Linking Up: August 13
Some quick-hitters while lamenting the fact that I'm watching an NFL preseason game being called by Joe Theismann and Mike Patrick:
*Caught the season premiere of Hard Knocks on HBO last night. I'm sure no one likes being the one to tell guys they've been cut or broken a leg, but those two chumps the Bengals have put in charge of those jobs couldn't be any less sympathetic. The way ex-Sooner J.D. Runnels was let go was particularly cold. Also, it looks pretty clear that Roy Williams' days as a productive NFL safety are over
*Per usual, injuries are the big story early in two-a-days this season.
-Darren Evans' torn ACL won't hurt Virginia Tech as badly as people seem to think. The sophomore running back had a solid year in 2008, but the 1,200 yards rushing he gained were inflated by a huge game against Maryland in which he gained 253 yards on 32 carries. For the season, he averaged a good-but-not-great 4.4 yards per carry. Evans is a strong runner and all, but his contributions to the Hokie offense are easily replaceable.
-Zac Robinson's health could turn into a major storyline in Stillwater this season. Robinson sat out his fifth-straight practice today with a hamstring injury. If the quarterback's mobility is limited this year, it could significantly reduce the size of the Pokes' playbook.
-Despite all the hype surrounding Matt Barkley at USC, I still think Aaron Corp ends up starting this season. Either way, I'm really starting to feel the Buckeyes in that early-season blockbuster.
-Seeing as Texas is down to its third-string tight end, you have to wonder how it's going to affect the Longhorns' already mediocre run game.
*Meanwhile, Bob Stoops has been about as open about how things are going in Norman as Sal from Mad Men is about his sexuality. Stoops graciously threw Sooner Nation a bone this evening, opening up a no-pads practice to the general public for about an entire hour. Some initial thoughts based on what Homerism has gleaned from the media reports:
-The news that C Ben Habern has been slowed by a back injury obviously is troubling. When it comes to nagging, back problems are up there with the dreaded "high-ankle sprain." As I've written before, play from the center position is critical for OU this year. The idea of a backup tight end snapping the ball isn't too comforting.
-With Habern sitting out, one offensive line combination being used is Trent Williams at left tackle, Brian Simmons at left guard, Stephen Good at center, Jarvis Jones at right guard and Cory Brandon at right tackle. I guess that doesn't sound so bad.
-Stoops rarely calls out individuals the way he did with Jameel Owens recently. Homerism wonders if the Muskogee native may not be long for the Crimson and Cream.
-As stacked as OU's defense is, it sounds like some youngsters will see meaningful snaps this season, particularly in the secondary.
-Is it just me, or have the coaching staff's comments been disarmingly positive so far?
*Is Bill Engvall a comedian or something? How did this guy get a show with his name in the title?
*If you haven't been reading Jason Whitlock's columns on the recent sexual indiscretions of sports figures--and fans, in the case of Erin Andrews--get caught up. Props to the good people at FoxSports.com for allowing "Big Sexy" to throw in a host of clever vagina euphemisms in his latest missive. Even when I disagree with Whitlock, I really appreciate his unique point of view and ability to express his opinions provocatively without crossing the line into "I'm-obviously-doing-this-to-fire-people-up-and-get-more-hits" territory.
*Things in Homerism's non-blogging life have calmed down a bit recently, and I'm hoping to really kick up the amount of writing that I'm doing. If you have any thoughts or ideas for articles, please feel free to send me an e-mail or post some comments here. Your feedback is always appreciated.