Harry Beanbag
10/15/2006, 07:50 PM
I'm not even thinking about what he means to the team for the rest of the season, I'm just talking about as a representative of the university and as a man. He was the biggest recruit to set foot in Norman since Marcus Dupree, and while they had similar on the field ability and raw talent, they couldn't have been more different.
I've had man-love for Adrian since his first carry against Bowling Green just two short years ago. He has been a man among boys on the field since his arrival on campus, yet it was always a struggle for him due to problems out of his control. 2004 was a dream season for him and for the program up until the game of which we do not speak. If Stoops would have started him from day one, like he probably should have, he would have had well over 2000 yards and maybe have been the first freshman Heisman winner. But that's the way Stoops rolls, he makes you earn everything you get in this program (yes, I'm still holding Bob on that pedestal), which I think is one of the major reasons Peterson decided to come to Norman in the first place.
It's a shame that he had to spend two of his three years here with such subpar offensive lines, very young receivers, and average QB play. What could he have accomplished the last two seasons without being the only weapon that opposing defenses feared and gameplanned against? Not to mention last season's nagging ankle injury and the broken bone halfway through this year. With all things being equal and Peterson healthy, we could have witnessed back to back Barry Sanders type seasons out of him before he moved on. Just seems like a waste. I just hope he doesn't feel that way.
This brings me to why I'm really going to miss him. He is the toughest, bruisingest (if that's a word), most stubborn running back I've ever watched play college football. His speed, power, and attitude on the field was truly something to behold, it's too bad that the rest of the team never was able to take his queue. He played every play like it could be the difference in the game, like it was a defining moment in his life, and they were. At least once a game, every game, he left me shaking my head in amazement at his ability and desire. It might have only been a 3 yard gain, but he made those short runs legendary.
And for all his toughness and barbarism on the gridiron, it was his youth and childish smile that endeared him to me. He has a grin that must light up any room he walks into. I'm not ashamed to say that the College Gameday feature on him and his dad yesterday morning brought a couple of tears to my eye. I'm not a talented enough writer to adequately explain the way I feel about him and his choice to become a Sooner, but I have finally found a someone to supplant Jamelle as my favorite Sooner of all time.
Thank you Adrian.
http://images.sportsline.com/u/photos/football/college/img7784943.jpg
I've had man-love for Adrian since his first carry against Bowling Green just two short years ago. He has been a man among boys on the field since his arrival on campus, yet it was always a struggle for him due to problems out of his control. 2004 was a dream season for him and for the program up until the game of which we do not speak. If Stoops would have started him from day one, like he probably should have, he would have had well over 2000 yards and maybe have been the first freshman Heisman winner. But that's the way Stoops rolls, he makes you earn everything you get in this program (yes, I'm still holding Bob on that pedestal), which I think is one of the major reasons Peterson decided to come to Norman in the first place.
It's a shame that he had to spend two of his three years here with such subpar offensive lines, very young receivers, and average QB play. What could he have accomplished the last two seasons without being the only weapon that opposing defenses feared and gameplanned against? Not to mention last season's nagging ankle injury and the broken bone halfway through this year. With all things being equal and Peterson healthy, we could have witnessed back to back Barry Sanders type seasons out of him before he moved on. Just seems like a waste. I just hope he doesn't feel that way.
This brings me to why I'm really going to miss him. He is the toughest, bruisingest (if that's a word), most stubborn running back I've ever watched play college football. His speed, power, and attitude on the field was truly something to behold, it's too bad that the rest of the team never was able to take his queue. He played every play like it could be the difference in the game, like it was a defining moment in his life, and they were. At least once a game, every game, he left me shaking my head in amazement at his ability and desire. It might have only been a 3 yard gain, but he made those short runs legendary.
And for all his toughness and barbarism on the gridiron, it was his youth and childish smile that endeared him to me. He has a grin that must light up any room he walks into. I'm not ashamed to say that the College Gameday feature on him and his dad yesterday morning brought a couple of tears to my eye. I'm not a talented enough writer to adequately explain the way I feel about him and his choice to become a Sooner, but I have finally found a someone to supplant Jamelle as my favorite Sooner of all time.
Thank you Adrian.
http://images.sportsline.com/u/photos/football/college/img7784943.jpg