Odds and ends from Big 12 Media Days
Published: 7/28/2010 6:10 PM
Last Modified: 7/28/2010 6:10 PM
IRVING, Texas – A few more highlights from Oklahoma’s time at Big 12 Media Days on Wednesday:
Stoops on Murray:
Bob Stoops reiterated his believe that DeMarco Murray can hold up under an increased work load.
“We're hoping in the line of similar to a guy like Adrian Peterson, that kind of opportunity to run the ball or have his hands on the ball that number of times is what we're hoping for,” Stoops said. “You know, so we'll see. He needs support. But I really believe our offensive line has a chance to be better than what people think. If that happens, DeMarco has a chance to have a really good year, and I believe he will.”
Stoops on realignment:
Stoops spoke again of his recollections regarding the summer headlines involving Big 12 realignment with the Pac-10 Conference.
“Initially, disappointment,” he said. “Then ended up, when it seemed inevitable, kind of excited. I mean, playing different venues, different opportunities. You know, playing some games out west is exciting. Who knows? Having a possible championship game in the Rose Bowl might have been cool. Who knows? I always look at opportunities as kind of exciting, even though it was different.”
Stoops on scheduling:
Stoops also revisited the scheduling philosophy he shares with athletic director Joe Castiglione and how they embrace playing marquee non-conference opponents.
“I’m not so sure that I embrace it any more (with a nine-game Big 12 schedule likely starting in 2011),” he said. Such opponents “definitely” make a team better, he added.
“But there’s an argument both ways. It does as long as you don’t get your quarterback hurt. Or, the other (hand) is you play someone soft and you get all your 2s a half a game. So in the end, I don’t know. I don’t know how much it benefits you. If you don’t get anyone hurt, it does. If you don’t get anyone hurt and you win, it definitely benefits you.”
Stoops on Bradford
Stoops said he saw Sam Bradford, who has yet to sign with the St. Louis Rams, last Friday.
“I actually saw him, I was getting my workout in, my cardio, and he and Jermaine (Gresham) were in lifting just a couple days ago. . . . He looked great. Big, strong, about 228 pounds. And was anxious. Of course, he didn’t know when it’d get done. But he was just trusting his agents and people to work it out. I’m sure they’re getting close, I guess. He’s anxious to go play, and I’m excited to go watch him.”
Stoops said Bradford indicated he’s been a quick study in all the Rams’ minicamps and organized team activities.
“Yeah, he felt great all he’s been able to pick up,” Stoops said. “Felt that they have given him more because they’re trying to bring him along faster. But he’s felt good about where he’s at and how he’s progressed.”
Asked if Jermaine Gresham would get many catches as a rookie in Cincinnati with the signing of Terrell Owens, Stoops gushed on his former tight end.
“Oh, you gotta throw it to Jermaine,” he said. “Gosh. That’s what people – a year ago, when (Gresham’s knee injury) happened, that changed us as much as anything. His presence in the middle, ability to get the ball, it changes everything on how to cover you outside. He’s a major factor. But I’m glad he’s past it now and he’ll do well.”
Stoops on Turner Gill
Stoops said when he was hired in December 1998, he listened to all the media, fans and boosters who assured him he had to have a running offense to succeed at Oklahoma. That’s why he considered hiring Turner Gill as his first offensive coordinator.
“I played against him. You know what? They killed us,” Stoops said. “But they did a great job, of course (when Gill was an assistant at Nebraska). . . . I was listening to you at the time, thinking we had to run the ball, do some option. Then I thought differently after Turner wasn’t gonna do it. So obviously, I turned a different way thought, ‘You know what? We are gonna fire it all over the place and spread it out,’ and it worked out.”
Stoops plays Augusta National
Stoops played golf recently at Augusta National and shot 87.
“The greens killed me,” he said. “I had my golf score, then I had my putting score.”
He said his round – a foursome that included Southern Hills pro Dave Bryan – was going fine, especially after he knocked in a birdie from the sand trap on No. 2.
“Then I double-bogeyed No. 3 and that’s where the story ends,” he said.
– John E. Hoover
Written by
Patrick Prince
Assistant Sports Editor
