Building a better Sam Bradford
Improving yearly OU players, coaches say quarterback is at his best yet
JAKE TROTTER
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51
Published: August 26, 2009
NORMAN — It didn’t take long for tackle Trent Williams to realize the quarterback he would be protecting this year was better than the one he protected last year.
"We were on the sidelines with the second team on the field, and he was calling the touchdown before it even happened,” Williams recalled of a recent practice. "Right after that, they hit the play and scored. I was like, ‘He must be a wizard or something.’ "It blew my mind he could read a defense like that from the sideline.” It may be hard to believe quarterback Sam Bradford could be any better than last season when he won the Heisman Trophy. But ask Bradford’s coaches and teammates, and that’s exactly what he is. Said wide receiver Adron Tennell, "You can tell he’s better than ever before.” Said offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson, "It looks evident as we practice.” Said coach Bob Stoops, "He’s stronger, bigger; the ball comes out of his hand even faster, if that was possible. He’s every bit as consistent or better. And with another year of experience out on the field, he’ll think much quicker, too.” Besides adding about 10 more pounds of muscle to his frame, Bradford, as Williams found out earlier this preseason, has become more adept at reading defenses after spending countless hours in the film room over the offseason. "There are always things that (quarterbacks coach Josh Heupel) points out on game film,” Bradford said. "I might think I played perfect, that I played great. Then I’ll come in, even on a completion, maybe I went to the wrong receiver and there was a chance for a bigger play that I didn’t see. Every day we see things in the film room that maybe I can be sharper at, recognizing defenses, recognizing blitzes quicker than I have in the past.” OU’s defensive backs have noticed, often to their own detriment, that Bradford is sharper than ever at reading defenses. "Just him being able to see the field more,” said cornerback Dom Franks. "He knows even more what he’s looking at.” The other area where Bradford’s teammates recognize another significant improvement is with leadership, which has been a benefit to a relatively young and inexperienced wide receiving unit. "He’s a guy it seems like every day he’s getting better,” said running back Chris Brown. "You see him over there on the ladder drill working on footwork, or after lifting weights he’s doing extra stuff. That motivates other guys on the team. With his leadership, we should have a lot of guys wanting to step up and do good things. "We all know he is a great player, but it’s the leadership that’s tremendous right now and very noticeable.” Bradford’s improvement, however, may not manifest itself into better statistics. After all, last year he led the nation with 50 touchdown passes and a 180.84 quarterback rating, and this season the Sooners return only one starter on the offensive line in Williams and only one starter at receiver in Ryan Broyles. But former Sooner quarterback Jason White, who won the Heisman in 2003, said he was a superior quarterback in 2004 even though his overall numbers dipped. "In 2004, I became a better all-around quarterback on and off the field; I did my job better,” White said. "I have no doubt in my mind Sam is going to be a better quarterback. Maybe he doesn’t have better numbers; I didn’t have better numbers. But I felt like I managed the game better. I believe he will, too, and that’s what is most important.” Then again, Bradford has exceeded statistical expectations twice before. In 2007, few predicted Bradford would begin his career the way he did, throwing for a NCAA-freshman record 36 touchdowns. Leading up to the following season, Heupel was asked over and over whether it was possible for Bradford to improve as a sophomore. Not only did Bradford improve, he won the Heisman. "He’s a better player now than he was at the beginning of the spring,” Heupel said. "Is that going to roll over into better numbers? I couldn’t foresee that from his freshman to sophomore year; I can’t foresee that from his sophomore to junior year. "But he’s definitely a better football player.” Text “Sooners” to 65360 for your chance to win 2 tickets to OU vs. Idaho State in Norman, Sept. 12. OU text updates from NewsOK sponsored by Dunkin’ Donuts.
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Another OU outstanding citizen..
is that NOT going to make more people come to the ballpark and see what its all about, just because of all the man crushes and homers there are for OU football and Sam Bradford ?!?!
What would be the violation? Is Tebow in some way benefiting/ receiving proceeds from the promotion - of course not. I hate Florida as much as the next guy, but OU will have to beat them on the field, not try and come up with ridiculous theories to disqualify Tebow.
"The remaining tickets for the September 5, 2009 University of Oklahoma versus Brigham Young University football game will go on sale on Monday July 27. Approximately 4,700 tickets will be made available on Ticketmaster."
Maybe Craig's List? But, ya know how that goes.
Also, are there still tickets available to the BYU game?
as a slogan at there games.......is this not a NCAA violation? He is a amateur athlete providing a service for the minor league team.
One planned promotion included a man named Tim Tebow attempting to walk on water, a faith healer on hand to cure illnesses and rid batting slumps..If you havent read the article get the paper and read it. Another media hummer for the Tebow almighty.....
Sam is going to be one of the very best players OU ever had.