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Preseason
Multimedia |
 08/22
- Seniors' Final Preseason Practice
08/22
- Coach Norvell & Wide Receivers
08/22
- Wilson, Tight Ends & Fullbacks
 08/22
- Practice Photo Gallery (55 Photos)
08/22
- Schmitty Gets OU Warmed Up
08/22
- Players Catch Balls in Warm-Ups
08/22
- Coach Shipp Works the D-Line
08/22
- Defensive Tackles One-on-One
08/22
- Defensive Linemen in the Chute
08/21
- LBs Stack Up the Ball Carrier
08/21
- RBs Drill on Blocking the Edge
08/21
- O-Line Works on Cut Blocking
08/21 - Def. Backs Break on the Ball
08/21
- Linebackers Strip the Football
08/21
- Receivers Catch Behind Throws
08/20
- Sooners Warm Up Inside Everest
08/20
- Receivers Work on Ball Control
08/20
- Linebackers Change Direction
08/20
- Tackling Drills with Linebackers
08/20
- Norvell Drills Quick Recognition
08/20
- Coach V, Backers Tackling
08/20 - TEs, FBs Face Off for Blocking
08/20 - LBs Tackling Drill from Above
08/20 - Coach Norvell with Receivers
08/20 - Coach Venables and the LBs
08/20 - A Look at the DBs from Above
08/19
- OL: Cooper, Hannan & Good
08/19
- OL: Williams, Stephenson, Load
08/19
- Brandon Walker & Ben Habern
08/19
- Coach Stoops Observes LBs
08/19
- Auston English & Defensive Ends
08/19
- Coach Wright, DBs From Above
08/19
- Coach Shipp & Defensive Tackles
08/18 - Banners Adorn Everest Indoor
08/18 - Wide Receivers Absorb Contact
08/18 - Linebackers Work Inside Everest
08/18 - Receivers Turn it Up the Sideline
08/18 - Stoops Observes Special Teams
08/18 - OL: Brax, Trent, Cory Brandon
08/18 - Defensive Backs Backpedal
08/18 - Linebackers Drill on Tackling
08/18 - Running Backs Step the Ropes
08/18 - O-Line, D-Line Go One-on-One
08/18 - Bobby Jack Wright & the DBs
08/18 - Kickers Practice Field Goals
08/18 - Morning Practice (16 Photos)
08/15
- Running Backs Drill Footwork
08/15
- Linebackers Practice Footwork
08/15
- Running Backs & Ball Security
08/15
- Coach Stoops with Secondary
08/15
- Running Backs, TEs Catching
08/15
- QBs Begin Practice Tossing Ball
08/15
- Evening Practice (63 Photos)
08/15
- Defensive Backs Drill Footwork
08/15
- Venables, Linebackers Tackle
08/15
- Coach Wright & the Secondary
08/15
- Morning Practice (28 Photos)
08/14
- TEs & Fullbacks Initiate Contact
08/14
- O-Line Faces Off Against D-Line
08/14
- WRs Go One-on-One with DBs
08/14
- Coach Patton Works the O-Line
08/14
- TEs, FBs Work the Blocking Sled
08/14
- O-Linemen: Good, Cooke, Jones
08/14
- Stoops Throws Jump Balls to DBs
08/14
- Coach Wilson with Tight Ends, FBs
08/14
- D-Linemen Stay Low in the Chute
08/14
- Evening Practice (40 Photos)
08/13
- Coach Shipp Works the DTs
08/13
- Defensive Ends Cone Drill
08/13
- Defensive Tackles Hit the Sled
08/13
- QBs Sam Bradford & Landry Jones
08/13
- Defensive Ends Display Agility
08/13
- DTs Casey Walker & Gerald McCoy
08/13
- DEs Stay Tight on the Corners
08/13
- Coach Wilson and the D-Ends
08/13
- Evening Practice (45 Photos)
08/13
- Coach Stoops Instructs Corners
08/13
- Focus on QB Sam Bradford
08/13
- Tight Ends: Hanna & Ratterree
08/13
- Secondary Tests Wide Receivers
08/13
- Coach Gundy & Running Backs
08/13
- Wide Receivers: Hitch Routes
08/13
- Stoops and Defensive Backs
08/13
- Patented Coach Bobby Jack Wright
08/13
- Wide Receivers: Bubble Routes
08/13
- Receivers Work Against DBs
08/13
- Linebackers & Tackling Drills
08/13
- Morning Practice (56 Photos)
08/12
- DBs & Receivers Battle for Ball
08/12
- Punt Team Drills with Knall, Way
08/12
- Special Teams & Field Goals
08/12
- Punters: Mike Knall & Tress Way
08/12
- Focus on the Receiving Corps
08/12
- Tress Way Practices Kickoffs
08/12
- Practice Photo Gallery (59 Photos)
08/11
- Gresham, Eldridge, Hanna, Clapp
08/11
- DTs: McCoy, Granger, Walker
08/11
- Snappers: Johnson & Hampton
08/11
- Tight Ends & Fullbacks Blocking
08/11
- Receivers Practice Out Routes
08/11
- Coach Shipp Stresses Perfection
08/11
- Wilson Works the TEs & FBs
08/11
- Casey Walker & Adrian Taylor
08/11
- Bobby Jack Coaches up DBs
08/11
- Linebackers Drill Inside Everest
08/11
- Coach Venables and the LBs
08/11
- LBs: Lewis, Robinson & Bryant
08/11
- Coach Stoops with the DBs
08/11
- Wide Receivers Drill on Blocking
08/11
- Linebackers: Crow & Clayton
08/11
- WRs Make Catches in Traffic
08/11
- LBs: Reynolds, Box & Balogun
08/11
- Coach Shipp and the D-Tackles
08/11
- WRs Work Slants, Curls, Posts
08/09
- Coach Shipp and the D-Tackles
08/09
- Defensive Ends Go Head-to-Head
08/09
- DBs Warm Up Before Scrimmage
08/08
- Interview: TE Brody Eldridge
08/08
- Interview: Coach Kevin Wilson
08/08
- Interview: DT Adrian Taylor
08/08
- Linebacker Drill: Tackling
08/08
- Venables Keeps LBs Attention
08/08
- Running Backs Work First Step
08/08
- Linebacker Drill: Staying Low
08/08
- Receivers vs. Defensive Backs
08/08
- QB Dropbacks & Footwork
08/08
- Oklahoma Drill Highlights No. 6
08/08
- Oklahoma Drill Highlights No. 5
08/08
- Oklahoma Drill Highlights No. 4
08/08
- Oklahoma Drill Highlights No. 3
08/08
- Oklahoma Drill Highlights No. 2
08/08
- Oklahoma Drill Highlights No. 1
08/08
- Practice Photo Gallery (46 Photos)
08/07
- Interview: Safety Sam Proctor
08/07
- Interview: OT Branndon Braxton
08/07
- Defensive Line Works Power Step
08/07
- Defensive Backs Change Direction
08/07
- Coach Jackie Shipp and the DTs
08/07
- Patton, O-Line Drill Technique
08/07
- Offensive vs. Defensive Linemen
08/07
- Secondary Hones Reaction
08/07
- Special Teams Drill in Everest
08/07
- Coach Bobby Jack Wright & DBs
08/07
- Defensive Line Bursts Off Ball
08/06 - WRs Take Shots at Blocking Sled
08/06 - D-Backs Stripping the Football
08/06 - Quarterbacks Throw on the Move
08/06
- Tight Ends Catch, Tuck & Turn
08/06 - RBs Get Their Exchanges Down
08/06 - Linebackers Work on Technique
08/06 - Receivers Hurry Up to the Line
08/06 - QBs Fine-Tune Their Footwork
08/06 - Def. Linemen Stress Technique
08/06 - Running Backs Catching Passes
08/06
- Practice Photo Gallery (43 Photos)
08/06 - Coach Stoops Press Conference
08/06 - Off. Coordinator Kevin Wilson
08/06 - Def. Coordinator Brent Venables
08/06 - Sophomore QB Sam Bradford
08/06 - Defensive End Auston English
08/06 - Senior Strong Safety Nic Harris
08/06
- Meet the Sooners Photos (35)
08/06
- Media Day Photo Gallery (57)
 08/06 - OU Coaches and Player Quotes
08/05
- TEs & FBs Work Blocking Sled
08/05
- QBs Warm Up for Practice
08/05
- Patton, Offensive Line Hit Sled
08/05
- Running Backs: Bubble Screens
08/05
- DBs Work on Lateral Moves
08/05
- Patton Coaches Up O-Line
08/05
- Coach Wilson with TEs & FBs
08/05
- Highlights: Offensive Newcomers
08/05
- Secondary Drills for Reaction
08/05
- Coach Wilson & Defensive Ends
08/05
- Interview with DL Cory Bennett
08/05
- Interview with LB Austin Box
08/05
- Practice Photo Gallery (40 Photos)
08/04 - Sooners Warm Up for First Practice
08/04 - Venables Coaches Up the LBs
08/04 - QBs Stress Footwork on Day 1
08/04 - WRs and DBs Go One-on-One
08/04 - RB Fundamentals: Ball Security
08/04 - Linebackers Changing Direction
08/04 - Def. Linemen React to the Snap
08/04 - Norvell Emphasizes Precision
08/04 - Off. Line Focuses on First Steps
08/04
- Practice Photo Gallery (62 Photos)
Important Dates
 08/06
- Meet the Sooners & Media Day
08/07
- Sooner Caravan Oklahoma City
08/08
- Open Practice (Fans Welcome)
08/18
- Open Practice (Fans Welcome)
08/30
- Season Opener vs. Chattanooga
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2008
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2007
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|
|
|
Friday, August 22 |
The Oklahoma football team completed its final session
of preseason practice Friday afternoon at the rugby
fields under sunny skies in Norman. Players celebrated
by wearing another team member's practice jersey. Tradition
also dictated that the seniors would display personal
dance
moves prior to the team stretching at midfield.
The players will enjoy two days off before beginning
the normal game-week schedule Monday. OU kicks off
its 114th
season of intercollegiate
football on Saturday, Aug. 30, hosting Chattanooga
at Owen Field. The game is slated for 6 p.m.
The Sooner football team moved back outside
Friday morning to begin its final session of two-a-days.
View video coverage of the defensive line drilling
with Coach Shipp and Coach Wilson by clicking the links
to the right.
• Senior Jon Cooper was named to the
preseason watch list for the Rimington
Award, which is presented annually to the top
center in college football. Coop has been a mainstay
on the Sooner offensive line since he broke in as a
starter in 2005.
• SoonerSports.com also released the top 10 plays of the 2000s as voted on by you, the fans, with more than 38,000 votes cast over the summer. In a landslide, the Roy Williams Superman play from the 2001 OU-Texas game was No. 1. View the complete coundown.
|
Thursday, August 21 |
With the ground still saturated from all the wet weather this week, the OU football team went back to work Thursday morning inside the Everest Training Center. View video coverage of the linebackers, running backs, offensive line, defensive backs and wide receivers by clicking the links to the right.
Thursday morning's session will be the only practice of the day for Oklahoma. The Sooners will wrap up the preseason with two practices on Friday before getting into their regular game-week routine next Monday.
• OU kicks off the 2008 season against Chattanooga at 6 p.m., on Saturday, Aug. 30. A limited number of tickets are still available. Purchase online through the OU Athletics Ticket Office.
|
Wednesday, August 20 |
Oklahoma completed its next-to-last installment of
two-a-days with an evening practice inside the Everest
Training Center Wednesday. The team is back for a single
practice on Thursday followed by two sessions on Friday.
The Sooners begin their regular game-week schedule
on Monday. View coverage of the linebackers, receivers
and offensive line to the right.
The Sooners worked Wednesday morning
inside Everest. View video features of the tight ends
and fullbacks, linebackers, wide receivers and defensive
backs by clicking the links to the right.
• A number of items in the OU Athletics Online Auction are coming to a close. Don't miss your chance to bid on one of the helmets from our vintage auction series, in addition to an authentic OU helmet signed by 2000 national championship quarterback Josh Heupel.
|
Tuesday,
August 19 |
Oklahoma held one practice on Tuesday evening inside
the Everest Training Facility as unseasonably wet and
cool conditions persisted in Norman. View video coverage
of the defensive tackles and ends, linebackers,
secondary and a focus on specific offensive linemen
during blocking drills from Tuesday's session (click
tonight's multimedia links to the right).
• There's nothing like joining 85,000 fellow Sooner
fans in the stands above Owen Field and cheering OU
to victory. Seats for Sooners, one of our favorite
fan promotions, is back for the 2008 football season!
Enter to win here.
• Sooner fans cast more than 38,000 votes for
their top 10 wins of the 2000s earlier this year and
we've counted them down through the summer. Oklahoma's
greatest win? Not
even close: it's the 13-2 victory
against Florida State in
the Orange Bowl on January 3, 2001. OU's win secured
the school's seventh National Championship.
|
Monday,
August 18 |
With rain continuing to saturate the city of Norman, OU moved inside Everest Training Center for its evening practice session Monday.
While it is unnecessary to point out the ubiquitous
tradition of Sooner football, every time we step inside
Everest we are reminded again of the championship standard
here. Each of Oklahoma's 41 conference titles, seven
national championships and all of its major bowl appearances
are displayed prominently on the banners which adorn
the indoor facility.
Since most OU fans never have the opportunity to go inside Everest, we take you there. View additional video features from Monday evening's practice by clicking the links to the right.
Oklahoma held its second open practice of the preseason Monday morning at the rugby fields west of the Lloyd Noble Center. Despite rainy conditions, a respectable crowd braved the elements to see the Sooners work out in full pads.
• Sophomore QB Sam Bradford was named to the preseason
watch list for the Walter
Camp Award, which is presented
annually to the top player in college football. Bradford
already had been named to watch lists for the watch
lists for the Maxwell (top player) and O'Brien (top
quarterback) awards.
• Plenty of features and articles this morning and over the weekend on the Sooners. Check out the latest edition of Boomer Bytes for a quick scan of the local and national focus on Oklahoma football.
• Kickoff for the 2008 OU football season is less than two
weeks away on Saturday, Aug. 30. Bid
now for an opportunity
to watch the team warm-up from field level, have your
photo taken with the Schooner, see the band march out
on the field and be front and center for the team intro
video as the earth shakes with 85,000 Oklahoma fans
welcoming the Sooners as they head out of the tunnel.
|
Saturday,
August 16 |
Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops was pleased with his team's play after Saturday's scrimmage at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. It was the second full scrimmage of the August camp.
"This one was better," Stoops said. "I thought we showed improvement from the last scrimmage to this one. We were definitely sharper." Stoops was particularly complimentary of QB Sam Bradford, terming the sophomore's play, "incredible."
Many of the front line backs and receivers played
sparingly, but others stepped up to excel. WR Brandon
Caleb caught a pair of touchdowns and freshmen Jameel
Owens and Dejuan Miller drew raves. CB Dominique Franks
had a pair of interceptions for the defense.
OU begins its last week of two-a-day drills on Monday. The morning practice, which begins at 9 a.m., is open to the public. The Sooners also have two workouts slated for Wednesday and Friday.
• Oklahoma was ranked No. 4 in the Associated Press preseason poll released today (August 16). The Sooners were the highest-ranked team in the Big 12 followed by No. 6 Missouri, No. 11 Texas, No. 12 Texas Tech and No. 14 Kansas. OU was also ranked at No. 4 in the Coaches Poll.
|
Friday,
August 15 |
The Sooners returned to the rugby fields for
the second practice of the day Friday afternoon.
The workout was highlighted by a visit from
former Sooner head coach and Norman resident Barry
Switzer. Coach
Stoops greeted Switzer warmly and invited
"the King" to say a few words to the team
as the players took a knee and gathered around him
on the field.
Coach Switzer's message will remain a special memory
for the players but we will share that he concluded
his remarks with a simple charge: "Let's win a
championship!" View
practice photos and video coverage by clicking the
multimedia links to the right.
Friday marked
the third installment of two-a-day practices. The team
alternated between single and double-practice days
the past week and will repeat the schedule next week.
OU holds a closed scrimmage Saturday at the stadium.
• Several fans have asked about the music blaring
in the background during practice. Offensive coordinator
Kevin Wilson explains: "We introduced the music
at first for the quarterbacks -- to make it loud so
they would speak up. You get out there and it's
a very sterile environment at practice. All of a sudden
you play in front of 80,000 people with all the distractions
and it's hard to communicate. With the clock and playing
faster -- getting checks -- (the noise)
forces our guys to think and concentrate a little more."
|
Thursday,
August 14 |
The Sooners enjoyed cooler temps and partial cloud
cover during Thursday morning's practice
at the rugby fields.
View photos and video coverage by clicking the multimedia
links to the right.
• OU announced further
details about the pay-per-view
telecast of the season-opener against Chattanooga on
August 30. Of special note, former Sooner quarterback
Paul Thompson will
provide sideline reports during the broadcast.
• Returning from practice, we snapped photos of
the scoreboard structure at Owen Field. Workers appeared
to be placing the finishing touches on the board while
SoonerVision continues its testing of the video elements
inside the stadium.
• Finally, Oklahoma launched its online auction
experience for the 2008 season opener against Chattanooga. Bid
now for two pregame sideline passes, two Sooner
Club tailgate passes and the opportunity to have your
photo taken with Boomer and Sooner V just before they
make their first official run across Owen Field.
|
Wednesday,
August 13 |
OU began its second installment of two-a-day practices
on Wednesday morning at the rugby fields. The Sooners
worked in full pads beginning at 9 a.m. in Norman.
The team was back on the field for a 6 p.m. practice.
View
photos and video from practice by clicking the links
to the right.
The Sooners are alternating between single and double-practice
days. A closed scrimmage is scheduled for Saturday
at the stadium.
• The University of Oklahoma has a limited
number of tickets remaining for each of its first
two home games, the Aug. 30 opener against Tennessee-Chattanooga
and the Sept. 6 contest against Cincinnati. The tickets
became available when they were returned by the visiting
teams.
• OU also announced that redshirt freshman linebacker
Austin Box underwent arthroscopic knee
surgery Tuesday to
repair torn cartilage in his left knee. OU head coach
Bob Stoops said that the anticipated recovery time
is three weeks. Stoops called Box "doubtful" for
the season opener against Tennessee-Chattanooga, but "probable" for
game two against Cincinnati.
|
Tuesday,
August 12 |
Oklahoma's support team did a great job of prepping
the practice field Tuesday morning after the recent
heavy rains. As a result, the Sooners were back outside
for the ninth day of preseason ball after spending
Monday inside the Everest Training Facility.
OU practiced for two-and-one-half hours in full pads
at the rugby fields. View photos and video coverage
with an emphasis on special teams from Tuesday's practice
by clicking the multimedia links to the right. The
Sooners resume two-a-days on Wednesday with sessions
scheduled for 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.
• Finally, check out the latest
photos of the scoreboard project
at Owen Field. New graphics on the south side of the
board (facing Lindsey Street) are going up now that
the skies have cleared.
|
Monday,
August 11 |
OU's second practice of the day began
at 6 p.m. at the Everest Training Facility. The Sooners
again worked inside despite clearing skies in Norman
to allow the practice area at the rugby fields to dry.
View video coverage of both practices by clicking on
the multimedia links to the right.
• Remember to visit Boomer
Bytes each weekday morning
for a quick scan of media coverage of the Sooners. OU
also released the No.
2 Greatest Win of the 2000s as
voted by fans and continued collecting votes for the
Greatest
Plays of the 2000s.
• The official 2008 Oklahoma football guide is now available
for sale online in the OU Athletics Multimedia Store.
Fans can access the guide online by viewing these
sections in PDF format.
Heavy rain greeted the Sooners Monday
morning as two-a-day practices commenced. The team
worked inside the Everest Training Facility for the
second time this preseason beginning at 9 a.m.
Oklahoma will alternate between two-a-day
and single practices this week with Monday, Wednesday
and Friday scheduled as the double days. The team's
second scrimmage will be Saturday at the stadium. The
August 18th practices will be open to the public but
all other practices and scrimmages are closed.
|
Saturday,
August 9 |
Oklahoma scrimmaged
in full pads during a two-and-one-half
hour session that ended under the lights at Owen Field
Saturday evening. With the scrimmage, OU closed its
first week of preseason practice.
The Sooners open two-a-day practices on Monday at the
rugby fields. Oklahoma's 2008 season begins Saturday,
Aug. 30, when OU hosts Chattanooga at Owen Field.
|
Friday,
August 8 |
The OU football team put on full pads and put on a
show for Sooner fans attending the first of two open
practices on Friday morning at the rugby fields.
Players lined up in chutes and went one-on-one in the
famed Oklahoma Drill in front of the berm where fans
lined the field. Wide receivers matched up against
defensive backs, offensive linemen took on defensive
lineman, and fullbacks faced off against linebackers
while running
backs were forced to hit a hole and make contact with
a defender.
Developed by legendary Sooner coach Bud Wilkinson,
the Oklahoma Drill is a tradition not only at OU, but
at football practices across the country from high
school to the pros.
08/08
- Oklahoma Drill Highlights No. 1
Trent Williams vs. Alan Davis, Jon Cooper vs. Adrian
Taylor, Duke Robinson vs. Gerald McCoy, Phil Loadholt
vs. DeMarcus Granger, Brian Simmons vs. DeMarcus Granger,
Jason Hannan vs. Casey Walker
08/08
- Oklahoma Drill Highlights No. 2
Brian Simmons vs. DeMarcus Granger, Alex Williams vs.
Pryce Macon, Branndon Braxton vs. Cory Bennett, Stephen
Good vs. DeMarcus Granger, Ben Habern vs. Stacy McGee,
Kody Cooke vs. David King, Donald Stephenson vs. R.J.
Washington, Alex Williams vs. Jonte Bumpus
08/08
- Oklahoma Drill Highlights No. 3
Brody Eldridge, Jermaine Gresham vs. Keenan Clayton,
Matt Clapp vs. Lamont Robinson, Trent Ratterree, Kolby
Smith vs. Box, James Hanna vs. Brandon Crow
08/08
- Oklahoma Drill Highlights No. 4
Jermaine Gresham vs. J.R. Bryant, Matt Clapp vs. Daniel
Franklin, Trent Ratterree vs. Mike Balogun, James Hanna
vs. Brandon Crow, Kolby Smith vs. Turner Troup, Trent
Ratterree vs. Travis Lewis, Kolby Smith vs. Austin
Box
08/08
- Oklahoma Drill Highlights No. 5
Jauquin Iglesias vs. Nic Harris, Manuel Johnson vs.
Lendy Holmes, Quentin Chaney vs. Brian Jackson, Brandon
Caleb vs. Dominique Franks, Adron Tennell vs. Desmond
Jackson, Ryan Broyles vs. Sam Proctor, Carter Whitson
vs. Joseph Ibiloye
08/08
- Oklahoma Drill Highlights No. 6
Jameel Owens vs. Brett Bowers, Dejuan Miller vs. Jamell
Fleming, Rashad Hutchins vs. Lamar Harris, Tyler Stradford
vs. Cortney Carter, Cory Wilson vs. Desmond Jackson,
Dejuan Miller vs. Brett Bowers
The Sooners wrapped up practice on Owen Field, moving
team drills inside the stadium in advance of Saturday's
closed scrimmage.
Head Coach Bob Stoops signed autographs for nearly
two hours after practice. Stoops missed Wednesday's
Meet the Sooners event while he attended a memorial
service for former New York Yankees outfielder and
broadcaster Bobby Murcer. Below are quotes from Stoops
following practice:
On Jay Norvell:
"Jay has great experience.
He's worked with Marvin Harrison and the Indianapolis
Colts. He's been with the Oakland Raiders. Everywhere
he's been he's been with great teams and players. He
relates so much with his players and that motivates
those guys."
On Jimmy Stevens and Tress Way:
"Both
have shown they have the leg we need. We had a couple
of misses but I was right behind him and some of those
were due to the holds. We have to work on the snap
and the hold. That comes from repetitions, we have
to get consistent with all three areas; the snap, the
hold and the kick."
On Ryan Broyles:
"He's shifty and it's easy
to notice his ability. I feel like he's the first guy
since Mark Clayton that can play like Clayton did.
He has moves and a good burst. He has a chance to make
a positive impact."
On Mike Balogun:
"Mike is looking good. The
more and more we watch him, it's evident that he will
play. We just have to find the right spot for him.
Brent Venables is working through what's best him."
On Brody Eldridge:
"You can't
run the football or protect the quarterback without
his position. Brody is the most consistent blocker
and protector of everyone out there. When you have
a running back break a long run and everyone is oohing
and ahhing about that, you look back and it's Brody
knocking guys off their feet or clearing them out."
|
Thursday,
August 7 |
The Sooners headed inside the Everest Training Facility
on Thursday afternoon as storm clouds rolled through
the Norman area. OU practiced in shells for the fourth
day of preseason workouts. View video coverage from
the Indoor by clicking the links to the
right.
Redshirt freshman Sam Proctor was among the
young players Coach Stoops praised during
his preseason press conference on Wednesday. Proctor's
performance during spring ball proved there's plenty
of talent available for a secondary some discount as
short on experience.
Proctor shared
his goals for the DBs once the season begins: "We
just want to get better every game. We want to show
people that we can play fundamentally sound, stay aggressive
and show that we can make plays in the secondary."
The 2008 Sooners enjoy a wealth of experience
along the lines. Senior offensive tackle Branndon
Braxton shared
his thoughts going one-on-one against
the Sooner defensive linemen: "Every day, it's a battle.
You might win some one day and come back and the next
day you lose. You just have to do what you can to get
better."
• LSU offensive line transfer Jarvis
Jones joined the
Sooners inside Everest wearing jersey No. 75.
The 6-7, 294-pound Jones will first be eligible to
compete at OU in the 2009 season.
• Oklahoma will hold an open
practice beginning at 9:30
Friday morning at the rugby fields west of the Lloyd
Noble Center. Fans should park in the southwest LNC
lots and proceed to the berm on the south sideline
along Blankenship Ave.
• Coach Stoops will sign autographs after
the practice and that session will begin at approximately
11:45 a.m. inside the Lloyd Noble Center. Fans will
be restricted to one item to be autographed. Fans are
encouraged to bring their own bottled water but no
other outside food or drink will be allowed.
|
Wednesday,
August 6 |
Oklahoma held its third practice of the preseason
on Wednesday afternoon, capping a full day that began
with media and fan activities in the morning. The Sooners
practiced at the regularly-scheduled 4:15 time slot
with temps in the relatively cool mid-90s after record 100+ heat on Monday and Tuesday.
View photos and video features from practice by clicking the links to the right.
Head Coach Bob Stoops and the Sooner football
team held annual media day activities Wednesday
morning at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
Click the links to the right to view each of the morning's
press conferences in their entirety, and read quotes from
Oklahoma's coaching staff and players.
The team also greeted members of the Sooner Kids
Club and Sooner fans for two hours during the program's
annual Meet the Sooners Day at the rugby fields.
View photos here.
|
Tuesday,
August 5 |
The 2008 Sooners returned to the OU
rugby fields on Tuesday evening for the second installment
of preseason
practice and a another round with the August heat. Coach
Stoops again altered the practice schedule, shifting
the start time back an hour.
The team worked in shirts, shorts and helmets for
the second consecutive day and closed the two-and-one-half
hour practice as the sun set to the west over Chautauqua
Avenue.
• The team welcomes fans to the
rugby fields beginning at
11 a.m. on Wednesday. Complete information on the 2008
Meet the Sooners Day presented by Alltel is available here.
• OU will hold single practices each day for the remainder
of the week prior to a closed scrimmage on Saturday.
Two-a-day practices begin next week. Coach Stoops announced
that the August 8th and 18th practices would be open
to the public. All other practices and scrimmages
are closed. SoonerSports.com released an updated printable
roster for 2008 preseason practice.
Defensive Ends Coach Chris Wilson:
On Frank Alexander: "The key for Frank is repetition
We want him to know the defense like the back of his
hand. He's a smart kid and a very willing learner.
He has all of the intangibles. He's physical and explosive."
On the younger ends: "R.J. Washington and David
King are getting a lot of reps. We want to see what
they can do. Obviously they're behind our more experienced
players, but if we can get a handle on where they are
in their development we can start to move them forward."
On Auston English: "We're still waiting on Auston
to get back with us. He has started conditioning a
coach and he's taking a lot of mental reps. For me,
he's like a second coach on the field. We would love
to have him on the field. He's such a leader for us,
but he does know the system so he is one that can afford
some time away. Mostly we miss his leadership. He's
a leader for this whole team."
Wide receivers coach Jay Norvell:
On his position overall: "I see a lot of good
carry over mentally. We were a little rusty the first
day, but we played a lot faster on Tuesday."
On young players: "They're getting a lot of work.
I can sense that they're gaining confidence. It's a
learning process for those guys and they've invested
themselves in getting the scheme and improving."
On areas he would like to see improve: "I think
just the comfort level in the calls and then to play
faster. They're catching the ball and making plays."
Offensive line coach James Patton:
On the first two practices: "I felt like we were
mentally sharp. We've been able to work in some younger
players too and they've done well."
On big players keeping up with a quicker tempo: "Our
guys came back in good shape. I know our guys are big,
but they're capable of handling the faster tempo. I
haven't seen anything yet to make me think otherwise."
On competition for playing time: "We've got competition.
Branndon Braxton has been playing well. He has also
gotten some time at guard while Brandon Walker has
been slowed with some minor muscle stuff. It's nice
to have a player like Branndon who can help us in a
couple positions. He had a good summer and has emerged
as a leader for us. I also like what I am seeing from
Cory Brandon and Donald Stephenson, a couple of young
guys who are working hard to increase they're playing
time."
|
Monday,
August 4 |
Oklahoma officially kicked off the 2008 season with
the team's first preseason practice Monday evening.
With record heat in the Norman area, head
coach Bob Stoops moved the opener
back by 90 minutes to 6 p.m.
The Sooners worked in shells at the OU Rugby
Fields just west of the Lloyd Noble Center. The practice
session culminated a full day of activities for the
players including conditioning
and lifting tests plus an extensive slate of position
and team meetings.
Newcomers officially wore their
OU numbers for the first time on the practice field
including junior transfer Mike Balogun (10) at linebacker,
freshman running back Jermie Calhoun (23) and freshman
Stephen Good (77) at offensive line. SoonerSports.com
released an updated printable
roster to assist fans in learning the new jersey
numbers.
OU will hold single practices each day for the remainder
of the week prior to a closed scrimmage on Saturday.
Two-a-day practices begin next week.
Coach Stoops announced that
the August 8th and 18th practices would be open
to the public. All other practices and scrimmages
are closed.
• The OU Athletics Department holds its annual football
media activities and Meet the Sooners Day on Wednesday.
Complete information is available here.
As always, SoonerSports.com will provide complete coverage
throughout preseason practice including video highlights,
features, interviews and photo galleries direct from
Norman.
OU Head Coach Bob Stoops:
"We worked on just about everything, every
part of the game," said Stoops. "I saw a lot of good
things. There was excellent carry over from spring
practice and that's always something you look for in
your early August workouts. The guys really looked
good.
"We got a chance to look at a lot of young guys. We would like to play every one of them this season if that's the way it work outs.
"We worked on the no-huddle some. I was pleased.
"The heat was no factor at all. They've worked out in this heat for a lot of the summer.
"I thought our specialists looked good. We've got a couple new long snappers (James Winchester, Ben Hampton) and both of them were impressive."
Defensive Coordinator Brent Venables:
"We had a lot of ball disruption which showed me a lot of awareness. We saw a terrific attitude out of these guys."
"I think we found some players. We've had a few question marks, but I was pleased with the development. Now we're pretty simplistic right now and we'll put more in every day, so we'll see how much we progress, but overall I was pretty happy."
"Pushing the practice time back not only got us out of the worst heat of the day, but it gave us a little more meeting time and you can't over-estimate how much that means to us right now."
Offensive Coordinator Kevin Wilson:
"It's hard to get a real good handle on it without pads because there's no true blocking, but I can't complain about what I saw out there. The tempo was good. We have a lot of guys back so we threw out a lot of multiple formations; a lot more than we would on a normal first day."
"All eight of the freshmen played with the two's. They have the skill level to be on the field. We need to see how they hold up and how much they learn. Our job is to get them up to speed."
"We had the 40-second clock working and we may even consider moving that up to 30 or 35 seconds during practice just to get them in the mode of working quicker. The challenge we have at this point is to make sure they finish every play and not start thinking ahead to the next one. That's a fine line, but the most important thing is to be good on the current play.
|
Sunday,
August 3 |
Oklahoma's football team, ranked No. 4 in the USA Today/Coaches
preseason poll, arrived in Norman Sunday to begin preparations
for the 2008 season. The squad went through a lengthy
orientation session during afternoon in the Kerr-McGee
Stadium Club. Dinner was served at 6 p.m., and the
players dispersed for the evening.
|
Wednesday,
July 30 |
Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops took the podium Wednesday
morning for a question and answer session at the annual
Big 12 Football Media Days. In addition to Coach Stoops,
representing the Sooners in Kansas City were seniors
Jon Cooper, Nic Harris and Manuel Johnson. Quotes &
More...
Multimedia Coverage
Big
12 Media Day Photo Gallery
Kenny
Mossman Briefs OU's Players on the Plane
Coach
Stoops on OU Quarterback Sam Bradford
Center
Jon Cooper on Sam Bradford's Leadership
Senior
WR Manuel Johnson Discusses the Offense
Highlights
from Big 12 Media Day in Kansas City |
