"Ronnell is just a monster"

[The Ghost of Mex]

red meat for the malnourished...


Lewis knows how to hit
By John Shinn
The Norman Transcript

NORMAN — Oklahoma defensive coordinator Brent Venables freely admits he hasn’t been on many practice fields. He’s coached at Kansas State and OU the last 11 years.

But when it comes to linebacker Ronnell Lewis, he’s never seen anything like it.

“He’s the most violent hitter I’ve been around. I haven’t been all over the place, OK, but I’ve been here and we’ve had some good players and he’s as violent as they come,” said Venables, who also coaches the Sooners’ linebackers.

“Violent” isn’t a negative term when it comes to describing football players. It’s a game predicated on winning collisions. Brutality has been part of the game since its inception. The game rewards those who don’t only tackle, but punish when they do it.

Lewis can do that. It’s why OU coach Bob Stoops nicknamed him “The Hammer” last season.

He made a mark for himself on special teams last season as a seek-and-destroy hitter. It seemed like every game he had at least one hit that made bones tingle and the Sooners’ sideline erupt.

“Ronnell is just a monster,” OU running back DeMarco Murray said. “We were watching highlights on kickoffs the other day and he’s just a beast. He’s also a hard worker and I’m glad he’s on my team.”

Lewis doesn’t have an explanation for where that hitting ability comes from. Most football experts believe it’s something people are just born with. Size and speed help, but the ability to punish ballcarriers isn’t something that sprouts from the weight room or the practice field.

“I just go out there and try and put on a show the best way I can,” Lewis said.

That show was mostly seen when OU kicked the ball last season. Lewis’ only start came in the Sun Bowl against Stanford. It was a personnel decision based on the Cardinal’s running offense.

The Sooners want to make Lewis a mainstay on defense against all opponents in all situations this season.

Already he has ascended atop the depth chart at strongside linebacker, but Venables is quick to point out Lewis is a gem that still needs polishing.

It’s not surprising.

Lewis, from Dewar, didn’t play 11-man football until his senior year of high school. He didn’t even start playing linebacker until his senior year of high school.

“They (Dewar’s coaching staff) did a terrific job with him but there’s still some growing from a foundation standpoint that needs to take place and will continue to take place the more he’s around and the more he plays,” Venables said.

But Lewis’ unique talent makes him the kind of player Venables doesn’t want to pigeonhole. He’s worked some at defensive end since last spring. Venables envisions Lewis being used in a similar fashion to OU All-American safety Roy Williams.

Williams was listed as a safety, but played a lot at linebacker in passing situations. Williams’ mix of size and speed allowed him to pull it off. Lewis’ 6-foot-2, 240-pound frame allows him to take on offensive tackles and run with running backs.

Lewis believes he can handle everything on his plate. He admits it took a while to catch on last season. By the end of spring practice, he was where he needed to be mentally.

“It was more catching up with the speed of the game that I had trouble with when I got here, but with the experience that I got last year and with the work I got in during the spring, I think I’m pretty well adjusted to it,” he said.

Lewis wasn’t alone in making that adjustment. Many players from the large high school classes struggle to adjust to the speed of Big 12 football. Many also struggle with the physical nature of the game.

Not Lewis.

John Shinn 366-3536 [email protected]

[OklahomaTuba]

It's Hammer Time!

[badger]

Monster Hammer?
http://www.energyfiend.com/wp-content/monster-hammer-xpresso.jpg

[KantoSooner]

I drool in anticipation.

Pictures to follow.

[budbarrybob]

I don't know if this years Soonervision intro video is available yet, but I bet he is well represented. :D :D :D

[badger]

I don't know if this years Soonervision intro video is available yet, but I bet he is well represented. :D :D :D

They usually unveil that at Big Red Rally

[Wishboned]

What does Ronnell do to ball carriers?

Bad things man. Bad things.

[SoonerJack]

Some of the hits he delivered in the Stanford game resonate in my memory more than the actual victory itself.

[Soonerwake]

It's threads like these that give me hope and make me REALLY happy...:D

[BoulderSooner79]

I'll repeat it again (cause I love to type) - R. Lewis is the return of the 1974 version of Rod Shoate. BV is too young to remember :)

[SoonerPr8r]

People always talk about Ronnell lighting up kick returners in the Sun Bowl but my first memory of him was the opening kickoff of the Kansas game when he blew up Desmond Briscoe. Briscoe wasn't the same the rest of the game.

[Breadburner]

PAIN!!!!!!

[soonerborn30]

People always talk about Ronnell lighting up kick returners in the Sun Bowl but my first memory of him was the opening kickoff of the Kansas game when he blew up Desmond Briscoe. Briscoe wasn't the same the rest of the game.

^^^This^^^

I was worried about how we'd handle him, then he knocked his junk in the dirt. Awesomeness.

[SunnySooner]

The line about some people being born with that ability is interesting, makes my think of the clip of 7th grade Ronnell just annihilating some little running back, leaving him mangled and whimpering, curled into the fetal position. There may be some truth to that, hitting with that kind of velocity and viciousness may just be God-given talent, not something that can really be taught or coached.

I still say he's going to maim someone this year. I feel sorry for the backs in games 3 or 4, after they've seen him laying people out in the films of the early games, they're gonna be scared $&#%-less--"No, coach, I don't want the ball, make Johnson run it, he takes a hit better than me, please, please!!" ;) :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

[badger]

from the Under Armour HS game :D

http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/alligator.org/content/tncms/assets/editorial/6/38/0f6/6380f695-4a25-5f67-8d5b-a213f2a406f0.image.jpg

This is a testament to the hard work that coaches put in real recruiting, not just finding the 5-stars like those boys south of the Red River obsess over. How Stoops and staff found The Hammer outta Dewar, Okla., population less-than-a-thousand, no idea, but glad they did.

An ESPN article about his scholly offer from 2008. (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3422417)


I was surprised when they offered it [the scholarship] to me. I just do my work out on the field, and I guess whether I went to a small school or not doesn't matter to them. They thought I could help them out."

[OK2U]

I forgot the he played RB in high school.
I would love to see him get the rock in short yardage situations if Murray isn't available to jump over the line

[47straight]

He wasn't even listed on some of the recruiting websites when the offer went out.

[sooneron]

http://sxoliastesxwrissynora.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/sledgehammer1.jpg

[swardboy]

This is a testament to the hard work that coaches put in real recruiting, not just finding the 5-stars like those boys south of the Red River obsess over. How Stoops and staff found The Hammer outta Dewar, Okla., population less-than-a-thousand, no idea, but glad they did.

This is the beauty of Oklahoma football to me. I know we'll always need to reach out-of-state to keep our standards high, but keep finding the Burress's from McAlester and the Lewis's from Dewar...they lift this little state far above the maddening crowd like Bud's teams lifted it above the dust bowl depression. This is Oklahoma football.

[Mad Dog Madsen]

My brother knows him personally. He played b-ball with him a few times. He was a beast on the court too! I remember him dropping 40 one game and he barely broke a sweat... When Dewar switched to 11-man football his Sr. year he was still amazing! I seen him score 6 touchdowns in a quarter in a half and he nearly had a pick 6 to go with it. It was only a matter of time before other schools started noticing him. I'm glad OU got to him first!!!

[AlbqSooner]

This is the beauty of Oklahoma football to me. I know we'll always need to reach out-of-state to keep our standards high, but keep finding the Burress's from McAlester and the Lewis's from Dewar...they lift this little state far above the maddening crowd like Bud's teams lifted it above the dust bowl depression. This is Oklahoma football.

If you are referring to the Burris's, they came from Muskogee.
Bob, Kurt, Buddy, Lynn and Lyle

[KC//CRIMSON]

I say we re-name him The Waterboy.

[NormanPride]

Ronnell Lewis once palmed a medicine ball!

[KantoSooner]

Wasn't he the guy who got mad that the mountains were in his way and punched the Eisenhower tunnel out of the Rockies?

[badger]

Cars were invented to have a faster way of fleeing from Ronnell Lewis. Not to be outdone, Ronnell Lewis invented the car accident.

Coming this fall to an Owen Field near you, guess which OU player will be in the "It's called a seat belt. Wear it." ads during timeouts? :D

[Bourbon St Sooner]

Yeah, but can Ronnell crap a helmet?

[texaspokieokie]

soon his name will be up there with Jim Shoulders & Troy Aikman !!!

[gaylordfan1]

http://www.gatortailgating.com/files/imagecache/Upload450/images/finley-facemask.jpg

Is a equipment managers nightmare!

[KantoSooner]

Yeah, but can Ronnell crap a helmet?

Only as a result of devouring the player who once wore it. Not sure whether the skull would remain inside the helmet or not. Need more research.

[sooner518]

Only as a result of devouring the player who once wore it. Not sure whether the skull would remain inside the helmet or not. Need more research.

are you insinuating that Ronnell's digestive system CANT handle a human skull? how dare you

[The Ghost of Mex]

:pop:Ronnell:pop: wields Thor, Thor can’t do $#!T…

[Mississippi Sooner]

I broke out in a cold sweat just reading this thread.

[texaspokieokie]

MS

you should see a doctor.

[badger]

Ronnell Lewis played 8-man football in high school, after devouring three opponents alive, then crapping their helmets (sans skulls)

[KantoSooner]

Well, there we have it, evidence. His digestive system can, no doubt, cause bone and antler to disintegrate.

[badger]

Rock beats scissors, scissors beats paper and paper beats rock. Hammer beats all, as whorns scream "what the fock?!"

[swardboy]

If you are referring to the Burris's, they came from Muskogee.
Bob, Kurt, Buddy, Lynn and Lyle

Oh yeah....meant M-town :D

[The Ghost of Mex]

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_rZt7ODcqTjA/TGQXmmuobsI/AAAAAAAAALM/YyOPpRKWsMA/s800/BDDefinition-MonstersInc-c-1080.jpg

[soonerloyal]

I can't watch these enough...


Jr. High Hammer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyvFr6ib5JA&feature=related



Hammer on Stanford:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cw4OKUgBciE&feature=related

(Edited: Can't seem to get the normal youtube embedding html to work :( )

"...nailed in the numbers by Ronnell Lewis". LOL

[badger]

Travis Lewis is defensive AD because he's jersey #28.

Ronnell Lewis is Travis X 2, because he's jersey #56.

[stoopified]

Ronnell (THE HAMMER) meet Garret Gilbert(THE NAIL).

[OK2U]

Another great article--some quotes and stuff you might have read in other stories, but that has some new insights from stoops, norvell, etc.
http://newsok.com/ronnell-lewis-big-hits-inspiring-fear-nicknames/article/3484635

[ndpruitt03]

I think this guy is bound to be a top 5 pick when all is said and done.

[gaylordfan1]

Is a crush=to love? Which is it ndpruitt? :D

Na, I agree that he is a special player.... I will need to see him this year to validate your accolades.

[Wishboned]

"At first, I thought he had cement in his helmet," said wide receivers coach Jay Norvell. "He hit one guy on kickoff return from Texas A&M, the guy fell down three times while trying to get to the sidelines.


That is my favorite quote.

[OU44life]

pretty cool shirt...


http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/413359/130_medium.png
http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/413363/2010-football-please-hammer_design_medium.png (http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/413363/2010-football-please-hammer_design.png)
Back
http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/413371/42_medium.png (http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/413371/42.png)


http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/413375/png_medium.png (http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/413375/png.png)

[Mad Dog Madsen]

http://www.gatortailgating.com/files/imagecache/Upload450/images/finley-facemask.jpg

Is a equipment managers nightmare!

What is this really from? :confused:

[OK2U]

Notice the animal head below the face guard?

[Fraggle145]

What is this really from? :confused:

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/blog/dr_saturday/post/Smashed-facemask-stirs-Urban-Meyer-s-inner-war-g?urn=ncaaf-234141

[rawlingsHOH]

I think this guy is bound to be a top 5 pick when all is said and done.

You are really setting yourself up here.

[85sooners]

red meat for the malnourished...:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: GET FIRED UP AND HIT SOMETHING GODDAMMIT!!!!

[prrriiide]

http://sxoliastesxwrissynora.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/sledgehammer1.jpg

I likethis one better, cuz Ronnell is gonna get MEDIEVAL on some RBs!

http://www.wulflund.com/images_items/heavy-war-hammer_2.jpg

[adoniijahsooner]

This why Robert Griffin and Jerrod Johnson dont concern me; if they keep scrambling out of the pocket, they are bound to run into Ronnell Lewis.

[E-Town]

They should call Ronnell the "Crimson Hammer". He's going to "Cream" the opponent.