Holmes back at safety

John Shinn
The Norman Transcript

August 15, 2008 12:08 am

— Oklahoma defensive back Dominique Franks said Thursday he’s back working with the first team at the field cornerback spot and Lendy Holmes has returned to the No. 1 spot at free safety.
That’s the way OU’s secondary was lined up at the end of spring practice, but the depth chart was altered when practice began last Monday.
Franks understood why it happened.
“It was more of me not taking care of business over the summer and doing some things I shouldn’t have done. It was my punishment,” he said. “I had to work myself back into the rotation and prove to the coaches I could be accountable.”
Franks wouldn’t elaborate on what exactly put him the doghouse. Defensive backs coach Bobby Jack Wright said Franks has played well throughout the preseason. But he doesn’t want anyone thinking the secondary lineup and depth chart are set in stone.
“The competition is the thing that keeps everybody on edge, keeps everybody focused and keeps everybody working to get better,” he said. “Anytime a player gets to a certain comfort level and doesn’t think anyone can take his spot, you quit developing.”
Kicking competition
Jimmy Stevens and Tress Way have been battling it out for kicking duties and Stevens has emerged as the leader midway through preseason camp.
“He’s got the lead,” Stoops said following Thursday morning’s practice. “He just hit a winner out there to give one team a boost to win a two-minute drill.”
Way is also working as the backup punter behind senior Mike Knall.
Pay-per-view details
OU’s Aug. 30 season opener will be televised on a pay-per-view basis.
The game will be available on cable systems in Oklahoma and Texas and nationwide to satellite dish customers.
The price is $29.95 and most providers will accept orders the week of the game.
Tim Brando will do the play-by-play and will be joined by a pair of Sooner alumni. Former running back Spencer Tilllman will be analyst and former quarterback Paul Thompson will be a sideline reporter.
Fox Sports Southwest will replay a condensed one-hour version of the game Sept. 2 at 11 a.m.