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Stoops and Bradford address media at weekly press conference
 
By JOHN E. HOOVER World Sports Writer
Published: 9/2/2008  3:11 PM
Last Modified: 9/2/2008  3:49 PM

 Audio: Listen to a 10-minute interview Tuesday with OU quarterback Sam Bradford.

Audio: Listen to Bob Stoops’ weekly media conference on Tuesday at OU.

NORMAN – Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said linebacker Austin Box "really looked good in practice" on Monday and was looking forward to seeing him play on Saturday in the Sooners' game against Cincinnati.

"We'll see through the week how much," Stoops said Tuesday during his weekly press luncheon, "but he'll play."

Box, a redshirt freshman from Enid, was penciled in as the starter at weakside linebacker during training camp before he was sidelined with torn knee cartilage. He had arthroscopic surgery and has been rehabbing the injury, and was medically cleared this week.

Redshirt freshman Travis Lewis started there in last week's season-opening 57-2 victory over Tennessee-Chattanooga.

Other excerpts from Stoops' press conference:

On running back DeMarco Murray's 124-yard, 2-TD performance: "He looked great. Making the cuts we're used to seeing him make."

On wide receiver Manuel Johnson's 9-catch, 120-yard, 1-TD performance: "I've said, and you guys always forget, he was four or five times a year
ago our player of the game, as well. So he just didn't get his, for whatever reason, as much notoriety as some other guys. This isn't unusual with us. Manny's been a mainstay in everything we've done for four years now. I do recognize what you said, I do feel he's a little stronger, a little bigger. And, too, he's a year more mature. He's ready to have a big year. But again, that doesn't surprise me at all, or us as coaches."

On cornerback Brian Jackson's first start: "Brian had a great game. ... He was in position all day and broke up a few balls when he was challenged. Played as well as anybody out there. But sometimes how it is, if you're out on the corner, sometimes guys up front get a little more of a chance to make more plays. He just didn't have that many opportunities. The ones he did, he played quite well."

On the play of the secondary overall: "They were where they needed to be all day. To me, that's a big factor. In past years, at different times when we've given up big plays, it hasn't been so much ability, it's been breakdowns – busted assignments, missed communication, whatever. And that's happened, you know, against a lot of different teams throughout the years, and we didn't have any of that. So throughout, whatever it was, 75-80 plays, that was a positive. They were in position all day. I felt really good about 'em."

On tight end Jermaine Gresham, a preseason Mackey Award contender who dropped two TD passes Saturday but was a forceful blocker: "He's a prideful guy, now. Jermaine isn't just about catching touchdown passes. He wants to be a complete tight end. He's worked hard on (blocking). I think Brody (Eldridge) has been a great example for him. And he's got the body and toughness to do it. Jermaine, you don't hear from him a lot, but he's one of the most competitive guys we have. He has that kind of, just that will, like Adrian (Peterson), he's incredibly competitive. He has a lot of pride and he definitely has worked hard on it and has gotten better. He's a strong blocker."
By JOHN E. HOOVER World Sports Writer

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Scrithcner, Tulsa (9/2/2008 3:33:51 PM)
Even though I'm an OSU, I must admit the Sooners look pretty good this year. However, I would feel cheated as a fan if I had to pay to watch them play Tenn-Chatt. That game was a joke. Why not just line them up against Union High School. I guess all the other top 10 teams have a least one "cupcake" non-conference game though. (sigh)
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soonerguy, Tulsa (9/2/2008 4:49:46 PM)
So how do you feel about Missouri State? Ours was out of necessity, whats your excuse?
Report Comment
Scrithcner, Tulsa (9/2/2008 5:40:15 PM)
Necessity? Maybe this year, but they have at least one or two of those games every year. I'm not offering excuses. Only reason. If you look at my first post you'll read that I also said all the other top 10 teams do it too.

As far as O-State goes, haha, get off you high horse. We aren't constantly talking about how we are going to win the Big-12 South and run at the BSC. You only play those games so you don't lose. We play them because we are a middle of the road team trying to improve. Hey, say what you will but at least I'm honest about it. Whats your excuse?

...not to mention like 1 out of 3 people that talk big about OU didn't even go to school there.
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soonerguy, Tulsa (9/2/2008 6:54:24 PM)
I've got to admit, you are one of the most civil OSU fans to post in these comment sections. Maybe it was your second post which is no longer there that riled me. So, forgive me if I responded abruptly - as I would to the OSU fans who constantly talk smack.

I do wish ALL teams would play serious competition each week, but until they change the rules, coaches will keep playing cupcakes because that's how you "play the game".

I am always glad to see OSU do well in their sports - it makes us look better when we beat you =) Seriously though, it is true that I only root against OSU when they play us - so here's wishing you guys a great year.

Oh yea, just thought I would mention - I am currently attending OU.
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Scrithcner, Tulsa (9/2/2008 8:39:34 PM)
Yeah, much respect to OU man. I agree about the changes as well. I lived down in Dallas for a few years so I'm pretty freakin' sick of hearing UT's talk. I think we can ALL agree that they are the real enemy. Exept for bedlam as you mentioned. :)
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Calffry, (9/3/2008 9:15:02 PM)
You two would gag a maggot....lol
 

 
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