All’s Quiet In Stillwater
By John Helsley
jhelsley@opubco.com
Not much football news coming out of Stillwater these days.
Apparently, Mike Gundy likes it this way. That was the assumption when Gundy sealed off 12 days of OSU’s preseason from the media, ending all access to coaches and players.
By early evening on Sept. 5, the move will either be looked at as a calculated correct read on his team, or a miscalculated gaffe.
Maybe Gundy sensed his players needed to circle the wagons, albeit from themselves, not us, with the overwhelming majority of preseason stories packed with positives.
Maybe he sensed his guys were impacted by all the attention, both local and national, although it’s something the program and its fans have long craved and cried out for.
Maybe Gundy felt that to ensure the best chance at beating Georgia in the program’s biggest game ever, his team’s focus needed to be clear and tight.
And maybe it will result in a springboard win for this season and beyond.
But maybe, just maybe, Gundy’s move creates just the atmosphere he’s hoping to avoid inside the locker room.
Tightness.
Gundy’s on record as saying he wants his coaches to coach loose, his players to play loose.
By retreating at this stage, he better hope his players don’t perceive it as a move of panic.
Here’s the deal. The Cowboys have strained to reach the big stage. It’s best they act like they’ve been there before, even if it’s just an act.
When you hit the top 10, increased attention is part of the gig. It’s the price of doing business among the elite.
The Cowboys shouldn’t shy from it, they should embrace it.
15 Show / Hide Archive Comments