Berry Tramel, Sports columnist

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David Stanley Ford

Cheers and Jeers: Sudden Sam's endorsement

By Berry Tramel    Comments Comment on this article49
Published: December 4, 2008

CHEERS
→To the Big 12 coaches’ Heisman endorsement of Sam Bradford. What else can be construed from the vote that made Sudden Sam first-team all-conference and the Big 12 offensive player of the year?

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→To the crazy point production by the OU offense. The Sooners have scored at least 40 points in a half four of their last five games: 55 (first half) vs. Kansas State, 49 (first half) vs. Nebraska, 42 (first half) vs. Texas Tech and 40 (second half) vs. OSU.

JEERS
→To Bob Stoops’ preference to anchor the Big 12 title game in one locale, apparently in Texas. Such a move would anchor the Big 12 basketball tournament to Kansas City, leaving OKC out of the rotation.

→To the annual raiding of coaching staffs before their seasons are over. Missouri is losing offensive coordinator Dave Christensen to Wyoming, though he says he will stay on at MU through the bowl game. OU knows that feeling. No coach can serve two masters.

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David Stanley Ford


Related Topics: Basketball, Sports, Football, College Basketball, College Athletics, College Football, Bowl Championship Series


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Bob, "Sooner Nation" was not coined by Howard Schnellenberger. It may have been coined earlier than 1972.

The term "Sooner Nation" was also used in the 1971 or 1972 reworking of the song Woody and Jack Guthrie composed, "Oklahoma Hills." I was a child, but I believe one verse went, "Way down yonder in the Sooner Nation, football is our preoccupation, Oklahoma Sooners number one." The original version contained a line "Way down yonder in the Indian nation."
edwin, Tulsa - Dec 5, 2008 at 11:10 am
agreed, playing in kc in december makes no sense. do a dome in stl if you are going to play up in the north.
Jace, Atlanta - Dec 5, 2008 at 8:00 am
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The main reason for having the title game in Texas is for recruiting.Nothing to jeer about.
Billy, Ponca City - Dec 5, 2008 at 6:43 am
Not another nickname. But what would you expect, these same sports writers continue to refer to OU as the Sooner Nation...a name coined by Smellenberger and perpetuated by Brent Fustberger.
Bob, Edmond - Dec 4, 2008 at 10:54 pm
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Just don't play a Big XII Championship football game in KC in December. That's stupid!
Jeff, Tulsa - Dec 4, 2008 at 10:44 pm
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what is with sudden Sam and where did that come from? Not cool, sounds stupid like a cheap porn name or something.
nocona, santa fe - Dec 4, 2008 at 9:45 pm
Sooner fans, remember to vote for Sam Bradford every day for the Heisman. He is closing the gap fast but still trails. We just need to get all our friends and family to vote and pass this along to all Sooners via email.

http://promo.espn.go.com/espn/contests/theheismanvote/
Ed, San Jose - Dec 4, 2008 at 6:10 pm
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Michael, it probably depends on what you mean by 'made it'. Nate Hybl was with the Brown's (I believe) for a couple(ish) of seasons and Paul Thompson did hang around with the Packers for a while last year, not sure what he is doing now. Were any of them Hall of Famer's like Aikman, no.
sid, Perryton - Dec 4, 2008 at 5:16 pm
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Folks, let's not forget the men up front who are helping Sam have such a great season. The O line has been absolutely amazing this year. Hats off to the big men. Keep pushing people down!!!!
Ken, Boise - Dec 4, 2008 at 4:48 pm
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Sudden Sam as a nickname is ghey.
urworthless, Oklahoma City - Dec 4, 2008 at 3:58 pm
Mc Coy won't stand up tp the NFL as well as Bradford. He's too small for today's NFL and even though he scrambles, those 6'8" monsters will eventually bust him up. Bradford is the best QB I have seen coming out of OU in my lifetime, and has all the trademarks of a future Super Bowl MVP.
B, Geary - Dec 4, 2008 at 2:59 pm
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Billy, you stole my thunder. I was going to mention playing in the dome in St. Louis on years when it is in the north. I must say that I kinda like watching games in bad weather though. Keep in mind that this is coming from a guy that doesnt travel to the title games or bowl games so I will be watching it in a warm room. Maybe when the kids are grown I will get to go "suffer" with the rest of you.
matt, Moore - Dec 4, 2008 at 2:43 pm
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Jeers to BOTH your jeers.

1) Stoops doesn't want his players / fans out in the 15-degree weather for 3 hours...that's a *good* thing.

2) No coach can serve two masters? We know that feeling? I don't recall Mike Stoops being on the sidelines when he left, and frankly, Bo Pelini did it quite well with Nebraska and LSU.
Jason, Norman - Dec 4, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Really Thomas? Graham Harrell is nowhere in your top 7 Big XII QB's? There goes any credibility you may have had.
Billy, Oklahoma City - Dec 4, 2008 at 1:21 pm
What is wrong with having the Title football game in Dallas every year? And, who cares if hoops is in OKC? Baseball is always in OKC. You can't have everything in one place.
Trae, Dallas - Dec 4, 2008 at 12:41 pm
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Berry,to add to the coaching carousel it is being reported that Washington has interviewed Brent Venables for their HC spot.
If true I hope he uses the next two games to make his case.
Stan
Stan, Norman - Dec 4, 2008 at 12:27 pm
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Colt will get kill in the NFL. Running around thinking he's the next best option.. Son of Sam's (father) Bradford (what?) will be a much better pro candidate.. Mel Kiper said so !
david, fresno - Dec 4, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Slingin Sam is already taken care of as well. Slingin Sammy Baugh-Great QB!!!
Greg, Edmond - Dec 4, 2008 at 11:51 am
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Aside from Troy Aikman, has an OU quarterback ever made it in the NFL in the last couple of decades? Bradford has a nice touch, and speaking from experience, life is a lot nicer for a quarterback when he has all the time in the world to throw and has an abundance of talent to throw at. The kid has a nice touch, but so did Heupal (sp?) I just dont think he has the arm strength to make it in the pros like Colt will.
Michael, Oklahoma City - Dec 4, 2008 at 11:39 am
I heard Sam Bradford went to rehab. Not because Sam Bradford was addicted to drugs, but because drugs were addicted to Sam Bradford.
Eric, Midwest City - Dec 4, 2008 at 11:33 am
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There are plenty of good quarterbacks in the Big XII, but there is a vast difference between Sam Bradford, Colt McCoy and the rest of the conference. I will be the first to admit that I friggin' hate Texas with a passion, but I know a game quarterback when I see one and Colt McCoy is BIG time QB. That begin said I still think Sam Bradford is the better QB. If had to to rate the rest of the field I would choose Zach Robinson 3rd, Todd Reesing 4th, Chase Daniel 5th, Josh Freeman 6th and Robert Griffin 7th. I believe Robinson, Reesing, and Daniel would all be 1st or 2nd team all conference in any other conference in the nation.

Boomer Sooner!!!
Thomas, Oklahoma City - Dec 4, 2008 at 11:29 am
Bradford is lucky not to be sitting in a wheelchair after that dumb stunt he pulled at Stillwater. Go ahead and make him a whatever. Like a certain QB before him and there is noone else to pick. Then when he gets bombed in the bowl game, throw you hat away like last year. At least it's good for the local OU hat business.
Mack - Dec 4, 2008 at 11:17 am
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touche, Jeff!
adam, broken arrow - Dec 4, 2008 at 11:03 am
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Yeah, last week in Stillwater, Sam Bradford, Brent Musburger and Kirk Herbstreit were at the OSU Duck Pond doing an interview. They saw a drunk frat boy fall into the pond and start drowning. Bradford ran across the surface of the water, grabbed the drowning guy and dragged him to shore. When he got the shore, Musburger turned to Herbstreit and said "did you see that?". Herbstreit said "yeah, I can't believe that Bradford does not know how to swim either".
Jeff, Moore - Dec 4, 2008 at 10:46 am
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Patrick in Fayetteville - I don't think Leach will leave Tech for Washington. He is in line for a HUGE raise in Lubbock, and I don't think his personality and style would be appreciated in the Pacific Northwest.
John, Yukon - Dec 4, 2008 at 10:40 am
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Who's the better quarterback in Stillwater? Gundy? How the coaches who voted Bradford first team all Big 12 QB and offensive POY? Were they effected by the DOK in places like Lubbock, TX, or Ames, IA or Lincoln, NE? I didn't think so...keep drinking the kool aid until next fall, winner. I think Stoops would be fine with playing the game even in St. Louis at their dome, just as long as frigid weather doesn't affect the outcome of such an important game. Whoever said move the game to Denver I hope they were kidding, quite a bit colder there than in KC. And comparing the basketball rotation is like apples and oranges because no matter where the bball tourney is held it will be played in a 73 degree arena, the same can not be said about football, obviously. I hope "Sudden Tramel" comes down with amnesia and forgets all these corny names he likes to give.
Billy, Oklahoma City - Dec 4, 2008 at 10:39 am
You could put the names of Harrel,Robinson,Bradford,McCoy,Daniel,Reesing, the QB's at Nebraska and Baylor in a sack, pull one out and you could build a winner with the chosen one...Never has a conference seen the likes of these QB's..
buzz, mooreland - Dec 4, 2008 at 10:38 am
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Michael, don't you watch the sports on KOCO, channel 5? Daniel Holdge is such a whore for OSU; at least he was earlier in the season. When he did his broadcasts he would gush all over Gundy and OSU and not even mention OU. It was as though the team in Norman didn't exist. I think his bosses talked to him and told him to even things up a bit.
John, Yukon - Dec 4, 2008 at 10:37 am
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Sam Bradford is the best quarterback in a conference full of great quarterback's and will likely win the Heisman trophy. Who came up with the nickname, "Sudden Sam"? That is an already existing nickname for a Cleveland Indians pitcher from the 1960's named Sam McDowell. He had a blazing, or "sudden" , fastball consistently in the upper-90's and even reaching 100 mph. Let's be more original when applying nicknames. I don't know which one, but consider Slinging Sam, Shotgun Sam, Super Sam, Stud Sam, Stupendous Sam, or anything with a little more originality, not the nickname that has already been applied to another sports star. The name fit a flame throwing pitcher like Sam McDowell. It doesn't really fit Sam Bradford. I guess Berry thinks it sounds cool.
Jerry, Pond Creek - Dec 4, 2008 at 10:21 am
Sudden Sam makes no sense, and is already taken by a Major league baseball player in the '50's. "Superman Sam" is a much better nick name.
tom, Lawton - Dec 4, 2008 at 10:19 am
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"Really though, there is a much better quarterback in Stillwater. More agile, stronger arm...."

Uh huh.

No, Michael. You aren't biased at all.
Grant, Edmond - Dec 4, 2008 at 10:11 am
Sam Bradford sleeps with a night light.
Not because he's afraid of the dark, but because the dark is afraid of Sam Bradford.

Really though, there is a much better quarterback in Stillwater. More agile, stronger arm.... he just doesn't get any press coverage because this entire state is full of biased news reporters like Ol' Berry here.

Sure would be nice to see a news station or this communist newspaper hire some people that supported all the college teams and players and didn't abuse their power.
Michael, Oklahoma City - Dec 4, 2008 at 10:01 am
Berry, Do you know that you are the ONLY person who refers to Bradford as "Sudden Sam"? What a ridiculous moniker. Give it a rest. Sam is a great player who doesn't need a gimmicky nickname. You tried to attach this to him last year. It isn't working.
Mike, Topeka - Dec 4, 2008 at 9:45 am
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I have been to the Big 12 Championship game in KC 2x's and I didn't notice the cold so much (although it was in the teens if I remember right) when we beat KSU in 2000 and went on to win the NC. But when KSU jack-slapped us in 2003 it was warmer, temperature wise, but it seemed colder, alot colder. If Trammel is so emotional about OKC getting left out of the equation, he needs to be promoting a world class facility in OKC so it is the obvious place to host big events.
ED, MULESHOE - Dec 4, 2008 at 9:27 am
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You would have to pay me to go to Arrowhead Stadium in December....even when OU is playing. Add to that the effect on the players playing in sub 30 degree temperature. As Brent said, at least make it a 2:30 game.
David, Grant - Dec 4, 2008 at 9:22 am
I heard Sam Bradford saved a cat from a burning house!
Ed Lova, Oklahoma City - Dec 4, 2008 at 9:19 am
Arrowhead Stadium is a great venue but.....the game should be played in the afternoon vs. the evening. I know, TV makes the call, but it should be played 2:30ish. It makes a difference. I'm fine with anything above 30 because I don't think it impacts the game. The main issue might be the condition of the field. The combo of the Chiefs and the weather takes its toll. It looked terrible last week for the Missouri-KU game.
Brent, Dallas - Dec 4, 2008 at 9:16 am
Saturday's Forecast for KC: Snow with a low of 32F. Barry: since you will be in the pressbox most of the time, this probably does not mean much to you, but for those of us out in the wind, snow, and cold, it sure does. Move this game to Jerry Jones' new stadium with the retractable roof. If the weather is good, open it; if the weather is bad, close it.
CECIL, Encinitas - Dec 4, 2008 at 9:13 am
I heard that Sam Bradford is a NINJA!
The Plainsman, Oklahoma - Dec 4, 2008 at 9:11 am
Have you ever been at Arrowhead Stadium on a cold night in December? Oh my! Whom in their right mind would pick Kansas in Dec. for a title game? If you are going, prepare for a nightmare parking at the stadium. The title game should be eliminated first, but if played, in a covered stadium, maybe the new Dallas Cowboy Stadium next year.
Robert, Denver - Dec 4, 2008 at 8:06 am
I hate to see Dallas the permanent location of the Champ. game but I really hate to see the game played in a outdoor stadium, at night, in Kansas City. KC is not prepared for a December football game and until they build an enclosed arena should not be considered. How about Denver?
Janet, Oklahoma City - Dec 4, 2008 at 8:04 am
Sam Bradford causes Chuck Norris to quake in fear and soil himself.
sid, Perryton - Dec 4, 2008 at 8:04 am
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How's about a jeer for for anyone asking for jeer against the tie breaking system that doesn't identify their troll butt as being an Ag or a whorn??? None of us Sooner fans are upset so that pretty much narrows down the list to the mentioned or a third category, OU hater.The whorns tried to reduce it to a two team tie and tried to convince the entire country the season ended October 11. They can push it out their blowhole!!!!
Roger, Keller - Dec 4, 2008 at 8:01 am
Jeer Tramel for writting horrible articles when there is so much to write about.
Hiffdas, fdassfas - Dec 4, 2008 at 7:35 am
Is Tech going to lose Leach?
Patrick, Fayetteville - Dec 4, 2008 at 7:29 am
i got no problem with the football game being anchored in one location either. with the cowboys new stadium that would be a perfect place. more seats than any other stadium hosting it. a big city that could help attract more fans. typically better weather this time of year than k.c. lets not forget, the title game is about making money - nothing more.
patrick, euless - Dec 4, 2008 at 7:28 am
I don't blame Stoops for wantin the Big 12 game to be in tx every year. I hate playin in cold a$$ KC @ night. how come the SEC game (usually a dome in ATL or in Jax, FL) can't be the primetime game and the let the Big 12 game be in the afternoon when it's played in the north? It makes more sense and the elements don't play as much as a factor.
Jiohdee, atlanta - Dec 4, 2008 at 7:12 am
How about a "jeer" for the Big 12 tiebreaking system?
Tony, Edmond - Dec 4, 2008 at 6:53 am
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That is the best "jeer" that you could come up with? How about a jeer for the entire UTerus fan base for their 45-35 campaign, frickin' weenies.
Lee, Euless - Dec 4, 2008 at 6:52 am
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