Preseason Camp Thoughts 2008
Published: 7/29/2008 4:53 PM
Last Modified: 7/29/2008 4:53 PM
Temperatures hovering near the 100 degree mark? Check. Calendar getting ready to turn the page from July to August? Check. Mike Gundy is still a man and he still is 40? Check, although Gundy does celebrate his 41st birthday on August 12.
While those aforementioned facts still hold true, unearthing facts on the field is the chief concern for the soon-to-be 41-year-old man and football coach at Oklahoma State over these next few hot weeks. Preseason practice is drudgery for those like me who cover college football for a living. Coaches like Gundy occasionally give rich details and information of what's transpiring behind the close gates and covered fences of the practice field throughout the preseason and regular season.
Yet, truthfully, writers, broadcasters, players and coaches can all agree that we can't wait for the season to kickoff. Unfortunately, we have a month of this hot Oklahoma weather before we can get to the cooler climate of Seattle for the Labor Day weekend opener against Washington State.
As Gundy prepares to begin his fourth season as OSU's head coach, I know he has a grasp on some of the key questions entering the start of preseason camp Thursday. When he decides to reveal some of those answers is still a few more repetitive questions (and days or weeks) away, however. Who will serve as Zac Robinson's backup at quarterback and will the defense show marked improvement this season are two of the most common inquiries Gundy has received about his team. Over the next month, those questions will still exist.
In addition to those agenda items, here are three areas of the 2008 Cowboys I'll be keeping tabs on over the next month:
*** The receiving corps. Dez Bryant established himself as a top-notch receiver last season and made a statement with his Insight Bowl performance. But there are a lot of uncertainties after Bryant. Can Artrell Woods be a factor 13 months after a horrific back injury? Is Bo Bowling going to be a consistent move the chains possession receiver? Are Damian Davis and Jeremy Broadway going to put their off-field issues behind them and fulfill on-field expectations? Will Josh Cooper and William Cole emerge this year after sitting last season?
*** Linebackers. Depth, or more specifically lack of depth, became a concern midway through last season when injuries hobbled three frontline performers at the position. Moving Andre Sexton into the "star" position (part linebacker, part safety) helps alleviate depth and experience concerns. But after junior Patrick Lavine, there is not much in terms of experience.
*** Placekicking. Missed field goals led to Jason Ricks' departure from the program. Inconsistent hang time and long yardage forced Matt Fodge to focus solely on his punting duties and brought walk-on Dan Bailey into the fold midway through 2007. Incoming freshman Quinn Sharp was regarded as the top kicker coming out of high school last year. OSU's staff hopes he lives up to that billing. Sharp is expected to handle the extra-point and field goal duties this fall.
--- Matt Doyle
Written by
Bill Haisten
Sports Writer
