Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles/Notes

Sooners practice indoors- and-out: Oklahoma's football team was inside and outside Wednesday after morning rains gave way to partly cloudy conditions. The Sooners worked out for two and one-half hours, including a 20-minute scrimmage at the conclusion of the workout. Head coach Bob Stoops remains pleased with the progress of his team. The team spent the first hour of the practice at the Everest Training Center, then moved outside to Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. "We gave our field some time to dry," Stoops said. "It dries so well and we really prefer to practice on real grass." Junior college transfer quarterback Joey Halzle continued to impress, especially during the scrimmage. (SoonerSports.com)

Q&A with OU's Joe Jon Finley: The Oklahoman

Q&A with OU's Keenan Clayton: The Oklahoman

Ex-QB Thompson playing catch-up at wide receiver: The Oklahoman

OU Notebook: The Oklahoman

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Oklahoma Sooner Football

Oklahoma Wednesday Practice Indoors: Due to rain in the Norman area, University of Oklahoma head football coach Bob Stoops has moved the Wednesday practice indoors to the Everest Training Center. The workout will be closed to the public. The Sooners are slated to practice again Friday at 3:30 p.m. If weather conditions are conducive, that workout will be outdoors and open to the public. This Saturday, OU will scrimmage in Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. The practice will begin at 11 a.m., with the scrimmage slated for 12:15 p.m. That event is open to the public and there is no admission charge. Fans should enter through gates 1 or 11. Parking is available in campus lots around the stadium. (Sooner Sports Release)

Former Sooner pleads Guilty to Fraud Charges: A former OU football player pleaded guilty to federal charges that he defrauded several investors while he was a stockbroker. Adrian Cooper, 37, of Edmond acknowledged in a plea agreement Monday that he cheated 10 or more people. "I am accepting responsibility," he told a judge in federal court in Oklahoma City. Cooper pleaded guilty to securities fraud and money laundering. "This was theft by deception, plain and simple," U.S. Attorney John C. Richter said. "Instead of looking out for his clients, Cooper greedily defrauded them and used their money for his own purposes." The maximum punishment on the two felonies is 35 years in prison and $500,000 in fines. He also could be ordered to pay restitution. U.S. District Judge Ralph Thompson will decide the sentence later. Cooper was a tight-end for the Sooners and was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth round in April 1991. (Oklahoma Daily)

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Oklahoma Sooner Football

Sooners back to practice week 2: The Oklahoma football team opened its second week of spring ball on Monday afternoon at the Bud Wilkinson practice fields adjacent to Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. The workout in full pads lasted a little more than two hours. The Sooners returned to work for the first time after conducting the initial scrimmage of the spring on Saturday at the stadium. "It was really a good practice," said OU head coach Bob Stoops, who also commented on several individuals. He talked briefly about Brody Eldridge, who has moved from defensive end to tight end. "He has dropped a few balls, but he has good hands and can make those catches," Stoops said. (More at SoonerSports.com)

Pleasant held out: Sophomore linebacker Demarrio Pleasant did not participate in Saturday's scrimmage and was held out of Monday's workout, too. Stoops said Pleasant missed the workouts due academic issues and practice will have to wait until he gets the issues resolved. "He had a class issue over the weekend and he's working toward straightening that out right now," Stoops said. However, the spring is a critical time for Pleasant.He was Clint Ingram's backup at strongside linebacker last season and could have used the spring to solidify himself as a starter for next season. Defensive coordinator Brent Venables said every day Pleasant misses is going to hurt. (Norman Transcript)

Injury creates opportunity: The shoulder injury that sidelined starting linebacker Zach Latimer has created opportunity for sophomore Curtis Lofton. Lofton, who played sparingly as a true freshman last fall, has joined the first defense, seeing his practice snaps increase significantly. "It's unfortunate that Zach's out, but it's a great opportunity for me," Lofton said. "I'm trying to learn, and there's so much more to it than I thought there was." (NewsOK.com)

Rufus named to Lott Watch List: Linebacker Rufus Alexander of Oklahoma is one of the 42 top defensive players in the nation who have been named to the 2006 Lott Trophy Watch List, it was announced today. Alexander is a returning All-Big 12 performer who led the Sooners in tackles last season with 102. The 6-1, 231-pound senior from Baton Rouge, La., had six double-digit tackles games last season, including a career-high 13 stops at Nebraska. In 25 career games and 22 starting assignments, he has 178 total tackles. Twenty-four of those have been for loss, including seven sacks. He has four career fumble recoveries and one interception. (Sooner Sports Release)

Q&A -- Marcus Walker: The Oklahoman

Q&A -- Calvin Thibodeaux: The Oklahoman

OU's Halzle confident of playing time: The Oklahoman

OU Notebook: The Oklahoman

Spring practice continues: Oklahoma Daily

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Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles

Peterson challenged to reach new heights: The Oklahoman

OU hits field for first time: Oklahoma Daily

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Change in Position LB to DB: Sooner Lewis Baker, a starter at strong safety for much of last season, has moved to linebacker. Baker arrived at OU as a linebacker and spent his first season and a redshirt year at the position before being moved to the secondary in 2005. Part of the reason for the move to DB was because Baker barely weighed 200 pounds. "Wherever, they put me I'm willing to play as long as I get the chance to get on the field," said Baker, who had 35 tackles last season and two Saturday. "It's a more natural thing for me. I feel comfortable playing linebacker. The only weak point thus far -- just as it was in the past -- is still my weight. I gained a lot of weight in the offseason, though. I'm up to 212. That's obviously helping out a lot. I just need to pack on the pounds." (NewsOK.com)

Q&A: OU's Lendy Holmes: The Oklahoman

Q&A: OU's Juaquin Iglesias: The Oklahoman

The Sooner, the better: Kansas City Star

OU football scrimmage highlights: KWTV Video via NewsOK.com

Hands off Peterson!: KWTV Video via NewsOK.com

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D-efense highlights scrimmage: Blue skies and warming temperatures greeted Oklahoma's first spring scrimmage Saturday at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. OU head coach Bob Stoops liked his team's progress. "It was only our second day in pads, so it was about what you would expect," he said. "We're a little rusty, but I like the effort and attitude. We're developing a lot of depth with a lot of young guys getting reps." The offense scored a pair of touchdowns, a three-yard run by RB Allen Patrick and a five-yard jaunt by QB Joey Halzle. Patrick had 10 carries for 28 yards. Adrian Peterson, who is wearing a blue jersey to restrict contact, carried six times for 20 yards. Stoops said he was pleased with his defense's performance. "We're much farther along than a year ago," he said. "There are just a lot fewer mistakes." Sooner quarterbacks completed 16-of-27 passes for 189 yards. Rhett Bomar hit on 10-of-19 for 106 yards. He was intercepted once. Halzle was good on 6-of-8 83 yards. (Stats and more at SoonerSports.com)

Peterson not laying off: Although it was just the third practice of spring drills and the first day in pads, OU running back Adrian Peterson was hardly taking it easy. He had several pad-popping collisions. But none was more noticeable than the head-to-head blasting Peterson delivered to safety Darien Williams. For his part, Williams stood Peterson up, but he got his head snapped back so fiercely it's a wonder he didn't get whiplash. "I've been telling them, that's just what I do," Peterson said. (NrewsOK.com)

OU sees Smith as star at corner: The Oklahoman

Scrimmage features blue hue: NewsOK.com Sooner Blog

OU podcast with The Oklahoman's John Helsley: NewsOK.com

Sooners hit practice fields in full pads: SoonerSports.com

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Oklahoma Sooner Football Notes & Articles

Practice Continues: University of Oklahoma Football spring practices continues today, after having Thursday off. Sooner's practice is set for 3:45 outside and open to the public.

Another Spring Poll, OU at 6th: CBS Sportsline's Dennis Dodd ranks College Football's preseason top 25, Oklahoma pulled in at 6th, placing the Sooners a top the Big XII and notch higher than Texas in 7th. Full Ranking

Spring equals hard work for Sooners: Realfootball365.com

Ex-Hallandale star Joseph eager for draft: Miami Herald

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Sooners Off Thursday: Oklahoma Sooners are off Thursday, before heading back to the practice field Friday at 3:45 p.m. If weather permits, practice will be held outdoors and open to the public.

Sooners Indoor Again: The OU football team spent the second consecutive practice of the spring inside the Everest Training Center on Wednesday afternoon. The Sooners worked in shells for a little over two hours on the synthetic turf. A small photo gallery accompanies this release. More extensive galleries will be available when the weather permits the team to practice outdoors. OU head coach Bob Stoops said he saw marked improvement when comparing the workouts on Tuesday and Wednesday. "It was quite a bit better," he commented. "We are still a long way from where we want to be, but today was definitely cleaner." (SoonerSports Release)

McCoy visits practice: Gerald McCoy, the Southeast High standout and Sooner recruit, checked out Tuesday's practice, walking the field and getting familiar with future teammates. (NewsOK.com)

Sooner Practice Blog: NewsOK.com & The Oklahoman have launched OU Spring Football Blog, which includes practice reports, notes and opinions from The Oklahoman sports reports. OU Spring Football Blog.

FOX Sports Ranks the coaches: FOX Sports.com/CollegeFootballNews.com writer Rich Cirminiello, ranks and analyzes coaches by confernce. Oklahoma's Bob Stoops was a top Big XII conference, with UT's Mack Brown. (FOXSports.com)

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles
For Bomar, it's different: Norman Transcript

Q&A -- OU's Allen Patrick: The Oklahoman

Q&A -- OU's Rufus Alexander: The Oklahoman

Birdine says he's ready to back it up as a senior: The Oklahoman

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Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles

Sooners & AD report to Spring Practices: The Sooners didn't wear pads, but they did conduct full team drills in their return to the field. "It was a little sloppy," head coach Bob Stoops said. "There's a lot of correcting going on but that's not unlike what we've had virtually every spring. We always start out throwing a lot at them right off the bat." The number 28 stood out behind the offensive line as junior running back Adrian Peterson participated in his first spring practice. Peterson sat out last year's spring with a shoulder injury. "It's exciting to get back to playing," Peterson said. "It feels like it's been a long time." Junior Allen Patrick was the only other running back to take the field with Peterson. Junior Jacob Gutierrez is still recovering from off-season knee surgery.. In addition, Larry Birdine made his return to the field as a senior defensive end after sitting out last season with a torn bicep. (OU Daily)

Peterson ready for spring polishing: Norman Transcript

Peterson Takes Part In Spring Practice For First Time: KOTV

UPDATED 1:

New OU offensive line coach relishes challenge: Norman Transcript

OU football notebook: The Oklahoman

OU spring football practice highlights: The Oklahoman

Q&A -- OU's Malcolm Kelly: The Oklahoman

Q&A -- OU's C.J. Ah You: The Oklahoman

Sooners begin spring practice indoors: SoonerSports.com

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Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles

Tuesday Practice: Tuesday's football practice, will be the first of spring practices for the Oklahoma Sooners, will be held indoors at the Everest Training Center. Practice is closed due to limited sideline room, practice will continue Wednesday.

O-Line tops OU's to-do list: Norman Transcript

Wilson says young stars must shine: The Oklahoman

OU spring story lines: The Oklahoman

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Monday Practice Canceled: Monday's practice for the Oklahoma Sooners has been canceled, due to inclement weather. Sooners first practice is set for Tuesday.

Tuesday's practice moved: Oklahoma head football coach Bob Stoops has determined that Tuesday's football practice, the first of the spring for the Sooners, will be held indoors at the Everest Training Center. Due to the tight sideline space, the practice will be closed. Once OU is able to practice outdoors, the workouts will be open to the public. The Red/White Spring Game, which will be televised by ESPN, is set for 1 p.m., on April 8. Tickets for that game are on sale now. Tickets are $5 each if purchased before the day of the game, $10 if purchased on game day. (SoonerSports Release)

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Oklahoma Sooner Football

Sooner Spring Practice: The advent of spring in Oklahoma brings longer days, warmer temperatures and thunderstorms. March also returns the Sooners to the football practice fields. OU begins spring practice on Monday, March 20. Over the next week, SoonerSports.com will review the 2005 campaign, break down the 2006 squad by position and offer a preview of the upcoming season. Visit 2006 OU Spring Football Central for complete coverage including the daily practice schedule, updated roster and spring guide. (SoonerSports Release)

The 2006 Sooner Offense & Defense: SoonerSports.com

Spring Preview: Quarterbacks & Receivers: SoonerSports.com

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Bomar cited at Hornets Game: Oklahoma starting quarterback Rhett Bomar was cited Friday for being a minor in possession of alcohol after an undercover police officer spotted him drinking at the New Orleans Hornets basketball game at the Ford Center, police said Saturday. Bomar, 20, was sitting with several friends when an officer saw him pouring beer into a cup, said Oklahoma City Police Sgt. J.F. Balderrama. "Apparently they were all sitting in the same section, and Mr. Bomar was taking the beer, putting it in a white cup and taking sips of it during the game," Balderrama said. After the game, Bomar of Grand Prairie was approached by officers and acknowledged having several drinks, Balderrama said. Bomar was taken into custody and transported to the police station, where he posted a bond and was released, Balderrama said. (Dallas Morning News)

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Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles

Bassey, Runnels steal show at OU Pro Day: The Oklahoman

Runnels finally gets his chance: Norman Transcript

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Oklahoma Sooner Football

Alexander on Lombardi Award Watch List: Oklahoma linebacker Rufus Alexander, a consensus All-Big 12 selection last season, is on the initial watch list for the 37th Rotary Lombardi Award. A Sooner has been a finalist for the award three times in the last five years and OU defensive tackle Tommie Harris, now with the Chicago Bears, won the honor in 2003. Tony Casillas, another Oklahoma standout, was the 1985 winner. The 37h Rotary Lombardi Award will be presented on December 6 at the Hilton Americas Hotel in Houston. A.J. Hawk of Ohio State was named the 36th winner of the award last year. The 44 preliminary candidates earned a place on the initial Watch List by earning All-American honors at the end of the 2005 or previous seasons, or by being named to their respective All Conference team as selected by the conference's head coaches. (SoonerSports Release)

Sooners host Pro Day: The Oklahoma football program hosted NFL coaches and scouts on Wednesday for its 2006 Pro Day on campus in Norman. Sooner prospects including Remi Ayodele, Clint Ingram, Eric Bassey, Kejuan Jones, Russell Dennison, J.D. Runnels, Davin Joseph, Donta Hickson, Chris Chester, Bubba Moses, Chris Bush, Kelvin Chaisson, Jowahn Poteat, Chijikoe Onyenegecha, Jejuan Rankins and Jacob Rice were weighed and measured for the scouts. The players then went through numerous drills testing agility, speed, quickness, strength and ball control inside the Mosier Indoor Facility and the Everest Indoor Training Center. (Sooner Sports)

'07 class already taking shape: OU Daily

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Red/White tickets on sale: Tickets are now on sale for the 2006 University of Oklahoma Red/White Spring Football Game. The contest is slated for April 8 at 1 p.m., in Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Tickets are $5 each if purchased before the day of the game, $10 if purchased on game day. OU students with a valid university ID and children age 5 and younger will be admitted free of charge. Tickets are available online at SoonerSports.com, via telephone at 800-456-GoOU or 405-325-2424, or at the Athletics Ticket Office on the plaza level of the Asp Avenue parking garage just west of the stadium. (Sooner Sports Release)

Sooners at Combines: Six Oklahoma Sooners are among the 300 NFL prospects to be invited to NFL combines in Indianapolis. Chris Chester, Dusty Dvoracek, Clint Ingram, Davin Joseph, Chijioke Onyenegecha, and Travis Wilson. Times, and measurements listed below. Find more on the NFL combines at NFL.com.

Oklahoma 40 Times

Davin Joseph (OL) - 6th -5.09

Chris Chester (OL) Fastest - 4.88

Clint Ingram (LB) 8th - 4.5

Vertical Jump

Travis Wilson (WR) - 6th - 36½

Davin Joseph (OL) 2nd - 32

Chris Chester (OL) 3rd - 31½

Clinton Ingram (LB) 3rd - 41

Broad Jump

Travis Wilson (WR) - 6th - 10-foot

Davin Joseph (OL) - 1st -9-foot-3

Chris Chester (OL) - 7th - 8-foot-10

20 yard shuttle

Travis Wilson (WR) Fastest - 3.99

Chris Chester (OL) 3rd - 4.50

Short Shuttle

Clint Ingram (LB) 5th - 4.10

Three- cone

Travis Wilson (WR) 2nd - 6.70

Chris Chester (OL) 2nd - 7.31

Sooners' Joseph has skills and attitude: Sun-Sentinel

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