Oklahoma Sooners: Position Analysis
Position Analysis: Defensive coaches 
The defensive coaching staff at Oklahoma became the primary scapegoat as the Sooners finished the 2011 season with three losses after beginning the year ranked No. 1 in multiple preseason polls.
While the Sooners' defensive coaches deserve plenty of blame, OU’s defense had several dominant performances in 2011 that seem to have been forgotten.
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Position Analysis: Offensive coaches
Despite season-ending injuries to leading rusher Dominique Whaley and leading receiver Ryan Broyles, the Sooners still managed to finish fourth nationally in total offense. Only Houston, Baylor and Oklahoma State gained more yards per game.
Not bad for a year one play-caller.
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Position Analysis: Special Teams
Who will be the kicker? Will the kickoff coverage team improve? Will a game-breaking kickoff returner emerge?
The Sooners special teams units answered the call in 2011.
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Of any OU position group, the defensive backs were most disappointing because they were big culprits in two of the Sooners’ three losses.
Robert Griffin III became the Heisman frontrunner after gashing the Sooners for a Baylor-record 479 passing yards and four touchdowns, including a game-winning 34-yard bomb with eight seconds to go.
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For a few games, they stepped up and accepted the challenge. Against Florida State and Texas, OU’s linebackers helped the Sooners hold both teams -- each ranked in the top 15 at the time -- to less than 2 yards per carry.
But other performances left plenty to be desired. Oklahoma State ran at will against the Sooners, finishing with 278 rushing yards while averaging 8.42 yards per carry, and Missouri rushed for 241 yards while averaging 5.74 yards per carry.
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Alexander earned Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors after leading the league with 8.5 sacks and 18 tackles for loss. Lewis was a handful on the other side, totaling 5.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss while snagging several first-team All-Big 12 votes despite missing the last two-and-a-half games with an MCL sprain and class suspension.
David King and R.J. Washington proved to be solid and versatile backups, too, allowing the Sooners effectively to utilize the “Endy” package, which sent all four ends after the quarterback on third-and-long situations. King and Washington added five sacks total, as the Sooners ranked ninth nationally with 37 sacks and 12th with 90 tackles for loss.
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Position Analysis: Offensive Line
Oklahoma’s offensive line had plenty of great moments during the 2011 season.
The Sooners offense line dominated Kansas State while gaining 690 total yards in a 58-17 win and they methodically dismantled Iowa State, gaining 253 rushing yards and 256 passing yards, in a 26-6 win over the Cyclones.
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Position Analysis: Receivers & Tight Ends
Going into the season, Oklahoma’s wide receivers were widely regarded as one of the best units in the country.
Perhaps, the best.
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Position Analysis: Running backs
Deep and talented.
Those two words perfectly describe Oklahoma’s running back corps at the beginning of preseason camp.
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In 2010, Landry Jones saved his best quarterbacking for the end of the season.
In 2011, not so much.
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ABOUT SOONER NATION
Jake Trotter
Jake Trotter joined ESPN.com in 2011 after four years with The (Oklahoma City) Oklahoman, covering OU and Big 12 football. He's a graduate of Washington and Lee (Va.) University and lives in Oklahoma City with his wife. Email him at trotterjake@gmail.com.
Brandon Chatmon
Brandon Chatmon joined ESPN.com in 2011 after spending eight years with The Oklahoman, covering Oklahoma State University, high schools and recruiting. Chatmon lives in Norman, Okla. Email him at bchatmonespn@gmail.com.
Bob Przybylo
Bob Przybylo joined ESPN.com in 2011 after spending four years with The Oklahoman, covering high schools and recruiting. Przybylo lives in Oklahoma City. Email him at bprzybyloespn@gmail.com.