Depth, Experience a Question for Cowboys

Oklahoma State is implimenting a new offense, but does it have the players to run it well enough to compete?

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 11:53 am

By: News On 6

Depth, Experience a Question for Cowboys

Originally Published: Aug 8, 2010 1:58 PM CDT

Gerald Goodridge
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

STILLWATER, Oklahoma -- If there’s one thing the Cowboys’ new offense needs, it’s wide receivers.

If there’s one area the Cowboys could be deeper at, it’s wide receivers.

“They’re will be a number of guys that will be on the field for the first time,” said Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy. “We like four or five guys on each side of the ball right now that are showing signs of being able to handle what we’re doing.”

Sophomore inside receiver Tracy Mooremay be theplayer the Cowboys have to depend on in the new system. In the offseason, Moore dropped 15 pounds to start the season at 215 pounds, allowing his 6-foot-2 frame to be sleeker and move quicker.

After having to fight for a job in his freshman season, the coaches hope his desire and effort on the field stays at the same level it was a season ago.

“Tracy needs to stay hungry,” said Gundy. “We’ve talked to him about having to practice every day like he was fighting for a job.”

The X-factor in the offense could be 2008 All-American running back Kendall Hunter, who is reportedly back to full speed after an ankle injury hampered his 2009 season.

“We have running backs here that we think can make plays,” said Gundy. “Guys that have a chance to make a play with the ball in their hands, will get the ball in their hands some way.”

Brandon Weeden is tasked with distributing the ball in the high-paced offense as a first-year starter. In Holgorsen’s offense in 2009, quarterback Case Keenum completed 492 passes to 19 different receivers and averaged more than 405 yards per game.

“We thought he made really good strides from the spring. Every day that he practices he’s in a situation where he gathers information,” said Gundy. “He’s going to have to go out there on the field and make plays; he’s only played two quarters.”

The 26-year-old junior spent five years playing Minor League Baseball before returning to Oklahoma State to play football in 2007. Despite his talent, the coaches admitted being concerned about the former New York Yankees second-round pick early in his career at OSU.

“We hear of a lot of guys that are interested in stopping minor league baseball and playing football and very few of them make it,” said Gundy. “We’re pleased that Brandon has stuck with it and made it this far.”

Losing a core group of players is nothing new to Gundy, and the message is the same as it was in the past.

“We’re further ahead now than we were four years ago, when we were in a similar situation,” said Gundy. “We still believe you have to be a tough football team mentally and physically, no matter how experienced you are.”