 2007 because Murray, Brown and Mossis Madu all signed in 2006.

Because of Murray and Brown’s toughness, this is the one position that hasn’t been problematic at all.

*Signed as defensive player, switched to offense early in career
John E. Hoover 581-8384
john.hoover@tulsaworld.com
By JOHN E. HOOVER World Sports Writer

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COMMENTS 
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Some reader comments for this story were copied from "Stoops discusses OU's injuries, frustrations, staying motivated," which was published on 11/10/2009.
Report Comment
Carrie, Tulsa (11/10/2009 12:19:27 PM)
Oh My!
Report Comment
happy8003104b, Tulsa (11/10/2009 12:20:42 PM)
Go Pokes. You have a good chance to win this year. Get it done.
Report Comment
Kat Hat, Owasso (11/10/2009 12:20:50 PM)
I suppose looking on the bright side is in order... We'll actually have depth at O-line next season because of all the experience everyone is getting...
Report Comment
Kat Hat, Owasso (11/10/2009 12:21:56 PM)
"Go Pokes. You have a good chance to win this year. Get it done. "

Okay... Reading this just perked my mood... OSU fans rejoicing because they're effectively going to have to play mostly 2nd/3rd stringers because of all our injuries... And THAT's when they have a chance to win... Hahahahaha! Sad, really...
Report Comment
im4osu, Broken Arrow (11/10/2009 12:29:28 PM)
The whole OU team plays like 2nd and 3rd stringers, You been watching the same games I have?...Guess not.
Report Comment
Arbythree, Tulsa (11/10/2009 12:46:25 PM)
HE** has frozen over!!!!!!
Report Comment
justanotherokie, (11/10/2009 12:49:40 PM)
Does that mean OU will not get to LOOSE a BCS game this year? I'll miss that.
Report Comment
MarkMc, tulsa (11/10/2009 12:50:24 PM)
Hey Sooner fans, at least you still have men's gymnastics to look forward to...
Report Comment
HH66, Diddering (11/10/2009 12:50:24 PM)
Could we possibly be writing this season off, hoping to get some of these guys back another year with a hardship exemption? Hmmmm??
Report Comment
mgsooner, (11/10/2009 12:57:05 PM)
justanotherokie, it's "Lose", not "Loose". And before the OSU fans start celebrating, how about you remember that the last 3 times you have come to Norman you have been absolutely obliterated. Not even close. Don't think OU is just going to roll over because of these injuries. There's a reason they've only lost 2 games at home in 10 years.
Report Comment
livinglarge, (11/10/2009 12:57:59 PM)
ou will still win by 14. take that, orange-haired stepchild. BOOMER
Report Comment
ousoonerfan1971, Houston (11/10/2009 12:58:56 PM)
OSU pokies your jealousy shows through very clearly. OSU will always be the Red Headed Step Child in the state,believe it cuz its true. You got slaughtered at home by Texas we lost by 3 without Bradford. Even with your new digs you are still pretenders
Report Comment
Arbythree, Tulsa (11/10/2009 1:00:53 PM)
November 28th. That day will arrive SOONER than you want it to.
Report Comment
ousoonerfan1971, Houston (11/10/2009 1:07:29 PM)
RB the SOONER the better. As usual you will leave with your tales tucked BOOMER SOONER !!!!!!!!!!!
Report Comment
Arbythree, Tulsa (11/10/2009 1:15:06 PM)
WHOA!!!!! I am a SOONER! Section 105 upper deck chair backs since graudation!!!!

BOOMER SOONER!!
Report Comment
Arbythree, Tulsa (11/10/2009 1:15:43 PM)
And that would be graduation. A mere typo not spelling issue.
Report Comment
DowntownDan, Tulsa (11/10/2009 1:17:53 PM)
Good point MarkMc. OU gymnastic will always be a powerhouse as long as ol David Boren is at the helm. He has a vested personal "interest" in watching those muscular young men compete.
Report Comment
terryf, (11/10/2009 1:21:47 PM)
Franly osu is morelikely to beat OU when OU is doing well it seems. OSU should be equal with our seocnd team so this should be an equal matchup
Report Comment
Jt4OU, mohnton (11/10/2009 1:24:00 PM)
let see OU has how many Big 12 championships,

OsU has what, oh that's right they have a big fat 0 Big 12 championships

like was said OsU will always be number 2 in the state of Oklahoma..
Report Comment
Alfred Nonymous, (11/10/2009 1:34:25 PM)
Nice to hear the poke nation coming out in full force, packed with class as usual, including some homophobic commentary. They seem to talk the talk really well, given they're 102-18-7 against Oklahoma and Texas in their program's history (does this brand of futility still allow you to call football a "program" at your community educational institution?)

So given OU's down to their 3rd string in a few positions and 2nd string in others, how will fans feel if they go down to Norman and end up losing with a team who fans believed was the best chance they have ever had to get to a prominent bowl?
Report Comment
007Dad, (11/10/2009 1:41:20 PM)
Easy Sooner Fans....Not all Poke fans are rejoicing about your misfortune so quit labeling ALL OSU FANS. But since some of you Blow Hards are talking a big game, do you want to put your money where your mouth is? Any takers?
Report Comment
Arbythree, Tulsa (11/10/2009 1:43:39 PM)
LOL 007Dad !

Sure, we all would bet with a blogger that is an Aggie and hides his Profile. very trusting indeed.

BOOMER SOONER!!! Save your money.
Report Comment
shaw411, Scottsdale, AZ (11/10/2009 1:51:21 PM)
suppose looking on the bright side is in order... We'll actually have depth at O-line next season because of all the experience everyone is getting...
Yea, that experience really showed last Saturday...that O-line is coming right along....NOT!
Report Comment
The Okie, The Land of Milk and Honey (11/10/2009 2:04:59 PM)
Let's do an interesting exercise...
By a show of hands, how many of you loyal sooners actually went to OU? Or would it be easier to count teeth?
Anyone can bleed crimson, real fans (graduates w teeth) bleed orange! Go Pokes!!!
Report Comment
Arbythree, Tulsa (11/10/2009 2:06:05 PM)
Please The Pokie.

MOOOOOOOVE along now.
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