It’s a new season.Fresh off a strong post season win — albeit in the SunBowl — the Sooners enter the 2010 season with renewed optimism. One national guru even ranks them No. 1 going into the season.
But the questions arise: Will Landry Jones continue to improve as he finds his place in the recent history of the new quarterback U? Or will his advance be set back, similar to last year’s debacle at Lincoln, Nebraska?
Will Demarco Murray finally shake the injury bug and became the star running back he has shown only glimpses of during his tenure in Norman?
Can the defense overcome the loss of one of the best down lineman ever in Gerald McCoy?
Will Ronnell Lewis, who obliterated the Stanford Cardinals in El Paso, don a cape and fly onto Owen Field instead of using the ramp like everyone else on September 4 when the Sooners begin the season against Utah State?
(Will the Pride drum major strut enough to drag his hat on the turf?)
With all those questions, surely there are some answers. For one, Jones and the offensive line will only get better.
Jones’ presence in the backfield was stellar last year. He was sacked only 15 times. OU was 35th in TFL allowed and 16th in sacks allowed. That’s despite the fact the injury-plagued offensive line was musical chairs — with even a tight end playing center. So, the odds are things will be better than last year. That translates into fewer sacks and losses and more points.
Senior running back DeMarco Murray said Jones’ teammates have confidence in Landry, because he is stepping up as the leader of the offense.
“It makes me more comfortable with him just seeing his work ethic with what he has been able to do in the spring and in the summer; how vocal and how mature he has become,” Murray said. “I think he’ll have a great year for us and lead us in the right direction.”
Last year Jones threw to wide receiver Ryan Broyles for 1,120 yards and 15 touchdowns. That made Broyles like Jones a lot, but now he says the whole offense is on board the Jones bus.
“The whole offense is feeling more comfortable with Landry being the guy,” Broyles said. “Last year, freak accidents happened and he got thrown into the fire, but I feel like as the season progressed, he became more of a complete player. I feel like during the whole off season he has continued to take strides on into the next season.”
Defensively, one player who may go from past heralded recruit to star player is Jamarkus McFarland, who has trimmed the dreadlocks as a symbol of a more serious and professional attitude he brings to this season.
McFarland’s role may be more pronounced depending upon the return of Adrian Taylor, who broke his leg in the Sun Bowl game. Taylor is back and practicing. But Coach Stoops told ESPN that he hopes Taylor will be back to 100 percent by the third or fourth game of the season.
Oklahoma has been tabbed the new Linebacker U by some sports writers, considering the depth at that position available this year. One combination is the “firm” of Lewis, Lewis & Wort — meaning veteran Travis Lewis, Sun Bowl-star Ronnell Lewis, and Tom Wort, a promising redshirt freshman who sat out last year following an injury that occurred in two-a-days. Add Austin Box to that mix and this should be the strength of the team.
Not sure about the drum major yet.
Follow
