Oklahoma Sooners

SoonerSports.com | Boomer Bytes

 
 Latest from Norman
Jason Matheson highlights online coverage of OU Athletics for Sooner fans. Updated each weekday morning, Boomer Bytes is your quick guide to Sooners in the news.
 
Have you seen a news article on OU that we should share with the Sooner Nation online? Please email us the link here in Norman.
 
Sooner Features
2009 Oklahoma NFL Draft Central
2009 OU Spring Football Central
2008-09 Men's Basketball Central
2008-09 Women's Basketball Central
Cade Davis M Basketball Video Series
Ashley Paris W Basketball Video Series
Gerald McCoy Football Video Series
Jermaine Gresham Football Video Series
 
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Boomer bytes

  Monday, July 6

From the Columbia Daily Tribune: "Since Bradford took over the Sooners' offense in 2007, OU has won 23 of 28 games, and he's thrown 86 touchdowns to just 16 interceptions. This season will be a test as Bradford works with four new starters on the offensive line and a retooled receiver corps..."

Bradford, Brown & Murray - Columbia Daily Tribune
 
OU Football Headlines
OU-Texas No. 1 College Football Rivalry - ESPN
Sooners Have Top-10 Non-Conference Slate - Sporting News
Sooners, Horns Stout in Big 12 - Orange (Texas) Leader
Hectic Year Awaits Sam Bradford - Tulsa World
OU-Texas Rightfully Ranked Top Rivalry - ESPN
OU Won't Overload Bradford's Schedule - Tulsa World
Experts on Big 12 Football for 2009 - Kansas City Star
Cotton Bowl Making Smart Move - Tulsa World
Big 12 Conference News and Notes - ESPN
 
Pat Forde of ESPN on the OU-OSU basketball rivalry: "The Sooners still figure to be dealing from a position of strength. They went further in the NCAAs last March and, thanks to the return of guard Willie Warren, should be ranked higher this November..."

OU-OSU Top-10 Basketball Rivalry - ESPN
 
More OU Headlines
Keeping Tabs on Taylor Griffin - Tulsa World
Getting to Know Golf Coach Ryan Hybl - The Oklahoman
Former Sooner Anthony Kim on AT&T National - The PGA
 
  Thursday, July 2

Ian Thomsen of Sports Illustrated details Shaquille O'Neal's estimate of Blake Griffin: "My (10 year old) son is starting to play now, and I don't like to let him watch players that are really, really fancy. Of course, I'll let him watch Kobe, LeBron, T-Mac (Tracy McGrady). But I show him Blake Griffin and I say, 'Shareef, this is the dude you should watch and pattern your game after."

Shaq Wants Son to Emulate Blake Griffin - Sports Illustrated
 
OU Basketball Headlines
Shaq Gives Griffin Ultimate Compliment - Los Angeles Times
Catching Up with OU Roundball - Tulsa World
Griffin Another Success for Big 12 Hoops - Big 12 Conference
 
From Tim Griffin of ESPN: "Being in the middle of Oklahoma's biggest question mark isn't something that Ben Habern shies away from. In fact, the Sooners' freshman center is excited about the opportunity to prove something to the doubters who are wondering about Oklahoma's young offensive line heading into the upcoming season with four new starters..."

Habern Eager to Help Young O-Line Develop - ESPN
 
OU Football Headlines
Walker Ready to Battle for NFL Spot - Waco Tribune-Herald
Top 25 Intel: Oklahoma Lands at No. 3 - ESPN
Dr. Saturday: Musing on College Football - Yahoo Sports
Big 12 Conference News and Notes - ESPN
 
More OU Headlines
Georgia Coaching Trio Leaves for OU - Red & Black
Golf Team Gets Coach with Familiar Name - OU Daily
 
  Wednesday, July 1

The Wichita Eagle reports on OU's third caravan stop of the summer in the Kansas city: "The Sooners will likely field another Top 5 team in the coming months, but Stoops didn't seem too eager Tuesday to talk about any of that. Sure, senior linebacker Ryan Reynolds is expected to be healthy, and sure, that should help OU. Plus, can't forget about star quarterback Sam Bradford, who passed on the NFL to return to Norman for another shot at the national championship -- and maybe another Heisman -- but Stoops insisted he wasn't prepared to focus on fall just yet..."

Stoops Driving OU's Caravan - Wichita Eagle
 
OU Football Headlines
Sooners to Lead Big 12 Boom in 2010 - Sporting News
Stoops Brothers Give Back - Warren Tribune Chronicle
Reesing's Small Number on Height Chart - USA Today
Nothing Good Happens After 2 a.m. - Dallas Morning News
Big 12 Conference News and Notes - ESPN
 
ESPN has three Sooners up for Espys including Sam Bradford and Blake Griffin in the Best Male College Athlete category and Adrian Peterson up as Best NFL Player. Fans can vote online.
 
Andrew Kamenetzky of the Los Angeles Times posts an extensive review and video log of Blake Griffin's official introduction to the media in California: "I asked Griffin if he's set specific goals for himself, whether Rookie of the Year, a certain amount of points, etc.  He's not sweating the baskets, which he thinks could be a function of need as much as success.  Instead, the top priorities are hitting the glass and forging a defensive presence..."

Reaction to Griffin News Conference - Los Angeles Times
 
OU Basketball Headlines
Warren Set to Step Up With Griffin Gone - Rivals
No. 1 Picks Get Paid for Their Pain - Boston Herald
Sooners May Need More Time to Mesh - ESPN
 
More OU Headlines
OU Coach Has Name Recognition - Tulsa World
Kim Looking to End Victory Drought - The Oklahoman
 
  Tuesday, June 30

From Dennis Dodd of CBS: "Oklahoma's questions are at offensive line and receiver. If this were anywhere else but the Big 12 South, the Sooners would be prohibitive favorites to repeat. With a break here or there, they still might end back up in the national championship game..."

Dennis Dodd: Picking the Big 12 - CBS Sports
 
OU Football Headlines
Fanatics Rush for Preseason Magazines - The Oklahoman
Stoops at Camp of Champions - Youngstown Vindicator
What They're Saying About the Sooners - The Oklahoman
Best in Trenches in Big 12 History - Columbia Daily Tribune
Latest Chuck Long Update Isn't Pretty - Tulsa World
Is Big 12 Ready to Surpass SEC? - Dallas Morning News
Tramel: Tebow Favorite in Heisman Race - The Oklahoman
OSU's Preseason Reach vs. Historical Grasp - Yahoo Sports
Big 12 Conference News and Notes - ESPN
 
Clippers head coach Mike Dunleavy on Blake Griffin: "I feel like he's a cross between Charles Barkley and Tim Duncan," Dunleavy said. "He's bigger than Barkley, but he has the quick first step like Barkley, the explosion like Barkley, the big hands like Barkley. He's got the size, the demeanor of a Tim Duncan, the work ethic."

Blake Griffin is Working on Fitting In - Los Angeles Times
 
More OU Headlines
Thompson Takes Glimpse Into Future - Tulsa World
Longhorns Won't Forget Griffin - Enid News & Eagle
D.J. Mathis on the Mend in Norman - Afton Telegraph
Q&A With Forward Amanda Thompson - Tulsa World
 
The Sooner Caravan heads north to Wichita on Tuesday in its third stop for 2009. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Hilton Wichita Airport. Head coaches Bob Stoops, Jeff Capel and Sherri Coale join Athletics Director Joe Castiglione and student-athletes Jeremy Beal and Nyeshia Stevenson for the event in Kansas.

2009 Sooner Caravan: Wichita on Tuesday, June 30
 
  Monday, June 29

The Columbia Daily Tribune highlights the best linemen in the Big 12 and the list starts with Oklahoma defensive tackle Gerald McCoy: "Still just a redshirt junior, McCoy emerged as OU's most destructive lineman last season, coming up especially big in the Sooners' biggest games. He notched two sacks against Texas in the Red River Rivalry and was a constant pain in the rump for Florida's offensive linemen in the BCS National Championship Game, a game in which he snagged his first career interception..."

Best of the Beefy Boys Up Front - Columbia Daily Tribune
 
OU Football Headlines
Athlon Rep Discusses OU for 2009 - The Oklahoman
Peterson Reflects on Playing at OU - Tulsa World
Oklahoma Knows What It's Doing - CBS Sports
Stoops' Heritage Remains Priority - Tulsa World
Peterson Progressing to Best-Ever Goal - The Oklahoman
Peterson Shares Skills, Shapes Youth - Tulsa World
Peterson Admits Some Regrets - Norman Transcript
Predicting Coaching Futures in the Big 12 South - A&M Blog
Favre Won't Get Peterson to Super Bowl - The Oklahoman
Big 12 Conference News and Notes - ESPN
KU, K-State Top-10 Worst Schedules - Sporting News
 
The Norman Transcript on OU track and field phenom Will Claye: "Already the junior national recordholder in the event, Claye crushed the competition with a triple jump of 56 feet, 3 inches. Claye accomplished the jump on his third try and did not jump again, though he could have jumped five more times..."

Claye Keeps Adding to His Story - Norman Transcript
 
More OU Headlines
Griffin Brothers Go Together, Again - The Oklahoman
Collins Perseveres in Women's Golf - Boulder Daily Camera
Taylor Griffin Happy to Have Chance - Norman Transcript
Claye's Worst Jump Would Have Won - The Oklahoman
Kansas Regents OK Audits of Athletics - Associated Press
 
The Sooner Caravan heads north to Wichita on Tuesday in its third stop for 2009. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Hilton Wichita Airport. Head coaches Bob Stoops, Jeff Capel and Sherri Coale join Athletics Director Joe Castiglione and student-athletes Jeremy Beal and Nyeshia Stevenson for the event in Kansas.

2009 Sooner Caravan: Wichita on Tuesday, June 30
 
  Friday, June 26

Congratulations to the Griffin family, who had both of their sons selected in the NBA Draft last night. As expected, Blake went No. 1 overall to the Clippers, while Taylor was taken in the second round by the Phoenix Suns. View complete coverage here:

Blake Realizes No. 1 Dream | Suns Take Taylor in Second
 
In commemoration of Blake's No. 1 overall selection, OU's Online Store now has a Blake Griffin No. 1 Clippers jersey available.
 
OU Basketball Headlines
Griffin Chosen No. 1 by Clippers - Norman Transcript
Resurrecting Clippers will be Tough Task- The Oklahoman
Top Pick Set for Challenge with Clippers - Tulsa World
Draft Night Q&A with Blake Griffin - The Sporting News
Dunleavy Feels Griffin is a Sure Thing - Associated Press
Griffin Will Take Piece of Oklahoma to LA - USA Today
From Norman to Hollywood - New York Daily News
Griffin Accepts Invite to USA Minicamp - Chicago Tribune
Taylor Selected by Suns in Second Round - Tulsa World
Former Sooners is 48th Pick of Draft - The Oklahoman
 
The 2009 Sooner Caravan made its second stop of the summer last night in Tulsa, where Coach Stoops was the main attraction:
 
OU Football Headlines
Caravan Notebook: Stoops the Main Man - The Oklahoman
Stoops Speaks with No Regrets About Success - Tulsa World
Stoops Thinks Defense Will Be a Good One - The Oklahoman
Adrian Peterson Hosting Camp in Norman - The Oklahoman
Boren Says Salary Hikes Driven by Market - ESPN.com
Defensive End Jonte Bumpus to Transfer - The Oklahoman
 
  Thursday, June 25

The second stop on the 2009 Sooner Caravan is tonight in Tulsa. Head football coach Bob Stoops, men's basketball assistant Ben Betts and A.D. Joe Castiglione join OU student-athletes including Dominique Franks and Cade Davis at the Schusterman Center on the OU-Tulsa campus beginning at 6:30 p.m. Complete information
 
At the annual Board of Regents meetings Wednesday in Ardmore, President David Boren announced the Athletics Department will increase its support for academic programs by $3 million. The Regents also approved salary increases for several of OU's coaches.
 
Dave Sittler of the Tulsa World on the Athletics Department's increased subsidy for academic programs at the University:

At OU, Athletics and Academics Work Together Nicely
 
More OU Headlines
Sooner Athletics Gives Additional $3 Million - ESPN.com
Regents Approve Raises for OU's Coaches - Tulsa World
Coaches' Raises Reflection of Marketplace - The Oklahoman
Coaches' Contracts Laden with Bonuses - Norman Transcript
 
OU Football Headlines
Why Stoops is Worth the Money - Tulsa World
Stoops' Deal Should Keep Him at OU - ESPN.com
OU-BYU Among Top Nonconference Games - CFN.com
Jimmy Stevens the Starter at Kicker - The Oklahoman
Franks the Frontrunner to Return Kicks - Tulsa World
 
The NBA Draft is here at last, with Blake Griffin expected to go No. 1 overall to the LA Clippers. Tune in to ESPN tonight at 6:30 p.m. to watch the draft live from New York City.
 
OU Basketball Headlines
Blake Griffin "The Rookie", Episode Three - ESPN.com
Draft Time: Clippers in Griffin's Future - Tulsa World
Clippers Hope Griffin Changes Fortunes - LA Times
What's in Store for Blake Griffin? - Tulsa World
Griffin Will Need His Sense of Humor - USA Today
Blake Griffin Leaves Lasting Legacy - OU Daily
Quad Q&A with Blake Griffin - New York Times
Tulsa Health Center Named After Tisdale - Tulsa World
 
Finally, OU filled its lone remaining coaching vacancy Wednesday with the hiring of Veronique Drouin as the head women's golf coach.
 
OU Golf Headlines
Drouin Named OU Women's Golf Coach - The Oklahoman
Sooners Hire Drouin, Mueller Advances - Tulsa World
 
  Wednesday, June 24

We updated the football depth chart yesterday with all the special teams' positions. Please note, for positions where only one player is listed, a backup has yet to be determined at this time.

Football Depth Chart Updated with Special Teamers
 
Every year, the Tuscaloosa News publishes its "Best College Football Rankings" which ranks the nation's top programs in a variety of categories. Oklahoma stands at No. 2 all-time, just two points behind the newspapers' very own Crimson Tide:

Annual Best College Football Rankings - Tuscaloosa News
 
OU Football Headlines
Top Offensive Units in College Football - The Sporting News
Top Defensive Units in College Football - The Sporting News
OU Has Unfinished Business - Lawrence Journal-World
Previewing OU's Offensive Line - Crimson & Cream Machine
How Sacks Skew Rushing Stats in College - ESPN.com
Former OU Lineman Joins 'Bama Staff - Mobile Press-Register
 
On the eve of the NBA Draft, and with Blake Griffin likely headed to the Clippers, the Associated Press' Rachel Cohen writes on why Griffin is confident he can turn the team around:

Griffin Set to Prove Doubters Wrong - Associated Press
 
OU Basketball Headlines
Griffin Could Be Good for Bad Clippers - Kansas City Star
Clippers Want Griffin, Little Else is Clear - New York Times
Griffin Prepares for Role with Clippers - Houston Chronicle
Blake Griffin Five Years from Now - The Sporting News
Griffin Tops Among NBA Draft Prospects - NESN
Taylor Also Awaits His NBA Fate - Tulsa World
Capel Has Earned the Money He's Paid - Tulsa World
 
Finally, a reminder that the 2009 Sooner Caravan arrives in Tulsa on Thursday. Head coach Bob Stoops and AD Joe Castiglione headline the event, which begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Schusterman Center on the OU-Tulsa campus. Reserve your spot today:

2009 Sooner Caravan Hits Tulsa Thursday, June 25

  Tuesday, June 23

OU filled another one of its coaching vacancies Monday afternoon with the hiring of Ryan Hybl as men's golf coach. The brother of former Sooner QB Nate Hybl, Ryan has been an assistant at Georgia, his alma mater, since 2005. Welcome to Norman Ryan!

Ryan Hybl Takes Over Reins of Men's Golf Program
 
OU Golf Headlines
Ryan Hybl Named OU Men's Golf Coach - The Oklahoman
OU Appears on Course with Hybl Hire - Norman Transcript
Hybl Named Oklahoma's New Golf Coach - USA Today
 
Congratulations to Danielle Robinson for making the cut for the USA World University Games team. Robinson announced the news Monday morning on her Twitter page and USA Basketball officials confirmed the team later that afternoon.

Robinson to Represent USA | Follow D-Rob on Twitter
 
OU Women's Basketball Headlines
Robinson Heads to World University Games - OU Daily
Robinson Makes 12-Member USA Team - Tulsa World
 
As the NBA Draft draws near, The Oklahoman's Jenni Carlson writes on the impact Blake Griffin has had on the Oklahoma sports scene: "We watched Griffin grow up, and now, he's leaving the nest. Sure, it's bitter, but it's sweet, too."

Blake Griffin Will Do Well For Himself and the State
 
OU Men's Basketball Headlines
Endorsements Already Rolling Griffin's Way - Tulsa World
EA Sports Select Griffin as Cover Boy - The Oklahoman
Blake Griffin Soon to be a Clipper - Tulsa World
Blake Sits Alone at Top of NBA Draft - Salt Lake Tribune
Clippers Intent on Keeping No. 1 Pick - Associated Press
Blake Griffin Watch, Monday Edition - Los Angeles Times
Griffin Has Hectic Day at ESPN HQs - The Oklahoman
Blake Griffin Blows Through Windy City - ESPN.com
Taylor Griffin Courted by Globetrotters - The Oklahoman
 
Not much in terms of football headlines today, but we did post the first in another series of features that will get you prepared for the upcoming season. In the coming weeks, we will take an in-depth look at each of OU's 2009 opponents with stat breakdowns, players to watch and keys to the game. First up, the BYU Cougars:

2009 Football Opponent Preview: BYU Cougars
 
Finally, a reminder that the second stop on the 2009 Sooner Caravan is in Tulsa this Thursday, June 25. Space is still available, so reserve your spot today. For complete information, visit the following link:

Stoops, Castiglione Highlight Caravan Stop in Tulsa
 
  Monday, June 22

Back from the weekend, we would again like to wish all the dads out there a Happy Father's Day. We hope it was a special day filled with plenty of family, fun and relaxation.
 
A scan of the weekend headlines and the latest news today...

OU Football Headlines
Who Will Be Catching the Ball in 2009? - The Oklahoman
Big 12's Top Impact Freshmen for '09 - Columbia Tribune
Profile on '69 Heisman Winner Steve Owens - Sporting News
Dallas: Top College FB Destination - Ft. Worth Star-Telegram
New Stadium Provides Huge Revenue to Big 12 Teams - ESPN
Pasha Jackson Finds His Calling in Cuba - The Oklahoman
 
With the 2009 NBA Draft now just three days away, all experts agree that Blake Griffin will go No. 1 overall to the Clippers. View the latest coverage leading up to the draft, in addition to a Q&A we came across that Coach Capel recently did with his alma mater.
 
OU Basketball Headlines
Blake Griffin's No. 1 Goal: Shaping Up - Tulsa World
After Griffin, A Lot of Unknowns - The Oklahoman
Blake Griffin Sits Alone at the Top - Salt Lake Tribune
Griffin the One Star in This Year's Draft - Boston Globe
Older Griffin Works Out for Jazz - Deseret News
Draft Rules Irk College Coaches - Norman Transcript
Q&A with Sooner Guard Willie Warren - The Oklahoman
A Father's Day Moment with Jeff Capel - Tulsa World
Q&A with Duke Alum Jeff Capel - DukeBluePlanet.com
 
The big news out of Norman late Friday afternoon was the hiring of John Roddick, brother of professional star Andy Roddick, as OU's new men's tennis coach. Welcome to Oklahoma John!
 
More OU Headlines
Familiar Name Coming to OU Tennis - Norman Transcript
John Roddick to Coach Tennis at OU - Tulsa World
Roddick Takes OU Tennis Job - Ft. Worth Star-Telegram
No Coach, No Problem for Golf Signee - The Oklahoman
Gymnast Czeschin Calls it a Career - Independence Examiner
Oklahoma All-Access - Launch Broadband Channel
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