By John Shinn
The line between starters and second-team players used to be like the Great Wall of China. There was no mistaking who was on which side. But at several spots, those lines don’t exist for Oklahoma. On any given series as many as three different players could be on the field at one position.
“We just believe if you're giving maximum effort out there you're going to need to be spelled,” OU coach Bob Stoops said.
That belief has never been a secret. Since Stoops arrived in 1999, OU has heavily rotated its defensive ends and defensive tackles.
This year has been no different. Auston English, John Williams and Alonzo Dotson have been almost equally used at the two defensive-ends spots.
The tackles — DeMarcus Granger, Gerald McCoy, Steven Coleman, Cory Bennett, and last week Adrian Taylor — have moved in and out on a regular basis.
The goal has always been to have fresh players on the field at all times.
But this season the rotating as gone a lot further than just the defensive line.
Through the first three games, it’s not uncommon for the Sooners to play as many as 20 different offensive players in the first half.
The running back spot is a revolving door. Allen Patrick, DeMarco Murray and Chris Brown have been used as interchangeable parts.
Joe Jon Finley, Jermaine Gresham and Brody Eldridge have been used extensively at tight end. And at times, all on the same play.
The wide receivers are rarely the same two plays in a row.
Offensive line is where the substitutions have traditionally been the rarest, but even that has changed this season.
Trent Williams and Branndon Braxton have both been used extensively at right tackle this season and that should continue.
“Both of those guys are very capable starters and it’s pretty much each week who is playing the best,” offensive line coach James Patton said. “But even if one guy doesn’t start, he’s going to play a lot.”
That’s what happens when you have depth and experience at positions.
Both started seven games last season. Braxton was the starter the first seven before suffering a season-ending injury halfway through. Williams started the last seven.
But that’s not the case. They both know what it’s like going through a grueling season of playing 95 to 100 plays a game.
“Last year, I’d get up on Sunday and I could barely walk I was so sore,” Williams said.
This season?
“Now I wake up on Sundays and I feel refreshed,” he said.
Both are playing about 50 plays a game. Each takes two series at right tackle before taking a series off. Williams will also move over to the left tackle for a series to give Phil Loadholt a break.
One might think the revolving door would drive guys crazy. After all, you’re talking about players that pretty much played every down in high school and, in Williams’ and Braxton’s cases, started playing extensively as freshmen.
Not so.
“As a competitor, you want to be out there all the time,” Braxton said. “But you know the other guy can play. If he couldn’t, he wouldn’t be out there. The other thing is you remember how in years before when you played that whole game you were dog tired. We go out there and get maybe 50 plays apiece and it’s a completely different game. It doesn’t take as much of a toll on you.”
That benefit could play a big factor when the fourth-ranked Sooners (3-0) face Tulsa (2-0) at 7 p.m. Friday at Chapman Stadium in Tulsa.
The Sooners only have five days between games instead of the usual six. Something had to be axed from the typical schedule and the players’ typical day off on Sunday turned into a practice day.
But the rotation, and the fact OU had its first three opponents put away by the fourth quarter, has left bodies refreshed and ready to go.
“I think we’re in pretty good shape and we have pretty good stamina, but we’re in a situation where we’re able to keep our guys fresh,” Patton said. “We’re going to need that as we get deeper into the season.”
But if you ask if Williams and Braxton, it’s paying off already.
John Shinn
366-3536
jshinn@normantranscript.com
