legelegel
08-06-2007, 12:56 PM
Dez Bryant is already exciting fans
By Mike Baldwin
The Oklahoman
Watching practice in the end zone, in the shadows of Gallagher-Iba Arena, Oklahoma State fans have been oohing and aahing after some of Dez Bryant's catches. Bryant has made so many dazzling catches the first four days some are predicting Bryant will become one of the top receivers in school history.
But if you're one of those fans who wants Bryant in the starting lineup Sept. 1 at Georgia, keep in mind offensive coordinator Larry Fedora's offense.
In OSU's offense, plays are changed so frequently players, in unison, often glance to the sidelines to get a new play seconds before the snap.
The first time OSU fans saw Fedora's no-huddle scheme, some thought the offense was unorganized.
They quickly discovered it's actually organized chaos. Fedora's goal is to see the defensive alignment before calling a play.
"In a lot of offenses, when you're young, you can think the play through,” Gundy said. "You're in the huddle, you hear a play called, and you think about what you're supposed to do as you go line up. This offense isn't like that. It moves so fast ...
"You can't change what you do for one guy.”
All-Big 12 wide receiver Adarius Bowman is trying to give Bryant a crash course in Fedora football. But this isn't some 101 introductory class. It's more like a graduate school course. Bowman, though, said Bryant is picking things up quickly.
"Dez is going to be one of our big-time playmakers against Georgia and other teams,” Bowman said. "He's a special guy. He plays better than his age. He has a passion for the game. It's not easy learning this offense, but Dez will be fine.”
One of the nation's top receivers in the Class of 2007, Bryant has the talent to play a key role as a true freshman, possibly start at some point. Despite some razzle-dazzle catches, it's too early to predict Bryant's role against Georgia.
"For freshmen, staying healthy throughout preseason camp is more important than anything,” Gundy said. "Keith Toston played (early) last year because he did some things in camp. But he stayed healthy.
"A lot of times a young player gets a little tired, turns an ankle, has bumps and bruises and sits out and misses (practices). They don't have that mental toughness yet. That really limits them playing in the first game because there's so much to learn.”
To play significant snaps at Georgia, Bryant — or any of OSU's four highly regarded incoming freshman receivers, for that matter — must conquer Fedora's so-much-to-learn offense.
"Is there an opportunity for Dez?” Gundy said. "Yes. It depends on whether he stays healthy, doesn't miss a practice or two and he continues to absorb the information.
It's obvious coaches want to give Bryant enough snaps this fall to see whether he can contribute in the opener.
"He's done well up to this point,” Gundy said. "But we haven't put much in. We'll be through with installation by practice nine (late this week). A lot of information will go in the next few days. We'll see how he does.”
Bryant is already exciting fans (http://newsok.com/article/3099571)
By Mike Baldwin
The Oklahoman
Watching practice in the end zone, in the shadows of Gallagher-Iba Arena, Oklahoma State fans have been oohing and aahing after some of Dez Bryant's catches. Bryant has made so many dazzling catches the first four days some are predicting Bryant will become one of the top receivers in school history.
But if you're one of those fans who wants Bryant in the starting lineup Sept. 1 at Georgia, keep in mind offensive coordinator Larry Fedora's offense.
In OSU's offense, plays are changed so frequently players, in unison, often glance to the sidelines to get a new play seconds before the snap.
The first time OSU fans saw Fedora's no-huddle scheme, some thought the offense was unorganized.
They quickly discovered it's actually organized chaos. Fedora's goal is to see the defensive alignment before calling a play.
"In a lot of offenses, when you're young, you can think the play through,” Gundy said. "You're in the huddle, you hear a play called, and you think about what you're supposed to do as you go line up. This offense isn't like that. It moves so fast ...
"You can't change what you do for one guy.”
All-Big 12 wide receiver Adarius Bowman is trying to give Bryant a crash course in Fedora football. But this isn't some 101 introductory class. It's more like a graduate school course. Bowman, though, said Bryant is picking things up quickly.
"Dez is going to be one of our big-time playmakers against Georgia and other teams,” Bowman said. "He's a special guy. He plays better than his age. He has a passion for the game. It's not easy learning this offense, but Dez will be fine.”
One of the nation's top receivers in the Class of 2007, Bryant has the talent to play a key role as a true freshman, possibly start at some point. Despite some razzle-dazzle catches, it's too early to predict Bryant's role against Georgia.
"For freshmen, staying healthy throughout preseason camp is more important than anything,” Gundy said. "Keith Toston played (early) last year because he did some things in camp. But he stayed healthy.
"A lot of times a young player gets a little tired, turns an ankle, has bumps and bruises and sits out and misses (practices). They don't have that mental toughness yet. That really limits them playing in the first game because there's so much to learn.”
To play significant snaps at Georgia, Bryant — or any of OSU's four highly regarded incoming freshman receivers, for that matter — must conquer Fedora's so-much-to-learn offense.
"Is there an opportunity for Dez?” Gundy said. "Yes. It depends on whether he stays healthy, doesn't miss a practice or two and he continues to absorb the information.
It's obvious coaches want to give Bryant enough snaps this fall to see whether he can contribute in the opener.
"He's done well up to this point,” Gundy said. "But we haven't put much in. We'll be through with installation by practice nine (late this week). A lot of information will go in the next few days. We'll see how he does.”
Bryant is already exciting fans (http://newsok.com/article/3099571)