Sooners in NFL Draft (review Friday & preview Saturday)
With so many teams throwing up smoke screens leading up to the NFL draft, it’s impossible to predict with certainty what rounds a player will be selected, especially after the first couple of rounds.
Oklahoma had some unique developments in rounds two and three Friday night.
Ryan Broyles wasn’t affected one bit by his knee surgery. Broyles going in the mid-second round to Detroit probably was his best-case scenario even before the torn ACL. Don’t underestimate Broyles’ diligent work ethic for four months. All that work in rehab allowed him to run a 4.57 at less than 100 percent, less than five months after his surgery. That eased many teams’ injury concerns.
It was surprising that offensive tackle Donald Stephenson was OU’s second player selected. But it wasn’t a surprise that he went midway through the third round.
Stephenson’s NFL combine numbers were so impressive, combined with two years as a starter on the blindside, he moved up a lot of draft boards the final month leading up to the draft. It’s a good fit for him. The Kansas City Chiefs can take their time with Stephenson, who will play behind a veteran offensive line.
He also will experience a unique thrill. Stephenson is going to play for the team he grew up rooting for. His mother leaves 10 minutes from Arrowhead Stadium.
Jamell Fleming going in the third round wasn’t a stunner. There were rumors his coverage skills would be highly coveted in a league coaches constantly are looking for players capable of guarding elite receivers.
The big shock was Ronnell Lewis is still on the board heading into Saturday’s fourth round. Lewis is a tweener. He’s too small for defensive end and inexperienced and slightly oversized for linebacker.
Some scouts question Lewis’ mental ability to switch back to linebacker, his original position at OU. But Lewis is such a big hitter the eight-man product from Dewar will be a steal for some team on Saturday. If nothing else he’s a bargain in round four because of special teams coverage skills even if he’s a backup linebacker.
Linebacker Travis Lewis should get drafted. It really doesn’t matter what round. Coming off a season that was snake bit from the get-go, Lewis suffered a broken big toe the first few days of fall camp. He was less productive his senior season.
Lewis didn’t look like the same player. Horrible timing. In retrospect he’s an example why it’s not always advantageous to return for your senior year.
There are questions about Lewis’ speed to cover in space. But he was productive, finishing among OU’s all-time leading tacklers with 451. He recorded at least 109 tackles every season before “slumping” to 89 his senior year.
Bottom line on OU’s outspoken defensive leader is some team will give him a chance. It’s best for the San Antonio product to land with the right team and make a strong impression in training camp more than what round he’s selected.
Tight end James Hanna might get drafted. Similar to Travis Lewis finding a good fit might actually make it advantageous to not be drafted so he can pick and choose which team he signs with as a free agent.
Guard Stephen Good also is expected to sign a free agent contract.
Bedlam football: What did Todd Monken mean about Landry Jones?
I don’t know what OSU offensive coordinator Todd Monken meant when he talked sort of crazy about OU quarterback Landry Jones.
Todd Monken, OSU offensive coordinator
The quote, from an espn.com story that really had nothing to do with Jones, said:
“It didn’t take long when ol’ (Ryan) Broyles went down and (OU) started running the (Bell)dozer to think, ‘Do we have our guy?’ That didn’t take long. Landry Jones went from like, ‘I’m the man,’ to all of a sudden, ‘I haven’t thrown a touchdown pass, I’m fumbling it over my head at Oklahoma State. I gotta go back and see my quarterback guru.”
You can read the full story here.
Monken I’m sure feels bad about what he said. He issued an apology later Friday. “I want to apologize to Landry Jones and to the Oklahoma football program for using them as a specific example to illustrate a point concerning how quickly an injury to a key player can impact how a team plays. While speaking to a visiting member of the media about the importance of a quarterback’s confidence and demeanor and about how quickly things can change in football, I made the mistake of making a specific reference to illustrate my point.”
A few things to ponder.
1. Monken sometimes just talks in free thought. Did he rip Jones? Absolutely. Did he rip OU? Yes. Was that his intention? No. Monken doesn’t have a lot of filters. Are we certainly accustomed to filters in football today.
2. Was Monken correct about the coaches’ confidence? No. First, the timeline. OU went to the Belldozer before Broyles’ injury, which is not how Monken presented the events. The Sooners were having trouble producing in short-yardage situations and found a remedy. Heck, OSU had its struggles in short-yardage situations. That’s a natural byproduct of the spread offense, including Mike Leach’s. Second, coaches’ confidence in Jones. No one on the coaching staff asked, “Do we have our man?” Not even privately. Coaches’ confidence in Jones is absolute. The fan base might waver from time to time, but in the Switzer Center, there’s no doubt about it.
3. Was Monken correct about Jones’ self-doubt? Maybe. I don’t know. Neither does Monken. Maybe not even Jones knows for sure. But the lack of touchdown passes down the stretch indeed became an issue, and Jones didn’t play well in Bedlam (the fumbles off sacks that Monken referenced), and Jones did spend his spring break with quarterback guru George Whitfield Jr., which appeared to be an affront to the OU coaches, though they declared it fine after the fact.
So what was Monken doing, bringing an opposing quarterback’s trials and travails into a conversation about the OSU quarterback derby? Monken could have just been pointing out that even established QBs have rocky roads, so don’t expect whoever the Cowboys select to have a smooth path. But Monken went too far in personalizing the downside of Jones’ season.
Monken and Mike Gundy have a strong relationship. Their friendship extends beyond football. But in whatever form their communication takes — butt-chewing or a simple “what are you doing?” — Gundy will or already has told Monken to cool it.
Oklahoma's Landry Jones
Not because it gives the Sooners extra incentive. Talk doesn’t affect football games. Talk doesn’t make anyone try harder or work harder. Any player that has room to work harder or play harder wasn’t giving maximum to start with, and there aren’t many of those guys at this level. But Monken’s comments reflected poorly on OSU. Talking bad about an opponent, particularly a classy opponent, which Jones is on every front, makes the Cowboys look bad. It’s unnecessary.
Monken clearly could have made his point still using Landry Jones. Say something like, “even veteran, decorated, well-established quarterbacks can struggle. Landry Jones struggled after losing Ryan Broyles. It can happen.” That’s basically what Monken meant. But what he said was much more cutting.
Monken never has struck me as a needler. A guy who says something just to get under opponents’ skin. Steve Spurrier is that way. The Ryan brothers. Heck, old adversaries Les Miles and Mike Stoops were/are that way in a certain sense, Miles never uttering OU’s name or Mike Stoops calling the Cowboys “Okie State.” Monken’s volatile statements are not premeditated, I don’t think.
And frankly, needling an opponent, the program or even the coach, is OK. But not an individual player. Zinging Landry Jones was not cool. And I think Monken knows it.
Sooners in NFL Draft (day 2)
As expected, no Oklahoma player was selected in the first round Thursday night, but as many as four or five could be selected Friday night in rounds 2 and 3, although it could be as few as one.
The only lock to go between picks 33 and 96 is outside linebacker/defensie end Ronnell Lewis, who should go in rounds two or three.
NCAA all-time leading receiver Ryan Broyles probably is a lock to be selected Friday night. Some say he could slide to Round 4 Saturday, but Broyles ran a solid 40 time less than five months removed from knee surgery.
Broyles’ work ethic, production his four years at OU and football IQ are simply too good for a team to pass up. He’s a savvy receiver who finds seams, the ideal slot receiver. And he can return punts. Broyles could go late second round, should go no later than the third round. Dallas reportedly was high on Broyles but the Cowboys gave up their second round pick to trade up to No. 6 overall.
Opinions vary greatly on cornerback Jamell Fleming. Some say he could go Friday night but my hunch is fourth round on Saturday morning.
Offensive tackle Donald Stephenson had an unbelievable NFL combine in February which gives him a legitimate shot at going Friday night. But Stephenson’s lack of consistency and occasional mental blunders could push him to Saturday.
It would be surprising if linebacker Travis Lewis or defensive end Frank Alexander went Friday night. But Alexander and Travis Lewis will be selected on Saturday. Both could be pleasant surprises where they’ll be drafted. But both have question marks and make a statement in training camp to make an NFL roster.
Tight end James Hanna has speed but isn’t assured of being drafted, although he might go in the sixth or seventh round.
Thoughts on Landry Jones
Oklahoma's Landry Jones
After the whirlwind of opinions on Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones Thursday on social media here is my two cents worth:
I’ll ask you one question — who would you rather have as your quarterback: Landry Jones or Ryan Tannehill?
Even most OU fans, ones not completely on board with No. 12, would pick Jones, who has made 37 career starts, twice as many as Tannehill.
Jones owns 13 OU passing records. He’s thrown for 12,379 yards and 93 touchdowns with 41 interceptions.
If he had declared for the NFL Draft as was speculated much of last season Miami, even with former A&M boss Mike Sherman on staff, the Dolphins might have taken Jones over Tannehill. And there’s a chance Jones might have gone higher than the eighth overall pick.
Jones simply isn’t Sam Bradford. But the guy has an NFL arm. His inability to escape pressure and untimely interceptions are the negatives.
The Artesia, N.M. product who is engaged to the OU women’s basketball’s team leader, comes off bland in front of cameras. But teammates, coaches and friends swear Jones actually is pretty funny and outgoing away from the public eye.
Some question whether Jones has the “it” factor, an unmeasurable quality that will play a role his senior year at OU and his future career in the NFL.
But when Blaine Gabbert and Christian Ponder and Ryan Tannehill go as high as they did in the past two NFL drafts, for all the grief Jones sometimes gets it’s hard to imagine a scenario where he’s not a top 10 NFL Draft pick next year if he’s healthy.
OSU’s Monken comments on Landry Jones
Oklahoma State offensive coordinator Todd Monken stirred the Bedlam pot with a comment he made on Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones in an ESPN.com story.
In the middle of a story published Wednesday on OSU choosing a starter from among three quarterback candidates, Monken was quoted:
“It didn’t take long when ol’ (Ryan) Broyles went down and (the Sooners) started running the dozer to think: ‘Do we have our guy? That didn’t take long. Landry went from like, ‘I’m the man to all of a sudden, ‘I haven’t thrown a touchdown pass, I’m fumbling it over my head at Oklahoma State. I gotta go back and see my quarterback guru.’”
Monken was referring to Jones spending a week with quarterback coach George Whitfield during spring break last month, a decision OU coaches endorsed.
Taken out of context in the middle of a story on OSU’s quarterback competition, Monken issued an apology on Friday.
“I want to apologize to Landry Jones and to the Oklahoma football program for using them as a specific example to illustrate a point concerning how quickly an injury to a key player can impact how a team plays. While speaking to a visiting member of the media about the importance of a quarterback’s confidence and demeanor and about how quickly things can change in football, I made the mistake of making a specific reference to illustrate my point.”
Having completed his first season as OSU’s offensive coordinator, Monken has the reputation for speaking his mind, which the media and some OSU fans love.
The surprising part is the pointed comment was made seven months prior to facing Jones, who returned for his senior year.
Can you say bulletin board?
And the Sooners host the Cowboys this season in Norman!
The dozer comment was in reference to backup OU quarterback Blake Bell running the Belldozer package in short-yardage situations, a formation Jones is removed from the game. Jones accounted for four turnovers in Beldam (two fumbles, two interceptions).
It certainly got people buzzing. Junior safety Tony Jefferson, one of OU’s new vocal leaders, responded on Twitter after retweeting a comment on Sooner Scoop.
Jefferson said: “Hell nah he better be quiet.”
A minute later, Jefferson tweeted: “Let me stop. It’s too early in the off-season for me getting mad.”
Monken’s comment, one little paragraph in the middle of an OSU quarterback competition story, was made five months after the Cowboys ended an eight-game Bedlam losing streak with a 44-10 thumping to help OSU win its first Big 12 title.
Monken has a unique Bedlam history. On Les Miles’ staff his final three seasons at OSU, Monken is 2-2 in Bedlam. He was on winning sideline in 2002 and 2011 and the losing sideline in 2003 and 2004.
It was obvious the Sooners sorely missed Broyles the final month. OU’s offense slipped after Broyles, Jones’ security blanket, suffered a torn ACL against Texas A&M. Broyles is projected to be selected in the third round Friday night in the NFL Draft.
Monken wasn’t the only one to take a shot at Jones.
ESPN analyst Skip Bayless, an Oklahoma City native who repeatedly has said he’s a big Sooner fan, tweeted Thursday night:
Most underrated player in the draft: Ryan Broyles. I’m an OU fan but don’t love Landry Jones. Broyles MADE him. Gamer. Playmaker. Leader.
What’s strange is Jones takes so much heat. He’s no Sam Bradford. But he is the Sooners’ all-time leading passer. And a probable first-round NFL Draft pick a year from now.
One thing is certain. It will be interesting to follow opinions on Jones his senior year.
Oklahoma football: Bob Stoops still defensive about Landry Jones
OU coach Bob Stoops celebrates with Landry Jones after a touchdown during the first half of the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and Air Force (AF) at the Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2010, in Norman, Okla. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Bob Stoops still has touchy moments about Landry Jones. Still doesn’t like to hear about his quarterback getting the short straw in public opinion or media coverage or anything else.
Last week, sitting around with a group of writers talking about the spring game format, Stoops talked about the absurdity of producing some kind of scoring system, and he piggy-backed that with the possible use of the Belldozer.
For instance, if Blake Bell was in the spring game and threw an interception that was returned near the goal line, would Bell just stay on the field and run the ‘Dozer?
In a spring-game scoring system, should the offense get credit for such an ensuing touchdown, Stoops asked? I piped up and said it would probably win Bell the MVP award. Which made Stoops laugh – and bristle, remembering the Insight Bowl, when ESPN broadcasters named Bell the MVP of a 31-14 victory over Iowa. Bell carried 10 times for 51 yards and scored three touchdowns out of the short-yardage situation.
“Can you believe that?” said the incredulous Stoops. “For playing 10 plays. To this day, I’m ‘what?’ And I love the guy. You know that.”
But, Stoops said, “I’m ‘wait a second here. Landry got his tooth knocked out, he’s sitting there taking us down(field).’ What were they thinking?”
Stoops is defensive of Jones. Stoops was upset with a column in the Saturday Oklahoman in which fans talked about their displeasure that Jones came back for his senior season. Stoops even mentioned it during a Saturday morning discussion with the OU Touchdown Club.
Stoops is right. It’s a silly premise, that OU would be better off without Jones. He’s the No. 1 reason the Sooners are the Big 12 favorites going into 2012.
But Bell came to OU with much recruiting hype, which always make a quarterback mythic before he plays, and the success of the Belldozer has given Bell’s supporters grist for their mill.
It’s moronic to believe that a football team is better off WITHOUT a Heisman-candidate quarterback who will be a high first-round draft choice, whenever he goes pro. But that’s the landscape at OU right now.
Spring game moved to 1:30 p.m. kickoff
Kickoff time for the OU spring game has been moved to 1:30 p.m., 30 minutes earlier than previously scheduled. Stadium gates will open at 12:00 p.m. Any further updates to today’s schedule will be made available to fans via SoonerSports.com.
The inaugural Big Boomer BBQ will continue as planned, beginning at 10:30 a.m. immediately north of Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. At that time, live music from Banana Seat, kids’ amusement rides and the OU Spring Merchandise Sale will all commence.
The Autograph Zone of the Big Boomer BBQ has been removed from Saturday’s itinerary, but a free, 45-minute post-game autograph session with OU football players currently remains on the schedule. The autograph session will be available only to those fans who attend the game. No post-game-only access will be permitted.
Beginning at noon, fans may enter the stadium at Gates 1, 5, 7 and 12. The Sooner Kids Club check-in is at Gate 5. Seating will be restricted to the lower deck, and restrooms and concession stands will be open on the north and west concourses only. ADA seating is available in the south end zone section. Due to previously-scheduled stadium maintenance, there will be no seating in the east stands.
All seating is general admission.
The game will be carried live on the radio (KOKC-AM 1520) but will not be televised. Toby Rowland will be calling Saturday’s action and will be joined by Merv Johnson, who returns in his analyst role, and Chris Plank who reports from the sidelines.
The spring Game and all surrounding events are subject to change in the event of inclement weather.
OU Power Lunch Chat with Sooners writer Mike Baldwin
OU depth chart
This blog is for fans hungry for an OU depth chart.
On OU’s website defensive tackle Frank Alexander and other players entering the NFL Draft are still listed.
The following two-deep is based on interviews with players and coaches this spring. This two-deep includes injured players regaining their starting roles.
Here’s an educated guess as to how the two-deep will look when the Sooners open two-a-days this fall.
OFFENSE
No. Name;Ht.;Wt.;Class
LEFT TACKLE
69 Lane Johnson;6-6;296;Sr.
71 Tyrus Thompson;6-5;297;So.
LEFT GUARD
64 Gabe Ikard;6-4;295;Jr.
74 Adam Shead;6-4;314;So.
CENTER
61 Ben Habern;6-4;292;Sr.
64 Gabe Ikard;6-4;295;Jr.
RIGHT GUARD
75 Tyler Evans; 6-5;304;Sr.
68 Bronson Irwin;6-5;305;Jr.
RIGHT TACKLE
79 Daryl Williams;6-6;313;So.
72 Derek Farniok;6-9;325;RFr.
O-line analysis: A veteran O-line returns four starters. Lane Johnson moves from right to left tackle. Adam Shead is starting this spring while Habern is out with a neck injury. Williams is exclusively a right tackle. The other three tackles can play both sides.
SLOT RECEIVER
2 Trey Franks;5-10;184;Jr.
na Courtney Gardner;5-3;215;Jr.
WIDE RECEIVER
4 Kenny Stills;6-1;189;Jr.
18 Kameel Jackson;6-0;195.So.
WIDE RECEIVER
16 Jaz Reynolds;6-2;198;Jr.
17 Trey Metoyer;6-2;198;Jr.
TIGHT END
82 Brannon Green;6-4;260;Jr.
88 Taylor McNamara;6-5;235;Fr.
Receivers analysis: Stills and Reynolds are returning starters. Franks has had a really solid spring. Metoyer has created the biggest buzz all spring and could push his way into the starting lineup. The young tight ends are making steady progress.
RUNNING BACK
8 Dominique Whaley;5-10;197;Sr.
24 Brennan Clay;5-11;194;J.r
22 Roy Finch;5-7;166;Jr.
FULLBACK
33 Trey Millard;6-2;249;Jr.
48 Aaron Ripkowski;6-2;255;So.
Running backs analysis: Clay reportedly has played very well this spring. Finch can break off some nifty runs but might be most valuable as a receiver out of the backfield. Bob Stoops raves about the versatile Millard. A couple of standout backs report this summer.
QUARTERBACK
12 Landry Jones;6-4;229;Sr.
15 Drew Allen;6-5;239;Jr.
or
10 Blake Bell;6-6;245;So.
Quarterback analysis: Jones already owns most OU passing records and has thrown for 12,379 yards and 93 touchdowns. Allen and Bell continue their battle for the backup job, Allen still holding a slight edge but Bell is gaining more experience.
DEFENSE
No. Name;Ht.;Wt.;Class
DEFENSIVE END
90 David King;6-5;273;Sr.
37 Chaz Nelson;6-3;240;Jr.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
53 Casey Walker;6-2;308;Sr.
80 Jordon Phillips;6-6;329;RFr.
or
94 Torrea Peterson;6-3;292;So.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
97 Jamarkus McFarland;6-2;296;Sr.
92 Stacy McGee;6-4;299;Sr.
DEFENSIVE END
91 R.J. Washington;6-3;248;Sr.
98 Chuka Ndulue;6-3;251;So.
D-line analysis: Three starters were banged up this spring. When healthy coaches are optimistic this unit is solid with some depth. But there is some pressure on King, Walker, McFarland and Washington to step up as seniors, stopping the run and generating a pass rush.
MIDDLE LINEBACKER
21 Tom Wort;6-;229;Jr.
55 Jaydan Bird;6-2;236;Sr.
STRONGSIDE LINEBACKER
7 Corey Nelson;6-1;219;Jr.
31 Daniel Franklin;6-2;233;Sr.
WEAKSIDE LINEBACKER
5 Joseph Ibiloye;6-3;219;Sr.
20 Frank Shannon;6-1;61-216;RFr.
Linebacker analysis: A solid starting group and some quality talent in backup roles. Wort has vowed to step up and be a leader. Nelson is a good fit inside. Ibiloye also will play in some nickel packages. Teammates and coaches have raved about Franklin and Shannon.
STRONG SAFETY
30 Javon Harris;5-11;207;Sr.
29 Quentin Hayes;6-0;181;So.
CORNERBACK
6 Demontre Hurst;5-10;181;Sr.
19 Joe Powell;6-0;171;Jr.
CORNERBACK
14 Aaron Colvin;6-0;176;Jr.
15 Lamar Harris;6-1;187;Sr.
FREE SAFETY
1 Tony Jefferson;5-10;199;Jr.
9 Gabe Lynn;6-0;195;Jr.
Secondary analysis: This is the unit that has much to prove after being victimized in three losses. Defensive coordinator Mike Stoops has simplified the defense. He’s pleased with the progress. The big test arrives this fall. Colvin, sitting out this spring, is the wild card where he’ll end up.
SPECIAL TEAMS
KICKER
18 Michael Hunnicutt;6-0;175;So.
PUNTER
36 Tress Way;6-1;218;Sr.
PUNT RETURNER
4 Kenny Stills;6-1;189;Jr.
KICKOFF RETURNS
2 Trey Franks;5-10;184;Jr.
22 Roy Finch;5-7;166;Jr.
DEEP SNAPPER
50 Austin Woods;6-4;290;Jr.
HOLDER
36 Tress Way;6-1;218;Sr.
Special teams analysis: Way is one of the top punters in the country with a strong leg and a knack for pinning teams inside the 20. Hunnicutt has gained strength and confidence, going a solid 21 of 24 on field goals. Stills being the primary punt returner has intriguing potential.
Ikard on the move again?
Gabe Ikard has played center exclusively this spring but might be moved back to left guard when two-a-days arrive in August.
The McGuinness product pushed his way into the starting lineup at left guard as a redshirt freshman. He played seven games at center last year when veteran center Ben Habern was sidelined by a broken forearm.
Habern has been sidelined this spring by a neck injury.
“If I end up playing guard in the fall it would be better to get reps at guard,” Ikard said. “But Ben is out with a neck injury and you can’t do anything about it.”
Ikard said there is a mental advantage from playing center.
“It helps me learn the offense even more,” Ikard said. “You have to know all the calls, know where the defense is going to bump, when safeties are going to roll down.
“I’m beginning to see things before they happen… For now blocking is blocking. They put me somewhere and I’ll just block people.”
Ikard said players are glad a six-week grind is about over.
“We’re excited to do all this stuff and it builds to the spring game,” Ikard said. “You’re excited to play, but excited to get it over with, excited not to have to hit each other for a while…
“(But) the spring game is always fun with the fans out there. I’m sure it will be really hot, a fun time.”
Informed there’s a chance of rain Ikard sarcastically said: “A lot of wet ball snaps. Great!”
Spoken like a veteran center.
