Tulsa World: No need to feel defensive

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No need to feel defensive
McCoy states OU will field the top defense this fall.

OU defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, shown sacking Kansas quarterback Todd Reesing last season, says of the team's defense this fall: "In my eyes, I feel we're gonna have the No. 1 defense in the country." MICHAEL WYKE / Tulsa World file

By JOHN E. HOOVER World Sports Writer
Published: 4/9/2009 2:35 AM
Last Modified: 4/9/2009 5:43 AM

NORMAN — One of these days, Oklahoma will no longer land the nation's best high school defensive tackles.

Until that time, though, Sooner opponents will just have to find somewhere else to try to move the football.

Since Bob Stoops arrived, OU has signed four players who were arguably at the top of their position in their recruiting class. Three of those — DeMarcus Granger, Gerald McCoy and JaMarkus McFarland — will be playing together in 2009.

"In my eyes," McCoy said, "I feel we're gonna have the No. 1 defense in the country."

McFarland isn't part of that picture yet. The freshman from Lufkin, Texas, won't join the team until two-a-days begin in August. For that matter, neither is Granger. He's currently sitting out spring practice while recovering from back surgery.

In fact, when the OU defense takes the field on Saturday for the annual Red / White Game — the culmination of spring practice — the unit that returns nine starters and is expected to be the strength of the team will be a few men down.

Defensive end Auston English, recovering from knee surgery, is a part of the sideline chain gang, helping mark first downs on Saturday. This fall, he'll team with Jeremy Beal and Frank Alexander to form one of college football's most fearsome rotation at end.

Inside, McCoy will have 14-game starter Adrian Taylor by his side, and, he hopes, Granger. If McFarland reports in shape, he could get playing time.

And then there are

the redshirts.

David King and R.J. Washington were all-star ends in high school that have had a busy spring, and Stacy McGee and Casey Walker are a pair of studs at tackle.

"They remind me of me and Adrian when me and Adrian were redshirt freshmen in the spring, and then we finally were getting a chance to get a whole bunch of reps," McCoy said. "Me and Adrian always joke, 'Man, Casey and Stacy are gonna be better than us.'"

Offensive purists concerned about OU's overhauled offensive line can take heart in the idea that the Sooner blockers likely will never face a tougher test than they do on the practice field.

"They come in, they've got to play against probably one of the best defensive lines in the country every day, and they're still learning on the run," said quarterback Sam Bradford, answering questions about — and unabashedly defending — his protectors.

Linebacker Travis Lewis is sort of a defensive version of Bradford. He is kept clean by the big guys in front of him, which allows him to make plays all over the field. Last season, Lewis made 144 tackles because of the talent of players like McCoy, Taylor, Granger, English, Alexander and Beal.

"I think we're pretty strong at all positions, especially d-end," said Lewis. "You've got R.J. and David and Frank and J-Beal. We're not missing a beat. That's when you know our d-line's gonna be that good, when you have Auston English competing for a starting spot. That's how you know how good we're gonna be up front."

Red-White Game

1:15 p.m. Saturday

Memorial Stadium, Norman Tickets: Now $10. Call (405) 325-2424 or (800) 456-4668 or buy online at tulsaworld.com/ouredwhite.

2009 schedule

Sept.5 BYU*

Sept. 12 Idaho State

Sept. 19 Tulsa

Oct. 3 at Miami, Fla.

Oct. 10 Baylor

Oct. 17 Texas #

Oct. 24 at Kansas

Oct. 31 Kansas State

Nov. 7 at Nebraska

Nov. 14 Texas A&M

Nov. 21 at Texas Tech

Nov. 28 Oklahoma State

Dec. 5 Big 12 Championship*

* At Arlington, Texas

# At Dallas

All times TBA

John E. Hoover 581-8384
john.hoover@tulsaworld.com By JOHN E. HOOVER World Sports Writer

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	Report Comment texasbill, (4/9/2009 7:47:15 AM) Sept.5 BYU* look at this mac brown. You had your chance. Who did you think you could beat.
	Report Comment Arbythree, Tulsa (4/9/2009 11:43:53 AM) BOOMER SOONER X 2!!!!
	Report Comment CaliforniaOkie, Burbank (4/9/2009 1:24:25 PM) I love reading about the defense!

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