Finish line: (De)parting shots from Stoops on 2011 season
PARADISE VALLEY, Ariz. — Just another beautiful day in Paradise Valley. We drove down to the southside this morning to visit with Robert Stoops. Stoops and his wife, Carol, were kind enough to join a few of us by the Sheraton pool for a postseason chat.
Here’s a bow on – or nail into – the season, depending on your particular perspective after the 10-3 year that was capped Friday with a 31-14 Insight Bowl win against Iowa.
Stoops didn’t blow us away with anything he said in an hour question-and-answer session, though I’m thankful he granted us that. (He even offered us iced tea.)
What we learned …
(He thought Landry Jones should have been the bowl’s offensive MVP, not Blake Bell.)
Nothing against Bell and his three touchdowns, Stoops said, but he had less of an impact on the game than someone like Jones. He reasoned that Bell would not have been in position without Jones. That’s accurate, but 16 of 25 for 161 yards and an interception doesn’t scream MVP. Stoops said ESPN made the MVP decision (didn’t media used to decide things like this?). He was “shocked” when told on the podium it would be Bell, who rushed 10 times for 51 yards and the three scores — but 21 of those yards came on the final TD in garbage time.
“I think it’s a foolish statement or question, to phrase it that way. He could have said, ‘How’s it feel that he got it and you didn’t?’ But not to say he outplayed him is close to … Both of them know that. The team knows that. We know that. In the end, Landry’s a smart guy, a humble guy, who knows he can’t control everything. I think it’s short-sighted and odd that the network would have done that.
“When they said it to me up on the stage, I was shocked. I was like, ‘What?’ And it’s nothing against Blake, so don’t phrase it that way, either. We love the guy and what he does is really special. But the other guy’s been out there, getting sacked, getting his tooth chipped and bringing us down there (to the goal line). Just because it’s on the 5, and everyone knows we want to run it, you find the best way you can run it – and that’s getting the extra (blocker).”
Was this a way of politicking and soothing Landry, on the doorstep of his NFL decision? Maybe. But it didn’t come off that way. I don’t think that’s how he intended it, but surely it will make Landry feel nice to hear that from his coach. Stoops likes Landry, and that could be a big reason he comes back for one more year.
A lot of people have asked me if the Belldozer would be a factor in Landry’s decision. My answer: Yes, but not the factor. Winning games and improving as a player, I would think, would trump whether he throws a bunch of red-zone TDs. Maybe it takes the pressure off him, in a sense, too. The players seem to have handled it well.
(Nothing to note on his brother, Mike, being on the sideline. Or whether Bobby Jack Wright, or Merv Johnson, might be retiring or changing roles.)
But note all of these things are fluid and subject to change.
On Merv: “I have not heard that. I’m sure if he is then Merv wants to. I’m all for whatever is the best for him. We all love him in our building. I have not heard that, but it could be something he and Joe have talked about, but not shared it with. Figured I had enough to think about right now.”
On BJW — and BJW, only — taking a Gatorade bath: “Because they couldn’t catch me. They tried a couple times and just got the back of my pants on the second one. Bobby Jack is not quite as fleet afoot as he was now that he’s older.”
On Mike: “I don’t have any timetable on anything, whether I do or not.”
But he wants him back? “In the right circumstances. You never know, but he has a lot of good opportunities. … There’s still a lot of uncertainty with jobs out there. There’s a bunch of them still waiting to be filled or solidified.”
(Stoops was not aware that Dejuan Miller’s father vented, fervently, about receivers coach Jay Norvell to recruits such as DGB and Neal. Miller issued a non-apology apology statement in the last few minutes.)
Here’s what Miller’s dad said …
@CoachJayNorvell love how other players can have 5 drops & get a 2nd chance (re: jaz/txtech) and D can’t get any breaks. —- u.
10:26pm – 30 Dec 11
Folks wonder why kids are leaving: coaches like @CoachJayNorvell trying to serve their own purpose. “my recruits are all playing”.
10:30pm – 30 Dec 11
@CoachJayNorvell go ahead and play kids that disrespect u and fail drug tests instead of working hard. They deserve it.
11:19pm – 30 Dec 11
My son went to OU loving football. After OU—not quite the same. Seems like hard work = NOTHING. Thanks @CoachJayNorvell
3:27am – 31 Dec 11
@CoachJayNorvell Funny, after 4 years, you can’t even say hello to a players mom at the banquet. You’re a joke. Great gameplan vs Iowa.
3:32am – 31 Dec 11
And Now Tweeting OU Recruits:
@DorialGB5 and @5Live_DaShowOut good luck with that flakey ass coach at OU. @CoachJayNorvell can’t be trusted.
3:35am – 31 Dec 11
And Miller, in the past few minutes …
(He wanted to clarify he was not upset with or disappointing in Ronnell Lewis not being available for Bedlam or the bowl.)
“Ronnell did an awesome job for us. He has had more to manage as a young guy just overall family-wise. So I’m not at all displeased with Ronnell.
“I feel bad. I thought of that the other day. I think everybody is maybe mistaken. He has done about all he can. I think as much as anything, he felt with all he’s had to manage, he’s done all he can with his family to be there for everybody. He’s done, from what I can gather, a good job of it.
“I don’t know that he could have been here for five days, with all he has to deal with there. I think he’s really done a great job for us. It’s why I feel he needs to go on to the NFL. I’m not at all displeased with Ronnell. I’m remiss not to have said that earlier. The perception out there should be positive for him.”
He later said he wasn’t sure if Lewis would be a first-rounder or not. (I think so, some others didn’t. Will depend on the Combine and some other things, but Mel Kiper thinks highly of him.)
(Dom Whaley will obviously miss the spring. And Aaron Ripkowski. He wasn’t sure about Jaz Reynolds and his kidney deal.)
(He didn’t name the transfers Saturday, because he said he didn’t want that to be today’s story. Fair enough.)
We still know it’s WRs Justin McCay, Sheldon McClain, DTs Torrea Peterson, James Aladenoye and DB James Haynes.
Anyone joining that list? He said those in the so-called “2 percent” had cleaned up their acts during bowl work. We’ll see.
(Stoops, like you, is curious about the 2012 schedule.)
“I guess the best way for me to say it is Joe’s the best. And President Boren, if he’s ever involved. Look at our schedule through the years. I think he has done a masterful job of working the BCS and how we’ve scheduled to help us. Joe works hard at it. I’ve got a lot of confidence he’s working it the best he can to help us and protect us that way. But believe me, in visiting with him, it’s challenging.”
What if West Virginia can’t get out in 2012?
“Then we have to deal with that. But I think the first issue that Joe’s trying to work out is just the early games, and who will play us. That’s the other thing. It’s hard to get anyone to come play us.”
Is the Big 12 trying to get back to 12, do you think?
“I don’t know, but I would guess that there always will be. I would say I think it’s fine if we don’t right now. Let’s face it, this year, if you add TCU and West Virginia, two more ranked teams, we’re not missing a whole lot. Look at the way the guys have been playing in the bowls. We’re not taking a back seat to much here. But if everyone wants the conference (championship) game, and if we get two good football teams, that would be great. But I still think we’ve more than proven we’re a lot to deal with, this league, without it.”
(How he views the season. Disappointing?)
“Let’s face it. I’m not going to say any of that, because the general public, if I don’t win the national championship, I need to be miserable. That’s … I have a different perspective. Anytime you win 10 games, let’s look around the world, the country, and there’s not a lot that do it consistently.
“No, I’m never pleased if we don’t win some type of championship, meaning Big 12 or national. But I also have a perspective of some of the difficulties we’ve gone through, starting all the way back to spring, with losing Austin. We lost guys throughout the year in different games that hurt us. And we lost a bunch of guys toward the end of the year that we really needed. Everyone makes a big deal about Iowa losing their running back. Well, lose your leading two receivers and then we’re even. They still had them. It changes you.
“I realize we weren’t quite as strong, after losing some guys. I always acknowledge some things as a staff. We can, or should, do better. But also we catch the bad draw, with having to go back to back to Baylor and Oklahoma State, on years where they’ve had the best seasons in the history of their program – out of 100 years. Some of the circumstances didn’t line up the best. That’s the truth, whether anyone wants to acknowledge it or not.”
(I asked if he regretted upping the expectations in the preseason. I thought the resulting exchange was interesting.)
Me: Wish you had tempered expectations a tad in August?
Bob: “No. How are you going to do that? How are you going to do that at Oklahoma? What am I going to say? ‘No, shoot. We can’t win.’ Yeah, OK. Then I sound like Lou Holtz.
Me: Maybe like middle ground between “about time we won” and “we stink”?
Bob: “I never go overboard. Everyone else does. I can’t stop who ESPN picks to be No. 1, or who you guys think ought to do what. Right? What am I going to do, call them up? ‘No, don’t put us there. Put us down there at 10.’ They’re not going to listen to me. You act like I put (expectations) out there. I didn’t put them out there. I didn’t put all that out there. Media does. I sit there and go, ‘What are they talking about?’ But I can’t come out and say that.”
Me: Specifically the “about time” comment seemed strong.
Bob: “Oh, that’s it? It’s the truth, right? That’s a big, bold statement, that we’re going to win it?
Me: I’d never heard a coach say something like that in the preseason.
Bob: “Well, you hadn’t been the coach at Oklahoma when they hadn’t won one in 10 years. Anybody who’s been around here knows. We’ve won them like that, right? Switzer was ’73 … or, waited for 10, 11 years, ’75, waited another 10 years, ’85. That’s what I was piecing together, right? So we were on our 11th year, so it was about time. That’s what everyone’s thinking. And they’re restlessness. And it will be (about time) next year, too. I can say it next year, that it’s about time.”
Someone else: Far from that level?
Bob: “Who knows? We’ll see. From now until September is a long time. We’ve got a huge recruiting class to come that will virtually make up a third of your team. That’s good.”
= Trav
Pregame blog: Insight from Sun Devil Stadium
HIGH ABOVE INSIGHT BOWL TURF — And I do mean high. Sun Devil Stadium is certainly higher than Owen Field, and perhaps higher than the highest I’ve been in (South Carolina and Tennessee). The punts are significantly below us.
A view from the press box. What is that, 'A football field for ants?'
Right now, Iowa and Oklahoma’s kickers are warming up on the same end, which is kind of strange. Now Iowa has moved to the other end.
“Kashmir” playing on the PA, so that’s pleasant. Beautiful night here. I heard this morning on the news this has been the nicest week in the Phoenix area in years. I can see why. It’s been in the 60s and 70s, sunny as can be, each day. It had been cooler at night until last night, and tonight. It’s downright pleasant tonight. So, no complaints there. I heard it wasn’t nearly as nice here last year, even though OU was indoors for the game, obviously.
The fan breakdown, it seems, is strongly in Iowa’s favor. That’s the impression we got walking around the stadium. The gates opened at 6:30, and most of the fans waiting in the lines were sporting black and gold. (Or, black and yellow, if you prefer.) This could feel like a road bowl game, as much as any in recent memory for the Sooners.
Enough negative. If you’re the Sooners, you’ve got to feel really good about this game. OU has matched up really well all year with teams like Iowa. Think Kansas State. It’s the Baylors and Texas Techs that have given the Sooners fits. Unless I’m missing something, I don’t see Iowa as much of a vertical threat — even if it does have a great receiver in Marvin McNutt. I like the corner matchups (Demontre Hurst and Jamell Fleming are really physical) against the 6-4, 215-pound McNutt, a converted QB (look out for that, Sooners).
Everyone all week has been wondering if Iowa will be able to replace Marcus Coker, who rushed for nearly 1,400 yards this season. He blew up in this game here a year ago, so maybe that opens the door tonight for a young guy like Jordan Canzeri. Remember that OU did allow 278 rushing yards in their last outing, so there’s that. But Canzeri has just nine carries this season (for 56 yards).
I have a hunch Trey Franks could have a big game. He played big against Tulsa when the Sooners were short-handed. Landry Jones said he was impressed by Franks, and Kameel Jackson, in practices the past couple of weeks.
Enjoy the game. We’ll be updating throughout, including my @TravHaney account.
= Trav
Stoops gets riled discussing attitudes, transfers
PARADISE VALLEY, Ariz. — After spending an hour with him Wednesday, we wondered what was left for Bob Stoops to discuss. Toward the end of a half-hour news conference Thursday, Stoops was asked (hat tip to Carey Murdock of Rivals for asking) if he was “putting his foot down” or cleaning house with the recent departures.
Here’s what I just filed for our website.
—
By TRAVIS HANEY
PARADISE VALLEY, Ariz. – Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said here Thursday that this December has been no different than past Decembers, in terms of ridding the program of players with poor attitudes.
On the eve of the Insight Bowl against Iowa, he said the handful of defections have been magnified due to the team’s 9-3 record.
“I have put my foot down every year this time of year,” Stoops said during the final news conference prior to the bowl. “There have always been guys that all of a sudden aren’t back, all of a sudden they are transferring.”
The only December transfer Stoops has acknowledged has been running back Brandon Williams, who he’s said is going to Texas A&M to be nearer to family.
He has said on a couple of occasions he will not talk about the others until after the bowl, but it became obvious at Monday’s partially open practice who was absent.
Receivers Justin McCay and Sheldon McClain are not here with the team. Defensive tackles Josh Aladenoye and Torrea Peterson, and defensive back James Haynes, are also absent.
He didn’t mention anyone by name, but said generally that the team’s attitude during bowl preparation has been improved.
“Yeah. You know why?” said Stoops, who spoke passionately on the subject for a couple of minutes. “Because that 2 percent of my team isn’t eating up 90 percent of my time. It’s pretty simple. You feel a lot better, that’s for sure.”
Each year, he said there are certain players who do not adapt well to the requirements of a football player at OU. They’re asked to leave in a housecleaning of sorts.
“If you’re not living up to those obligations, you’re not earning your way. You’re bringing the team down,” Stoops said. “I’m not saying it’s all these guys, but some of them. That’s what happens. It’s just noticeable this year … and we’ve had more this year.”
Stoops has been miffed in recent weeks about the number of players who have been suspended this season for academic or behavioral reasons. All-conference defensive end Ronnell Lewis will miss the bowl, and he couldn’t play in Bedlam, because of academic issues. Now he’s expected to turn pro.
“In the end, I think it is the right thing to do,” Stoops said, referring to the class attendance policy. “It sends a message to other players. They get it, usually. We’ll see. We’ll see where it goes from here.”
The fat-trimming isn’t a new thing, Stoops repeated.
“Every year at this time players understand, ‘Hey, have I been doing what’s necessary to be here or not?’” Stoops said. “‘And if I’m not, maybe I need to go somewhere where the demands aren’t as much. I can skip class. I don’t have to go to workouts. I can walk into class 30 minutes late. I can skip practice once in a while.
“If you go to some of these smaller East Handkerchief U’s, maybe you can do that. But not here.”
Stoops said poor attitudes weren’t the sole reason the Sooners underachieved. But he said it was a part of the 9-3 year.
“All of this goes together,” he said. “I have had more issues like that maybe than I have had in the past. That’s also a contributing factor. To say that’s the reason, though, no. All of it comes together.”
—
So, that’s some interesting stuff. And, really, it’s the way Stoops said it even more than what he said. He was fired up, talking about shedding the bad-attitude guys. He had been cordial and polite throughout the news conference, but he got going — and started turning red — on this subject.
Our Berry Tramel recently spoke with Stoops, and this subject came up then, also. Stoops told Berry that Lou Holtz once told him there are three ways to improve your program: find new players, develop current players and kick players off the team. (I don’t think Holtz has done enough of that over the years, but that’s another matter.) Stoops isn’t above housecleaning, and he admitted above that there has been more of an attitude issue this year than in past years.
But it sounds as if things are now better … Time will tell.
= Trav
Power Lunch: Chat with Travis Haney
Sooners have celeb visitor at last practice of year
PARADISE VALLEY, Ariz. — Last full practice of the year for Oklahoma wrapped up a few minutes ago. All-Pro receiver Larry Fitzgerald stopped by to hang out with the guys for a bit, down at Corona del Sol High School. How about that?
Fitzgerald visits Sooners practice (Courtesy: Corey Wilson's Twitter account, @CWilson1343)
The Cardinals host Seattle this weekend in Glendale, a day before the Fiesta Bowl. Guess he had a few minutes and was in the neighborhood. The Sooners, of course, were thrilled he paid them a visit — and especially the receivers. I suppose it actually worked out, in a way, that Ryan Broyles and Jaz Reynolds were injured. They had time to pick the brain of the six-time Pro Bowler, who is inching toward 10,000 career yards with the Cards.
Kenny Stills tweeted that Fitzgerald spoke with the team. “Faith Focus Finish,” was the message, Stills said.
I liked the thought, too, from Corey Wilson, injured years ago in a car accident but traveling here with the team (he’s pictured above): “My boy @RyanBroyles gettin the chance of a lifetime to soak up game from one of the greatest can’t help but be happy for him”.
= Trav
Thoughts from Insight Bowl media day
PARADISE VALLEY, Ariz. — An eventful morning of interviews here at the scenic Camelback Inn. It started with Andrew Luck and Stanford, continued with Oklahoma State and ended with the media day for the Insight Bowl teams, Iowa and OU.
It’s interesting, as our Berry Tramel pointed out, that we get an unprecedented level of access with the players two days before the game, on what would in effect be a “Thursday” during a normal game week. And Bob Stoops and Kirk Ferentz are scheduled to speak again tomorrow, on the equivalent of a game week “Friday.” Stoops sort of rolled his eyes when reminded of that a few minutes ago. Understandable, considering we’d just spoken with him for about an hour.
The starters were made available, each player sitting at his own table — and about five (Frank Alexander, Travis Lewis, Gabe Ikard, Jamell Fleming and Landry Jones) chosen to sit on special podiums. The guys, and even Stoops, were relaxed and engaging. We wondered this week if Lewis would come, since he last spoke on Oct. 29. But he did and, from what I understand, he was just as laidback as anyone else.
I spent time with Ben Habern, Ikard (I always type “Ikward,” for some reason), Roy Finch, Tony Jefferson and Jones. And then I talked some with Stoops, who chatted with a few of us candidly, which, as you know, rarely happens.
It’s an interesting time for OU. The players at least seem to have separated the disappointment from the season and this game. Of course they’re going to say all the right things, but the body language is good for the most part. Jefferson was giddy about seeing his Suns play the other night (they lost to the Hornets?), and potentially going back again tonight.
Jones talked a bit more about the NFL Draft. I’m starting to feel bad about how many times he’s asked, but his answers, it seems like, are getting more and more interesting. He admitted he goes back and forth whether to stay or leave. We hadn’t heard it put quite like that previously.
I’m not sure what to make of Iowa, which has played so well in recent bowl games. Ferentz seems to manage the team well during this time of year. But Stoops has, too, in non-BCS games. The Hawkeyes are a mess at running back. They brought a senior, James White, to media day. But two freshmen, De’Andre Johnson and Jordan Canzeri, will also be factors, Ferentz said. Who freaking knows who is going to carry the ball and how much?
Stoops said he likes the Fiesta/Insight bowls because they allow the players (and coaches) to have more free time, as opposed to some games that almost obsessively pit the teams in silly challenges throughout the week. (The Outback comes to mind. The Holiday, I’ve heard, is also into that kind of thing.)
The Sooners are practicing later this afternoon. It’ll be their last real workout before Friday night’s game. How ironic that in a season of late kickoffs, OU’s year will end with a 9 p.m. CT kick.
= Trav
A look at Sooners’ bowl depth chart
PARADISE VALLEY, Ariz — Hello, from the desert.
The Sooners arrived last night and will have their first on-site practice in about three hours, south of the Arizona State campus. In advance of that, OU put out its updated depth chart this morning.
Here it is.
At receiver, Trey Franks, Kenny Stills and Kameel Jackson are listed as the starters. Dejuan Miller and James Winchester are listed as the backups. Two sophomores and a freshman are the starters there. Curious to see if Winchester does get snaps.
And how about Jaydan Bird? He’s the backup at both fullback and middle linebacker. No surprise there, but interesting to see. Bob Stoops said Bird came in for Aaron Ripkowski after he injured his back in Stillwater.
Appears there’s fire to the smoke of D-tackle Torrea Peterson leaving the team. He’s off the depth chart, replaced by freshman Marquis Anderson. The rotation of Jamarkus McFarland, Stacy McGee and Casey Walker should play the bulk of the snaps, obviously.
Nothing else too crazy. Tony Jefferson is listed as the sam linebacker starter, and Javon Harris at free safety, but that would be a gameday alignment decision. OU’s not going to tip that off on a depth chart. I’d expect Jefferson to be at free and OU to run a bunch of 4-3, given the kind of offense it’s going against. But we’ll see soon enough.
Will update from practice, if there’s anything going on.
= Trav
Iowa chats post-practice: Dec. 23
ROCK CITY, Tenn. — Iowa practiced today in Phoenix. Here’s what Kirk Ferentz and some of his players had to say. Of particular interest, Ferentz talks some about Oklahoma and Bob Stoops and Hayden Fry. He also talked about why Iowa chose to go to Arizona so early (basically, didn’t practice much before leaving Iowa, gave players the time off then).
Thanks to Kristen and the Fiesta/Insight Bowl folks for making these quotes available to those of us enjoying Christmas before joining the fray. This is, as you’ll see, very comprehensive. I learned.
A: Yeah, there definitely is. It’s important to the whole coaching staff. It’s important to everybody that’s involved with Iowa football to come out and have a strong performance in our last game with him as our coach. It does give us a little extra boost.
= Trav
Iowa already in ‘Zona, Ferentz speaks
FAR FROM CAMPUS CORNER, TOWARD THE EAST — For some reason, Iowa’s really into this bowl game. Like, skip-Christmas into this bowl game. Maybe this will make a difference in a week when the teams are on the field, but the Hawkeyes landed this afternoon (I guess technically it was like 6:20 Eastern, my current time zone) in Arizona.
I was really impressed with Iowa’s machine-like preparation for the Outback Bowl I covered a couple of years ago. It’s won three consecutive bowl games, probably with logic like this. I’m no betting man, but I’d be really careful with this game, given all we know about both sides.
All right, Iowa’s already there. So the airport news conference that Bob Stoops will have Sunday evening, Kirk Ferentz just had today.
Here’s the transcript of said news conference, courtesy HawkeyeNation.com.
Nothing earth-shattering, though I presume this is the most Ferentz has spoken since the suspension of leading rusher Marcus Coker earlier in the week. He was asked about running back depth, a fair question since the second-leading rusher, D’Andrew Johnson, has 79 yards. The guy after him, Mika’il McCall, has 65 — and Ferentz said Wednesday that he is suspended, too. The next two after that are the quarterback (61) and top receiver (58).
What a mess.
He acted as if Oklahoma were in similar shape. I don’t know about that, since Roy Finch was the favorite to be the starter in August and he’s rushed for 601 yards this season. And the other guy, Brennan Clay, started the first four games before Dom Whaley took the job.
Ferentz is correct in saying Iowa has dealt well with these sorts of things in recent years, including the last Insight Bowl, in which Coker went wild for 219 yards and two touchdowns on Mizzou. That said, Coker had rushed for 90 yards in the previous game — more than these other Iowa backs, both freshmen, have all season.
I’m really curious to see if the Hawks can run the ball. I did a couple of hits with Des Moines radio stations yesterday. The guys on there were skeptical as to whether they could.
Similar, but different topic: What was the deal with backups this season at Iowa? The second-team quarterback has attempted six passes. Lots of close games for the Hawkeyes, perhaps. The running back depth, at least, will be called into action next week.
= Trav
Mike Baldwin’s Power Lunch Chat Recap
