Dynamic Duos: Where Do Weeden/Blackmon Rank?
By John Helsley
jhelsley@opubco.com
follow on twitter @jjhelsley
We published our annual football preview on Sunday — if you didn’t get one, rush out and find one, it’s worth it — and the theme was Dynamic Duos.
At OSU, of course, we focused on the duo of Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon, arguably the best pass-and-catch tandem of 2010, back for more in 2011. The guys posed for some great photos and had fun with the topic, with each saying the other was the hero, while he was the sidekick.
For some fun on that, check out this story on the topic.
Oklahoma State's Dynamic Duo of receiver Justin Blackmon, left, and quarterback Brandon Weeden. PHOTO BY SARAH PHIPPS, The Oklahoman
“There was Zac (Robinson) and Dez (Bryant), Hart Lee (Dykes) and coach (Mike) Gundy, Josh (Fields) and Rashaun (Woods), and the list goes on, but just to be mentioned in those same group of guys is pretty special,” Weeden said.
One correction: The list doesn’t go on and on.
And already, Blackmon and Weeden have surpassed those other duos, at least statistically, in several categories.
And with another number-numbing season like 2010, Weeden and Blackmon may have to be considered OSU’s best passer/receiver duo of all time.
Not bad, considering each emerged amid major questions, even doubts a year ago.
“Who would have thought a year ago that it would have gone down the way it did. In kind of a surreal way, it ended up pretty good.”
Pretty good?
How about dang good.
“You’ve still got to pinch me every once in a while,” Weeden said. “It’s kind of unreal. It’s hard to look back and reflect on it, but when we’re done here, we can look back and look in the record books and see our names. That will be really cool then. When you have kids, that sort of stuff.
“But right now, everything’s still overwhelming that you don’t want to look back, and you don’t have time to.”
Athlon Puts Pokes at No. …
Weeden and Blackmon make Athlon's college football magazine cover.
By John Helsley
follow on twitter @jjhelsley
The countdown is on at AthlonSports.com, with the website previewing its Top 25 and providing a hint of what’s to come in its summer magazine, coming to newstands near you very soon.
Athlon pegs Oklahoma State at No. 12.
In a show of consistency, Athlon places Texas A&M one spot ahead of the Cowboys at No. 11. The folks at Athlon had previously picked the Pokes for third place in the Big 12, behind the Aggies and Oklahoma, which has yet to be revealed in the daily countdown to No. 1.
Behind OSU, the only other Big 12 squads in the Top 25 are Texas at No. 24 and Missouri at No. 25.
Along with the Top 25, there’s plenty of other fun nuggets to peruse. Athlon produced several lists, including one for the 10 greatest Cowboys in school history. Hint: the top two, no surprise, are running backs. Still, there are some interesting picks — Zac Robinson?
What about your top 10? Who would you include in your list of the elite all-time?
And what about your greatest Cowboys moments, another feature, along with a time-honored tradition borrowed from the magazine that features OSU cheerleaders through the years. Too bad UCLA didn’t crack the rankings!
There’s even a sneek peak at what you’ll find in the magazine preview, with a look at the cover and the question, “Can Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon do it again?” Weigh in on the online debate of who has the best offense in the state of Oklahoma?
Lots to look at and ponder, filling a May football fix as we prepare for the arrival of the summer football annuals.
Key Scrimmage
It's time for the OSU passing game to take flight.
By John Helsley
follow me on twitter @jjhelsley
When the Cowboys conduct their second major scrimmage tonight, the ante will be raised in a number of ways.
For one, offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen expects to see real progress from a week ago, when he basically called out his receiving corps in search of reliable backups. It’s time for some guys to shine.
At quarterback, Brandon Weeden’s backup remains in flux, although the real candidates are Johnny Deaton and Clint Chelf, with Nate Sorenson lagging behind with his head swimming in the deep end of the learning pool. Deaton is essentially the guy, but Holgorsen is challenging him to prove it.
Line coach Joe Wickline will be watching his guys closely, too. Wick loves competition, which is why he doesn’t like to announce starters until the last minute. And with so many youngsters pushing for playing time, he’ll keep with his policy to get the best out of the most for as long as possible.
On defense, the return of Victor Johnson and Jamie Blatnik bears watching, although the latter may not be involved much yet after just returning to practice from disciplinary action. Both are playing catchup, but have experience on their sides.
Linebacker offers some intriguing storylines, with walkon Tyler Johnson — the latest former baseball player to join the Cowboys — apparently turning heads and Kye Staley making the move to defense from running back. Staley suffered a severe knee injury a year ago and is battling back from that. Maybe this offers him a fresh start.
And special teams offers some intrigue, with coach Joe DeForest seeking playmakers to follow Dez Bryant and Perrish Cox as return men. The speedy Justin Gilbert is one to watch. He’s got skills to thrill, yet must prove capable of not forcing things.
Dishing Dez…
Getting to the NFL hasn't been easy for Dez Bryant.
By John Helsley
Last Friday, after the opening day of the NFL Draft, I posted a link to the Yahoo!Sports article by Michael Silver giving some insight into Bryant’s emotional first round ride leading to him landing in Dallas.
It was a good read. One that keeps getting better, with the revelation that Miami Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland asked Bryant whether his mother was a prostitute.
Silver’s feature didn’t focus first on the probe, which took place during pre-draft interviews, and didn’t specify Ireland for asking the question, only a “franchise’s high-level executive.” Still, it was a part of what Bryant perceived as a widespread lack of respect — from the media and others — leading up to draft day.
Eventually, Ireland was called out. And a firestorm has ensued, with Ireland — and his question — at the heart of a polarizing debate.
Was Ireland, who has since apologized, out of line? Or was his question legitimate, considering Bryant’s mother’s past that included jail time for pushing drugs, and the impact such an experience might have on a son due to be heavily invested in by an organization?
Right away Monday, when Ireland was revealed as the “high-level executive” involved, Michael Wilbon weighed in angrily on ESPN’s PTI.
Wilbon said, “That’s insulting.” “It’s demeaning.” “It disgusts me.”
Wibon’s PTI partner, Tony Kornheiser said: “I can’t imagine anyone standing up and saying, ‘That was a good question. I understand.’”
The debate raged on Tuesday morning on Mike and Mike, where both Mike’s, Greenberg and Golic, said Ireland crossed a line. But there were callers and e-mailers to the show who disagreed, suggesting a company — and NFL teams are companies, in business to make money — about to make a future-altering decision should have the right to dig, however deep.
And across the ESPN platform Tuesday, radio host Colin Cowherd agreed in calling the question fair game, even to be expected of a business plotting a potentially large part of its future success on one employee. And he pointed out that many companies conduct background checks as part of the hiring process.
“I can’t think of a thing I would be offended by,” Cowherd said. “I’ve interviewd for seven jobs in my life. I’m 7-for-7. I’ve been asked weird questions. I don’t think I could be offended by anything.”
Cowherd said e-mails to his show were 60-40 in favor of the question, although the topic created a lively discussion, some who threatened that Cowherd had lost listeners.
And several of his guests, including former Oklahoma State basketball player and current ESPN analyst Doug Gottleib, suggested they had no problem with the question.
For Bryant, the whole process was trying.
“This is supposed to be a great moment for me. Trust me, it’s not. But I try to stay positive for my mom and my younger brother and sister. I don’t want to ruin it for them.”
So where do you fall?
Fair or foul?
For what it’s worth, putting myself into the role of employer, I’d never ask the question or anything like it.
What could possibly be gained? Don’t we all know people who have risen from troubled backgrounds to be great successes? And don’t we also know those from stellar parenting who turned out rotten?
Yes, Dez has some things in his past — his past — to answer for and explain. Get that.
But Dez doesn’t have to answer for his mom, whatever she did or didn’t do.
No Diva In Dez
Dez lands comfortably in Dallas.
By John Helsley
Leave it to Deion Sanders, who got Dez Bryant in his mess at Oklahoma State, to apply the most appropriate take on the rugged critiques attached to Bryant leading into the NFL Draft.
“He’s not a bad guy,” Sanders said before Thursday’s first round got underway. “No one’s ever said anything about his true character; the worst thing they can say about him is he’s late. Guys flunk drug tests and don’t slip that far, yet Dez is supposedly going to drop because he’s late? Come on.”
Bryant slipped all right; and the feeling was fabulous.
Sliding down the first round, even seeing another wide receiver, Georgia Tech’s Demaryius Thomas, taken before him, Bryant slipped into the embrace of the Dallas Cowboys, who coveted Bryant and made a bold and decisive move to trade up and grab him at No. 24 once Bryant appeared in their range.
Great fit for Bryant, going to a team that is built to win now, yet needing a big-time wideout to take its offense to another level.
Enter Bryant, who has already been assigned jersey No. 88, a number with some serious history in Big D.
Listening to the draft on XM Thursday night, ESPN’s radio analysts talked about Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo getting all geeked up getting Bryant, to go with Miles Austin and Felix Jones and Marion Barber and Jason Witten.
With Bryant, the Cowboys added a playmaker who’s fast and tough with great hands and — pause here for effect, critics – passion for the game. He’ll go deep and he’ll go across the middle and he’ll make enemy defenses and plenty of teams in the 1-23 draft slots wish he were on their side.
Clearly, that’s the hope in Dallas, where Jerry Jones and Co. think they’ve added the great missing piece to push the Cowboys over the top.
And the No. 88 jersey, worn previously by stars Drew Pearson and Michael Irvin, is more than a hint.
“I guess in Jerry’s eyes, it says a lot about him — that he can handle the pressure of wearing the double-8s,” said Pearson, a member of the 1970s All-Decade team. “Most of the time, you say, what’s in a number? In this case, there’s a lot of history and production.
“For Jerry to anoint him with that number, it indicates that Jerry sees a lot of potential.”
For whatever reason, Bryant became this year’s whipping boy to the critics. For that, Bryant can thank the NCAA.
First, the NCAA robbed Bryant of his 2009 season with the Cowboys, suspending him for the final 10 games, choosing to make a point when two or three games on the sideline would have been appropriate. Now, they’ve cost him a big chunk of change, the gaping difference between being a top-10 selection and the No. 24 pick.
Blame it on the NCAA, because if Bryant had been given a chance to return and finish out last season in Stillwater, the character questions simply wouldn’t exist; not to this extent.
Now, watch out, because Dez is mad. And Dez is determined.
A lot of national stories have been written about Bryant in recent weeks, most touching on the same points: his rugged upbringing, his lying over dealings with Deion, his tardy tendencies.
Check out this pre-draft look at Bryant, a great read by Michael Silver at Yahoo!Sports, to find out what’s stirring inside of Bryant as he prepares to become a pro. He shoots down the attacks on his character and scoffs at the suggestion he acted all diva in a trip to visit Rams executives in St. Louis.
I hate the Cowboys. Goes back to my days as the only kid in Oklahoma who rooted for the Cardinals — then of St. Louis and then in the same division with Dallas. Hated, too, how EVERYBODY was a Cowboys fan.
Hate it now that the Cowboys have Dez Bryant, because my Cardinals must face Dallas late in the season. And with Dez, the Cowboys are the NFC favorite.
NFL Draft: Thoughts and observations
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Russell Okung does his imitation of Pete Carroll in the Seahawks draft room.
- by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
Follow me on Twitter @BChatmonThe first round of the 2010 NFL draft came and went on Thursday. Both Oklahoma State draftees went lower than they probably should have but Russell Okung and Dez Bryant should be happy with their NFL homes.
Okung went No. 6 overall to Seattle and he will get the chance to play with the Seahawks in a NFC West division which is WIDE OPEN. With a veteran quarterback Matt Hasselback needing someone to protect his blindside, Okung could be a key to Seattle’s success in 2010. Most draft analysts had Okung as the draft’s most NFL ready tackle and expect Russell to prove it and start from day one in Seattle and become a core member of the organization for the next decade.
Dez Bryant goes from OSU Cowboy to... Dallas Cowboy
Bryant went No. 24 overall to Dallas. For Dez, it’s the dream scenario as he goes to the team he had dreamed of playing for. I’ve said all along Dez would need a great situation, with a veteran receiver who could serve as a mentor. And I’m not sure Dallas is that team. Miles Austin is the Cowboys No. 1 receiver, Roy Williams is the other starter and Patrick Crayton is their No. 3 receiver. I’m not sure I see a veteran mentor in that group. Crayton would be the guy I’d put my money on. And receivers coach Ray Sherman could also be a good mentor.
At the same time, he will be close to home and surrounded by distractions. The good thing for the Cowboys and Dez is that his love of football makes it a high priority in his life, which is why I think Dez will become a pro bowl player with the Cowboys. I’d expect him to make an immediate impact as a punt returner and be in contention to earn one of those starting receiver spots during training camp.
Regardless, congratulations to Dez and Russell. Tonight was the culmination of a lot of hard work and they deserve to enjoy their accomplishment.
Now the real work begins.
Here are Okung and Bryant in action:
Mock draft madness
Russell Okung is expected to be a Top 10 NFL Draft pick.
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
Follow me on Twitter @BChatmon
Here’s a look where former Oklahoma State stars land in various mock drafts around the web:
Mel Kiper, ESPN
WR Dez Bryant, No. 21 overall to Cincinnati
“The Bengals offer an ideal situation, where Bryant can be thrust into a system with great leadership at quarterback and players to learn from at receiver. Cincy needs to add weapons and depth in the passing game, and Bryant can’t be missed here.” –Kiper
LT Russell Okung, No. 6 overall to Seattle
“The Seahawks will be tickled to find Okung here. Okung is the steadiest player at the position in the draft. Okung gains value because he should be able to take over the position immediately. An easy pick for the Hawks.” –Kiper
Todd McShay and Scouts, Inc., ESPN
LT Russell Okung, No. 4 overall to Washington
“The Redskins fill their biggest hole with the safest offensive tackle on the board.” –McShay
WR Dez Bryant, No. 21 overall to Cincinnati
“The Bengals have a track record of ignoring character concerns in favor of talent, and Bryant is a top-10 talent who would be an absolute steal at this point.” –McShay
CB Perrish Cox, No. 89 overall to Arizona
S Lucien Antoine, No. 247 overall to New England Patriots
Peter Schrager, FoxSports.com
LT Russell Okung, No. 4 overall to Washington
“In the Oklahoma State star, a player I had rated higher than No. 2 overall pick Jason Smith last year, coach Mike Shanahan & Co. would get a franchise cornerstone who gave up just one sack in 336 pass attempts in 2009. Shanahan struck gold in Ryan Clady at No. 8 overall in Denver. He’ll do the same with Okung at No. 4.”
WR Dez Bryant, No. 11 overall to Denver
“I’m sick and tired of hearing about Dez Bryant’s “character red flags.” Character schmaracter. The only “crime” Bryant’s guilty of is being a knucklehead. Bryant has Randy Moss-like talent. He’ll be a tremendous NFL player and he’ll produce right away in Denver. And I promise, Denver fans, there will be no “issues” to worry about.”
CB Perrish Cox, No. 131 to Cincinnati
G Andrew Lewis, No. 197 to Houston
Chris Steuber, FoxSports.com/Scout.com
LT Russell Okung, No. 5 to Kansas City
“Okung makes the most sense and solidifies their O-Line.”
WR Dez Bryant, No. 22 to New England
“The Patriots need a playmaker opposite Randy Moss, and Bryant fits that need and will eventually be Moss’ successor.”
Adam Caplan, FoxSports.com/Scout.com
LT Russell Okung, No. 5 overall to Kansas City
“They have to protect their major investment in QB Matt Cassel.”
WR Dez Bryant, No. 26 overall to Arizona
“Bryant is too good of a value to pass up here.”
Peter King, CNNSI.com
LT Russell Okung, No. 6 overall to Seattle
“‘Hawks rejoice. A month ago, Okung was top tackle on most NFL draft boards.”
WR Dez Bryant, No. 22 overall to New England
“”Coach Belichick? Dez Bryant’s babysitter on line two.” I don’t care. I love the pick.”
Don Banks, CNNSI.com
LT Russell Okung, No. 5 to Kansas City
“Nobody seems to have a great handle on which way Scott Pioli and the Chiefs will go, and that’s exactly the way the Kansas City general manager likes it.”
WR Dez Bryant, No. 21 to Cincinnati
“Bryant’s ceiling is higher than Jermaine Gresham’s. And the Bengals know if they pass on Bryant, he’ll be a Patriot within 10 minutes.”
NFL Draft: Best Fits For Pokes
Dez Bryant should finally be back on the field again soon.
By John Helsley
The mocking continues, and will do so presumably right up to NFL Draft showtime.
If you’re following at home — and we all are — it’s a waste of time. Mel Kiper doesn’t know. Todd McShay doesn’t know.
Heck, if Al Davis takes a nap between now and then, and I highly recommend it considering this year’s shift to prime time, he doesn’t know who he’s going to take with the No. 8 pick.
Those war rooms are top secret. There’s no info seeping out, no matter how informed Kiper and McShay and the likes want you to think they’re in the know.
They’re guessing.
Now, it’s an informed guess. And sometimes they get it somewhat right. But so do you and I.
What, you think some dude in the Lou doesn’t realize they need somebody better than Marc Bulger to chunk the ball? And that Sam Bradford’s available?
While there’s all kinds of quotes being attributed to “one NFL general manager” and “a high-ranking AFC scout,” those talking are trying to spread misinformation as much as good information, in hopes of disguising their intentions, if they know their intentions.
We all seem to know this: by all accounts, this draft is clear and clean through the first three picks. There’s the best prospects in the draft, defensive tackles Ndamukong Suh and Gerald McCoy, and the potential franchise quarterback Sam Bradford.
The theory goes that if you believe in the so-called franchise quarterback, he’s worth taking No. 1. And the holder of the No. 1 pick, St. Louis, desperately needs a franchise QB, so that pick is easy. We think.
Then Suh and McCoy go, probably in that order.
And then… it’s entertainment time. Somehwere in the first round, OSU’s Russell Okung and Dez Bryant will find a pro home. And somewhere could be anywhere.
The only definites from the third pick on: Chris Berman will fall into mock shock. Kiper’s head will bob uncontrollably. McShay will grow absolutely giddy over Kiper’s dismay. And we’ll rush to talking heads stationed at various War Rooms, seeking a take on how the latest pick affects the big boards behind closed doors where nobody’s talking.
I’ve been watching this thing since its infancy, back when I parted my hair down the middle and listened to Ted Nugent on 8 Track in my Chevelle Super Sport.
It’s the same thing every year. Every year.
Even Kiper’s hair.
Yes, it’s blown up. ESPN has a knack for that. With nothing to show on a slow Tuesday night when the NBA Playoffs ruled and Major League Baseball played on the other networks, ESPN produced a grand and glossy show on the NFL schedule and tried with all their might to make it seem like a big deal.
But where the NFL Draft has been bloated by ESPN excess, the bottom line is the same as it ever was.
The teams are picking. And we — and ESPN — can only guess where.
Okung could go No. 2 to the Lions, although Kiper would consider it a reach over one of the dominant D-tackles. Bryant could land in the top 10 or slip to the latter stages, because of some supposed character questions.
We won’t project where they’re going here. Rather, we’ll project what would be the best fit for the players; the ideal place to play and succeed and win.
Okung: The Lions would be great, as Detroit seems to be adding solid pieces in its climb out from the winless nightmare of 2008. Matthew Stafford, the overall No. 1 pick a year ago, looks like a rising star and he needs somebody to protect his blind side. And Okung would find a friendly face in Detroit, with tight end and former Cowboys teammate Brandon Pettigrew already in place. Yes, it’s Detroit, but there’s an opportunity for growth.
Doesn’t, however, seem likely, since we think we know that the first three picks are clear and clean.
So, what’s the next best destination, with the big money of a high pick part of the equation? Washington, at No. 4, where coach Mike Shanahan has taken over and Donovan McNabb has landed and better days are dead ahead. Not Kansas City at No. 5, where most mock’s have Okung headed. Matt Cassell is a major question mark at QB and KC is becoming a sports siberia where winning is a pipe dream.
Bryant: The teams beyond the big three early, who need WRs — KC, Seattle, Cleveland, Oakland, Buffalo and Jacksonville – aren’t all that appealing due to lacking QB play. The Broncos at No. 11 are a popular choice. And they need a No. 1 wideout after trading Brandon Marshall. Yet even with Marshall, the offense was uninspiring.
The truth is, a slide may be the best thing for Bryant, all the way to New England at No. 22. The biggest rap on Bryant is he’s habitually late. Bryant needs a mentor. Randy Moss? No. Wes Welker could saddle up to Bryant, show him how professionals do their job in the meeting rooms and film study. And Bryant could thrive under the game’s best coach and catching balls from one of the game’s best throwers in Tom Brady.
Poke-Ing Around
Dez: Again A Cowboy?
By John Helsley
Doing some web reading this morning and found a tasty bit at espn.com’s NFL insider spot, with Adam Schefter sending up a flare in a tweet.
Former Cowboys wideout Dez Bryant is rumored to be dining with Jerry Jones Wednesday night somewhere in Big D.
The Cowboys have apparently been long intrigued by Bryant, who would add a much-needed weapon to Dallas’ receiving corps. Bryant’s draft stock may be in decline, pending his pro day workout in his hometown of Lufkin, Texas, where a fast 40 time is needed in what is considered a critical workout.
Some draftniks have Bryant slipping all the way to No. 27, where Dallas sits and would have to make a decision on the enigmatic talent from right there in the Lone Star State. If Jones is serioustly interested, maybe he’d like to check out Bryant for himself, breaking bread and going eye-to-eye with him.
If Bryant wows in Lufkin, he could halt any downward draft momentum. So maybe Jones needs to get his own take on Bryant, in case landing him requires a trade up in the first round.
Put nothing past Jones.
No matter what, it’s all intriguing, for one of the more intriguing prospects in the entire draft…
Ford Targeting Big 12 Titles — Indirectly
In a chat with Cowboys basketball coach Travis Ford Monday, the question was raised about the timetable for OSU becoming a legitimate player in
Ford said a conference championship would be nice, but as part of the spoils to reaching greater goals.
“I don’t look at it as putting a team together to win (league championships). We’re trying to build this thing to win as many games as possible. That does mean, yes, a Big 12 championship, a national championship. That all falls under the same category. It’s not something you become obsessed with. You become obsessed with trying to become the best team you can be and that all correlates to other stuff.
“People will ask every year, they will ask in October, ‘What’s your goals for this season. It’s the same goal as everybody else. Everybody wants to win the Big 12. That’s what everybody is trying to do. But I don’t look at it and bring my staff in and say, ‘We need to do this to win the Big 12 championship.’
“We need to figure out how to win as many games as we possibly can and that’s what it’s all about. ”
NFL Draft Sleeper: Zac Robinson
Zac Robinson has impressed NFL scouts.
By John Helsley
While Mel Kiper and Todd McShay fire out their ever-evolving dueling mock drafts, Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford and Notre Dame’s Jimmy Clausen dominate the quarterback buzz.
The mocking doesn’t extend far enough to reveal OSU’s Zac Robinson.
But that doesn’t mean there’s not a place for Robinson in the NFL.
After a subpar senior season with the Cowboys, a season influenced heavily by injuries, a healthy Robinson earned a closer look with his practices and play at the Senior Bowl, then again at the NFL Combine.
He’s got the measurables: size, buy-some-time speed, solid fundamentals and the one thing that had been in question: arm strength.
Robinson is also tough and smart and coachable, factors that should put him on the map with more than one organization.
In an ESPN examination of draft sleepers Friday, Aaron Schatz of the Football Outsiders included Robinson as one of his 10 to watch. And Robinson is the lone quarterback on the list.
What Schatz wrote:
“Of all the quarterbacks who actually threw at the combine, Robinson might have been the most surprising. He played in a spread offense with the Cowboys but has a pro-style overhand delivery, solid seven-step drops and the arm strength to make the 35-yard post-corner throw. The spread stigma will limit his draft prospects, but Robinson has the mechanics to transcend the issues common to most who fail in that transition.”
My guess, somebody’s going to take Robinson in the mid to later rounds and someday be thankful. He may never become an NFL starter, but he could develop into a solid backup. And he could be a Seneca Wallace-type situational QB right away.
Again, Robinson is smart. And a classy kid. And he’s better, much better, than he showed as a senior, when hamstring and shoulder woes and a lack of reliable wideouts wrecked his sendoff.
There are a lot worse options walking around in backward ball caps as No. 3 NFL quarterbacks.
The sense here is the football story of Zac Robinson hasn’t neared its final chapter.
