Sooners release updated depth chart for Tulsa game
by Jordan Esco on Aug 29, 2011 10:56 AM CDT
in Oklahoma Sooners Football
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Some quick observations.
- As you would expect it along the o-line. Happy to see that Stephenson was able to hold down the starting job and that we won't be going with two inexperienced tackles.
- Looks like Stoops and Heupel wimped out and went with the "or" at the backup QB spot.
- Pretty surprised to see Dejuan Miller not in the top three. No slight to Franks, I just thought Miller would nab that 3rd spot. Obviously the talk about Kameel Jackson all summer wasn't just hype.
- Dominique Whaley listed basically as a co-starter with Brennan Clay has got to be Stoops and/or Gundy sending a message to someone. Brandon Williams perhaps?
- The elephant in the room that is Ronnell Lewis' situation just got even more confusing given they still have him listed as the starter. Just bizarre.
- Also surprised to see Chuka Ndulue listed as the backup to Alexander over Geneo Grissom.
- How on earth is the Michigan transfer kid already listed? Wow. To me that is very much a message to Rashod Favors.
- Big fan of Jamell Fleming, but disappointed to see the coaches have already bumped him ahead of Gabe Lynn.
- Whaley on kick off returns, seriously? If that actually happens, say hello to Madu 2.
So what stood out to you? Do you think this is how things really stand or are the coaches doing what they do and using it as a motivator for a couple kids?
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Sounds like Stills
Could miss the opener. Rumor is Stoops to confirm tomorrow at his presser.
http://twitter.com/#!/KSTiLLS4/status/108187679727951872
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Having Caleb Gastelum as one of the back ups is a little suprising
since he was a walk-on. Same with Dominique Whaley listed as a co-starter. Always good to see some young guys like Kameel Jackson step up. Kellen Jones listed as the back up along with Jayden Bird could be either really good or a little concerning.
I know, and what’s with this “Trent Ratterree” guy? Are we seriously so thin at TE that we need to bring in a skinny white kid for depth?
:-)
Haha dude at the time yes we were...
Brody Eldridge was are starting center at one point a couple years ago. I know what you are getting and I agree we can always find a couple gems with a walk-on or two. Just a little shocked to see those names. Gotta love the competition though
by Soonerfan89 on Aug 29, 2011 11:54 AM CDT up reply actions
To answer the question
I do not think this is a motivator. simply because we still see Ronnell as the 1 along with Fleming. I could see keeping Lynn at the starting spot to make him work hard to keep it then turning it over to Fleming before the FSU game.
Outside of that, I still do not think that the RB situation has been decided as of yet. Finch has been plagued with injury and will most likely (hopefully) get back to the 180-185 mark. He is definitely up a few pounds from spring and it looks like he will return to form. Brandon Williams cannot hang on to the ball and is the least consistent from what I can tell and with the talent, it is hard to put him on the field until he figures that problem out. I fully expected Dom Whaley to get some playing time but not be a co-starter. The running game will definitely be a point of interest going into Tulsa and still not sure that game will decide anything.
The thing that surprised me the most was to see no Jonathan Miller on the list.
My Take
Any time you see a walk on in the first fall depth chart, it’s a message to the players on the team that talent isn’t good enough without maximum effort. In fact, the first depth chart is usually the final shot across the bow for more veteran players to get a chance to play this year. If a walk on sees the field, aside from special teams, they’re rewarding someone who went above and beyond in practice by making sure they letter. Dominique Whaley is starting to approach Trent Ratterree/James Winchester territory as a walk on who may actually see real PT.
-The coaches may have wimped out on the QB depth chart, but they know who their #2 is. If Landry went down (knock on wood) the coaches have already decided who’s going in.
-If J. Miller transfers out, I’ll be a fan of his no matter where he ends up.
-I’m not going to address Whaley’s presence at RB, because it’s been covered. I’ll change my mind on this as soon as I see Whaley in for more than one possession against Tulsa.
-This defense is designed to absolutely punish spread offenses.
-Hello, Kameel Jackson.
-Franks over Miller at WR tells me that Heupel values speed in his WR’s. Heupel’s not looking to create physical mismatches, he’s looking to create big plays with YAC by giving his WR’s the ball in space.
If Dominique Whaley is half as good as Ratteree and Winchester have been as walk-ons, I’ll consider that a great success.
by SoonerSunDevil on Aug 29, 2011 2:27 PM CDT up reply actions
Also, if Kameel Jackson ends up being a stud WR, it absolutely eases the pain of the Metoyer situation. If Kameel Jackson is a legit weapon in another year or two, then the Metoyer stung is significantly reduced. Let’s not forget that sometimes you get a top WR and a middle of the road WR in the same class. To me, so long as you get one awesome WR between those two, I don’t care who has the success. Example, Adron Tennell was absolutely a bust in his time at OU, but Iglesias was an overachiever.
by SoonerSunDevil on Aug 29, 2011 2:29 PM CDT up reply actions
I’ve been saying for a while now that Jonathan Miller wasn’t nearly as good as everyone thinks he is and that Calhoun is an absolute bust. I wish nothing but the best for both of them, but I’d be surprised if Miller got more than 50-100 carries this season and absolutely shocked if Calhoun gets more than 25. Neither of them are better than Clay, Finch, and apparently Whaley. I think Brandon Williams should redshirt, but he probably won’t. I’m not convinced that either Miller or Calhoun will be above Williams on the depth chart next year (or this year for that matter). Don’t forget the stud RB from Jenks coming in next year. OU has an absolutely loaded backfield and there’s no room for Miller and there sure as hell isn’t room for Calhoun. Again, I wish them nothing but the best and I hope they prove me wrong, but I don’t see it happening.
I'm of the opinion
that it’s gonna be Finch and Clay. I really think they compliment each other very well. But I also don’t care who it is as long as they come in and perform very high. I think Calhoun probably won’t play and If Clay and Finch play well in the first couple of games I find it difficult for Miller to jump ahead of those guys. I’ve heard Brandon Williams has had problems fumbling the football and the coach’s don’t trust him yet. I can see wanting to RS him but I also can see wanting to get him some PT. None of us really know, but I think we all have a lot of trust in our coaching staff to put the best players on the field
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