Berry Tramel, Sports columnist
Speak softly? Not Slingin' Sam Bradford
Heisman winner takes on greater role as vocal leader
Berry Tramel
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Published: September 2, 2009
NORMAN — A low-hanging cap partially hid Sam Bradford’s eyes, and a scruffy beard began to camouflage his face.
But incognito is not Harry Heisman’s game plan for 2009.
When you’re the most popular player in the history of the state’s most popular franchise, speaking softly is not an option, no matter how big a stick you carry.
Following
Teddy Roosevelt took Bradford far. But it will take him no farther. And truth is, the Oklahoma quarterback has been speaking up since the middle of last season.
"From mid-season on, he really took the reins and became a very vocal leader,” OU quarterback coach
Josh Heupel said. "That role has continued to expand.”
That’s not Bradford’s natural personality. Slingin’ Sam is quiet, reserved, low-key.
But that’s not the role required of a
Heisman Trophy-winning veteran of a team with its sights set on all the marbles.
"My role as a leader has definitely increased,” Bradford said. "I’ve kind of grown into it. The more experience I get, the more confidence I feel.”
So Bradford is talking more. Encouraging. Cajoling. Reprimanding. Which is what you would expect from a three-year starter who knows the offense well and his teammates better.
"He’s doing a better job with our young receivers,” Heupel said. "After a rep, ‘This is what I’m seeing. This is what you should be seeing.’ ”
Bradford’s words appear to be well-received. Truth is, wagon trains want their quartermaster to level with them.
"Guys want to hear what he’s thinking or what’s on his mind,”
Bob Stoops said of Bradford.
This is a natural progression. Stoops’ best quarterbacks were
Marlboro Men, guys who were quick on the trigger but slow to speak. Heupel was that way.
Jason White, too.
But both developed into leaders and earned rampant respect from their squadrons.
We already know that Bradford is one smart cookie, book-wise. He seems to have that even more valuable component of common sense.
Just because you think quickly on the football field doesn’t mean you have to speak quickly.
"You have to know who you’re talking to,” Bradford said. "And timing dictates how you talk to different teammates.”
Leadership can be a load. For instance, leaders can have a bad day. They just can’t let everyone see how bad the day is.
Bradford says his demeanor matters.
"Sometimes I get frustrated if I’m not playing well,” Bradford said. Heupel has reminded him to "keep my body language positive. If I stay positive and keep everyone else going, we can all have a good day.”
The 2009
Sooners come out of their shell Saturday night against
Brigham Young, and Bradford will adorn the spotlight.
Helmet will replace ballcap atop Harry Heisman’s head. The scruffy look will be gone; Bradford shaves on Fridays so his face is smooth for game day. His beard was busting out Tuesday because he forgot to shave last week.
When you’ve won the Heisman, there is no hiding, from foe or friend.
Berry Tramel: 405-760-8080; Berry Tramel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4:40-5:20 p.m. on The Sports Animal radio network, including AM-640 and FM-98.1.
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Sam Bradford is one fine mofo though. Of course, I have always thought that. OMFG is it really only Wednesday?! I'm with you on that James.
Sam is looking huge, he is going to shrug off would-be tacklers this year.