Daily Bullets (July 30): Why Spencer Sanders is the Right Call, Gundy Against First-Year Head Coaches

Really enjoyed this podcast interviewing former 76ers GM Sam Hinkie – great thoughts on innovation in any field.

Bullets Rundown

• Why Spencer Sanders could be better
• Mike Gundy’s record against first-year head coaches
• Pokes in the NFL-talk

OSU Bullets

• Pundits are continuing to predict the OSU quarterback race – and while it’s starting to be a bit predictable, the reasoning is always interesting.

Prediction: (Spencer) Sanders. Gundy swears the two are neck and neck entering preseason practice, but I have a hard time believing he can keep a talent like Sanders off the field. Brown may be the more experienced (read: safe) option, but he’s not the highest upside option. Brown is a valuable guy to have in your program. He can undoubtedly step in and do the job. But a guy like Sanders can elevate the Cowboys back toward the top of the Big 12.  [Yahoo Sports]

Put another way – Spencer Sanders is likely to either lose or win you more games. It’s so strange to make all of these inferences of players before they play two (or one) snaps for the Pokes.

But based off of what seems to be the talent potential, you could win a Big 12 Championship (at some point) with Spencer Sanders and that doesn’t appear to be the case with Dru Brown. I’d just assume get along with working towards that end.

• This was an interesting statistic – how has Mike Gundy fared against first-year head coaches?

While that’s a lot for one season, it’s nothing new for Gundy. Since his second season in charge, the mullet has faced off against 30 different head coaches in ‘Year One’ at their program, including 21 in Big 12 conference play.

In those games? He is 25-5. In Big 12 play, he’s 17-4 (though that does include Clint Bowen taking over mid-season in 2014 at Kansas). [CRFF]

He’s about to coach against three this year, we’ll see if that number stays as impressive as it is.

• Will this be Brandon Weeden’s last dance in the NFL?

Players missing from the NFL list include quarterback Brandon Weeden, who is open to returning but also told us he is okay if this is the end of his career. He would like to get involved in some broadcasting. [GoPokes]

After a seven-year career, it’s hard to imagine Weeden feeling like there’s more upside to explore. Having said that, being a backup NFL quarterback is a pretty sweet gig and are paid a premium as far as reserves go. It’ll likely just come down to opportunity.

• Let’s go ahead and start Dez Bryant-watch again – will Dez head to the Big Apple after the Giants experienced a rash of injuries?

In May, Bryant posted a video on Instagram that showed him running for the first time since he got hurt last fall. But the Saints didn’t bring back Bryant this winter and the 30-year old out of Oklahoma State remains one of the more intriguing names on the free-agent wire.

Giants coach Pat Shurmur said Friday he expects the Giants to make a move to add more wide receiver competition after Corey Coleman tore his ACL during the team’s first training-camp practice Thursday. Coleman’s season-ending injury came on the same day that the Giants’ No. 1 wide receiver, Sterling Shepard, fractured his thumb. [NJ.com]

So it sounds like the Saints haven’t wanted to pick up where they left off but the Giants could be in play after two of their top three receivers went down. We shall see.

• Tyreek Hill spoke with the media on Sunday – giving apologies and explaining his comments on tape

• You’ve got a chance to see all of Boynton’s new guys at an open practice on Thursday night this week:

We want YOU in GIA on Thursday night. #letswork #gopokes

? Open Practice
⏰ Thursday – 5-6:30 p.m.
▶️ https://t.co/NnMiGPlvJg pic.twitter.com/8svQjxlug6

— Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) July 29, 2019

Non-OSU Bullets

• Fantastic read here on “Why Facebook Failed” – some faith-based comments towards the end but a good read for all regardless

• The potential “double-draft” of 2022 sounds like an awesome deal – having multiple picks will be a great deal for OKC

• These parenting tips from the 1880s (via AoM) were solid