Earning respect a big part in QB decision

NORMAN — Bob Stoops won't just be looking at arm strength and accuracy when his three quarterback candidates take the field today for the first practice of the 2007 season.

The Oklahoma coach will look at how the rest of the team responds to the signal-callers, junior Joey Halzle, redshirt freshman Sam Bradford and true freshman Keith Nichol.

"Whoever's starting to earn that confidence of the team and respect of the team the most — all of them will have it to some degree — but whoever we feel is doing the best and earning it the most, eventually we'll say, ‘All right, it's time to make that decision,' we're going to make it,” Stoops said last week at Big 12 media days in San Antonio.

OU players reported to camp Wednesday and will go through conditioning drills and a helmets-only practice today.

Fan Appreciation Day is set for Friday morning at 10. Players will put on the pads Monday, and two-a-day practices begin Tuesday.

Stoops sees similar talents in all three quarterbacks and thinks the competition has been healthy.

"They all have really good potential,” he said. "They're all the same style, the same mold. I love the way they worked together in the winter and spring.

"And it's exciting to see guys working to make each other better.”