SB Nation - Charles Tapper

OU Football 2012 - Assessing The Sooners Current Redshirt Situation

Jordan Esco — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 20:11:53 -0000

To borrow a popular term from one Mr. Bob Stoops, Oklahoma's 'East Handkerchief State' portion of their schedule has come and gone. It wasn't quite as pretty as we all might have liked, but never the less the Sooners are 2-0 as they head into the first of two bye weeks and prepping for what will easily be their most difficult game to date. Given that the level of competition will step up considerably, the opportunities for those freshman who have yet to play will likely indicate a redshirt in their near future.

Through the first two games, Oklahoma has played the following true freshman: Sterling Shepard, Trey Metoyer, Durron Neal, Taylor McNamara, Ty Darlington, Charles Tapper, Michael Onuoha, Gary Simon, and Eric Striker.

Of those, Metoyer, Shepard, and McNamara are the only ones who have seen anything close to what one would call significant playing time. Neal has played, but sparingly at best. Same for (the most part) Tapper and Onuoha. Unless I'm mistaken, Striker's time has been exclusively on special teams. While both Darlington and Simon were late substitutions against FAMU. I'm not going to get into whether or not it was worth playing some of these guys, that's not what this post is really about, but it's safe of you to assume I wouldn't have a glowing review of the decision to do so for several of them.

So, we know who has played which obviously leaves those who are likely to receive a redshirt. Here is a quick rundown.

RB Daniel Brooks -No surprise here. He came in needing major knee surgery, a redshirt was planned all along.

QB Trevor Knight -No injury involved, but given the depth chart a redshirt was just as assured for Knight as it was for Brooks.

WR Derrick Woods -This one needed to happen and the OU receiver situation improving considerably pretty much guaranteed it would. Many still feel Woods' ceiling may be higher as a safety.

TE Sam Grant -Another one that needed to happen and Geneo Grissom's move all but sealed the deal for Grant. There are already some speculating his future move to the offensive line.

OG Kyle Marrs -The chances of Marrs playing as a true freshman were zero.

RB Alex Ross -Not going to lie, pleasantly surprised by this one. The coaches were raving about him this summer and this had Brandon Williams -- complete waste of a year -- written all over it. So far, the coaches have resisted the urge to play him and barring some kind of rash of injuries to OU's other running backs I expect/hope that to continue. Additionally, the success of Damien Williams makes this decision that much easier.

RB David Smith -The coaches were impressed with him this summer, but if Alex Ross isn't going to play Smith is a no-brainer.

CB Zack Sanchez -He revealed his own redshirt status on Twitter last week and it makes sense that the coaches would give him the year. Has a bright future as a potential shutdown corner, but needed a year in the weight room.

DT Jordan Wade -Initially a member of the 2011 class, Wade's enrollment was delayed due to some academic issues. Now a member of 2012, he will spend the year redshirting but will definitely be needed next season when OU loses three seniors at the defensive tackle spot.

OU Football 2012 - Sooners Practice Update, Casey Walker Returns

Jordan Esco — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 01:01:20 -0000

David King says he worked strictly at DE today for #Sooners. The Casey Walker Effect.
— Guerin Emig (@GuerinEmig) September 10, 2012

Good news for Oklahoma fans. With Casey Walker's return to practice on Monday, reports are that David Kind returned to his normal defensive end spot. This is positive for two obvious reasons, (1) no one will be playing out of position and (2) the Sooners will no longer be playing an "undersized" defensive line.

The expectation is that the starting front four for the Kansas State game will be: King, Walker, Jamarkus McFarland, and R.J. Washington. It gives Oklahoma two big bodies in the middle to eat up blocks and allows Washington and King to focus primarily on getting to the quarterback.

King has been exceptional thru the first two games (with the obvious caveat of taking into account the level of competition), so a return to his more natural position of defensive end can only bode well for his continued production. The only potential negative aspect of his move back to defensive end would be the now likely limited opportunities for true freshmen Charles Tapper and Michael Onuoha, who have already burned their respective redshirts.

Assuming the Sooners can get Stacy McGee back in the coming weeks, the OU defensive line would look much more like the one many fans expected prior to the start of this season.

UTEP vs. #4 Oklahoma Game Week Reading Materials

asalom — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 12:00:54 -0000

If you're out there looking for your fix of information on the UTEP vs. Oklahoma football game this weekend, you've found the right place. Here's a list of some good reads on everything from game previews to team previews, and bulletin board material to coaches' comments. Enjoy.

Stoops, Sooners Preview Season Opener - SoonerSports.com - Official Athletics Site of the Oklahoma Sooners
SoonerSports.com is the official athletics site of the Oklahoma Sooners and partner of CBS College Sports. SoonerSports.com provides official coverage of the Oklahoma Sooners direct from the OU Athletics Department in Norman.

NCAA College Football Preview - Oklahoma Sooners at Texas-El Paso Miners - Sep 01, 2012 - CBSSports.com
A 10-win season and bowl victory would be considered a great year for most programs. Oklahoma is not " most programs.

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First glance: Breaking down UTEP - Oklahoma Sooners Blog - ESPN
The Sooners have a history of struggling in openers. Look no further than 2010, when Utah State took OU to the brink in a 31-24 Sooners victory. That Utah State team was no better than this UTEP squad.

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Multiple OU freshman to play against UTEP | OU Sports
Well, there's Ty Darlingon and Taylor McNamara. Then there's Charles Tapper and Mike Onuoha. Don't forget Durron Neal and Sterling Shepard, or Gary Simon

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UTEP Miners Football At A Glance - Crimson And Cream Machine
2012 UTEP Miners Football At A Glance

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Oklahoma Sooners Remain Focused Solely On Football - Crimson And Cream Machine
In 2011, the bar was set high as the Oklahoma Sooners came in with the nation's top ranking. With all the expectations that were placed upon the 2011 season, only a few have been removed heading into 2012. This is a season that is shaping up to be far removed from the fanfare as the Sooners have taken on a new sense of focus.

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Mike Price - "Oklahoma Has No Weaknesses" - Crimson And Cream Machine
Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops met with the media on Monday to discuss the UTEP Miners, his first opponent of the season. His counterpart, Mike Price, also met with the media to discuss the Sooners and apparently he's pretty high on them.

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Oklahoma's QB Landry Jones wants to win the national championship | Tulsa World
Landry Jones was asked - before fall camp hit full speed earlier this month - what his focus was for Oklahoma's 2012 football season. The senior quarterback didn't hesitate with his answer. "It's going after that national championship," Jones said. "We've had some success around this place. With me at quarterback, we haven't yet been able to get to that big game. We've had some stumbles usually in the regular season that keeps us from that.

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Sports Extra - Blogs - Did UTEP quarterback provide bulletinboard material | Tulsa World
UTEP quarterback Nick Lamaison sat across from me at Conference USA media day in Dallas last month and honestly answered a question about Landry Jones.

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Running ahead of the pack, Jeffery ready to lead - Sports - The Prospector - University of Texas at El Paso
As football fans await the 60 minutes of wholesome American competition, Miner players are looking to their upperclassmen to lead them into the game and into a successful season. Making an exception to this tradition, UTEP chances for football victory rests in the hands of one of the teams’ youngest, sophomore running back Nathan Jeffery.

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Tight ends looking to have bigger impact in Price’s offense - Sports - The Prospector - University of Texas at El Paso
With plenty of new faces in the offense this upcoming season, the Miners tight ends feel ready to take a leading role and help the team improve on their 5-7 record from 2011.

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Past games between UTEP and Oklahoma | News - Home
UTEP VS. OU - Third meeting between the schools, all since 2000. - OU leads the series 2-0 and has outscored the Miners 123-14. - OU has scored the last 89 points in the series. - The Sooners beat the Miners in Norman, Okla. in 2000 (55-14) and 2002 (68-0). - OU was ranked 19th heading into the 2000 matchup and second entering the 2002 game.

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Landry Jones stays cool under pressure
Oklahoma QB Landry Jones stoic despite Blake Bell taking over under center in big plays for the Sooners.

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Oklahoma football: No update on receiver Jalen Saunders | NewsOK.com
The wait for an NCAA ruling on Fresno State transfer wide receiver Jalen Saunders continues. Saunders has asked the NCAA to waive its requirement that transfers sit out a season. Oklahoma assistant coach Jay Norvell has said the request related to personal, off-the-field issues. OU coach Bob Stoops said he expected an announcement any day.

OU Football 2012 - Sooners Release Updated Depth Chart For UTEP Game

Jordan Esco — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 16:35:06 -0000

We've been waiting and waiting and waiting for Bob Stoops to release an updated depth chart and that time has finally come (here).

*** FULL DISCLAIMER - A Bob Stoops depth chart historically means very, very little. ***

Okay, with that out of the here are the highlights.

The Sooners have 13 freshman listed in the two deep, nine of which are true freshman.

Your starting offensive line is exactly as we expected (from left to right): Lane Johnson, Adam Shead, Gabe Ikard, Bronson Irwin, and Daryl Williams. Austin Woods listed as the backup right guard (not center) while true freshman Ty Darlington is listed behind Ikard.

Stoops pulled a total 'Mack Brown' and listed all three guys at tight end (Geneo Grissom, Brannon Green, and Taylor McNamara) as "co-starters."

The starting wide receivers are Trey Metoyer, Kenny Stills, and Justin Brown. They are backup up by Lacoltan Bester, Sterling Shepard, and Durron Neal respectively.

Dominique Whaley is listed as the starter and running back with Brennan Clay and Damien Williams behind him as "co-backups."

The listed starting defensive tackles are David King and Casey Walker, interesting that Jamarkus McFarland is running second team.

Rashod Favors and Charles Tapper as listed as "co-backups" behind senior R.J. Washington.

Frank Shannon and Jaydan Bird are listed as "co-backups" at middle linebacker behind Tom Wort.

Gary Simon is behind Aaron Colvin.

Your kickoff return guys are Brennan Clay and Roy Finch, while again as expected Kenny Stills and Justin Brown returning punts.

OU Football 2012 - The First Annual CCM 'My Guys'

Jordan Esco — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 12:00:12 -0000

This is something we've probably done here before in some form or fashion, but now we're going to 'formalize' things and make this all "official like." This likely doesn't need much explanation, it's pretty simple. We all have a guy or two we may irrationally favor more so than some others. It doesn't necessarily make sense all the time. Sometimes you just can't explain something when it "just feels right." We all know what that's like, right?

Did things just get a little weird in here?

Anyway, this is an admittedly borrowed idea. This is something Peter, over at Burnt Orange Nation has been doing for a number of years. Granted, he borrowed it from Joe Sheehan of Baseball Prospectus, but it's always something I've enjoyed reading and wanted to try here at CCM. So I have to give proper credit where credit is due, even if it is to a Longhorn.

So, here we go.

Matt's Guy: Gabe Ikard - Not a flashy pick, but even before Ben Habern had to retire from football I thought he was Oklahoma's best all around offensive lineman. What he does on a weekly basis won't show up in the stats but anchoring the offensive line from the center position is pretty darn important. Other than Landry Jones he's the only other player who will touch the ball on every offensive down.

Rich's Guy: R.J. Washington - This is a defensive end who has shown flashes of potential, but has not received enough playing time to really stretch his wings. In the playing time he saw last season, behind NFL Caliber players, Washington came up big time and time again. With his name being inserted into the starting lineup, I think he grows into what he has already shown. Plus, I wouldn't be surprised to see this kid lead the Big XII in sacks.

Jordan's Guy: Aaron Colvin - Colvin is primed to take over the 'most underrated player' role Demontre Hurst currently holds and this year will be no exception. And it's a shame, because he is one hell of a football player. Corner, as many of you know, is a position that doesn't typically get noticed unless they are helplessly chasing down a receiver from behind. So with that being the standard, Colvin may go unnoticed all season. But for those of us who pay closer attention to all the little details, he could easily prove to be the most valuable player on this defense in 2012.

Matt's Guy: Corey Nelson - Kid was in the doghouse during the spring but has worked his way out of it and has emerged as a leader of the defense during the summer. Tom Wort will be getting a lot of attention this fall (and deservedly so) but Nelson will be in on a ton of plays himself and will be among the best linebackers in the conference.

Rich's Guy: Landry Jones - Yes, this is a high profile pick but I have always been in Jones' corner. He made the decision to come back for his senior season for a single reason...to finish what he set out to do and become the best. This is the season it all culminates for Jones' and he has off the chart numbers while putting his doubters to rest.

Jordan's Guy: Damien Williams - I've been in the driver's seat of the Damien Williams bandwagon ever since his LOI came through that fax machine on National Signing Day. If you've ever taken the time to watch some of his highlights, you know why I'm so bullish on the JUCO transfer. He's a tough, hard inside runner yet also possesses the ability to take it to the house if he hits the crease. Admittedly, the odds aren't necessarily in his favor with Dom Whaley and Brennan Clay providing some stiff competition for carries. However, I remain of the opinion that he'll simply be too good to keep off the field. (Disclaimer - I'm just going to go ahead and claim Alex Ross in this spot for 2013. The things people close to the program are saying about him, I mean wow.)

Matt's Guy: Tress Way - Yeah, I know he's a punter but he's also one of the best punter's in the nation. There aren't a lot of schools who can claim the punter as a game changer, but the Sooners certainly can as Way has proven over and over again that he can flip the field position battle with just one swing of his foot.

Rich's Guy: Michael Hunnicutt - We saw the beginning of a new era when Hunnicutt took the field. From the moment we all closed our eyes and held our breath right before a field goal attempt, to being able to peek through our fingers at every attempt, this is a kid that has a ton of potential. Could he be the best since Garrett Hartley? Absolutely, and he will only be a sophomore this coming season. Hunnicutt is a guy that has never ceased to impress me as this summer, he reportedly knocked a 55-yarder through the uprights. When the games are close, my money would go on this kid if I were a betting man.

Jordan's Guy: Javon Harris - Yeah, I said it. The guy took all kinds of grief last year from OU fans, but showed a ton of class and character by (1) meeting with the media following the Baylor game (one of his worst on the season) and (2) never letting the doubters bring him down. Following that Baylor game and his meeting with the media, he instantly won my respect and became a player I will root for always. Couple that with quotes I've read this summer like "Mike Stoops arrival has saved his (Harris') career" and "He's a completely different player." I think the simplified schemes Mike Stoops is bringing to this defense are going to make a huge difference in his play.

Matt's Guy: Aaron Colvin - Like Tony Jefferson you have to love this kid's attitude and resolve. He was moved from a position that he's a natural at and placed at a position with a learning curve in 2011. Now he's back at corner and several Oklahoma fans (myself included) are expecting him to shine.

Rich's Guy: Demontre Hurst - I dunno what it is but Hurst has never gotten the credit I think is due him. Maybe it is because he has made a living putting receivers on Hurst Island, a desolate place to be exiled to. Nonetheless, he has been a solid corner with great hip rotation and the ability to break up passes constantly. Maybe this season, his senior year, the media will see the impact from him that this fan sees.

Jordan's Guy: Sterling Shepard - There was already talk this summer about the true freshman potentially starting as the Sooners slot wide receiver. Granted, Kenny Stills apparent move inside all but squashes the chances of him starting but Shepard should still see plenty of snaps this season. He is the prototypical slot wide receiver - smallish, great moves in the open field, has a knack for finding holes in the defense - and projects as the perfect replacement for Ryan Broyles in this offense. I expect him to be one of those rare true freshman who appears to play well beyond his years of experience.

Guys who could have very easily been included: Austin Woods, David King, Jordan Phillips, Durron Neal, Trey Metoyer, Gabe Lynn, Justin Brown, Alex Ross, Trey Millard, Eric Striker, Adam Shead, Taylor McNamara, Chuka Ndulue, Charles Tapper.

OU Football 2012 - Disclaimer: We're Simply Running Out Of Ways To Tell You The Sooners Have Lost Another Player

Jordan Esco — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 23:42:07 -0000

Per Bobby Jack Wright, DE Chaz Nelson out 6 weeks with knee injury; PL Lindley out with high ankle sprain #Sooners
— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) August 21, 2012

After just this morning informing you of yet another loss for the Sooners, we bring you even more bad news.

Granted, Chaz Nelson had been reportedly passed over on the depth chart by the likes of Rashod Favors/Charles Tapper/Michael Onuoha, but again all these injuries are more about depth than anything. And here we are with that depth taking, almost unbelievably, yet another hit with both of these guys now dealing with their respective injuries.

I think a number of us are already at and/or past this point, but eventually you have to figure all these things are some kind of sign. And not the good kind of sign.

OU Football 2012 - Sooners Dealt Yet Another Blow Via A Suspension

Jordan Esco — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 16:49:33 -0000

DT Stacy McGee suspended indefinitely per Stoops
— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) August 17, 2012

Stacy McGee has been suspended indefinitely from the OU football team. Stoops cited it as a university policy.
— SoonerScoop.com (@SoonerScoop) August 17, 2012

So resetting... Stacy McGee suspendedIndefinitely. Casey Walker fine. David King to help at DT. Guerin Emig having bad Twitter day.
— Guerin Emig (@GuerinEmig) August 17, 2012

To be perfectly honest, I'm about ready to just throw my hands up at this point. And the season hasn't even started yet.

Bob Stoops dropped some more bad news on Sooner fans Friday afternoon when he revealed that senior defensive tackle Stacy McGee had been suspended indefinitely due to a university policy. Reading between the lines, that could be a couple different things but my best guess is that it's grade related (though I could easily be wrong and will gladly admit if that proves to be the case).

While the news of the suspension is obviously disappointing (especially for a guy in his final season), that final tweet from OU beat writer Guerin Emig might be even more surprising. If true, the coaches are apparently considering David King as a temporary fill-in at defensive tackle?

Obviously for that to be the case, they must feel incredibly confident in not only R.J. Washington but Chuck Ndulue as well. If King is playing on the inside, it's a virtual lock that Ndulue would start next to Washington. It is also a major vote of confidence, at least in my humble opinion, towards true freshmen Charles Tapper and Michael Onuoha.

We've already established (unfortunately) this year that "suspended indefinitely" could mean really anything, which is why coaches love that punishment, so apparently we'll simply have to wait and see what the future holds for McGee.