Notes on Bob Stoops' pre-spring press conference
Just doing his best to say as little as possible. (Image: tulsaworld.com)
Bob Stoops went through his annual exercise in nondisclosure with the media today to kick off spring practice.
What did we learn? Per usual, not a ton. A few nuggets of interest:
*Clearly, Joe Mixon’s return will consume a ton of oxygen this spring. Nobody will see him, though, as Stoops announced today that the terms of his suspension include holding him out of the spring game.
That sounds to me like convenient cover for limiting his media exposure. Whatever the case may be, Mixon will remain a mystery man to those outside the program until the fall.
*Once again, the coaches plan on “experimenting” with Eric Striker’s role this spring.
To a degree, I wonder if this is being done with some consideration of Striker’s pro future in mind. At his current size, Striker (6-1, 221) probably can’t play outside linebacker in the NFL. At the very least, he won’t be able to play the position the way that he does now.
Also, with Dom Alexander sitting out this spring, maybe Striker gets a chance to show what he can do at inside linebacker? Might help just from a depth standpoint to know if he can contribute there.
*Nothing really worth mentioning about the quarterback derby. Stoops did say redshirt freshman Justice Hansen will be under consideration, but, frankly, that’s to be expected.
*Cortez Johnson leaving the team isn’t shocking. (Says the guy who included him on the spring depth chart – I know.) A little disappointing, though, because dude definitely looked the part.
*Stoops mentioned Dallis Todd multiple times as one receiver who is standing out lately. I hesitate to read too much into that kind of talk at this time of the year, but if Todd does make a big leap this spring, it would go a long way towards sorting out the Sooners’ rotation at receiver. OU could use a taller presence such as Todd or Jeffrey Mead to complement a number of smaller, slot-type wideouts.
That’s it. Seriously, there wasn’t much to it.