“You’re trying to develop a whole new approach from a defensive standpoint,” Venables said. “Even if they’re not no-huddle, they have to pick up the pace. From a defensive standpoint, you stay ahead or stay with it.

“The game will happen faster from a management style on both sides of the ball. You have to rely on your players to manage it for you at a more rapid pace than they’ve ever been asked to.”

Just about every Sooner says this August has been moving in fast forward. Drills are faster, coaches are coaching faster, even the breaks are faster.

To some it might not seem like a big deal. By next season, it probably won’t be. The NFL went to the system over a decade ago and adjusted just fine.

But when an adjustment is made, no one wants to be left behind.

“Some teams will struggle with it and others won’t,” offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson.

To be one of those that won’t, the Sooners have sped everything up.

John Shinn

366-3536

jshinn@normantranscript.com