By Jake Trotter
Here’s what Peter King of Sports Illustrated had to write about OU wide receiver Malcolm Kelly. Not real positive…
“I think it’s been a long time since a player opened his mouth and cost himself so much money in the draft. That’s what is going to happen to Oklahoma wideout Malcolm Kelly if he doesn’t find some way to temper his remarks about running a bad time because his university handed him a different track to run his 40-yard dash on than the one he wanted to run on. I’ve never met Kelly, so I don’t want to say, “What an idiot.” But I am tempted. Here’s the biggest point I’d make: Surfaces in the NFL vary from practice facility to practice facility. Obviously it’s important that a wideout run on a fast track. But wherever a prospect runs, the scouts are going to take into account if the surface is slower than the surface the other receivers used. Kelly comes off as a whiner, and if I were Buffalo coach Dick Jauron or Cincinnati coach Marvin Lewis — whose teams are eyeing receivers in the first round and have shown significant interest in Kelly — I’d steer clear.”
Basketball: Willie Warren video
Now that we can embed video on the blog, here are some Willie Warren highlights. Enjoy.
Davis in a boot
By Jake Trotter
OU hoops guard Cade Davis is currently wearing a boot due to a stress fracture in his foot.
But Davis should be fine in time.
And the injury hasn’t kept him from working on his shooting, even against the advice of coach Jeff Capel.
Recently, Capel saw Davis shooting in the gym despite the injury.
Capel asked Davis to check with the doctors to see if that was OK.
The training staff said Davis shouldn’t be running around shooting, but that he could work on his free throws.
During Monday’s Tip In dinner/end-of-year banquet, Davis relayed this news to Capel at the podium after receiving the most improved player award.
Davis, however, also said that he didn’t need to work on free throws.
Capel jokingly agreed.
Davis made 23 of 23 free throws last season.
Gymnastics: Horton top senior college gymnast
Oklahoma gymnast Jonathan Horton has been named the winner of the 2008 Nissen-Emery Award. The honor was presented at an awards dinner Wednesday night on the eve of the 2008 NCAA Men’s Gymnastics Championships on the campus of Stanford University. The Nissen-Emery Award is given annually to the nation’s most outstanding senior collegiate gymnast.
Weird scrimmage…
By Jake Trotter
Bizarre Red-White game today. The offense couldn’t do much of anything with the strong wind gusts reaching 30 mph.
The defense scored three touchdowns , with Dom Franks, Jon Nelson and Frank Alexander (who’s going to be a nice player in time) all reaching the end zone on picks.
Bradford had a forgettable day, but not as forgettable as Joey Halzle’s, who completed 1 of 13 passes for 4 yards and an INT. OU’s offense will come around in time, especially when DeMarco Murray suits up again.
Franks, Nelson and Brian Jackson are going to give OU three solid corners next season.
More Malcolm…
By Jake Trotter
In case you haven’t gotten your fill of Malcolm Kelly, check out this article by the Cincy Enquirer:
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20080410/SPT02/804100369/
San Diego State’s Long accused of excessive workouts
By Jake Trotter
The San Diego State president’s office has been reviewing an allegation of “excessive off-season workouts” run by head coach and former Sooner assistant Chuck Long, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Here’s the link:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/aztecs/20080404-9999-1s4sdsufoot.html
OU to use only 5 DEs
By Jake Trotter
Redshirt freshman Frank Alexander knows how tight the competition for defensive end is. As many as seven players are competing for playing time at OU’s two defensive end spots. And defensive ends coach Chris Wilson has said that he will only play five defensive ends next season.
Auston English, John Williams and Jeremy Beal, who all have starting experience, all figure to play next season.
That leaves Alexander, Pryce Macon, Alan Davis and incoming freshman R.J. Washington all vying for the last two spots.
“Coach Wilson told us he’s only taking five defensive ends,” Alexander said. “That motivates you with all that competition. You have to grind it out.”
Softball: Eckermann up for senior honor
OU senior pitcher Lauren Eckermann was named one of 10 finalists for the Softball Division of the 2008 Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award. Nationwide balloting begins immediately to determine this year’s winner, which will receive the award during the NCAA Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City, Okla.
Track: OU women ranked 18th
The University of Oklahoma women’s outdoor track & field team has attained its highest national ranking in the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Association (USTFCCCA) rankings at No. 18. The OU men round out the men’s top 25 at No. 25, led by triple jumper Shardae Boutte, the nation’s top-ranked male in the event. In all, Oklahoma athletes account for nine individual top-10 national rankings.
