Live from Kyle Field…
By John Helsley
Just caught Mike Gundy on the pre-game broadcast with Dave Hunziker.
Gundy addressed the Dez Bryant situation and the affect it could have on the Cowboys today.
“Been an interesting week, to say the least,” Gundy said. “As a coaching staff, especially being the head coach, the weight falls on my shoulders to make sure the team is in great spirits.”
Gundy acknowledged the initial shock.
“There was a state of shock at a certain time,” he said. “A player who’s been involved with our organization, Dez is a unique personality, but he’s a good kid at heart.
“People have always grown accustomed to liking him. Same with the team.”
Now he’s gone, at least temporarily.
“When we found out this fell on him, there was the state of shock,” Gundy said. “But we had a team meeting and were very up front with the players. We told them the truth. Mistakes were made.
“We’re in a reinstatement phase for the team and with Dez Bryant. I think it’s important people realize we have done everything we can and should do. Our football team has practiced very well the last couple of days.
“Offensively, the question comes up all the time, ‘How are you going to score points?’
“We’re going to run our offense.”
And we’re minutes away from finding out how well the offense runs without Bryant.
Helsley’s Back and Forth: Down Time
By John Helsley
Looking back and forth at key items in Cowboys sports:
Rewind
1) Grand Introductions. With Kendall Hunter, Dez Bryant, Perrish Cox and Jermiah Price on the sidelines in jean shorts Saturday night, we wondered where the fizz would come from in a game against Grambling. We found it in unexpected places. Wideout Dameron Fooks and tailback Jeremy Smith were superb. And while we consider the competition, we also like what we saw in two potential playmakers going forward.
2) The DL. College football doesn’t use a DL – disabled list – yet the aforementioned injured players were clearly on the shelf last week. And question remains about their availability when Big 12 Conference play opens next weekend. The Cowboys have come a long way in adding depth, but Bryant, Cox and Hunter represent three of the team’s core players. They’ll be needed at Texas A&M.
3) Backup Plan. Most of us wanted a look at OSU’s backup quarterbacks, Alex Cate and Brandon Weeden. We saw both, although in a mixed bag. Cate suffered a head injury on his first play and didn’t return. Weeden stepped in and played well, throwing his first career touchdown passes. In doing so, he climbed into the No. 2 quarterback role after a tightly contested battle for the job that spanned the spring and preseason.
4) High Stepping. The Grambling band proved as good as advertised, delivering their brand of flair to the halftime festivities. The band had some fun, playing and dancing through a Michael Jackson tribute that featured “Thriller.” Felt sorry for the OSU band, which had to follow the Grambling outfit onto the field.
5) Crowd Count. OSU didn’t get the sellout it was seeking, but the crowd of 59,000-plus still made for a record attendance in Stillwater. Next in the sellout crosshairs: Texas on Halloween. Isn’t that a spooky thought?
Forward
1) Down Time. This is my ninth season overall as a beat writer on Cowboys football. In all those years, I can’t recall a team that needed an open week as much as these Pokes. Not only are they battling the injuries to missing stars, there are several Cowboys who have been playing banged and bruised.
2) A&M-Arkansas. When the Aggies and Hogs collide in Jerry Jones’ new stadium, it will provide a revealing look at A&M. In a second season rebuild job under coach Mike Sherman, the Aggies are 3-0, yet have played nothing but cream puffs — New Mexico, Utah State and UAB. Arkansas, 1-2, isn’t great, yet represents a major upgrade over those other slackers. We’ll soon know whether the Aggies are imposing or imposters with OSU due in College Station.
3) Safety First. Cardinals coaches have raved about their two-deep at safety, with Lucien Antoine, Victor Johnson, Johnny Thomas and Markelle Martin giving the Cowboys their best collection of talent at the spots in recent memory. So far, due to injuries and suspensions, we haven’t seen much of them in the same game. With them all in play, the Pokes will be better on defense.
4) Uncommon Road. The game at A&M is OSU’s first away from the Pickens Palace this season. Kyle Field is not a comforting place to play, so it will be interesting to see how the Cowboys respond.
5) Zac Looks Back. OSU’s last trip to Kyle Field didn’t go so well for Zac Robinson, who was early in his role as the Cowboys’ starting QB. Robinson led OSU to an early lead, then was lost to a concussion and the Aggies rallied to win with him out. Still, he considers College Station one of his favorite places to play.
Helsley’s Back and Forth: Stay Awake Saturday
By John Helsley
Five things to review and anticipate in the world of OSU sports:
Rewind
1) Rice Remains. The biggest news coming out of the Rice win, other than the win, was the injury list. Jermiah Price (hand). Justin Blackmon (shoulder). Kendall Hunter (ankle). Dez Bryant (hamstring). Perrish Cox (shoulder). The hurts are mounting, and those don’t include the longer list of Cowboys playing with assorted bumps and bruises and aches.
2) Running in Place. OSU’s running game hasn’t been all that. The problem is three-fold: Struggles at guard, where two new starters are in place; Kendall Hunter’s injuries (past and present); an inability to adjust to either of the previous two. While it goes against the grain for Mike Gundy, if allowed to don the offensive coordinator hat (or bench), I’d work in reverse and pass to open things up for the run.
3) Richetti’s Ready? We’ve been waiting to see what made Richetti Jones the touted recruit before his very serious hip injury. Maybe Saturday night’s performance against Rice is a hint that he may be coming around and not becoming the next XLK. Jones looked quick off the ball and provided pressure at DE, something that’s been lacking. It was only a start, but at least it was something.
4) Zac’s Back? Answering a week of heavy questions concerning his health/performance, Zac Robinson played his best game of this season. Passes were sharper. Runs again featured a burst. Upon further review, the opinion (trotted out by yours truly first) that Zac was still overcoming the mental side of his previously sore hammy looks more accurate all the time.
5) Hoops Recruit. The Cowboys added another basketball commit, with Juco swing man J.P. Olukemi pledging to the Pokes. Sounds like a slashing scorer that Scout.com considers one of the top Juco recruits in the country. Travis Ford, with four commits to date, appears to be building something in Stillwater.
Fast Forward
Note: With the absence of opponent story lines — beyond the band — to consider this Saturday, we’re going to provide five players to watch against Grambling.
1) Beau Johnson. Because of a sore shoulder, Johnson wasn’t all that effective against Rice. If he’s better, we may get a better glimpse of what he has to offer. With Hunter’s status still in doubt, the Cowboys need to show some explosiveness at the RB spot, or risk becoming one-dimensional.
2) James Thomas. The sophomore linebacker out of LaMarque, Texas, played extensively against Rice, finishing with five tackles and a pass breakup. DC Bill Young said he made some mistakes, but overall played well. At a position loaded with seniors, Thomas represents the future of the position.
3) Tracy Moore. With Bryant ailing, the true freshman wide receiver from Tulsa Union could get a more prominent role in the offense. OSU coaches need to see what he can offer and there’s better time than this before hitting Big 12 play. At 6-2, 237 pounds and fast, Moore offers an appealing target.
4) Jeremy Smith. Watch to see if his redshirt is yanked. By all accounts, Smith is the real deal. And if the prognosis on Hunter and the running game don’t improve, coaches may be tempted to get Smith involved to help energize things and keep what was supposed to be a special season on track.
5) Alex Cate/Brandon Weeden. No sightings, so far, of the Cowboys’ backup QBs. Surely this Saturday.
Yo, Where’s the O?
By John Helsley
There was reason to wonder if OSU really deserved top-5 status in the national polls.
But the questions didn’t figure to focus on the offense.
If anything in OSU’s disappointing 1-1 start to this season, a sputtering offense has been the most puzzling development.
With the Triplets back, along with key personnel up front, we all expected the Cowboys to install a scoreboard spinner this year, with records surely going down.
Now you’re hoping it’s simply a slow start. Or then what?
Cowboys fans are concerned with their offense, as I found out in Thursday’s live chat on newsok.com. Lots of questions about the offense. Did my best to provide some answers, but those really have to come on the field, beginning Saturday night against Rice.
Helsley’s Back and Forth: Week 2
By John Helsley
My weekly look back and ahead at five key talking points for OSU sports:
Rewind
1) Quick Fall. OSU’s run with the big boys didn’t last long; about as long as that skinny, wobbling dude dodging horns at the annual Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain. The warnings were out there all week about the dangers of Week 2. Trap game. Houston’s offense. Even the SI jinx. No matter the denials, the Cowboys just didn’t look ready to go from the start against the Cougars. That doesn’t mean they overlooked or disrespected the Cougs. But isn’t it just inevitable that a letdown was to be expected after so much effort and attention went into the Georgia game? Too bad the Cowboys couldn’t have swapped Houston-based foes, playing Rice in Week 2 and the Cougs Week 3.
2) Driving Ford. Travis Ford’s big raise and extension was a shocker, coming after just one season. But know this, OSU athletic director Mike Holder truly believes Ford is the man to drive this program, pardon the pun, to the next level. The new deal gives stability to both coach and school and will make for a strong marriage. And the $3 million buyout ensures that only major fish will test the waters to lure Ford away.
3) Zac Slack. Zac Robinson hasn’t been the same and the proof is in the numbers – yards and points are down for the quarterback and the Cowboys. Rumors about possible hidden injuries are rampant. Anything’s possible, but this reminds me of what I saw with DeMarco Murray last year on the OU beat. Murray, while deemed 100 percent and cleared for action following offsesaon knee surgery, looked slow and indecisive through about half the Sooners season. Then on some run, he stuck his leg in the ground and pushed off hard and nothing bad happened. And his play took off. I think Zac may be similarly hesitant after suffering a second hamstring pull this preseason. And it’s affecting his play. Unlike with Murray, the Cowboys can’t afford to wait half a season for Robinson to regain his mojo.
4) In Defense. Will the real OSU defense please stand up? So good against Georgia, the Cowboys D dipped against Houston. I, however, don’t heap massive blame on the defense, at least not in the second half. The Cowboys played more aggressive, played more press coverage and got themselves off the field. The OSU offense didn’t hold up its end of the bargain.
5) Where’s Kendall? Cowboys running back Kendall Hunter went missing Saturday, hobbling off the field at halftime and then returning with a protective boot on his foot. Now Hunter is all but ruled out of Saturday’s game with an ankle sprain. How long will he be out? How much will he be missed? Only time will tell on the first question. Check out my story in Wednesday’s paper concerning the second.
Fast Forward
1) Zac’s Back? With Rice and Grambling State on the schedule, along with an open week, before the conference opener at Texas A&M, it’s time for Zac Robinson to re-establish himself as one of the league’s best QBs. Remove all doubts. Erase the rumors. Put the Cowboys offense on the fast track.
2) Being Beau. With Kendall Hunter charging through defenses on his way to the Big 12 rushing crown a year ago, Beau Johnson’s opportunities to carry the ball were limited. Thrown into the mix against Houston, he showed the kind of burst and skill that made him a prized Juco recruit a year ago. Now we’ll get an even better look at Johnson.
3) Dee-fense. Rice will bring an offensive approach identical to Houston to Stillwater, if not similarly talented players. Still, it will be interesting to see how the Cowboys defend the Owls for the adjustments they make, not just for this week, but those many weeks ahead when spread offenses line up on the other side.
4) Pack the Pickens. OK, so the official push for a sellout is set for next week, against Grambling State, with a number of promotions and presumably free tickets flowing to fans, I’m intrigued to see what kind of crowd shows up for Rice. Hopefully, we won’t be channeling Vance Bedford and his ship-jumping rant come Saturday night. There’s still much for OSU fans to get excited about. Let’s see if they realize it.
5) QB Watch. Once the Cowboys get Robinson going, they should get the backups — Alex Cate and Brandon Weeden — on the field to not only get them some game experience, but get a glance at what they may have for next season.
Looking ahead, back: Is Zac Robinson poised to breakout?
By John Helsley
jhelsley@opubco.com
A look back and ahead at five key factors for Cowboys football:
Looking Back
1) Dee-fense! From the moment coordinator Bill Young was hired, we all wondered if he could pull off a makeover of the OSU defense. Consider it done, although that doesn’t mean it’ll always look as easy as it did against Georgia. These Cowboys tackle better than any in recent memory. Hit harder, too.
2) TEs will contribute. Brandon Pettigrew graduated to the NFL and projected replacement Jamal Mosley skipped town, leaving the Cowboys carrying question marks at tight end. Wilson Youman and Justin Horton relieved some concerns, each contributing big catches against the Dawgs. Expect more as the pair gains comfort and confidence.
3) Cox clamps down. Perrish Cox may finally be realizing the full potential expected when he was a coup recruit out of Waco. He shut off a quadrant of the field Saturday, helping limit Georgia stud wideout A.J. Green.
4) Zac’s mulligan. Not sharp in his 2009 debut, Zac Robinson still had a hand in all three Cowboys TDs, connecting with Dez Bryant for two scores through the air and sneaking for the other. OSU coach Mike Gundy pointed to inconsistent practicing for Robinson in the preseason, due to a minor leg injury. There’s a good chance, too, that the Georgia defense will prove to be stout. Look for Robinson to break out this week.
5) Orange appeal. OSU has been stepping out of its muddled football past for a few seasons now. Saturday was a major leap, on the field and off. The Cowboys won a huge game, for sure. But the atmosphere in and around the stadium, before the game, during and after, was like none ever seen in Stillwater. It’s a new day for Cowboys football.
Looking Ahead
1) Spread the faith. Wrote about it today, Houston will pose a new — and difficult — challenge for Young and his defense. The Cowboys bowed up and played tough against the Dawgs, who were massive up front. The Cougars will spread the field and finesse the field with speed and in-space plays. This will be a good indicator of how OSU will fare against the best offenses in the Big 12.
2) QB alert. Cowboys fans should know this from a year ago, Houston QB Case Keenum is good, seriously good. Wrote a bit about him today, too. Just one game into his junior season, he ranks in the top five nationally in four key career categories – passing efficiency (No. 4, 158.21); completion percentage (No. 3, 68.05); passing yards (No. 2, 282.9); and total yards (No. 1, 306.3).
3) BCS buster. The Cougars could be the favorite in Conference USA’s West Division. But they want more. They want to join the BCS-buster mix, along with Boise State, Utah and BYU. This is their chance.
4) Back on track. OSU’s offense should get back to looking like the dynamic force it was a year ago. Houston wasn’t good on defense a year ago and has had to replace seven starters. Robinson, Kendall Hunter and Bryant go off.
5) Pay attention. So much was put into the opener with Georgia — players who lost in Athens had circled the date for two years –it’ll be interesting to see how the Cowboys control their emotions. This is no time to relax, not even for a minute. The Cougars are a team that demands your attention. Upsets happen, more and more.
Zac Robinson’s Ride Into Cowboy Lore
By John Helsley
I’ve got a story in Saturday’s paper, the Game Day edition, weaving together the path that led Zac Robinson to star status with the Cowboys.
Shall we say, it involves some interesting twists.
Zac, while being one of the top prospects in the state of Colorado in 2005, had played just one season at quarterback in high school, doing quite well as a wide receiver before that.
When Larry Fedora joined first-year coach Mike Gundy as OSU’s offensive coordinator, the recruiting of Robinson was just beginning.
“Mike had had him in camp, before I ever got there,” Fedora said this week. “Mike said, ‘Hey, this kid can really run. He’s got great athleticism. And he throws the ball well.’”
Still, Robinson was no sure thing prospect as a quarterback.
“When you look at a kid like Zac, who was a little bit of an unknown at quarterback, because he had actually played more wide receiver than he did quarterback in high school,” Fedora said, ”there’s a little bit of unknown there.
“Your really don’t know, when he gets back there, how he’s going to lead and all those things.”
All concerns were wiped away in a hurry.
“But it was obvious once we got him on campus and discovered what kind of person he was and how competitive he was that he was probably going to be pretty successful,” Fedora said.
Which leads us to Saturday’s story. Check it out.
