fwsooner22
10/12/2006, 07:57 AM
Sooners' star power missing
The players whom the Sooners were counting on most to pack a punch have not delivered
11:20 PM CDT on Wednesday, October 11, 2006
By BRIAN DAVIS / The Dallas Morning News
NORMAN, Okla. – Last week's loss to Texas highlighted one of Oklahoma's biggest problems through the first five games. Some of the Sooners' best players have underperformed.
For any team to be successful, experienced players have to make big plays and provide an intangible spark. Some of OU's veterans simply have not done that, especially those on defense.
And coach Bob Stoops can't figure out why.
"We're doing a lot of things that we've done here traditionally for eight years," he said, "and we haven't been able to come up with that big play, whether it be a deflection for an interception, a sack that rips the ball out, whatever. We've just got to keep pushing for that kind of play."
Stoops usually doesn't call out players in public. Yet there are clues that indicate a growing level of frustration inside the Barry Switzer Center.
Rufus Alexander
The linebacker had five sacks last year, 17 tackles for loss and plenty of big hits. In August, he was a preseason All-American and a named to multiple award watch lists. His reputation warranted such recognition.
"Prior to this year, you're saying," defensive coordinator Brent Venables said.
Alexander leads OU in tackles (41) and has one sack, but the senior hasn't been the game-changing force he was before.
"We set the bar high here," Alexander said. "Guys are pushing too hard to make all the great plays. You've just got to relax, starting playing and let loose."
Larry Birdine
The defensive end hasn't been the same since a torn biceps injury forced him to sit out most of the 2005 season. He was primarily a third-down rush end in 2003 and 2004 and had 11 sacks. He's got one this year as a starter.
After making only one tackle against UT, Birdine said, "I was a nonfactor in the second half."
"At this time, I figured I'd be amongst the leaders in tackles and sacks at my position," said Birdine who has 15 tackles and one sack. "So far through the year, I feel like I've just been average. Just a regular player."
C.J. Ah You and Calvin Thibodeaux
Ah You was the Big 12's defensive newcomer of the year last season and the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl defensive MVP. Thibodeaux had 10 sacks and 17 tackles for losses playing on the opposite side. They were an impressive tandem of defensive ends.
Neither has made an impact this year. Ah You batted down Colt McCoy's first pass attempt Saturday at the Cotton Bowl. He also drove McCoy into the ground in the second half – after the UT quarterback had thrown a 7-yard touchdown pass. Thibodeaux had a team-high three tackles for losses against UT.
"At times, we put it together," Thibodeaux said, "but we weren't consistent throughout the whole game."
Duke Robinson and Brandon Walker
The offensive line has been solid all season. But coaches are so agitated with false starts by the guards that they're threatening personnel changes. Robinson has five illegal-procedure penalties, a team high, and Walker has three.
The sophomores could be multiyear starters, but both must sharpen their focus, offensive line coach James Patton said.
"Their effort has been outstanding," Patton said, "but nothing matters if they can't get off on the right count."
Adrian Peterson and Paul Thompson
Even though they've played well, Peterson and Thompson said they can improve.
Peterson, a junior running back, tripped over the senior quarterback's foot on third-and-2 from the UT 15 when an easy first down was in sight. Stoops also said Thompson had "every opportunity" to throw the ball away once instead of taking a sack.
"Guys have to take a look in the mirror and see what you can do to make this one of the best teams," Peterson said.
E-mail [email protected]
The players whom the Sooners were counting on most to pack a punch have not delivered
11:20 PM CDT on Wednesday, October 11, 2006
By BRIAN DAVIS / The Dallas Morning News
NORMAN, Okla. – Last week's loss to Texas highlighted one of Oklahoma's biggest problems through the first five games. Some of the Sooners' best players have underperformed.
For any team to be successful, experienced players have to make big plays and provide an intangible spark. Some of OU's veterans simply have not done that, especially those on defense.
And coach Bob Stoops can't figure out why.
"We're doing a lot of things that we've done here traditionally for eight years," he said, "and we haven't been able to come up with that big play, whether it be a deflection for an interception, a sack that rips the ball out, whatever. We've just got to keep pushing for that kind of play."
Stoops usually doesn't call out players in public. Yet there are clues that indicate a growing level of frustration inside the Barry Switzer Center.
Rufus Alexander
The linebacker had five sacks last year, 17 tackles for loss and plenty of big hits. In August, he was a preseason All-American and a named to multiple award watch lists. His reputation warranted such recognition.
"Prior to this year, you're saying," defensive coordinator Brent Venables said.
Alexander leads OU in tackles (41) and has one sack, but the senior hasn't been the game-changing force he was before.
"We set the bar high here," Alexander said. "Guys are pushing too hard to make all the great plays. You've just got to relax, starting playing and let loose."
Larry Birdine
The defensive end hasn't been the same since a torn biceps injury forced him to sit out most of the 2005 season. He was primarily a third-down rush end in 2003 and 2004 and had 11 sacks. He's got one this year as a starter.
After making only one tackle against UT, Birdine said, "I was a nonfactor in the second half."
"At this time, I figured I'd be amongst the leaders in tackles and sacks at my position," said Birdine who has 15 tackles and one sack. "So far through the year, I feel like I've just been average. Just a regular player."
C.J. Ah You and Calvin Thibodeaux
Ah You was the Big 12's defensive newcomer of the year last season and the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl defensive MVP. Thibodeaux had 10 sacks and 17 tackles for losses playing on the opposite side. They were an impressive tandem of defensive ends.
Neither has made an impact this year. Ah You batted down Colt McCoy's first pass attempt Saturday at the Cotton Bowl. He also drove McCoy into the ground in the second half – after the UT quarterback had thrown a 7-yard touchdown pass. Thibodeaux had a team-high three tackles for losses against UT.
"At times, we put it together," Thibodeaux said, "but we weren't consistent throughout the whole game."
Duke Robinson and Brandon Walker
The offensive line has been solid all season. But coaches are so agitated with false starts by the guards that they're threatening personnel changes. Robinson has five illegal-procedure penalties, a team high, and Walker has three.
The sophomores could be multiyear starters, but both must sharpen their focus, offensive line coach James Patton said.
"Their effort has been outstanding," Patton said, "but nothing matters if they can't get off on the right count."
Adrian Peterson and Paul Thompson
Even though they've played well, Peterson and Thompson said they can improve.
Peterson, a junior running back, tripped over the senior quarterback's foot on third-and-2 from the UT 15 when an easy first down was in sight. Stoops also said Thompson had "every opportunity" to throw the ball away once instead of taking a sack.
"Guys have to take a look in the mirror and see what you can do to make this one of the best teams," Peterson said.
E-mail [email protected]