Cade is special for the same reasons so many OU athletes are special.
I've said this many times. If you take Blake Griffin, Sam Bradford, Adrian Peterson, Nic Harris, David Godbold, Tony Crocker and Cade Davis, and instill in them the same kind of selfishness that you see in TMG, Tiny, or even Willie, you would find them not doing as well as they have.
Blake, Sam and Adrian were all going to play pro ball, but the difference between drawing a check to play a game, and being a superstar, is work, desire and selflessness. Nic, David, Tony and Cade will all be successes at life for the same reasons.
I still hold out hope that Jeff Capel stands for those things, but my hope has been shaken. Some of the reinforcement of that hope is when I see the transformation of Pledger and Fitz. Part of my doubt rests in some of the things I've heard about his demeanor. I don't know where reality rests, I only hope that he turns this program as quickly as it has turned. Romero Osby is for real. There is a core there that is getting better. If he brings in a PG and another big, I believe that Jeff Capel can bring us back. I may be naive. I will say this, Osby is a stud.
Having said all of that, post season play next year is a must. Without it, I no longer want to see Jeff Capel as our coach. Personally, I'm willing to see him get the chance to get there. If he can't produce that, though, we have to move on.
On a personal note, I'm just sad that Cade has to endure a senior season like this one. He is, nonetheless, pouring his heart and soul into every game. He has never been given credit by many OU fans for his ability or his athleticism. So many are willing to jump on his rare mistakes and forget his triumphs against Texas and Mizzou last year, for examples. Just try to imagine what this team would be like without him. They would be damned near winless.
Men like Cade, and Taylor, and AJ and David; men who want to be Sooners, will always be the foundation of Sooner hoops success.
Cheers,
Mark
