In retrospect, the OU O-Line problems were an easy fix: maximize on their strengths. Obviously that group of players cannot hold blocks on pass plays, thus the ten sacks per game in back to back contests a few weeks ago. But what they CAN do is run block. Shame that it took most of a season to realize this...and arnold still is an inefficient work in progress as a passer. You can't rely on a one-trick pony at QB to take your program to the heights.
At last, this OU squad actually looked like a real football team! That's all that most of us wanted, needed to see. Just play well enough to make a game out of what was predicted by everyone with a smidgeon of common sense to be another Bama runaway. But not on this Saturday! The OU defense was dominant in completely shutting down the Alabama offense and their all-world QB, Milroe. Then somebody, Finley maybe, figured out that the reason the OU QBs were getting sacked so often was that the much-maligned O-Line cannot hold onto blocks long enough for efficient pass-protection...and they proceeded to run like crazy! Robinson was great and Arnold workmanlike as both went for over 100 yards rushing. But this program is not destined for greatness with Arnold as the QB. The boy simply cannot pass. And a one-dimensional QB in today's game is akin to a one-legged man in an ass-kicking contest. It took a comment from Herbstreit to clarify what many of us have spent all of this terrible season trying to understand. He casually mentioned that in HS Arnold was known for his running prowess, not for being any great shakes as a passer. Wow. And here we are all season wondering why the guy can't hit a moving receiver. So this offseason portal work has to be about luring an above average QB to Norman. I don't know whether Arnold plans to stay or go, but no matter. No major college program with the bona fides of an Oklahoma can be satisfied with a one-trick pony at QB. To regain our spot in the NCAAF pantheon, we absolutely have to find a new QB...one who can run AND pass.
In retrospect, the OU O-Line problems were an easy fix: maximize on their strengths. Obviously that group of players cannot hold blocks on pass plays, thus the ten sacks per game in back to back contests a few weeks ago. But what they CAN do is run block. Shame that it took most of a season to realize this...and arnold still is an inefficient work in progress as a passer. You can't rely on a one-trick pony at QB to take your program to the heights.
At last, this OU squad actually looked like a real football team! That's all that most of us wanted, needed to see. Just play well enough to make a game out of what was predicted by everyone with a smidgeon of common sense to be another Bama runaway. But not on this Saturday! The OU defense was dominant in completely shutting down the Alabama offense and their all-world QB, Milroe. Then somebody, Finley maybe, figured out that the reason the OU QBs were getting sacked so often was that the much-maligned O-Line cannot hold onto blocks long enough for efficient pass-protection...and they proceeded to run like crazy! Robinson was great and Arnold workmanlike as both went for over 100 yards rushing. But this program is not destined for greatness with Arnold as the QB. The boy simply cannot pass. And a one-dimensional QB in today's game is akin to a one-legged man in an ass-kicking contest. It took a comment from Herbstreit to clarify what many of us have spent all of this terrible season trying to understand. He casually mentioned that in HS Arnold was known for his running prowess, not for being any great shakes as a passer. Wow. And here we are all season wondering why the guy can't hit a moving receiver. So this offseason portal work has to be about luring an above average QB to Norman. I don't know whether Arnold plans to stay or go, but no matter. No major college program with the bona fides of an Oklahoma can be satisfied with a one-trick pony at QB. To regain our spot in the NCAAF pantheon, we absolutely have to find a new QB...one who can run AND pass.