Q&A with Sooner QB: Award humbling for Sam Bradford
Now O’Brien winner focusing on quicker defensive recognition
By Jake Trotter, jtrotter@opubco.com
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Published: February 23, 2009
Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford had a remarkable run in 2008, breaking school and NCAA records and leading his Sooners to the BCS National Championship game.
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Jersey changes
Old faces, new numbers
Several Sooners will change numbers this spring, notably cornerback Dominique Franks, who will go from No. 15 to No. 1, the jersey number worn by outgoing wide receiver Manny Johnson. Here are all the jersey changes, as well as the numbers of the five freshmen who enrolled early for the spring:
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|
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Players with new numbers
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Player (Pos)
|
New #
|
Old #
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| Dominique Franks (DB) |
1 |
15
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| Ryan Reynolds (LB) |
4 |
8
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| Joseph Ibiloye (DB) |
5 |
41
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| Ben Sherrard (QB) |
10 |
6
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| Corey Wilson (WR) |
13 |
11
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| Lamar Harris (DB) |
15 |
19
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| Turner Troup (LB) |
41 |
45
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| Sean Morrison (DS) |
58 |
56
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| Jarvis Jones (OL) |
76 |
75
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| James Winchester (DS) |
86 |
46
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Freshmen
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Player
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Number
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| Drew Allen (QB) |
15
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| Javon Harris (DB) |
30
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| Tom Wort (LB) |
42
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| Jaydan Bird (LB) |
55
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| Ronnell Lewis (LB) |
56
|
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Then, despite being considered a lock to go in the first round of this year’s NFL Draft, Bradford decided to come back to
Norman for his junior season.
Bradford was in
Fort Worth,
Texas, last week where he was honored for winning the 2008 Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award, which has gone to the nation’s top college quarterback since 1981.
Before the banquet,
Bradford took some time to speak with
The Oklahoman in a one-on-one interview as his Sooners get ready to begin spring practice March 3.
Question: When you look at the Davey O’Brien, with guys like Troy Aikman and Jim McMahon having won it, what does it mean to you to be on the same list with them?
Bradford: "It’s pretty crazy. After my conversation with
Joe Theismann, I went back to my room and looked at the list. I don’t think until I looked at the list I realized just how prestigious of an award this really is.
"You look at some of the big-name guys, but for me you look at someone like
Jason White, who won the award twice. Jason White is someone I grew up idolizing and watching at Oklahoma. So, to think that I joined another group with him and so many other football players, it’s pretty humbling.”
You had a chance to talk one-on-one with (former Super Bowl quarterback) Joe Theismann. What exactly did you talk about and what did you learn from him?
"We talked about a lot of things. We talked about football, we talked about life and how you deal with certain things on and off the football field. He talked a lot of offense and lot of leadership, too. Which was really cool, especially with this year because I feel that’s something I want to improve on. To get to talk to him about leadership and what he did. I think that really will help me out.”
The thumb feeling OK?
"Yeah, the thumb feels good. I’m ready to go for the spring.”
What’s your goal individually this spring? What is it, specifically, that you want to work on?
"There’s so many things that I could tell you, but I think more than anything becoming a lot quicker with defense recognition and focusing a lot more on the small things. I feel like I grasp the big picture of what the defense is trying to do pretty well.
"But maybe they tip their hand very slightly and subtly, and if I’m able to see that before the play starts and know what they’re going to do just by something that maybe I wouldn’t have been able to pick up last year, but I can this year. I think that’s something I really hope to improve on.”
This is going to be somewhat of a new offense. You have to replace some linemen, some receivers. Does your role change a little bit in that these younger guys are going to be looking to you, whereas last year, those guys had been around before you?
"On the field I don’t think my role changes as much probably off the field and here in the offseason, because I do feel there is a little more responsibility on me this year to step up and lead these guys and show them the ropes, that this is Oklahoma and this is how we play and this is what we’re going to do. But as far as on the field, I don’t think I can change anything that I’ve done.”
From the national title game to now, has there been anyone that’s jumped out and impressed you during the winter workouts?
"There are so many guys, but I’d have to say that
Ryan Broyles has worked extremely hard this offseason. I felt like he played really well for us last year. If he continues to work as hard as he is now, he’s going to be an outstanding player for us next year.”
How has your life changed since winning the Heisman?
"I’ve tried not to let it change my life drastically. But obviously when you go out in public, a couple more people recognize you, a couple more people come up and say hey. I get a lot more questions about the trophy now. Like, ‘Hey, how’s the trophy?’ ‘Where’s it at?’ Things like that. But I don’t think my life has changed that much.”
You are on pace to get your degree in finance in December. If you came back for your senior year, what would your plans be academically?
"I don’t know how it works with the hours and what you need, but I would continue my education. Whether it would be adding a double major or going on to get my MBA.”
Last year, you guys unveiled the no-huddle and it probably worked better than anyone could’ve imagined. Can it get better in its second season?
"Yeah, I think there’s no doubt it can get better. Last year we went into the season not really knowing what to expect, not really knowing what we were doing. Now we have a year of experience. We know what to expect, we know how to practice it, we know how to prepare for it for a game. So I feel like this year could be even better.”
What does this team have to do to get back to where you were last season, and then get over the hump?
"I think it all started a couple of weeks ago, when we got back to winter workouts. I think we all know how hard we worked to get to that game last year. I think we have to start right now, working even harder than we did last year to make sure we get ourselves in position to not only get in the game, but win the game.”
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The OU gravy-train is also preparing for its load of media-moguls. Great expectations are
starting to surface about OU and, what-if this happens, what-if that happens, 9 returning
starters on defense-6 on offense, fans crowding into Owen field to watch practice and make
predictions, that if this happens and that, "we" could win another NC. Sam's coming back
for his Jr. year and a boat load of media groupies. The defense "should" be set. It's all
pipe-dreams, folks. Fantasy!! The defense gave up 4-TD's a game to Div.1 teams last year
with 10 starters back. Defense is where you win the big games, and you know as well as I that anytime OU goes on the road, considering the preparation skills this defensive co. has,
every game is a big game. OU had what was supposed to be the greatest offensive line
in Div. 1, and couldn't score from a HALF-YARD out from the Florida goal line with the
running back going behind OU's All-American offensive lineman, on two attempts! 4 NC
title games in 10 years-1 win, 1-embarrassment, 2-unprepared! 5 straight BCS Bowl loss's.
What once was a storied legacy in college football, is now a program that is "snickered"
about under people's breath. If The University of Oklahoma is going to dole out millions
of dollars for a football coach and staff, every year, with the end results being the same,
every year, for last 6 years, don't you think it's time to re-evaluate and make some changes?
You make the call! Remember, winning the Big 12, as the Bowl games revealed, like the
Bowls do every year, is not that great of an accomplishment.
I'd rather read a million Sam Bradford stories than half a Tim Tebow story...
"Another OSU player arrested"
"Plaxico Burress shoots self"
"Terrell Owens complains about not getting ball"
"A-Rod juices"
"etc"