andyokstate
08-25-2008, 09:27 AM
OSU: Position Analysis (http://www.tulsaworld.com/sports/extra/article.aspx?subjectID=93&tab=osu&articleid=20080824_93_FB10_hQuart383841)
by: BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
8/24/2008 12:00 AM
Quarterbacks
One returning starter
Z. Robinson
B. Weeden or
A. Cate
The scoop
After only 11 career starts, Zac Robinson ranks No. 7 on OSU's career passing list and No. 9 on the total-offense list. Last year, he broke the school record for single-season total offense. Weeden's passing accuracy has been impressive, while Cate has a more complete knowledge of OSU's no-huddle spread offense.
Running backs
No returning starter
K. Hunter
B. Johnson
K. Toston
The scoop
As a freshman last season, Kendall Hunter was a surprising backup who ran for 696 yards (6.5 per attempt). At 5-foot-8 and 190 pounds, he is a shifty clone of former Cowboy star Dantrell Savage. Beau Johnson, who last season rushed for 1,756 yards in junior college, and Keith Toston are tough-yardage specialists.
Receivers
Two returning starters
WR: D. Bryant, J. Broadway
WR: D. Conner, H. Anyiam, A. Woods
Slot: B. Bowling, D.Davis, J. Cooper
TE: B. Pettigrew, W. Youman, B. Bailey
The scoop
Only a sophomore, Dez Bryant seems poised to emerge as an elite pass-catcher. As a freshman, he totaled 43 receptions (14.5 yards per catch, six TDs). An All-Big 12 selection last season, Brandon Pettigrew is a star with the ball (35 catches last season) and without (coaches say he is a tremendous blocker). Hubert Anyiam has been consistently good in preseason camp.
Offensive line
Five returning starters
LT: R. Okung, T. Perkins
LG: A. Lewis, J. Rush
C: D. Washington, A. Lewis
RG: S. Denning, A. Lawrence
RT: B. Bond, A. Mitchell
The scoop
This is the program's deepest and most experienced position group. Russell Okung, Andrew Lewis, David Washington, Steve Denning and Brady Bond have a combined total of 89 career starts. Okung is an NFL-caliber performer. Washington, with 27 career starts, returns from last year's broken leg and anchors the middle.
Defensive line
One returning starter
DE: U. Chinasa, J. Price, R. Jones
DT: S. Miller or T. Tea
DT: J. Chatham, Q. Patrick
DE: D. Burton, J. Blatnick
The scoop
Can OSU generate a pass rush? Junior Derek Burton enters the season with a career total of 4.5 sacks. The other ends have a total of zero. Coaches like the potential of Jeremiah Price and Jamie Blatnick. The Cowboys are hoping for an immediate contribution from the 305-pound Swanson Miller, a highly regarded juco transfer.
Linebackers
One returning starter
Star: A. Sexton, D. Fontenot
Middle: O. Lemon, D. Booker, J. Gent
Weakside: P. Lavine, J. Glover, S. Clements
The scoop
Andre Sexton, a junior veteran of 25 starts, moves from safety to the "star" role (a hybrid safety-linebacker position). In 2006, Patrick Lavine became a starter as a 205-pound freshman. He now is an experienced, 225-pound junior. Orie Lemon and juco transfer Donald Booker have waged a hard-hitting competition for the starting job in the middle.
Secondary
Three returning starters
CB: M. Gray or P. Cox
FS: Q. Moore, L. Antoine
SS: R. Price, T.J. Bell
CB: J. Lacey, M. Martin, T. Anderson
The scoop
With the underrated Quinton Moore and Lucien Antoine at free safety, the Cowboys have a pair of punishing tacklers. Ricky Price has matured into a solid strong safety, while senior cornerback Jacob Lacey has All-Big 12 aspirations. The boundary corner is manned by juco transfer Maurice Gray and veteran Perrish Cox.
Special teams
K: Q. Sharp or D. Bailey
P: M. Fodge
DS: Z. Allen
H: M. Fodge, T. Sokolosky
PR: D. Bryant, B. Bowling
KR: D. Bryant, P. Cox
The scoop
It was a surprise when Dez Bryant was used as a punt-returner in the bowl win over Indiana, and he likely will enter the season as the returner both on punts and kickoffs. Matt Fodge is among the nation's better punters. OSU was sub-par on field goals last season. Freshman Quinn Sharp is competing with walk-on Dan Bailey for the kicking job.
by: BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
8/24/2008 12:00 AM
Quarterbacks
One returning starter
Z. Robinson
B. Weeden or
A. Cate
The scoop
After only 11 career starts, Zac Robinson ranks No. 7 on OSU's career passing list and No. 9 on the total-offense list. Last year, he broke the school record for single-season total offense. Weeden's passing accuracy has been impressive, while Cate has a more complete knowledge of OSU's no-huddle spread offense.
Running backs
No returning starter
K. Hunter
B. Johnson
K. Toston
The scoop
As a freshman last season, Kendall Hunter was a surprising backup who ran for 696 yards (6.5 per attempt). At 5-foot-8 and 190 pounds, he is a shifty clone of former Cowboy star Dantrell Savage. Beau Johnson, who last season rushed for 1,756 yards in junior college, and Keith Toston are tough-yardage specialists.
Receivers
Two returning starters
WR: D. Bryant, J. Broadway
WR: D. Conner, H. Anyiam, A. Woods
Slot: B. Bowling, D.Davis, J. Cooper
TE: B. Pettigrew, W. Youman, B. Bailey
The scoop
Only a sophomore, Dez Bryant seems poised to emerge as an elite pass-catcher. As a freshman, he totaled 43 receptions (14.5 yards per catch, six TDs). An All-Big 12 selection last season, Brandon Pettigrew is a star with the ball (35 catches last season) and without (coaches say he is a tremendous blocker). Hubert Anyiam has been consistently good in preseason camp.
Offensive line
Five returning starters
LT: R. Okung, T. Perkins
LG: A. Lewis, J. Rush
C: D. Washington, A. Lewis
RG: S. Denning, A. Lawrence
RT: B. Bond, A. Mitchell
The scoop
This is the program's deepest and most experienced position group. Russell Okung, Andrew Lewis, David Washington, Steve Denning and Brady Bond have a combined total of 89 career starts. Okung is an NFL-caliber performer. Washington, with 27 career starts, returns from last year's broken leg and anchors the middle.
Defensive line
One returning starter
DE: U. Chinasa, J. Price, R. Jones
DT: S. Miller or T. Tea
DT: J. Chatham, Q. Patrick
DE: D. Burton, J. Blatnick
The scoop
Can OSU generate a pass rush? Junior Derek Burton enters the season with a career total of 4.5 sacks. The other ends have a total of zero. Coaches like the potential of Jeremiah Price and Jamie Blatnick. The Cowboys are hoping for an immediate contribution from the 305-pound Swanson Miller, a highly regarded juco transfer.
Linebackers
One returning starter
Star: A. Sexton, D. Fontenot
Middle: O. Lemon, D. Booker, J. Gent
Weakside: P. Lavine, J. Glover, S. Clements
The scoop
Andre Sexton, a junior veteran of 25 starts, moves from safety to the "star" role (a hybrid safety-linebacker position). In 2006, Patrick Lavine became a starter as a 205-pound freshman. He now is an experienced, 225-pound junior. Orie Lemon and juco transfer Donald Booker have waged a hard-hitting competition for the starting job in the middle.
Secondary
Three returning starters
CB: M. Gray or P. Cox
FS: Q. Moore, L. Antoine
SS: R. Price, T.J. Bell
CB: J. Lacey, M. Martin, T. Anderson
The scoop
With the underrated Quinton Moore and Lucien Antoine at free safety, the Cowboys have a pair of punishing tacklers. Ricky Price has matured into a solid strong safety, while senior cornerback Jacob Lacey has All-Big 12 aspirations. The boundary corner is manned by juco transfer Maurice Gray and veteran Perrish Cox.
Special teams
K: Q. Sharp or D. Bailey
P: M. Fodge
DS: Z. Allen
H: M. Fodge, T. Sokolosky
PR: D. Bryant, B. Bowling
KR: D. Bryant, P. Cox
The scoop
It was a surprise when Dez Bryant was used as a punt-returner in the bowl win over Indiana, and he likely will enter the season as the returner both on punts and kickoffs. Matt Fodge is among the nation's better punters. OSU was sub-par on field goals last season. Freshman Quinn Sharp is competing with walk-on Dan Bailey for the kicking job.