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OU's offensive stars set for another spin
Players bypassing NFL should keep Sooners' attack sleek next season.

Oklahoma football coach Bob Stoops answers questions following an announcement by quarterback Sam Bradford that Bradford will return for his junior year Wednesday in Norman. SUE OGROCKI/Associated Press
 
By GUERIN EMIG World Sports Writer
Published: 1/15/2009  2:38 AM
Last Modified: 1/15/2009  3:46 AM

NORMAN — Bob Stoops, announcing Wednesday that all his potential early NFL draftees instead decided to return to Oklahoma, used "Cadillac" and "BMW" to compare this year's Sooners to next year's. He didn't mean it quite that way — he was saying NFL personnel types would cut Sam Bradford some slack next year, knowing Bradford might not be as protected behind a less-experienced offensive line — but the comparison worked anyhow.

OU's offense should remain pretty sleek in 2009, despite the loss of three starting wide receivers and four starting offensive lineman. A lot of that has to do with Bradford's return. But then he couldn't have been nearly as effective without a target like tight end Jermaine Gresham or a protector like Trent Williams.

Gresham caught 30 passes for 397 yards and five touchdowns over his last four games. Think Bradford won't come out of the '09 chute looking for his 261-pound All-American? Consider the options. It won't take long.

Wide receiver Ryan Broyles returns to build on his 46-catch freshman season. The rest of the receiving corps outside of Gresham, however, has made a total of 38 career catches.

As lean as that would have sounded without Gresham, think about how thin OU's O-line might have looked without Williams.

The All-Big 12 308-pounder shifts from right to left tackle to look after Bradford's blindside. He also provides immediate experience on a line that otherwise has logged two career starts, both by guard Brian Simmons.

This year's line, by comparison, was fortified by a combined 162 starts, which is one way of saying it will not be an easy transition. Williams, at least, provides a huge building block. Much like Gresham gives a rebuilt corps of wide receivers some extra time to get comfortable.

Both players should immediately make Bradford more comfortable. Together, all three, along with returning underclassmen like defensive tackle Gerald McCoy and running back DeMarco Murray, make the '09 Sooners much more formidable.

There was a lot of talk Wednesday about players returning to further their education, their overall college experience and their 2010 NFL draft stock. It didn't hurt, all of the Sooners indicated, that they could win some games in the process.

"I look forward to what we can accomplish next season," Gresham said.

"I feel like we can compete for more championships," said Williams.

At one point, someone asked Stoops if this were bigger than a typical National Signing Day.

"Much biggger," he replied, referring to the fact that this was a case of proven national championship-contending commodities, not unproven high school potential.

"I'm really looking forward to coming back and competing for a fourth straight Big 12 championship," Bradford said, "and another opportunity at a national championship."




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

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

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Report Comment
wk, (1/15/2009 6:15:43 AM)
They'll all get hurt. Nimrods are thinking with their hearts instead of their brains. I never did think OU was much of an education.
Report Comment
Bird1, Tulsa (1/15/2009 6:57:12 AM)
WK - Just wondering. What was your GPA at the American Truck Driving School?
Report Comment
me, (1/15/2009 7:38:26 AM)
I would come back for another year, if I thought I was going to have to play at Detroit.
Report Comment
vernonc, (1/15/2009 8:05:54 AM)
Bird1 he flunked the course and is now at McDonalds.
Report Comment
trey, mounds (1/15/2009 8:16:52 AM)
what a way to cheer me up after florida game handover!
Report Comment
Bird1, Tulsa (1/15/2009 8:44:00 AM)
I would like to know which Mickey Dee's to avoid.
Report Comment
wk, (1/15/2009 9:26:12 AM)
Bird1 and vernonc- It's been so long ago I can't remember my gpa any more. Are you guys saying there's something wrong with being a truck driver or a worker at McDonald's? What is it that you guys do from those lofty perches with your crimson colored glasses on?
Report Comment
brb549, (1/15/2009 9:46:35 AM)
wk is obviously an pokie fan that knew the only way they had an outside chance of beating OU next year was if these guys left. Sorry, you'll just have to keep enduring the inevitable. Another poke wishing bad things on OU. What's new?
Report Comment
Arbythree, Tulsa (1/15/2009 10:17:48 AM)
I want to jump in here but brb549, vernonc and Bird1 are doing such a nice job I will refrain.

BOOMER SOONER!!!!!!!!!
Report Comment
Bird1, Tulsa (1/15/2009 10:30:21 AM)
wk - Truck Drivers are paying too much for Diesel to make any $ and the only ones at MD"s making $ are the "Hamburger U" grads. somehow, I don't think you are either.

Know what a Texas Grad says to an OU Grad?

"Welcome to McDonalds's. Can I take your order?"
Report Comment
Getting Better, (1/15/2009 1:15:22 PM)
Wk most of your doctors, politicians, and attorneys in this state come from OU. We can't help that they went into law and politics but I for one know you can get a fine educaction at OU. If you haven't been, be quiet. As for them all getting hurt, if they haven't been hurt in 3 years, odds are they will be fine next year.
Report Comment
Arbythree, Tulsa (1/15/2009 3:05:43 PM)
GREAT POST Getting Better!!!
Report Comment
wk, (1/15/2009 3:11:07 PM)
What a bunch of derelicts. You guys have been listenining to too many billion dollar bailouts etc. and have lost sight of the staggering amount of money this kid is passing up. None of you make more than $10/hr so you don't understand the enormity of the mistake. No one but a bunch of morons could defend this decision. When you pass up $30mm guaranteed to play for the home team, you aren't going to make it in the NFL. You have to get off of momma's bossom at some point and be a man - make smart decisions and be tough enough to stand up for yourself and maybe make a few people upset. Bradford can't do it. He can always get an edumication from OU - He can't play football forever and there are just too many bad things that can happen to him over the next year. See e.g. (that means "for example" for OU fans) Matt Leinart and Ryan Minor. He, at best, just cut one year off of his pro career which would likely pay him $15-20 million if he worked hard and stayed in the league for a few years.
I did graduate from OU -- unlike most of you "OU" schmucks who have never been on campus less those 10 feet on the East side of the stadium on your walk from O'Connell's -- and graduated with honors (Gee, that was real tough with that crowd). I wish I had more money at that time to get a better education but I did the best I could with what I had. I certainly didn't need a college education to make better decisions than Bradford.
Report Comment
B52, (1/15/2009 10:37:52 PM)
wk....I think you're just jealous because Sammy's physical and mental superiority far exceeds yours. BOOMER SOONER!
Report Comment
Guinness1759, weeeeee (1/16/2009 9:09:31 AM)
OU fn rulz!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;)
 

 
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