OU quarterback Sam Bradford does more in practice, still uncertain for Miami
BY JAKE TROTTER, Staff Writer, jtrotter@opubco.com
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64
Published: September 29, 2009
NORMAN — Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford did more passing in Monday's practice than he has since separating his throwing shoulder in the season opener almost a month ago.
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But whether the Heisman winner will play Saturday at Miami is a decision that won't be made until later this week, coach Bob Stoops said Monday night.
"It will be determined on how we go through the week, on how he performs, on how he feels," Stoops said. "To make sure he can make all the throws we need him to make. Until we go through practices, I won't know that."
Stoops pointed out that Bradford "looked good" Monday, but is waiting to see how the shoulder reacts to the strain of throwing more and with greater velocity.
"He seemed to feel fine," Stoops said. "But we'll see once he gets some ice on it, how it feels tomorrow probably matters. It's a gradual build up to the number of throws and how you throw it as you go through the week.
"It's something that's going to take some days here until we know."
Stoops refused to indicate at what point during the week he'd like to reach a verdict on Bradford, but didn't rule out it being a game-time decision.
Bradford was not available for comment after Monday's practice. Neither was redshirt freshman Landry Jones, who has started in place of Bradford at quarterback the last two games.
But several of the other offensive players admitted it was a boost for the team to see Bradford a more active participant in practice than he was last week.
Said left tackle Trent Williams, "To see 14 out there, it was a good feeling."
Said center Ben Habern, "To have him back and running around, it was encouraging."
Stoops pointed out Monday that regardless of who quarterbacks the team Saturday, the game plan will remain the same.
"It's not like one is a scrambling, Wildcat-type of guy and you have a whole different game plan for him," Stoops said.
What will be trickier for the coaching staff this week will be balancing the practice snaps with the two, since at this point, either one could start. Despite playing well in his last two outings, Jones is still growing into the offense. But Bradford has played only a half of football this season and figures to be rusty after a three-week layoff.
"In the end it's just getting each of them the number of snaps to be comfortable," Stoops said, "and to be able to evaluate Sam throughout the week."
Over the weekend, Bradford visited renowned Alabama orthopedic surgeon James Andrews to get an additional opinion on how the shoulder was healing. By all accounts, Andrews was optimistic about Bradford's recovery after evaluating him.
"It was an extra opinion," Stoops said. "Our (doctors) have been awesome in their evaluation. We got multiple opinions and everybody's were pretty similar and our (doctors) were definitely on the right track and doing the right things."
Now, it's just a matter of determining when Bradford will return.
"He's progressing," Stoops said. "All his rehab to this point has been positive.
"But I think we'll know later in the week what Sam's able to handle and where we feel we're at with it."
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The country music was a small part of it. ...you had your chance but I found out you were a sooner fan :D-ha ha! jk.
Sorry about your girlfriend. That'll teach her to make you listen to country music. So it means I still have a chance?
I guess Jim got turned down....
Our defense will hopefully ease the pressure of the quarterback and offensive play.