With Jones' fast start, no real rush for Bradford's return
September, 22, 2009
Sep 22
9:49
AM ET
Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin
Even as Sam Bradford returned to practice Monday to begin light practice, Oklahoma’s coaches aren’t facing any real pressure to rush the Heisman Trophy winner immediately back into the starting lineup.
That’s because redshirt freshman Landry Jones set the school record by throwing for six touchdowns against Tulsa. Jones’ quick early development has emboldened the Sooners to think that they can be competitive enough with him in charge to give them a chance to win when they travel to No. 9 Miami next week.
Bradford returned to practice on Monday and began light throwing in his first work with the team since he sustained a third-degree separation of his right shoulder in the Sooners’ season-opening loss to BYU on Sept. 5.
Oklahoma receiver Ryan Broyles told reporters that Bradford did not throw with full extension and his range was about 5-10 yards.
It’s a start. Conventional wisdom would hold that Bradford would need about a week of solid throwing to be adequately prepared to return to the lineup.
The temptation to get him back as quickly remains strong. But Jones’ record-breaking effort against Tulsa showed the Sooners’ offense at their most productive this season. Jones has thrown nine touchdown passes in the last two games.
"I feel good if it is Landry,” Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said. “He’s handling it really well. He’s been nothing but consistent and solid.”
A more likely scenario would be to have Bradford back for the Sooners’ Big 12 opener against Baylor on Oct. 10. That would give him a solid additional week of recovery time before pushing him back in the starting lineup.
And even as the Sooners game against the Hurricanes looms large, the biggest game for the Sooners remains on Oct. 17 at the Cotton Bowl against Texas.
That’s the most important game of the season for Stoops and the Sooners. They still have a strong chance to contend for their fourth-straight Big 12 title and will need to beat the Longhorns in order to accomplish that feat.
Trust me, beating Miami would be nice. But the Red River Rivalry is the game when the Sooners’ coaches will want Bradford to be back in the lineup.
Even as Sam Bradford returned to practice Monday to begin light practice, Oklahoma’s coaches aren’t facing any real pressure to rush the Heisman Trophy winner immediately back into the starting lineup.
That’s because redshirt freshman Landry Jones set the school record by throwing for six touchdowns against Tulsa. Jones’ quick early development has emboldened the Sooners to think that they can be competitive enough with him in charge to give them a chance to win when they travel to No. 9 Miami next week.
Bradford returned to practice on Monday and began light throwing in his first work with the team since he sustained a third-degree separation of his right shoulder in the Sooners’ season-opening loss to BYU on Sept. 5.
Oklahoma receiver Ryan Broyles told reporters that Bradford did not throw with full extension and his range was about 5-10 yards.
It’s a start. Conventional wisdom would hold that Bradford would need about a week of solid throwing to be adequately prepared to return to the lineup.
The temptation to get him back as quickly remains strong. But Jones’ record-breaking effort against Tulsa showed the Sooners’ offense at their most productive this season. Jones has thrown nine touchdown passes in the last two games.
"I feel good if it is Landry,” Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said. “He’s handling it really well. He’s been nothing but consistent and solid.”
A more likely scenario would be to have Bradford back for the Sooners’ Big 12 opener against Baylor on Oct. 10. That would give him a solid additional week of recovery time before pushing him back in the starting lineup.
And even as the Sooners game against the Hurricanes looms large, the biggest game for the Sooners remains on Oct. 17 at the Cotton Bowl against Texas.
That’s the most important game of the season for Stoops and the Sooners. They still have a strong chance to contend for their fourth-straight Big 12 title and will need to beat the Longhorns in order to accomplish that feat.
Trust me, beating Miami would be nice. But the Red River Rivalry is the game when the Sooners’ coaches will want Bradford to be back in the lineup.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
Tim Griffin
Griffin joined ESPN.com in February 2008. He has covered the Big 12 since its inception, among a variety of beats during a 24-year career at the San Antonio Express-News. Griffin, a Memphis State University graduate, lives in San Antonio with his wife and son.
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