Daily Bullets (April 3)

Offensive Line Update

Robert Allen gives us a pretty darn optimistic update from spring ball:

Right now, the first team offensive line is pretty solid and from left to right has red-shirt freshman Dylan Galloway, who could be the next Marcus Keyes; than at left guard Marcus Keyes; senior and three-year starter at center Brad Lundblade; right guard Larry Williams, and three-year starter at right tackle Zach Crabtree.

Galloway gets better everyday, but there is still a better than average, say 90 percent chance that California three-year starting left tackle Aaron Cochran (6-7, 350) will wind up as a graduate transfer at Oklahoma State. For now count on Galloway and I’ve been impressed with what I’ve seen. [Go Pokes $]

Ninety percent on Cochran! Be still my heart. I like letting Galloway simmer for another year, maybe be the swing tackle here and there.

For the interested, he gives a solid update on how the second unit is forming too:

The real work for Henson comes with establishing a second team line and here is where there are some “projects” answering the call. Left tackle is competitive with last year’s junior college transfer Shane Richards (6-8, 325) and this year’s mid-term addition from junior college national champion Garden City C.C. is Arlington Hambright (6-5, 305). Left guard looks like one-time scout teamer Deionte Noel (6-2, 325). From center over it is Johnny Wilson, either Junior Galea’i or Matt Kegel at guard, and then another red-shirt freshman Teven Jenkins at tackle. [GoPokes $]

 Big Babies

Not a lot of starting experience in the current cornerback two deep, but there’s another distinct quality about the group:

The big difference at the corners for the Cowboys with this young bunch is size. Previously, Curry at 6-1, 205 pounds was the big body at corner that could muscle up with bigger, post-up type receivers in short yardage and red-zone situations. Now with Green (6-1, 180), Williams (6-0, 180), and Harper (6-1, 190) all the corners can match up with some size, and thanks to Rob Glass and his staff and their influence growing strength as well. The better to get into press coverage and win the match-ups.

“Very long kids, I think the shortest one probably is six-foot by NFL standards,” agreed Duffie. “The biggest thing and, by far the most glaring attribute, is competitiveness and toughness. All three of them are tough kids and they want to compete and refuse to lose.” [GoPokes $]

Ramon is 5’11”, Ashton Lampkin was 6’0″ and Kevin Peterson was 5’10”. Bumping up the average height from 5’11” to 6’1″ could be substantially more helpful in covering some of the bigger receivers in the league.

Allen advocates for getting into more press coverage with the bigger DBs but I’ll be hoping Spencer doesn’t jump into that early unless these dudes have the wheels to recover.

OSU and NCAA Notes

“Deputy Director of Athletics” opening popped up over the weekend, Robert Allen speculates opening because of a retirement….Fun update on Barry J. Sanders on life after football….Arguments for both sides of tonight’s national championship game (in men’s basketball)….WSJ valued college basketball programs and OSU is on page five….Loads of recruiting news from the weekend

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSZmL6fhR2K/?taken-by=cowboytennis

First time in ten years! Big time.

Final: WVU 9, #OKState 6
The Cowboys have a losing record after their first two #Big12 series (1-5). That's a first under Josh Holliday.

— Hayden Kyle Barber (@HK_Barber) April 2, 2017

Pokes lose the series 2-1, tough start to league play. They’ve been crushing the long ball though.

Russell Henley made 10 birdies in the final round & closed with a 7-under to win the Shell Houston Open & the final spot in the Masters. pic.twitter.com/UhB2NKkdoN

— Dominik Senn (@senn1818) April 2, 2017

Rickie didn’t stand a chance when this dude came out throwing haymakers on Sunday. Fowler finished tied for third, four back from the lead.

Masters Coverage

• The hardest and easiest holes at Augusta
• If you want to win, start in the top ten
• You’ve gotta score well on the par fives
• Likely why Tiger pulled out of the Masters
• Check out ten dream pairings for Sunday
• How stars prepare for the tournament
• The field grew to 94 when Russell Henley went off Sunday in Houston
• Spieth missed the cut in Houston and what that means
• The best and worst scores from the stars at Augusta National
• Some new champs in the “drive, chip and putt” at Augusta

Other Stuff I’m Reading

Interesting podcast on the studio that made “Get Out” and how it’s changing Hollywood….I love budgeting stuff like this: how this dude paid off $30k in debt….How to make it at a social event where you don’t know a soul….“Thunder built for Russell Westbrook” should read “built for Kevin Durant adapted to Russell Westbrook”

Russ for MVP says the Big O.

If Oscar Robertson thinks Russ should be MVP, you should too. #ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/tDZesnTx6m

— Up The Thunder (@UpTheThunder) April 3, 2017