Emails: Venables on reader minds
The weekly emails are in, and the No. 1 subject is OU defensive coordinator Brent Venables. Several readers took issue with my support of Venables.
Mike: “Your opinion, though highly respected, is off target on this one. Good defense in college football is still possible and is, in fact, doing well at many D1 schools, just not at OU. The Sooners’ demise on defense can be precisely dated – the day Mike Stoops accepted the Arizona job. Thirty-five points should beat any team in the country!”
Absolutely. In 1978. Or even 1998. Not in 2008. And while Mike Stoops was a terrific d-coordinator, the notion that his defenses shut down every foe is selective memory. OU beat K-State 41-31 and A&M 35-31 in 2000. Gave up 37 to KSU in 2001. Allowed 30 to A&M and 38 to OSU in 2002 defeats. KSU whacked the Sooners 35-7 in 2003. The game has changed and still is changing. Living in the past is not good for your mental health.
Stan wrote, “Say it ain’t so. I’m not talking about losses. I’m talking about embarrassment. USC, K-State, West Virginia. And the mother load of all time, Boise State. Venables should have been fired 10 seconds after that game. To say that ‘times are a changin” is a flat-out copout, and so was your article.”
I don’t really want to start an argument, but did anyone watch those bowl games? Yes, OU’s defense wasn’t very good. And neither was OU’s offense. Yet Venables is the scapegoat. I don’t get it.
Buddy: “Two years ago I e-mailed you on the subject of Mr. Venables’ capabilities. As a Sooner fan since 1947, I was convinced that Mr. Venables was the worst defensive coordinator during that period of time. Considering your article today, I assume that you have received similar e-mails. In support of my position, let’s review the following facts. Mike Stoops’ record: four bowl games, three wins, average points 11.5. Mr. Venables: five bowl games, one win, average points, 36.2. Something is wrong when assistant coaches are rewarded with head coaching positions and your defensive Coordinator cannot even get a formal interview, especially so when the vacancy is at his alma mater. In 1995, I read an article written by a young sportswriter (Berry Tramel) the day after the Murrah Building bombing. This was one of the most impressive articles that I have ever read by any journalist. I cut it out and shared it with friends in other states. I predicted at the time that this young writer would in time take his place among the greats, Grantland Rice, Jim Murray, Dave Egan, etc. However, this young writer came to the proverbial fork in the road, as all journalist will, and sadly chose the well-traveled road, the one that reads ‘do not create waves,’ ‘go along with the hierarchy,’ etc.”
The Big 12 has played three weeks worth of conference games. Here are some of the scores: 49-17, 35-33, 58-28, 38-14, 56-28, 52-17, 45-35, 30-14, 44-30, 37-31, 38-10, 28-23, 43-25, 35-7, 34-6, 45-31, 14-13, 56-31. Almost all of those scores in the teens come from Iowa State, Baylor and Colorado. Coordinating defense in the Big 12 is like pitching in baseball in the 1930s. If you don’t take into account the way the game has changed, you really sound like a fool.
Robbin: “Here’s the thing. The Oklahoma media, you included, seem to walk in fear of Stoops, perhaps worried that you will get frozen out of interviews. He has the greatest job in the country because he makes a multimillion-dollar salary in Norman, Oklahoma, and has to answer to absolutely no one in the media, unless the Dallas Morning News slips in and does an expose. A case in point is Brent Venables and the fact that he is still coaching the OU defense. Had there been a credible media presence in Oklahoma, he would have been exposed long ago for the fraud that he is. Going all the way back to 55-19 (Mike Stoops had moved on figuratively and literally). Venables’ defense generally has not shown up in any big bowl game, Big 12 championship game (the title game in which Chase Daniel imploded doesn’t count) or against Texas three of the past four years. When OU scores 35 points against Texas, it should never lose. Stoops obviously has lost faith in Venables and the defense (as evidenced by the fake punt on Saturday), but his blind loyalty prevents him from making a move. That means it falls to the media to point out what everyone else knows — that Venables is a liability who needs to be jettisoned, now. If Stoops cannot, or will not do it, he is part of the problem, and that needs to be written about, as well. So, what’s stopping you?”
Common sense. Unlike idiots, I don’t throw out the good defensive games. I take them all into consideration. Venables’ defense hasn’t produce against Texas? A 12-0 shutout in ‘84? A 28-21 victory in ‘07? A 28-16 loss in ‘06 when OU’s offense didn’t do much except commit turnovers? Here’s a promise. From now on, anytime I hear anyone say OU has intelligent football fans, I’m calling bogus. This anti-Venables crusade is the work of idiots.
Thomas: “OU needs the line coaches at TCU. Our coaches suck!”
You know, I really don’t understand why some people are even fans. What enjoyment do they get out of the deal? If you can’t be satisfied being an Oklahoma football fan, how can they ever be happy?
Brad: “It seems like we used to use 16 to 18 players on defense throughout the game. Even Tommie Harris split time in many games. The depth seems to be an issue as much as anything, and I realize it is difficult to substitute with the no-huddle being the in thing to do. Regardless, for Texas to score on five consecutive drives in the second half is not championship stuff.”
I think you’re on to something here. I think OU’s problem is not alignment or schemes or coaching. I think it’s a lack of ballplayers, when you’ve got to keep moving safeties to linebacker.
Isaiah wrote: “I know fans are upset after the loss to Texas, as am I, but what percent chance would you say there is that Bob Stoops would replace Brent Venables as defensive coordinator? Slim and none? Do you think that even if Bob wanted to change coordinators he wouldn’t because of his loyalty to his friend? He’s one of the only coaches who is left from the original staff and it seems a little odd that he’s not been offered a head coaching position. Could Bob Stoop’s loyalty to his staff and friends be something that would override any decision to make a change even if he wanted to or thought it would be best for the program?”
You know, it’s a great question. So great, I asked Stoops himself, and you saw his response. Which is he would do it in a minute. He also said no way did he think it was necessary. As for Venables’ offers, he’s still young, 37. Which means he was 36 when the jobs came open last year. That’s extremely young for a head coach. Venables had no chance at the K-State job when Bill Snyder resigned because he had left the KSU staff and then rejected an offer to return as the head coach-in-waiting. Venables’ time will come.
Ed isn’t after Venables’ head: “What you call the lunatic fringe is a pet peeve of mine. I’ve heard fans boo Bud Wilkinson and dis Bear Bryant. The fans always know more than the coach. In fact, I sat across the aisle from such an OU person in the Cotton Bowl last week, and the screaming and mutterings of such folks always amaze me.”
See, that’s the thing. The boo birds came after Wilkinson, and Fairbanks, and Switzer, and assistants of each. When you’re 12-22 (John Blake’s record), OK, let’s talk. But when you’ve won five Big 12 titles in eight years, you come across as a fool.
Bill: “Tram, I like your writing style and your insight into college football. OU’s spoiled fans who hunger for another national title need to get a grip. Beginning with the crushing losses to OSU early in Bob’s tenure, along with the Big 12 championship drubbing by K-State, OU has lost some very big games. LSU in the BCS championship game knocked the Sooners’ pride in the dirt. Then USC scored 55 on them in another BCS debacle. After that Stoops lost some games to Texas along with four BCS bowl games in a row. The bottom line doesn’t look good for the once proud Sooners. Stoops won in his second year with many good players recruited by Blake, along with some of his own key recruits, including Heupel by Leach. Bob had Mangino directing the offense and Bob’s brother coaching the defense. There were some great players on that team and there were no injuries. It was the right time and the right place for that championship. Sooner fans need to realize that it’s over. It’s not happening again. They might be the third best team in Oklahoma.”
Yes, OU football has fallen far. You have to go all the way down to No. 4 in the BCS to find Oklahoma, and it’s already the third week of October. Yes, OU has lost a bunch of big games over the years. The only programs that haven’t are the programs that haven’t played any big games.
Craig: “Colt McCoy is going to wind up winning the Heisman, and the Horns seem headed for Miami. Who in the North is going to beat them? Do you think Missouri will be chomping at the bit for a rematch like they were for OU last year? I doubt it.”
Actually, Texas has two tough road games left. At Tech and at Kansas. KU sort of impressed me Saturday. I think the Jayhawks could give both UT and Tech trouble in Lawrence.
Bill asked, “What are the chances Sam Bradford goes pro after this season?”
I would think getting better by the Saturday.
OK, let’s move on to the NBA. Jim wrote about the Hornets: “Up in our section (206), there were several people who yelled ‘Hornets
Ball!’ when the announcer asked. We had a lot of fun with it. But I miss Chris Paul. And Hugo. And the Honeybees. And the announcer.
And Rob Nice. I told my mother in-law that this team would grow on us. She said, ‘it better.’”
Oh, I think it will. But the Thunder sure would be better off trying to mimic the Hornets as much as possible rather than being as different as they can.
Edward disagrees: “Imagine this. You’re dating a girl whose boyfriend was temporarily unavailable for a while. When he returns, your girl is gone, she leaves you and goes back to him. Sure, you’re heartbroken, it hurts, you loved her, she was so beautiful. Now, you meet another girl and this one you marry because you know even though she’s a little rough around the edges, when she matures, she will be everything, if not more, than the one you gave your heart to. Can you imagine how your new wife feels whenever you compare her to the old girl who left you?”
Good analogy. Except for one thing. This isn’t classic romance. This is high business. The Hornets were a rousing success. Why should the Boomers be messing with success?
Stan was upset with my theory that no one wants to see Ohio State in the title game: “I understand they lost several championship games. OU also lost several championship games, yet your writers print only positive things about them. Please understand not all people living in Oklahoma are Sooner fans as you and your fellow writers seem to think by the articles in your paper. Win or lose, I am a Buckeye fan and will always be one. In the future, I would wish you would stay with the facts and keep your opinions to yourself.”
We have slain forests writing about OU’s bowl problems. The nature would be aghast at an OU-Ohio State game title game. Personally, I think it would be the best thing for the Sooners, because it’s the only sure way I see for the Sooners to end their bowl slump.
Berry Tramel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4:40-5:20 p.m. on The Sports Animal radio network, including AM-640 and FM-98.1. You can e-mail him here and follow him on Twitter @BerryTramel.
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Comments
I’m amused that Stan told a columnist to “keep your opinions to yourself.”
Communicating opinions is a large part of his job.
I’m against a OU/UT rematch as well. Very bad precedent for CFB. All the talk about OU getting in the NC game, just talk. Even f OU wins out I would bet $50.00 they don’t get in that game. I’m not so sure that they even deserve that game appearance.
Some OU fans amaze me. They don’t realize how special nat’l championships are. So many things must align for it to happen. The most important is to not have injuries to key players,i.e. Reynolds. Also must have a lot of luck. The one key prerequisite is to be in position in polls to have a chance to be in the big game if things do align. Bob and crew have had us in position to be in the game every year except his first one. That is an incredibly difficult thing to do in these days of parity. I am not being a homer and not ashamed one bit to be thankful that we have our coaching staff. especially Coach V. If you have ever seen him coach up close you will be impressed with how he is intense in style and comprehensive and consistent in coaching his philosophy to his player and staff.
I believe Bob Stoops is one of the best coaches in college football today and if he feels Brent is doing a good job, that’s good enough for me. One attribute of Stoops I do not like, is his reluctance to give 2nd and 3rd stringers playing time during games that the outcome has already been decided. This could explain why they currently do not have any LB’s ready to fill Ryan’s shoes and next year will be a nightmare at QB given the Sooners will most likely be without the services of their current #1 (NFL bound if he is smart) and #2 (eligibility is up) quarterbacks.
There has been talk about a possible rematch against texASS in the national championship game. Even though I am Sooner Born and Sooner Bred, when I die I will be Sooner Dead, I hope that does not come about. I do not think it would be good for college football. The Sooners had their chance in Dallas and they lost. I would rather see a one loss SEC team, Pac 10 team or any other conference play the Horns. If you start giving mulligans the importance of the matchup in Dallas will start to fade.
Richard White
NYC