MI Sooner
9/15/2006, 12:03 PM
I'm definately disappointed by the (lack of) success that Sooner alums from the last six years have had at the next level, but the more I think about it, the more impessed I am that Stoops & Co. were able to have such great success with guys that haven't flourished in the NFL. There are a few reasons good college players can't cut it in the NFL:
1) Different systems (e.g., option QBs). Not many Sooners have been victims of this, maybe some DBs who played a lot of zone. But our DBs have probably fared better than anyone else.
2) Undersized. This doesn't seem to be a factor for too many of our outstanding college players.
3) Injuries. Sooners have suffered more than their fair share of these.
4) Lack of talent/athleticism/skills. This must be a lot of the alums, since very few uninjured former Sooners turned into good NFL players, especially on offense. The defensive can claim Harris and TRRW, and several others still may pan out. But who is the best Stoops era Sooner on the offensive side of the ball, Brown (who is probably a perennial Pro-Bowler)? No skill position guys have made much of an impact, but like on D, some still may (esp. @ WR).
I just find it remarkable how much success we've had with so few guys who have starred at the next level. I follow Michigan State a little, and I think they have more good NFLers than OU, and they've been terrible for years. It does kill me to turn on the Lions every Sunday and see that UT guys are probably the best players on both sides of the ball, while guys like McDougal, Lehman, and Romero haven't done much.
Anyway, that said, what former and/or current Sooners do you see playing in a Pro Bowl in the future (besides those that have already made it)? I think Peterson may (I still think he might need the right system to prosper, since I'm not convinced he'll ever excel at blocking/receiving), Clayton has an outside chance.
Malcom Kelley? Reggie Smith? Ruuuuuu?
1) Different systems (e.g., option QBs). Not many Sooners have been victims of this, maybe some DBs who played a lot of zone. But our DBs have probably fared better than anyone else.
2) Undersized. This doesn't seem to be a factor for too many of our outstanding college players.
3) Injuries. Sooners have suffered more than their fair share of these.
4) Lack of talent/athleticism/skills. This must be a lot of the alums, since very few uninjured former Sooners turned into good NFL players, especially on offense. The defensive can claim Harris and TRRW, and several others still may pan out. But who is the best Stoops era Sooner on the offensive side of the ball, Brown (who is probably a perennial Pro-Bowler)? No skill position guys have made much of an impact, but like on D, some still may (esp. @ WR).
I just find it remarkable how much success we've had with so few guys who have starred at the next level. I follow Michigan State a little, and I think they have more good NFLers than OU, and they've been terrible for years. It does kill me to turn on the Lions every Sunday and see that UT guys are probably the best players on both sides of the ball, while guys like McDougal, Lehman, and Romero haven't done much.
Anyway, that said, what former and/or current Sooners do you see playing in a Pro Bowl in the future (besides those that have already made it)? I think Peterson may (I still think he might need the right system to prosper, since I'm not convinced he'll ever excel at blocking/receiving), Clayton has an outside chance.
Malcom Kelley? Reggie Smith? Ruuuuuu?