Stormin in Norman
Fansided

Oklahoma football: Defensive keys for fall camp

By Christopher Dukes

NORMAN, OK - NOVEMBER 10: The Oklahoma Sooners take the field before the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma defeated Oklahoma State 48-47. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
NORMAN, OK - NOVEMBER 10: The Oklahoma Sooners take the field before the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma defeated Oklahoma State 48-47. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Attitude is more important than scheme and the number 129

The Sooners brought in Alex Grinch because he’s one of the brightest young defensive minds in the country, but more that because he can relate his vision to players.

Both Grinch and Lincoln Riley made it a point to mention buy-in and effort being far more important than some kind of special secret plan to stop the high-caliber offenses of the Big 12.

Grinch went as far as calling the scheme “just checkers” compared to having a group of guys on the same page ready to execute.

“There’s not a good call if we don’t play the game the right way,” he said during his press conference.

Grinch has been all over his players with constant reminders of the number 129 all through the spring and offseason. No. 129 is where Oklahoma finished against the past last year – dead last among FBS programs.

It’s part of embracing last year’s struggles as motivation to get better. Grinch is clearly not shying away reminding his players there are consequences for their actions and that the only way to get better is to learn from past mistakes, whether they come in preparation, attitude or execution.

Home/Oklahoma Sooners