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David Stanley Ford

All is well with OU RB DeMarco Murray
Back in the running Junior expects no problems after surgery this time

JAKE TROTTER    Comments Comment on this article21
Published: June 15, 2009

DeMarco Murray can’t forget his struggles of a year ago, when he labored to return to form — a process that carried midway through the 2008 season — after knee surgery.

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Murray's Injuries

Stoops: ‘It’s just totally different’
A year ago, OU running back DeMarco Murray was into a comeback from his first football injury and his first surgery.

And the surgery was nothing simple.

Murray, who suffered a dislocated kneecap in a late-season loss at Texas Tech, required a procedure called a "lateral release,” generally considered the last resort in treating problems with the kneecap.

The surgery involves cutting tissue on the outside of the kneecap, in order to free the knee to track correctly. Rehab is critical to rebuild cut muscle and other tissues cut during the procedure.

A year later, Murray is in comeback mode again. Yet this time, his recovery from surgery to repair a hamstring tendon in his left leg has gone much smoother.

And it shows, in reports from Murray and those around him.

"He feels great, just talking to him, he says he’s running and feels great,” said Sooners coach Bob Stoops. "It’s just totally different from the complications with his knee. That was a lot different and a lot more complicated.”

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But you, however, can forget a repeat slow recovery for Murray, who is again coming back from surgery, this time to repair a ruptured hamstring tendon.

We recently caught up with the junior running back, who reports that all is well in his preparations for 2009.

OK, let’s get to the important business first: How’s the leg feel?

"I’m feeling 100 percent. I finally feel like my old self, like when I first came in. So I’m feeling good.”

Was there anything from your recovery a year ago that spun positively this time around?

"That definitely helped. Last year, that was my first football injury ever, in my life. It was my first surgery. Coming into surgery this year wasn’t near as bad as my freshman surgery. This time, it was a lot easier. My mind was in the right place. I was just concentrating on getting better, while at the same time, rehabbing every day and coming into the gym.”

What’s been your focus in being ready?

"After school got out, we had three weeks off, so I trained back home in Las Vegas before going back to Norman. Every day at 8 a.m., I was working on acceleration, change of direction, things like that; working on technique running.”

With no hesitation or concern?

"None.”

You’ve been a big part of two Big 12 championship teams, yet you’ve missed all but one play of the conference title games and both bowl games. How difficult has that been?

"It was tough, but my teammates rallied behind me, as well as my coaches. I just kept praying, kept my head in the Bible and asked for strength and courage. And that’s what I received. I think it’s going to help me out in the long run.”

How did you manage the emotions of missing the BCS Championship game?

"I went down there with the team, but I didn’t go to any of the practices. I wanted to be on my own, kick back and not take anything away from them playing. I just hung out around the hotel, hung out with the coaches’ wives and kids.

"But it was tough being down there, knowing you’re not going to play, especially being on crutches. I just didn’t want to bring any negativity around. Every time I got around the players, I was light and cheerful.”

What was game day like for you?

"At the game, I tried to help C.B. (Chris Brown) and Mossis (Madu), keep them encouraged, ‘Look at this, look at that.’ ‘You’re doing this wrong, you’re doing this right.’ I tried to make like I was playing, but obviously I wasn’t.

"All the time I was down there, I didn’t want to be a negative person. But it was hard being down there knowing you’re not going to play.”

Sam Bradford, Gerald McCoy, Jermaine Gresham and Trent Williams all passed on chances to go to the NFL to make another championship run. So it didn’t take long for things to start looking up?

"It was very exciting. They didn’t want to leave with that sour taste, leaving a national championship behind. Another thing, our class is so tight and so close, we figure why not give it another shot, another national championship run and go out victorious?

"Those guys coming back as a big part of our team, they’re only going to help our chances and improve our chances to getting back to where we want to be next year.”

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David Stanley Ford





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Dadgummit......I put JoJo on "ignore" A LONG TIME AGO.....Then I have to see the posts' where people are responding to the dadgum FOOL...Jo is NOT a Sooner fan and if EVERYONE would put the "Fool" on "IGNORE", nobody would know the FOOL is posting.
william, claremore - Jun 16, 2009 at 11:28 pm
OU football......always the best fun....Boomer.
Grace, Las Cruces - Jun 16, 2009 at 9:00 am
I would really love to see murray playing like he did that first year. Cutting and juking all over the place. He was awsome and towards the end of last year he was showing his old self a lot. I hope his injury is as healed as he says it is and him saying it's 100%. Last year you could tell that he was hesitent about cutting. But since that unjury last yr maybe he learned that he can go ahead and cut loose.
barton, idabel - Jun 16, 2009 at 2:25 am
Two weird injuries not seen often in football. I wish him luck and full health to finish out his college career. He has so much talent.
Denver, Centennial - Jun 15, 2009 at 5:42 pm
When DeMarco leapt over the Texas player and then turned on the after burners for the long TD run, I was in awe!!! He went down in Sooner history!!! I'm ready for him to make some more "history" this coming season! He is so graceful when he runs, it is a thing of beauty to watch! Boomer! I'm praying for you DeMarco.
Jeff, Tulsa - Jun 15, 2009 at 5:41 pm
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good
Lawerence, Oklahoma City - Jun 15, 2009 at 4:53 pm
Demarco Murray is my favorite player of all time. Even more than Adrian Peterson. The reason is that on his best day, when 100% healthy, Murray has moves and speed that no one else I've ever seen has. Peterson could run you over then breakaway, but Murray can make you look silly trying to takle him and his acceleration is breathtaking. Seeing him in person it is just astounding.
Ed, San Jose - Jun 15, 2009 at 4:49 pm
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jo=chastity bono...man/woman
Greg, Edmond - Jun 15, 2009 at 3:39 pm
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After listening & watching OU football for the past 45 years, it is a little hard to get all wrapped up in the euphoria and hype when the season is over 2 months away yet. Don't be too hard on Jo, she may be an old chic, if Jo is a chic, who has been around long enough to know it all ain't necessarily so. I am Sooner, born and bred, and cornbread fed, but I am also a realist. I'll get excited when the last minute is ticking off the clock, OU has the ball with a 20 point lead at the Florida 1 yard line and half their defensive line has dysentary. I promise I will be excited then. Otherwise, it isn't necessarily cynicism or negativity, just a realistic observation that there are alot of potholes in Oklahoma roads and Oklahoma football. If you can dodge them all you're a winner!
ED, MULESHOE - Jun 15, 2009 at 2:21 pm
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Demarco Murray is a stud. Eddie, you're right - this kid has moves that are unreal. Jo in Edmond blow me again.
Brad, Washington D.C. - Jun 15, 2009 at 11:22 am
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Demarco Is the man!! I love this guy, I hope he is healthy this year, he is so fast and strong that he could easily win the heisman! No joke!
Eddie, ames - Jun 15, 2009 at 11:11 am
I feel like jo's intelligence level probably causes it to live its life "with one hand tied behind" its back.
Josh, Norman - Jun 15, 2009 at 10:54 am
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I would put jo on ignore but I need a good laugh every once in a while and her ignorance is at least good for that. Now shut up and get me a beer.....
Greg, Edmond - Jun 15, 2009 at 10:54 am
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Go Sooners TEXAS SUX.....78 days to kickoff...
Joe Bob, Norman - Jun 15, 2009 at 10:50 am
jo from edmond... Man/woman, you are so full of negativity. Why don't you go and hang out in an OSU website. I read Jake Trotter's articles all the time and you are always on here leaving ridiculous comments. Get a life...

I think we can all agree that OU's defense will not be the weakness of this year's team. They have proven that they have the heart and they have done nothing but improve. So... Defense.. Nothing wrong there. The safety position is in the hands of some great athlete's. The Offense... You know all I ever hear is the inexperience on the O-Line, only one returning starter.. That is what someone from the east coast writes about. If you are an OU fan and been following them for more than one season you will know that Simmons and Brandon would have started on anyone else's team last year. They have played and started in games. So the O-line, I think, is so underestimated right now. I mean they are going up against arguably the deepest and most talented front seven in the nation, all spring and summer. They will be ready for anyone come kickoff. WR's... Are you kidding me? The group we have to choose from year in and year out are deep. Anyone can start at any momment. Not a weakness..

With the return of all of our injured players from last year we are looking pretty scary. Murray, Reynolds, Granger, English... Wow! I am hoping we can stay healthy this year, we deffinately have the depth. I am nothing but hopeful, and I am glad that I have a team where every year we are in the running for a National Championship! "It's hard to be humble when you're a Sooner!" Boomer! Sooner!
Joseph, FOB Caldwell, Iraq - Jun 15, 2009 at 10:47 am
DeMarco mentioned the players that skipped the draft to make another championship run.
Thats good and sounds positive. I would like to see them do it also, and win it on the field.
The conference title is a possibility, but another NC attempt is a long shot. Florida has all
12 defensive starters back + Tebow. Texas returns McCoy + the bulk of their team from last
season. OU's weak defense has been a liability over the last 6 season's, like playing with
one arm tied behind your back, and this season will be no different. Hope not. Everybody
is ready to return to the Good ole days, days of defensive domination, not in the cards
for the Bobber.
jo, edmond - Jun 15, 2009 at 10:10 am
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These players that returned are the kind of leaders it takes to win a championship. Might happen, might not, but the program is better off in the long run when you have guys that care about one another more than just about getting paid, i.e. Malcolm Kelly!!
Joe, Oklahoma City - Jun 15, 2009 at 9:45 am
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woot!
Your, way - Jun 15, 2009 at 9:04 am
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Boomer Sooner
Alton, Oklahoma City - Jun 15, 2009 at 8:50 am
Well I'm getting to the age where I don't wish anytime to pass by. But this is pushing it. Really looking forward to this year. You know some people can talk crap about Stoops and OU but it's really impressive how the players sacrifice and want to stay to try and reach team goals. Boomer Sooner!
eudell, Virginia Beach - Jun 15, 2009 at 7:41 am
Does anyone else wish September 5th was tomorrow?!

Boomer Sooner Baby!!
Patrick, Fayetteville - Jun 15, 2009 at 7:22 am

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