Jenni Carlson: Time for Sooner fans to hit the reset button
By Jenni Carlson
Comments 
11
Published: October 10, 2009
Rejoice, Sooner Nation, Sam Bradford is back.
It is good news for this team and this season, and it is even better news for the Oklahoma quarterback himself. But just because Bradford has returned doesn’t mean the Sooner Magic has. Having him back on the field for the first time since injuring that shoulder will be a shot in the arm, but it will not cure all ills. It does not shore up the offensive line. It does not solve the deficiencies at wide receiver. Even though Bradford is a fantastic talent, a player for the ages even, he can only do so much. Time to face the facts and accept the reality, Sooner Nation. You must hit the reset button. Now, that isn’t to say this season is lost. This team can still win a bunch of games. It can still challenge for another Big 12 championship. It can still play in a good bowl game. But these Sooners aren’t the force that everyone predicted they would be in the preseason. They aren’t a front-running, free-wheeling bunch. Wins are not a given. Triumphs will be hard-fought and well-earned. Nothing will be easy. Everything, though, becomes a little easier with Bradford’s return. Several Sooner squads of the Stoops era have found themselves in reset mode. The 2005 team called on Rhett Bomar after Paul Thompson struggled in the season opener. Then, the 2006 team called on Thompson after Bomar was dismissed right before the start of two-a-days. Those guys were good, but they weren’t Heisman Trophy winners. Bradford is a special talent. Over the past couple of years, he has made everything look so easy, so simple that you tend to forget just how gifted he is. Granted, no one has yet to see how he’ll fare in a game after this shoulder injury. It’s not a career-ender by any means, but Bradford is sure to show some rust if for no other reason than he’s been sidelined for more than a month. Will his arm hold up? Will it show signs of fatigue? Will he remind everyone of the Slingin’ Sam of old? And if all goes well, will people still want to string Kevin Wilson up by the offensive coordinator’s toes? Some of those answers come today against Baylor. Still, this much is already known — these Sooners are not a team for the ages. They can be good, not great. They can win, not dominate. They can still have a nice season, maybe even win a conference crown and play in a BCS bowl. But that will be a stretch, even with Bradford back. Heck, even with him in top form, it will be nearly impossible. Hitting the reset button doesn’t mean giving up on this season, Sooner fans. It just means accepting this team for what it is.
Prev
Something to say about this topic? Submit a Letter to the Editor online
Thank you for joining our conversations on newsok. We encourage your discussions but ask that you stay within the bounds of our terms and conditions. Please help us by reporting comments that violate these guidelines. To review our rules of engagement, go to Commenting and posting policy.
Log in below or sign up (it's free).
I find it interesting that people, including the DOK writers, keep bringing up an old saying by Switzer that teams with the best athletes almost always wins. They're conveniently forgetting the second half of that statement. He would go on qualify the statement by adding provided they are properly prepared and the game plan is sound. I know, I heard it everyday for 2 years.
Wilson will open the playbook today just to protect Bradford. Slants, screens, spots, things that keep Bradford from getting hits because they require little blocking by the line. The same things he should have been calling the entire time. Next week against Texas, a team with equal talent, its pucker time again.
Hey Stoops, the opposing tight end is open.
Wow your story borders on just plain negative. Nothing like taking the fun out of sports huh? Might think about rewriting this one.
Wake up Jenni..