Sooners in Iraq
This photo comes from MSG Brad Lam, who is serving with the Oklahoma National Guard in Iraq.
“As always, the 45th Brigade Combat Team has represented the state of Oklahoma very well,” Lam tells us. “You should all be proud of them. They are great soldiers and great Americans.”
Thanks, Brad.
By Jake Trotter
Bad news
Former OU linebacker Lewis Baker was cut by the 49ers over the weekend. Lewis never got going during the preseason because of a thigh injury that kept him sidelined. He could be signed to the club’s practice squad.
Lewis was a media favorite last season because of his sincerity and politeness. He was essentially raised by his older brother, Joe, who seems to also be a good guy. I got to meet Joe during pro day in the spring. He drove up from Dallas to support his younger brother.
Here’s hoping Lewis catches on somewhere as a special teams player.
By Jake Trotter
Sims expected to arrive
Junior college transfer David Sims, who’s been out of camp trying to complete his academic work in California, is expected to arrive on campus this week.
Sims was supposed to compete for the nickelback spot in the Sooner defense. Now, having missed the first month of practice, Sims is likely a candidate to redshirt this season.
By Jake Trotter
Mocs a mystery
When asked what he knew about Oklahoma’s opponent Saturday, Tennessee-Chattanooga, quarterback Sam Bradford had little to offer.
What defense Chattanooga ran?
“I don’t know.”
The correct answer: Chattanooga is switching to a 4-3 scheme.
The school’s nickname?
Same answer.
Chattanooga is the “Mocs.”
The color of their uniforms?
Again, no idea.
They wear navy, old gold and silver.
Safe to say coming into this week the Sooners haven’t spent a single minute yet breaking down film of a squad that went 2-9 last season against Football Championship Subdivision competition.
Wide receivers Quentin Chaney and Juaquin Iglesias did answer one trivia question correctly.
Chattanooga’s most famous football alum is Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens.
By Jake Trotter
Soccer opens 2008 slate against Colorado State
FROM THE OU ATHLETICS OFFICE
NORMAN, Okla. — The Sooners open the 2008 season under first year head coach Nicole Nelson on the road at Colorado College (Conference USA) on Friday, Aug. 22. The game is slated for a 4 p.m. start (MT) at Stewart Field in Colorado Springs. The contest also marks the opener for the Tigers.
ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB
Fans can follow the action live from Colorado Springs this Friday on the internet with live stats and video on CCTigers.com. The live stats are available for free and a $7 fee is required to access the live webcast.
ABOUT THE TIGERS
Colorado College is led by head coach Geoff Bennett who after four years at the Tigers’ helm has compiled a 41-25-9 record. CC was 10-6-3 overall in 2007 and finished fourth in Conference USA with a 5-3-1 mark. The Tigers were picked to finish third in the conference this season behind Memphis and Central Florida. In addition, for the second consecutive season, Tigers Emily Beans and Molly Uyenishi have been named the Preseason C-USA Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, respectively.
In Colorado College’s previous 23 years in Division I soccer, it has advanced to nine NCAA Tournaments. The Tigers have also appeared in five national semifinals and played in the National Championship game in 1986 and 1989.
Volleyball scrimmage set for Saturday
FROM THE OU ATHLETICS OFFICE
NORMAN, Okla. — The University of Oklahoma volleyball team will host its annual Crimson and Cream scrimmage on Saturday, Aug. 23 at 10 a.m. inside the Howard McCasland Field House. The two-hour intrasquad scrimmage is free admission and open to the public.
Prior to the intrasquad scrimmage, the team will host the Crimson and Cream Kids Clinic beginning at 8:30 a.m. Following the match, the Sooners will host a picnic for the fans and offer tours of the Howard McCasland Field House and locker rooms and have inflatable games. Pizza and drinks will be available as long as supplies last. Players will also be available for autographs.
Sooners’ Cooper on Rimington list
FROM THE OU ATHLETICS OFFICE
NORMAN, Okla. — Oklahoma’s Jon Cooper has been named to the preseason watch list for the Rimington Award, which is presented annually to the top center in college football.Cooper has been a mainstay in the Sooner offensive line since he broke in as a starter in 2005. He has played in 34 games at OU with 29 starts.A native of Fort Collins, Colo., Cooper is a 6-2, 285-pound senior.
In all, there are 43 players on the watch List. The PAC-10 checks in with the most candidates, with seven players being named. The Big-12 is represented by six players. The SEC and Big East Conference have five players each on the Watch List.
(more…)
Friday’s OU links
* Is Sam Bradford looking at a sophomore slump at quarterback?
* More catches in the future for Adrian Peterson during his second season?
* DeMarco Murray: Expect him to have a huge season, says AP.
* ESPN gives some love to the talented slate of QBs in the Big 12 Conference.
* Breaking down the deep wide receiver corps at Oklahoma.
* Tale of the tape: Buddy Burris vs. Josh Heupel, courtesy of the Crimson and Creme Machine.
* Adrian takes the blame for poor games duing his rookie season.
Playboy loves the Sooners
A question we’ll be asking throughout this season — or until it no longer applies — centers around OU’s national championship hopes.
Is this the year?
Playboy is on board.
It’s up to you to decide if a girly mag knows anything about sweaty dudes playing with pigskins (personally, I love the great stories 
, but Playboy has pegged the Sooners No. 1 in its September issue, due on newstands Friday.
The mag also projects an unbeaten season for OU and features Duke Robinson on its All-American team.
I can hear the Sooner fans now… ‘Let’s hear it for Hef!’ And, ‘Up with bunny ears!’
Playboy’s top five: OU, Ohio State, Florida, Missouri and USC.
A perfect season would receive some tests, since the mag also has Kansas No. 10, Texas Tech 11th and Texas No. 13, with Kansas State also in the Top 25 at No. 22.
The Sooners play all those teams, with the exception of Missouri, which would be the logical foe in the Big 12 title game.
Guess we can expect quite a spread of stories and photos — Sam Bradford, not Miss September — although we’re partial to The Oklahoman’s annual football section, due in the driveway and via the great wide web Sunday, Aug. 24.
– by John Helsley
Monday afternoon links
* What Brent Venables had to say about the top-secret scrimmage.
* Why does ESPN rank Missouri ahead of OU?
* Should the Vikings cough up and pay Adrian Peterson now?
* Nic Harris’ hometown paper checks in with a feature.
* Bleacher Report ranks OU fourth in the nation
* Walk-on heading from OU to Southeastern.
* Mike Jones of Fort Worth (via Olympia, Wash.) takes a look at Sam Bradford.
* Another analysis of the first week of football practice.
* Previewing the OU women’s soccer season.
* Mike Stoops on the hot seat at Arizona?
