A couple of days ago, we noted that head coach Bob Stoops, a year after ripping the unit, was heaping praise on his offensive line, saying that the line has “been one of our best groups.”
After two days of spring practice, the heaping of praise continues.
Stoops again reiterated that the line has been one of the best Sooner groups, and that “how they’ve worked, met the challenge every day and their attitude” have been a complete 180-degree turn from this time last year.
Offensive line coach James Patton wasn’t as free with his praise as the boss, but nonetheless lauded his players’ consistency throughout the winter and early part of spring.
“It’s a new year and a new spring, but we’ve still got a big challenge ahead of us,” Patton said according to the Daily Oklahoman. “We made some dumb penalties last year and had some mistakes and that hurt us in some games. So the challenge is to play together as a group, play better as a group and stay consistent and stay healthy, which is a key.
“But being more consistent is probably what coach Stoops is talking about. Having a mindset and being accountable as a unit. And through the winter, that’s been pretty good.”
Not only has the line seen an improvement over the last 12 months, but they’ve also done it with two key members on the sidelines. Center Ben Habern (broken leg) and guard/tackle Jarvis Jones (fractured heel) have been recovering from injuries, but are expected to return before the end of spring ball.
