I thought this response to an article today in the Oklahoman about the O-line woes was insightful, well written, and pretty much spot on.
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Trammel article:
By Berry Tramel
The Oklahoman
Some are worried about Oklahoma's offensive line, after the Sooners' 17-7 scrape at Iowa State. OU tailbacks rushed for just 166 yards and averaged just 4.7 yards per carry.
Call it misplaced concern. Those figures — 166 and 4.7 — are OU's best in Big 12 play. Throw in Miami, and they're still the best.
You want better numbers out of the OU running game? You have to go to the padded portion of the schedule: North Texas, Utah State and Tulsa.
Now, should the Sooner blockers push around Iowa State? Not necessarily. The week before at Jack Trice Stadium, Texas tailbacks averaged 4.6 yards per carry — and the Longhorns won 56-3.
The difference? Colt McCoy completed his passes, 23 of 30 for 298 yards and four touchdowns, including plays of 58 and 30 yards.
OU struggled Saturday because Sam Bradford did not complete his home-run balls.
Bob Stoops counted six times that OU receivers got behind the Cyclone secondary. Bradford completed none. If he hits on two, the game is over early, Iowa State is back on its heels and the running lanes widen. If Bradford hits on four, which he's done most of the season, the game is a rout.
"I just didn't play well,” Bradford said. "Didn't make the throws.”
Iowa State coach Gene Chizik is a solid defensive strategist. Even with an outmanned team, he won't let you line up and run wild. He will load the box and make you complete passes.
Bradford has been superb, especially for a freshman. He's second nationally in pass efficiency, for crying out loud. But he's not Tom Brady. Not yet, and probably not ever. He played poorly in the second half against Colorado, and he was sluggish against Iowa State.
Play a freshman quarterback and live with the consequences, slight they may be.
END of Column
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Response by Chris in Hesston:
True, Sam struggled. However, as a team corrections need to be made to adjust to a struggling aspect of your game. This tells me that OU is TOO dependent on the passing game. We've become a pass-first team. That's essentially what Bob is saying; if we can't throw, we can't run. That is really inexcusable considering the o-line that OU has. They should be shoving the opposition around from the opening gun. I know defenses occasionally stack the box, but you don't have to hit DEEP passes, just passes (short, intermediate, it doesn't matter). We need to establish the run game earlier, so that Sam can have wide open passing lanes.
Chris, Hesston - Oct 25, 2007 8:28 AM
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