OU’s Jerry Schmidt critical of Trent Williams work ethic
Former University of Oklahoma offensive tackle Trent Williams is introduced to Washington media after the Redskins slected Williams with the fourth pick in the NFL Draft.
The Washington Post got a hold of Schmidt and asked him to address concerns over Williams’ work ethic.
“He’s one of those guys, he’s definitely not a gym rat. If he was, there wouldn’t be anybody even close to him,” Schmidt told the Post. “If he really committed himself, it wouldn’t even be close. He’d be the best ever. That’s how much talent he’s got. There’s a lot of talent there that he just hasn’t tapped.
Schmidt went on to say that Williams could make the Pro Bowl “as many times as he wants”, but that he just has to assert himself, something it doesn’t sound like he did while in Norman.
Read the entire article here.
Another look at new OU point guard Carl Blair
Bridgton Academy coach Walt Lesure had new OU signee Carl Blair on his team for a year between Blair’s time at Provine High in Jackson, Miss., and his freshman year at the University of New Orleans.
Blair will be eligible immediately for the Sooners because UNO is dropping from Division I to Division III.
“He’s a big guard, a versatile type of player,” Lesure said of Blair. “He’s been compared to a poor man’s Mark Jackson. His combination of size, overall athleticism and versatility is what potentially makes him a good fit.
“He has a high basketball IQ, he’s got a good motor and is a very competitive kid.”
Lesure said Blair also will bring a winning attitude to Norman.
“He’s won most of his life and in some ways going through some adversity this year with UNO might be good for him,” Lesure said. “He was on a championship team with us, he won a Mississippi state championship and just carries himself that way.”
Lesure said he expected Blair would fit in in the BIg 12 after playing a year in the Sun Belt.
“How do you go form the Sun Belt to the Big 12? One of the ways you do it is with size and strength and overall athletic ability and I think Carl has those things. You’re going with grown men when you go into the Big 12.”
When Blair came to Bridgton, he had just played the point consistently for about a year.
Bridgton used three point guards on the floor at times–Blair, St. John’s Malik Stith and Western Kentucky’s Jamal Crook.
“It worked for us because they were so different,” Lesure said. “We weren’t asking any one of them to be the floor general. In Carl’s case, he got stronger with the ball and he was really effective in transition. We moved him off the balla little bit in the halfcourt.”
Lesure said the biggest key for Blair’s game will be how his defense progresses.
“Many guys start playing defense only when their minutes depend on it,” Lesure said. “Between now and October 15, I have a feeling Oklahoma will have a full roster and have guys that can play. The thing that’s going to separate the guys that play more from the others are how committed they are on the defensive end.”
– Ryan Aber, Staff Writer
Tennell signs with Saints
Former Oklahoma wideout Adron Tennell has signed a free-agent deal with the Saints.
Here’s a list of where other undrafted Sooners have signed:
WR Adron Tennell: Saints
RB Chris Brown: Broncos
DE Auston English: Browns
FB Matt Clapp: Lions
DT DeMarcus Granger: Seahawks
CB Brian Jackson: Jets
LB Mike Balogun: 49ers
OU lands pair of point guards
OU seems to have answered its point guard void.
University of New Orleans point guard Carl Blair has decided to transfer to OU, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune.
The Sooners have also picked up a verbal commitment from point guard Calvin Newell of Evelyn Mack Academy in North Carolina, according to OUInsider.com.
Blair (6-foot-2) was one of the Privateers’ most consistent players in the 2009-2010 season. He started 29 games averaging 9.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game.
He also recorded the second triple-double in UNO history on Dec. 5, 2009 against Houston Baptist with 13 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists. Former UNO great Ervin Johnson was the only other player to do so.
He will be eligible immediately because of changes going on at the UNO athletic department.
Newell (6-foot-1) averaged 26.0 points per game at Mack and reportedly had scholarship offers from Niagra, Baylor, Florida and Central Florida. Newell is expected to sign with the Sooners today.
The two pickups resolve OU coach Jeff Capel’s biggest void. After Tommy Mason-Griffin and Willie Warren both declared for the NBA, the Sooners didn’t have a point guard coming back.
Blair and Newell will likely battle for that starting spot, with the other serving at the backup.
-JT
Undrafted Sooners ink free agent deals
A list of where several undrafted Sooners have signed free agent deals:
RB Chris Brown: Broncos
DE Auston English: Browns
FB Matt Clapp: Lions
DT DeMarcus Granger: Seahawks
CB Brian Jackson: Jets
LB Mike Balogun: 49ers
-JT
Capel signs juco forward
Oklahoma picked up its second junior-college forward this week in forward Nick Thompson.
Thompson. who chose the Sooners over Utah, signed his letter of intent Saturday.
Thompson, a 6-9, 210-pound sophomore out of College of Eastern Utah, helped his team to a third-place finish at this year’s national junior college tournament in Hutchinson, Kan. It was the school’s best finish in 45 years.
Thompson averaged 8.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists in almost 24 minutes per game.
“I’m really excited about Nick,” OU coach Jeff Capel said in a statement. “He’s a guy we got in on late and had a chance to see at the national juco tournament. He’s a very skilled 4-man who can shoot the basketball, put it on the floor and pass it. He’s long and he’s a good athlete. I love his motor. He’s a real high-energy guy, a guy we’re fortunate to get here in the late signing period.
“He’s going to have to put on a little bit of weight. He understands that when he gets here in June he’ll have to work. That’s the main thing with him — he’s not afraid of work, he’s not afraid to be a part of something. He really wants to do that. I love that he really wanted to be at the University of Oklahoma.”
As a freshman in 2008-09, Thompson averaged 7.7 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.0 assist in more than 16 minutes a game.
The Sooners also snagged a commitment from Connors State forward Chris Washington earlier in the week.
-JT
Clayton, Franks, Eldridge drafted
OU linebacker Keenan Clayton, cornerback Dom Franks and tight end Brody Eldridge were all drafted in Day Three of the NFL Draft on Saturday.
Clayton went in the fourth round to Philadelphia.
Franks went in the fifth round to Atlanta.
Eldridge also went in the fifth round to Indianapolis.
-JT
Gerald McCoy meets with Tampa media
Oklahoma defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, the No. 3 overall pick of the Buccaneers, met with the Tampa media Thursday night.
Here’s what he had to say:
On feelings after being selected by the Buccaneers:
“I’m very emotional, being a Buccaneer fan. My mother was not here today to witness it, but she [saw] it. That’s really what the emotion was, just missing my mother and trying to make her proud today.”
On whether it was the case that he wanted to be a Buccaneer:
“It was. I couldn’t wait to be a Buccaneer. I grew up a fan and I knew a lot of the history of the team and I’m just glad that I can come here to help and do what I can.”
On his expectations coming to the Buccaneers:
“They didn’t bring me in to not play, I know that much, so whether I start or not, I know I’ll get considerable playing time. I just want to come in and do what I can and do my best for the Buccaneers, no longer for the Sooners.”
On fitting into the team and possibly starting:
“I might, I plan to. That’s the plan. I want to come in and be a starter, I wanted to do that in college, and [they] play the same thing we did in college, the Tampa-2, they play that in Tampa Bay, they went back to it, and they think I’m the best fit for it. I can’t wait to get going.”
On the poor success rate for defensive tackles drafted in high spots:
“That’s the past. This is the 75th Draft, 2010. Ndamukong Suh was a great pick, I feel I was a fairly decent pick, and my boy, actually, Tyson [Alualu], who I trained with went in the Top 10 and I’m happy for him. It’s going to be a different kind of draft for [defensive] tackles.”
On when, exactly, it became clear that he was going to end up with Tampa Bay:
“I wanted to be a Buccaneer, I’m not going to lie. I couldn’t just openly say that, but now that I’ve been picked, I want to be Buccaneer and I always wanted to be a Buccaneer. When they were there in the top three I was happy about that. I actually didn’t know [that the Buccaneers would select me]. You never know. This draft right here, I’ve been listening to it and the things I’ve been expecting have not been what’s happened. So it was unpredictable. I had no idea until I saw Ndamukong Suh’s phone ring.”
On his relationship with Warren Sapp:
“I just met Warren Sapp a few weeks ago. He’s a great guy. He said he’s going to take me under his wing and he’s going to help me out. He’s going to work with me on the field, off the field, I’m going to be his guy. I’ve come in to help this team, I didn’t come in to be on the sideline and just be another rookie who got paid a lot of money. I want to be a great football player and I plan to do that for Tampa Bay.”
-JT
Bob Stoops on the NFL Draft
Bob Stoops sent out a statement midway through the NFL Draft. Here’s what he said:
“I am so happy for these guys mostly because of the way they represent themselves. They are a credit to our university and our football program. I could not be more pleased for them. This accomplishment is the result of hard work and dedication that these guys have put forth since they day they arrived on our campus. They have earned their way to this level.
“I also want to recognize our coaching staff, both the position coaches and the strength and conditioning staff. They have done an incredible job of developing our players and positioning them to have this kind of success on draft day. When you combine players and coaches who are dedicated toward the common goal of getting better every day, players realize their lifelong dreams.
“This was historic night, a statement for our program. Everyone associated with our program should be proud of what was accomplished in this draft. I am just overwhelmed and feel privileged to have had the opportunity to get to know these guys and coach them. To think that four guys who came in as members of the same recruiting class went in the first 21 picks is amazing.
“I also want to salute these guys for staying in school. I don’t know how you could look at this draft and think that these players did anything but improve themselves by staying for another year. And each of them also has a degree or is very close to having one. We tell them to ‘have their cake and eat it too,’ and these four guys did that very thing. They had a fulfilling college career, athletically and academically, and now have an opportunity to play in the NFL.”
On Sam Bradford:
“Sam is special. He is blessed with all of the attributes you like in a quarterback. He’s athletic, smart and mature. We throw words like those around pretty easily, but he possesses all of those qualities at an extremely high level. There is great comfort for a team and coaching staff with someone like that directing the offense. Leadership manifests itself in a number of ways, but first and foremost, a leader must have the respect of the team for the way he prepares, plays and conducts himself. Sam earned that kind of respect very early in his career here. From a playing perspective, I always appreciated his pinpoint accuracy. It was uncanny, and part of the reason he was so accurate was that he understood how to read defenses and find the best throw.”
On Gerald McCoy:
“Gerald was one of the most complete student-athletes I have ever coached. Obviously, he made tremendous contributions to our program on the field, but he was just as valuable to our campus and community. From a football perspective, Gerald combines outstanding quickness with a great feel for the game. Those two qualities made him a disruptive force that elevated the center of our defense to one of the most reliable facets of our team.”
On Trent Williams:
“I have a great appreciation for Trent because of what he was willing to do for our program. I think he played every line position during his career here, and in his senior season, when I am sure he would have preferred to concentrate on the tackle position, he actually played some center because it was best for our team. That kind of unselfishness from very gifted players is something that coaches never forget. Trent has great feet and strength and he’s a solid technician. We’ve had a number of good linemen here lately and he’s as good as any of them. He will be a valuable contributor in the NFL.”
On Jermaine Gresham:
“Jermaine is that combination of speed, size and strength that we see very rarely. He also has an extremely competitive attitude which contributed to him being such a dominant player. He was a walking mismatch. But even though he accomplished so much, I’ve always felt that he has a great focus on the sport of football and the concept of getting better every day. He has already proven himself as an outstanding player, but you get the sense that he is far from satisfied. His standards are very high and he will do everything in his power to reach them.”
-JT
Trent Williams meets with the Washington media
Below is a transcript of Trent Williams’ first Q&A with the Washington Redskins’ media. Williams was the fourth overall pick of the Redskins Thursday night.
How did you feel when you got drafted by the Washington Redskins?
Speechless. I was barely able to talk on the phone with Coach Shanahan.
Explain the ‘Silverback’ thing? (The commissioner announced him as Trent “Silverback” Williams)
It’s just a little thing that me and my teammates went with on the field, just saying beast-like. Silverback is one of the most-strongest beasts. I was joking around with Mr. Goodell and told him to call me that, and he actually did it.
When did you first get that nickname?
A couple years back. It’s been with me for a while.
Did you expect Washington take you?
I’ve seen the mock drafts and I heard the speculation, but I’m the type of guy that has to see it writing before I get overly excited.
When they moved you to left tackle from the right side last year, did you have any apprehension about it?
It was one of the great things that happened to me, but I’ve always been a backup left tackle behind Phil [Loadholt] and started on the right side. So I’ve always been acquainted with the position, and I’ve never really got rusty at it.
What do you bring to the team?
You’re getting a fierce competitor. I’ve got the desire to win, and I don’t take losing for an answer. I want to be the best, and they’re going to get a great teammate.
How do you respond to the doubters that don’t believe you project well to the left tackle spot in the NFL?
That comes with life, man. There’s always going to be criticisms somewhere. Everybody is not going to like you, and I’ve got to go about being myself and playing my heart out for coach Shanahan.
What’s it going to be like for you protecting a quarterback like Donovan McNabb?
It’s going to be an honor, man. He’s a great quarterback. I’ve looked up to Donovan as long as I can remember, man. I love his fierce competitiveness in the game. It’s a dream come true.
You were the first tackle taken in a draft people say is good at that position. How happy were you that you were first to go?
Like I said, words cannot explain the feeling. Especially to go to Washington, which I feel like is a dream situation for me. It was a great feeling.
Why is it a dream situation?
Just the type of offense they run. The coaches are the best coaches to play for. Coach Shanahan is a Hall of Fame coach. It’s a dream situation. Anybody in this situation would prevail.
Have you had a chance to meet or talk with Chris Samuels?
Yeah, I just got done talking to him. He told me he’s going to do everything in his power to help me become a good pro tackle. That coming from him, he’s one of the best to ever do it, also. I told him I was ready.
What’s your best physical gift, and what physically do you need to work on?
I think I’m working hard to get my technique as solid as possible. I think that will be my biggest challenge. I’m working on it day-in and day-out, and hopefully I do a great job there.
How do you feel about stepping in for a guy that made six Pro Bowls (Samuels)?
It’s some huge shoes to fill. I feel like God put me in this situation for a reason. I’m going to make the most of it.
Can you describe your interaction with Redskins coaches and executives before the draft?
I got a chance to visit Washington. I actually stayed a couple extra days with Malcolm [Kelly] just because me and Malcolm grew up together. I got a great feeling from the coaches and the GM, Mr. Bruce Allen. I got a great feeling about the team, I just didn’t know whether they were going to pick me or not. I felt like they was, but you never know in this draft.
Did Malcolm give you any advice about what to expect?
He gave me advice all through college. When he first got there, he was always filling me in with advice. I was like a sponge, soaking everything up.
What is this about Longview High School that has the Redskins so enamored? Who do they pick next year?
You know we got a running back coming out of Texas. I don’t think the Redskins have a running back need right now, but who knows.
Longview, Texas, is Dallas Cowboys territory, right?
Right.
They’ve got to change their allegiance now?
They might have to. They might have to hang a couple Redskins flags across the city of Longview.
When did you settle in at left tackle?
I felt comfortable but I was dealing with injuries the whole season. When I finally got the chance to be 100 percent healthy, I felt like things started to work out smoothly for me.
Did you start off a Cowboys fan and are you just changing today?
It might surprise you, but I didn’t have a favorite growing up. I was always into sports, but I’ve always followed players instead of the teams.
Who are some of the players you followed growing up?
I followed Walter Jones all the way. The first time I seen him, I watched every game. I tried to, anyway, on Walter Jones because I felt like he was one of the best to ever do it. So I tried to look to him and learn a lot about him.
Did you have a chance to sit down with coach Shanahan and watch film on the offensive line scheme?
I didn’t actually get a chance to watch film with Coach Shanahan. He just assured me that I’ll fit in great with the scheme. I trust his word.
Did you get to meet with Dan Snyder at all?
No, sir. No I didn’t. Not on my visit.
What’s the population of Longview?
A little over 80,000.
How good was the Longview team when all three of the Redskins [Malcolm Kelly, Robert Henson and you] were there?
We were pretty good. We never got a chance to win a state championship, but we were well respected.
-JT
