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David Stanley Ford

Sam Bradford's back, and he has a chance to help himself and OU

BY JAKE TROTTER, Staff Writer, jtrotter@opubco.com    Comments Comment on this article24
Published: October 10, 2009



NORMAN — After Sam Bradford went down with a shoulder injury two quarters into the season, every national analyst posed the same question.


Sam Bradford will be making his first appearance this season since the first half of the BYU game in September. AP Photo

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Had the Oklahoma quarterback’s NFL Draft stock fallen?

Without question, it had.

But now, through adversity, it has the chance to soar higher than ever before. And for now, OU’s season finally has a ray of light.

Today against Baylor, Bradford returns to the Sooners’ starting lineup for the first time since suffering a third-degree separation in his throwing shoulder five weeks ago, which, to every OU fan from Broken Bow to Boise City, has felt like five years.

While OU’s stock tumbled with a pair of one-point losses during non-conference play, Bradford’s draft stock did the same, as he watched, unable to do anything more than cheer on his teammates from the sidelines.

"Not a good feeling,” he said.

But with OU’s first piece of good news since January — when Bradford announced he was spurning the NFL for his junior year of college — both he and the Sooners could be on the rise.

"I still think there’s a lot in front of this team,” he said

Much of that will depend on whether Bradford can eventually return to Heisman form and resurrect a Sooner offense that scored only three touchdowns combined in losses to Brigham Young and Miami.

Throughout his career, all Bradford has done is exceed expectations. As a freshman, he led the nation in passing efficiency. As a sophomore, he won the Heisman.

But waiting ahead is his toughest challenge yet.

With three games away from Norman against Top 25 competition, the schedule is unforgiving. And the offense — with few playmakers remaining and a line still riddled with inconsistent play — has lacked confidence, poise and leadership.

All the more reason why NFL scouts will be closely watching Bradford; to see how he responds to his greatest adversity as a quarterback.

Can he prove he can bounce back from serious injury?

Can he resume throwing with the same accuracy and arm strength he did before?

Can he lead this team past its disappointing start to a promising season and elevate them back to Big 12 contender?

If so, OU’s season can be salvaged.

And, by overcoming adversity, Bradford and his draft stock can reach their greatest heights yet.

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David Stanley Ford


Related Topics: Sports, Football, College Athletics, College Football, NFL Draft, Professional Football


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To all the OU haters,
Check out the website for the University of F.O.!!
Bob, Hanahan - Oct 12, 2009 at 12:53 am
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and its 9:15 and Texas still sux...
Joe Bob, Norman - Oct 11, 2009 at 9:15 am
Better question is whether the Receivers will catch the balls. Whether Landry or Bradford hit them in the hands, we arent going to the promised land without catches.
Joe Bob, Norman - Oct 11, 2009 at 9:15 am
BCS lmao really no chance at all of a bcs game you have no blocking no recievers 2 running bacnks who are just going to end up hurt at texas lets be realistic you have 8 wins tops
choklahoma, Del City - Oct 11, 2009 at 8:30 am
texas 44 ou 21. As usual the o and d lines for OU is pathetic and will be burnt by the rival shorthorns. Additionally Shipley will torch OU as we cant cover Miame or even BAYLOR recivers. Yes we won agaianst BAYLOR but TExas is NOT BAYLOR. TExas 544 OU 20 if they are lucky. The offensive and defensive lines are what dictates football whether pee wee to the nfl. OU's o line is medicocier at best and what we thouht as as a good d line has NOT lived up to any expectations. those dam shorthorns 44 OU 21. I hope and pray that I am wrong but OU is barely a top 25 team and if they dont step it up they will be falling out of the top 25. So Bob the 3 million dollar man gosh what I could do with just a third of that, what are YOU going to do? YOu appear fat on the interviews, your eyes appear puffy and they should but I doubt if its for the reason we all think. BEat texas and the critism is done if not then be a man and get rid of Kevin Wilson and send his fat ass badk to the Univeristy of NORTHWESTERN in Chicago, they sure won lots o championshis we know.
Terry, Norman - Oct 10, 2009 at 7:14 pm
wow i attempted to post another opinion analysis which I hate to say is as good as the scribes (who likely never played football in their lives)hmm tell me where my post went or do you even give a crap? My vote is you do NOT believe in free speech even though you give the illusion you do.
Terry, Norman - Oct 10, 2009 at 7:03 pm
Lloyd your right. At this point the shorthorsn win by 17-21 points.
Terry, Norman - Oct 10, 2009 at 5:04 pm
The big 12 south? Hmm Texas struggled with a bad Wyoming team for 3 1/2 quarters, Oklahoma cant block or tackle, OKState well they have an illegal player, Texas Tech well hmm did they not lose to Houston. Oklahoma appears prety weak, TExas is better than Oklahoma, OSU well which team is going to show up there. Hmm Va tech whipped Nebraska who may or may not beat OU, probably a decent game, at this point I am leaning towards Nebraska. The Big 12 South is for Texas to lose, it is very clear they are on top and the other teams including OU are a notch or two below. IF the shorthorns make it to the national championship game they will get kicked. Miami, VA Tech, Alambama, are far superior to the Big 12 at this time. When Baylor dominates time of posession against OU we need to worry folks and you figure it out as those damn shorthorns are likely going to win by 3 touchdowns next weekend. OU looks pathetic. It will be a miracle of they can beat Texas which is probably not that much better than OU. Get Sam out of there and put Landry in, its obvious that Landry is the best QB right now for OU. I dont mean that bad for Sam, the kid has guts and it trying and he has done alot for OU but he needs to sit and heal, now his knee is an issue somewhat. When is the last time we only led Baylor by 7 at halftime? the second half is all telling if OU cant dominate then we are looking at a long season. It is what it is.
Terry, Norman - Oct 10, 2009 at 4:25 pm
From what I have seen in this Baylor game for the first half, we better call the national guard out for the TX game. It's going to be ugly.
Lloyd, Irving - Oct 10, 2009 at 4:16 pm
Danny is right. Big Twelve South is still the toughest schedule in the USA. Every game will be tough, and a must-win situation.
dave, oklahoma city - Oct 10, 2009 at 2:23 pm
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Danny from Vail, you obviously don't want to see it. And for teams like OU, who compete every year for conference championships, all conference games are must win. And I am starting to feel pretty good again about a team that is 1 point away from winning the 2 games they lost and their Heisman Trophy winning QB returning.
Mike, Corpus Christi - Oct 10, 2009 at 1:13 pm
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There are 8 reasons why Sam will unfortunately not make much difference in comparison to Landry: Loadholt, Duke Robinson, Cooper, Braxton, Gresham, Broyles, Iglesias, and Manny Johnson. These are all major players off of last season's powerhouse offense that are gone due to injury or graduation. I'm an optimist but the line and the "receivers" (other than Broyles) haven't given much to hope for...
Billy, Oklahoma City - Oct 10, 2009 at 12:51 pm
This is not a game that Bradford has to play in other than to shake the cobwebs out before the loss to Texas next week.

Every game from here on out is a MUST WIN for the Swooners.
Still, I don't see it.
Danny, Vail - Oct 10, 2009 at 10:45 am
Do your job line, please.
David, Norman - Oct 10, 2009 at 10:25 am
roy, i agree with you as well on sam bradford, sam is oklahoma and loves his school and state. overcoming his injuries and adversity sam is a true oklahoma sooner. sam we look forward for your return and do what ever it takes too get your team up for each game. see you in the north endzone. we are leaving texas at 10;30 a.m. for the lawton turnpike with our ou flags on our ou red chevy silverado, lindsey made sure of that. you guys protect your home field turf, show baylor oklahoma came too play, this is the start of big-12 action. we like too see you guys be the first team too win 4-straight big-12 titles. sam will do his part its really up too every sooner player as well. you big upfront pay close attention too your quarterback and pancake anyone who trys too get close too sam. put the points on the board and help your defense as well. the stingy ou-defense still is the best in the country giving-up only 35-points in 4-games, that is great. keep it up i rather see you guys give-up 3333, than 777. my girl lindsey told me too hurry up and hit the road for little norman,okla. she is named after lindsey street, she claims that street by her name. you guys be fired-up and put blake symansky on his butt all-day. he is from the wichita falls,tx area channel-3 from wichita falls,tx will be there before the game and do a story on him. i hope you guys runined his day. boomer-sooner. ou-johnny and family.
johnny, olney - Oct 10, 2009 at 9:50 am
I think the best that came out of this is Landry got some valued expierence. I think having Bradford back helps this teams confidence but Bradford isn't superman. He still needs a line that will block and not make stupid mistakes and penalties and recievers that can make plays. Right now I'm not so sure we have all that, Baylor yes, should be a win. But Texas...
Jess, Warr Acres - Oct 10, 2009 at 9:37 am
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this is why I enjoy college football...and OU football...how will we address adversity? I don't want to be in the BCS Championship game, we are not a top 10 team right now. Let's play to the best of our ability each game, go to a credible bowl, wind the bowl and work to be better next year with a Landry Jones that has a bit of seasoning. BOOMER!
roy, oklahoma city - Oct 10, 2009 at 9:05 am
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Thank god Sam's back, maybe we can salvage what's left of this turd of a season
Jason, Oklahoma City - Oct 10, 2009 at 7:31 am
Hey Kent.."Let's run the table now and meet up with florida/LSU/bama in the bcs champ game" and drag your three losses you'll have behind you..lol Better make plans for the Alamo or Sun Bowl this year...NO BCS for you OU.

Jolly, Edmond - Oct 10, 2009 at 7:26 am
I'm just happy Sam's starting today. Hopefully, each member of the OL feels personally responsible for his injury, and takes it upon themselves to block like they've never blocked before on each and every play going forward. It will also be interesting to see if he can find any chemistry with the young receivers.
Brad, Washington D.C. - Oct 10, 2009 at 7:08 am
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Not so fast....Their is still a large element missing from Last year, and that is the protection Sam had. BYU run a stunt blitz and overran the side because the Center was getting double team help. All OU opponents know this and will be trying to get to Sam. Matt Clapp needs to make sure he picks up Corners, etc. It wasn't a corner that hurt Sam though. It was an overload with linebackers and it actually looked like everybody did what they were supposed to do. The double team on the nose guard left a linebacker free. Anyway, I hope the O line is beginning to gel. We will see, if not this week, then next....
craig, Oklahoma city - Oct 10, 2009 at 6:37 am
Let's run the table now and meet up with florida/LSU/bama in the bcs champ game. The Truth has returned and Justice will be sure and swift.
kent, Kansas City - Oct 10, 2009 at 6:04 am
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Welcome back, Sam. Do your thing plz thnx.
Jeremy, Purcell - Oct 10, 2009 at 4:06 am

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