2004 Season Preview: Tight Ends

Tight Ends
Players with starting experience at the position: Chris Chester, James Moses

This coaching staff has produced three players who are now tight ends on NFL rosters. Their appreciation for the position is well-documented. The productivity dropped somewhat last year as a less-experienced group gained game snaps. Starter Lance Donley exhausted his eligibility but a deep group returns. [ View OU Tight Ends Photo Gallery ]
Chris Chester, the best blocker in the group, and James Moses return after logging starts last season. Willie Roberts did not get a start, but will be one of three trying to win the starting job. The 6-7 junior college product started behind the conditioning eight ball last August, but that fact never masked his athletic ability. Coaches feel that a full year in the weight room may have Roberts on the verge of a breakout.

One of the more intriguing candidates is Joe Jon Finley. While not a typical tight end in terms of bulk, he is loaded with football savvy and an ability to make plays. The redshirt freshman will challenge for the position.

	Quarterbacks Stories don't come much better than that of Jason White. Two reconstructive knee surgeries and a Heisman Trophy all in the span of three years is the stuff of legend. And now a curtain call?
	Running Backs Two years ago, Kejuan Jones was OU's short-yardage back. Last season, while sharing time with Renaldo Works, he evolved into a more typical role. Works' graduation leaves Jones...
	Receivers Speed, elusiveness, strength ... they all reside at Oklahoma's receiver position. In fact, the only commodity that may be in better supply is experience. The Sooner receiving corps will be a strength...
	Tight Ends This coaching staff has produced three players who are now tight ends on NFL rosters. Their appreciation for the position is well-documented. The productivity dropped somewhat last year as...
	Offensive Line All five starters return. Three of the five have been starters for three seasons and all five have been starters for all or part of two seasons. The group owns 133 combined starting assignments...
	Defensive Line Dusty Dvoracek is not the biggest defensive tackle in college football, but few are better at getting from point A to point B. And point B is usually in the opposing backfield. Dvoracek is a playmaker...
	Defensive Ends The unvarnished truth is that the defensive end position will likely be one of the strongest on the team. Dan Cody and Jonathan Jackson have played in a combined 70 games at Oklahoma...
	Linebackers If there is such a thing as a blessing in disguise, the blessing's name is Lance Mitchell. OU's physically imposing middle linebacker went down with a torn ACL in the third game of the 2003 season...
	Secondary It took a mighty big spotlight to capture Oklahoma's secondary last season. Cornerback Derrick Strait was nailing down the Nagurski and Thorpe Awards, while former All-American Brandon Everage...
	Special Teams With the exception of holder Matt McCoy, anyone who handled the ball on Oklahoma's special teams last season is back. Replacements for McCoy's job will be auditioned. Otherwise, it's the same cast...

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