Top 10 RBs in 2006

[Rogue]

http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/...041006aao.html

1. Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma, 6-2, 218, JR:

Adrian Peterson will claim his status as the nation's top collegiate running back with Reggie Bush off to the NFL. There are some who feel Peterson would have been the top back in the country in 2006 even if Bush had remained with the Trojans for his senior season. Peterson signed with Oklahoma as an elite prep talent, and it didn't take him long to live up to the hype. As a true freshman, Peterson finished with an OU-record 1,925 rushing yards despite starting just eight games. He finished second in the Heisman voting as a true freshman, the highest any freshman has ever ranked in the Heisman polling.

Unfortunately, Peterson was hampered by an ineffective passing offense and injuries in 2005. With quarterback Jason White graduating, the Sooners were led into battle by Rhett Bomar, and opposing defenses were able to crowd the line of scrimmage. That slowed Peterson considerably, and a nagging ankle sprain was even more bothersome. The injury caused Peterson to miss all or more than half of four games in 2005. He still led all Big 12 backs with 1,024 yards and once again earned consensus All-Big 12 honors. He possesses a spectacular combination of size, speed, strength and is a natural, fluid runner who can change directions easily.

Their spring report on OU:

http://www.cstv.com/tsx/current/m-footbl/okla.html

[snp]

9. Darius Walker, Notre Dame, 5-11, 200, JR:

Walker is a young, productive back who used his deceptive speed to the outside to become the first Irish back to rush for more than 100 yards in the first four games of a season. Walker finished with 1,196 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns as the Irish's go-to runner in 2005. He also chipped in 43 receptions for 351 yards and another two scores. Walker entered the 2005 season as the Irish's leading rusher, having produced 786 yards and seven touchdowns as a true freshman. Still, some questioned his explosiveness and consistency, as he had only two games of 100 or more yards in 2004. Walker increased that to seven last season.



Walker is a talented runner NFL scouts will be looking at, but he lacks the timed speed to be a consistent breakaway threat. He gets himself in trouble when he out-runs blocks and loses patience diving into the line of scrimmage before the holes reveal themselves. However, Walker is extremely versatile and is being utilized well in this offense, as the passing game opens opportunities for the running game instead of the other way around.

Walker is going to be lucky to be number 2 on the team.

[Octavian]

so much for Michigan fans moaning about the Peterson-Hart "debate"

[Big Red Ron]

INSIDE SLANT

It could easily be that the 2005 season was the year to get Oklahoma.
Some opponents did. The Sooners finished 8-4, a disappointment by their standards, yet beat Oregon in the Holiday Bowl. Following a 2-3 start, the only other setback was delivered with a controversial touchdown on the game's final play at Texas Tech.
The steady improvement of the Sooners offense is something that must be massaged during spring practice. As long as QB Rhett Bomar continues to restrict his mistakes, RB Adrian Peterson remains healthy and the offensive line develops, the Sooners should prosper.
The attack generated just 354.5 yards on average last season and ranked 72nd nationally, but frontline players return at most skill positions.
The key, again, could be up front, where the Sooners lost four starters and the burden could again be on Peterson to gain yards by himself, at least early in the season. The defense, as usual, looks solid after ranking 13th nationally last season and fourth against the rush. Speed and experience will make Oklahoma solid again on that side of the ball, especially if the four defeats it suffers adds a little something to its mean streak.


NOTES, QUOTES

BUILDING BLOCKS: Special teams is often a phase that goes overlooked with the quality Oklahoma possesses on offense and defense. But with virtually every specialist returning except for long snapper Jacob Rice, the Sooners have the capability of influencing games with a fake kick or a big return, facets they've thrived on in the past.
COACHING CAROUSEL: Offensive coordinator Chuck Long left to become head coach at San Diego State. Long's spot as quarterbacks coach goes to one of his pupils, Josh Heupel, a former All-American for OU. Kevin Wilson and Kevin Sumlin will serve as co-coordinators of the Oklahoma offense.
SCHEDULING SITUATION: The most interesting non-conference clash will be rematch of last year's Holiday Bowl when Oklahoma travels to Oregon. The Sooners defeated the Ducks 17-14 in that matchup in December. A visit from another Pac-10 school, Washington, highlights the September home schedule. Be aware that OU built a two-week window into the schedule leading up to its Oct. 7 game with Texas, which serves as the Sooners' Big 12 opener. QUOTE TO NOTE: "We're kind of short on running backs, so I'm getting a lot of reps. I don't think it's going to hurt me too much." -- Oklahoma RB Adrian Peterson.


STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

STARS OF 2006: QB Rhett Bomar -- The redshirt freshman gained better command of the offense as the season progressed and was remarkable in the Holiday Bowl, throwing for 229 yards and rushing for 110, while igniting the Sooners to two third-quarter touchdowns after they trailed 7-3 at halftime.
RB Adrian Peterson -- The disappointment of a sophomore season that was hampered by injury perhaps weighed too heavily on Peterson as he fumbled twice attempting to stretch for more yardage in the Holiday Bowl. Forget that, however. He is still one of the nation's most gifted backs and the Sooners' prized weapon in 2006 after managing to log another 1,000-yard season.
DE Calvin Thibodeaux -- A stout pass rusher with 8.5 sacks, Thibodeaux improved throughout the course of the season after joining C.J. Ah-You as new starters at defensive end.
TOP NEWCOMERS: The only other scholarship quarterback in spring camp besides returning starter Rhett Bomar is Joey Halzle, a junior college transfer who threw for 2,077 yards last season at Golden West C.C. He figures to be groomed as OU's backup, especially since Paul Thompson has moved to wide receiver. ROSTER REPORT: A knee injury to CB Brian Jackson prompted Oklahoma to move Lendy Holmes to that position from wide receiver. Jackson is expected to return, but will miss spring drills after redshirting in 2005. ... RB Jacob Gutierrez is recovering from offseason knee and elbow surgery.

[NormanPride]

I want this team to get mad. I want them to be an unrelenting torrent of rage and aggression. Their anger and hate for the opposition should carry them to 80-0 victories against those that were wise enough to fall last year, and the fools that chose brief gratification in the form of a victory should feel lucky they get to play football after we're through with them. A&M suffered this fate a few years ago, and the Big12 would be wise to prepare, as the Sooners are back on the warpath.

[Herr Scholz]

I want this team to get mad. I want them to be an unrelenting torrent of rage and aggression. Their anger and hate for the opposition should carry them to 80-0 victories against those that were wise enough to fall last year, and the fools that chose brief gratification in the form of a victory should feel lucky they get to play football after we're through with them. A&M suffered this fate a few years ago, and the Big12 would be wise to prepare, as the Sooners are back on the warpath.

And we're going to win in Eugene and Dallas and Columbia and College Station, back to Norman and then onto Waco and Stillwater and... AAAAAEEEEEERRRRRRRGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!

[LSUdeek]

I want this team to get mad. I want them to be an unrelenting torrent of rage and aggression. Their anger and hate for the opposition should carry them to 80-0 victories against those that were wise enough to fall last year, and the fools that chose brief gratification in the form of a victory should feel lucky they get to play football after we're through with them. A&M suffered this fate a few years ago, and the Big12 would be wise to prepare, as the Sooners are back on the warpath.

This time around, don't listen to any "best team evaaar" hype.

[SoonerStormchaser]

Hell, I didn't listen the first time either!

[NormanPride]

This time around, don't listen to any "best team evaaar" hype.

Just be glad Jason had 19 concussions, 47 broken bones and a missing hand.

[picasso]

so much for Michigan fans moaning about the Peterson-Hart "debate"

I thought the same last night watching ESPU's replay of last years Alamo Bowl.
Hart couldn't hold AD's jock.

[picasso]

This time around, don't listen to any "best team evaaar" hype.

you won't need to worry about it either. being an LSU fan and all.

[sooneron]

Funny, I don't see a UTerus player on that list. From what the resident whorns have been saying about their vaunted running attack...

[Scott D]

heh sooneron, I think you need to average more than 8 carries a game to qualify

[Rogue]

Walker is going to be lucky to be number 2 on the team.

ND is going to be sol-id!

[mOUse]

I want this team to get mad. I want them to be an unrelenting torrent of rage and aggression. Their anger and hate for the opposition should carry them to 80-0 victories against those that were wise enough to fall last year, and the fools that chose brief gratification in the form of a victory should feel lucky they get to play football after we're through with them. A&M suffered this fate a few years ago, and the Big12 would be wise to prepare, as the Sooners are back on the warpath.

Pretty aggressive post...from a guy with a kitten on his avatar!

[BASSooner]

If this team comes together, we'll be unstoppable

[swardboy]

Rewatched the Oregon Holiday Bowl game (thanks for Sooner Scooter), and I forgot how OU dominated that 2nd half until little Leaf got somewhat hot in the 4th qtr. That, and AD's controversial goal line fumble, kept the score from reflecting the true nature of that game. Gets me excited again for football....

[LSUdeek]

you won't need to worry about it either. being an LSU fan and all.

lame attempt at smak, but i was actually being serious. the only team who could stop OU in 2003 was OU. the ksu debacle put a huge dent in yalls confidence.

[LSUdeek]

Just be glad Jason had 19 concussions, 47 broken bones and a missing hand.

i'm more glad that we scored enough points early in the game to withstand the inevitable soonar comeback. also glad of chucky not calling any running plays.

[picasso]

lame attempt at smak, but i was actually being serious. the only team who could stop OU in 2003 was OU. the ksu debacle put a huge dent in yalls confidence.

that was no attempt at smack. just the truth.
I doubt people ever have or ever will think of LSU when comparing the greatest college football teams ever.

btw, I played golf and had dinner with one of your football coaches last Thursday. He had a godawful ugly(LSU) shirt on.