Grade 2 or 3 Sprain for Bradford

Could be days or weeks at this point.

Here's a primer on AC joint injuries. Bradford appears to have a least a partial dislocation of the joint, which means the AC ligament is torn, with a possible tear of the CC ligament as well. Probably 1-2 weeks for the pain to diminish, then 6-12 weeks to fully heal, depending on the extent of the injury. Knowing the OU medical staff, Bradford could be back before the normal six-week recovery period depending on how much pain he's willing to play through and how quickly he regains strength in his arm. --GoBR--

2 months ago patienthornsfan 26 comments 0 recs |

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Here's my question - What the hell was Stoops thinking?

My hypothesis: Stoops realized that he was losing a lot of players to graduation and the draft last season. He knew, in a way, it was going to be a rebuilding year for the offense. So he figured he’d convince his two most prolific tools to come back, because hey, that should be enough right?

Honestly, I think his greed got in his way. Rather than admit that his offense was going to need rebuilding sooner or later, he thought he could get away with two stand-out offensive stars and make it happen.

(I’m ignoring the two RBs because, as we Longhorns know all two well from the past couple of years, your o-line definitely dictates the success of your backs.)

He either could’ve taken a down year and let Bradford and Gresham go on to the pros while he built his line back up, or he could put all his hopes and dreams on two key players to buoy the team.

I’ve only been following college football for the past 4 years or so, but it’s amazing to see exactly how important the offensive line is to your team. Despite a great set of backs and an experienced and talented defense, it’s not enough.

Then again, maybe it really was first game jitters, and we’ll see OU get their equilibrium back and right the Sooner Schooner.

by TXinDC on Sep 7, 2009 12:32 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Sucks for Bradford

He keeps himself out 4-6 weeks, his team in all likelihood gets dropped out of the National Championship picture for good, which I’m going to assume is why he came back.

He goes back in after 3 weeks, lines up behind an inexperienced offensive line that affords him far less protection than he had last year, and runs the risk of taking another hard sack that puts him out for the rest of the season and has a huge impact on his draft day potential (if it hasn’t already been hurt)

"Stats are for losers, I like winning games."

by bendj on Sep 7, 2009 12:36 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

it does suck but...

This is why he had no business coming back. It shouldn’t come to a shock to him or anyone else that the OL struggled. Kudos to him for coming back to get his degree or whatever his reasoning was, but this is why you take the money when you’re a sure top 5 NFL pick.

by SaintBevo on Sep 7, 2009 1:36 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

bradford

I don’t think it’s fair to judge what Bradford did. Especially after the fact. Whatever decision he made was the best one for him. Case closed.

by Jason Mayer on Sep 7, 2009 1:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What?

We aren’t allowed to question the decision to skip the draft when his draft stock couldn’’t really go any higher?

Whatever decision he made was the best one for him.

Not if he’s going to be out for the next 4-6 weeks. Why did he come back if not to attempt to win a MNC? That’s not going to happen if he’s not playing and is unprotected while playing. Case closed indeed.

by ajax77777 on Sep 7, 2009 3:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

he was a sophomore who loved college and could have 2 more years before being thrown to the NFL sharks… a fluke hit injured his shoulder, nothing more or less.

by Displaced Longhorn on Sep 7, 2009 3:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

unlucky, yes - fluke, no

I think this was absolutely forseeable. He plays a position that takes a lot of hits already; then 4/5ths of his OL is new. I’m sure he didn’t expect to get hurt, but this is not an event that couldn’t have been predicted. It’s not like he was hit by a meteorite.

by SaintBevo on Sep 7, 2009 4:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ditto

No fluke from the ESPN analysis and replay of the OU offensive line. They were very inconsistent in their protection before and after the injury. In particular the left guard and tackle were not helping each other out. The left tackle would double team with the center, and the left tackle often took on the DE instead of the inside blitzing LB. The o-line is always taught (as well as the RB’s and FB’s) to block the inside assignment first because 1) it’s the shorter route to the QB and 2) you have more options (in this case the middle and right side versus just the right side of the field.) The good news for OU are it’s correctable and they’ve got two easy games and a bye week to work it out as well as get Landry Jones acclimated to running the plays as a redshirt freshman (4 star recruit and #6 nationally rated QB) and running for his life.

Best wishes to Bradford. I would’ve preferred both Texas and OU at full strength as we knock them off their inflated ego. Just speculating, but Stoops probably knew he’d have more NFL defections if Bradford left such as Gresham and Granger) not to mention the affects on recruiting. Bradford, et al, will probably reevaluate the shoulder in a couple weeks. It sounds like if it’s a grade 2 they may give it a go later in the season; if it’s a grade 3 he’s probably done and headed for surgery either to get ready for the draft combines and rehab both physically and his draft stock for next season as a senior. If it’s a grade 2, he should probably evaluate how the o-line is improving, particularly against Miami.

In any case Texas should take care of it’s own business in its “Leave No Doubt” campaign the to the MNC. It’s only the first game of the season, but clearly there are plenty of things to improve. As for RRS, we always knew OU’s strength was on defense and that hasn’t changed for the most part.

The pride and winning tradition of The University of Texas will not be entrusted to the weak or the timid.

Hook'em

by longhorns1 on Sep 7, 2009 5:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

mea culpa

I meant left guard would double team with the center.

The pride and winning tradition of The University of Texas will not be entrusted to the weak or the timid.

Hook'em

by longhorns1 on Sep 7, 2009 5:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

combines or rehab

The pride and winning tradition of The University of Texas will not be entrusted to the weak or the timid.

Hook'em

by longhorns1 on Sep 7, 2009 5:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

4-6 Weeks - at best. Look for 10-12 weeks

by realmccoy on Sep 7, 2009 5:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think it's absolutely fair.

If this injury effects his draft status, then clearly it was not the best choice.

by ctex80 on Sep 7, 2009 3:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

for the record

I was flabbergasted when Bradford came back. He would have been a top 5 pick (probably #1), was losing most of his veteran OL and top WRs. Made no sense to me then or now

by SaintBevo on Sep 7, 2009 4:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

RRS Earliest for Bradford - Book It

That was a bad injury. A very large man drove his shoulder joint into the ground and then landed on it. Not good.

by realmccoy on Sep 7, 2009 2:58 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

if you watch carefully you can see his shoulder pop out and back in.

Same type of injury happened to me in cheerleading. I sprained by AC joint as well as tore my labrum. I was out for 3 months after surgery. I hope he is not rushed back into the game by Stoops.

by girlslikefootball2 on Sep 7, 2009 3:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cheerleading One of Few Activites More Dangerous than Football

by realmccoy on Sep 7, 2009 5:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t see how. I’ve seen more kids die from running cross country than I’ve seen cheerleaders die from cheerleading.

by burntorangehorn on Sep 7, 2009 6:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

More % of head and spine injuries per participant than any sport

by Wells on Sep 8, 2009 10:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

My sister broke her arm

Definitely required skill and talent. Glad to see a female Longhorn fan on here.

by Wrangler86 on Sep 7, 2009 5:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

uh...

…she is one of the few, but not the only.

I think I should list the ones that I know just for all the new people

glf2
EddietheAlbinoSquirrel
dimecoverage
LadyLonghorninOK
TeenSideLine….I know there might be others, but just to name a few.

by vy til i die on Sep 7, 2009 6:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not to mention Holly. nt

by whills on Sep 7, 2009 8:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

is she too good for us?

…I haven’t seen her in a while; she is the same holly from SMQ (aka Dr. Saturday), correct?

by vy til i die on Sep 7, 2009 10:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bradford knew the risk

He has a large insurance policy. So, it isn’t just money. I don’t understand the posts blaming Stoops for Bradford decision to return. Bradford certainly owns this decision.

That said, I personally think Bradford’s decision to return was stupid. He posted great stats last year in large part due to his superior OL and WRs. He couldn’t really believe that he would improve on those numbers this year with less talent at OL and WR….or does he really think that he is the offense? He already won the Heisman, and played for a NC so very little left for him to prove in college. There was just no upsdie for him to return in my opiion and a lot of down side.

by Wrangler86 on Sep 7, 2009 6:09 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Length of sitting out depends on OU's performance in the meantime

Should OU win all the games between now and a potential return, I see him coming back before he’s 100% to continue the team’s run at the BCS. However, should OU lose another game (or 2) before a potential return date, I think it’s best he take his sweet time and make sure everything’s 100% before returning, even if it means he misses the season. He can always redshirt, right?

by BigTexBD on Sep 7, 2009 7:10 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

medically..yeah

but again, he’s only a JUNIOR. He can come back next year regardless, and then pull a Shipley

by vy til i die on Sep 7, 2009 7:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Surgery not required

… according to Stoops.

“Everyone’s different in how they heal, the soreness, how they handle it and how quickly it dissipates where he can move and be comfortable again throwing the ball,” Stoops said after the Sooners’ practice Monday. “Anywhere from two to four weeks is what we’re anticipating.”

But as many other posters have stated: would you trust this man to have your kid’s best interests at heart?

Still a Blaine Irby fan

by patienthornsfan on Sep 8, 2009 6:59 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs