Key to success in 2016
- Thread starter PryorFan
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I'll say keeping Mayfield staying injury-free is key to any and every success in 2016. Without him, it won't matter who coaches or where they coach during games.
A very good team is on deck for this season, but it's hanging by a thread.....and that "thread" is Mayfield's health, in the wake of his two concussions in the last three games of last season. Mayfield is likely going to be the difference in at least 4 games this year.
Right on CT. This season goes thru Baker Mayfield. If he goes down then all other aspects of this team are more than likely irrelevant There is just zero experienced depth behind him. Lose Mayfield and it's either a walk-on, or a freshman. It would be nice if OU could get the QB backups some game time reps early in the season if they can get some comfortable leads.
I think the biggest question is who is going to replace Shepard. The OL should be solid. And with Perine and Mixon, OU has maybe the best duo of RBs in the country. Lets hope Mixon doesnt let the recent lawsuit affect him mentally this season. But Baker is going to need some WRs to step up and shoulder the load that Shepard was so good at. It may be very lean offensively early in the year until Baker really meshes with his WRs and a consistent and reliable target emerges.
Defensively retooling the LBs I think is the top priority. The DL should be okay. And the DBs should be okay even with Sanchez gone. What was the final word on Thomas for the season? I heard he got in some trouble, but I never heard if any discipline will carry over into the season. Would be pretty big if he was available from day one.
I think the biggest question is who is going to replace Shepard. The OL should be solid. And with Perine and Mixon, OU has maybe the best duo of RBs in the country. Lets hope Mixon doesnt let the recent lawsuit affect him mentally this season. But Baker is going to need some WRs to step up and shoulder the load that Shepard was so good at. It may be very lean offensively early in the year until Baker really meshes with his WRs and a consistent and reliable target emerges.
Defensively retooling the LBs I think is the top priority. The DL should be okay. And the DBs should be okay even with Sanchez gone. What was the final word on Thomas for the season? I heard he got in some trouble, but I never heard if any discipline will carry over into the season. Would be pretty big if he was available from day one.
Soonersincefitty
Sooner starter
Vegas has respect for OU, as early spreads has us as 9 point favorites on both Houston and Ohio St.
Thats curious.
Thats curious.
I hope they're coaching the OL to keep playing after the whistle, because there will no doubt be some late hit attempts on Baker. I'm looking at you, Baylor.
a go to receiver will need to emerge and a host of other guys will have to be solid at that position. Linebackers are somewhat of a question mark. Perhaps most importantly is can we avoid that middle of the season let down that we always seem to have? Are we going to show up against Texas this year?
I guess none of you have any confidence in the back up QB. We do have some talent to back Baker up.
OU is gonna truck some people this year. Blind optimism isn't normally my thing, but the Sooners have got some mean-ass dogs on the team.
What QB on campus has had any playing time that would give us any credible confidence at this point?
Sounds like you guys have all the bases covered in this thread for the Keys to Success:
1. Baker stays healthy
2. WRs step up and we find a "go to guy" to replace Sterling
3. LBs gotta grow up real quick
4. O-line has got to dominate people this season for Perrine and Mixon (and protect Baker)
5. Beat the hell out of the horns this year
1. Baker stays healthy
2. WRs step up and we find a "go to guy" to replace Sterling
3. LBs gotta grow up real quick
4. O-line has got to dominate people this season for Perrine and Mixon (and protect Baker)
5. Beat the hell out of the horns this year
Austin Kendall has talent, otherwise he would not be on a D-1 team's roster, but he's a true freshman which has to do with experience and development, not talent.
If OU is trailing 24-20 in the last 5 minutes of the Ohio State game and Kendall has to run the offense with Mayfield out with injury, is any OU fan going to feel as secure as he would with Mayfield in the game ?
Every year there are these 'things' that are needed to field a competitive team. Typically, it's based on the previous year's field of play and the holes filled via player's graduations and transfers.
But to be honest, with this offense of Rileys, I'd prefer the kid w/ no experience as opposed to Trevor, and I'm a big Trevor fan. I think Kendall is going to surprise most and shock a few of you. I see the biggest hole(s) to fill are the LBs. But time will tell. I also think w/ Shepherd's departure, someone will have to step up. But I think we have the horses to do this.
But to be honest, with this offense of Rileys, I'd prefer the kid w/ no experience as opposed to Trevor, and I'm a big Trevor fan. I think Kendall is going to surprise most and shock a few of you. I see the biggest hole(s) to fill are the LBs. But time will tell. I also think w/ Shepherd's departure, someone will have to step up. But I think we have the horses to do this.
And don't forget special team play. It seems too often overlooked and it's so important. Can we get a punt returner?
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We can always hope Austin Kendall is the 2nd coming of Jamelle Holieway and take over as a true freshman and make a run to a national title. But I would MUCH rather Baker Mayfield stay healthy this year than to take the odds of the "Holieway Miracle" happening again.
Soonersincefitty
Sooner starter
Yous guys have lost your sense of adventure.
You shouldn't focus so much on your 'fear of the unknown'.
No no, focus on the thrill of the possibilities.
You shouldn't focus so much on your 'fear of the unknown'.
No no, focus on the thrill of the possibilities.
There are other keys, but yours is the primary one, no doubt. I think we could survive a game or two with Kendall at quarterback. But he'd be awfully limited, given no scholarship quarterbacks behind him, and no experience ever. Don't run ever.
But I also think that the Sooners need a couple of receivers to make major steps up. Shep was his security blanket. Two things happen when you lose that. You lose predictability of coverage, which almost always shaded to Shep's side. But the reliability is a huge factor. OUr record with whomever at quarterback the last four years was a lot different when Sterling was healthy and available, compared to when he was not. Finding some quality pass catchers is necessary to Baker being Baker, IMO.
OU's games with Houston, Ohio State, TCU, Texas, Texas Tech, Baylor, West Virginia and Oklahoma State will likely require Mayfield's presence for the entire game. Games with Kendall at QB against Louisiana-Monroe, Kansas, KSU, Iowa State would be winnable.
I would really like to see Kendall come through as a solid number two QB. But he needs playing time and aside from the ULM game on September 10, he may not see any action until October 29 vs Kansas.
No doubt rebuilding the receiving corps is a priority, as is the linebacking corps and offensive line....but Mayfield's health is THE priority.
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Maybe not then either unless it's just handing off to Perine. Perine is still running on Kansas. I wonder what the NCAA record is for most rush yards against a single opponent over the career of the player?
Perine is at 517 yds against Kansas right now. 700+ would have to be a record or close, right?
Why would anyone have confidence in a freshman QB that has never played a down?
I have faith in all incoming freshman every year. Why would it be any different this year? We lose players every year.....and every year it's the same posts. Here at OU we just reload. Lol
Because he has D1 talent/skills and he was being recruited by Riley before Riley showed up at OU. I think he's going to fit Riley's offense pretty good. BTW, as a reminder to all, Baker Mayfield was a walk on at TT and as a Freshman earned the starting spot and actually won offensive player of the week at least once if not more. He did this beating all the experienced offensive players in the Big 12. The entire conference. So believe as you wish, but please don't tell Baker it can't be done. Me neither.
Edit: There's a reason why Trevor transferred. He saw the confidence the coaches had in this kid.
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What happened with Mayfield at Texas Tech....as it was with Holieway in 1985....is a very rare occurance. No one says it can't be done because it has been done before, but Kendall's inexperience has to be a concern until proven wrong on the field.
I'm worried about the 1's. Not the 2's. OU lost their best WR in many years in Shep. Replacing him as the #1 WR is a bit more concerning to me than worring about Kendall. As with any and all teams, not just OU, when you lose your #1 QB, you're going to struggle. But until we lose Mayfield, my concerns are on the players that are labeled as 1's.
Lots of kids come into college with D1 talents/skills, yet aren't anywhere near ready to take over the reigns at starting QB their true freshman year. Just because Baker did what he did, doesn't translate into every highly touted HS QB being able to do it as well. Like CT said, they are very rare occurrences.
So Trevor transferred because he saw how much confidence the coaches had in Kendall? I would say it prolly had more to do with this being his Senior year and he saw the writing on the wall with Baker coming back. He knew outside of Baker getting injured, he was going to ride the bench all year. Plus Trevor looked god awful in his limited time last season trying to run Riley's offense.
I don't think anyone doubts your commentary regarding incoming freshmen. What I doubt is that you amongst others are basically stating he can't succeed. Further, concerning one's self over the #2 QB is what I question. There are more question marks than the #2 QB. Until #2 starts there is no need to worry. It's at least #7 or #8 issue for me as I see other areas that are more pressing. But each to their own. Concern away about the #2 QB, that's just not me... not now anyway.
If Ou truly reloaded then when Reynolds went down in the Texas game years ago we wouldn't have fell apart. Or when Broyles went down they would have just kept right on rolling. Etc etc etc. While I agree Kendall should have a bright future I think it would be a significant hit if Baker went down. Let's pray that doesn't happen.
That's mighty yank of you. Positive players always perform. We've had more than our share................
I agree but Baker is a special player and in my opinion the best qb in the nation. I believe our team and season will depend on the guys in the trenches on both sides. That was definitely the difference in the losses to Texas and Clemson
Are you seriously saying that he left in part because he thought he would be passed up on the depth chart by Kendal? If Knight had remained at OU, he would be the backup...not Kendal. He left because he wanted a chance to start and he knew that wasn't going to happen here.
You can include having concerns for the offensive line and linebacking corps as well.
Several areas need to solidify quickly for OU during the tough early schedule....at least until mid-October...and this will indicate what this team is about.
Where on this thread did anyone state Kendall "can't succeed" ? Implying that he may not be as productive as Mayfield (a Heisman candidate) is NOT a negative criticism of Kendall.
"I'll say keeping Mayfield staying injury-free is key to any and every success in 2016. Without him, it won't matter who coaches or where they coach during games.
A very good team is on deck for this season, but it's hanging by a thread.....and that "thread" is Mayfield's health, in the wake of his two concussions in the last three games of last season. Mayfield is likely going to be the difference in at least 4 games this year."
Perhaps I'm misinterpreted your post, but I doubt it. While it does not use the two words 'can't succeed', it reads as much. You're entitled to believe as you wish. I happen to believe there are more pressing concerns than Kendall. Yet when I post this, I was questioned why I have faith in him, I merely answered. And even then it was met w/ objection. BFD. I actually think the O-Line will be pretty good. The LB crew will need time to mesh together and learn their assignments. Time that is not there. The good news, is that Houston has more concerns than OU, as do the Buckeyes. tOSU lost alot more talent & starters than did the Sooners.
You did misinterpret my statement. Nothing I said indicated that Kendall would or could not be successful. Kendall could become a good backup to Mayfield but it may not mean he is as good as Mayfield or that that OU's chances of running the table are as good with Mayfield unavailable. Kendall himself is not so much a "pressing concern" as keeping Mayfield healthy is. With a tough schedule and several issues at other areas of the team to be resolved, isn't it even more important to keep a Heisman candidate at QB up and running ?
I don't think there would be much concern over Baker's health at this point had he not suffered two concussions during last season. That's grounds for very heavy concern. Concussions are no joke. One little ding to the head and he's done. So that little detail puts Baker's health into question far more than players at other positions.
And I don't see where anyone has said Kendall can't succeed. But I don't think it's being unrealistic or overly negative to believe if Kendall has to replace Baker at some point thru the season due to an injury, then the season likely will not turn out like it would have if Baker had gone the whole way. Nobody doubts Kendall's talent. But it's green, raw, unproven, and inexperienced talent.
Not meaning to change the direction of this thread, but OULegacy is spot-on with the comment about losing to ut and Clemson in the trenches. It's great having so much talent in the "skill positions," but this game will always come down to the big dogs and who controls the line of scrimmage.
You may refer to me as Mr. Obvious if you choose.
For me, I guess I'm most concerned about the wr position. There is talent there but so far it hasn't stepped up. Losing Shepard is huge but the fact that none of the other receivers were able to unseat Durron Neal as the season went on, didn't make me feel too good. Not trying to bag on Neal but he was not too reliable in my opinion.
Pretty much every team in the country is in the same boat. Ohio State is one, where would Clemson be without Watson? There are a few exceptions, Bama, maybe a few others. But yes, I agree a large part of our chances hinge on Baker's health.
We had two losses last year, both against mobile QBs against whom we had no answer. "Upstairs, off the field" didn't matter.
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