I see a few things that need to happen: For starters, even if Landry leaves for the NFL, I still the offense in good hands, we will just look to change our scheme. Whereas I still think that we will be up-tempo, I see us trying to become a more physical team with Bell. Blake is already big, and he is only going to get even bigger (probably around 255), and he does have a big arm. If you look at the size of some of the guys we have recruited or are recruiting at WR (Metoyer and DGB), TE, OL, and RB, it seems as if after Landry leaves for the NFL, we will look to have more of a power look. Except for Franks and Sheperd, all of our WRs next year will be at least 6'0" and 190. That is big for a college WR, and they all have speed. Stephenson, Harlow, and the JUCO TE are all 6'5" and are probably going to be 250 or bigger by next September. At RB, outside of Finch and D. Williams, all of backs should be 200 plus next year, and that is not counting Millard, Ripkowski, and Musil. On the OL, just look at guys like Farniok, Marrs, and Dismuke. We will have a big and experience OL next year. In short, on offense, for success in 2012, I think that we need to focus on the power game, and set teams up for play action. On defense, in short, we must abandon the 3-man DL. Our talent is in the front seven, and we will have 5 seniors (Walker, McGee, McFarland, Washington, and King), and some big young guys (Peterson, Alandoye, Phillips, Manukainiu). We could possibly have the #1 defensive recruit in the nation on that DL. We have talked about the LBs on another thread, and we will have experience there Wort, Nelson, Bird, D.J. Franklin, Jones, and Ibo. That could be a very good 2-deep in whatever fashion the coaches want. In the secondary, I honestly believe that the D would succeed better with Jefferson at a true safety position, but still have him attack. I agree that we will likely need to bring in a JUCO DB to shore up losses. On STs, we seem to be set with our specialists; hence, I say that we maintain there. As for coaching, I am not going to go into axing guys, but there might be a need for a shake up to combat some complacency. In all, I think next year we should focus on our strengths on our lines and our size and experience across the board. I doubt we start off in the top 5, but a lot of folks across the conference and the nation next year will lose a lot.
I agree with the 3 man front we don't ever get pressure in that look. I wish we would go back to the 4-3 look. I think we are talented enough to cover with lbers like Wort, Bird, and Ibby. I hate the 3 man front! Agree withTJ at safety!
Special Teams.... I sit on the South EZ and have been coming to games all year and getting into the Game as soon as the gates open. I sit down and watch as we warm up. This Kid Eric Hosek from Texas might give Hunnicutt a run for his money next year. He's got a good leg and is pretty accurate IMHO. Don't be surprised if there is a shake up there. [video=youtube;eE7qCXBWobc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eE7qCXBWobc[/video]
Isn't Tress Way a senior? We'll have to find a punter. And an overall upgrade on special teams (specifically, returns both for and against us) is important. EDIT: I was too lazy to look it up earlier. Way is a junior. So, no glaring need for a punter. But we do graduate seven starters and several key backups. Good nucleus for a team next year.
The offense will be the same as it is now a "system" that fits a certain kind of QB (with some better than others). An offense that we used to laugh at while Tech ran it. OU needs to be able to run much better but the O-line can pass block but rarely run block. The defense will also be the same complicated missed assignment crap that drives fans crazy and at times moves the opposing QB into the Heisman race. Could say much more about the D problems but nothing will change so why even mention it. The special teams will also be the same wondering whether the opposing team will run this kick off back or will our kicker actually make a FG. Haven't had a PR threat since Perkins. Do we even try to block a punt? Seems OU has forgotten how to do the small things that add up to a MNC team like tackle, run block, having few mental mistakes, and coaching instead of believing you can out-athlete the other team, etc. They have most of the pieces but can't seem to get over the hump. OU will need a championship D to win it all and I haven't seen one of those in Norman since the early 2000s. Imagine how good OU could be if they fixed many of these recurring problems.
We need some Bad Moutha Fuka's We haven't had any Bad Moutha Fuka's in years..................................:joyous: We need some Fuka's in Mink Coats driving Maserati's. Smoking a blunt and ready to rip a fuka's head off....... Oh okay, im back now...........I thought this was an 80's thread.
Need to solve why on any given down someone decides to take a play "off". The intensity meter goes way down and the other team maintains possession. This is getting old. I have played, I have coached. As I am sure many of you have as well. There is some serious issue going on and it ain't talent or scheme. Until that is solved Coach will have good teams, and we will win 10 or 11 which I will gladly take. Because I remember all to well the awful feeling of the 90's. However I would like Oklahoma to be the one who puts a damn end to hearing how great the SEC is. Remember us playing Ol Miss in the independence bowl in 99? Remember that? Do you see the correlation here? They drive down in the last few minutes and kick a field goal to beat us. Same song different verse. OU is one of a handful of universities that has a chance each year. We are fortunate for that. It is why losing a game we feel we should have won hurts that much more. It is a good problem to have, but I would like to,as Barry use to say "my cup is filled again" at the completion of a championship season. We average a title once every 10 years over the last 70. Damn good record, and we are due.
Some of y'all are a week late to the angst party. Time to move on. We've got a game tomorrow with what is left of our team. Instead of trying to solve all the problems that you ain't ever gonna solve, how about cheering the remaining Sooners and be happy about it? Doing anything else is just counter-productive at this point. We're a banged-up lot and I will be damned happy; and perhaps even surprised if we win our final two games.
