QB Danny O’Brien to Oklahoma State?
Pat Jones mentioned on The Sports Animal today that former Maryland quarterback Danny O’Brien has interest in transferring to Oklahoma State.
O’Brien’s announcement earlier this month that he would leave Maryland created some buzz because of Terps coach Randy Edsall’s initial restrictions barring O’Brien from transferring to 16 schools, which has since been lifted. Since O’Brien, a redshirt sophomore in 2011, graduates this spring, he would be able to play right away at his new school as long as he enrolled in a graduate program not offered at Maryland. He would have two years of eligibility left.
This Washington Post piece reports that people close to O’Brien say “at least a dozen well-recognized programs have expressed strong interest, including multiple schools that played in BCS games the past two seasons and perennial contenders from the Big 12, SEC and Big Ten.”
OSU certainly fits that description, with the Cowboys winning 41 games during the past four seasons and capturing their first Big 12 title and a Fiesta Bowl victory last season.
OSU runs a high-powered, pass-happy spread offense and is searching for its next quarterback after the departure of superstar Brandon Weeden. It makes complete sense that OSU would be an attractive option. I thought the same thing when rumors surfaced that former Arizona State quarterback Brock Osweiler was considering using the “Russell Wilson rule” to transfer for his final year of eligibility before instead opting to declare for the NFL Draft.
O’Brien was the 2010 ACC Freshman of the Year (2,438 yards, 22 touchdowns, eight interceptions) and threw for 1,648 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions in nine games last season. That would obviously make him the most experienced quarterback in Stillwater, since Clint Chelf, J.W. Walsh and West Lunt have a combined zero collegiate starts. O’Brien on campus would create a whole new layer to an already interesting quarterback competition, and would likely cause one of the other three signal-callers to transfer.
I don’t think it’s very likely that O’Brien comes to OSU. But I understand why he’d at least give the Cowboys a look.
Oklahoma State Cowboys Power Lunch Chat with John Helsley
Bedlam: Always Something At Stake
For Keiton Page and Le'Bryan Nash, Bedlam is plenty big.
By John Helsley
follow on Twitter @jjhelsley
Bedlam basketball 2012 brings us two teams playing out disappointing seasons with sub-.500 Big 12 records.
No big deal?
Bedlam is always a big deal.
“I think it goes back to what I have seen through… which has amazed me, every sport here when Bedlam is playing, whether it is soccer, softball, baseball,” said Cowboys coach Travis Ford. “It’s a big deal.”
Ford found out just how big soon after his arrival as coach four years ago, taking in his first Bedlam clash, a baseball game at Bricktown Ballpark.
“I thought ‘My goodness, for a baseball game,’” Ford said. “I think you can throw records out. This is an exciting game for both teams and nothing else really matters.
“Fans are going to get excited for Bedlam again because it’s Bedlam. I don’t think people really care which sport it is or what they are doing, I think it’s an exciting time.”
And it’s more than just rival blood on the line.
For the Sooners, it’s an opportunity to end a six-game losing streak.
For the Cowboys, it’s a chance to get on a run, coming off a home win overTexasand heading into a winnable home game Saturday against Texas A&M.
“It’s Bedlam, so it’s going to be big every time we play down there,” said Cowboys freshman Le’Bryan Nash. “We are trying to get on a winning streak right now.”
Keiton Page is all about starting a streak and ending his career on a good note. The Cowboys have played better of late, with Page playing a key role, whether pouring in 40 points againstTexasor pulling along OSU’s kiddie corps that features five freshmen among the top eight players.
And he knows all about Bedlam, having grown up inOklahomaand having played in nine Bedlam battles before tonight.
Think it’s big for him?
“There is always something at stake when you are playing in a Bedlam game, playing in a rivalry game,” Page said. “It’s OSU vs. OU.
“That’s pretty much self-explanatory when you ask me.”
Savannah State strikes again
Did you know Savannah State had a football team before last week? I will admit, I did not.
Now those Tigers — yes, that’s their nickname — have popped up on the schedule of two legitimate BCS teams.
One week after Oklahoma State’s schedule release revealed that the Cowboys will open the season against Savannah State on Sept. 1, Florida State announced Savannah State will replace West Virginia as its opponent on Sept. 8. On Feb. 3, the Mountaineers backed out of their contracted game to be played in Tallahassee on that same date.
“West Virginia’s announcement at the 11th hour really put us in a very difficult position,” FSU athletic director Randy Spetman said. “We contacted every BCS school that had an opening in hopes of replacing WVU with a BCS opponent, but none of those few schools could make it work either because of our dates or theirs. It is important for our fans to realize that the schools we contacted during the search did not pass on the 2012 game out of concern for the competition, but because of challenges they faced with schedule changes this late in the year.
“We worked with Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas A&M, Cincinnati, Syracuse and Pitt to name a few along with our current non-conference opponents and television partners, but reached a point where our options simply dried up. We might have been able to play on the road at some BCS schools this season, but that would cost our fans and the university one of just seven chances to play a home game and also would have a negative impact on our local economy.”
Sept. 8 on WVU’s schedule remains open for the time being.
Conference realignment obviously played a role in OSU and FSU resorting to playing a team like Savannah State. My trusty colleague Berry Tramel has already illustrated just how bad this program is.
But credit the Tigers for signing up to play the Cowboys and Seminoles. The school will get a big chunk of cash for playing these games, which will help fund the football program. In fact, taking a severe beating at the hands of two major-conference teams (we assume) should actually help Savannah State become more competitive in the long run.
Shouldn’t do much for quality football in Stillwater on Sept. 1 and Tallahassee on Sept. 8, though.
Mocking Justin Blackmon’s possible draft destinations
NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock said during a national teleconference last week that there’s no way Justin Blackmon slips past the Jaguars’ No. 7 overall pick in this year’s draft.
But where’s the best fit for JB?
Here’s how I would rank the teams picking second through seventh–we already know the Colts will take Andrew Luck with the No. 1 pick–based on several factors ranging from the quarterback to the city itself. These rankings could change depending on what pieces teams add or lose during free agency, and I’ll revisit them once we get closer to the draft on April 26.
1. St. Louis (No. 2 pick)
Quarterback
My colleague Jenni Carlson was the first to throw the Bradford2Blackmon combination my way while Blackmon was having a ridiculous performance in the Fiesta Bowl. I know Cowboy fans probably aren’t huge fans of Bradford because of his Sooner roots, but that’s got a nice ring to it, right?
Bradford struggled in a 2011 season where he was hampered by a sprained ankle. He ranked 31st in the NFL in completion percentage (53.5) and 29th in quarterback rating (70.5) and threw just six touchdown passes in 10 games.
But it is borderline silly to write Bradford off already, especially considering he was named the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year and nearly led the Rams to the NFC West title in 2010.
Supporting cast
Bradford and the Rams need a lot of help. No Ram played in this season’s Pro Bowl. Enough said.
That’s why it’s an attractive option for the Rams to trade down, especially with a team looking to snag Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III with the second pick.
If the Rams stay at No. 2, adding USC left tackle Matt Kalil is the other logical choice. Bradford was sacked 36 times in 10 games last season.
Steven Jackson is still a solid running back, gaining 1,145 yards last season. But the Rams are thin at wide receiver and could use an exciting playmaker. That, of course, is why Blackmon is one of their targets.
Franchise
As noted above, the Rams nearly won a woeful NFC West in 2010 but haven’t made the playoffs since 2004.
And after this past season’s 2-14 debacle, coach Steve Spagnuolo and general manager Bill Devaney were replaced with Jeff Fisher and Les Snead, respectively. Fisher is a proven coach and a solid hire.
City
Playing for the Rams would keep Blackmon in Middle America, but St. Louis is absolutely a baseball town. Having Blackmon in blue and gold, along with Bradford, would make the Rams quite popular in Oklahoma, though.
2. Tampa Bay (No. 5 pick)
Quarterback
What the heck happened to Josh Freeman? One season after throwing just six interceptions, he tossed 22 as the Buccaneers’ record plummeted from 10-6 in 2010 to 5-11 in 2011.
Still, Freeman is a promising young quarterback with a strong arm and great mobility.
Supporting cast
The Bucs have some young pieces in place in running back LaGarrette Blount and wide receiver Mike Williams. Offensive lineman Davin Joseph was a Pro Bowler this season.
Tampa Bay has the cap room to add a No. 1 receiver through free agency — perhaps someone like Dwayne Bowe or Vincent Jackson. If that happens, drafting Blackmon won’t be necessary.
Franchise
Raheem Morris was fired as head coach after the Bucs ended the season on a 10-game losing streak and was replaced with former Rutgers coach Greg Schiano. Tampa Bay last made the playoffs in 2007.
City
While college football tends to dominate the state, Florida football fans are certainly knowledgeable and passionate. The beaches and sunshine in the Tampa-St. Petersburg area would be a nice perk.
3. Minnesota (No. 3 pick)
Quarterback
The Vikings spent the No. 12 overall pick in last year’s draft on Christian Ponder, and in 2011 he looked a lot like a rookie quarterback. He ranked 29th in the NFL in completion percentage (54.3) and 30th in quarterback rating (70.1).
It’s obviously too early to call Ponder a bust, but he needs to develop. A normal offseason, rather than a lockout-shortened one, should help that.
Supporting cast
Minnesota has some dynamic weapons in Adrian Peterson (970 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns before the knee injury) and Percy Harvin (967 receiving yards, 345 rushing yards).
But, like the Rams, the Vikings could use a left tackle. That makes Kalil an option with the No. 3 pick, especially if the Rams trade out of the No. 2 pick with a team that takes RG3.
Franchise
The Vikings last made the playoffs in 2009, when Brett Favre was slinging the ball around. The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported last week that the city of Minneapolis and the Vikings have reached a preliminary agreement on a deal that will divide the costs to — finally — build a new stadium.
City
Minneapolis-St. Paul was rated the No. 14 sports town in America by the Sporting News but is known to have fair-weathered Vikings fans.
It also gets a wee bit chilly up there in the winter. Not a worry when playing football indoors, but can be a bit of a hassle in everyday life.
4. Washington (No. 6 pick)
Quarterback
This much we know — Rex Grossman will not be the Redskins’ starter in 2011. Neither will John Beck.
But who will?
You have to figure Washington will push hard for Peyton Manning. If he signs elsewhere, Matt Flynn and Kyle Orton would also be options.
If the Redskins try to add a quarterback through the draft, they’d almost certainly explore trading up to No. 2 to take RG3. Washington has also been a widely discussed destination for fellow former Cowboy Brandon Weeden.
Simply put, the attractiveness of Washington would skyrocket if Manning is the quarterback.
Supporting cast
Washington needs upgrades on the line and at receiver. But figuring out its quarterback situation is priority No. 1.
Franchise
Dan Snyder is still the owner. Mike Shanahan is still the coach.
Hey, at least the Redskins beat the Super Bowl champion Giants twice in 2011?
City
Life in the nation’s capital would be a lot different than life in Ardmore or Stillwater for Blackmon, but it could be a fun change. Redskins fans, who haven’t seen a playoff appearance since 2007, are frustrated but passionate and loyal.
5. Cleveland (No. 4 pick)
Quarterback
This is the biggest offseason question for the Browns, which is why they are the most likely team to trade up with the Rams to get the No. 2 pick and ensure it can snag RG3. There’s also a decent chance Griffin will still be there when the Browns pick at No. 4
If the Browns select Blackmon, or any player other than Griffin, at No. 4, it likely means either another team traded up to get RG3 at No. 2 or the Browns added a quarterback in free agency. Flynn and Orton seem like the most reasonable options, but Manning, of course, will likely be available, too.
Supporting cast
Greg Little and Josh Cribbs combined for 102 receptions, more than 1,200 yards and six touchdowns in 2011. Running back Peyton Hillis is a free agent. Offensive lineman Joe Thomas made the Pro Bowl this past season.
Franchise
The Browns are in the middle of the second-longest active playoff drought in the NFL, making their last postseason appearance in 2002. But team president Mike Holmgren is one of the most respected minds in football.
City
All Cleveland jokes aside, the Browns are known for having some of the most rabid fans in the NFL. OK, now you can insert jokes about Cleveland.
6. Jacksonville (No. 7 pick)
Quarterback
Blaine Gabbert’s rookie season was, simply put, a disaster. He had the worst quarterback rating of any starter in the NFL (65.4) and ranked 32nd in completion percentage (50.8). He was also sacked 40 times.
Supporting cast
Maurice Jones-Drew is the league’s premier running back, as he racked up 1,606 yards in 2011. But the Jags really need wide receiver help, which is why Mayock believes this pick is the lowest Blackmon could drop.
Franchise
It’s a new era in Jacksonville, as the team was sold to businessman Shahid Khan in January. Former Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey was hired to replace Jack del Rio, who was fired after eight-plus seasons in November.
City
Even in football-crazed Florida, tarps covering empty seats and television blackouts have become common in Jacksonville. The lack of fan support has caused rumblings in recent years that the team may be on its way out, perhaps to Los Angeles, but Khan has said he wants to keep the Jaguars in Jacksonville.
But did we mention that Florida has lots of beaches and sunshine?
Van Malone fits Oklahoma State’s opportunistic defensive style
Two things stuck out to me when Oklahoma State announced the hiring of Van Malone to, essentially, fill the void left when Joe DeForest joined Dana Holgorsen’s staff at West Virginia.
One is that Malone is from Houston and recruits that area. That was practically a necessity in hiring DeForest’s replacement, given his handle on Texas’ Gulf Coast region. Relationships with high school coaches and programs aren’t formed overnight, and Malone already has plenty of those established.
The other is that Malone’s defensive philosophy, which clearly focuses on forcing turnovers, will mesh well with Bill Young, Mike Gundy and the rest of the OSU staff. Tulsa led the nation with 24 interceptions in 2010 and tied for 12th in that category with 18 in 2011.
The Cowboys ranked second in the nation with 24 interceptions last season and led the nation with 44 turnovers forced.
Conversely, the Golden Hurricane ranked last in the nation in pass defense (319 yards per game) in 2010 and 117th out of 120 teams (286.31 yards per game) last season. OSU ranked 107th in that category (271.85) in 2011.
Malone’s secondary units at Texas A&M didn’t have the same success with forcing turnovers, but the Aggies improved their national ranking in interceptions every year from 2007-09.
Here’s a breakdown of how Malone’s teams fared in key secondary categories, dating back to 2007.
2007 (Texas A&M)
Interceptions: eight (T104th nationally)
Turnovers forced: 24 (T59th)
Pass defense: 254.8 yards per game (92nd)
2008 (Texas A&M)
Interceptions: eight (T99th)
Turnovers forced: 17 (T98th)
Pass defense: 242.7 yards per game (96th)
2009 (Texas A&M)
Interceptions: 12 (T50th)
Turnovers forced: 22 (T61st)
Pass defense: 254.7 (106th)
2010 (Tulsa)
Interceptions: 24 (first)
Turnovers forced: 36 (third)
Pass defense: 319 yards per game (last)
2011 (Tulsa)
Interceptions: 18 (T12th)
Turnovers forced: 28 (T25th)
Pass defense: 286.31 (117th)
Open Mike: Big 12 football podcast with Sports Editor Mike Sherman and Columnist Berry Tramel
Berry Tramel and Mike Sherman were in the podcast studio at The Oklahoman this week to talk Big 12 football scheduling, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State’s 2012 schedules, conference realignment, the future of TCU football, and which Big 12 conference games could be moved to a Thursday night.
You can listen to the full podcast here.
Michael Harrison update: Not dismissed, but don’t expect to see him in 2012
Oklahoma State receiver Michael Harrison looks for open field after making a catch during a college football game against Missouri at Faurot Field in Columbia, Mo., Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
Tons of rumors have been swirling about the status of Oklahoma State wide receiver Michael Harrison the past three days or so.
It is my understanding that Harrison has not been dismissed from the team, as other reports have indicated. But I don’t expect to see him play in 2012.
A source told The Oklahoman Sunday night that the Cowboys were “not counting on (Harrison)” playing this season but did not say he had been dismissed.
Harrison’s absence would be a pretty significant blow to the OSU passing game, as he was expected to slide into a starting role on the outside and at least help make up for the loss of star wide receiver Justin Blackmon. Harrison tallied 20 catches for 255 yards and three touchdowns as a sophomore in 2011.
Without Harrison, an already thin group returning at receiver for OSU is even thinner, as Josh Cooper, Hubert Anyiam and Colton Chelf were all seniors this past season.
Tracy Moore (45 catches, 672 yards, four touchdowns), Isaiah Anderson (28 catches, 315 yards, four touchdowns) and Josh Stewart (19 catches, 291 yards, two touchdowns) will be the top returning wide receivers in 2012.
OSU signed six wide receivers — C.J. Curry, Austin Hays, Jhajuan Seales, Brandon Sheperd, Jesse Vester and Blake Webb — in its 2012 recruiting class. The Cowboys also signed pass-catching junior college tight end Blake Jackson, and athlete Dominic Ramacher is expected to start his OSU career as a tight end-receiver.
Harrison was briefly ruled ineligible by the NCAA prior to the 2011 season but was reinstated the day before the Cowboys’ opener against Louisiana-Lafayette.
Power Lunch Chat with John Helsley
Welcome To Lob Stilly
At 6-foot-4, Markel Brown has learned to fly.
By John Helsley
follow on Twitter @jjhelsley
The Cowboys aren’t winning big, but they’re winning some, with Tuesday night’s 69-67 win over Iowa State pulling OSU even overall at 12-12 and 5-6 in the Big 12.
And lately, they’re winning – and even losing – with flair.
Markel Brown’s high-rising antics are making him a highlight-reel regular, with his dazzling dunks showing up on Play of the Day lists everywhere.
Against the Cyclones, there was a drive-the-lane elevation jam over ISU’s Royce White, who was rendered helpless by Brown’s sudden explosiveness. And there was an in-flight finish of a fastbreak alley-oop set up nicely by Brian Williams, who added a statement slam himself.
Don’t look now, but these Cowboys are becoming fun to watch.
Not only are the youngsters growing and going together, they’re entertaining, too.
With a nod to the L.A. Clippers’ cool “Lob City” take, the Cowboys have started referencing “Lob Stilly.”
Their coach, Travis Ford, isn’t in on the tag, but he says the dunks are big at home – his home.
“My children are very excited about it,” Ford said. “And they’re keeping track, that’s all they want to talk about.
“But it’s great. It’s fun to see. We know (Brown) has the capability, a lot of our guys do.”
Brown, who went national with two big dunks in OSU’s upset of Missouri, said he’s just trying to deliver some juice.
“I think it gets the team going,” he said. “It obviously gets the crowd pumped and I
think the team feeds off the crowd.”
Said Ford: “He can make some spectacular plays. And our guys are giving him good passes and stuff like that. And they came at crucial times. That’s what I’m more concerned about, make sure we finish the play.”
For Tuesday’s game, the king of OSU dunkdom, Desmond Mason, was seated courtside with his son. Twice Brown dunks prompted the former Cowboys star to rise out of his seat in appreciation.
In an impromptu interview with The Daily O’Collegian, the school’s newspaper, Mason shared some thoughts on Brown and the Cowboys.
“Markel is one of the most athletic guys in the Big 12,” Mason said, “probably one of the most athletic in the country.”
Mason told O’Colly writer Anthony Slater that he’s talked to Brown a few times, attending some Cowboys practices.
“He’s having a great season,” Mason said. “He’s still young and he’s still learning his game, so his talent will continue to open up even more. His athleticism speaks for itself.”
Freshman Le’Bryan Nash won a national high school dunk contest last year, but gladly takes a back seat to Brown and his theatrics.
“I call it ‘Lob Stilly.’ Every time you see me tweet, I am like #lobstilly, because he is going to get a dunk.
“That gets me excited. That gets me motivated to play defense more. It’s good to see guys like that jumping out the gym and it’s good to see highlights besides me. It’s great to see action like that. I love it.”
