OSU wheelchair basketball fundraiser is worth more than the cost of admission
The annual fundraising game that the OSU wheelchair basketball team plays against the men’s and women’s teams isn’t very well advertised or well promoted. It is, however, well worth more than the $5 admission.
I’ve been living in Stillwater and covering OSU basketball for almost three years, and I attended the event for the first time this year. I may have been out of town or something in the past, but honestly I just don’t remember hearing much about it. And I’m not alone — attendance at this year’s even couldn’t have been more than a couple hundred people. Which is an absolute shame, because it’s far and away one of the coolest events I’ve been to inside Gallagher-Iba Arena.
The Spokes are incredibly impressive — I was particularly blown away by Millwood High graduate Jason Walley, who I wrote a story about after the event. These guys fly, and it’s only more impressive when you see how much star athletes like James Anderson and Andrea Riley struggle to even move their chairs.
For OSU fans this is not only an opportunity to support the Spokes, but also to see the Cowboys and Cowgirls up close and personal. You can sit in the lower bowl for $5 –which is what, only about a thousand percent less than what you pay for regular games?
And during the season, you just see players with their game faces on. At this event you get a candid look at who these guys and girls really are — teasing each other for shooting airballs, admiring the Spokes for how good they are, sticking around to sign autographs afterward. Heck, you could have even stopped by and said hello to Travis Ford, who watched with his youngest son.
I’m not generally in the business of telling people what to do, but this is a great event. Next year we’ll try to promote it more in the paper, and OSU fans should get themselves there.
Detroit coach and GM discuss Pettigrew
Detriot Lions general manager Martin Mayhew and first-year head coach Jim Schwartz met with media late Saturday evening to talk about their first three picks in the NFL Draft, which included Oklahoma State tight end Brandon Pettigrew at No. 20 in the first round. Here’s what they had to say about the former OSU standout:
Mayhew on the team’s second and third selections, Pettigrew and safety Louis Delmas from Western Michigan:
“We talked about looking for value and we found value in those picks. Brandon Pettigrew is a guy we think the world of, a really good blocker, big, physical presence in the run game and a big target for our quarterbacks and then Delmas is a very physical safety who is going to be great for us in our defense.”
Mayhew on how tempting it was to go with the best defensive player at No 20 instead of Pettigrew:
“We stuck to our core values about looking for value in the draft. We weren’t tempted to go offense or defense; we talked about that earlier in the week. We felt like we picked the best player. We got really good football players. We have a hole at tight end too. So we want to take the best values.”
Mayhew on whether he was surprised that Pettigrew was still available at No. 20:
“Yeah, I was, we were watching him and a couple of times we were very concerned. In fact, when Philly traded up, we thought it was over. But we were just glad that he was still there.”
Schwartz on Pettigrew fitting his idea for the team:
“Before I got this job – when I was interviewing for this job – we talked about a vision for this team of being a big, physical football team that’s built to play on the road at Lambeau Field and on the road at Soldier Field. We went a long way to accomplishing that goal today. Brandon Pettigrew is a really, really big tight end that is an NFL-ready blocker right now. Impressive, impressive as a blocker. Really feel good about him and when you talk about drafting a young quarterback and putting pieces around him; we have a good young running back here in Kevin Smith; we have a good young receiver here in Calvin Johnson. We have a good young tackle here in Gosder Cherilus. Now we’ve put a good young tight end in that mix and I think we provide him with some weapons and some tools for us to be successful on offense.
Schwartz on how Pettigrew affects the overall offense:
“Well, he’s a guy that can block the edge. There’s not many tight ends, if you look back over the last few years, there’s not many tight ends that have looked like him, that have blocked like him that have come out. If you’re going to run the football, which we’re going to do, you need a guy that can block the edge and he’s a guy that can do that. He’s a really, really big target in the passing game. He’s got really soft hands; reliable hands. Not necessarily a vertical threat down the field, but he’s going to be a good target in the red zone and gives a big target.”
Schwartz on how Pettigrew can help receiver Calvin Johnson:
“Well, No. 1, if you want to get Calvin the ball, you better be able to run the football because that will take teams out of Cover 2 schemes. So that’s No. 1. And if teams are going to play Cover 2, you need a tight end that can split them down the middle.”
Pre-Draft trades impacting Pettigrew
By Scott Wright
A couple of trades made in the days before the NFL Draft could have a major impact on the destination of Oklahoma State tight end Brandon Pettigrew on Saturday.
Last week, Philadelphia gave up one of its first-round picks (No. 28) to attain LT Jason Peters from Buffalo. Philadelphia had been one of the teams most often mentioned among those interested in Pettigrew, but now with only one pick, the Eagles will have to decide what need is most important. Most experts seem to think it will be running back that wins out.
And perhaps the second-most popular destination for Pettigrew in mock drafts had bee Atlanta at No. 24. But maybe you heard, the Falcons acquired Tony Gonzalez from Kansas City on Thursday, meaning they’re out of the hunt for a tight end. ESPN’s Todd McShay said Thursday that part of the motivation for the Falcons to make the trade was the growing interest in Pettigrew ahead of them in the draft.
Mark Bradley of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution discusses the trade and the Falcons’ previous interest in Pettigrew.
The Examiner has an interesting take on the Baltimore Ravens’ interest in Pettigrew with the No. 26 pick.
The New York Daily News says the fans inside Radio City Music Hall on Saturday might not like it, but the Jets could very easily pick Pettigrew at No. 17.
And despite an 0-16 record last year, combined with a variety of positional holes to fill, Detroit could even be looking at Pettigrew.
NationalChamps.net loves the Pokes
By Scott Wright
Oklahoma State had three players on the first-team preseason All-American list released this week by NationalChamps.net.
Wide receiver Dez Bryant, who was a consensus All-American last season as a sophomore, was joined by running back Kendall Hunter (first team All-American by Football Writers Association of America last year) and left tackle Russell Okung on the Web site’s first team. Perrish Cox was a second-team selection as a kick returner.
In addition, Bryant and Hunter were joined by quarterback Zac Robinson among the top 15 preseason Heisman Trophy candidates. Robinson and linebacker Andre Sexton were honorable-mention All-Americans.
Bryant was ranked as the No. 4 Heisman candidate behind Florida’s Tim Tebow, Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford and Texas’ Colt McCoy. Hunter entered the list at No. 8 and Robinson No. 12 as the only team with three members in the top 15.
Here’s the problem I see in OSU’s chances for a Heisman Trophy this fall: None of the three is the total package.
Bryant makes the Heisman highlight plays, like Michael Crabtree last year, but we all know how hard it is for a receiver to win the Heisman.
Robinson is the face of the program, the undisputed leader, and its most valuable player. But when you’re talking Heisman, his stats won’t hold up. Robinson could throw for 230 yards, rush for 65, have four total TDs and make an amazing play to win the game, but in the end, it’ll be hard for his numbers to match what other guys are putting up.
In my opinion, Hunter is the best Heisman candidate of the three. He was in the hunt to lead the nation in rushing last year and few backs with as many carries as he had could rival his yards-per-carry numbers. But he’s quiet and tries to avoid dealing with the media when he can, which can limit his opportunities to get in the public eye outside of the state. And let’s be honest, on some level, the Heisman is nothing more than a nationwide popularity contest.
Brace or no brace?
By Scott Wright
One of the most interesting facts I picked up while watching Friday’s practice was the fact that Dez Bryant isn’t wearing any kind of brace on his surgically repaired knee.
Refuses to wear it, actually. We’ll see if that continues to be the case when he sees increased action in practice this week.
But even more interesting is that quarterback Zac Robinson does wear a brace on his left knee.
But no worries, it is nothing more than a safety measure. After seeing an injury like what happened to Tom Brady, with a lineman lunging at his feet resulting in a torn ACL, Robinson thought it might be safe to have some protection down there.
I think this is also experimental, so we’ll see if he keeps it on next fall and into the season. A guy who runs a lot and relies on his lateral agility in the pocket might not want that type of hindrance on his knee.
A few players to watch in Friday’s open practice
By Scott Wright
Friday is Oklahoma State’s final open practice before the April 18 spring game, so if you’re making the trip out for the 3:30 p.m. workout, here are a few players worth keeping an eye on.
1. Richetti Jones: The sophomore defensive end is still getting his strength back after that devastating hip injury he suffered more than two years ago, but there’s playing time to be won at DE, and he’s catching the eye of Bill Young. Even after the injury, he’s still a solid speed rusher, which is the biggest need of the defensive line. Young said this week that he can envision Jones getting some meaningful playing time this year.
2. Justin Blackmon: I’m going to be writing about this receiver from Plainview High School in Ardmore this weekend, but fans will get a chance to check him out today. Mike Gundy says they knew from the start that he had the physical tools to be an early contributor and now the redshirt freshman is showing that he has the mental composure to do it, too. There’s a good chance he’ll be in the two-deep this fall, so get to know him.
3. Alex Cate and Brandon Weeden: Zac Robinson isn’t getting thrown into a lot of live action this spring. Let’s face it, he knows the offense and he’s earned the rest. But the backup battle rages on. Brandon Weeden was strong in Wednesday’s practice, according to Gundy, but there are eight more workouts for this competition to continue.
4. Victor Johnson: After earning playing time as a true freshman, Johnson is now the front-runner to start at strong safety. He’s very impressive athletically and continues to make plays in the spring.
5. Donald Booker: The junior-college linebacker is finally coming around and might earn some playing time this fall. But either way, he’s fun to watch in practice, with his speed big hits.
OSU scrimmaged for more than 125 plays on Wednesday. Here are some of Gundy’s comments:
“Offensively, we’ve got a long ways to go, but we’ve got guys that are making plays. I’m really encouraged by the young running backs that we have in this program. I like Kye Staley, Dexter Pratt — he’s out for a couple days with turf toe — I like Travis Miller when he keeps his head up and run fast. I like (tight ends) Justin Horton and Jamal Mosley, and (receiver) Justin Blackmon. Isaiah Anderson made a couple catches. I really like the young players on the team. Weeden actually performed better than anybody today, even Zac Robinson.
“I like Andre Sexton as a veteran guy. Booker is finally starting to show up — typical deal, been here a year, makes some plays now. Jeremiah Price and Terrance Anderson have played well. I like both of our safeties — Johnny Thomas and Victor Johnson — are tackling. Also, Walker Smith, the walk-on — we call him Texas Ranger — I like him coming up and making some tackles. He’s actually a guy who could have an impact. He’s performing very well. Justin Gent is making some plays.
“The effort and the physical part of the scrimmage was very good.”
