So long Sam, see you on Sunday

The hearts of Oklahoma fans in the southern half of the Cotton

Bowl on a weather-perfect, big-game Saturday afternoon no doubt went out to quarterback Sam Bradford as they watched him, head down, approach the famous ramp for what is likely the last time in what looks to be a star-crossed end to his college career.

In an unexplainable chance of fate, Bradford reinjured his right shoulder with a fall to the ground almost identical to the one on which he initially suffered the joint sprain to his right shoulder in the season-opening game against Brigham Young that cost him three games.

This one may--and probably should be--the final debit.

Bradford has left the door open to a possible return for a senior season. I’m already on record as discounting the wrong-minded criticism directed at him for ignoring NFL millions to return for his junior season. He’s a kid, though he plays the college game with unusual savvy. Those of you who went to college should recall the unmatched experience  that usually ages well.

Sam was unselfishly and totally correct to come back to try and play again this season. The point of view that because of the tremendous game turned in by the defense, OU would have beaten Texas Saturday with Bradford directing the offense is legitimate. I doubt that even Texas fans would muster more than half-heartedly protest to that logic. Winning Saturday would have validated Bradford’s decision and re-opened the door to many of the Sooners’ preseason goals.

Grudgingly, however, I’ve got to admit now that Sam probably should cross this season off as done if his doctors don’t. There’s really no point in attempting another comeback. Not for him, not for the teammates he so covets. There is little he now can do to help them salvage a season.

Most of these kinds of re-injuries knock the situation back to square one--optimistically meaning another four weeks, 10 games into a season in which by then a fourth consecutive Big 12 championship is lost in the haze of a distant August preseason. Bradford twice--last Tuesday and again on Saturday--refused to close the door on his senior year. To predict what he will decide is nothing more than hot air. Knowing Bradford, I wouldn’t be surprised if he came back. But I also doubt it. It’s time to for him to turn his attention to preparing to prove himself physically ready for the NFL and to indeed take the money and run--though the added games of experience would be valuable deposits in the mental piggy bank.

OU must look to playing out this season without him. To attempt to salvage something in what now looks to be a rebuilding process for coach Bob Stoops’ program. Landry Jones shows real promise, as do quite a few members of the current freshman class.

But the personnel losses between the end of this season and the start of the next could prove to be staggering--this time on a defense that despite a couple of late drives is reminiscent of the best of the Stoops’ era and close to measuring up to the Best of Barry and Larry (Lacewell).

The cards are stacked against a strong finish because of  Jones’ inexperience and an offensive line that struggles to show any signs of progress, whether tight end Brody Eldridge is in it or not. Backs DeMarco Murray and Chris Browns can’t run to daylight that isn’t there.

Railing against offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson is folly. He ain’t got much to work with folks. Losing Bradford and the best collegiate tight end in the country within the first two weeks of the season have indeed proven to be omens of a lost season that will continue to spur mindless Sooner fans to throw gasoline on the Stoops-has-lost-it fire some seem to have a need to fan.

Stoops hasn’t lost it. Defensive coordinator Brent Venables, who threw an insightful game plan against the Longhorns, hadn’t lost it last year, either--as pompous chat-room experts sagely declared.

Though Stoops as he must will loudly protest, this season is entirely another matter.--Mike Jones.

Comments

[Harold Holcomb]

"The point of view that because of the tremendous game turned in by the defense, OU would have beaten Texas Saturday with Bradford directing the offense is legitimate. I doubt that even Texas fans would muster more than half-heartedly protest to that logic."

I am a Texas fan Mike and I believe your statement that Oklahoma would have won the game had Bradford played is ludicrous. I am not at all convinced that Bradford's continued presence in the game would have made any difference. Also, I do not think you should be speaking for Texas fans since you obviously have no idea how Texas fans feel.

As far as Sam Bradford's situation. He is a great quarterback and a fine young man whom, I believe, was pressured by the whole state of Oklahoma to delay his entry to the NFL.

Sam Bradford, being the nice kid that he is, succumbed to that pressure.

If that is what Sam Bradford really wanted, and the potential $41 million he might have received as the number one draft choice of the NFL was not that important, then so be it. Even then, after the BYU injury, I believe Sam Bradford should have been encouraged by his coaches, family, friends, and sportswriters to have the surgery he needed, and then to rehab and get completely well. By doing that he would have entered the NFL draft healthy and ready to play professional football.

By the way Mike, I would match up Texas's defense with the Oklahoma defense anytime. Minus 16 yards rushing. Has that ever happened to the University of Oklahoma before?

[McCoy's beaten down attitude]

Hey Harold, I would be a bitter too since it is obvious that Texas, #3 in the Nation, is barely better than an Oklahoma team full of Freshmen and back-ups.

[Katrina]

Posted in response to Harold,
Not every College player wants to enter the NFL early. Sam, is a great student, has great grades, and wanted his education more than the Money the NFL would have offered him. So he is staying to finish out his EDUCATION which everyone should. What would of happend if he did go to the NFL early and got hurt the first play of his NFL career, he would of lost all the NFL money and not had the Education. As a Sooner fan, I will say it was a well hard fought game from both sides of the field. It was a great game to watch, neither team ran off with the game. My kind of football.

[Dion]

Look three titles in a row...Stoops warned in Spring abouit the o-line. I am disappointed in the WR core excluding Broyles of course. Caleb dropped a pass that he might of scored on. Stoops and Wilson are not WEARing uniforms get it?

[San Fernando Red]

Katrina: What makes you think that Sam would lose all his NFL money should he have been hurt in the NFL.

McCoy's Beaten Down Attitude:
Beating OU 4 out of the last 5 years has been fun. I don't see why any Texas fan would be bitter. The way OU is playing, it does not look like that pattern is going to change any time soon either. OU fans need to forget the Texas game and start concentrating on Kansas, Oklahoma State and Texas Tech. OU could easily lose all 3 of those games. Mike Leach may have a little extra incentive whhen he plays the Sooners this year. You think the Texas-OU game was ugly? This one could really be ugly. Leach is just like Stoops. He will beat you 100-0, if he can.

[Troy Vaughn]

Most of the problems with OU have already been mentioned. The only criticism I have is when the coaches continue to work a game plan and make statements about it does not matter who the starting quarterback is - we run the same offense. That one throws me for a loop! How can anyone expect a first year quarterback to play at the same level or execute the same way a quarterback with three years experience does (Heisman Trophy winner at that)?? It would be nice to see the offense simplified until Landry Jones gains more experience. The constant looking to the sidelines, hurry up offense isn't working combined with an obvious inexperienced o-line and receiver corps.

OU Fan Forever

[PClark, BOOMER SOONER]

You Texas fans are a bunch of cocky guys! Saying that OU needs to look past Texas cause we could be beat by Kansas, OK State, and Tech...you are right. However, maybe Texas needs to look past the 3 point victory they got last week, cause the way they played they could very well get beaten too! McCoy is a great quarterback, but played terrible last weekend...and for that matter hasn't been playing near as well this year compared to last. Turn the tables and put McCoy out of the game and UT loses by 3...all of you would say that you would have won if McCoy was in the game. I'm not saying we would have won with Bradford, but I'm pretty sure he wouldn't have thrown the 2 picks that Jones did. Anyhow, if OU can't win the Big 12 or BCSNC, I would definitely like to see the Big 12 on top! So, from a Sooner fan to the Burnt Orange Nation, good luck on the rest of your season!

[San Fernando Red]

To PClark, BOOMER SOONER:
I have been a Texas fan since 1956...the year Darrell Royal took over coaching the Longhorns. Having said that...I believe Sam Bradford is as talented at throwing the football as any college quarterback I have ever seen...Joe Montana included. Now is he as durable? So far, he does not seem to be. Bradford is not very agile, as evidenced by the fact he was knocked to the ground 3 or 4 times during the brief time he played Saturday. I doubt seriously that he would have done any better than Landry Jones had he remained in the game. OU's offensive line just could not protect him.

As far as Oklahoma playing Florida...I was with them all the way. I am a Big 12 fan and always want the Big 12 team to win. I am very tired of the SEC's boasts and I still think that conference is over rated. I was pulling for Oklahoma against Florida and I pulled for Oklahoma when they played Southern California. I wanted OU to beat USC so much. Then the 'Horns got a shot to play USC in the NC game on USC's homefield. No one thought Texas had a chance...including USC. but miracles do occur and to USC's surprise...Texas took them out. I know McCoy and Texas' offense are not playing well. Texas knows it too. But with a little confidence...maybe McCoy can pull it together. Texas may just surprise that big old bad SEC team in the NC game. I would love to see McCoy give Tim Tebow the hook 'em horns sign, just the way Tebow gave the Sooners the gator chomp last year!
Don't rule Texas out just yet.
Stranger things have happened. Just ask the University of Southern California....and Pete Carroll.

[ANDY ROBINSON]

OU HAS TO MANY GREEN APPLES IN THE BARREL THIS YEAR. THIS IS LIKE OF EXPERIENCE NOTHING WILL FIX THIS BUT TIME. THAY WILL BE BACK LATER THIS YEAR CERTENLY NEXT YEAR. SET BACK AND WATCH THESE PLAYERS DEVELOPE AND QUIT BLAMEING EVERYBODY. JUST UNDERSTAND WHATS HAPPENING AND HAVE FUN SEEING THE PROGRESS.