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Home > Inside UF > Archives > 2009 > January > 04
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Sooners cornerback not impressed by Tim Tebow
Once again, the theme of Sunday’s media opportunities focused on the myth vs. reality of the Big 12 offenses.
Cornerback Dominique Franks was asked if Oklahoma’s pass defense was better than their No. 98 national ranking (253 yards per game) would suggest.
“The way I see it, the three best quarterbacks in the country come from the Big 12, the three best receivers come from the Big 12, three best tight ends came from the Big 12,” Franks said. “A lot of people don’t understand that other conferences don’t have what we face.”
So if Colt McCoy, Sam Bradford and Graham Harrell are the top three quarterbacks in the country, that makes Tim Tebow only fourth-best?
“Yeah.”
What makes you say that?
“I think our quarterbacks are better, just the way they conduct themselves, how they play on the field. It’s a lot harder to prepare for those guys than it is for Tebow.”
How so?
“From my position, the way that they throw the ball, going into a game you know the quarterback is going to throw the ball 40 times a game. Versus coming into this game and knowing he’s only going to throw 15 to 20. it makes it easier to know that he’s more of a running style quarterback, and it makes it a lot harder to prepare for those (Big 12) guys.”
So you’re not intimidated by Tebow?
“No, you can’t be intimidated by nobody. He’s a great player but intimidation, no, not at all.”
Are you guys looking to prove that the right guy (Bradford) won the Heisman Trophy this year?
“Everybody is going to think Tebow should have won the Heisman, but the right person won the Heisman, and we going to go out there and show the reason why he won it.”
Interesting comments from a player with 39 tackles and four interceptions in 13 games this season.
Oklahoma’s coaching staff doesn’t quite agree with Franks’ statements, at least publicly.
“I don’t think like Dom thinks,” defensive Brent Venables said with a smile. ” I think Tim is a great player. All the accolades, the attention, the Heisman is all well deserved. He’s a much different animal from the other guys we’ve seen - physical presence, emotional presence, ability to execute, and he doesn’t flinch, and that’s what you love about him.”
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