Ex-Sooner Nichol in another QB battle
Keith Nichol left OU after losing a quarterback derby with Sam Bradford. Of course, now we know why Nichol lost. Slingin’ Sammy is no slouch.
Anyway, Nichol left OU a year ago, transferred to Michigan State and now finds himself in another QB derby. Only this time, the decision likely won’t be made in practices or scrimmages. Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio said the Nichol/Kirk Cousins competition will spill over into games next September.
“I think what we need to do throughout their sophomore year is allow them opportunities,” Dantonio told the Lansing State Journal after the Michigan State spring game. “We’re obviously very pleased with the quarterback situation. I thought they both responded when down, both showed good leadership, both made plays.”
And both threw for four touchdowns and 357 yards. Nichol completed 20 of 28 and led the White team to a 38-37 overtime victory (overtime in the spring!). Cousins completed 29 of 43.
“This is what we see every day,” said tight end Charlie Gantt. “Both of them going at it. All day, every day.”
Nichol, a Michigan kid, was committed to Michigan State before switching to OU. He enrolled early, January 2007, and went through spring practice battling Bradford and Joey Halzle for the quarterback job. Bradford in August got the nod from Sooner coaches, with Halzle the backup.
-------------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. You can e-mail him here and follow him on Twitter @BerryTramel. Visit Berry's website here.
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Comments
I get tired of “Sudden Sam” and all the other nicknames everyone at the Oklahoman has for Sam Bradford, too. I bet no more than 1/3 of the time Sam is mentioned in the Oklahoman in a non-AP story is he actually called by his name. And maybe no more than 1/10 of the time is there a non-AP story that doesn’t use a nickname.
Whether Sam is slingin’ or slammin’ or sudden, those tags add a little fun and interest to the story. Relax, guys. Let’s enjoy Sam for another year.
Slinging Sammy does sound Korney. I’ve lightened up, but it still sounds Korney. Matter of preference I guess.
I agree with Andy.
Tramel tries to get cute and pen a name on someone or something.
Then when he thinks he’s found a clever name, he pushes it until finally the public outcry overwelms his ego.
Tramel’s is a Chris Berman wannabe, but he’s more like Stewart Scott — unclever and trite.
I get so tired of Tramel’s use of “slingin’ Sammy”. Am I alone? Cut it out already. The cuteness wore off after the first such mention.