|
RB
Adrian Peterson |
|
|
2005
Statistics |
Coach:
Bob Stoops
75-16,
7 years |
2005
Record: 8-4 |
|
TCU |
LOST
10-17 |
TULSA |
WON
31-15 |
at
UCLA |
LOST
24-41 |
KANSAS
STATE |
WON
43-21 |
vs.
Texas |
LOST
12-45 |
vs.
Kansas |
WON
19-3 |
BAYLOR |
WON
37-30 (2OT) |
at
Nebraska |
WON
31-24 |
TEXAS
A&M |
WON
36-30 |
at
Texas Tech |
LOST
21-23 |
OKLAHOMA
STATE |
WON
42-14 |
HOLIDAY
BOWL |
vs.
Oregon |
WON
17-14 |
|
2005 Final Rankings
AP-22, Coaches-22, BCS-23
|
2006
Outlook |
Quite
often, it has been a two team race
in the Big 12 South, and after years
of dominating the Longhorns, the Sooners
fell big in the Red River Shootout
and Texas went on to have the magical
Rose Bowl season – that didn’t
sit well with OU brass. Hate to say
it Longhorn fans, but I hope you enjoyed
your run because the Sooners appear
to be back. Words can’t say
how big Thibodeaux’s return
is to this team. His sacks will say
it for him and he represents a defensive
resurgence that should allow OU to
dominate with such an athletic bunch.
And they will save the offense and
win games, so know how good they will
be ad watch carefully.
The
Sooners have one of the most dangerous
weapons in college football in Peterson.
He probably should be in the NFL and
likely would be if not for his off
year last year caused by his hampering
ankle injury. He should approach 2,000
yards again and help Bomar progress
even more as a collegiate quarterback.
OU just has to go deep, early and
often – at least once a quarter
– until opposing D’s stop
stacking the box. They dared Bomar
to beat them deep, but OU never opened
things up, and the results reflected
this.
The
Sooners didn’t like playing
third wheel in the Big 12 last year,
and rightfully so. It’s not
a position they’re accustomed
to. It should be a dogfight between
Texas and Texas Tech, but that was
short-lived because OU could easily
find itself back in the Big 12 Championship
game and a BCS bowl. Strong recruiting
classes say so, as do we. That Stoop’s
decline didn’t last long, and
don’t bet against the guy who
made this program again one of the
nation’s best, regardless of
its record.
OU’s
schedule is mostly favorable, but
they will have a few tough ones, likely
early on when they face a Holiday
Bowl rematch, but this time in the
hostile confines in Eugene, Ore. If
not then, OU could lose to Tech at
home, but the Sooners will be out
for blood after feeling robbed by
a controversial ending to Tech's 2005
win in Lubbock. And never underestimate
what can happen in Stillwater, so
keep an eye on this year’s ‘bandwagon’.
Projected
2006 record: 10-2
|
|
OKLAHOMA
*POWER RATINGS |
Offense |
Defense |
QB
- 3.5 |
DL
- 4.5 |
RB
- 4.5 |
LB
- 4.5 |
WR
- 3.5 |
DB
- 3.5 |
OL
- 3.5 |
.. |
|
RETURNING
LEADERS |
Passing:
Rhett Bomar, 308-167-10, 2018 yds.,
10 TD
Rushing: Adrian Peterson, 221
att., 1104 yds., 14 TD
Receiving: Malcolm Kelly, 33
rec., 471 yds., 2 TD
Scoring: Adrian Peterson, 14
TD, 84 pts.
Punting: Cody Freeby, 71 punts,
42.3 avg.
Kicking: Garrett Hartley, 14-22
FG, 37-38 PAT, 79 pts.
Tackles: Rufus Alexander, 102
tot., 56 solo
Sacks: Calvin Thibodeaux, 10
sacks
Interceptions: D.J. Wolfe,
2 for 65 yds., 1 TD; Reggie Smith,
2 for 14 yds.
Kickoff Returns: Reggie Smith,
18 ret., 20.9 avg., 0 TD
Punt Returns: Lendy Holmes,
7 ret., 5.9 avg., 0 TD
|
|
|
LB
Rufus Alexander |
|
|
|
|
|
OKLAHOMA |
|
|
OFFENSE
- 6 |
----RETURNING
STARTERS---- |
DEFENSE
- 8 |
|
KEY
LOSSES |
OFFENSE:
J.D. Runnels-FB, Kejuan Jones-RB, Travis
Wilson-WR, Jejuan Rankins-WR, James
Moses-TE, Davin Joseph-OT, Kelvin Chaisson-OG,
Chris Bush-OG, Chris Chester-OG |
DEFENSE:
Remi
Ayodele-DT, Dusty Dvoracek-DT, Clint
Ingram-SLB, Chijioke Onyenegecha-CB,
Eric Bassey-CB, Cody Freeby-P (dismissed) |
|
|
2006
OFFENSE |
Quarterback
Coming
into 2006, the biggest area of concern for
the OU coaching staff isn’t whether
sophomore Rhett Bomar will perform, but
if he’ll be able to stay out of trouble
in order to do so. It is his second MIP
(minor in possession) citation in a matter
of months, but we are here to talk football.
Coaches are feeling good about how Bomar
progressed as the season went on after he
replaced Paul Thompson in the Sooners’
season-opening loss to TCU. Thompson was
benched and converted to a wide receiver.
Bomar loses most of his line, but should
move along nicely with all-American Adrian
Peterson as a major distraction. Bomar also
showed some significant mobility last season
and a toughness and swagger that can’t
be taught. After struggling mightily through
the Sooners’ non-cons, Bomar improved
dramatically once he hit the conference
schedule (with the exception of the Texas
loss) and improved exponentially all the
way to the Sooners’ bowl win over
Oregon in the Holiday Bowl. Thompson still
is listed as the backup, so he represents
a step back if inserted. And with only one
other QB recruit in the last two years,
this position seems like it could be a liability.
Running
Back
Two
words: All Day – as in how long Adrian
Peterson will run. Peterson suffered a bit
of a sophomore slump last season after being
an undeserving Heisman finalist in 2004
as a freshman. Sure, he is a physical specimen
– maybe the most raw talent of any
RB in the nation, but he was great due to
his Heisman QB (White) being the distraction
for him to sneak under the radar. Now, he
is the distraction, as he learned last year.
Defenses will again stack eight and nine
in the box until the deep passing game is
established. To put Peterson’s dominance
into perspective, fathom this, the star
missed all or more than half of four games
and still led the Big 12 in rushing (an
off year for the usually “grounded”
the Big 12, eh). Peterson should come into
this season with a chip on his shoulder,
feeling he has something to prove to be
considered the greatest back in the country
and return to his freshman form, and shouldn’t
disappoint himself. Jaco Gutierrez actually
had more yards per carry in his two starts,
and other four-star prospects are just waiting
their turn(s) to become household names
in an offense that runs it over 60% of the
time. This unit is an asset, but has to
be balanced out with a better passing approach/game
to realize its potential.
Receiver
Sophomore
Malcolm Kelly leads the way in OU’s
arsenal. Last year, Kelly became just the
fourth freshman in Sooner history to lead
the team in receiving yards, and the first
in 30 years. Jauquin Iglesias joins him
in the starting lineup after breaking his
way into the starting lineup at the end
of last year, including the Holiday Bowl
victory. Youth is definitely served here,
where three freshmen saw significant playing
time last year, all of whom return. The
Sooners need to go long more often (longest
pass play was 55 yards in ’05) to
open up the rest of the field for more offensive
production, and until they do, this corps
will not realize its potential.
Tight
End
Joe
Jon Finley finally gets the starting role
after waiting patiently for two seasons.
OU isn’t big on utilizing its tight
ends, but likes to go to them in the red
zone if they are capable pass catchers,
which Finley is. At 6-6, he has the size
advantage over most linebackers and defensive
backs and while he didn’t put up big
numbers last year, he did come on toward
the end. In his freshman year, had more
catches in the team’s final two games
than the whole season to that point, proving
when given a chance he has the ability to
be a possession type receiver when needed.
No.1 prospect Jermaine Gresham will surely
see time in a pass-catching capacity, so
it looks good here if Stoops wants to open
up the field with either of these guys…he
just has to do it.
Offensive
Line
The
Sooners will be grossly inexperienced up
front, but have a handful of backups from
last year that should step in just fine.
OU lost four players who combined for 41
starts last season, but it was not a superior
bunch, and addition by subtraction seems
like it will help OU, not hurt them. It
all begins at the center position, which
was a questionable spot until Jon Cooper
stepped in. The sophomore started the final
two games of the regular season last year
but suffered a broken ankle against Texas
Tech. He should return this year at full
strength. In his seven games of action last
year, he was not flagged for a single penalty.
Protecting Bomar’s blindside will
be right tackle Chris Messner. He played
in all 11 games, starting eight and allowed
just one sack. The biggest addition to the
line is JUCO transfer Sherrone Moore, who
comes to Norman from Butler County CC (Kan.).
Moore was the No. 33 ranked JUCO player
in the country according to Rivals.com.
At 6-5, 300 he provides some needed bulk
on the line’s interior. This year
was a good one in the recruiting department
up front, so it is just matter of time until
OU is back to being superior here, as many
anticipate.
OFFENSIVE
BREAKDOWN
After
facing some harsh criticism early on last
year, the Sooners’ stars should see
a resurgence and more effortless production
than the belabored efforts of last year.
Bomar is the key, and needs to keep his
learning curve going up, or it could be
a long year. Look for Peterson, if healthy,
to have a season more like his freshman
one when he looked like an all-Pro against
college kids. If this happens, which it
will barring injury, OU’s in for an
exciting season. Peterson feels like he
has something to prove, and that fire will
lead the entire team, especially on a spiritual
level. Bomar looked like true freshman at
times last year, mostly at the beginning
of the season, which saw OU start 1-2 after
being ranked in the Top 5 in preseason polls.
As the season wears on, Bomar will show
tenacity and more and more ability both
throwing and scrambling. Everything starts
up front, and we see good things as newbies
will make this area better, and therefore
the entire offensive effort. OU gave up
just 21 sacks, but that number’s a
bit misleading with Bomar’s mobility.
Deeper routes will open up the underneath
stuff Bomar so needs to take those little
steps that eluded him last year, and as
he is more confident, the entire team will
look more like the Sooners who intimidate,
not the ones who lose to mid-majors. Keep
an eye on the team’s average per rush
– if it hovers at 4.0 again, it will
be another tough campaign.
|
|
WR
Malcolm Kelly
|
|
|
OKLAHOMA
2006 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key
Players |
OFFENSE |
QB |
Rhett
Bomar-So (6-2, 215) |
Joey
Halzle-So (6-4, 215) |
FB |
Dane
Zaslaw-Jr (6-0, 242) |
Matt
Clapp-So (6-2, 242) |
RB |
Adrian
Peterson-Jr (6-2, 218) |
Allen
Patrick-Jr (6-0, 200) |
WR |
Paul
Thompson-Sr (6-4, 210) |
Fred
Strong-So (6-1, 202) |
WR |
Juaquin
Iglesias-So (6-1, 190) |
Manuel
Johnson-So (5-11, 176) |
WR |
Malcolm
Kelly-So (6-4, 204) |
Quentin
Chaney-So (6-5, 208) |
TE |
Joe
Jon Finley-Jr (6-6, 244) |
Brody
Eldridge-Fr (6-5, 248) |
OT |
Chris
Messner-Sr (6-6, 280) |
.. |
OG |
George
Robinson-So (6-5, 332) |
Ben
Barresi-Fr (6-5, 296) |
C |
Jon
Cooper-So (6-2, 278) |
Cameron
Schacht-So (6-4, 255) |
OG |
J.D.
Quinn-So (6-3, 305) |
Brian
Simmons-Fr (6-5, 290)
Sherrone Moore-Jr (6-5, 300) |
OT |
Branndon
Braxton-So (6-6, 318) |
Brandon
Walker-Jr (6-3, 315) |
K |
Garrett
Hartley-Jr (5-9, 182) |
.. |
|
|
2006
DEFENSE |
Defensive
Line
Seniors
C.J. Ah You and Calvin Thibodeaux return
to anchor the line at the end positions.
Thibodeaux, a sack specialist, was granted
a medical redshirt after suffering a season-ending
injury two years ago, so he is a senior
again. Ah You was voted the Big 12’s
Defensive Newcomer of the Year last year
after picking up seven sacks. He was also
named Defensive MVP of the Holiday Bowl.
Pendleton, a two-year starter will be joined
by Cory Bennett inside. Bennett played in
all 11 games last year and showed promise
as a big-time run stopper. Don’t be
surprised when DeMarcus Granger takes Bennett’s
job early on in the season. He was rated
as the No. 1 defensive tackle in the country
by ESPN coming out of Dallas Kimball. Gerald
Kimball fills that status in this year’s
class, so along with other four-star Des
dotting the list of newbies, we foresee
this line holding up well.
Linebacker
Rufus
Alexander was rumored to be leaving for
the NFL after his junior year, but came
back to the chagrin of Sooner fans. Alexander
is an early favorite for the Butkus Award
given the nation’s best linebacker
after registering a team-leading 17 TFLs.
Zach Latimer returns in the middle as a
guy whose motor is constantly running toward
the ball. He had two games last year with
double-digit tackles and earned Big 12 Honorable
Mention honors. Demarrio Pleasant should
step up as a starter, and Curtis Lofton
looks like he will add nice depth. This
unit is strong, and should help the Sooner’s
No.4 rush defense stay vibrant.
Defensive
Back
The
youth movement on the Sooners’ squad
continues here, though most of these sophomores
and juniors are returning starters. OU’s
set at the safety position, where it returns
both Reggie Smith and Lewis Baker. Smith
was named to the Big 12 all-Freshman Team
last year and Baker made the move from linebacker
to free safety last spring and proved to
be a playmaker registering 36 tackles why
trying to pick up the nuances of his new
position. At corner, the Sooners’
live and die with D.J. Wolfe, who’s
a legitimate run stopper as well as an excellent
cover guy. He’s probably the most
versatile of any in OU’s secondary
and can even play safety if necessary. Brian
Jackson should compete for a job by midseason
as a redshirt freshman out of DeSoto, and
Reggie Smith is last year’s No.4 prospect,
ready to contribute.
DEFENSIVE
BREAKDOWN
Last
year’s unit wasn’t the dominant
force usually associated with Oklahoma defenses,
but it wasn’t a pushover either, finished
No. 13 in total defense and No. 4 against
the rush after years of being in the top
5 in both. The team D will be jelled early,
and will come together even more as the
season goes on. The D is, without question,
led by its four seniors (Ah You, Latimer,
Thibodeaux and Alexander), all of which
could battle for postseason awards and honors,
and it should return to prominence. The
youth on this squad represents its potential
to be a force beyond ‘06, most notably
Granger, who will be in the running for
Big 12 Freshman of the Year. The defense
should be able to put constant pressure
on most teams with Thibodeaux and Ah You
rushing the passer, and the entire effort
on this side of the ball will be enough
to keep OU in games the offense might squander.
|
|
DE
Calvin Thibodeaux
|
|
|
OKLAHOMA
2006 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key
Players |
DEFENSE |
DE |
Calvin
Thibodeaux-Sr (6-1, 251) |
John
Williams-Jr (6-5,252) |
DT |
Carl
Pendleton-Jr (6-5, 277) |
Steven
Coleman-Jr (6-4, 310) |
DT |
Cory
Bennett-So (6-2, 275) |
DeMarcus
Granger-Fr (6-3, 305) |
DE |
C.J.
Ah You-Sr (6-4, 265) |
Larry
Birdine-Sr (6-4, 258) |
SLB |
Demarrio
Pleasant-Jr (6-2, 235) |
Ryan
Reynolds-So (6-2, 230)
Lamont Robinson-Fr (6-1, 225) |
MLB |
Zach
Latimer-Sr (6-2, 220) |
Curtis
Lofton-So (6-2, 238) |
WLB |
Rufus
Alexander-Sr (6-1, 231) |
Lewis
Baker-Jr (6-2, 210) |
CB |
Reggie
Smith-So (6-1, 190) |
Marcus
Walker-Jr (5-10, 197) |
CB |
D.J.
Wolfe-Jr (5-11, 196) |
Brian
Jackson-Fr (6-2, 194) |
SS |
Jason
Carter-Sr (5-10, 192) |
Keenan
Clayton-So (6-2, 210) |
FS |
Darien
Williams-Jr (5-10, 197) |
Nic
Harris-So (6-3, 218) |
P |
Mike
Knall-Jr (5-10, 175) |
.. |
|
|
|
2006
SPECIAL TEAMS |
Kicker
Garrett
Hartley has half of his kickoffs go for touchbacks.
The bad news is he is inconsistent/streaky, so
winning those close ones is not in the bag, at
all. With so many young wanna-be’s in the
secondary, we think coverage will continue to
excel.
Punter
Last year's punter Cody Freeby was dimissed from
the team this spring leaving a wide open race
amongst the remaining candidates. The inside track
goes Mike Knall, who averaged 43.9 yards per punt
as a freshman at Scottsdale Community College.
Return
Game
This
is a spot the Sooners have concern with simply
because there’s no experience. Lendy Holmes
is the most experienced return man, but it’s
up in the air who will take the position. It could
be between Holmes and Iglesias, who runs a 4.4
40-yard dash but could be held back due to his
starting status as a wide receiver. So much talent
means someone will step up and give Oklahoma an
advantage here, eventually, too.
|
|
|