Daily Bullets (January 26)

Wash(1st)ngton

For those curious about how the NFL will perceive an undersized long-ball specialist like James Washington, encouraging words are trickling out of Mobile where the Senior Bowl will take place.

Zebra Technologies, who have chips in players’ pads that submit data, clocked him at 21.25 mph during the workout, the fastest speed of anyone throughout the day and a velocity on par with anyone in the NFL.

“We think he can adjust, because he’s so smooth in the routes he does run,” an AFC scout said. “He just has to show he can do it.”

He’s done exactly that in Mobile thus far. Pro Football Focus graded him highest among WRs through the first two days of practice, and he’s made as big an impact as anyone on the entire Senior Bowl roster. He arrived this week as a likely first-rounder, so his stock can only improve so much, but he’s made plenty of extra cash this week.

The Saints, 49ers, Seahawks and Browns have shown the strongest interest so far in Washington, who was preparing for the draft at Bommarito Performance Systems in Miami, but returned to Stillwater to get his degree and is now working with OSU strength coach Rob Glass. [Dave Campbell’s Texas Football]

Speed kills and the NFL will drool at his stat sheet but nothing will shoot him up draft boards like the realization that his smooth route running and ball tracking will translate.

James Washington silenced a lot of the doubts I had coming into this week with his route running. Hardest player to guard all week in man coverage, looked like an incredible athlete, caught everything his way. I think he has to be in the conversation at 19.

— Jonah Tuls (@JonahTulsNFL) January 25, 2018

California Cowboy Culture

Flagged by a thoughtful PFB reader in yesterday’s bullets was this gem of a piece on how Cowboy alum Russell Okung is impacting the Los Angeles Chargers.

Head Coach Anthony Lynn insisted a culture change was necessary from the minute he was hired, and there is no denying Okung played a pivotal role in doing just that.

Just ask Philip Rivers.

“Russell was a great addition,” he said. “He had an awesome year. You knew he was a Pro Bowl caliber, big time left tackle. He certainly lived up to that expectation….His mentality is great. He’s got great leadership, too. He brings a very calm way of leading. A very calm veteran presence to that offensive line group and to the whole offense. He was a good leader for us as well. He’s been in a place that won a championship. He’s won a lot of football games, and he brought that here to us. It’s good to know we’re going to have him for a long time.” [Chargers.com]

You can take the Cowboy out of Stillwater but you can’t take the Cowboy culture out of the Cowboy.

OSU and NCAA Notes

James Washington and Marcel Ateman dreamed of being NFL Cowboys….Mitch Solomon’s Bedlam-pick pocket was named by Jay Bilas one of the toughest plays in college basketball thus far….Premier non-conference football games to get excited about until 2031….Game eight recap in Big 12 basketball

A Phun memory with the Arkansas game this weekend.

Last year's matchup against Arkansas saw the crowning of a new 3-point king in @PhilForte13. After the game Phil credited everyone but himself for helping him reach the milestone. #letswork #okstate pic.twitter.com/951GbQKZgF

— Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) January 26, 2018

Best wishes for the Tech coach who tore his ACL against Iowa State. The coach.

Chris Beard officially tore his ACL due to this. We wish him a speedy recovery pic.twitter.com/nholX5wTIS

— Barstool ISU (@BarstoolISU) January 25, 2018

This seems like a desired quality for an NFL receiver.

Marcell Ateman from Oklahoma State will make his money at the next level doing exactly this: winning contested catches in the redzone #SeniorBowl pic.twitter.com/HeFReJo9Vp

— Brad Kelly (@BradKelly17) January 25, 2018

Getting to watch Justice Hill for another year in Stillwater keeps this guy smiling.

? 2017 Photo Countdown 8️⃣➡️ Justice Hill evades yet another defender⚡️? #okstate #GoPokes pic.twitter.com/MUJQ1NfTCl

— Cowboy Football (@CowboyFB) January 25, 2018

What You Missed on PFB

• How OSU guys are faring in the Senior Bowl
• An early look at the 2018 football schedule (part one)
• How good is the Big 12 in 2018?
• Philip catches up with an Arkansas insider to hear about the Razorbacks
• Luke catches up with one of the new offensive analyst Bob Stitt’s former players

Other Stuff I’m Reading

• Ran across this piece by Phillip Seymour Hoffman’s widow, thoughtful on mortality
• Loved this Ringer piece on top Tim Riggins’ moments
• Incredible response by this gymnast at the trial of her abuser