OU starting defensive end out for the year

[GoSooners]

Sooner starting defensive end Larry Birdine tore his left biceps muscle Tuesday and is out for the year. This was a big blow to the OU defense because this guy was the emotional leader of the defense and he was a preseason all Big 12 selection. Also defensive tackle Dusty Dvoracek, who Stoops kicked off the team last year and then reinstated him for one last shot this year, got hurt in the spring game with the same injury as Birdine's and isn't expected back until probably the third week of the season. Dvoracek was an all-american prospect and probably a first round or high second round NFL draft choice. Two big vacancies in the OU line with very little experience behind Birdine. That's a big blow to OU's pass rush.:sad3:

 

[redpimp]

Sooner starting defensive end Larry Birdine tore his left biceps muscle Tuesday and is out for the year. This was a big blow to the OU defense because this guy was the emotional leader of the defense and he was a preseason all Big 12 selection. Also defensive tackle Dusty Dvoracek, who Stoops kicked off the team last year and then reinstated him for one last shot this year, got hurt in the spring game with the same injury as Birdine's and isn't expected back until probably the third week of the season. Dvoracek was an all-american prospect and probably a first round or high second round NFL draft choice. Two big vacancies in the OU line with very little experience behind Birdine. That's a big blow to OU's pass rush.:sad3:

How the F@ck do you tear your friggin Biceps!!!! what the hell was he doing?

 

[GoSooners]

He fell on top of a receiver and tore it. These players knock the she-it out of each other all day and then do some little thing like land wrong and their career or season is over. All i know is the 27 points that TCU is getting is looking better all the time. With 2 inexpierenced QB's I'm not sure we can even score 27 points.

 

[Proman]

I would pass on this game. Even with the question mark at QB's, OU can still give the ball plenty to Peterson against a swiss cheese defense in TCU and rack up the points. Stoops has no problem running up scores. Even so, it is still too diffcult to trust OU's offense in this game.

 

[AlwaysKeen]

proman, remember that it's TCU's pass defense that's bad...their run D is actually pretty good...

 

[GoSooners]

I've also heard that TCU has shored up some of those swiss cheese problems in their defense this offseason. Much of the reason for that problem last year was injuries. They're in full strength to start the season and they have an expierenced QB to run the show. TCU has been a pretty solid program for the last few years. Thier not going to lay down on us. Man, I hate first games with mid-major teams. it can be a little dicey sometimes.

 

[Mjllomb]

How the F@ck do you tear your friggin Biceps!!!! what the hell was he doing?

Dvorcek (SP?) did tore a muscle too....steroids maybe?

Anyway, dvorcek out for openere against TCU as well. TCU + points anyone?

 

[Proman]

Pags, you might be right that TCU's rush defense is better than I think. I still think they are overmatched facing a RB like Peterson. Even so, tough to lay this kind of chalk with OU. Good luck if you take TCU. This game is a pass for me.

 

[Mjllomb]

Pags, you might be right that TCU's rush defense is better than I think. I still think they are overmatched facing a RB like Peterson. Even so, tough to lay this kind of chalk with OU. Good luck if you take TCU. This game is a pass for me.

Peterson won't have a heismen QB and a NFL caliber line to take pressure off. They're going to stack the box. Peterson will still get over 100 yards, but it will take more than that for a cover.

 

[AlwaysKeen]

proman, I'm on TCU...I'll take my chances...thanks for the info. and thoughts though...

 

[kbhirsch]

These injuries on D really hurt because the offense will probably struggle early...as they will have to rely on Peterson running behind alot of new O-linemen. I tend to think the general public will overrate Okla. I'm going to play on TCU.

 

[GoSooners]

Peterson won't have a heismen QB and a NFL caliber line to take pressure off. They're going to stack the box. Peterson will still get over 100 yards, but it will take more than that for a cover.

Peterson and OU won't have quite the NFL caliber line they had last year, but there won't be as much of a falloff as you might think. The center and the 2 tackles have to be replaced. But the entire OU line this year are seniors with plenty of big game expierence. Peterson will struggle a little more this year because of the QB situation, but i expect that to change the more QB Paul Thompson gets comfortable with the offense. I look for OU's excellent fullback J.D.Runnells to have a breakout year. For this game I expect a lot of safe passes being caught by Runnels coming out of the backfield. He's very strong and hard to bring down. And he's like another lineman when it comes to blocking for Peterson.
I admit the 27 points for this game is a big cover. That's why I'm leaving it alone. I'm betting that after the Orange Bowl embarrasment of last year Stoops will be ready to start the new season by getting this team back on track and kicking some butt.

 

[AlwaysKeen]

Sooners, agree with you about Peterson, people seem to be down on him this year because of White and some WR's leaving, but the guy is a horse...one of the best backs in college football, if not THE best...GL...