Kevin Wilson

[Octavian]

Gotta give Wilson his due because he deserves it. KW put in the new direct-snap wrinkle with Murray (was that the true Wildcat?) and it was effective for us several times. It's a nice way to isolate DM and let him be creative.


KW also made several sharp 3rd-and-long calls which were effective....and would have had a couple more if some hooks-up to Malcolm were executed properly. And speaking of Kelly....it was easy to see that Wilson was really trying to get him involved more tonight.


I still think we're predictable in certain situations....but tonight was a big improvement in gameplan and play selection.


Dunno why (and maybe it's just me) but we just seem much more loose, confident, and creative in Norman. All teams do this to a degree.....but it's especially true for us for some reason.


In any event.....props to Wilson. Hope we just keep improving.

[Curly Bill]

Another poster said the new formation with Demarco at QB was "too sandlot" for him, apparently not up to his professional standards or something. Anyway, I liked it and hope we see more of it. All-in-all I thought it was a pretty well called game. FWIW

[stoops the eternal pimp]

I guess thats what Stoops meant when he said get DM more touches..Just line him up at QB

[BornandBred]

I agree. Last few games it seemed like the first series we passed, the second we ran... I figured it was just to see how they would line up against our sets. Tonight, we established the running game, and I loved it. Four yards and a cloud of dust sure does make my heart happy. Just kinda seems like the way OU should play football.

Did our team seem to play better when we were ****ed??? I love that. That is how we should play every game. It put the passion back in the game for us. And the personal foul was BS, it should have AT LEAST been offsetting penalties, but whatever. Here's to hoping we carry that passion the rest of the year.

[Octavian]

too sandlot?


that's OK with me....if we could win running the Single Wing I wouldn't mind.


The new formation with DM has a lot of potential IMO

[SoonerKnight]

I'm going to watch this when I get home didn't get to see the game.

[Frozen Sooner]

I was very happy with how Sam was checking down to the TEs and backs today.

I was also happy with the emotion the team played with, though they probably could have had it a bit more in control there in the second half.

Wilson's game plan was well-conceived. The Murray direct snaps completely took A&M by surprise.

[Crucifax Autumn]

We just need to add some new stuff weekly...not overdo it, but give 'em one more thing they haven't seen yet.

Of course, next week we won't need it, but we should show all kinda weird and new stuff for those last couple of opponents to watch for.

[boomersooner28]

I like the passing to the RB's in the flats. I think that helps open up the middle for the TE's. Plus, most of OUr backs can make a guy miss and turn it into big yards. WTF do I know? I will shut up now.

[stoopified]

When KW was at Nortwestern I believe he ran the WILDCAT there.

[brown town sooner]

OK CurlyBill....I'm going to call you out on this one. I was stating what they call AN OPINION that's my professional slant on it since you obviously view me as just that...a professional. Have an opinion dude...disagree but don't insult someone because you don't like something they say. I do know a little about football and for me the direct snap to DM just does nothing for me. How can anybody say we had success on that play? The first time it maybe went for 2 yards. The second time was better but I just don't think it's going to be an offensive set that is going to strike fear in opponents. Especially now since they saw it in a game where the Sooners were clearing outclassing a very sub-par A&M team. IF they continue to run it and it's successful then I will come on and give credit where credit is due but until that time CURLYBILL I welcome and encourage friendly debate as opposed to bashing someone's opinion with idle sarcasm.

[GottaHavePride]

If you think that was "bashing" you, you're really going to need to grow a thicker skin to hang around this place, dude. I'm just saying.

[silverwheels]

It would be more effective if Murray could throw. If he can, I'd like to see him fake the draw, Tebow style, then pull up and hit what should be a WR or TE streaking wide open past the secondary.

[usmc-sooner]

Another poster said the new formation with Demarco at QB was "too sandlot" for him, apparently not up to his professional standards or something. Anyway, I liked it and hope we see more of it. All-in-all I thought it was a pretty well called game. FWIW

the wrinkles we can run off that should be able to give opposing D's nightmare's.
I like it.
Personally I wish we'd give AP about 20 carries a game and let him run down hill behind that huge line.

[Ash]

It would be more effective if Murray could throw. If he can, I'd like to see him fake the draw, Tebow style, then pull up and hit what should be a WR or TE streaking wide open past the secondary.

According to Helsley's article in the Oklahoman this morning, this might be a possibility. KW is quoted as saying DM is pretty good at throwing the ball.

[Dan Thompson]

I don't remember seeing Sam when there were direct snaps to DM. Where was Sam?

[humblesooner]

I am in the camp that was not too excited about the play either.
It just is not very creative. Lots of teams are running the play since Fla started it last year. I call it the "flavor of the month" formation. I was surprised to see OU use it the first time. I was extremely surprised to see us use it more than once.

That being said, I really don't think this play was put in as a "when we need it" play. I think it is purely something to get opposing coaches to think about. The first 4 games, we were running reverses, double-reverses, etc. But when we got out of the cream-puff part of our schedule, these plays did not show up again. I think the reverse was run once in the last 5 games.

Again, just an opinion, but I do not really care for the play.

[silverwheels]

I am in the camp that was not too excited about the play either.
It just is not very creative. Lots of teams are running the play since Fla started it last year. I call it the "flavor of the month" formation. I was surprised to see OU use it the first time. I was extremely surprised to see us use it more than once.

That being said, I really don't think this play was put in as a "when we need it" play. I think it is purely something to get opposing coaches to think about. The first 4 games, we were running reverses, double-reverses, etc. But when we got out of the cream-puff part of our schedule, these plays did not show up again. I think the reverse was run once in the last 5 games.

Again, just an opinion, but I do not really care for the play.

It actually started more with Arkansas and Darren McFadden (who threw a TD pass yesterday). Tebow's still technically a QB.

[westcoast_sooner]

I kinda liked the concept of the direct snap to DM. It gets him the ball with the opportunity to make a play. OK, so it wasn't that effective last night, it will give future opponents something else to worry about and prepare for.

I wasn't all that crazy about the play calling the first couple of series, but I did like the fact that Gresham was open ALL NIGHT LONG, and that we tried to get Kelly more involved.

It did seem that we were in 3rd and long quite a bit in the first half, but did make enough plays to get to 21-zip by halftime.

Overall, I was pleased.

[Doged]

I liked it for the same reason people have been stating. It gives opponents just another thing they have to prepare for. It's unpredictable in that they can't know what DM might do with the ball until they see who's in the backfield with him. By the time they make that determination the play's already under way.

[jccouger]

I don't remember seeing Sam when there were direct snaps to DM. Where was Sam?

Lined up at WR

[Curly Bill]

OK CurlyBill....I'm going to call you out on this one. I was stating what they call AN OPINION that's my professional slant on it since you obviously view me as just that...a professional. Have an opinion dude...disagree but don't insult someone because you don't like something they say. I do know a little about football and for me the direct snap to DM just does nothing for me. How can anybody say we had success on that play? The first time it maybe went for 2 yards. The second time was better but I just don't think it's going to be an offensive set that is going to strike fear in opponents. Especially now since they saw it in a game where the Sooners were clearing outclassing a very sub-par A&M team. IF they continue to run it and it's successful then I will come on and give credit where credit is due but until that time CURLYBILL I welcome and encourage friendly debate as opposed to bashing someone's opinion with idle sarcasm.

Idle sarcasm is what I do best. Beyond that though, my opinion is, and I happen to know an awful lot about football, is that with Murray taking a direct snap, and remember he is one of the more explosive backs in the country, and with another of OUr superb backs lined up beside him...well, that may not strike fear into you or OUr opponents, though I disagree on the latter, but it is definitely something they're going to have to spend time preparing for, and the usefulness of that cannot be overstated.

[usmc-sooner]

I don't watch much Arkansas football, but do they ever line the QB up in the shotgun then put him in motion then direct snap to the RB

[mightysooner]

Yup. I liked the new wrinkle too. I've thought Wilson has called plays well at Iowa State AND the A&M game so I give him full credit. He's done a great job at getting the TE's involved this year and I hope he continues to do so. I'd like to see more plays designed around getting Demarco out in space though. I'd also like to see us get better at the halfback screen. Seems like every time we've tried that it gets blown up usually but overall we're doing more creative things offensively which I dig.

[swardboy]

I don't watch much Arkansas football, but do they ever line the QB up in the shotgun then put him in motion then direct snap to the RB

From what I've seen of them, McFadden pretty well straight up lines up in the qb shotgun position and takes the snap....no trickeration to set it up.

[brown town sooner]

I liked the play calling from Wilson also yesterday...just didn't give a rats a$$ for the direct snap to DM with Bradford totally out of the play. I just don't see it as all that great of a concept. It's a turnover waiting to happen. RB's weren't meant to take snaps from center...especially from the shotgun.

[SoonerKnight]

It would be more effective if Murray could throw. If he can, I'd like to see him fake the draw, Tebow style, then pull up and hit what should be a WR or TE streaking wide open past the secondary.

sounds like a duel threat QB............

[silverwheels]

sounds like a duel threat QB............

Similar, but not the same. Teams would be expecting the run first from DeMarco, a lot like how McFadden caught a lot of defenses off-guard with it last year.

[Crucifax Autumn]

I still say the best thing that comes of this or other wrinkles in the offense is making opponents waste time in practice. We should show a few new or even crazy things against Baylor. I'm talking crap we don't even need to slaughter them, stuff we shouldn't even be attempting. Whatever we do will work against Baylor and our remaining opponents won't know for sure if it succeeds because they are Baylor or if it's a real threat.

Let's just do all we can to force them to prepare for loads of stuff, then throw totally new wrinkles at said remaining opponents.

[soonerboomer93]

If you think that was "bashing" you, you're really going to need to grow a thicker skin to hang around this place, dude. I'm just saying.

oh, i don't think he'll last long

[Crucifax Autumn]

Perhaps he needs some viagra or something!

[SoonerKnight]

What about putting in Nichols and Bradford having Bradfor pitch it Nichols and Nichols either running with it or throwing it to Murray who is in the slot. It would have to form quick but hell Murray is fast so is Nichols!

[Crucifax Autumn]

Anything to keep 'em guessing!

[OUmillenium]

What about putting in Nichols and Bradford having Bradfor pitch it Nichols and Nichols either running with it or throwing it to Murray who is in the slot. It would have to form quick but hell Murray is fast so is Nichols!

Especially if Nichols redshirt is burned.

[silverwheels]

What about putting in Nichols and Bradford having Bradfor pitch it Nichols and Nichols either running with it or throwing it to Murray who is in the slot. It would have to form quick but hell Murray is fast so is Nichols!

Someone on hornfans suggested this with Texas. McCoy and Chiles in at the same time. Both in the shotgun, or Chiles split out, a few yards behind the line of scrimmage, and he wanted to use both as a passing threat.


He was lambasted.

[Curly Bill]

soonerboomer93...I'm pretty sure I've got the "staying power" to hang with the likes of you and your boy toy Crucifags Ate 'em

:pop:

[brown town sooner]

:pop:

:chicken:

[sooner59]

I don't remember seeing Sam when there were direct snaps to DM. Where was Sam?

I know that in a few of the plays, Sam was split wide left. I saw that first and got confused, then I saw #7 taking the snap. I was kind of excited, but it wasn't that successful. If we do keep using it, I hope it gets more successful, so that we can do what Trent Smith hinted at on the radio. Trent said that he as watched Murray throw the ball and he has a gun. The best thing to come from it would be to lull the defenses to sleep for the rest of the season and down the line when we really need it, DeMarco throws it. Or how about this.....Sam lines up wide, Murray does the quick throw to him, then Sam thows a bomb downfield to Kelly. I know I would be holding my breath. Just a thought.

[C&CDean]

I liked the play calling from Wilson also yesterday...just didn't give a rats a$$ for the direct snap to DM with Bradford totally out of the play. I just don't see it as all that great of a concept. It's a turnover waiting to happen. RB's weren't meant to take snaps from center...especially from the shotgun.

The last two sentences in this post are two of the dumbest things I've ever read on this board. And that says a lot.

[insuranceman_22]

Didn't we break out the ol' Ninja formation against A&M when Leach was here? That went well for a bit! Looks like A&M is our testing ground. Sorry Fran......

[jwlynn64]

Didn't we break out the ol' Ninja formation against A&M when Leach was here? That went well for a bit! Looks like A&M is our testing ground. Sorry Fran......

If it was when Leach was here, Fran may have been at TCU still. Sorry RC...? Maybe?