Red River: Texas is happy to see quarterback Sam Bradford
By John Rohde
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Published: October 13, 2009
AUSTIN, Texas — Either the Texas Longhorns orchestrated their answers impeccably Monday, or they are genuinely pleased junior quarterback Sam Bradford has returned to the Oklahoma lineup.
Those who appeared at Texas’ weekly media luncheon insist they’re happy Bradford will be back on the field in time for this week’s Red River Rivalry after missing 3½ games with a separated right (throwing) shoulder. No one in burnt orange appeared to fight the urge to say, "Aw, man. Why couldn’t he have returned next week?” There was an upbeat inflection in Longhorn voices while welcoming back last year’s Heisman Trophy winner. Defensive tackle Lamarr Houston: "Most definitely, I’m happy he’s back. It’s exciting to play somebody who’s got that type of status. He’s a great player.” Defensive end Sergio Kindle: "Me being on the other side of the ball seeing this guy work, he’s amazing. He’s that good.” Defensive coordinator Will Muschamp: "I don’t wish any ill will on any of our opponents and having injuries. You don’t want that to happen. You want to play well against their best players.” Quarterback Colt McCoy: "I’m definitely glad he’s back playing. It makes for a fun week, for sure.” Such wide-ranging support seems suspicious, considering Bradford has completed 49 of 71 passes (.690) for 631 yards and eight touchdowns in two meetings with Texas. If the Longhorns beat the Sooners on Saturday, they want full praise for doing so. For that to happen, Bradford must be on the field and wide receiver Ryan Broyles, too, if he can make it. The ’Horns want no ifs, ands, buts or asterisks attached to Saturday’s outcome. "You really want to play people when they’re at their best, because that’s the only way you get credit for beating them,” Texas coach Mack Brown said. OU fans insist their beloved Sooners would be 5-0 had Bradford been in the lineup, rather than 3-2. That’s a pretty safe assumption, but it’s no guarantee such would be the case. This type of presumptive talk is precisely what the Longhorns wanted to avoid. In an odd way, having Bradford in the starting lineup gives UT a jump in its preparation as opposed to facing backup Landry Jones, who filled in admirably for Bradford. "Very honestly, we’ve seen Sam. We know what Sam’s going to do,” Brown said. "We know more about who he is and what their offense is. We have not even been able to study Landry that much. What you’re worried about is if you’re sitting there and you’re not sure who’s going to play.” McCoy’s well-wishes toward Bradford were predictable. The two developed a friendship touring New York City together during last year’s Heisman Trophy weekend. They were roommates last summer at Peyton and Eli Manning’s Passing Academy in Thibodaux, La. "I’ve talked to him a little bit in the past month since he’s been injured, just encouraging him, hoping he’s feeling better,” McCoy said of communicating with Bradford. "We probably won’t say anything this week, though.” Bradford completed 28 of 39 passes for 387 yards for five touchdowns in a 45-35 loss to the Longhorns last year. Asked if he thought his defense did a good job containing Bradford, Muschamp forced a smile and said, "I wouldn’t think 400 yards passing is good, and we gave up too many explosive plays ... I thought it was very poor.” Muschamp studied footage of Bradford’s return performance last Saturday against Baylor, during which Bradford completed 27 of 49 passes for 389 yards and had multiple passes dropped. "I thought he looked very good ... very comfortable, good arm strength,” Muschamp said of Bradford. "I thought he made some outstanding throws. I didn’t see a whole lot of drop-off at all.” Brown said he never would have guessed Bradford was injured after watching how he performed against Baylor. "Bradford being Bradford, he’s going to make plays,” Kindle said. "That’s just how good he is. He’s a great quarterback. "That guy can make it happen.” And the Longhorns are glad they get the chance to try and stop him. John Rohde: 475-3099. John Rohde can be heard Monday-Friday from 6-7 p.m. on The Sports Animal Network, including AM-640 and FM-98.1.
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3-3 after saturday ...boomer
BTW...I have predicted every ou loss this year...#3 is comming!!
sugarmommamacth = c om allows me the most amzing things in my life. It also welcomes u nice guys to join.....
OU Victory= X (the number of OU passes thrown on 1st down beyond 15 yards)- Y (the number of straight dive plays on 1st down)over the number of OU holding calls minus the number of UT holding calls. If the top integer is a positive number and the bottom one less than 3, we win.
Mack's assistant's will scheme us well, and if we don't adjust or throw something back at them, we're beat. The officials will give UT 7 to 10 points, but I predict our players will give it a miraculous effort. If only our coaches were as good....
Here is to a good game and the Big 12 still at least looking better than the PAC 10 or Big 10.