2016 season

[Eielson]

I do agree that for us to get to where I think we should be, Ryan is a guy that needs to come off the bench

Essentially, that has been my point, and it seems most people are eventually agreeing to that.

If by the time Buford's career is over, he doesn't exceed Spangler, he would be a bust. The question, of course, is will he be at that level as a freshman? It might not be fair to have those expectations, but he's not a true freshman, so I have hope.

In the end, we're all making guesses here. We don't know who is going to develop, who will get in trouble, who will get hurt, who will leave/come in, etc.. Personally, I think Buford could be better than Spangler as a RSFr based on what I saw from him in HS. As I said, though, I haven't seen or heard much about how he has done at OU. This last year's team could have really used the offense of somebody like Buford, and with the departure of Thomas, I don't see that changing much for this coming year.

 

[BigTime]

This will probably be an unpopular opinion, but assuming the kid is a true JR in HS (ie, 17), I'd prefer he stay in school. The mid-year kids that go early for football are one thing, but leaving an entire year early.....man, just let the kid be a kid and enjoy his senior year. I don't get the rush, from his side or OU's side.

If he is older, and should be a senior this year, that is a different situation.

Not sure of his physical age. I tend to agree but it's a case by case basis. What is the difference in football?

 

[WTSooner]

Personally, I think Buford could be better than Spangler as a RSFr based on what I saw from him in HS.

I just think comments like that are absurd.

Buford is just as undersized as Spangler, no where near as physical (per scouting reports), and isn't a polished perimeter scorer. So where exactly, on paper, does Buford exceed Spangler at this time? Athleticism? I'll give you that, but that doesn't translate to being being better.

 

[Eielson]

Not sure of his physical age. I tend to agree but it's a case by case basis. What is the difference in football?

I think he's referring to football players coming in a semester early rather than a whole year (and skipping their senior season).

 

[WTSooner]

What is the difference in football?

Nothing really, just sits a little better with me b/c it's only a 1/2 year early, and not a full year.

I guess too the football kids aren't actually playing in games early. They just get to campus early for practice, but as far as games, they aren't starting early. In basketball, if they left a full year early, they'd be playing in a games a full year before they should. I'm just not a huge fan of that. But it's just my opinion, nothing more.

 

[BigTime]

I think he's referring to football players coming in a semester early rather than a whole year (and skipping their senior season).

I can see that. Still rushing it though. I would tend to error on the side of letting kids be kids and not rushing as a general rule.

 

[KBaden145]

Essentially, that has been my point, and it seems most people are eventually agreeing to that.



If by the time Buford's career is over, he doesn't exceed Spangler, he would be a bust. The question, of course, is will he be at that level as a freshman? It might not be fair to have those expectations, but he's not a true freshman, so I have hope.



In the end, we're all making guesses here. We don't know who is going to develop, who will get in trouble, who will get hurt, who will leave/come in, etc.. Personally, I think Buford could be better than Spangler as a RSFr based on what I saw from him in HS. As I said, though, I haven't seen or heard much about how he has done at OU. This last year's team could have really used the offense of somebody like Buford, and with the departure of Thomas, I don't see that changing much for this coming year.

What you don't seem to grasp is that Buford and Spangler are completely different players. Spangler is a true 4, a PF, a post. Buford is at best a combo forward. Cam Clark, Dustin Hogue, etc. if you take Spangler out, put Buford in his spot, and give Buford the minutes Ryan has, we will get mauled on the boards in this league. I don't understand your distaste for Spangler but we need him. We need him to start and play his rugged 25-30 minutes. It's not pretty but it is completely necessary. Sure, going forward, we need to get better players inside than Ryan but it won't be Buford and it won't be this season.


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[KBaden145]

This will probably be an unpopular opinion, but assuming the kid is a true JR in HS (ie, 17), I'd prefer he stay in school. The mid-year kids that go early for football are one thing, but leaving an entire year early.....man, just let the kid be a kid and enjoy his senior year. I don't get the rush, from his side or OU's side.

If he is older, and should be a senior this year, that is a different situation.

I would tend to agree with you and I doubt there's any rush on OU's part. If he is available, they won't tell him to stay in school, tho...


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[Eielson]

I just think comments like that are absurd.

Buford is just as undersized as Spangler, no where near as physical (per scouting reports), and isn't a polished perimeter scorer. So where exactly, on paper, does Buford exceed Spangler at this time? Athleticism? I'll give you that, but that doesn't translate to being being better.

Like I said, I haven't seen him play at the college level, so I don't truly know what he'll be capable of this Fall. On paper, he could be a better athlete, better shot blocker, better scorer, run the floor better, and defend more athletic players on the perimeter better.

 

[BigTime]

What you don't seem to grasp is that Buford and Spangler are completely different players. Spangler is a true 4, a PF, a post. Buford is at best a combo forward. Cam Clark, Dustin Hogue, etc. if you take Spangler out, put Buford in his spot, and give Buford the minutes Ryan has, we will get mauled on the boards in this league. I don't understand your distaste for Spangler but we need him. We need him to start and play his rugged 25-30 minutes. It's not pretty but it is completely necessary. Sure, going forward, we need to get better players inside than Ryan but it won't be Buford and it won't be this season.


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Amen. I also think IF he can stay healthy he will really surprise folks next year (even some of our fans) with his offensive game. He is a bit like Bookout in that the past two years all the pounding a big minutes have taken a toll on his game. Also like Bookout, he seems to be underestimated regarding his value ala Tommie Harris to the average gridiron fan.

Just hope he stays healthy.

 

[BCSooners]

Like I said, I haven't seen him play at the college level, so I don't truly know what he'll be capable of this Fall. On paper, he could be a better athlete, better shot blocker, better scorer, run the floor better, and defend more athletic players on the perimeter better.

Spangler might have been the best post in the Big12 at running the floor.

 

[Eielson]

Amen. I also think IF he can stay healthy he will really surprise folks next year (even some of our fans) with his offensive game. He is a bit like Bookout in that the past two years all the pounding a big minutes have taken a toll on his game. Also like Bookout, he seems to be underestimated regarding his value ala Tommie Harris to the average gridiron fan.

Just hope he stays healthy.

If all the pounding minutes have taken his toll on his body, why not reduce his minutes so that he's good to go in the post-season?

Also, Tommie Harris was an uber-talented player that went top 10 in the NFL draft. That doesn't remind me of Spangler at all.

 

[BigTime]

Spangler might have been the best post in the Big12 at running the floor.

He is really good at filling the lane in transition.

 

[KBaden145]

Spangler might have been the best post in the Big12 at running the floor.

Underrated part of his game that suffered as the season extended...


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[KBaden145]

If all the pounding minutes have taken his toll on his body, why not reduce his minutes so that he's good to go in the post-season?



Also, Tommie Harris was an uber-talented player that went top 10 in the NFL draft. That doesn't remind me of Spangler at all.

His minutes should be reduced not his role...


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[BigTime]

If all the pounding minutes have taken his toll on his body, why not reduce his minutes so that he's good to go in the post-season?

Also, Tommie Harris was an uber-talented player that went top 10 in the NFL draft. That doesn't remind me of Spangler at all.

Harris' numbers (like most DTs) did not put up gaudy numbers. His value was huge though. That's the analogy.

I agree his minutes have been to heavy but I don't see that changing next year. If Thomas came back then yeah.

 

[BoulderSooner]

What you don't seem to grasp is that Buford and Spangler are completely different players. Spangler is a true 4, a PF, a post. Buford is at best a combo forward. Cam Clark, Dustin Hogue, etc. if you take Spangler out, put Buford in his spot, and give Buford the minutes Ryan has, we will get mauled on the boards in this league. I don't understand your distaste for Spangler but we need him. We need him to start and play his rugged 25-30 minutes. It's not pretty but it is completely necessary. Sure, going forward, we need to get better players inside than Ryan but it won't be Buford and it won't be this season.


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don't really know about getting mauled on the boards? patillo was smaller than both and was a monster rebounder

 

[BigTime]

don't really know about getting mauled on the boards? patillo was smaller than both and was a monster rebounder

He did it in short bursts. Never saw it extended in a game...

 

[KBaden145]

don't really know about getting mauled on the boards? patillo was smaller than both and was a monster rebounder

That's fine. Different type of athlete than either guy we're talking about. Also there isn't anybody on our current roster named Blake.


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[Eielson]

His minutes should be reduced not his role...


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I'd have him in the same role essentially, just coming off the bench.

We could give Spangler the starting role, and then give Buford starter minutes.