This^ is 100% accurate and a very high quality post.

Thanks ou48a :)



Ironically some of the criticism coming from fans and the media may have helped better motive the team. When the players are giving the effort we have seen the past 2 games you won’t hear me complain very much win or lose.


Effort and heart are huge components to the game. That's why that 2000 crew won the whole thing. I remember the 1983 Sooners, definitely not one of Switzer's more skilled squads (and having to deal with all the Dupree departure stuff), playing at home to the Huskers who, at that time, had one of the most dominating football teams in the history of the game - with "the triplets," and an I/option game that was seemingly unstoppable.

In the midst of the most driving rainstorm I've ever sat through at a game in Norman, I watched a physically outmanned Sooner team put their heart on the field with every play. It was Spencer Tillman diving from seemingly eight yards out and swan-diving into the endzone for a touchdown. It was OU playing toe-to-toe with this great Nebraska team, a team that had been routinely pounding everyone by huge double-digits every week. Down by only eight with a few minutes to go, OU was driving the field and seemed absolutely destined to score, and set up a chance for a two-point play to tie the game, but a first down false start at thd two pushed the Sooners back to the seven, and a fourth-down pass from Danny Bradley was tipped at the goal line and fell incomplete. It was a hearbreaking loss. To this day, I remember Switzer saying after the game that "I already had the two-point play ready to go. I was sure we'd score."

The point of the story is that team played with heart and intensity and effort, and in reality had no business being on the same field with Nebraska. But there they were, just a play away from knotting up one of the great teams of all time, just because they had the will to give it their very best effort. They played out of their minds.

Losing, for whatever reason, stinks. Always will. But if you've given it your very best shot, and even then some, its awfully tough for any fan to expect or ask for more. While this particular Sooner team may not be of an '00, '03, '04, or '08 vintage, the kind of effort and intensity I saw last Saturday makes me look forward to each and every game the rest of the way out. You likely can't match the emotional intensity every week, of course, but if your mindset is to let it go 100% every week, the balance of this year has a chance to be really, really special!

The biggest single liability Landry has is that he gets "nervous." He doesn't seem to have as refined a "sixth sense" a lot of top-tier quarterbacks have to "sense" pressure, and get away from it. That does NOT make him a "bad" quarterback at all. You have to adjust to his strengths and weaknesses.

One quote I read from him over the weekend that I think is both very good and very telling is that there was apparently some variety of pep talk or team meeting or coach discussion after the KSU game wherein the team in general (and I suspect Landry in particular) was told, frankly, to forget the fans, remember why they play the game, and to go out and have fun with it. And I don't think its merely a coincidence that the offense in general and Landry in particular have played their best two games of the season over the last two weeks.

The other intangible I saw at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday was the incredible energy on the OU sidelines. I mean energy like I haven't seen on the OU bench in probably three or four years.. maybe more. I don't know if its the return of Mike Stoops to the defense, or the renewed tandem of Stoops and Stoops, or fresh paint in the locker room, but that kind of energy IMHO gives an intangible to any team that makes them push the extra mile, make the extra play, to do the extra thing necessary to win ballgames you might otherwise not. Hope it continues.

I agree about the new energy, and I also agree Mike Stoops has brought an intensity to the sidelines we were lacking. It's not that Brent lacked intensity, it's just that the team's defensive lapses were demoralizing at times. Having that confidence that we can still get a stop if we make an offensive mistake allows our offense to play more loosely.

Landry was 5 of 5 on the opening drive against Texas. They stoned our running game during that series, so he, Bell and receivers made that happen.

The new energy is also, in my opinion, a result of getting the new receivers and Landry on the same page. He's confident in them and is slinging the ball to all of them. Remember when the chief complaint among OU fans was that Broyles was Landry's "security blanket?" He doesn't really have one this year (although Justin Brown is turning into a potent possession receiver).

I do see this team coming together and I think they have a chance to win out; if they do, they have a shot at a title. But we have to avoid any more injuries to the offensive line and the team will have to continue to improve throughout the season.

guru, you are the obnoxious one on this board, you set yourself up with all the blow hard know it all attitude and opinions......you must live and die for OU football. You probably are one of those that get ill when they lose.......i'm past that stage, have been for years.

It's high school + ONE.............. And quit putting exclamation marks behind the fact Landry has won a game or two if you think he's the 4th best..... I like him too, but life doesn't revolve around 20 year old kids.

Get past the jock sniffing stage......

How old are you anyways ? 30 maybe ?

So do you disagree with my ranking of OU QBs? Why are you acting so hateful?

And I'm not the "know it all" saying that Barry Switzer doesn't know how to evaluate QBs.

I'm older than 30 and I'm not sniffing Landry's jock (incredibly offensive comment), I'm just pointing out that he's unfairly criticized given his performance, a statement that would garner a lot of agreement.

Nice, so because we disagree with your point we don't know anything about OU football? Give me a break.

No because your reasoning and evidence is weak. You're starting to clarify (or modify) your position to kind that is more supportable. I agree that Landry is underrated by OU fans, but to put him even in the same conversation as those other 3 QBs is just not supportable. He's a level below those guys.

SoonerDave nailed it in saying Landry lacks a "sixth sense" or "it." Players rarely develop this over their careers. They seem to either have it or don't. Carson Palmer is an exception as everything just started to click for him his senior year. Landry has not been able to ever play at a consistently high level because when things aren't going well he tends to make mistakes, not big plays. There are exceptions to this (e.g., OSU 2010), but that's why Landry is frustrating. Having said that, I still appreciate what he's done. He's the 4th best QB of the Stoops era.

I actually disagree with the energy point. I felt like the entire OU team had great energy against Texas and FSU last season. The sidelines were hopping, the team was chomping at the bit to play (see the pre-game scuffles), but they couldn't sustain it for whatever reason (poor defensive scheming?). But I do like how the team looks right now. But based on Landry's past 3.5 years we should probably maintain a guarded optimism.

I am not saying that Jason White has better arm strength. What I am saying is that he threw a more accurate deep ball. This was a fact that was acknowledged by several analyzed / coaches.

There is a big difference between accuracy and arm strength.
I once knew somebody who would stand in the middle of the football field and throw the ball about 80 yards but it was anybody’s guess as to witch hash mark it would land on. He was a good boxer.
Josh Heupel had an comparitivly week arm but he was a very accurate thrower.

you didn't soonerdave did

and to kilgore ... that comment is laughable

So do you disagree with my ranking of OU QBs? Why are you acting so hateful?

And I'm not the "know it all" saying that Barry Switzer doesn't know how to evaluate QBs.

I'm older than 30 and I'm not sniffing Landry's jock (incredibly offensive comment), I'm just pointing out that he's unfairly criticized given his performance, a statement that would garner a lot of agreement.

Okay,

Let's just disagree and move on, we do like the same team, maybe to a different degree though. I'll try not to be so offensive..........
There's no one that wants Landry to succeed more than I do, but I realize his limitations.

SoonerDave nailed it in saying Landry lacks a "sixth sense" or "it." Players rarely develop this over their careers. They seem to either have it or don't. Carson Palmer is an exception as everything just started to click for him his senior year. Landry has not been able to ever play at a consistently high level because when things aren't going well he tends to make mistakes, not big plays. There are exceptions to this (e.g., OSU 2010), but that's why Landry is frustrating. Having said that, I still appreciate what he's done. He's the 4th best QB of the Stoops era.

I actually disagree with the energy point. I felt like the entire OU team had great energy against Texas and FSU last season. The sidelines were hopping, the team was chomping at the bit to play (see the pre-game scuffles), but they couldn't sustain it for whatever reason (poor defensive scheming?). But I do like how the team looks right now. But based on Landry's past 3.5 years we should probably maintain a guarded optimism.

You are correct about last season. After beating FSU on the road (and Landry played great in that game) and demolishing Texas, OU looked like worldbeaters. Then, Fleming went down and we lost to Tech in one of the biggest defensive collapses in OU history, followed by another defensive collapse against Baylor. Then, Broyles went out and our offense lost more than a third of its production, preceded, of course, by Whaley going down to injury.

Those two losses are almost exclusively the result of the defensive collapse. Poor secondary and inconsistent linebacker play -- and, as you suggest -- possible scheme failures.

Add to that our inability to run against OSU and the loss of our passing game, and we notched yet another loss.

It was bizarre how strong and physical OU looked through midseason, only to fade down the stretch.

As we learned over the summer, there were associated "issues" with players, leading to suspensions of some and quitting by others.

Stoops talked about how much he likes this team's chemistry. It was disappointing seeing the lethargy they played with against K-State, but for now I'm a believer that they are focused and have what it takes to win out. Notre Dame and West Virginia will be tough, and in the Big 12, there are other potential land mines, but I'm keeping the faith for now.

10 seconds of googling showed that you just make up stuff: SI.com - 2005 NFL Draft - Mark Clayton (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/2005/draft/players/80670.html?mobile=n)

Did you think no one would check to see if you're just making up stuff?

He was tested at a high of 4.41 in a different run.

And what was Broyles' forty time?

And what was Broyles' forty time?

He ran a 4.46 after tearing his ACL, which is remarkable. Any difference is minor, but if you take out Broyles injury then I suspect he was slightly faster.

This is the side of the OU-Texas game that you probably missed

Graphic language warning. NSFW

OU/Texas 2012: Red River Randomness - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=bY_PJgP9juY)



LOL

How can you seriously say that the quarterback with the most wins in OU history, owns a majority of school records, is overrated.

Because he was the starting quarterback at the time of the air raid longer than anyone else. A buddy of mine here in Ohio who joins us Okies for beer and football sometimes said the other day it felt like Landry Jones has been OU's qb since the start of time.. salient perception

It was disappointing seeing the lethargy they played with against K-State,

Everyone snores against K-State... until the final score and it's "oh ****"

I am not saying that Jason White has better arm strength. What I am saying is that he threw a more accurate deep ball. This was a fact that was acknowledged by several analyzed / coaches.
Before he blew out his knees he was considered a better running QB than passer, he worked danged hard to become as good of a passing QB as he did. It is a shame that his knees were shot to the point at which he couldn't give the NFL a serious try.

Texas is a complete and utter mess, Mack retired in 2009 but has hung around to get his $5 million a year check. He had visions of riding off in the sunset of a National Championship until Colt McCoy was injured.

Because he was the starting quarterback at the time of the air raid longer than anyone else. A buddy of mine here in Ohio who joins us Okies for beer and football sometimes said the other day it felt like Landry Jones has been OU's qb since the start of time.. salient perception

True, but there are many quarterbacks who have started for several years at a school and don't have the wins or associated records to go with them.

I don't see the "overrated" part. That is, I see plenty of people raining criticism, so I'm not sure who is out there "overrating" him. He's a fine quarterback, he has his limitations, and it just so happens he's not quite in the league of two Heisman winners that preceded him. I'm not sure if that's considered "overrating" because I used the term "fine quarterback," or "underappreciating" because I say "he has his limitations." Darned if ya do, darned if ya don't :)

Before he blew out his knees he was considered a better running QB than passer, he worked danged hard to become as good of a passing QB as he did. It is a shame that his knees were shot to the point at which he couldn't give the NFL a serious try.

Texas is a complete and utter mess, Mack retired in 2009 but has hung around to get his $5 million a year check. He had visions of riding off in the sunset of a National Championship until Colt McCoy was injured.

This.

Mack made the mistake of listening to his fan base a little too much two years ago, and he's brought in at least one, and possibly two, coordinators that are over their head. Whether Mack returns next year may depend on how UT finishes out, but if he does return, I can't fathom Diaz coming back under any circumstances. As I mentioned in an earlier post, Mack's already cleaned house once, and doing so again would just reek of desperation that would reflect poorly not just on him, but on the program. If Mack goes, I think UT really ought to try to snag John Gruden out of "retirement."

Big TEX Burns down…… No joke

Live Video - Dallas News | myFOXdfw.com (http://www.myfoxdfw.com/category/234333/live)

Oh the symbolism!


Sad for Big Tex but I'm sure he'll be re-built.

Photo:

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/r270/156483_10151126402317690_1488609372_n.jpg

Did the Horn fans confuse Big Tex with a Mack Brown effigy?

I guess they really do FRY everything at the State Fair of Texas...

Big TEX will be replaced with a statue of Bob Stoops since he now owns Fair Park.
What will the Texans tell their kids?

I guess he couldn't take it any more and ended it all.

Big TEX will be replaced with a statue of Bob Stoops since he now owns Fair Park.
What will the Texans tell their kids?

They will say, "There is a statue of the best coach in Texas."

He only looks slightly more creepy on fire than it did on a normal day.


Photo:

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/r270/156483_10151126402317690_1488609372_n.jpg

Some photoshopped images from a Texas site

http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv76/duffelpud/burningmack.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/A5lqV_eCMAALITF.jpg

http://p.twimg.com/A5lKNAZCAAIPSXI.jpg

Definite Darth Vader thing going on there.

These images will provide fark fodder for decades.

The timing of it is just too perfect.

Does not matter anyway, they said they will rebuild it bigger and better

Does not matter anyway, they said they will rebuild it bigger and better

Not a very smart move if you ask me... It's just gonna get burned down again next year. Boomer.

Big Tex: "Howdy, folks. Yes, I said the Longhorns would win. I guess that makes me 'Liar, Liar, pants on Fire.' Folks, that's just a figure of speech... That's just a ..."

Even when they rebuild Big Tex, it will never be the same! At least Big Tex lived a blessed 60 years! Rest in peace Big Tex!

Even when they rebuild Big Tex, it will never be the same! At least Big Tex lived a blessed 60 years! Rest in peace Big Tex!

Surely the Big Tex that went up in flames today wasn't the exact same structure out there the last 60 years. I can guarantee you his outfit has changed, because Dickies wasn't the sponsor until just a few years ago, and Big Tex wore something more like a generic country plaid shirt not that many years ago. Point being that it shouldn't be that big a deal to slap some fabric on a frame...

They "redid" Big Tex some years ago, the fabric shell doesn't last all that long in the sun and wind of North Texas.

Everything but the metal frame has either been altered and/or replaced several times, there is though a difference in perception of minor changes made over many years which keeps a feeling of continuity verses it burning down in minutes.