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Up close: DeMarcus Granger

OU’s DeMarcus Granger is helped off the field against Washington in September.Granger returned to the team in time for the Texas game, and is gettingback to normal every week, Bob Stoops says. TOM GILBERT/Tulsa World file

 
By GUERIN EMIG World Sports Writer
Published: 11/20/2008  4:25 AM
Last Modified: 11/20/2008  4:39 AM

NORMAN — Really, Oklahoma defensive tackle DeMarcus Granger began preparing for Saturday’s game of the year against Texas Tech more than two months ago.

He was triple-teamed by a trio of Washington linemen Sept. 13 and tore a ligament in his foot. He faced season-ending surgery.

He chose season-continuing rehab.

“My injury ... from the time it happened to (the following) Monday when I could get MRIs and Xrays, it showed it had already started the healing process,” Granger said. “When I saw that, my mind was made up. If I would have had one foot, I still would have tried to come back. I wouldn’t have gone down that easy.”

He put in the hours with OU’s training staff, and on Wednesday of Texas week, he returned to practice.

Granger announced his return by stopping a bubble screen to Longhorns wide receiver Brandon Collins for a loss of 4 yards Oct. 11.

And he’s been a solid, steady presence since.

“He is getting more and more comfortable and back to normal,” OU coach Bob Stoops said.

Now, Granger digs in against the No. 2 Red Raiders on Saturday night. He’ll face an offensive line that has allowed just five sacks all season. It’s a deterrent, kind of like that foot injury, but nothing he feels he can’t overcome.

“It’s a big group, a talented group. We respect them,” Granger said, “but we’re trying to get to the quarterback. We’re going to try within all our power to get there.”

You know Mike Leach by any chance?

No. I know (Tech wide receiver) Michael Crabtree. He went to Dallas Carter, right down the street from me.

He’s pretty nice.

When’s the last time you two spoke?

One weekend when we were down in the barber shop together, down in Dallas, maybe a year and a half ago.

Are you surprised by his success?

He was a great athlete in high school, he just got overlooked a little bit because he was surrounded by so much talent in Texas. I thought he’d be a great basketball player.

What did you do with your weekend off last week?

I laid around, just soaked in the weekend, basically. Football free. A lot of sleep.

Did you watch any games?

I watched a little bit of the Dallas Cowboys game. I’ve been a Cowboys fan since they had Cowboys Starter jackets. I’ve been on the bandwagon since then.

GRANGER FACTS



Position: Defensive tackle

Class: Junior

Height: 6-2

Weight: 302

Hometown: Dallas




Guerin Emig 581-8355
guerin.emig@tulsaworld.com
By GUERIN EMIG World Sports Writer

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COMMENTS 
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3 comments have been made for this team so far. Tell us what you think below!

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Report Comment
zach, (11/20/2008 12:27:02 PM)
Am I the only one that finds Granger's last comment funny? He of all people is talking about a jacket.
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DR.FUBAR, Vernon Hills (11/20/2008 7:09:07 PM)
If Mr. Granger ever lives up to his hype, NO team will be able to run up the middle against Oklahoma. Also Harrell will have a hard time stepping up in the pocket.
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5055567475852000, Euless (11/21/2008 6:30:18 AM)
Good catch, Zach. Ironic for sure
 

 
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