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Oklahoma Football Notes and Articles

Davin Joseph leads big Oklahoma O-Line: Senior Davin Joseph is the Sooners' best player on the line. And, says Wilson, despite all of Brown's honors, Joseph was the best player last year as well. He'll move into the left tackle spot vacated by Brown. nKelvin Chaisson, Chris Bush and Brett Rayl are all fifth-year seniors. Bush will start at center, while Chaisson and Chris Chester are expected to start at the guard slots. Sophomore Akim Millington figures to get the nod at right tackle. Among the newcomers, Robinson is expected to see immediate playing time, perhaps even start. Freshmen Ben Barresi, J.D. Quinn, Jon Cooper, Jesse White and Branndon Braxton are all in contention for backup roles. The line is the biggest in recent memory at OU, featuring six players who weight more than 300 pounds. "Even though we're big, we're a fast team," said Wilson. "Even though we're fat -- we're fatter guys -- we still have a lot of athleticism to be so big." (NEWSOK.com)

Hornfrogs confident in Special Teams: The Sooners have scored 22 special teams touchdowns under seventh-year coach Bob Stoops and have retuned 13 punts for scores over that span. While those are scary numbers for any opposing coach, Patterson is confident that his coverage units have been improved from last season. "We’ve got six linebackers and two third-team defensive ends playing on our special teams," Patterson said. "That’s a big deal. We didn’t have that kind of depth last season because of injuries. It really helps when you can have those guys covering kicks." (Star-Telegram)

Cade to transfer? Safety Tony Cade of Lewisville is thinking about transferring to a junior college in search of more playing time, his father said Saturday. But Clifton Cade said his son could return to Oklahoma, too. Clifton Cade said his son could make a final decision by Tuesday. He missed Thursday's practice because of car problems and then skipped Friday's workout. The team has the weekend off. Cade was rated the fourth-best safety in the nation coming out of high school in 2002. He redshirted in 2003 and played mostly special teams last season. Throughout August, Cade has worked with the second and third teams. (Dallas Morning News)

Walker returns to full contact: Sophomore cornerback Marcus Walker (pictured) returned for full-contact drills last week. Walker had been practicing on a limited basis after dislocating his left shoulder in the opening week of camp. "He has been (going full speed) the last few days," OU coach Bob Stoops said. "He went through the last scrimmage and was fine. He has looked good and has improved the last few days." Walker was again working with the first-team defense. D.J. Wolfe, who had worked with the first unit in Walker's absence, is competing with Chijioke Onyenegecha for the other starting cornerback spot. (NEWSOK.com)

Dallas considering changing Cotton Bowl Naming Rights? Mayor Laura Miller has said she won't let the game go anywhere outside of Dallas. She has suggested asking Dallas voters to approve a bond proposition to fund repairs. But the mayor said Friday that she is willing to consider other ideas, including selling naming rights. "If we determine that there's interest in naming rights, then I think the council would absolutely look at it," she said. "The city's been very creative. We have an official soft drink now, and we have kiosks all over the city with ads on them. We're open to pretty much anything." Ms. Miller said the City Council would work with officials from the State Fair of Texas and the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau to decide the best strategy for financing updates to the Cotton Bowl. Some council members, though, said they're already sold on the idea of selling naming rights. "We need to get with our economic development team and tell them to start working on it," council member James Fantroy said. "Everyone wants to do naming rights, even on high school stadiums. That's big money." Whether a high-profile but seldom-used stadium would be an attractive target for corporate sponsors remains an open question. (Dallas Morning News)

Carter changes positions: Junior defensive back Jason Carter has moved from strong safety to free safety and will compete with true freshman Nic Harris for the second spot behind sophomore starter Darrien Williams. Carter had been in the strong safety rotation but was behind sophomore Lewis Baker and true freshman Reggie Smith. (NEWSOK.com)

Columns/Articles spanning the Globe

Title game losses will happen, but OU will keep reaching peak: The Oklahoman

Sooners, Peterson taking steps to protect running back's health: The Oklahoman

Sooners leaving the past behind: The Oklahoman

Sooner QBs could add to running game: The Oklahoman

Wolfe will anchor secondary full of questions: The Oklahoman

OU defensive backs -- The contenders: The Oklahoman

Keeping fans happy a full time job: The Oklahoman

Thompson, then Bomar: Norman Transcript

What do they mean when they say both will play?: Norman Transcript

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