Rattler

[OUnabomber]

Let me first say that I do like Rattler. He seems very talented and I love his enthusiasm. Especially after a year with Hurts where the guy was painfully statue like on the sideline. Lets say hypothetically that Rattler struggles against Iowa state and really stinks it up against Texas. Does Riley give one of the other two guys some playing time or does he let Rattler suffer and hopefully improve much like Rhett Bomar did? I would be inclined to stick with Rattler since the season would pretty much be a loss anyway, but it might be interesting to see what the others can do.

 

[EagleZipperHero]

Rattler currently has the highest single-season passer rating in OU history (209.1)

I think I’d let him struggle a little longer

Bomar didn’t record his 8th TD pass until the 11th game of the ‘05 season

Perspective

 

[OUnabomber]

Rattler currently has the highest single-season passer rating in OU history (209.1)

I think I’d let him struggle a little longer

Bomar didn’t record his 8th TD pass until the 11th game of the ‘05 season

Perspective

lol hey he has only played 2 games so I wouldn't put any stock in that stat. If he plays poorly against TX then there will be some rumblings no doubt.

 

[bcsoonerfan]

Rattler has played well except for the 4th quarter yesterday and it's hardly his fault. He's the real deal but he may take more lumps than I expected.

 

[OUnabomber]

Rattler has played well except for the 4th quarter yesterday and it's hardly his fault. He's the real deal but he may take more lumps than I expected.

I think he is going to take more lumps than he expected as well

 

[Plainosooner]

Rattler has played well except for the 4th quarter yesterday and it's hardly his fault. He's the real deal but he may take more lumps than I expected.

He threw two picks in the first half, and his poise after a couple of hits. There is a good chance he'll get there. But he's at a huge disadvantage with no spring, and a very uneven fall practice regimen. There are not three conference teams with less qb experience than OU in 2020.

 

[bcsoonerfan]

He threw two picks in the first half, and his poise after a couple of hits. There is a good chance he'll get there. But he's at a huge disadvantage with no spring, and a very uneven fall practice regimen. There are not three conference teams with less qb experience than OU in 2020.

One was on a tipped pass and I barely under thrown sideline pass. Not a big deal. The game ender was the only one that was poorly thrown.

 

[EagleZipperHero]

lol hey he has only played 2 games so I wouldn't put any stock in that stat. If he plays poorly against TX then there will be some rumblings no doubt.

Stat was only cited to give perspective to your struggling comment

He’s infinitely more accurate than Bomar

Kind of funny to imagine both of them being the top ranked QBs of their class

One was a physical “prospect”, the other a truly gifted passer

I do have some concerns with his make-up. Has some similarities with Bomar there

 

[JConXtsy]

BC said it. Rattler is good, really good. Failure is far from his fault. The best QB can't pass to a receiver unopen and it's up to receivers to run routes correctly or get open.

During the Boys game tonight, Aikman talked about his conversation with CeeDee about college and pros, and CeeDee said he learned how to read zones and get open in college, and that's why he was good and it would translate to pros.

A QB needs guys that know how to get open against the defense they read. We're not there yet.

 

[OUnabomber]

As I said, I like Rattler but I'm not as prepared to give him a pass as some of you seem to be. To me he looked uncomfortable and rattled in the 2nd half once they started getting after him. This is to be expected but it does show that he has a lot of room to grow. He does remind me of Bomar as both of them were very highly rated and had a lot of hype coming out of HS. Lets just hope Rattler does do better against TX than Bomar did. He got rocked more than once in that game

 

[OUSOONER67]

As I said, I like Rattler but I'm not as prepared to give him a pass as some of you seem to be. To me he looked uncomfortable and rattled in the 2nd half once they started getting after him. This is to be expected but it does show that he has a lot of room to grow. He does remind me of Bomar as both of them were very highly rated and had a lot of hype coming out of HS. Lets just hope Rattler does do better against TX than Bomar did. He got rocked more than once in that game

Don't believe the hype yet. A lot of people here have propped him up so much before this season and that was unfair imho. He has to prove himself.
Throw out those stats, it came against 2 bad teams and one kicked our butts, the other was a HS team.

I hope he does very well and wins a National Title while at OU but he needs a lot of help around him if that is ever to happen. He may not be here long enough for that to come to fruition tho.
I think the defense has too far to go and won't help him much at all while he is at OU. The lack of D has cost former OU QB's a chance at a title for many years now.

 

[CTOkie]

Rattler has a flawed offensive line in front of him and is without the level of talent at RB, WR and TE that Mayfield and Murray had. And he isn't as good as Mayfield and Murray, either.
Plus, he has no quality time experience that those other two QB's (transfers) had before they arrived at OU.
Sam Bradford (2007-2009) had talent around him throughout his shortened time at OU: Murray, Brown, Patrick and Madu at RB, Clapp at FB, and Broyles, Iglesius, Kelly, Johnson and Chaney at WR.....and Jermaine Gresham at TE. So Bradford had a great supporting staff from day one.
That being said, I'm not 100% sure Rattler....as good as he is.....is the best QB on the roster right now. Chandler Morris may be, but that may never be proven. It will be interesting to see which backup, Mordecai or Morris, will get more playing time this year. Given the issues with this team, every game appears to be a nail biter, so Rattler may play entire games or well into the 4th quarter.
As for the depth at center, I would like to see freshman Andrew Raym be the backup to Humphrey as I think Raym will be OU's future at center.

 

[OUnabomber]

Don't believe the hype yet. A lot of people here have propped him up so much before this season and that was unfair imho. He has to prove himself.
Throw out those stats, it came against 2 bad teams and one kicked our butts, the other was a HS team.

I hope he does very well and wins a National Title while at OU but he needs a lot of help around him if that is ever to happen. He may not be here long enough for that to come to fruition tho.
I think the defense has too far to go and won't help him much at all while he is at OU. The lack of D has cost former OU QB's a chance at a title for many years now.

I agree....all the hype surrounding some of these players probably does more hard than good. Remember when we were told Bookie was awesome?

 

[EagleZipperHero]

I agree....all the hype surrounding some of these players probably does more hard than good. Remember when we were told Bookie was awesome?

I watched Bookie in HS and had no clue why he was a 5-star. Only played 1 year of cornerback. No size, average speed.

 

[veritas59]

I'd be more concerned about what's in front of him. The anchor of that line, the hyped up Humphrey, was regularly getting big-brothered by the guy lined up across from him. That is, when he wasn't on the sideline for cramps. The rest of them were no better.

Yeah, cramps. SMH

Bully Linemen Matter

 

[CTOkie]

Riley recruited five 4-star offensive linemen in the 2020 class (Raym, Parks, Harrison, Nelson and Anderson) and two in the 2019 class (Alexander and Wilkins) and one in the 2018 class (Walker).
So he's getting the numbers but not the "real deal" so far.
And veterans Robinson, Hayes, Ealy and Swenson are only average at best....and some of that has to be due to the drop of talent in the running back cops.

 

[EagleZipperHero]

I'd be more concerned about what's in front of him. The anchor of that line, the hyped up Humphrey, was regularly getting big-brothered by the guy lined up across from him. That is, when he wasn't on the sideline for cramps. The rest of them were no better.

Yeah, cramps. SMH

Bully Linemen Matter

Gabe Ikard was complaining the OL looks out of shape. Not quick, that’s why they were resorting to holding.

 

[8085sooner]

I'd be more concerned about what's in front of him. The anchor of that line, the hyped up Humphrey, was regularly getting big-brothered by the guy lined up across from him. That is, when he wasn't on the sideline for cramps. The rest of them were no better.

Yeah, cramps. SMH

Bully Linemen Matter

This, the Oline never gave him a clean pocket. I saw a grade of C-. That's bullshit! I would give them a solid D. They had 1 series, where we ran the ball and looked like maulers. That was after the 2nd int.

Raym not ready. He gave up the blocked punt. Never looked or touched the guy. The game is moving WAY to fast for him. Bad Oline will make any and all QB, look bad.

 

[veritas59]

Gabe Ikard was complaining the OL looks out of shape. Not quick, that’s why they were resorting to holding.

And the supposed leader of that position group was on the sideline with cramps, which supports his supposition. So, the question becomes; Who was the real architect of those awesome lines of the past? Was it Bedenbaugh or Jerry Schmidt? One has been gone for two years, the other hasn't.

 

[CTOkie]

This, the Oline never gave him a clean pocket. I saw a grade of C-. That's bullshit! I would give them a solid D. They had 1 series, where we ran the ball and looked like maulers. That was after the 2nd int.

Raym not ready. He gave up the blocked punt. Never looked or touched the guy. The game is moving WAY to fast for him. Bad Oline will make any and all QB, look bad.

Raym looked to be blocking the inside rush and never even looked to his right and Bookie (on the right end) ran to the inside allowing the outside rusher to charge right in.
Regardless, this play doesn't indicate Raym can't be a better backup center than McIver, or that Raym can't be a good offensive lineman anywhere on the OL.
If Riley has some other lineman he is planning to start next year at center, I hope the player can pick up where Humphey left off. My bet reamins with Raym....and he need to play this year.

 

[EagleZipperHero]

Raym looked to be blocking the inside rush and never even looked to his right and Bookie (on the right end) ran to the inside allowing the outside rusher to charge right in.
Regardless, this play doesn't indicate Raym can't be a better backup center than McIver, or that Raym can't be a good offensive lineman anywhere on the OL.
If Riley has some other lineman he is planning to start next year at center, I hope the player can pick up where Humphey left off. My bet reamins with Raym....and he need to play this year.

I was thinking the transfer from UCLA might start next year

 

[Rush2112Sooner]

Ok, hear me out on this one. If we lose the next 2 games in your hypothetical scenario, we’re 1-3, and unranked. Whether or not LR likes Rattlers play, if the O-line is getting beat every snap and Rattler is taking a beating, I myself would consider letting the other 2 QBs take their turns under center.
This would:
1) see what the backups have (everyone is red-shirting this year regardless of playing time)
2) Saves Rattler from a full years worth of taking a beating (if that continues to happen at ISU and vs UTerus). Be open with SR, tell him up front he’s saving him for a big year next year.
I 100% doubt either LR would do this, and that SR would be OK with it. Players want to play. Coaches want to win. But, I tend to look big picture. And if this years a bust, at least save your best player for next year.
You don’t drive your Porsche 911 in a hail storm. That’s why you have the beat-up pickup truck in the garage for-to take a beating.

Anyway, odds on Rattler bolting to the NFL after the 2021 season?
If he actually bounces back and plays great the rest of 2020, chances he sits out 2021 to avoid injury? That’s going to happen with a superstar player sooner than later...

 

[OUnabomber]

I watched Bookie in HS and had no clue why he was a 5-star. Only played 1 year of cornerback. No size, average speed.

Doesn't appear to be all that bright either. I guess he must be at least pretty good though or he wouldn't be starting at OU for 3 years....or maybe they just can't find anyone better

 

[CTOkie]

I was thinking the transfer from UCLA might start next year

Chris Murray is his name and he wears #57, and I haven't seen his number on the field yet. Maybe he's being redshirted (?).
He was a center at UCLA then was transferred to guard after his 3rd game as a freshman in 2018.

 

[kcstorm06]

OL light years away from being an elite blocking unit. Rattler is going to have to adjust to life of getting pressured pretty often. I was a bit surprised seeing Humphrey getting somewhat beaten down too. He may not be as high of a draft pick if that trend continues. Hope Bedenbaugh can answer the bell on this disturbing wake up call.

 

[CTOkie]

OL light years away from being an elite blocking unit. Rattler is going to have to adjust to life of getting pressured pretty often. I was a bit surprised seeing Humphrey getting somewhat beaten down too. He may not be as high of a draft pick if that trend continues. Hope Bedenbaugh can answer the bell on this disturbing wake up call.

Humphrey may have been injured early in the game, or sometime in the first half.
McIver just isn't an elite lineman and unless the UCLA transfer Murray or freshman Raym can give the team better depth at center, OU could be in trouble if Humphrey is even having to play with an injury.
2020 is beginning to show me a season that will be forgettable for OU. Covid-19, injuries, suspensions, poor defense, inadequate depth and Rattler's development being diminished by poor blocking and a less-than-stellar running game are taking a toll.

 

[8085sooner]

Ok, hear me out on this one. If we lose the next 2 games in your hypothetical scenario, we’re 1-3, and unranked. Whether or not LR likes Rattlers play, if the O-line is getting beat every snap and Rattler is taking a beating, I myself would consider letting the other 2 QBs take their turns under center.
This would:
1) see what the backups have (everyone is red-shirting this year regardless of playing time)
2) Saves Rattler from a full years worth of taking a beating (if that continues to happen at ISU and vs UTerus). Be open with SR, tell him up front he’s saving him for a big year next year.
I 100% doubt either LR would do this, and that SR would be OK with it. Players want to play. Coaches want to win. But, I tend to look big picture. And if this years a bust, at least save your best player for next year.
You don’t drive your Porsche 911 in a hail storm. That’s why you have the beat-up pickup truck in the garage for-to take a beating.

Anyway, odds on Rattler bolting to the NFL after the 2021 season?
If he actually bounces back and plays great the rest of 2020, chances he sits out 2021 to avoid injury? That’s going to happen with a superstar player sooner than later...

This year doesn't count towards eligibility. NCAA gave a pass. I don't know how this will impact recruiting or scholarship quotas. Roster management will be interesting.

 

[EagleZipperHero]

Chris Murray is his name and he wears #57, and I haven't seen his number on the field yet. Maybe he's being redshirted (?).
He was a center at UCLA then was transferred to guard after his 3rd game as a freshman in 2018.

The NCAA hasn’t cleared him yet

 

[newnasty]

I'm not buying the O-line is struggling. If so, well good luck w/ 2020 because the O-line is the STRENGTH of this team. Rattler is holding the ball a tad too long. His clock is a tad nervous. He has some amazing WRs. Mims is special. What we are witnessing are growing pains. From Rattler to the O-line, from the WRs to the DBs... this team is not the same as last year's team. In the main there is talent but the real good talent is young & it is inexperienced. And where there is experience, there is not enough talent. They'll improve. They'll get better. As the younger players will eventually replace less talented players. It's going to evolve. Turnovers killed them this last game. They are not good enough to overcome 4 turnovers. It made them press and they choked. Even if they won by just 1 point, it'd still be a W and they would not have dropped in the polls to 18.

 

[LVPack]

Rattler has a flawed offensive line in front of him and is without the level of talent at RB, WR and TE that Mayfield and Murray had. And he isn't as good as Mayfield and Murray, either.

For crying out loud, the kid is a redshirt freshman. Go back and look at some film of Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray and Jalen Hurts during their freshmen year.

Mayfield was 218 for 340 (64.1&), 2,315 yards, 12 TD's, 9 INT's, 127.7 rating
Murray was 72 for 121 (59.5%), 686 yards, 5 TD's, 7 INT's, 109.2 rating
Hurts was 240 for 382 (62.8%), 2780 yards, 23 TD's, 9 INT's, 139.1 rating

 

[EagleZipperHero]

I'm not buying the O-line is struggling.

Yeah, it’s completely acceptable that OU would average 3.5 yards per carry vs a Division 2 school.

They’ve been horrendous.

On the bright side, there have been several seasons they started poorly and improved. 2016 comes to mind.

 

[CTOkie]

For crying out loud, the kid is a redshirt freshman. Go back and look at some film of Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray and Jalen Hurts during their freshmen year.

Mayfield was 218 for 340 (64.1&), 2,315 yards, 12 TD's, 9 INT's, 127.7 rating
Murray was 72 for 121 (59.5%), 686 yards, 5 TD's, 7 INT's, 109.2 rating
Hurts was 240 for 382 (62.8%), 2780 yards, 23 TD's, 9 INT's, 139.1 rating

Rattler not being on the same level as his two predecessors does not mean he is not good or that he won't have a great career. And I'm not giving up on Rattler after two games by any means. But Rattler's mobility to scramble and run....right now....may mean he won't produce overall the way Mayfield and Murray did.
As I said before, Rattler's supporting cast is not as good or as deep as the two QB's had before him.
Mayfield's only year at Tech had the team finish 8-5, Murray's only year at ATM had the team finish 8-5. So of course there are growing pains for freshmen to overcome. That's common knowledge.

 

[OUnabomber]

Rattler not being on the same level as his two predecessors does not mean he is not good or that he won't have a great career. And I'm not giving up on Rattler after two games by any means. But Rattler's mobility to scramble and run....right now....may mean he won't produce overall the way Mayfield and Murray did.
As I said before, Rattler's supporting cast is not as good or as deep as the two QB's had before him.
Mayfield's only year at Tech had the team finish 8-5, Murray's only year at ATM had the team finish 8-5. So of course there are growing pains for freshmen to overcome. That's common knowledge.

I really didn't know what to expect with Rattlers running ability. It seemed acceptable but nowhere near Murray or Hurts. Maybe not even as good as Mayfield. I personally like having a mobile QB

 

[CTOkie]

Next year, OU's four quarterbacks will be:
Rattler
Mordecai
Morris
Williams
Of these 4, I see Mordecai as possibly transferring
Morris, I believe, has a bright college future ahead whether it is at OU or elsewhere. I want to see how his career plays out because I think he's very talented. He threw for 7,694 yards and rushed for 1,286 yards in TWO seasons at Highland Park High School.

 

[EagleZipperHero]

Ikard sticking up for the guys he called fat and terrible on Sunday

 

[kcstorm06]

Bet you can find some things the OL did well...but am sure the BAD play was more of a problem for Rattler to get a second half rhythm against an overachieving D.

 

[Plainosooner]

I'm not buying the O-line is struggling. If so, well good luck w/ 2020 because the O-line is the STRENGTH of this team. Rattler is holding the ball a tad too long. His clock is a tad nervous. He has some amazing WRs. Mims is special. What we are witnessing are growing pains. From Rattler to the O-line, from the WRs to the DBs... this team is not the same as last year's team. In the main there is talent but the real good talent is young & it is inexperienced. And where there is experience, there is not enough talent. They'll improve. They'll get better. As the younger players will eventually replace less talented players. It's going to evolve. Turnovers killed them this last game. They are not good enough to overcome 4 turnovers. It made them press and they choked. Even if they won by just 1 point, it'd still be a W and they would not have dropped in the polls to 18.

I'm not sure what game you watched last week, but that was the worst OLine performance by an OU team in a long time. And last year, with the same guys, it wasn't much better. We couldn't run block much at all. And we couldn't do play action because we couldn't run block. We don't have a bull of a fullback playing quarterback this season to offset the OL problems. And part of a quarterback taking time in the pocket seemed to be a lot more about guys not getting open, more than the quarterback's delivery. There is so much in our passing offense that relies on the receivers and the qb being on the same page. THey haven't had the amount of time needed to get there. And the best way to have an effective passing game right now, is to establish the run threat. OUr OL was worse at creating running room, than Arkansas State was against KState two weeks earlier. Losing Humphrey hurt. But it wasn't great shortly before he left, nor after he returned.

I'm told that the former OU OLineman on the broadcast crew said that the OL seemed out of shape. He'd know more than I would. But a center, who is a captain, ought to be in shape. Getting leg cramps before the game is into the third quarter, is, to me, inexcusable.

 

[EagleZipperHero]

I'm not sure what game you watched last week, but that was the worst OLine performance by an OU team in a long time. And last year, with the same guys, it wasn't much better. We couldn't run block much at all. And we couldn't do play action because we couldn't run block. We don't have a bull of a fullback playing quarterback this season to offset the OL problems. And part of a quarterback taking time in the pocket seemed to be a lot more about guys not getting open, more than the quarterback's delivery. There is so much in our passing offense that relies on the receivers and the qb being on the same page. THey haven't had the amount of time needed to get there. And the best way to have an effective passing game right now, is to establish the run threat. OUr OL was worse at creating running room, than Arkansas State was against KState two weeks earlier. Losing Humphrey hurt. But it wasn't great shortly before he left, nor after he returned.

I'm told that the former OU OLineman on the broadcast crew said that the OL seemed out of shape. He'd know more than I would. But a center, who is a captain, ought to be in shape. Getting leg cramps before the game is into the third quarter, is, to me, inexcusable.

I agree. As shaky as Hurts was as a passer, his legs definitely helped mask an inconsistent OL.