Bob Stoops and Kevin Wilson Hit the Links, Tout O-Line

The University of Oklahoma coaches hit the links and talked some college football with Dean Blevins and Toby Rowland.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 11:52 am

By: News On 6

Bob Stoops and Kevin Wilson Hit the Links, Tout O-Line

Originally Published: Jul 29, 2010 6:24 PM CDT

Dave Carty
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

NORMAN, Oklahoma -- An afternoon at the links was a treat of an afternoon for University of Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops and co-offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson. With the season looming, such easy-breezy moments might not be long for the pair.

That is, unless Oklahoma’s lofty projections turn out to be true. Many publications have the Sooners finishing atop the Big 12 South, including Phil Steele selecting Oklahoma as his No. 1 preseason team.

“I didn’t see it, but I [heard] about it,” said Stoops at Jimmy Austin OU golf course. “In the end, it doesn’t matter to us.”

Nor do the less-enthused pundits pointing fingers at OU’s offensive line, a weak point in 2009.

“I think our offensive line?has a chance to be better than what everybody thinks,” said Stoops. “I really believe [that] with Donald Stephenson in that group now. He’s a very talented guy that we feel is on a line very similar to Trent Williams.

“We’ve got Eric Mensik now up to 290 pounds. He played great at the end of the year. We’ve got some other guys coming around too.”

Co-offensive coordinator Wilson is more concerned about the players returning in proper shape.

“I hope our guys had a good summer,” Wilson said. “We’re so far removed [from the players] in June and July. The deal is not to just to come back in shape but come back as a better player and have a better understanding of your offense or defense.”

Last season, all the preparation in the world couldn’t stop Oklahoma from hitting the skids with a series of unfortunate incidents that would leave even Lemony Snicket cringing. Those injuries opened doors for players further down on the depth chart.

“Some of those [unlucky situations] created some good opportunities for guys,” Wilson said. “Hopefully we can take advantage of that.”

Opportunities will continue to be available for young players and the team expects to bring along its freshmen.

“A lot of these [freshmen] need to be ready to play,” said Wilson. “We’re going to force the issue. If they can’t handle it, you can back off the accelerator. Our plan is, early, to force them all and see if we can get every one of them in the mix. That probably won’t happen, but that’s how we’re going to approach two-a-days.”

Oklahoma opens its season with three straight home games, including a tough Week 2 challenge against Florida State.