Just about six weeks ago Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops started spring practice by issuing a challenge. Before the first the first chin strap was buckled, he called out his offensive line.
The reports he’d received from off-season workouts were less than stellar and he wanted to send the message that a lackadaisical spring wouldn’t be tolerated.
The group will display the fruits of its labor at 1:15 p.m. today at the Red/White Game.
No one took the challenge as an insult. Most took it as more of a pre-emptive strike. The Sooners were entering the spring needing to replace four starters on the offensive line. Only Trent Williams, who was moving to left tackle, was an established starter. Only Brian Simmons, who played in every game last season at guard, was experienced.
No sense letting your players develop bad habits. That’s how Williams and Simmons took Stoops’ message.
“I know this: It lit a fire under us and gave us a sense or urgency,” Williams said. “When the head coach calls you out, it’s not like (offensive line coach James) Patton standing behind us and bickering all day. When the head coach calls you out, you know it is time for changes.”
Most of the complaints centered around nagging injuries keeping players out of workouts. In that sense, the spring has still been a struggle. Only seven — Williams, Simmons, Cory Brandon, Ben Habern, Brian Lepak, Alex Wiliams and Jarvis Jones — will be healthy enough to compete today.
Even with the low numbers, there have been good reports.
Last week, quarterback Sam Bradford gushed about the protection he’d been receiving.
“I think those guys have done a great job,” last season’s Heisman Trophy winner said. “They’ve come in and have to play against one of the best defensive lines in the country every day and they’re still having to learn. But in my opinion, they’ve done a great job protecting me this spring.”
Bradford also said the group was further along in digesting the no-huddle offense than last year’s unit.
Simmons liked the praise, but said it was like comparing apples and oranges.
“Last year, when we started out with it, it ended up being totally different from what we wound up doing in the fall,” he said. “We’re running the same thing we did last season. A lot of guys are very familiar with it.”
Today they’ll show how much they’ve progressed since their head coach called them out. Bradford won’t get hit, but if he has time to throw and running backs have holes to run through, it will be a good day. A foundation will have been built for next season.
“These young guys are making gains, but we’re waiting see that day-to-day stuff; it’s what makes a good lineman and it’s what makes a good team,” offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said.
“You can’t be a good player without working hard. The issue with the young guys is getting them to bring it every day.”
OU Sports
Red/White on line
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