Whats the biggest improvement you're hoping...

[soonerfan28]

to see from OU this season? I would say a more fire from the defense. I know that we had quite a few new guys in the lineup last year and so the transition took some time, but this fall we return 9 starters on defense and I think we will see a defense that we haven't seen in a few years.

[soonerloyal]

For the offense to score hugely, the D to stop opponents from scoring, for us to win all of our games, including the BCS. And for Sammy to win his second consecutive Heisman.

I don't ask for much. :D

[badger]

Hmmm...
http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/09ch2SE8MD12E/610x.jpg
Thread over? :D

[Boomer Mooner]

For the offense to score hugely, the D to stop opponents from scoring, for us to win all of our games, including the BCS. And for Sammy to win his second consecutive Heisman.

I don't ask for much. :D

Yeah, we need the offense to put more points on the board.:D

Seriously, I agree with soonerfan98, it would be great to have the defense really step up this year.

[BornandBred]

Special Teams NOT to suck.

[Collier11]

In this order...

1) Win our bowl game
2) Be able to cover a flippin kickoff
3) Our O-line block better on the goal line, I have thought it hasnt been that good for a year or two
4) Have a receiver emerge outside of Broyles
5) Our D to give up 18ppg or less

[CrimsonJim]

I think BornandBred and Collier have summed it up pretty well. Good defense and special teams will yield a tremendous year. I think the offense will be fine. I can't hardly wait!! It's going to be a great year!!!!

[IBleedCrimson]

SPECIAL TEAMS!!!!

[htownsooner7]

Nastiness on both lines. O line needs to dominate the run game. D line needs to take away the run game.

[Boomer38Sooner]

An unmatched swagger on defense and offense. Defensively - to be head hunters and play with unmatched intensity and intelligence. Offensively - for the line to play hard in EVERY game, not til after the Texas game. And to play aggressively.

Also, less penalties

[RedstickSooner]

Our trickeration.

[JLEW1818]

Sam Bradford... his stats suck

[Collier11]

I should neg you just cus dogging SB isnt funny ;)

[JLEW1818]

lol... but honestly...

No Kickoffs past the 50 yardline the entire year should be our goal... but then again.... when you score as much as we do... its gonna happen.... So no more than 1 returned kick for a td.

MAKE KOLT MCCOY CRY.

[CU Sooner]

For the Schooner to hold up through 700+ points this time.:D

[soonermix]

Hmmm...
http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/09ch2SE8MD12E/610x.jpg
Thread over? :D

yes ma'am

[picasso]

not losing 2 games.

[meoveryouxinfinity]

special teams

[CK Sooner]

I expect Special Teams to be one of our strengths next year. The only worry I have is our Kickers.

[JLEW1818]

I'm gonna have to have a word with Jimmy Stevens before the season starts .

[goingoneight]

Jimmy Stevens at 8/12 (#12 blocked) as a freshmen was FAR from our biggest problem on ST last year. He's just got to get on the leg press and build up that boot.

Matt Moreland only being able to kick the ball OFF A TEE to the 17 FREAKING YARD LINE was a glaring issue. Sometimes he had a big leg, though... so it's solely an issue with consistency. If all you do is kick off, you need to be focused and amped up to CRUSH the ball off the tee everytime and willing to cover if needed. It's not like you're doing a lot of other stuff... not like you're the only punter, PK and FG specialist we have.

Maybe Tress Way or Bryce Easley takes over KOs?

I expect Broyles to be a year better and more confident at PR. We'll just have to see how OUr coverage guys do... hitting the ball deep and covering the returnman is critical. I don't understand why it is people shriek when we put our starters out there. Special teams isn't a bunch of "special" kids running around out there. One mistake could change a game. We might have won an ugly defensive game after the Reynolds injury if not for Shipley's KOR last year in Dallas.

[Breadburner]

Execution of plays when they really count..........

[JLEW1818]

Sam should just kick for us... he probably is better than what we have...?

[BoulderSooner79]

Winning a bowl game!

More forced turnovers on defense. With the offenses we are going to face, the other team will move the ball some. But with our front 7 and especially our depth at DE, we should be able to force the kind of mistakes that win games.

At least one of our WRs to step up and be a big time player.

Only allow a big kick return if we are about to put in the 2nd string and we need an excuse for Sam to play another series :)

[madillsoonerfan5353]

The whole team needs to get this SWAGGER BACK!!!





http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHB7mcs1ykw

[OUAlumni1990]

Special teams and minimize injuries

[OUAlumni1990]

When in doubt, throw it to Gresham...

[PLaw]

to see from OU this season? I would say a more fire from the defense. I know that we had quite a few new guys in the lineup last year and so the transition took some time, but this fall we return 9 starters on defense and I think we will see a defense that we haven't seen in a few years.

Four things I'm looking to see improve:

No. 4 - O-line play to vastly improve from the spring game. We are in a world of hurt if the spring game is any indication of what we can expect in the fall. Coach has laid down the challenge to step up this summer - hopefully they have taken that to heart.

No. 3 - Backups being prepared to play should they be forced into action and not merely doing mop up duties. Crow was consistently out of position and basically lost in the texass game. No umbarge to Crow because he hadn't been coached up to be prepared for action.

No. 2 - For the D to continue to build on the consistency and tenacity they showed at the end of season. I'm looking / hoping for this group to DOMINATE in the fashion of past great Sooner D's.

No. 1 - Simply must have improvement in all facets of special teams. Gotta do something different. The strategies and tactics of the past couple of years aren't working. May need a new special teams coach, Bob.

BOOMER

[IronHorseSooner]

I am of the opinion that the OL will not be worse than last year, just different. They will be better suited to execute the style of offense that we run. They starters, at least, are all in the 6'4" to 6'7" range and in the 290-315 range. They are more athletic.

Special Teams is where there needs to be a change. I wasn't just last year; it has been a systemic problem in the return game, the coverage game, and the kicking itself. We have had some nice returns, but there have been more goof ups. I just watched the 2007 regular season match up with Mizzou, and even though we won that one, there were TWO missed PATs, a long Mizzou KO return, a fumbled KO return by Iggy, and Reggie fielding a punt on his own goal line. That was just two games removed from his fumbled punt return. Last year, it cost us the Texas game, and if Stevens doesn't have his kick blocked, that 4th QTR would have been executed differently. I agree, it has to do with accountability of the ST Coach. As a former kicker, it frustrates me to no end.

[OUAlumni1990]

^^true dat. Special teams really have been an on-going problem for quite awhile at OU. I hope your right about the offense.

[IronHorseSooner]

If Stevens or Way don't work, heck, have Kinney do it. He was soccer player, and kicked in JUCO.

[OUAlumni1990]

Well its not so much our kicking game as it is being able to stop returned kicks.

[CrimsonJim]

After further review, the biggest improvement I'm hoping to see this year is our eighth national title. Everything else between the season opening kickoff and Bob raising the Crystal over his head will just be gravy. :)

[RedstickSooner]

Yeah, there's lots of things I'd like to see different -- special teams has been maddening for years now.

However, if I had to pick one improvement, the choice for me is easy: I want our defense to scare opposing teams again. Used to be offenses were scared to be on the field with our D. Hasn't been that way for a while. I'd like that fear back, please.

[MojoRisen]

If Stevens or Way don't work, heck, have Kinney do it. He was soccer player, and kicked in JUCO.


Kenney has a big leg, he has said he definitely wants to try out for Kicker. We need someone who can at least get it to the goal line regularly.


Special Teams, harder hitting in the secondary. Intimidation makes up a lot for not having pefect coverage. If we are going to no huddle, no looking over the sidlines and basically huddling at the LS. So tighter & Faster play calling at the LS.