Orange observations
Published: 11/17/2006 11:24 AM
Last Modified: 11/17/2006 11:24 AM
Take a bow, Bowman. Nice work.
Tulsa World
Selecting players for any postseason honor team always is a subjective matter. While covering boys high school basketball for the Tulsa World in 2003, I received a short e-mail from Bartlesville coach Tim Bart questioning my decision about our state Player of the Year.
"Caleb Green is quite a stretch for Player of the Year. Over two guys KU signed? One of which is a McDonald's All-American?" Bart communicated.
I've always listened to Bart's opinion, and at times we would agree to disagree. If you read this T.B., you know I like you. But we would both agree how this one has worked out.
Green, the Memorial High School graduate, has become an All-American player at Oral Roberts. Those two guys KU signed? J.R. Giddens, the McDonald's All-American from Oklahoma City, ran afoul of the law at KU and is now at New Mexico. The other, McAlester's Jeremy Case, is a reserve who has not been able to work his way into the Jayhawks' main player rotation.
*** OK, I'll get off my soapbox and worshipping of ORU's standout hoopster. Let's get back to OSU's candidates for All-Big 12 this football season.
Players who should merit strong consideration for first-team recognition:
Wide receiver Adarius Bowman: Should be Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year. Has not had any massive performances the past month since his 13-catch, 300-yard, 4 TD showing at Kansas. Still, Bowman is far and away the conference's best receiver.
Offensive tackle Corey Hilliard: Four-year starter. Veteran who has helped offensive line grow and mature into a solid unit and help upgrade OSU's attack. Quarterback Bobby Reid said he would be upset if one of his linemen did not earn first-team status. It would be an upset if Hilliard is not honored.
Defensive end Victor DeGrate: Dominant pass rusher who has been the ringleader of OSU's suspect defense. Ranks third in the league with 8.5 sacks. Ankle injury suffered two weeks ago at Kansas could work against him if he does not make it back on the field for these final two regular season games.
Punter Matt Fodge: Leads the conference in punting average and would lead the country if he had enough punts. Fodge, though, likely will drop to second-team status behind Baylor's Daniel Sepulveda, who is regarded as the nation's best.
Kick returners Grant Jones and Perrish Cox: Pick your poison. I can't distinguish between these two players. Cox is electrifying and dynamic. Jones is steady, effective and has become just as dangerous a threat as Cox. Jones is the nation's leader in kickoff returns while Cox is 10th.
Players who should receive some first-team mention or at least place on the second-team:
Quarterback Bobby Reid: Texas' Colt McCoy will be the first-team pick. Reid has even endorsed that. But OSU's signal caller is just as worthy for the second-team pick as Missouri's Chase Daniel, Texas Tech's Graham Harrell, Nebraska's Zac Taylor, and Oklahoma's Paul Thompson. If anything, Reid is the Big 12's most improved player.
Offensive guard David Koenig: Unsung member of the offensive line. Three-year starter who is the tough guy of this group.
Tight end Brandon Pettigrew: Gundy has sung Pettigrew's praises since the spring. The OSU coach firmly believes he has the most complete tight end (pass catching and blocking skills) in the conference.
Wide receiver D'Juan Woods: To borrow from Tim Bart, maybe this is a stretch. Statistically, this has not been Woods' best year but he has become a well-rounded receiver. He has developed into a strong downfield blocker and is still capable of producing big plays.
Running back Dantrell Savage: After missing a good chunk of the season's first month with a knee injury, Savage has become the home-run threat at tailback the Cowboys expected. Two more strong games would enhance his chances, especially since this has been another down year at running back in the Big 12.
Defensive end Nathan Peterson: Strong complimentary pass rushing threat to DeGrate. Peterson's eight sacks rank fourth in the conference.
Strong safety Andre Sexton: Redshirt freshman is a hard hitter who is always around the ball. Leads the Cowboys in tackles.
*** Saw the OSU wrestling team in action for the first time Thursday night. Coach John Smith's team is definitely a work in progress. Don't judge Smith's troops on what transpires these first two months. Smith always wants his wrestlers peaking for the championship season in March.
The drive for a fifth consecutive national title will be difficult. There is plenty of unproven, young and raw talent in Smith's wrestling room. Still, the greatest wrestler of all-time knows a thing or two about molding that kind of talent into consistent performers.
*** One person I didn't see at Thursday night's wrestling match, and will never see again, was Tommy Chesbro. The former OSU wrestling coach passed away in early September. Chesbro was an OSU icon, first as a student-athlete, then coach and finally as an athletics facilities administrator. First-class gentlemen all the way. He is definitely missed.
--- Matt Doyle
Written by
Jason Collington
Web Editor
