The state of Oklahoma can collectively lift up its head and wipe away the last of their Orange Bowl tears. Your beloved Cherokee has returned to lead his tribe for one more season.
Christmas came a few weeks late for college football, but 2009 is already shaping up to be one of the most exciting it its history. In a shocking development, Colt McCoy, Tim Tebow, and Sam Bradford have all pulled their names off of Todd McShay's mock draft board.
Sooner nation did not receive just one late Christmas gift. They actually got four in the returns of Jermaine Gresham, Trent Williams, Gerald McCoy, and Bradford. Texas can officially stop printing their ‘2009 Big 12 Champion' t-shirts because another dog fight is on the horizon.
Historically, this is even more exciting an announcement than it appears on the surface. The last 3 Heisman winning quarterbacks that returned the next season all played in the National Championship game. Bradford has an excellent chance to follow in the footsteps of Matt Leinart, Jason White, and Tim Tebow.
There were clearly reasons for Bradford to stay in college for another year. To succeed in the NFL, he will have to show that he can successfully work under center, something he has done sparingly in his years at OU.
He also must prove that he was not a product of his wide open offensive system, and the lack of defensive prowess in the Big 12. Any defense not belonging to the Sooners or Longhorns simply self-destructed in their bowl games.
After all, Bradford could only lead the Sooners into the end zone twice against Florida, arguably his only true defensive test of the season. OU averaged 60 points per game in its previous 7, including four Top-20 opponents.
On the other hand, 50 touchdowns and 8 INTs in a major conference cannot be overlooked, and neither of the 2 INTs Bradford threw in the Orange bowl were his fault. His accuracy is phenomenal, his arm strength translates to the next level, and he has the poise and quiet confidence to lead a team.
Barring a serious injury in '09, it truly was a win-win scenario for Bradford and his family regardless of his decision.
Jermaine Gresham's decision ironically was the more surprising of the two, even though some pegged Bradford as a Top-5 selection in the 2009 NFL Draft.
Coming off an absolutely jaw-dropping season, Gresham showed all the tools to become to next true ‘factor' TE in the NFL. His 2008 season included 66 catches for 950 yards and 14 TDs.
Gresham was the only Sooner that Florida had no answer for in the title game, as he recorded 8 catches and 2 TDs. He also accounted for more receiving yards in the game than anyone on either team.
He put up monster games on national television against Texas, Texas Tech and Oklahoma State. In those three games, Gresham had 19 catches for 343 yards and 4 scores. His natural talent and success pale in comparison to his 6'6" 260+ pound frame.
There was simply nothing left to prove at the college level for Gresham. He was a guaranteed 1st round selection, can do virtually nothing in his senior season on the field to elevate his draft status, and has everything to lose by risking injury or a letdown season.
He has proven he can run routes, he has proven he can block on the edge (as shown by OU's two 1000 yard rushers), and he has proven time and time again that he has the softest hands around.
The only thing that could help or hurt his draft stock from here on out is his combine workout. His best previously recorded 40 yard dash was 4.67, similar to that of Jeremy Shockey coming out of Miami in 2002.
A TE's 40 yard time is not nearly as important as the other skill positions, but a time near or above the 5.0 second mark can destroy a prospect.
Gresham's time falls right in the middle of respectable. If Vernon Davis has taught us anything, it is that route-running and hands are much more important for a TE than freakish athletic ability and speed.
Whether or not I agree with their decisions, the heart and soul of OU's team will be coming back for another try in 2009.
College football is ecstatic, and BCS supporters are horrified. Too much top junior talent is returning, and too many excellent teams could finish with the same record come December.
Colt McCoy and the Longhorns will have no pity for whoever gets left out this time, but it should make for one hell of a college football season. Buckle your seatbelts and enjoy the ride.
Shanon Lersh
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It is going to be even better than this year's battle...i definitely see the Big-12 Champ getting a rematch with Florida in the '09 BCS Title game.
Ohio State loses too much leadership all at once with Lauranitis, Beanie Wells, Hartline, Jenkins, and others to go undefeated. They will need to to get in because of their weak conference schedule.
The same holds true for USC, as was clearly seen in the voting and computers this year. The Pac-10 provides no competition for the Trojans, and 1 loss will again keep them from playing for a title. Sanchez most likely leaving will make it too difficult to run the table with a 1st timer under center.
Heartbeat of the…
Park Ridge , NJ
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I've got to say Bronx, this was a good analysis except you are off on one thing. Both of Bradford's interceptions were due to his suspect arm strenth. Watch replays of his interceptions. Both were caused by the defender having enough time to adjust to the ball.
Because of his weak arm strength, Bradford is a below-average passer when throwing passes of 15 yards or more. ESPN's insider ran some stats and Bradford was 46% on passes of 15 yards or more before the title game. Against Florida, he was 35% on passes of 10 yards or more (stat on Sportscenter). 5 of his 8 interceptions came on passes of 15 yards or more, yet less than 1/4 of his overall passes were 15+ yard passes.
Compare that to Tebow. The stronger-armed Tebow was 55% on passes of 15 yards or more and threw only 1 of his 4 interceptions on such passes, which is even more impressive considering about 1/3 of his attempts were 15+ yard passes and albout half of his yards came on these long passes.
Watching Bradford on film it is clear that he is amazingly accurate. It is also clear that he gets into trouble throwing deep against good defenses. The reason? Because even if he is pinpoint accurate, the defender has extra time to adjust when the ball is in the air.
Headpunting
Gainesville, FL
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