JimBob
03-08-2009, 11:08 AM
OSU: Three Questions
By BILL HAISTEN World sports writer
Published: 3/8/2009 4:19 AM
Last Modified: 3/8/2009 4:40 AM
Three questions about OSU football heading into the spring:
Who might emerge as a dependable No. 2 receiver?
OSU has the Big 12's best returning pass-catcher in Dez Bryant, but the dismissal of Damian Davis and indefinite suspension of Bo Bowling leaves OSU thin in its receiving corps. DeMarcus Conner, Hubert Anyiam and Josh Cooper have a combined career total of only eight catches. Justin Blackmon is viewed as a redshirt freshman with considerable potential, while new walk-on Dylan Brown a former member of the Cowboy baseball team was an All-State high school wide receiver in Florida.
Can anyone pressure the quarterback?
Since totaling 37 sacks in 2006, the Cowboy defense had 22 in 2007 and only 15 last season (the Big 12's lowest total). Texas had 47 last season. Oklahoma had 42. Texas Tech had 34. In an effort to find someone who can at least occasionally crash the pass pocket, OSU signed five defensive ends this year. With three sacks, end Jeremiah Price was OSU's leader last season.
Who fills the gaps in the secondary?
From the 2008 defense, the Cowboys lost three senior starters in the secondary cornerback Jacob Lacey and safeties Ricky Price and Quinton Moore. Among returning safeties are sophomores Victor Johnson and Johnny Thomas, along with Lucien Antoine, a junior-college transfer who last year sustained a major knee injury. Perrish Cox, now a senior, is solid at one corner. The other cornerback job is wide open. Andrew McGee, a junior-college transfer, may be tried both at corner and safety.
Spring Outlook
By BILL HAISTEN World sports writer
Published: 3/8/2009 4:20 AM
Last Modified: 3/8/2009 4:40 AM
Three players who need to have a good spring:
OL Anthony Morgan: Offensive line coach Joe Wickline demands that his linemen are well-conditioned, but Morgan is huge listed when he signed with OSU at 6-foot-4 and 320 pounds. Morgan was rated by Rivals as the nation's fourth-best junior-college prospect, regardless of position, and the best offensive-line prospect. He is expected to be a starter in 2009, most likely at right guard. "He's out of shape and overweight, but he's already lost 10 to 15 pounds," Cowboy coach Mike Gundy said of Morgan. "I'd venture to say that he'll lose 20 more before August. Coach Glass (strength coach Rob Glass) will reshape his body."
P Quinn Sharp: For four seasons, OSU benefited from the consistency of punter Matt Fodge, who capped his career by capturing the Ray Guy Award. Sharp was recruited primarily as a kicker out of Mansfield, Texas, but that job belongs to Dan Bailey. As a high school junior, Sharp averaged 45 yards per punt. During the spring, Cowboy special-teams coordinator Joe DeForest hopes to see consistently high, deep punts from Sharp. An additional punter on the spring roster is Clinton Stein, a walk-on transfer from Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College. If pressed into duty, Bailey was an effective punter in high school.
QBs Alex Cate and Brandon Weeden: Zac Robinson started in all 13 games last season, but, being so heavily involved in the ground game, there is no guarantee that he'll start in every contest again this season. If Robinson were sidelined for a half or a game with injury, could either of the backup quarterbacks Cate or Weeden drive the Cowboys to first downs, touchdowns and a victory? Cate is a fourth-year junior. Weeden is a third-year sophomore. They have attempted a combined total of eight college passes, and neither has really distinguished himself as the obvious No. 2 quarterback.
By BILL HAISTEN World sports writer
Published: 3/8/2009 4:19 AM
Last Modified: 3/8/2009 4:40 AM
Three questions about OSU football heading into the spring:
Who might emerge as a dependable No. 2 receiver?
OSU has the Big 12's best returning pass-catcher in Dez Bryant, but the dismissal of Damian Davis and indefinite suspension of Bo Bowling leaves OSU thin in its receiving corps. DeMarcus Conner, Hubert Anyiam and Josh Cooper have a combined career total of only eight catches. Justin Blackmon is viewed as a redshirt freshman with considerable potential, while new walk-on Dylan Brown a former member of the Cowboy baseball team was an All-State high school wide receiver in Florida.
Can anyone pressure the quarterback?
Since totaling 37 sacks in 2006, the Cowboy defense had 22 in 2007 and only 15 last season (the Big 12's lowest total). Texas had 47 last season. Oklahoma had 42. Texas Tech had 34. In an effort to find someone who can at least occasionally crash the pass pocket, OSU signed five defensive ends this year. With three sacks, end Jeremiah Price was OSU's leader last season.
Who fills the gaps in the secondary?
From the 2008 defense, the Cowboys lost three senior starters in the secondary cornerback Jacob Lacey and safeties Ricky Price and Quinton Moore. Among returning safeties are sophomores Victor Johnson and Johnny Thomas, along with Lucien Antoine, a junior-college transfer who last year sustained a major knee injury. Perrish Cox, now a senior, is solid at one corner. The other cornerback job is wide open. Andrew McGee, a junior-college transfer, may be tried both at corner and safety.
Spring Outlook
By BILL HAISTEN World sports writer
Published: 3/8/2009 4:20 AM
Last Modified: 3/8/2009 4:40 AM
Three players who need to have a good spring:
OL Anthony Morgan: Offensive line coach Joe Wickline demands that his linemen are well-conditioned, but Morgan is huge listed when he signed with OSU at 6-foot-4 and 320 pounds. Morgan was rated by Rivals as the nation's fourth-best junior-college prospect, regardless of position, and the best offensive-line prospect. He is expected to be a starter in 2009, most likely at right guard. "He's out of shape and overweight, but he's already lost 10 to 15 pounds," Cowboy coach Mike Gundy said of Morgan. "I'd venture to say that he'll lose 20 more before August. Coach Glass (strength coach Rob Glass) will reshape his body."
P Quinn Sharp: For four seasons, OSU benefited from the consistency of punter Matt Fodge, who capped his career by capturing the Ray Guy Award. Sharp was recruited primarily as a kicker out of Mansfield, Texas, but that job belongs to Dan Bailey. As a high school junior, Sharp averaged 45 yards per punt. During the spring, Cowboy special-teams coordinator Joe DeForest hopes to see consistently high, deep punts from Sharp. An additional punter on the spring roster is Clinton Stein, a walk-on transfer from Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College. If pressed into duty, Bailey was an effective punter in high school.
QBs Alex Cate and Brandon Weeden: Zac Robinson started in all 13 games last season, but, being so heavily involved in the ground game, there is no guarantee that he'll start in every contest again this season. If Robinson were sidelined for a half or a game with injury, could either of the backup quarterbacks Cate or Weeden drive the Cowboys to first downs, touchdowns and a victory? Cate is a fourth-year junior. Weeden is a third-year sophomore. They have attempted a combined total of eight college passes, and neither has really distinguished himself as the obvious No. 2 quarterback.