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Five Questions For Spring Football At OU

Oklahoma's football team hits the field today for the first spring practice of 2010 and coming off a disappointing 2009 campaign there are some questions that need to be answered. Due to injury some questions may need to be put off until the summer but after 14 spring practice dates some things should at least become a little more clear. Here are five questions that will hopefully be answered between today and April 17.

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5. Who will replace Brian Jackson and Dominique Franks on the corners? Oklahoma lost one of the most talented cornerback duos in the Big 12 and now they have to quickly replace them. Sophomore Demontre Hurst and senior Jonathan Nelson are the front runners but redshirt freshman Gabe Lynn and junior Jamell Fleming aren't out of the mix. 

4. Which receiver steps up to complement Ryan Broyles? Call me naive but I believe the talent was on campus last year but it was the experience that was lacking. That's why we saw the massive improvement from Dejuan Miller and Jaz Reynolds. They have to at least be penciled in as starters at this point and could get a push from Cameron Kenney and Brandon Caleb but posses the physical tools to separate themselves into a class of their own. Without a solid second and third option opposing defenses will continue to double Broyles. 

3.  Will Oklahoma's 2010 passing attack feature a tight end? Tight end Gabe Ikard has been moved to center and, at least for now, tight end Eric Mensik is staying on the offensive line (more on this later) which leaves Trent Ratterree and James Hannah competing for the starting job. Ratterree, a former walk-on, has the clear advantage over Hannah after earning his way into the starting lineup and remaining there last season. Neither could have been considered a weapon though as Ratterree only caught 11 passes and Hannah 6. 

2. How much progress will Landry Jones make? Jones wont be preparing to back up a Heisman winner this spring, he'll be preparing to lead the team to a run at the Big 12 championship in 2010. That's a huge difference in approach to the season. Jones will get the majority of the reps this spring and will no doubt have a tighter grasp on the offense when spring drills are over.

1. Offensive line, offensive line, offensive line? The biggest question mark going into last season was the biggest weakness on the team, costing Sam Bradford his year and contributing to the demise of Oklahoma's rushing attack. The Sooners will be without Ben Habern and Jarvis Jones because of injury but they get back Donald Stephenson who was suspended for last season. He and Cory Brandon make up the anchor for OU's o-line at the left and right tackle spots. Tight ends Eric Mensik and Gabe Ikard will work out with the line because of depth problems. Mensik will work out at tackle and Ikard is listed as the team's starting center for the spring, backed up by Brian Lepak.The key battle along the line will be at the guard position where Mensik, Stephen Good, Tyler Evans and Tavaris Jeffries will battle out for two spots.

Oklahoma also has two incoming 2010 freshmen that have enrolled early and will be competing on the line. Austin Woods will be competing at center and Bronson Irwin at guard.    

This is what I'm looking for this spring. How about you? 

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Do you really think that Jones will get the majority of snaps this spring?

I figured there might be some sort of competition at QB.

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by KWashburn on Mar 8, 2010 3:26 AM CST reply actions  

Most definately

The position is still considered “open”. but Landry is going to get the most snaps.

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by Jon Woods on Mar 8, 2010 8:31 AM CST up reply actions  

The only competition

At least in the spring, would be from Drew Allen as Blake Bell will not arrive until the summer. My guess is it would be closer to 60/40 in Landry’s favor, but I agree with Jon in that if Landry struggles I could definitely see the coaches making the move to Allen at some point. They’ve proven that they’ll go with the best player at any position regardless of what year they are so it’s not written in stone that Landry can’t lose his spot.

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by jtesooner on Mar 8, 2010 1:23 PM CST up reply actions  

I didn't realize that Blake Bell wouldn't be there until later.

I thought he was already on campus.

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by KWashburn on Mar 8, 2010 6:40 PM CST up reply actions  

I wish

Just for the experience he would gain, not because I think he would really challenge for the starting job. He was quoted in the paper as saying he just wanted to enjoy his final semester of high school before coming to Norman. This past season was only his second at QB so while he is incredibly talented, he’s still got a lot of room for growth as a pure passer. That said, if there’s a QB coach in the country who can prepare him better than Heupel I’d like to meet him.

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by jtesooner on Mar 9, 2010 11:17 AM CST up reply actions  

This is pretty much my list

I’d add in the Defensive Line. There are big shoes to fill, but I think there is good talent. Also I’m watching how the names get placed in the linebacker slots.

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by Redhawk on Mar 8, 2010 11:20 AM CST reply actions  

Ditto on the LBs

This is by far the position I’m the most excited about heading into next year. The thought of R.Lewis, T.Wort, and T.Lewis on the field at the same time should strike fear into the hearts of everyone on our schedule next year. I think they have the potential to be one of the greatest sets of LBs in OU history, which at this point is pretty over the top to say but that’s how excited I am about them.

"We call him The Hammer." - Bob Stoops

by jtesooner on Mar 8, 2010 1:21 PM CST up reply actions  

Ditto on your comments...

…I’m really looking forward to seeing how the LBs shake out. Tons of talent there.

by HiDesertSooner on Mar 10, 2010 5:13 PM CST up reply actions  

My thoughts...

I think my biggest thoughts are with the WR/TE and O-Line….

O-line becasue of the onvious reasons, we had massive holes last year and it showed almsot every game. I dont know how many times Jones or Bradord were running for their lives or one of our running backs was met at or behind the line. Most every football game is won and lost in the trenches and we def. lost those battles last year. Also we will need soem peopel to step up big time, we lost Trent Williams which was a big hit, and we dont have any big names from last year that can step up and lead this line.

WR/TE: There needs to be a second WR to compliment Broyles yes, because when he is single covered, the kid is a beast and not many people can stop him. I think the TE is the bigger thing though. I think losing Gresham hurt us as bad as losing Bradford last year. When Gresham is in the game, and we got the ball inside the 10 yard line, Gresham went to work and was nearly impossible to stop down there. Last year we didnt have that and it showed. I dont know how many times we were within the 5 and would get stopped 3 times in a row, sometimes even on 4th down as well! If you want to compete in the Big XII, when you get that deep, you gotta put it in the end zone, field goals wont cut it. We need that threat back, and we need it bad.

Side-note: One thing that will be very interesting to watch is DeMarco Murray. He has had injury’s a lot during the end of the season through out his career, and it always takes him a while to get his confidence back and 100% going. When he is on top of his game, the kid is a stud and can break the game open with one juke and he is gone. I hope that he is 100% and get him some blocking, which will help the passing game!

Besides all these things, i think my Sooners will be fine! We are usually pretty good at filling our holes and will always compete! BOOMER SOONER!!!! GET EM BOYS!!!!

by RAClemens311 on Mar 10, 2010 4:35 PM CST reply actions  

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