Will OU use two QBs?

OU Football Notepad

John Shinn

OU will pick a starting quarterback this month, but that doesn’t mean Joey Halzle, Sam Bradford or Keith Nichol will be the only one that plays.

Both OU coach Bob Stoops and offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said they haven’t ruled out using two quarterbacks this season.

“I am not saying we will. It is too early to say we wouldn’t,” Stoops said. “I don’t know strategy-wise where it would help because we are going to do the same thing with each of them. The reason would be if the race hasn’t been decided or if we feel it is too close and we need to give them more opportunities.”

None of the three have a credible amount of game experience. Leaving the competition open after OU’s Sept. 1 opener against North Texas would give a better gauge of where each is.

Playing two quarterbacks worked for Florida last season. Chris Leak took most of the snaps, but Tim Teabow was used some as well.

Wilson said he’s thought about using two quarterbacks, but sees it more as a way of getting experience for the backup.

“I am not leaning to go that direction, so don’t read anything into that,” he said. “Even if we have a starter, to have two guys get reps maybe helps us down the road, when maybe a guy needs to be called on.”

None of the quarterbacks had a problem with the idea either.

“Obviously everyone wants to be on the field,” Halzle said. “No one wants to be taken off, but if that’s what is going to give us the best opportunity to win, then that’s what we will do.”

It isn’t likely though. Under Stoops, the starting quarterback has taken all the snaps, except for injuries and mop-up duty.

One-sport man

Bradford came to OU because of his football abilities. But he admits he didn’t really focus on the game until he came to college.

He was also a standout basketball player and golfer at Putnam City North.

“Until I got here I played many sports so I was just jumping from one sport to the other. I didn’t really put a lot of focus into one sport, I just put a few months into it,” Bradford said. “Since I have been here I have seen a big difference. I have learned a lot about football.

“Before I got here it was more of a play on instinct, make plays, do what you do. Now it’s more learning about defenses, coverages, learning the system. I think it has been big just focusing on football. But, my golf game is pretty non-existent now.”

Redshirt possibilities

A likely scenario will be for Keith Nichol to redshirt if he doesn’t win the starting job or is named the backup. It would make sense because he’s the only true freshman of the three.

Nichol said he hasn’t given it much thought.

“I trust the coaches and if they say I need to redshirt to develop a little more than that’s fine, and if they say we’re not going to redshirt you that is fine,” he said.

Offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said Nichol’s youth is a major hurdle.

“We’ve always played the best guy. We’ve played a bunch of freshmen,” WiIson said. “I do think the position of quarterback is probably one of the most difficult, though, with all the mental aspects. I always parlay it to my computer, how fast my Internet comes up. As a young guy, with inexperience, can he process it quick enough to make the right decision.”

Waiting to hear it

Defensive coordinator Brent Venables is extremely vocal during practices and games. He said the one thing his defense might be missing is someone as animated as he is.

“You would like a Ray Lewis type that’s out there getting everybody juiced up and ready to go. It kinda makes your job a little easier,” Venables said.

He said defensive backs Marcus Walker, Reggie Smith and D.J. Wolfe all possess those qualities. But having a yeller and screamer on the field wasn’t a necessity.

“When you’re the only guy hootin’ and hollerin’ and screamin’ and trying to motivate guys, at some point it falls on deaf ears,” he said. “So you want players to police themselves and to be inspired without you, too.”

Early practice report

All of OU’s practices are closed to the public. Stoops said Thursday’s practice, the team’s first, went well.

“The execution was just amazing for the first day,” he said. “The way they tested and the way they ran really has us coaches really excited. They really look good physically.

“We are excited about our opportunity. The quarterbacks all looked good, they all threw the ball well. So we are just excited to get out there and work again today.”

— John Shinn