NORMAN — Sam Bradford thought about getting out of the way. Thought about turning matador and giving Alan Davis a free path to the end zone.
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Then Bradford saw Davis' eyes. And common sense gave way to competitive fire. Discretion gave way to valor. Bob Stoops' good health gave way to spiked blood pressure and maybe a few words he wouldn't want his mother to hear him say.
Here's what we learned Saturday in the Red-White Game, Oklahoma football's spring frolic.
Bradford's tackling ability is not a fluke.
On a blustery day at Owen Field, when OU quarterbacks combined to complete just 36.2 percent of their passes, interceptions reigned. Six picks in all, including three returned for touchdowns. It would have been four if Bradford had not played he-man.
Early in the scrimmage, blitzing cornerback Brian Jackson tipped a Bradford pass, Davis speared it and rambled toward the end zone, with only the blue-jerseyed Bradford in his way.
Hello, Lubbock. Last November at Texas Tech, OU tailback Allen Patrick fumbled the first play of the game, Tech's Marlon Williams grabbed the ball and Bradford saved a touchdown with a bone-jarring tackle — Bradford's bones. He suffered a concussion, went to the bench after just one more possession and poof went the Sooners' national title hopes.
"I told him before, I don't ever want to see that,” Stoops said.
And Bradford remembered. Then he saw Davis' eyes.
"He looked at me and lowered his head,” Bradford said. "I said, ‘Here we go again.' ”
Bradford grabbed shoulder pads. Down went Davis. Down went Bradford. Not textbook technique, but a physical tackle, a takedown that would make a linebacker proud.
"I heard it,” Stoops said, with an ample mixture of wonder and disgust. "It was a good pop. I don't want to see him do that.”
Guard Brandon Walker hurried over to Bradford and said, "Don't make that tackle, Sam.”
No one in crimson needs Bradford to prove his manhood. No one, apparently, this side of Alan Davis.
"I figured Sam was going to try to tackle me,” Davis said with a twinkle in his eye. "We can't touch him normally, so I thought, ‘Why not give him a little bit of contact?' ”
Why not? Well, maybe because another injury could cost OU a championship run and a certain defensive end his scholarship?
"I thought I'd challenge him,” Davis said. "I shouldn't have done that. But it's all in fun spirits. He got up and gave me a pat on the butt and was like, ‘I got you.' ”
Of course, if OU routinely throws six interceptions a game next season, no amount of Bradford protection can rescue the Sooners. Bradford was picked three times, all on tips. Kid Nichol threw two interceptions and Joey Halzle one.
Bradford was 12-of-25 passing, Nichol 7-of-15, freshman Landry Jones 1-of-5 and Halzle 1-of-13.
Blame it on defensive familiarity. Or on OU's total reliance on the no-huddle, an offense it is just learning. Or on the conditions, what Stoops called a "two-club wind,” which was ridiculously gusty, 30 mph at times.
OU's running game was minimal, because the Sooners don't block below the waist in scrimmages, so offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson went heavy on the pass game.
Wilson said he never considered the wind on a call, which apparently is how Nichol came to throw a short squareout crossfield, against the wind. John Elway couldn't make that throw. Cornerback Jonathan Nelson was much obliged to turn the pass into an 81-yard interception return.
Bradford made no wind excuses for his three interceptions.
"Combination of things,” Bradford said. "Throwing into traffic. Not getting it over the d-lineman. It boils down to making things happen.”
Bradford spoiled Sooner fans in 2007: 36 touchdowns and only eight interceptions for a freshman who didn't win the job until 11 days before the season opener. Amazing numbers, but Sudden Sam remains a work in progress. He can get better, as Saturday showed.
Wilson called Bradford a "very prideful kid. Very grounded. He's realistic. He's still young. He can be better.”
Yes indeed, there's room for improvement. Bradford still can be a better thrower, a better leader, a better decision-maker. But not a better tackler. He's got that down pat.
Barry,
Thanks for writing & sharing information with folks who would have no other way of gaining that information. It amazes me that folks respond to your style of writing instead of the content. Oh well. Thanks again.
Delicious David
Yeah, the "Kid" thing does not work, even with the repeated efforts to move it beyond further. Overall, great work and arguably the only sports writer in Oklahoma trying to write with some style.
Berry, as loyal readers, we beseech you to stop using "Kid" Nichol and "Sudden" Sam. You're a fine writer, but trust me, people hate it. We really hate it.
Coaches were correct: Defense didn't miss a beat... 04/13/2008 NORMAN — All spring, the Oklahoma coaches have insisted they weren't missing a beat in the defensive backfield, despite losing both starting cornerbacks in...
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Better than "Pac-Man."
-Big Barney
Thanks for writing & sharing information with folks who would have no other way of gaining that information. It amazes me that folks respond to your style of writing instead of the content. Oh well. Thanks again.
Delicious David