Interesting read outta Soonerland

[Jham]

Could be even tougher if he can escape the pressure BG does get on him.

White more mobile but won’t run

By George Schroeder
The Oklahoman

NORMAN - The whispers have begun. Jason White, they say, will be different - better - than last season because he has regained the ability to run.

“His legs still weren’t back (in 2003),” OU coach Bob Stoops said. “Now, they’re back. That’s a big difference from a year ago.”

That’s not to say that come Saturday, when OU opens the season against Bowling Green on Owen Field, the Sooners will unveil a new offensive style. Sure, two years after his second torn ACL, White can run again, but consider run game coordinator Kevin Wilson’s assessment:

“He’s much more mobile,” said Wilson of White. “Last year, he was as mobile as a statue. Now, he’s like a tree when the wind blows.”

Wilson laughed, then admitted he was kidding.

“How’s that?” he said. “Jason will get mad at me.”

But Wilson’s point was made: Regardless of his recovery, White isn’t a running quarterback.

And the Sooners don’t plan to use him as such.

Time was, White ran all over. Against Texas in 2001, he relieved an injured Nate Hybl and bolted like a startled deer, helping OU to its only offensive touchdown in a 14-3 win.

“He beat us with his feet,” Texas coach Mack Brown said last season, remembering that 2001 game, when White ran for 38 net yards on 12 carries, including several important scrambles and option keepers.

In 2002, even though White was coming off the first knee injury, OU coaches talked about the running threat he provided, and how he could be used as an extra runner from the spread offense. Then came the second injury, in September 2002.

In 2003, White beat people with his arm.

Even as he forged a spectacular season en route to the Heisman Trophy, he did so while stapled into the pocket. For most of the year, that was a safe harbor. But late in the season, when waves of opponents crashed OU’s offensive line, White was unable to escape.

Though it’s hard to tell in preseason practices, when coaches blow quick whistles to prevent accidents, it has been apparent that White has regained a step or two.

White, who doesn’t plan to wear knee braces in games, said he feels faster and quicker.

“I can actually run around a little bit, run the boot plays, the naked (bootlegs) and scramble a little bit,” he said. “I’m much, much better.”

Coaches anticipate White will be better able to elude pressure and occasionally run for positive yardage. That alone might prevent a decline like the one that occurred late last season.

“People will see him move around this year and be able to scramble and to make some plays with his feet,” running backs coach Cale Gundy said. “People will have to respect that.”

During practices, OU has shown more bootleg and other roll-out passing plays. And White has proven adept at firing strikes on the run. But Wilson said White probably won’t often tuck the ball and head upfield.

“He’s more mobile, but we’re not gonna run him nine million more times,” Wilson said.

One more time might be more than last year, though. Although coaches are coy about revealing portions of the playbook, they admit some quarterback run plays have been reinserted.

During practices, OU has run some option. The quarterback draw is again a go.

“We’ll do more of that,” Wilson said.

But how much more? The answer: Probably not all that much.

“We’ll be smart,” Wilson said. “He’s stronger and more mobile, but he’s not gonna be an Ell Roberson, Vince Young, Brad Smith type. He’s not gonna run it 10, 12 or 15 times a game.

“You don’t have to run the quarterback. But just his ability to move around in the pocket is much, much better.”

But the threat of running the quarterback might be enough.

“You pick your spots,” Wilson said. “The plays are there, and (defenses) have to account for the quarterback (in the run game). He might fly around a little bit. It’s a ‘keep-them-honest’ deal - where last year, Jason couldn’t run.”

[Ivan Drago]

Useless trivia: White was brought in as running, scrambling-type quarterback, and he excelled at it. I think he rushed for over 100 yards a couple of times before the knee injuries (I remember once distinctly against Kansas, and one other time I think). It wasn't until his mobility was shot that he developed more of a penchant for passing. As for White's mobility this year, I've heard it is significantly better, but probably still not worth gameplanning or worrying about if you are the opposing defense.