LaberFred » rpreted as a lack of dedication or competitivenes

STILLWATER, Okla. -- Oklahoma State quarterback Mason Rudolph has the talent, the numbers and the wins.Now, he has to step up as a leader.The 6-foot-5 junior is coming off one of the best seasons in Oklahoma State history. His completions, attempts and passing yards per game last season trailed only Brandon Weedens 2010 and 2011 seasons on the schools single-season lists. He posted those huge numbers, despite J.W. Walsh getting much of the action in the red zone and in short-yardage situations.Walshs presence loomed large last season. Instead of transferring when Rudolph was named the starter, Walsh stuck with the team, carved out a valuable niche and mentored Rudolph. With Walsh now a graduate assistant at TCU, Rudolphs biggest jump might need to go beyond the numbers.Ive been a leader as long as I can remember, Rudolph said. Theres no quiet quarterback, and you have to assert yourself. Its something my high school coaches instilled in me. You have to be the guy, the leader and the first guy in and the last guy out. Im excited to lead this team.The 21st-ranked Cowboys open the season Saturday against Southeastern Louisiana. By all indications, Rudolph has put in the work to win the team over.I think it is just an increase of overall fundamentals, Oklahoma State offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich said. The mental side of it, the physical side of it -- hes done a nice job of getting work done, from film study to just fundamental work, individual instruction, understanding schemes, understanding defenses, just the whole picture. Hes done a nice job of improving himself overall.Walsh passed for 13 touchdowns and ran for 13 last season, mostly in the red zone and on short yardage. Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy feels confident that Rudolph, a pro-style pocket passer, will be effective in those situations.Hes a good throwing quarterback inside the five-yard line, Gundy said. Hes been pretty accurate. Well lean more toward those plays than trying to draw up something new, but he will get work because hell be the guy that gets it in practice.And just because Rudolph doesnt carry the dual-threat tag doesnt mean he cant move. He has excellent pocket presence, a quick release and an ability to manufacture time to throw. His strength and 235-pound frame make him difficult to bring down.Whatever these coaches want me to do, Ill do, Rudolph said. Im not as speedy as J.W. was, but Im just as strong and just as effective I think. Im looking forward to hanging out with these guys and utilizing all the weapons we have.Rudolph is a proven winner. He has a 12-3 career record as a starter. His freshman season, he led the Cowboys past Oklahoma in Norman, then helped Oklahoma State beat Washington in the Cactus Bowl. Last season, he helped the Cowboys open the season with a 10-0 record and climb to No. 4 in the AP poll.Against TCU last season, he passed for 352 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions on just 16 completions in a 49-29 win. In a loss to Baylor, he passed for 430 yards and three touchdowns. His career high of 437 yards came last season in a victory over Kansas State.Most of his receivers are back, including James Washington, a speedster who caught 53 passes for 1,087 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. With his combination of natural talent, skills and growing confidence, Rudolph is poised to be even better this season.Hes picking up the younger guys, even on days that were off, Washington said. Hell get the younger guys and us, and well go throw and get them ready for the season. Hes definitely picked up where he left off.---Follow Cliff Brunt on Twitter (at)CliffBruntAP . Miami Marlins Gear . The CFLs leading rusher kept adding to his gaudy numbers this season and scored the winning touchdown with just over two minutes to play. The New Westminster, B.C., native plowed three yards into the end zone for the last score of a heated, see-saw battle between the two teams with the best records in the CFL. Miami Marlins Shirts . Blackwood, 28, has played the last three seasons in the San Diego Padres system, including the past two summers with Class AA San Antonio of the Texas League. https://www.cheapmarlinsjerseys.us/ . The 18-year-old American had five birdies in her bogey-free round for a 17-under total of 196. Lee held the overnight lead but mixed three birdies with two bogeys for a 70. Custom Miami Marlins Jerseys . Halladay signed a one-day contract with the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday that allowed the veteran right-hander to retire as a member of team with which he broke into the majors and spent the bulk of his distinguished 16-year career. Miami Marlins Store . Manuel was offered a position the day he was fired. He accepted earlier this week and the team made the announcement Friday. Maverick McNealy sounds like a normal college student trying to figure out what he wants to do with his life.He just happens to be the top-ranked amateur golfer in the world.Ive been really blessed at Stanford to have two very awesome opportunities, said McNealy, who just finished his junior season with the Cardinal. I have a chance to get a world-class education and a chance to play for one of the best golf teams in the country. To be honest, I dont know what I want to do come next year.It would be easy enough for a player of McNealys stature to go the conventional route, turning pro sometime soon and embarking on a career that could lead to fame, fortune and golfing greatness. McNealy, however, insists the decision isnt so simple, not for someone with so many interests outside the game. Next month, McNealy will play in the U.S. Amateur, won in the past by the likes of Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, but his career path could end up a lot different from theirs.I dont know if one of my best friends from school is going to have a really cool idea thats something really interesting and a lot of possibility for social good, and I want to join that company after school, or what other job opportunities will be there, McNealy said recently on a teleconference to promote the U.S. Amateur. I think now is a little bit too early, in light of all that, to make a decision.McNealy is studying management science and engineering, with a concentration in finance and decision analysis. He says his studies involve math, economics and computer science.My major is basically giving me a bunch of tools from a bunch of different backgrounds to make effective decisions, he said. To be honest, Im kind of glad -- one of the big decisions of what Im going to do with my life coming up, its coming in useful.For now, McNealy has a clever line he can use when asked about his future aspirations.If I had a dollar for every time someone asked me if or when I was going to turn pro, I wouldnt have to turrn pro, he said.ddddddddddddIf McNealy does devote himself to professional golf, his potential is impressive. The two-time All-American is No. 1 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking and was a member of the U.S. Walker Cup team last year. He made it to the round of 16 in last years U.S. Amateur, and hell have a chance to improve on that at this years event at Oakland Hills in Michigan.McNealy is second on Stanfords career list with 10 victories, one behind the record held by Woods and Patrick Rodgers.He came in as a freshman, super athletic, and that allowed him to I think make some huge strides ball striking, said Conrad Ray, his coach at Stanford. I think hes turned his putting into a strength, and now I think its a matter of continuing, all levels rising.McNealys hesitance to commit to a pro golf career shouldnt be interpreted as a lack of dedication or competitiveness.I think hes just an analytical kid. For me, Ive actually tried to balance that. I just want him to have as much fun as he can, meet as many people, really enjoy the game for the relationships and all that, Ray said. Rarely is a coach telling a guy to go to the movies and get a pizza, but for me, hes probably the type of player that I would encourage that, just because hes hard-wired to be really analytical and super focused and super hard-working.Ray says McNealy gets his enjoyment of the game from the preparation and the constant chance to improve. Thats an attitude that could serve him well as a professional, but right now, hes in no rush to play golf for big money. McNealy expects to make a decision on his future before this coming spring season.At this point, Im just going to be working on getting my degree, learning things that I feel like will be valuable, McNealy said. Im really fortunate to have great opportunities.---Follow Noah Trister at www.Twitter.com/noahtrister ' ' '