Oklahoma is Landry Jones' team now, and with the uncertainty over he can focus on winning games
BY JAKE TROTTER, Staff Writer, jtrotter@opubco.com
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Published: October 31, 2009
NORMAN — For the last month, quarterback Landry Jones has wondered.
Wondered if he would start. Wondered if he would even play. Now, the wondering is over. This week, Sam Bradford put an end to all uncertainty by undergoing season-ending surgery and revealing his intentions of entering the NFL Draft. Officially, the Landry Jones era at Oklahoma has begun. This is now his team. "There is a little bit of relief,” Jones admitted. "I can just focus in on what I need to do to beat our opponent, instead of wondering if Sam was coming back or going.” So far, Jones has performed admirably, considering the circumstances. Replacing a Heisman Trophy winner is "extremely hard,” Jones said. Still, Jones has given the Sooners a chance in every game he’s played. Despite some weeks receiving a limited number of practice snaps with the first team, and twice being tossed into the fire following Bradford injuries. "He’s been put into some tough situations,” Bradford agreed. "It’s not easy coming in the middle of a game, especially not getting as many reps during practice.” Now, Jones is getting all the first-team practice reps he can handle, which should only expedite his improvement. Even though the competition hasn’t been near as strong, Jones has proven to be more efficient after receiving a full week of practice with the first team. In games against BYU, Miami and Texas, when Jones was sharing or taking none of the first-team practice snaps, his quarterback rating was 107.9. But in games against Idaho State, Tulsa and Kansas, when he took all of the first-team snaps, Jones’ rating was 159.5. "Compared to the second guy, the first guy is always more prepared,” coach Bob Stoops said. "Moving forward, getting all those reps and the study time should help him continue to play well.” Said Jones, "That definitely helps. You actually get to see the defense in practice and do all the throws against it.” While replacing a Bradford is impossible, playing one quarterback could also help generate much-needed stability for an offense that’s remarkably started only three players — Trent Williams, Brandon Caleb and Brody Eldridge — in every game this season. "When Sam was coming back throwing the ball again, it was a question as to who was going to start,” said center Ben Habern. "Now at least we know we have Landry coming up, we feel confident in him and we’re excited for the rest of the season.” And officially being the guy, Jones — who has displayed uncanny on-field leadership for an otherwise quiet redshirt freshman — can begin to make this team his own. "Landry is stepping up and being a leader of this team,” Bradford said. "I think it shows the tremendous upside he has. "I think he’s going to be a great quarterback here.”
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Steam Locomotive! Look..out on the field, is it Bradford, is it Heupel, is it Thompson, NO!
IT'S THE 'STACH! We need a QB with some Flash, Swagger, Karisma, can run as well as pass.
I've heard all these 'old Fogey conservative, WWLS and Sports Blitz people bad mouth the
'Stach. OU needs a break from these stoic, rah-rah, Win one for the Stooper, kind of guy's.
The 'Stach is the perfect medicine.