Let's Talk Football

[bcsoonerfan]

Once again I'm trying to temper my expectations to prevent disappointment. However, I see more to be excited about this season than in a long time.

Let's begin with the obvious:

Spencer Rattler should be among the top quarterbacks in the country. The expectations for QB play at Oklahoma are nearly unreasonable due to the last several seasons, and really pretty much through the Stoops era. I think some judged to harshly Spencer's first season, and with some hindsight we can see just how good he really was. Even moderate progression means we're in great shape, but I genuinely wouldn't be shocked if he performed at a Joe Burrow level.

The skill positions are as loaded as I can ever recall. There are 3 receivers who could be ready for massive breakouts so the odds are good at least one will. And at minimum I could see any of Wease, Mins, Haselwood and Stogner stepping in game to game situations. And with the steady presence of Brooks and Hall out of the backfield, I have no concern for the passing game at a skill position perspective.

The offensive line is my greatest concern on this side of the ball. There is no questioning the talent and depth but after underperforming last season, I want to see this unit gel quickly. Run the damn ball in the early games Lincoln!

Defense and special teams to be continued...

 

[Belldozer1]

Once again I'm trying to temper my expectations to prevent disappointment. However, I see more to be excited about this season than in a long time.

Let's begin with the obvious:

Spencer Rattler should be among the top quarterbacks in the country. The expectations for QB play at Oklahoma are nearly unreasonable due to the last several seasons, and really pretty much through the Stoops era. I think some judged to harshly Spencer's first season, and with some hindsight we can see just how good he really was. Even moderate progression means we're in great shape, but I genuinely wouldn't be shocked if he performed at a Joe Burrow level.

The skill positions are as loaded as I can ever recall. There are 3 receivers who could be ready for massive breakouts so the odds are good at least one will. And at minimum I could see any of Wease, Mins, Haselwood and Stogner stepping in game to game situations. And with the steady presence of Brooks and Hall out of the backfield, I have no concern for the passing game at a skill position perspective.

The offensive line is my greatest concern on this side of the ball. There is no questioning the talent and depth but after underperforming last season, I want to see this unit gel quickly. Run the damn ball in the early games Lincoln!

Defense and special teams to be continued...

I'm curious about the wr production this year. After watching the spring game I am apprehensive about Haselwood's ability to get open consistently coming off his injured knee. The catch on the sidelines was fantastic but those don't always happen. Mims was great for a freshman last year but seemed to disappear for long stretches in games. Who are our legitimate deep threats at wr?

 

[bcsoonerfan]

I'm curious about the wr production this year. After watching the spring game I am apprehensive about Haselwood's ability to get open consistently coming off his injured knee. The catch on the sidelines was fantastic but those don't always happen. Mims was great for a freshman last year but seemed to disappear for long stretches in games. Who are our legitimate deep threats at wr?

I think Mims is the deep guy and Mario Williams could very well carry some of that load. I look for Wease, Haselwood, and Drake to be chain movers along with our H backs. And a healthy Stogner makes the offense deadly. And Haselwood could do more, but it's just a wait and see. His YAC I think will be more important as well as redzone presence than being a deep threat.

Health at RB along with the development of Marcus Major as the 3rd option, and the offensive line coming together are the only things I see stopping this from being a nearly unstoppable machine.

Also, add in some packages for Caleb Williams just to give opposing defensive coordinators more to prepare for.

 

[OUnabomber]

Not real sure about the oline, but looks like we are loaded everywhere else. I really feel like we finally have the talent to make a serious run at a NC. That is if they don't pull one of their usual mid season fiascos against an inferior team.

 

[kcstorm06]

I like the WR depth. Young and seasoned both...liked Sumlin too. Agtee this team marches with the OL providing protection for Rattler and the solid RB talent. If everyone stays healthy...the sky is the limit. Our schedule is the softest in years.

 

[CTOkie]

The defensive line looks good and there is a good linebacking and secondary corps.
The offensive line will get better and OU has a very manageable first three games to get whatever issues it may have ironed out. Part of the o-line’s problem is practicing against an improved defensive line. Ellison, Kelley, Roberson, Stokes, Thomas and Hicks will team with Winfrey to form a good DT corps. Redmond and Bonitto lead a good group of DE’s.
I do not recall OU having so many good backs even if McGowan gets purged. Gray, Brooks, McCoy, Henderson, Knowles and Hudson are very talented.
A deep WR corps just got deeper with Mike Woods transferring from Arkansas. He’s a big time deep threat.
OU brought in only 16 recruits but it appear at least 10-12 will contribute this season.
This may be another OU team that falters in the postseason but I see a lot of talent to avoid that from happening.

 

[8085sooner]

The front 7 looks great, maybe the best since the McCoy days. I can't remember the last time we were this deep. Thomas should've been BigXII defense player of the year and I expect bigger things this year. NRK, looks bigger than I expected, and Key Lawrence is a stud. Kelley looks like he's ready to be that 5 Star, if he can stay healthy. But damn, they have so many play makers at LB.

The Oline needs practice, the talent there and 2,3 deep. WR , I think the biggest issue last year, they never got their timing routes, due to lack of practice. I think that will change, with summer workouts. Sucks about Bridges, he was Rattler main workout partner. Add those impossible to defend timing routes and the deep routes will open up.

The young DBs will make some mistakes but they're talented and big. Grinch has his body type and they seem to have good hips.


QB, Caleb will see the field, I expect some Tebow freshman year designed plays but Williams has a cannon for an arm, plus a lot faster.

Weakness and not really, Oline will need to gel and young DBs will need to grow up, fast.

 

[CTOkie]

I see OU's offense carrying the team through the first 4-5 games while the defense evolves into a good unit by mid-season. Hope everything is clicking by October 9th.

 

[Plainosooner]

I think Rattler is a little overrated. I think he is a very good, but not great quarterback. And the Heisman talk is premature, although I'm sure the gamblers will make him one of the two or three favorites. The Florida win was the same, a little overrated. We dominated, but we they were a team gutted by who was missing, much like we were against a great LSU team 12 months earlier. I think OUr defense gives us a chance to be great.

As long as LR is OUr coach, we'll be good on offense. I'm very hopeful that things come together, that we don't have key injuries, and we make a serious run for number 8. But right now, I'm just a little skeptical. We've had a lot of off season optimism for five or six years. I want to see it on field. Weekly.

 

[Scottsdale.Sooner]

I think Rattler is a little overrated. I think he is a very good, but not great quarterback. And the Heisman talk is premature, although I'm sure the gamblers will make him one of the two or three favorites. The Florida win was the same, a little overrated. We dominated, but we they were a team gutted by who was missing, much like we were against a great LSU team 12 months earlier. I think OUr defense gives us a chance to be great.

As long as LR is OUr coach, we'll be good on offense. I'm very hopeful that things come together, that we don't have key injuries, and we make a serious run for number 8. But right now, I'm just a little skeptical. We've had a lot of off season optimism for five or six years. I want to see it on field. Weekly.

Rattler came to Oklahoma with about as much high school hype as anyone other than Kyler Murray. He was head and shoulders above everyone in the state due to his command of the field. He can throw across his body on the run better than anyone we have ever had at OU. His arm strength is superior. Spencer still holds all high school football passing records in Arizona. I agree with you to a certain extent but I believe he has the skills to be great. His weakness is in reads and recognition of best options available. He needs more reps under fire. I think he is still dazzled by big time D1 football. I think he settles down and lives up to the hype and expectations this year. He will go from good to great this year. BTW: Caleb Williams looks like he will redefine OU QB's merits. This guy looks very good. He came in with an attitude and will leave with trophies.

 

[OUnabomber]

Rattler came to Oklahoma with about as such high school hype as anyone other than Kyler Murray. He was head and shoulders above everyone in the state due to his command of the field. He can throw across his body on the run better than anyone we have ever had at OU. His arm strength is superior. Spencer still holds all high school football passing records in Arizona. I agree with you to a certain extent but I believe he has the skills to be great. His weakness is in reads and recognition of best options available. He needs more reps under fire. I think he is still dazzled by big time D1 football. I think he settles down and lives up to the hype and expectations this year. He will go from good to great this year. BTW: Caleb Williams looks like he will redefine OU QB's merits. This guy looks very good. He came in with an attitude and will leave with trophies.

People now expect a freshman to come in and light it up from day one. Most of the time that isn't going to happen regardless of how much talent you possess. I look for him to be a lot better this season.

 

[CTOkie]

I think Rattler is a little overrated. I think he is a very good, but not great quarterback. And the Heisman talk is premature, although I'm sure the gamblers will make him one of the two or three favorites. The Florida win was the same, a little overrated. We dominated, but we they were a team gutted by who was missing, much like we were against a great LSU team 12 months earlier. I think OUr defense gives us a chance to be great.

As long as LR is OUr coach, we'll be good on offense. I'm very hopeful that things come together, that we don't have key injuries, and we make a serious run for number 8. But right now, I'm just a little skeptical. We've had a lot of off season optimism for five or six years. I want to see it on field. Weekly.

All roads to a national championship, once again, go through Alabama.
When OU can bring itself to Alabama's level, I will feel much more optimistic. Right now, that gap has not been narrowed.
FYI, Alabama opens in Atlanta with Miami, then plays Mercer, then Southern Miss then plays New Mexico State in November and has road games at Florida, Texas A&M and Auburn. And with a new QB.
As for Rattler, he is a unproven as a championship caliber quarterback so far, but he is only a redshirt sophomore....but it would enhance his resume if Grinch can mold a defense that can help win big games AND help prevent upset losses like the ones with Kansas State and Iowa State last year.
The Florida win was nice, but Florida was indeed hurting with 4-5 star players abandoning the team and with the Gators conceding the game early.

 

[8085sooner]

Like I posted earlier. Rattler didn't get to run drills all spring and summer, so those timing routes, were not in the playbook. This year, hopefully we don't have another lockdown, Rattler will have those easy, 4-12 yards bread and butter plays, at his disposal.

Once he has a complete playbook to work with, I think the sky the limit. He could break OU records, the arm there.

 

[Scottsdale.Sooner]

All roads to a national championship, once again, go through Alabama.
When OU can bring itself to Alabama's level, I will feel much more optimistic. Right now, that gap has not been narrowed.
FYI, Alabama opens in Atlanta with Miami, then plays Mercer, then Southern Miss then plays New Mexico State in November and has road games at Florida, Texas A&M and Auburn. And with a new QB.
As for Rattler, he is a unproven as a championship caliber quarterback so far, but he is only a redshirt sophomore....but it would enhance his resume if Grinch can mold a defense that can help win big games AND help prevent upset losses like the ones with Kansas State and Iowa State last year.
The Florida win was nice, but Florida was indeed hurting with 4-5 star players abandoning the team and with the Gators conceding the game early.

I respectfully disagree with parts of your post. The road may go through Alabama but that road is not as long as in years past. Tide had 5 first round draft picks. That is a dent in any roster. OU by defensive experience and Big XII momentum have closed that gap between Bama and Oklahoma. In 2021, all D1 teams have unproven championship caliber QBs. There is no gap in QB talent between OU and Bama. OU has a better, more experienced QB going into next season. OU outplayed Florida and I'm not sure how much those abandoning players would have mattered. Trask was piss poor in getting the ball to the receivers he had. I give OU a better chance at making the MNC game than Bama at this time.

 

[iasooner2000]

I’m going to start getting excited if we and texsa are undefeated going into October and we put a big beat down on bevo with no let downs (my usual wish list)

 

[bcsoonerfan]

Sorry for the delay, work is wearing me out.

The defense:

It appears we may see the best Sooner defense in many years, which means very little. However, the expectations are raised and that means we are trending in the right direction. At worse I believe the defense will be good enough, and at best they fulfill a lot of potential.

The defensive line is deep and experienced. I don't believe any of these guys are individually are elite game changers but several are disruptive playmakers that together can be overwhelming. If I'm wrong that's a good thing and we see a Thomas, Winfrey or Redmond blow up and become that guy. My guy to keep an eye on is Reggie Grimes but there's been little said about him since the end of the season.

At linebacker there's a lot to be excited about, and this brings me great joy. Like the line there is a lot of depth and experience, but Bonitto and Ugwoegbu are ready to do big things and Asomoah is very underrated. Add the steady play of Deshaun White and the return of Caleb Kelley and at the very least we can be comfortable that this unit wont be a liability.

At defensive back we have a mixed bag. Pat Fields and DTY return with multiple years starting but neither safety has been more than solid. Bryson Washington and Key Lawrence will be pushing for playing time. At cornerback, i think Davis and Washington will be the week 1 starters but i think Graham will end up taking over for Davis and i expect to see McCutchin and Eaton get involved as well. Cridell and Bowman will round things out at nickel until one of them solidifies themselves as the starter. Lots of talent but as much inexperience, so if there's a weak link it's here but i believe we could also be pleasantly surprised by the end results. This unit doesn't need to be great but they do need to be better if we're going to achieve more than being the tallest midget in the Big XII.

Special teams is pretty cut and dry. We got our kicker and punter, the former being an all american candidate. The big thing for ST is getting more production from the return teams. The skill guys are there but the execution has been lacking.

Still more I could add but its a busy weekend. Would enjoy more opinions from you knowledgeable fanatics. I'll check back in tomorrow, and of course....

BOOMER!!

 

[Belldozer1]

Sorry for the delay, work is wearing me out.

The defense:

It appears we may see the best Sooner defense in many years, which means very little. However, the expectations are raised and that means we are trending in the right direction. At worse I believe the defense will be good enough, and at best they fulfill a lot of potential.

The defensive line is deep and experienced. I don't believe any of these guys are individually are elite game changers but several are disruptive playmakers that together can be overwhelming. If I'm wrong that's a good thing and we see a Thomas, Winfrey or Redmond blow up and become that guy. My guy to keep an eye on is Reggie Grimes but there's been little said about him since the end of the season.

At linebacker there's a lot to be excited about, and this brings me great joy. Like the line there is a lot of depth and experience, but Bonitto and Ugwoegbu are ready to do big things and Asomoah is very underrated. Add the steady play of Deshaun White and the return of Caleb Kelley and at the very least we can be comfortable that this unit wont be a liability.

At defensive back we have a mixed bag. Pat Fields and DTY return with multiple years starting but neither safety has been more than solid. Bryson Washington and Key Lawrence will be pushing for playing time. At cornerback, i think Davis and Washington will be the week 1 starters but i think Graham will end up taking over for Davis and i expect to see McCutchin and Eaton get involved as well. Cridell and Bowman will round things out at nickel until one of them solidifies themselves as the starter. Lots of talent but as much inexperience, so if there's a weak link it's here but i believe we could also be pleasantly surprised by the end results. This unit doesn't need to be great but they do need to be better if we're going to achieve more than being the tallest midget in the Big XII.

Special teams is pretty cut and dry. We got our kicker and punter, the former being an all american candidate. The big thing for ST is getting more production from the return teams. The skill guys are there but the execution has been lacking.

Still more I could add but its a busy weekend. Would enjoy more opinions from you knowledgeable fanatics. I'll check back in tomorrow, and of course....

BOOMER!!

Good post. I think Yell has been pretty decent and seems to have improved the last couple of years. I'm not a huge Fields fan though and think his competition, whoever that ends up being may win out or at least take some snaps from him. Agree about the CB's although I wouldn't be upset with Graham starting week 1. Seems like Davis got worse as the season went on last year.

 

[bcsoonerfan]

Good post. I think Yell has been pretty decent and seems to have improved the last couple of years. I'm not a huge Fields fan though and think his competition, whoever that ends up being may win out or at least take some snaps from him. Agree about the CB's although I wouldn't be upset with Graham starting week 1. Seems like Davis got worse as the season went on last year.

Davis is small but tough. Definitely had a setback year but I'm willing to give him benefit of the doubt. He's talented but Graham and Woodi have the size the run with these 6'3" receivers the conference always seems to have.