Sooner Secondary Gets Back to Basics

NORMAN, Okla. -- Oklahoma's problems in the secondary couldn't have been exposed on a bigger stage or in a harsher fashion.

If it wasn't enough that the Sooners gave up four touchdown passes and 332 yards through the air in a 55-19 loss to Southern California in the BCS title game, they also were about to enter a spring without any of the starters that finished the regular season in their defensive backfield.

Cornerback Antonio Perkins and safety Donte Nicholson had finished their senior seasons, safety Brodney Pool opted to enter the NFL draft and cornerback Marcus Walker needed shoulder surgery that would keep him off the field through the spring.

It's no wonder Oklahoma called for reinforcements. The Sooners moved assistant Bobby Jack Wright from defensive ends coach to work with secondary, and shifted running back D.J. Wolfe and speedy linebacker Lewis Baker into the defensive backfield.

2005 Oklahoma Spring Football Central

Once Wright took charge, the Sooners went back to basics.

"We just started all over and said, 'We're going to clean up our technique. We're going to clean up our fundamentals. We're going to really start stressing it from the first day out," Wright said.

"I think that as the spring goes, those are the things hopefully you see start to show up a little bit."

Some signs of improvement were noticeable Friday in what Wright called the best practice of the spring for the secondary so far. Cornerback Eric Bassey and safety Jason Carter each had two interceptions -- one apiece in a red-zone drill and again in scrimmage action.

"The only way you gain confidence is to have success," Wright said. "They're taking their fundamentals to the field, and now all of a sudden they're making some plays. Now, that gives you a chance for your confidence to grow and feel like, 'Hey, this really works! If I do this, good things can happen to me."

Carter, a junior, said it has taken a while for the unit to come together after so many sudden changes. Through 10 practices, the defensive backs are still a work in progress.

"It's not very comfortable because so many people switched from linebacker, running back or cornerback," Carter said. "They're not quite used to what we do as a group as far as preparing ourselves for practice, as far as being there for each other off the field as well. They haven't really come together with the rest of us from last year.

"It's kind of rough right now, but I figure maybe in the summer we'll be jelling."

Without knowing each other very well, Carter said the group has to improve its ability to work together and communicate.

"We'll be on the same page at all times," Carter said. "That wasn't the case last year. Maybe two or three knew and one guy wouldn't, and then we'd be off on that play and give up a touchdown. That's what we've got to cancel out this year. We're doing that this spring, working the young guys a lot. They're getting a lot of reps with the ones and the twos.

"We're all communicating with each other and making each other feel more comfortable once we're in a situation."

Bassey, a senior, is the most experienced in the group with 14 starts at strong safety in 2002 and nine at cornerback last season. Bassey, who lost his starting job when freshman Marcus Walker was pulled out of a redshirt late last season, said he's taking on more responsibility this spring.

"I take it upon myself to not only have those guys ready but have myself ready," Bassey said.

Upon reviewing last season's tapes, Wright said the defensive backs struggled with the mental aspect of the game and not the physical. After starting the season with three straight games without an interception, Bassey said players started stressing. They're trying to eliminate that this spring.

"We're trying to relax a little more and have some fun out there and enjoy this," Bassey said.

The secondary will get a lift in the fall with the arrival of touted recruit Reggie Smith, and Walker is expected to be healthy in time for fall practice and regain his starting role.

"I've never felt a guy loses a job because of his injury," Wright said. "He was the starter when he got injured. When he comes if he's well, he'll get his spot back. But once he gets his spot back, he'll have to earn it just like the rest of them do."

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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