Tulsa World: OU Notebook

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OU Notebook

By JOHN E. HOOVER World Sports Writer
Published: 4/9/2009 2:35 AM
Last Modified: 4/10/2009 2:30 PM

Correction: A Thursday Tulsa World Sports story incorrectly attributed a quote from University of Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford. The Sooners' quarterback was referring to sophomore Ben Habern, who is a candidate to be the team's starting center, when Bradford said: "He's doing really good. I feel he's extremely strong. You watch him in the weight room, he's probably one of the strongest guys on the team." The error has been corrected in the story below.

Center of attention: With last week's revelation that Jason Hannan had left the team, sophomore Ben Habern is the clear front-runner to replace Jon Cooper at center. Colorado State transfer Brian Lepak is getting a look, too.

"He's doing really good," quarterback Sam Bradford said of Habern. "I feel he's extremely strong. You watch him in the weight room, he's probably one of the strongest guys on the team. I don't think he's really having a problem as far as moving guys. It's just him getting comfortable with all the plays and all the systems and calling out things.

"From what I've seen, he's picked everything up really quickly. Center's probably the toughest position on the line to play as far as making reads, and from what he's been able to do this spring, it's been really positive."

Backup plan: So what happens if Bradford goes down? The job likely goes to Landry Jones, who redshirted last season as Bradford was winning the Heisman Trophy.

Coaches like Jones' 6-foot-4 frame, innate pocket presence and powerful arm.

"I thought Landry . . . before (spring) break, started to come on and started to, you could tell, started to get more and more comfortable, which is good," head coach Bob Stoops said after a recent practice. . . . (He) seems to be coming along really well."

Said Bradford, "I think Landry is playing really well right now. I mean, it's night and day from what he was doing in the fall to how he's playing right now. I would say if you guys watched him play, he could probably be starting at a lot of places."

Number change: Fans might need a double-take to identify cornerback Dominique Franks. After three seasons wearing No. 15, Franks has changed to No. 1. He said he made the switch to honor former Union teammate Renard Johnson, who was killed in a January automobile accident.

But Johnson wore No. 30 at Union. Why No. 1?

"It just reminds me," Franks said, "to take everything one day at a time."

Wind sock: The Red / White Game is expected to be another gale force Saturday in Norman. Last year's game, fans might recall, did a number on Bradford. He threw three interceptions, and two of those were returned for touchdowns.

"Yeah, it was pretty bad last year," he said. "It was ridiculous. But it's out of my control, really." By JOHN E. HOOVER World Sports Writer

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