Football question

[daqman]

I’m just going into game super skeptical- PTSD and just wierd wierd comments about players playing. All the questions will be answered Saturday- run game has to get something going- dunno if Mateer will be able to win this game by himself

yeah....mateer is good enough to beat michigan with a big game through the air.
but it sure would be nice to keep their defense honest and make them respect our run game.
would be nice to see our defense have a big game as well.

 

[SoonerBounce13]

It's much more likely it's a coaching or training decision to keep them out, then the players.

Like I said, a couple of of those guys are fighting for a starting spot. Guys like that don't sit out games they are healthy enough to play. Simmons is a Senior. 1/12th of his season is gone. You really think he chose that? That ALL of them chose that? After the training staff held Fasusi out of practice for a week or more for heat exhaustion?

Complain that OU's training staff is too conservative. I'd likely believe that. But I don't believe that we had multiple players in fights for starting spots elect to sit out. In no world does that make sense.

I have no idea and neither do you. That's my point. We don't have inside info.
Gabe does and I don't think he would have made the comments he did unless he knew some of them could have played but chose not to

 

[snydrosooner]

All I know is that in 5 years of listening to their pod, I’ve never heard Gabe directly call out players, by name, for not playing through something. And he was very clear in saying it was the players; he didn’t mention the medical staff or coaches.

You may be right that the staff wants to play it safe, too, especially after last year. But one of the reporters said Simmons cleared concussion protocol 10 days or more before the game. If so, then I have little doubt that if the player had been adamant that he wanted to play, he likely would have been able to talk his way into the lineup.

But getting back to Ott … it’s clear that he was healthy Saturday. You don’t put a guy back to return kicks, and give him a carry in the fourth quarter, if he isn’t healthy. Given that, I think it’s ridiculous to not allow him a meaningful opportunity to get his feet wet. He missed a fair amount of time last season, so why have Michigan be his first legit action as a running back in 10 months or however long? Give him 8-10 carries, then get him out of the game and play Blaylock and X. And put Barnes in as a “reward” late in the fourth quarter to ensure that our punt team will get work after a 3-and-out.

We had several wrs last year that per certain sources ou trainers cleared and they choose not to play. I understand players not feeling comfortable with injury and feeling they are not ready. Mental part of injuries can be tougher the physical. But obviously need all hands on deck for OU to have a good season.