Ronell Lewis

[OK2U]

So is he being moved to end permanently? The TV announcers sure made it sound like it.
I saw #5 out there playing a lot. Was that because we were playing a lot of nickle again?
Was expecting to see a lot more of The Hammer.

[rawlingsHOH]

What he is, is a 3-4 OLB at the next level, and in the Stoops system that makes him a DE.

Pass rush and special teams specialist

[tulsaoilerfan]

Honestly seemed like the d played better when they had Ibiloye on the sidelines; not bashing on him but Nelson, Carter, Jefferson, Hurst, and Fleming seemed like the right combo today

[OK2U]

I just want him on the field more. DE position is deep and hammer is still a little underweight to be a prototypical End. He is a good pas rusher, but I'd love to see him take on running back when they get through the line.

[rawlingsHOH]

If we play a physical running team, you probably will. ie KSU, Stanford, Nebraska.

[tnraider1]

He can deliver more hits as a LB. Given time to develope his skills, he will be a great one.

[gaylordfan1]

I bet he plays LB next week against Air Force and their triple option. Pretty much guaranteed he will be a DE next year.

[OK2U]

http://live.drjays.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/mc-hammer.jpg

[Crucifax Autumn]

The announcers are stupid. We'll play him where we need to to keep him on the field.

[yermom]

http://live.drjays.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/mc-hammer.jpg

i really want the band to play this at some point

[tnraider1]

http://live.drjays.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/mc-hammer.jpg

I had some pants like that about 20 years ago. Ha.

[Lott's Bandana]

The Hammer knocked that kick returner 4 yards sideways today.

Very Cumby-esque.

[VA Sooner]

I had some pants like that about 20 years ago. Ha.


Ha! Love it!!!



I was surprised too about the Hammer not being in the linebacker rotation. Wanted to see him take down some runners but he is indeed a better run protector than a pass protector. Rushing the QB is another way of using his talents. He'll be great against KSU and Nebraska.

[Crucifax Autumn]

Funny part is it was a glancing blow. If he'd got a square hit the poor kid woulda woke up in San Fran wondering why his *** hurts.

[Sooner47]

I think we're going to see a lot of Ronnel next week against Air Force.

[Crucifax Autumn]

I agree. I think him and Wort are gonna make some serious highlight footage.

[Crucifax Autumn]

Speaking of which, who else saw ABC flash his receiving stats? Apparently he managed to snag 2 receptions! lol

[tulsaoilerfan]

Speaking of which, who else saw ABC flash his receiving stats? Apparently he managed to snag 2 receptions! lol

Yeah they credited Wort with Clay's receptions; evidently ABC is not aware of the duplicate numbers rule lol

[OK2U]

hmm


NORMAN (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Norman+%28Oklahoma%29&CATEGORY=CITY) — The Air Force Academy (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=U.S.+Air+Force+Academy&CATEGORY=ORGANIZATION) will enter Saturday's game at Oklahoma (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Oklahoma+Sooners+%28Football%29&CATEGORY=ORGANIZATION) leading the nation in rushing.



Read more: http://newsok.com/ronnell-lewis-likely-to-remain-at-defensive-end/article/3494416?custom_click=lead_story_title#ixzz0zOMQ9al 0

But that doesn't mean Ronnell Lewis (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Ronnell+Lewis&CATEGORY=PERSON) will return to strongside linebacker this week.
Instead, it appears "The Hammer" will remain a defensive end for this game, this season and probably the rest of his Sooner career.
Thanks to the influx of pass-first offenses on OU's schedule, the Sooners' base defense essentially has gone from the 4-3 to the nickel. In other words, the strongside linebacker (Lewis) has been replaced with a third safety, in OU's case, true freshman Tony Jefferson (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Tony+Jefferson&CATEGORY=PERSON).
OU figures to remain in the nickel the majority of the time this season, including against a run-first offense like Air Force, which operates its triple-option attack out of spread formations.
Lewis is still making an impact, despite being relegated to kick coverage guru and spot defensive end.
Against Florida State (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Florida+State+University&CATEGORY=ORGANIZATION), he had five tackles, including one for loss. On one kick return, The Hammer leveled Lamarcus Joyner (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Lamarcus+Joyner&CATEGORY=PERSON) from the right side, a hit that took Joyner several seconds to get up from.
The week before against Utah State (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Utah+State+University&CATEGORY=ORGANIZATION), Lewis had three tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery.
But because the Sooners have been almost exclusively in the nickel, Lewis has had to make those plays on special teams and at defensive end, not linebacker.
Don't count on that changing.
Defensive coordinator Brent Venables (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Brent+Venables&CATEGORY=PERSON) indicated over the weekend that against offensive sets with three or more wide receivers, Jefferson would continue to be on the field. And against formations with only two receivers, backup nickelback Joe Ibiloye (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Joseph+Ibiloye&CATEGORY=PERSON) would continue to come in for Jefferson.
Meaning, the only time OU won't be in the nickel this season will be against teams that use multiple tight ends and run the ball between the tackles.
Stanford (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Stanford+Cardinal+%28Football%29&CATEGORY=ORGANIZATION) did that in the Sun Bowl (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Sun+Bowl&CATEGORY=MISC), and Lewis played a prominent role at outside linebacker to help stuff the run.
But no one left on OU's schedule fits the Stanford profile.
And because the forte of the 250-pound Hammer isn't dropping back in pass coverage, Lewis figures to continue seeing the majority of his snaps at defensive end.
The unfortunate news for Lewis is that end is currently a crowded position, featuring blue-chip starters Jeremy Beal (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Jeremy+Beal&CATEGORY=PERSON) and Frank Alexander (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Frank+Alexander&CATEGORY=PERSON), and a host of capable reserves in David King (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=David+King&CATEGORY=PERSON), Pryce Macon (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Pryce+Macon&CATEGORY=PERSON) and R.J. Washington (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=R.J.+Washington&CATEGORY=PERSON).
But the good news is that the coaching staff had the foresight to realize Lewis wasn't going to be on the field very often manning strongside linebacker, a position the Sooners weren't going to use regularly. And that by moving him to end, Lewis would get to play in spots this year, and eventually have the chance to earn a starting role there next season.
"He's still learning," OU coach Bob Stoops (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Bob+Stoops&CATEGORY=PERSON) said last week. "But he's getting it more and more. We feel the more he plays, the more comfortable he's going to be there."
So for now, Lewis will continue to learn defensive end, a position he's never played before this season, but one suited to his tremendous skill set.
He'll continue to go after the quarterback from end on third-down passing situations, and be available to man strongside linebacker when the Sooners do go to the 4-3. He won't be on the field for every defensive play this season. Probably most defensive plays.
But be patient. Soon, perhaps by next season, Lewis will be laying the hammer from his new position full-time.


Read more: http://newsok.com/ronnell-lewis-likely-to-remain-at-defensive-end/article/3494416?custom_click=lead_story_title#ixzz0zOMIwXv J

[MeMyself&Me]

I have a feeling he's going to put someone's qb out of the game at some point.

[yermom]

that means he's gonna be hungry :D

[stoops the eternal pimp]

I just want him on the field more. DE position is deep and hammer is still a little underweight to be a prototypical End. He is a good pas rusher, but I'd love to see him take on running back when they get through the line.

He is not underweight for college football or this sytem they run...Heck, Jonathan Jackson had trouble staying around 220 during the season...

And Rawlings is right, Dan Cody was immediately put in an OLB when Baltimore drafted him.Injury problems forced him out, but he was having success in the limited time of practice he had..Larry Birdine continously tried out at DE but it just didnt work for him..

I posted about this in another thread last week and was told it was just a situational type thing...I really would have liked to see him stay at LB and learn coverages....

[gaylordfan1]

I've been hearing he was very subpar at pass coverage. I trust Coach V on his assessment on where Ronnell will be the best player for the team. It appears his best option for quality play will be at DE. Speaking of, Big Frank looked great coming back from injury. He is the missing link to a solid DL.

[Jello Biafra]

who watched the texas game and heard them mention thier running back as "the hammer"

[stoops the eternal pimp]

talking about cody johnson?

[Jello Biafra]

talking about cody johnson?

yeh think so.....the hammer meets THA hammer.

[Crucifax Autumn]

There's only one real hammer.

[Okie35]

I have a feeling he's going to put someone's qb out of the game at some point.

Like someone did w/ Dustin Grutza. I forgot who hit him but he broke his leg the game Cincy came to Norman.

[SoonerPr8r]

Like someone did w/ Dustin Grutza. I forgot who hit him but he broke his leg the game Cincy came to Norman.

I remember that and thought Wort or Jefferson was going to do that to Ponder at one point on Saturday

[SoonerAtKU]

Did anyone find/post the clip of his kick coverage tackle on Joyner?

[MR2-Sooner86]

http://www.rockandrollreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/floyd_hammer.jpg

HAMMER! HAMMER! HAMMER! HAMMER! HAMMER! HAMMER! HAMMER! HAMMER!

[stoops the eternal pimp]

yeh think so.....the hammer meets THA hammer.

cody johnson is a big runningback but he doesn't run with a lot of power

[Breadburner]

cody johnson is a big runningback but he doesn't run with a lot of power

Is he like that fatty from A n M a few years ago........:D

[goingoneight]

We're going to need a bigtime DE soon with Beal being a senior. I think a lot of people tend to forget #44 was at one time a linebacker who slid down to put his hand on the ground and never really looked back. As much as we'd all like to think Hammer's better at slobber-knocking receivers and running backs, he may still be growing physically or struggling in areas it takes to be a full time LB.
The fan in me thinks it would have been nice to see him at LB and knock the dogshat outta Borel on those delayed-keepers againast USU. We will go back eventually to a standard 4-3 look when we play Tejas (sounds weird saying that Texas is trying to actually run it now). I can see him against teams that run from under the center playing back at LB with Big Frank and Beal both healthy and RJ and DK starting to see the field more.

[birddog]

did he play a down today, er what? saw him all over the ball on STs.

[stoops the eternal pimp]

Stoops said they practiced him at MLB all week and that they would have to ask Venables why he didnt get on the field besides STs....

[Rickety_Syd]

My guess is that Ronell has a ton of natural talent, but has yet mastered everything it takes to play defense at the D-I level. There's no doubt that he's agressive and a big hitter, but playing defense is more than just running around like a wild man and trying to kill people, which makes him perfect for special teams.

Since Air Force requires assignment defense, maybe coaches didn't feel comfortable with him in the game. That's just a guess, though.

He's a fan favorite because he blows people up, but it only hurts the defense if the the trade-off is a busted assignment that allows a big play.

[sooner59]

That's fine if he doesn't get it yet. However, playing nickle all day against a team that barely ever passes it is a FAIL. We were getting manhandled by their offense. We didn't need 5 DBs, we needed another LB to run downhill at them. If we don't have anybody else at LB that "gets" it, then I am worried. On the other hand, we weren't stopping them at all in the second half. If plan A isn't getting it done, why not try plan B? You will never know if he can play LB if he never even sees the field.

[primetime43]

That's fine if he doesn't get it yet. However, playing nickle all day against a team that barely ever passes it is a FAIL. Were were getting manhandled by their offense. We didn't need 5 DBs, we needed another LB to run downhill at them. If we don't have anybody else at LB that "gets" it, then I am worried. On the other hand, we weren't stopping them at all in the second half. If plan A isn't getting it done, why not try plan B? You will never know if he can play LB if he never even sees the field.

couldn't of said it better

[Rickety_Syd]

That's fine if he doesn't get it yet. However, playing nickle all day against a team that barely ever passes it is a FAIL. We were getting manhandled by their offense. We didn't need 5 DBs, we needed another LB to run downhill at them. If we don't have anybody else at LB that "gets" it, then I am worried. On the other hand, we weren't stopping them at all in the second half. If plan A isn't getting it done, why not try plan B? You will never know if he can play LB if he never even sees the field.


Playing five DBs doesn't necessarily mean that you're expecting a pass on every play, especially if that fifth DB has a special assignment in the option game. I wasn't in on the defensive planning sessions, were you? Maybe whoever they had in instead of Ronell did better against the option all week tham he did. Is that possible?
No, of course not. I guess it is entirely possible to think that the coaches, who had been gameplanning all week, had no idea of what to do against Air Force. Heck, what probably happened was the the coaches didn't do any homework at all and just assumed that Air Force meant "pass every down" and didn't even think about stopping the run.

Maybe they thought we were actually playing Tech this week. :rolleyes:

[sooner59]

Playing five DBs doesn't necessarily mean that you're expecting a pass on every play, especially if that fifth DB has a special assignment in the option game. I wasn't in on the defensive planning sessions, were you? Maybe whoever they had in instead of Ronell did better against the option all week tham he did. Is that possible?
No, of course not. I guess it is entirely possible to think that the coaches, who had been gameplanning all week, had no idea of what to do against Air Force. Heck, what probably happened was the the coaches didn't do any homework at all and just assumed that Air Force meant "pass every down" and didn't even think about stopping the run.

Maybe they thought we were actually playing Tech this week. :rolleyes:

Well, it certainly looked like we gameplanned them PERFECTLY. :rolleyes: What we did today was flawless, and no other possible defensive formation or scheme would have come close to holding Air Force to 24 points and helping us upset the mighty Falcons. All of our DBs are terrific tacklers...much better than LBs against the run. Injecting run-stopping, hard-hitting, sure tacklers is an idiotic idea and I apologize for my lack of football knowledge. This is surely the greatest win in the history of our program.

[Rickety_Syd]

Well, it certainly looked like we gameplanned them PERFECTLY. :rolleyes: What we did today was flawless, and no other possible defensive formation or scheme would have come close to holding Air Force to 24 points and helping us upset the mighty Falcons. All of our DBs are terrific tacklers...much better than LBs against the run. Injecting run-stopping, hard-hitting, sure tacklers is an idiotic idea and I apologize for my lack of football knowledge. This is surely the greatest win in the history of our program.

Right . . . like I said, I'm sure that there was absolutely no reasoning behind how they schemed Air Force or who they decided to use . . . and I'm also sure they have no idea what Ronell Lewis is capable of, at least not nearly as well as we do . . . Saturday was the very definition of "winging it" . . . with such a haphazard planning, it's amazing how these guys stay employed . . .

[SCOUT]

Each year we have a surprise for ut. This year it is going to be the tsunami known as Ronell.

[Rickety_Syd]

Oh, and let's not give any credit to Air Force for having a good team and being able to to run their offense almost flawlessly (with one turnover and only three offensive penalties). We just have dumb coaches who don't know how to run the right schemes or play the right players.

[sooner59]

Oh, and let's not give any credit to Air Force for having a good team and being able to to run their offense almost flawlessly (with one turnover and only three offensive penalties). We just have dumb coaches who don't know how to run the right schemes or play the right players.

I give it up to Air Force. They could have easily won that game. But you act like I am saying I hate the coaches and think they don't know how to coach. I like our coaches, but question a defensive scheme that nearly (and had we not converted first downs in that final drive) got us beat. I don't fly off the handle every time we don't dominate. I am just pointing out something that any defensive mind would ponder. The nickle package is typically for passing teams, not running teams. Seems to me that if a nickle package in this situation is our best option, we should worry about our linebacking crew. And as far as Lewis goes...who knows what he can do. The coaches see practice, but in actual game situations...that is where you see what a player is capable of. If he doesn't see one snap, obviously he can't be evaluated. My complaint is that the scheme presented today gave up the most rushing yards of any Bob Stoops team. That isn't something to shrug off, like you want to do. I am also concerned as to what Bob actually does. He says he lets his offensive coaches control the offense, and when asked about Lewis, he said to ask the defensive coaches because he didn't know why Lewis didn't see the field. Is Stoops just special teams coach now? Just curious. You would think the head coach would have a better idea of what is going on.