AnniePokely
03-02-2008, 08:20 AM
By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
3/2/2008
STILLWATER — Entering his fourth spring as Oklahoma State’s head football coach, Mike Gundy is attempting to sustain the Cowboys’ offensive excellence while executing a complete makeover of the defense.
Last year, as they capped a 7-6 season with an Insight Bowl triumph over Indiana, the Cowboys achieved perfect offensive balance — 3,161 passing yards, 3,161 rushing yards — but were ranked 101st nationally in total defense.
Last week, Gundy met with reporters to discuss spring-practice priorities.
OSU has three new staff members — co-offensive coordinator Trooper Taylor, defensive line coach Glenn Spencer and cornerbacks coach Jason Jones. Have the new coaches become familiar with the dynamics of the Cowboy program?
Gundy: “All of our new coaches are up and running. We’re pretty comfortable with what we’re doing on both sides of the ball. Those new coaches have gotten a good feel for where they’re at with their personnel. We’re really excited about our new guys. I think they are a really good fit.”
You were the play-caller in the Insight Bowl. Gunter Brewer and Taylor have cooffensive coordinator titles. When will you decide who formulates game plans and calls plays
during the 2008 season?
Gundy: “After spring ball, we’ll come in and evaluate where we’re at as a staff. We’ll evaluate everything.”
Five new defensive players, all junior college transfers, are participating in spring drills. What are reasonable expectations?
Gundy: “You can get a considerable amount of information just from the way they handle themselves in practice and the way they carry themselves. We all know that part of being a good college football player is being able to persevere through everything you deal with — nagging injuries, school work, longer practices, more physical practices. Junior college football is good, quality football, but it’s not as physical and doesn’t last as long as with our guys here. When you complete 15 (spring) practices, you can get enough information to get a good feel for where you think they’ll be (in August).”
You signed a tailback, Beau Johnson, who was the MVP of the junior college national championship game. What do you want to see from Johnson during the spring?
Gundy: “We would like for Beau Johnson to come out of the spring where we trust that we could put him in and rotate him with Kendall (Hunter). When we go to the first game, we prefer to play two or three of those guys and keep them fresh.”
Wide receiver Artrell Woods missed the entire 2007 season because of a serious back injury. Trainer Rob Hunt has said Woods can be ready in time for the season opener against Washington State in Seattle. What is Woods’ status for the spring?
Gundy: “Artie will do everything except get hit. We haven’t timed him, but he runs fast. When he runs, he looks like he did a year ago.”
You’ve got a returning starting QB, Zac Robinson, who last season set the school record for total offense. What do you expect to see from backups Alex Cate and Brandon Weeden?
Gundy: “(Cate) will start out as our No. 2 because he’s been here longer, but neither of those guys has earned their stripes. They’ll get equal reps. Hopefully, we’ll come out of the spring with a guy that has stepped up and solidified that backup position. We’re going to give Zac enough work to keep him polished.”
3/2/2008
STILLWATER — Entering his fourth spring as Oklahoma State’s head football coach, Mike Gundy is attempting to sustain the Cowboys’ offensive excellence while executing a complete makeover of the defense.
Last year, as they capped a 7-6 season with an Insight Bowl triumph over Indiana, the Cowboys achieved perfect offensive balance — 3,161 passing yards, 3,161 rushing yards — but were ranked 101st nationally in total defense.
Last week, Gundy met with reporters to discuss spring-practice priorities.
OSU has three new staff members — co-offensive coordinator Trooper Taylor, defensive line coach Glenn Spencer and cornerbacks coach Jason Jones. Have the new coaches become familiar with the dynamics of the Cowboy program?
Gundy: “All of our new coaches are up and running. We’re pretty comfortable with what we’re doing on both sides of the ball. Those new coaches have gotten a good feel for where they’re at with their personnel. We’re really excited about our new guys. I think they are a really good fit.”
You were the play-caller in the Insight Bowl. Gunter Brewer and Taylor have cooffensive coordinator titles. When will you decide who formulates game plans and calls plays
during the 2008 season?
Gundy: “After spring ball, we’ll come in and evaluate where we’re at as a staff. We’ll evaluate everything.”
Five new defensive players, all junior college transfers, are participating in spring drills. What are reasonable expectations?
Gundy: “You can get a considerable amount of information just from the way they handle themselves in practice and the way they carry themselves. We all know that part of being a good college football player is being able to persevere through everything you deal with — nagging injuries, school work, longer practices, more physical practices. Junior college football is good, quality football, but it’s not as physical and doesn’t last as long as with our guys here. When you complete 15 (spring) practices, you can get enough information to get a good feel for where you think they’ll be (in August).”
You signed a tailback, Beau Johnson, who was the MVP of the junior college national championship game. What do you want to see from Johnson during the spring?
Gundy: “We would like for Beau Johnson to come out of the spring where we trust that we could put him in and rotate him with Kendall (Hunter). When we go to the first game, we prefer to play two or three of those guys and keep them fresh.”
Wide receiver Artrell Woods missed the entire 2007 season because of a serious back injury. Trainer Rob Hunt has said Woods can be ready in time for the season opener against Washington State in Seattle. What is Woods’ status for the spring?
Gundy: “Artie will do everything except get hit. We haven’t timed him, but he runs fast. When he runs, he looks like he did a year ago.”
You’ve got a returning starting QB, Zac Robinson, who last season set the school record for total offense. What do you expect to see from backups Alex Cate and Brandon Weeden?
Gundy: “(Cate) will start out as our No. 2 because he’s been here longer, but neither of those guys has earned their stripes. They’ll get equal reps. Hopefully, we’ll come out of the spring with a guy that has stepped up and solidified that backup position. We’re going to give Zac enough work to keep him polished.”