Spencer Sanders Talks Development Under Tim Rattay; Why He Is Primed For Success

ARLINGTON, Tx – Oklahoma State brought two veterans to Big 12 Media Days in Spencer Sanders and Malcolm Rodriguez and the media got the chance to have about 30 minutes with each of them in a breakout session to get their thoughts and words on the upcoming season. Spencer Sanders was the first of the two and got asked plenty of questions on his individual development and growth at the quarterback position. 

Sanders has criticized a decent amount on his development or lack thereof at times. Something that was brought up today that is a valid point to bring up in this discussion is the fact that this will be the first season Sanders will have the same offensive coordinator and quarterbacks in back-to-back seasons. 

Sanders says though that Tim Rattay, the Cowboys quarterbacks coach has helped him develop tremendously over the past year. 

“I would say operating the offense and decision making,” Spencer said on what Rattay has helped him with the most. “I’ve come a long way with coach Rattay this offseason, he has helped me progress phenomenally. I can’t do anything but thank him and I’m excited for this season.”

One of the follow up questions on Rattay was on tweaks or changes from last season to this one. 

“It’s really just dialing in on what we do like before I was here it was air-raid, the ball was here the ball was there, it was great, and Mason Rudolph was slinging it everywhere and Cornelius was too. I think it’s just about getting back to those habits, and I think it’s going to be a lot like what it used to.”

During Mike Gundy’s opener today, he said that Spencer Sanders has progressed and developed more this spring than he did in the first two years of his time in Stillwater. Spencer was asked about this and why it is that he has progressed so rapidly. 

“That’s coach Rattay,” Spencer said emphatically. “I would say he has helped me phenomenally because I am more than grateful, he has helped my footwork, my decision making, my timing, everything. He has factored in like five things for me by fixing one thing.”

Spencer is heading into his third year as the starting quarterback for the Cowboys and to keep it that way, he is going to have to bring that development from the practice field to the game field. He has shown flashes of brilliance on the field, and everyone knows he has a cannon but with better footwork and better mental understanding of defenses and anticipation, it seems he is on the path to make it consistent play similar to what we saw in the bowl game against Miami. 

With the rest of the summer and all of fall camp to prepare even more and get ready to start the season, Spencer still has more time to get ready for the moment because the Cowboys are going to need him to perform if they want to have the season they are hoping for. The rest of the offense is coming into shape with a healthy offensive line and a bevy of receivers who will be in the rotation to go along with a stable of running backs who will all get touches. 

Spencer Sanders says he is learning to be a leader to his teammates, and he is read to put it on the field.