Bradford emerging as the quarterback with best chance to succeed for Sooners
Bradford emerging as QB with best chance to succeed for Sooners

By Berry Tramel

Published: August 12, 2007

NORMAN — You watched Malcolm Kelly leap high over Marcus Walker in Owen Field's northeast end zone. Walker is a darn good cornerback, but Kelly is an even better flanker and pulled down a 20-yard touchdown catch from Joey Halzle in the OU scrimmage Saturday.

You watched Jacob Gutierrez, who once ran for 173 yards against Baylor but now is no better than OU's fourth-team tailback, dance and dart to a 53-yard touchdown run.

You watched that offensive line, where 6-foot-5, 330-pound guard Duke Robinson is dwarfed by Mount Phil Loadholt standing next to him in the huddle, and where incumbent Branndon Braxton might not even start.

And you realized how Colt McCoy felt an August ago.

That's what Oklahoma football 2007 attempts to do. Produce a yearling quarterback like Texas did last season.

McCoy, an unsung redshirt freshman, took over a talented, veteran offense that seemed iffy only because of QB uncertainty. The Longhorns had a big, veteran offensive line. Savvy runners Jamaal Charles and Selvin Young. Crafty receivers Limas Sweed and Quan Cosby.

And McCoy played wonderfully.

Could the survivor of the Sooner Derby, almost surely Sam Bradford, pull a Colt?

"Will our guy be as good? That's the standard,” said OU offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson, who then restated his position and declared Paul Thompson, who quarterbacked the Sooners to the Big 12 title left free by a November Texas tailspin, the standard.

But Wilson had it right the first time. Thompson was a fifth-year senior who now is making noise in the Green Bay Packer training camp. No way Bradford can match the leadership and decision-making of Thompson. But why couldn't he capture the rookie mojo captured by McCoy in 2006?

"Hopefully, we can finish better than that, if we get in that position,” Bob Stoops said, referring to Texas' failure to finish out the South Division title. "The quarterback, all he's got to do is play the piano. Do what he's supposed to do.”

Play the piano. That's a good way to look at it. No need to play the French Harp and conduct the band while tickling the ivories. Just play the notes as they're written.

McCoy was not a human highlight reel. Not near the playmaker most all-star quarterbacks are. But he made few mistakes (seven interceptions, with 29 TDs) and he got the ball to Texas' stars in position to shine.

Bradford, or Kid Nichol, will be asked to do the same. Nichol's quick feet tantalized the scrimmage crowd of 7,000, and probably made Stoops' staff dream of sugarplums themselves, but the keys to this offense will be handed to the quarterback who can best stay between the lines.

There are enough acrobats and lion tamers elsewhere on offense without the quarterback having to turn ringmaster.

Defense dominated the scrimmage Saturday, which was to be expected and which, in his heart of hearts, had to make Stoops happy. The defense has been going against this offense for two weeks, so it knows what's coming, and without cut blocking, a concession to health, pass rushers can pin back their ears.

But Wilson said the offense has moved the ball in recent practices, and insiders say Bradford has been solid in workouts. Wilson admitted Saturday he's got a favorite but wouldn't sing; personnel talks begin in earnest Monday, he said.

The quarterbacks Saturday didn't seem to create much separation. Their numbers were all about alike, and each directed one touchdown drive.

But body language, from both quarterbacks and coaches, point to Bradford. And his teammates, just like McCoy's in 2006, give Bradford the chance to succeed.

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