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Stoops keeping his players on task before big game

 
By DAVE SITTLER World Sports Columnist
Published: 1/6/2009  2:22 AM
Last Modified: 1/6/2009  3:28 AM

 MIAMI, Fla. — Bob Stoops' approach to his fourth national championship game as Oklahoma's coach resembles the Boy Scouts motto — be prepared.

That apparently means meticulous preparation for everything and anything Stoops could think of to help break his two-game losing streak in BCS title games after winning it all in 2000.

Stoops has declined to get specific about the changes he installed as the Sooners gear up for Thursday night's showdown with Florida at Dolphin Stadium. He acknowledged some superficial details about limiting media access to his players, moving up the team's curfew, closing practices to everyone (including fans) and making alterations to those off-limits workout sessions at Barry University.

But if you listened closely during Monday's media day, you picked up another clue to how detail-oriented Stoops has been ever since OU advanced to the title game after winning the Big 12 Conference championship on Dec. 6.

What I asked Stoops yesterday for a timetable when he intends to talk to underclassmen who might leave OU early for the NFL, he said, "I already have."

That three-word answer is a big deal? Absolutely.

Many a bowl game has been lost because of players spending practice time thinking about their futures instead of focusing on the here and now. Stoops has said he's convinced that was the key factor the past two seasons when the Sooners lost to Boise State and West Virginia in consecutive Fiesta Bowl appearances.

The task of keeping the upcoming NFL Draft out of the minds of seniors is nearly impossible, because they know it's their last college game. A coach can plead with them to stay in the moment, but they have to find the discipline to do it because they won't suffer any repercussions if they don't.

It's a different story for draft-eligible juniors, along with third-year sophomores like quarterback Sam Bradford and defensive tackle Gerald McCoy. Unlike seniors, the pressure on underclassmen is greater because they know they have the option of staying or going. And outsiders, like agents and family members, add to a confusing situation by adding their opinions.

The overwhelming amount of NFL Draft attention has centered on Bradford. Several so-called draft experts have speculated that the Heisman Trophy winner could be a high first-round pick.

But Bradford isn't the only Sooner underclassman being mentioned as a high draft pick. McCoy has also drawn heavy attention. The same goes for a couple of juniors — tight end Jermaine Gresham and offensive tackle Trent Williams.

It would be devastating to OU's 2009 season if Bradford, McCoy, Gresham and Williams all leave. The devastation could include the BCS title game of that talented foursome is thinking about the future instead of Florida.

That's apparently why Stoops summoned them into his office before the Sooners left Norman to have a little heart-to-NFL chat. It included more than the aforementioned four players, because Stoops said earlier this month that "several" underclassmen had filed the necessary paperwork to have the NFL analyze their draft potential.

Those chats apparently included the coach asking his underclassmen to give him a definitive answer on where they intend to play ball next season.

"Because we are playing this game so late (in the bowl season), I need to have a strong feeling about what they are going to do," Stoops said yesterday.

And what is that feeling? Well, my unofficial survey seemed to indicate Stoops won't have as many holes to fill as some are predicting.

McCoy said, "I can't speak for anyone else, but I know I'll be back at OU."

Next to Bradford, Gresham is considered OU's top prospect. The 6-foot-6, 260-pound tight end attempted to skip media day by hiding out inside the stadium with some teammates.

"I haven't even thought about playing in the NFL," Gresham said. "So I don't know what I'll do."

Stoops wants those benefits to kick in Thursday night instead of on the Jan. 15 deadline the players have to declare for the draft. That's why he decided to push the point this time.

"I've got a good feel for what's going to happen," Stoops said. "But I'm not going to talk about it until after the game."

Like a good Boy Scout, Stoops is ready "to do the right thing at the right moment."

The moment is Thursday night, the right thing is "be prepared" to win.
By DAVE SITTLER World Sports Columnist

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2 comments have been made for this team so far. Tell us what you think below!
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pat, Kiefer (1/6/2009 10:00:08 AM)
Hope they all stay for another great year!!!!!!!
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Dave in Houston, Houston (1/6/2009 11:13:42 AM)
OU had 4 draft picks last year: (2) 2nd round, a 3rd round, and a 7th round. THESE are the guys that 'broke' OU's chances of winning the Fiesta Bowl last year? I'm guessing QB Pat White and backup RB Noel Devine would disagree.
 

 
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