At the Akron Game Impressions

[WP76]

I'll post this only as a mechanism of getting everyone else's thoughts.

The bad:

- offensive line was very spotty and often couldn't create seams in Akron's front. That bodes poorly for the better, more physical teams we'll play.

- Baker Mayfield doesn't go through his reads very well. Too many times I saw him lock onto a covered receiver and just stay with him.

- Mayfield's release isn't particularly quick IMO. From a time a top-notch QB decides where he's throwing the ball until the time it's in the air is a split second. Baker can't quite do that and that will give us problems against more athletic defenses/secondaries.

- Perine looked sluggish. The OL didn't help him a lot but he didn't seem to run with the same punishing attitude that was his trademark last year.

The good:

- In spite of the criticisms of Mayfield above, he's a gamer and you can tell how badly he wants to win. I think we can go a long way with his attitude. In watching him last night, there were a number of occasions in which you could see him wanting to force something or go for the big play but instead he took care of the ball and just got the team to the next snap.

- Skill players are talented and deep. With a healthy Sheppard, these WRs, TE, and kicking game (see below) we're a two loss team last year. Mixon's upside is obvious. There were negative comments about his off-field issues from our fans in the stands. I can't imagine how bad it will be on the road or in the Cotton Bowl.

- Kicking game. Hodgson put nearly every kickoff out of the north end zone and still put the ball deep when kicking to the south. Sure wish we had Seibert last year. His FGs and XPs didn't boom but they were strong enough and straight. He punting was solid, other than one low line drive. He's one guy who can't get hurt.

- Defense was excellent. I don't know if it was the quality of the opponent our solid play but I'll take it. The only big mistake was Sanchez (our best, most experienced cover guy) giving up a big play while getting caught peeking into the Akron backfield.

- Ball security. A fumble by Shepard and the obligatory (yet meaningless) pick by Knight are the only turnovers I recall.

- The crowd. Stadium was full and the students were more into the game that they've been in past years. Even when the outcome was clearly decided most people stayed until the end or deep into the fourth quarter. Pretty good when you consider how last year (especially the end of it) went.

 

[Section22Sooner]

Good analysis WP. As far as the individual performances, we're going to know a lot more one week from now. But very well stated for week one.

I would like to add that Hatari Byrd is a madman. I love watching this guy.

Baxter and Mead look like they are going to be valuable contributors. I love our receivers.

Finally... Ruf Neks and a Gatling gun just seem to go together.

 

[bcsoonerfan]

Charles Walker is a potential difference maker that we've been missing.

Jordan Thomas is better than Sanchez.

WR/RB depth is staggering.

Seibert is the truth.

 

[barkingwater2000]

What about the punt return game? Penalties, fumbles, bad decisions.....not good. Wonder if there is anyone else we can put back there.

 

[Section22Sooner]

What about the punt return game? Penalties, fumbles, bad decisions.....not good. Wonder if there is anyone else we can put back there.

Hmmm, I recall Shepard being hit hard and losing the ball. And an Akron punter who was damn good sailing the ball high and long, allowing his guys time to get down field. Someone else was put back there, Mixon. I recall two illegal blocks and a drop that was recovered. I also recall a fair-catch called on the six. But it could have been downed on the one. Who knows? All things that are fixable or won't ever happen again. Then there were good decisions to not touch the ball. Other than that, I saw some very good punt returns (before the flags were assessed). We're going to be lights-out at punt returns. You watch.

 

[barkingwater2000]

Hmmm, I recall Shepard being hit hard and losing the ball. And an Akron punter who was damn good sailing the ball high and long, allowing his guys time to get down field. Someone else was put back there, Mixon. I recall two illegal blocks and a drop that was recovered. I also recall a fair-catch called on the six. But it could have rolled to the one. Who knows? All things that are fixable. Then there were good decisions to not touch the ball. Other than that, I saw some very good punt returns (before the flags were assessed). We're going to be lights-out at punt returns. You watch.

Right...Shepard fumbled and you don't fair catch a ball on the 6 yard line. Its the first game so maybe he will get better but as of now its not a strong point on our team. It seems like Westbrook would be a great weapon back there

 

[Oklabama]

n

Right...Shepard fumbled and you don't fair catch a ball on the 6 yard line. Its the first game so maybe he will get better but as of now its not a strong point on our team. It seems like Westbrook would be a great weapon back there

Good points, but it's the first game especially for Mixon. The last time he was in a game was in high school. I don't remember Mixon getting too many good opportunities, but I think he will turn out to be the better choice. Shepard made better decisions Saturday night and seemed to be more aggressive than last year, which I liked. I'm not like Stoops with regard to fumbles. Shit happens sometimes. Shep hasn't been a fumbler so I don't make too much of the one last night.

One other thing....I heard that Perine is playing much lighter this season. I think the quote was "lighter but quicker". I didn't see it. He looked quick enough last year and much stronger a runner than what I saw last night. However, he didn't get much help from the OL when he carried the ball. Everyone performed better as the Zip defense wore down. I caught some of the Tennessee game prior to our game. If our OL can give Baker time to throw, he and the receivers should do very well. The Vols defensive backs aren't very good, but the DL is pretty stout. Our OL has to play better next week. I was blow away with the wide outs and really liked Andrews. Dede is going to be another great Juco player for us. I like how we improved in second quarter and throughout the game. Everyone was playing hard to the end. A lot more talent on defense than I thought. Could be a good year.

 

[Plainosooner]

I think the rules on fair catches are a little less in stone than the used to be. Teams are so good at punt coverage that an FC in front of the five isn't as horrible as it used to be. It beats the two.

My first thought driving home from the sports bar last night was "Who is Jerry Montgomery?" That was the most dominant DLine performane I remember in a long time. There was no running room. There were eight snaps when it looked like they might have something, it went away quickly.

We will play nine teams that are better than Akron to various levels, so I'm not crowing about anything yet. And I have to wait til Tuesday to record all of it. There are some other things I want to watch. But there are some different things this year. Bob has changed more than the two co OC's. They have had a lot less pre-season contact than any team of the Stoops era. Their bodies were fresher and down the road, it will likely be more noticeable.

For me, THE biggest positive yesterday was Seibert. First of all, I love it when the kicker puts every XP over the middle of the goals support. He did it every time yesterday. I don't know what he averaged on punts, but I suspect it was over 50 yards, and I think they fair caught every one of them. I'm sure that better teams will apply a little pressure, but that was close to the best performance by a Sooner kicker on the same day that it was the best performance by a Sooner punter in a long time. And it was the same guy. This cat looks special.

This is quite a DLine group. Last year, we lost OUr best one early. (BTW, did Grisham make the Patriots roster?) If Tapper stays healthy, I believe you's see him on some post season ALL something lists. What he does for us is pretty good. Right now, they have enough quality guys to keep fresh guys out there. It also makes a large difference when both your corners can play on an island. It gives you a lot of flexibility in how you can attack the offense.

This offense is about decisions after the snap in the passing game. Most play calls are pretty basic except for special stuff. It is the receiver's job to see the coverage, and get to open space. AND the quarterback has to read the coverage the same way. For a first game, it wasn't bad. The same page required to do it well will improve over the season. It's harder to get there the more wide guys that you're subbing in. But it should make you fresher at the end.

One thing about this pass offense. How many times over the years, have we seen a Tech team running this offense and be down significantly for a half, and then see what the other guys are doing and make a large comeback afterward. If the first half doesn't look wonderful, it can be fixed, especially when your OC is an incredibly bright guy. Once they see what's happening, and the players are put on the same page, things can really open up. That is sort of what happened yesterday.

I loved the pass to a wide open Mixon out of the two back set. Mixon was on the right and Perine on the left. They crossed at the snap and Mayfield made a subtle little adjustment in the pocket to get to space to set his feet. The crossing screwed up the coverage. Most plays are made by players. That was mostly Riley, with a very big assist from Mayfield.

Just my impressions. I loved Andrews. Mead, not so much. I forgive Shep his fumble. He's still one of my two or three favorite guys on this teams And he made more plays yesterday than anybody else. I also thought it was one of Durron Neal's best games. He looked sharp and caught the ball. He looked like he fit. That's hasn't always been the case.

I thought that Mixon pressed a little bit. He'll get there. Perine is a different player than he was last season. He's lost 20 pounds, but should be a lot quicker. But he may have to get used to running over guys a little less, and cutting past them a little more. And I really like Brooks as a third runner. I think Anderson took two snaps and Ross a handful.

The biggest negative at this point is the OLine as was mentioned previously. I just don't think we're very good at center and the two guards. And then we are playing two freshman tackles. That is going to be a process. But the biggest weakness last year in a season of weaknesses was the play of the guards and center. And two of the returning guys were them. And the third, couldn't beat out the third one. It doesn't matter how good the "skill talent" is, if you can't block them.

In the first half, Mayfield was getting inside pressure quickly after the snap. They also got that corrected. But if that happens next week, the crowd will be in the game for four quarters and we won't have much chance to win.

Overall, it was a crisp, solid performance for a game one. I saw evidence of real change in the program. The position groups with new asst coaches all looked pretty solid. The backs pass blocked well, a big deal in this offense. There had to be some nerves yesterday. But those new guys are going to do something they really can't imagine next week. 100,000 plus in Knoxville. It will take resilience, poise and a lot of toughness. And a better performance than yesterday by more than a little. The good news is that the most improvement you make in most any season is between weeks one and two.

The FOX sports Sunday studio crew all picked OU to win at UTenn next week. I think they might be more optimistic about us, than I am.

 

[bcsoonerfan]

Sloppy from time to time but it was the first game and lots of youngsters out there and new faces.

If that o-line can gel, Sooners will be conference champs.

I can't express how refreshing it was to see us attack between the hash marks.

 

[K2C Sooner]

How were the offensive line splits? Wide? The radio didn't say and that could have effected our run blocking. The Bob Stoops show on Fox SW starts at 7 pm, so I'll find out.

 

[Plainosooner]

On the premium board, they like to bash Tim Kish about every dozen threads or so.You get a little tired of reading that and I posted a reply less than a month ago, basically saying that Venebles had mostly left the cupboard pretty bare at inside linebacker. Combine that with Corey Nelson's TCU injury his last season, and Frank Shannon's off season issues last year and this is really the first time that Kish had upper class inside linebackers whom he has coached for their careers at OU.

The basic point is that it's unfair to say that Kish can't get it done, until he has the talent to get it done. And I believe he not only has a couple of quality starters, but five solid guys who can play inside. Yesterday, I thought that Dominique and Jordan were excellent. Okay, not the toughest opponent on the schedule. But this was a shutdown experience. Alexander has had more tackles before, but yesterday, they all seemed to be less than three yards downfield.

If the defense dominates, it might allow the offense to grow a little, with less harm in the loss column. Next week will say a lot about how good the defense might be. The other offense will be able to hear. Makes a difference.

 

[K2C Sooner]

I think the rules on fair catches are a little less in stone than the used to be. Teams are so good at punt coverage that an FC in front of the five isn't as horrible as it used to be. It beats the two.

My first thought driving home from the sports bar last night was "Who is Jerry Montgomery?" That was the most dominant DLine performane I remember in a long time. There was no running room. There were eight snaps when it looked like they might have something, it went away quickly.

We will play nine teams that are better than Akron to various levels, so I'm not crowing about anything yet. And I have to wait til Tuesday to record all of it. There are some other things I want to watch. But there are some different things this year. Bob has changed more than the two co OC's. They have had a lot less pre-season contact than any team of the Stoops era. Their bodies were fresher and down the road, it will likely be more noticeable.

For me, THE biggest positive yesterday was Seibert. First of all, I love it when the kicker puts every XP over the middle of the goals support. He did it every time yesterday. I don't know what he averaged on punts, but I suspect it was over 50 yards, and I think they fair caught every one of them. I'm sure that better teams will apply a little pressure, but that was close to the best performance by a Sooner kicker on the same day that it was the best performance by a Sooner punter in a long time. And it was the same guy. This cat looks special.

This is quite a DLine group. Last year, we lost OUr best one early. (BTW, did Grisham make the Patriots roster?) If Tapper stays healthy, I believe you's see him on some post season ALL something lists. What he does for us is pretty good. Right now, they have enough quality guys to keep fresh guys out there. It also makes a large difference when both your corners can play on an island. It gives you a lot of flexibility in how you can attack the offense.

This offense is about decisions after the snap in the passing game. Most play calls are pretty basic except for special stuff. It is the receiver's job to see the coverage, and get to open space. AND the quarterback has to read the coverage the same way. For a first game, it wasn't bad. The same page required to do it well will improve over the season. It's harder to get there the more wide guys that you're subbing in. But it should make you fresher at the end.

One thing about this pass offense. How many times over the years, have we seen a Tech team running this offense and be down significantly for a half, and then see what the other guys are doing and make a large comeback afterward. If the first half doesn't look wonderful, it can be fixed, especially when your OC is an incredibly bright guy. Once they see what's happening, and the players are put on the same page, things can really open up. That is sort of what happened yesterday.

I loved the pass to a wide open Mixon out of the two back set. Mixon was on the right and Perine on the left. They crossed at the snap and Mayfield made a subtle little adjustment in the pocket to get to space to set his feet. The crossing screwed up the coverage. Most plays are made by players. That was mostly Riley, with a very big assist from Mayfield.

Just my impressions. I loved Andrews. Mead, not so much. I forgive Shep his fumble. He's still one of my two or three favorite guys on this teams And he made more plays yesterday than anybody else. I also thought it was one of Durron Neal's best games. He looked sharp and caught the ball. He looked like he fit. That's hasn't always been the case.

I thought that Mixon pressed a little bit. He'll get there. Perine is a different player than he was last season. He's lost 20 pounds, but should be a lot quicker. But he may have to get used to running over guys a little less, and cutting past them a little more. And I really like Brooks as a third runner. I think Anderson took two snaps and Ross a handful.

The biggest negative at this point is the OLine as was mentioned previously. I just don't think we're very good at center and the two guards. And then we are playing two freshman tackles. That is going to be a process. But the biggest weakness last year in a season of weaknesses was the play of the guards and center. And two of the returning guys were them. And the third, couldn't beat out the third one. It doesn't matter how good the "skill talent" is, if you can't block them.

In the first half, Mayfield was getting inside pressure quickly after the snap. They also got that corrected. But if that happens next week, the crowd will be in the game for four quarters and we won't have much chance to win.

Overall, it was a crisp, solid performance for a game one. I saw evidence of real change in the program. The position groups with new asst coaches all looked pretty solid. The backs pass blocked well, a big deal in this offense. There had to be some nerves yesterday. But those new guys are going to do something they really can't imagine next week. 100,000 plus in Knoxville. It will take resilience, poise and a lot of toughness. And a better performance than yesterday by more than a little. The good news is that the most improvement you make in most any season is between weeks one and two.

The FOX sports Sunday studio crew all picked OU to win at UTenn next week. I think they might be more optimistic about us, than I am.

I'm extremely impressed you got all of this while watching a game at a Sports Bar. I quit them a few years ago because I couldn't concentrate on the game. Way to much noise and cackling from the non-fans (women). I prefer my big screen.......

 

[BillyRay]

The biggest negative at this point is the OLine as was mentioned previously. I just don't think we're very good at center and the two guards. And then we are playing two freshman tackles. That is going to be a process. But the biggest weakness last year in a season of weaknesses was the play of the guards and center. And two of the returning guys were them. And the third, couldn't beat out the third one. It doesn't matter how good the "skill talent" is, if you can't block them.

I am reading this many places as well. Didn't get to see the game, but plenty of talk about how the OL is prolly gonna be the weak link in the offense at least for a while, if not all season. Hopefully they grow up fast and become a great unit. Next week will be a pretty big test.

 

[Schoonerman]

Plaino,

Your football posts/observations are top-notch. Absolutely the best analysis of the team's performance I've ready all weekend, particularly your comments about the O-line and the progression they'll need to make this season to make this offense click.

And as you said, although we beat a mid-level MAC team, I agree that the D-line and LBs were outstanding and dominated the Zip offense. This was a good tune up for Tennessee, who is similar to OU in that they too have a young, inexperienced O-line and two very good RBs in Hurd and Kamara, plus a QB who can use both his arm and legs to move the chains.