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Chat: David Ubben (9.18.09)
Video: Breaking down the offensive line
-JT
Video: Q&A with CB Dom Franks
-JT
Bradford and the social media backlash
Sam Bradford knew privacy was the price of stardom. But in today’s world of user-generated content on Facebook and Twitter, and sites like Deadspin, athletes have even more to worry about.
Pete Thamel and Thayer Evans take a look at how social media has affected the social lives of the three biggest stars in college football this season.
With the speed that personal photos can become national news, players like Bradford, Tim Tebow and Colt McCoy are forced to be more mindful of who they extend their courtesy to.
As Kent Bradford, Sam’s father, said, “You don’t know if you’re actually having that picture made with a known gambler or a known prostitute or a known drug dealer.”
The last thing Bradford needs is a non-story blown into controversy. In theory, it’s humorous to think about Tim Tebow having to dive out of a photo when a girl flashes just before the camera does. But in practice, depressing seems to be the more apt word.
Even if Bradford is too careful, he still gets bit. When he was in New York for the Heisman presentation, he refused to sign an autograph for a professional autograph seeker. After he declined several times, the autograph seeker tore up the photo and threw the pieces in Bradford’s face.
Good story, as usual, from the Times. Check it out if you haven’t already.
Chat: David Ubben (9.16)
Landry Jones: Mustached American of the Year?
Landry Jones’ famous mustache has reached celebrity status. But the fame of his Chevron ‘stache could rise to even greater heights.
In response to my story Tuesday about Landry’s ‘stache, the American Mustache Institute is giving serious candidacy to Landry for the Robert Goulet Memorial Mustached American of the Year honor (a real award).
Writes the Institute: “He might not be a Heisman candidate, but certainly should garner consideration” for the Goulet.
“Indeed, Jones wears his mouth brow with power and wisdom, and as he progresses through the season and capably fills in for Bradford — who suffers from Bare Upper Lip Disorder (BULD) — we know that he will not only yet again prove that there is no greater performance enhancer than the mustache, but he will represent people of Mustached American descent with a strong resolve, great athleticism, quick thinking, and of course, good looks.”
-JT
Practice report (9-15-09)
Heading into Tulsa, Oklahoma has already used eight freshmen. One of the questions for this week will be, will the Sooners pull the trigger and pull the redshirt of true freshman wideout Jaz Reynolds.
Offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson today basically said that if he plays this year, it will be Saturday. Reynolds is still working with the offense (not the scout team), so there is a chance of this happening.
WR coach Jay Norvell believes Reynolds is close to contributing. How he performs in practice this week could be the determining factor.
Reynolds has tremendous athleticism, great vertical, speed. He’s a little slight, which is one reason for the hesitation in playing him.
Other news and notes:
* Tyler Evans, the freshman guard, was very interesting to talk with. He had the line of the night in regard to last week of practice when he knew he was going to start.
“Adrian (Taylor) threw me down on the first day, and I was like, ‘oh no.’ Then the next day in one on one pass blocking, Gerald McCoy threw me down, and I was like, ‘oh my goodness.’”
Despite the inauspicious beginning, Evans bounced back and had a solid game. Currently, he is pushing for a long-term starting spot at right guard with Stephen Good.
* Bob Stoops pointed out how strong Matt Clapp has been on special teams, particularly special teams.
* Brody Eldridge has worked exclusively at tight end this week. Barring injury, he’s there to stay.
-JT
Video: Scouting Tulsa
-JT
Sooner recruit out for the year
Sheldon McClain, a 3-star wide receiver who is verbally committed to the Sooners, will miss the rest of his senior season with a torn ACL, according to a report in the San Antonio Express News.
McClain, out of Cibolo Steele (Texas) High School, suffered the injury in the first quarter of Steele’s 42-27 victory against Stevens on Sept. 4.
A 6-foot-2, 185-pounder, McClain caught 26 passes for 488 yards and three touchdowns last season and also finished fourth in the 200-meter dash at the Class 4A state meet. He committed to OU in May.
-JT
