Daily Bullets (April 7)

Patriotic Rudolph

Berry Tramel takes a look at Mason Rudolph’s chances of heading back east come draft day.

The theory goes that Belichick was ready to begin the Garoppolo era, but owner Robert Kraft sided with Brady, who still wants to play at age 41. Trading Garoppolo ended all debate about Brady going gently into the good night. It also brought New England back to the quarterback market.

Long before the Cooks trade, Rudolph was mentioned by Massachusetts media as a possible New England target.

The website masslive.com, which covers the Patriots extensively, wrote about Rudolph during the NFL Combine in March, saying the Cowboy quarterback “had an edge.” [NewsOK]

While that may be mumbo-jumbo to any non-NFL familiar minds, the translation would be that New England bailed on their succession plan and is sitting pretty to take a quarterback that needs some time to develop. And trading for a pick into the early 20’s gives them great jockeying position to do that with Mason Rudolph. Private workouts only lend credence to the thought.

That or you could watch Mason Rudolph help one of your biggest rivals reload at the quarterback spot.

A New Back-end

For the first time in years, the Pokes will be without a multi-year (safety) starter at the safety spot. But that’s just the start of why it’ll be an intriguing position to watch.

I like what OSU is doing scheme-wise and am intrigued to see Kenneth Edison-Macgruder at boundary safety and Thabo Mwaniki at field safety (or nickel, it’s not clear to me which spot he’s practicing at) but overall they’re pretty young AND in year one of a new scheme. [Concerning Sports]

In a great piece looking at the correlation between success and experienced secondaries, the Stillwater secondary will be interesting between the mixture of youth and scheme.

OSU and NCAA Notes

PFF looks at Mason Rudolph’s draft profile….One step closer to academically achieving athletes being able to transfer at will….Mike Gundy’s stance on public education….Three NFL fits for Mason Rudolph….How golfers with Oklahoma ties fared in the Masters – Day Two….George Schroeder, a USAToday writer, tried to be a referee in a spring game, documented the experience

Rickie with long par save:

What a putt! Rickie Fowler with your standard up-and-down for par. #themasters https://t.co/Nj020wsUeB pic.twitter.com/hrzVdtyp9I

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) April 6, 2018

Catch Mason Rudolph before he heads outta town.

https://twitter.com/Rudolph2Mason/status/982059169812500480

Congrats to Adarius Bowman on becoming a dad.

And then their were 3 of us… pic.twitter.com/x4C76bCiNe

— Adarius Bowman (@AdariusBowman) April 5, 2018

These are really impressive.

Update: Twitter user @JacobsonRobertj, Okla A&M Class of 1951, editor of Aggievator magazine his sr. year, a talented artist who drew/published sport cartoons of Aggie athletes, has, at age 91, created a quite remarkable modern throwback "sportoon" #GoPokes #okstate @CoachGundy pic.twitter.com/bZj5nnMnNx

— Doug Shivers (@casdas29) April 7, 2018

And congrats Coach Woz! On the couch in a blanket watching the Masters would be perfect today.

Audrey Lynn Wozniak. 7lb 2oz. Our new Cowgirl spent most of her first day in a football blanket watching the Masters … pic.twitter.com/r483p3M6x7

— Coach Wozniak – OSU (@JohnWozniak2) April 7, 2018

What You Missed on PFB

• Even with everyone not on campus yet, the QB battle will run hot this spring
• Two defensive line coaches are already paying dividends in Stillwater
• Justice Hill is looking to develop as a receiver this spring
• Reps at different positions have helped Johnny Wilson prep for 2018

Other Stuff I’m Reading

• Is Patrick Reed going to win the Masters?
• The Ringer breaks down the Annexation of Puerto Rico from Little Giants
• The many comebacks of Tiger Woods and why you can’t stop watching
• Ten greatest what-if’s in recent NBA history – tough read for OKC fans