Jim Ross is known to millions as the voice of WWE, but J.R. is also one of the biggest Oklahoma Sooner fans on the planet. Today, J.R. focuses his “Ramblings" on the Kansas State Wildcats and Coach Bill Snyder.
Here's J.R.'s 7 points:
1. Bill Snyder….is 70 year old Wildcat coach Bill Snyder, the architect of K-State’s amazing football resurrection, akin to one’s elderly uncle visiting every couple of years and always reminding whoever will listen that it was him that “taught the boys how to ride a bike?” Snyder, hardnosed and old school, is a noted workaholic who has practiced his team on two Fridays this year and both extra practices lead to Big 12 wins the next day. Snyder will be loaded for “Bob” come Saturday evening.
2. Brody Eldridge…..the senior captain started at left guard again and had 18 knockdown blocks in Lawrence Saturday afternoon. Eldridge wears #50 as a show of respect to current Minnesota Viking and former Sooner teammate Jon Cooper. Eldridge has become OU’s best offensive lineman this season. Brody plays with passion every down which should be the norm for all his O-Line teammates.
3. K-State game plan….keep it simple, stupid. Shorten the game by running the ball featuring #8 Tailback Daniel Thomas who is 6’2”-227 lbs and has 814 yards rushing in 8 games with 9 touchdowns. K-State is 2nd in the Big 12 in rushing but last in passing. You do the math. The Cats have averaged possessing the ball 34 minutes per game in ‘09.
4. Ryan Reynolds….highly intelligent and intense OU middle linebacker will likely become the object of Snyder’s strategic offensive planning as one can assume the Cats will test #4’s pass defense. Ryan needs to be on the field against the run happy Manhattanites but one can count on K-State using play action passes over the middle when the need arises. Reynolds getting an extra year of eligibility from the “student friendly” NCAA seems like a no brainer to me.
5. Oklahoma defense…the heart of this team will be counted on again to create turnovers and three and out’s to assist an offense that has a completely different DNA than it did before the BYU game. The OU defense has not allowed a point in the 1st quarter this season and looks mighty stout in their nickel package which will definitely come in handy as the Big 12 race continues. DB Franks has become the “Dominator” and it’s good to see #86 DT Adrian Taylor getting his well earned props. Gerald McCoy has already put himself in a position to earn more NFL bucks than any other McCoy in the Big 12.
6. Ryan Broyles…not only is the Norman native the Sooners’ best play maker he’s also maturing as a leader and has demonstrated pronounced mental and physical toughness since being injured at Miami. Broyles has acquired ownership of the receiving corps and #85’s grit seems to be slowly but surely rubbing off on Adron Tennell, Dejuan Miller, and Brandon Caleb. OU’s receivers had some positive moments blocking against KU. However, at times their receiving can be a little “bowling shoe ugly” but there is light at the end of the tunnel for this unit. BTW who’s Oklahoma’s offensive MVP this year, Broyles or Eldridge? Or someone else?
7. Run Landry Run…it’s not likely that QB Landry Jones will be “over used” in his role of running the football with the lead option, etc but it does give defenses something to think about and it will work on occasion just as a QB draw will work Saturday night. No, I haven’t forgotten about our depth issues at signal caller.
BBQ’ed Random Thoughts….because I couldn’t finish in “7.”
This will be the Sooners first game on “Bono Grass.” New sod is now in place after the U2 concert of a few weeks ago. “Bono Grass” violates no NCAA rules of which we are aware.
Dez Bryant says he doesn’t know if he’s coming back to OSU next year. Right and I don’t know if I’ll still love J.R.’s BBQ tomorrow. Bryant would be foolish to not be NFL bound in the 2010 draft. I do hope that his former college team wins Saturday night in Stillwater because that helps the Sooners. However, Texas minus 9 seems to be the popular play.
Just in case you may have missed it, OU’s #56 Ronnell Lewis is a legit beast. Dewar, Oklahoma’s gift to Soonerland has “it” and is going to be a special player. Lewis reminds me somewhat of the late Rod Shoate with his speed and extra “pop” when he arrives at the ball carrier.
I might be in the minority but I would love to see true freshman running back Jonathan Miller get more action. Miller and fellow running back Jermie Calhoun both have the same amount of carries this season, 18, with Miller gaining 130 yards and the highly touted Calhoun 60 yards. Miller seems to be a potential play maker with game breaking speed and with Demarco Murray still on the mend it seems getting another home run hitter on the field has credence.
It’s hard to not feel bad for injured defensive tackle DeMarcus Granger whose college career is finished and his NFL career in serious jeopardy. Perhaps the former #1 high school defensive lineman in the USA can get healthy and become an unlikely success story as a nose tackle in the NFL. The kid needs a break and a college degree.
Former Sooner Dusty Dvorachek is living back in Norman and after another heartbreaking, season ending injury with the Chicago Bears. Big Dust is training every day at the OU facility looking to get another shot at the NFL in 2010. Dusty has had four bad hands dealt to him in his NFL career but he’s hell-bent on getting back on the football field in ’10. I wouldn’t bet against the former Sooner defensive standout, who did earn his degree at OU, and who has a great motor and the perfect temperament for a D-Lineman.
In my pro wrestling career, I have sent approximately 100 injured wrestlers to noted orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Alabama over three decades and never with any complications or issues that I recall. Sam Bradford made a wise choice in going to Doc Andrews because the NFL people trust Andrews as being “the man.” Plus, Dr. Andrews clinic is famous for their tried and true re-hab regime which will help get Sam a jump start on prepping for the NFL. Sam reminds me physically of Peyton Manning when Manning was at Tennessee, tall and lean, while Manning now resembles a nice sized, college tight end or least he looked that way to me on the sideline of the OU-Texas game.
If you’re interested in J.R.’s Family BBQ hickory smoking your Thanksgiving turkey, give us a call at 405-360-4227 or drop by our BBQ joint in Norman.
BTW.…OU by 24 Saturday night. Be well and Boomer Sooner!
Editor's Note: Jim “J.R.” Ross is a WWE Hall of Fame broadcaster who has also broadcast in the NFL for the Atlanta Falcons and the XFL on NBC and spent 20 seasons as a football official. J.R., with wife Jan, has penned two, best selling cookbooks and is the owner of J.R.’s Family BBQ in Norman. J.R.’s slow, hickory smoked “Q” is nationally known and located on the East side of I-35 at the Main Street Exit (109) in Norman and is open 7 days a week at 11 a.m. For tail gate packs, to go orders, catering, or any other info, call 405-360-4BBQ (4227).
