By John Shinn

Transcript Sports Writer

Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops refused to discuss the chances of quarterback Sam Bradford playing against Miami Saturday, but gave a rosy outlook Monday morning on the Big 12 coaches teleconference.

"Progressing," the Sooner coach said when asked about his quarterback's recovery since suffering a separated shoulder Sept. 5. "All his rehab to this point has been positive."

Stoops confirmed Bradford had gone to Birmingham, Ala., over the weekend to visit renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews. The physician's opinion wasn't any different from the ones the quarterback has received from OU's medical staff.

"It was an extra opinion as much as anything. Our guys have been awesome in their evaluations," Stoops said. "When it all first happened, he got multiple opinions and everybody's were all pretty similar that our guys were on the right track and doing the right things. That was the outcome the other day as well."

But Bradford still hasn't been named OU's starting quarterback for Saturday's game. What happens this week in practice will make the decision.

Bradford hasn't gone through a full week of practice since the first week of the season. He just started throwing the football again last week.

"We just have to feel comfortable that he's healthy and can make the throws we need him to make, and he ready to do it," Stoops said.

When asked if it would be a game-time decision, the OU coach said the decision should be made before the Sooners leave for Miami.

"I'm not much on being coy or be evasive on stuff. I usually call it like it is," Stoops said. "When we don't know, I say we don't know just yet. I'm not smart enough to deal with all that. I just call it like it is and that's what I'll do here. We'll see how the week goes."