Clay Horning
The Norman Transcript
September 25, 2005 12:11 am
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Two things on what used to be called Oklahoma football. First, ending whatever was left of the quarterback controversy by allowing Paul Thompson’s move to wide receiver, thus making way for Rhett Bomar’s unquestioned — but not unfumbled — presence behind center, is more than a little instructive as to the Sooners’ plight.
Mainly, it was a move made in the name of the future. Because, eventually, Bomar would end all doubt he’s the guy. Because, eventually, Bomar will get the butter off his fingers. Consider it a head start toward a place the Sooners would have eventually found themselves anyway.
That’s great, but just when did OU football start being about tomorrow?
John Blake asked for a five-year plan, got three and it was still two seasons too many. Bob Stoops can coach in this town as long as he likes. He can even rebuild on occasion. But until a few days ago, it was always assumed every decision was made in the interest of winning right now.
Assume it no longer. Bomar was given the job for good after putting the ball on the ground eight times in two games. I’m not even saying it was the wrong decision. But there’s no way the kid from Grand Prairie earned it.
Second, other than a quarterback who won’t quit fumbling, more than anything, this team needs a leader not named Dusty Dvoracek or J.D. Runnels. Nothing against Dvoracek and Runnels, but their leadership is marred by natural limitations.
As a defensive lineman, Dvoracek is at his best making others, like linebackers, look good. For all the things he can do, he can’t put the team on his back, or even the defense. It’s not his fault. Tommie Harris couldn’t either. It’s the nature of the position.
Unless he becomes OU’s leading receiver, Runnels is in the same boat. He’s a facilitator, clearing the way for Adrian Peterson or helping protect Bomar.
What the Sooners need is a leader who, on occasion, can be the reason they win or, as it often goes with leaders, the reason they don’t lose.
Unfortunately, the two guys in the best position to fill the void have already failed. Bomar with his little run-in with the law and Peterson with his failure to attend class. Perhaps small items in and of themselves, their collective impact is hard to underestimate. Suffice it to say these two are not following in the footsteps of Josh Heupel, Rocky Calmus, Mark Clayton, Derrick Strait and Jason White.
Too much to ask of two guys in just their second year on campus?
Maybe, but Quentin Griffin never got into any trouble. And Bomar could have gotten back on the right foot by not treating a 41-24 loss to UCLA like it was some sort of step in the right direction.
Even the oddsmakers liked OU to stay within a touchdown.
And another thing …
• Not to simply fall in line with a sportswriter who once held this very job, but I, too, believe the Hornets’ one-year move to Oklahoma City might come with an option for forever.
Nobody believes this team was ever staying in New Orleans for the long term. And even though ticket prices would eventually return from CBA to NBA figures, certainly our fair metroplex can support one major league team.
As you might know, Oklahoma City is my hometown. And the other night, in the middle of the night, I flipped to hornets.com just to check things out and ended up watching a 32-minute press conference in broadband with a sense of pride that can only be described as too corny.
Certainly there are 20,000 other people who feel the same way who won’t be applying for press credentials.
• I have no idea who my Heisman vote might go to so early, but there’s a running back from Minnesota Purdue had a heck of a time bringing down Saturday. And how about Glen Mason? The old Jayhawk finally failed to let one get away in the fourth quarter.
• This will be the first time since my San Antonio college days I’m looking equally forward to the NBA season as the NHL season.
• So this is what it looks like when the federal government is actually engaged in the days prior to a Category 3,4 or 5 hurricane making landfall. You know, like when it’s not on vacation.
• And you were against baseball adopting the wild-card!
Clay Horning366-3526cfhorning@normantranscript.com
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