DEPTH CHART...GAME #1...

[Senior Sooner]

Just Released, this evening...No Major Surprises...Alex Ross not being on the RB 3-Deep might be a Minor One...Found him at the PR Position...as expected.

This will give us a chance to get acquainted with these young men, and learn how to pronounce their names...I'm still working on how to say Sammy J....

http://oklahoma.247sports.com/Bolt/Sooners-release-game-one-depth-chart-39066821

 

[K2C Sooner]

Just Released, this evening...No Major Surprises...Alex Ross not being on the RB 3-Deep might be a Minor One...Found him at the PR Position...as expected.

This will give us a chance to get acquainted with these young men, and learn how to pronounce their names...I'm still working on how to say Sammy J....

http://oklahoma.247sports.com/Bolt/Sooners-release-game-one-depth-chart-39066821

Well, it's a major surprise Jarvis Baxter is starting. I read where he was the second rated junior college recruit behind Westbrook last year. He must be very good. The only other thing I noticed is Mark Andrews running behind Shepard???? I thought Mark was a tightend.......

 

[barkingwater2000]

I was a little disappointed to see Shepard is going to be the punt returner again this year. I was hoping we could find someone that is more dynamic in that area. Shepard really isn't much of a threat

 

[Biltazar]

I think seeing Baxter pop up with Dede shows why we had so little production in the passing game last year, especially once Shepard went down (QB play notwithstanding). Previous recruiting seems to have focused on guys who turned out to be not that quick in and out of cuts, and lack of quality route running that exacerbated that issue. Together, these yielded small passing windows that just don't work against good teams with coverage skills and a pass rush. We are on a better path now.

 

[Section22Sooner]

I was a little disappointed to see Shepard is going to be the punt returner again this year. I was hoping we could find someone that is more dynamic in that area. Shepard really isn't much of a threat

I thought you were going to say what I was thinking. And that is that I don't want the guy to get killed returning punts. I would hate being out there, looking upward, knowing that blood-thirsty monsters are closing in on you fast, all while thinking about field position and not turning the ball over.

 

[barkingwater2000]

I thought you were going to say what I was thinking. And that is that I don't want the guy to get killed returning punts. I would hate being out there, looking upward, knowing that blood-thirsty monsters are closing in on you fast, all while thinking about field position and not turning the ball over.

That is probably a good reason as well. I really thought he would be a lot better at returning punts but he just doesn't seem to have a knack for it like some do. I'd like to have a weapon back there like Jalen Saunders

 

[Oklabama]

I was a little disappointed to see Shepard is going to be the punt returner again this year. I was hoping we could find someone that is more dynamic in that area. Shepard really isn't much of a threat

I thought Michiah Quick was supposed to be the answer for our punt returner. I too am not impressed with Shepard's returns. And, since he isn't as much of a threat, I wouldn't take the chance on him getting injured again by playing him at that position. JMO.

 

[Soonersincefitty]

Just Released, this evening...No Major Surprises...Alex Ross not being on the RB 3-Deep might be a Minor One...Found him at the PR Position...as expected.

This will give us a chance to get acquainted with these young men, and learn how to pronounce their names...I'm still working on how to say Sammy J....

http://oklahoma.247sports.com/Bolt/Sooners-release-game-one-depth-chart-39066821

Yeah, some of these perceived surprises are normal. It just means some fellows really shined the last few weeks in the telling fall drills.

Nothing to get in a twist about.

 

[jturpen]

I think this year is going to a good season, although I think it's also going to be a see what kind of talent we have on the roster overall as Stanvon Taylor and Dakota Austin could factor in on special teams.

 

[Senior Sooner]

Additional Comments on the Chart...

http://www.crimsonandcreammachine.com/2015/8/31/9237211/10-thoughts-on-the-sooners-depth-chart

 

[Plainosooner]

Sorry, I didn't see this when I posted my depth chart post.

For those of you seeking something more exciting at punt returner, Bob had something very encouraging to say for you. During his Monday presser, he listed Shep and Sanchez as the first two. Then in an almost off handed way, he said something about Mixon getting work there and added that he wouldn't be surprised if Joe won the job. It would certainly pick up the excitement level a little.

But remember about Shepard that about half the time, they sent him out there hurt with instructions to just catch the ball, and felt they could rely on him to do that. If he's healthy and they turn him loose, he'll be okay at it. Sanchez is almost always there to fair catch it.

 

[Section22Sooner]

Then in an almost off handed way, he said something about Mixon getting work there and added that he wouldn't be surprised if Joe won the job. It would certainly pick up the excitement level a little.

Ho-lee-cow!

 

[Soonersincefitty]

Ho-lee-cow!

Yep, I could get a little jazzed about that.
Risk vs rewards again, but if da Mix could take the rock to the house once every game or two, in certain situations that can be a demoralizing back breaker for the other guy.

I say, let's do it!

 

[barkingwater2000]

Sorry, I didn't see this when I posted my depth chart post.

For those of you seeking something more exciting at punt returner, Bob had something very encouraging to say for you. During his Monday presser, he listed Shep and Sanchez as the first two. Then in an almost off handed way, he said something about Mixon getting work there and added that he wouldn't be surprised if Joe won the job. It would certainly pick up the excitement level a little.

But remember about Shepard that about half the time, they sent him out there hurt with instructions to just catch the ball, and felt they could rely on him to do that. If he's healthy and they turn him loose, he'll be okay at it. Sanchez is almost always there to fair catch it.

Honestly I expected Shepard to be pretty dynamic as a punt returner so I'm really not sure why he isn't. I know he was hurt occasionally but he was also healthy a good number of times. Seemed like he never could get the hang of when to fair catch it and when not to.

 

[Plainosooner]

It will depend on how well he catches punts. It is very unlikely he has ever caught the kinds of punts he would see this year.

I have posted many times before that I believe that returning punts effectively is the hardest thing to do in football. Maybe in sports. In the old days, they had two back there. Chuck liked to use three. Now it is almost only solo, so there is nobody to make the decision but the returner to return or fair catch.

 

[barkingwater2000]

It will depend on how well he catches punts. It is very unlikely he has ever caught the kinds of punts he would see this year.

I have posted many times before that I believe that returning punts effectively is the hardest thing to do in football. Maybe in sports. In the old days, they had two back there. Chuck liked to use three. Now it is almost only solo, so there is nobody to make the decision but the returner to return or fair catch.

Its a difficult job but OU should be able to find someone who poses a threat. Other teams are able to

 

[MiccoMacey]

Yep, I could get a little jazzed about that.
Risk vs rewards again, but if da Mix could take the rock to the house once every game or two, in certain situations that can be a demoralizing back breaker for the other guy.

I say, let's do it!

Ummm...the NCAA record for Punt Returns for touchdown in a year is five. Antonio Perkins only had four, and that's after having three in one game (an NCAA record).

I'm doubting we get one every game or two. That's be 6+. Probably a little too unrealistic to expect that.

 

[Soonersincefitty]

Ummm...the NCAA record for Punt Returns for touchdown in a year is four, I believe. Antonio Perkins and someone else holds that record.

I'm doubting we get one every game or two. That's be 6+. Probably a little too unrealistic to expect that.

I uh, misunderstood.
I thought Mixon would be fielding and running back kick offs.
They're fractionally easier to advance for TDs.

BTW, good to hear from ya MM, old infrequent stranger.


(BTW, A. Perkins does hold a record for punt returns for TD in a game, 3. As of now it's his alone)

 

[KCtornado]

I think punt returns are less of a factor these days. So as long as we got a guy with good hands out there, its all well in good. I feel a bit concerned that what happened to DeMarco Murray could eventually happen to Shep. I would hate to see his senior year ruined because of a 5 yd. punt return and crunching injury at the end of the play. Ross and Anderson will be a formidable two for running kicks back. Ross found his niche on this team.

 

[barkingwater2000]

I think punt returns are less of a factor these days. So as long as we got a guy with good hands out there, its all well in good. I feel a bit concerned that what happened to DeMarco Murray could eventually happen to Shep. I would hate to see his senior year ruined because of a 5 yd. punt return and crunching injury at the end of the play. Ross and Anderson will be a formidable two for running kicks back. Ross found his niche on this team.

Are you referring to Murray getting hurt on kick off coverage? That was a non contact injury that could have happened during warm ups

 

[JConXtsy]

Took me awhile to find the time to analyze the depth chart....
Here are my surprises / questions:

Offense:
Alex Ross not in the RB 3-deep (as stated above) - My guess is that they already have 2 big backs ahead of him, so Daniel Brooks is more of a change of pace back than Alex.
Carson Meier at H-Back (as stated above) instead of TE as recruited
Michiah Quick slipping all of the way to 3rd at his position. Those with inside knowledge must know that he's in the dog house for something I assume, since I haven't read any big news about his slip.
Orlando Brown overtaking Farniok at the LT position. Brown came in as a really big boy, but there were huge concerns about him being "fat" and not dedicated to football which is why his recruiting ranking was low. I guess he's had a change of heart and started losing weight and working his butt off. I think he was 400 lbs at one point, so down to 340 is a huge leaning out.
Alvarez ahead of Danley at the LG position. There was a lot of noise and push from the coaches in recruiting Alvarez, but his recruiting ranking wasn't really high. Danley comes in as the #1 JuCo lineman, so I really thought it would take more time for Alvarez to develop. Him starting ahead of Danley speaks volumes about what our coaches saw in him that others didn't.
Erick Wren ahead of Alex Dalton at the backup C position. What happened to Alex Dalton as a C? He was one of our bigger lineman recruits. Erick wasn't even recruited out of HS and ended up in CC out in Arizona. He isn't even listed at the C position on the Sooners Roster, and doesn't even have a bio on SoonerSports.
Alex Dalton moved from C to RG. Is this just an ominous showing that we're really short at the G position that Alex had to move over from C? Maybe Cody Ford or Bobby Evans can come along quickly and start to assist at this position of weakness. I look for the 2016 recruiting class to bring in some more big time talent at the G position.
Dru Samia as backup RT. We all know about the Frison issue but what happened to Christian Daimler or Joseph Paul? I'm surprised to see a true freshman surpass these guys that weren't exactly lightly recruited.
Connor Knight still making the 3-deep at receiver. It's cool that he's making his way into the rotation, but ss anyone surprised that the 2 backups to 5'10" Sterling are 6'5" and 6'4"?

Defense:
Both Jordan Wade and Charles Walker (kinda) getting passed by Matt Romar and Matt Dimon. Wade and Walker seemed like the starters to be last year.
Dwayne Orso moving to DT. I thought Orso was a big get for the DE position. He's awfully tall for your typical DT.
Okoronkwo at DE. Here's a small DE. I assume they're using him to complement Striker or Bond from the other side during pass rushes.
Jordan Evans ahead of Frank Shannon at ILB. Actually after Dom's lackluster sophomore season, I thought Evans and Shannon would be the two ILBs. I have to think this is just carryover from the Shannon punishment.
What happened to Curtis Bolton? I thought Bolton was a huge recruiting get, some declaring him as the next Calmus or Lehman. Not seeing him on the ILB depth chart is surprising to me after a redshirt year.
We're still crazy young at safety, but we have nowhere to go except up. True freshmen at both backup positions, and I'm sure Prentice McKinney can't be far behind if any of those guys aren't ready.
Jordan Thomas better keep showing signs of greatness. PJ is probably hot on his heels. If he struggles at all, I wouldn't be surprised if PJ overtakes this starting position. If he's the real deal, we could end up with a couple of lockdown man-man coverage CBs. But that's just going to funnel the ball to the safeties, so I hope they're much improved this year or it's going to be another year of just getting slaughtered in the passing game.

 

[MiccoMacey]

I uh, misunderstood.
I thought Mixon would be fielding and running back kick offs.
They're fractionally easier to advance for TDs.

BTW, good to hear from ya MM, old infrequent stranger.


(BTW, A. Perkins does hold a record for punt returns for TD in a game, 3. As of now it's his alone)

Thanks, fitty. Glad football season is finally here.