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Post by ideamark on Aug 5, 2006 21:40:55 GMT -5
(Not sure if this is the right subject area for this news... but it didn't seem right for "College Wrestling" nor "Non-Wrestling Talk") I guess the rumors are true... Amazing what one finds on a google news search. This is an excerpt from a longer article about the Oklahoma State football program from The Sporting News www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=115039FROM THE MAT TO THE FIELD: Steve Mocco, a two-time NCAA champion heavyweight wrestler who completed his eligibility in that sport at Oklahoma State in March, has joined the Cowboys' football team as a defensive tackle. Athletic department spokesman Mike Noteware said Mocco -- the NCAA runner-up to Minnesota's Cole Konrad this year -- began working out with football players during the summer to stay in shape. Defensive coordinator Vance Bedford said he didn't think Mocco had ever played football, and Mocco's biography in the most recent Oklahoma State wrestling media guide makes no mention of football, although it did tout Mocco's prowess in judo. As a first-year football player, Mocco isn't allowed to speak to the media. But Bedford praised Mocco's work ethic. "He's tough," Bedford said. "He's a champion already. That in itself brings leadership, something we didn't have last season. Here's a guy who has a chance to go to the Olympics and has won national championships here in college. He knows what it takes to win. "That's what we need to have around here, people who know what it takes to win. Otherwise, you can never win here consistently, unless you have guys that understand that." Bedford said he didn't know yet if Mocco would receive much, if any, playing time this season. Oklahoma State has five seniors listed on its two-deep chart at the four defensive line positions.
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Post by Big on Aug 5, 2006 22:14:56 GMT -5
Why would Mocco do that?
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Post by bambam on Aug 5, 2006 23:30:43 GMT -5
To redeem himself in the eyes of Oklahoma State Fans! The 2x National Champ cannot deal with failing to defend his title so he has to play football to prove to himself he is still the Badass he used to be! He just might do well at defensive tackle. He has the physical ability to do the job!
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Post by ideamark on Aug 6, 2006 0:57:55 GMT -5
Good answer, bambam! Mocco may also be doing a variation on the rich tradition of college heavyweights who also played football in high school and/or college. NCAA heavyweight champs like Verne Gagne, Gene Nicks, Sherwyn Thorsen, Jim Nance, Jess Lewis and Curley Culp seemed to make the move from gridiron to grappler with no sweat. (Not just heavyweights, either: Tim Hartung, a triple-threat jock in HS in Wisconsin (football/wrestling/baseball), was actually more heavily recruited for his quarterbacking skills than as a wrestler.) When I was in school (back in the 70s) it was pretty common for the upper-weight guys to play football AND wrestle. I guess nowadays, in this era of specialization -- and concerns about injuries in one sport ruining things for the other sport -- more and more athletes are limiting themselves. I wish Mocco well. If anyone finds a football photo of Mocco, let me know -- I'll add it to my photo albums at NCAA Heavyweight Champs 2 (hwt champs since 2000). sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/NCAA_Heavyweight_Champs_2/Mark
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Post by RYou on Aug 6, 2006 5:22:56 GMT -5
Why not ? Time on his hands finishing classes. Knows most on the team. Athletic individual. Will not likely make the Olympic team. Why not give it a shot ?
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Post by The Big Not Quite as Stiffy on Aug 6, 2006 5:37:50 GMT -5
I was down at the hall of fame in Stillwater on Friday with Sara and the Swayz as well as Nathan Furches. When we were about to leave Leroy Smith called us to the window facing the practice football field to help him find number 69. We finally found him and that's when it dawned on us that we were seeing Steve Mocco. I said before I'd believe it when I saw it, and I've finally seen it so I do believe he is going out for football. He's not all that big next to the other lineman unlike when you see him on a wrestling mat.
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Post by Big on Aug 6, 2006 8:48:40 GMT -5
Shouldn't Mocco use the valuable time to prepare for freestyle? Unless he is done with wrestling and wishes to try out for NFL, which is a long shot since he has never played football and he is not as athletic as Neal.
Also, he will probably gain a ton of weight playing football, maybe over 300 pounds.
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Post by ideamark on Aug 6, 2006 16:44:17 GMT -5
More on Mocco's transition from wrestling to football... oklahomastate.scout.com/2/553046.htmlCowboy Preseason Camp Notes - Day 1 By: Robert Allen Date: Aug 4, 2006 It’s interesting to see, but Cowboy heavyweight wrestling champ Steve Mocco got his first taste of football practice by jumping in with the third-team field goal block unit. Mocco was shading to the right side of the long snapper trying to pry open a lane for a teammate to make the block. Most of the defensive line drills are held in the far northeast corner of the practice field so it was tough to see how the wrestling great was fairing in his first practice. Mocco, like all first year players on the squad, is off limits for media interviews. Because of his experience in dealing with the media that rule may be relaxed as it pertains to him next week. EAT LIKE THE COWBOYS If you want to eat like the Cowboys in their first 24 hours back in camp get ready for a hefty grocery bill. The welcome back dinner featured steak and potato with all the trimmings. Breakfast included a wide array of fruits, juices, cereals, breads, and eggs and waffles. Lunch included a full salad and sandwich
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Post by RYou on Aug 6, 2006 18:02:05 GMT -5
Shouldn't Mocco use the valuable time to prepare for freestyle? Unless he is done with wrestling and wishes to try out for NFL, which is a long shot since he has never played football and he is not as athletic as Neal. Also, he will probably gain a ton of weight playing football, maybe over 300 pounds. After 10 + years of going at it year round....may, just maybe the guy has lost his enthusism for the sport. The time off may do him well.
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Avallone
Round of 12
Im just a big hairy American winning machine
Posts: 335
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Post by Avallone on Aug 6, 2006 21:29:26 GMT -5
I think it is pretty cool. ;D
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odh
Round of 12
Posts: 487
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Post by odh on Aug 6, 2006 21:40:45 GMT -5
I thinks this bodes ill for his international career. Pursuing football indicates to me that he does not have the all-consuming drive to become an Olympic champ.
Shouldn't he have graduated by now?
Finally, I would be doubtful of his chances even to make the OSU varsity, much less the NFL, which I assume he is shooting for. However, if he does this just proves how little technique there is required to be a football player.
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Post by JensenS on Aug 6, 2006 23:13:15 GMT -5
Looks like Hittdog better get ready to start pooping his pants.
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BigJohn
Redshirt
I bleed red...err, yeah
Posts: 138
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Post by BigJohn on Aug 6, 2006 23:26:49 GMT -5
I hope he does really well and winds up in the NFL making big bucks!
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eazee
Round of 12
Posts: 351
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Post by eazee on Aug 7, 2006 8:04:15 GMT -5
Lets hope he's never the offensive co-ordinator. The offense would consist entirely of sweeps and nothing else.
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Post by JensenS on Aug 7, 2006 9:26:21 GMT -5
Exalt!
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