Sooners Begin Work Early on Tuesday

NORMAN, Okla. Attention to detail was the OU football team's motto during Tuesday's morning practice session at the Al Velie Rugby Football Complex on the University of Oklahoma campus.

The Sooners' first of two, two-hour practices emphasized cleaning up mistakes exposed in Monday night's scrimmage. This afternoon, the players and coaches will review the scrimmage tape during position meetings and rejoin for the day's second scheduled practice at 6 p.m.

“We're going to go back over (the tape) in more detail this afternoon,” head coach Bob Stoops said. “It was about what I thought last night. A lot of guys stood out.

“(The tight ends) did a nice job,” Stoops continued. “They all catch the ball well and run well.”

When asked if the tight end starting position was still up for grabs, Stoops replied: “It's one of them, definitely.”

August 9 Morning Practice Photos | 2005 OU Preseason Central

The team spent the first hour of the session in intrasquad exercises before moving to 30 minutes each of 7-on-9 and 11-on-11 drills.

Senior running back Kejuan Jones was absent from practice due to what Coach Stoops said was a sprained foot sustained Monday night.

“He'll be all right shortly,” Stoops said.

All-American Adrian Peterson, who was held out of Monday's scrimmage in a precautionary move, was back on the field for all of the team's drills today.

The morning's only scare came when defensive end Larry Birdine stepped on wide receiver Travis Wilson's ankle during the pass skeleton workout. After a quick tape job, however, Wilson was up and at full speed for the 11-on-11 session.

As for any ill effects of an early practice the day after a tough, late-afternoon scrimmage, Stoops only had encouraging words about his team.

“They came out today and I really liked how they worked,” Stoops said. “I feel fortunate as a coach that they have good attitudes about it. Usually once we get on the field, their energy level picks up and they start to compete. It was that way this morning.”

OU returns to a single practice session Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. before its second of four scheduled two-a-day practices on Thursday.

Unless otherwise announced, all practices will be held at the Rugby Fields west of Lloyd Noble Center and all scrimmages will be held at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. All preseason practices and scrimmages are open to the public unless otherwise noted. Spectators should park in the west LNC parking lots.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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