The smartest move made thus far by new offensive coordinator Todd Monken is to review the Oklahoma State offense and study it before making any radical changes.

The Cowboys return two of the productive playmakers in the spread attack, the pass-catch combination of quarterback Brandon Weeden and wide receiver Justin Blackmon. Each considered jumping to the NFL, but opted to return for another year of seasoning.

Oklahoma State averaged 520.2 yards and 44.2 points per game last season while going 11-2 with an Alamo Bowl victory over Arizona. Weeden became the first Oklahoma State passer to throw for more than 4,000 yards (4,277), with 34 touchdown passes. Blackmon, meanwhile, caught 111 passes for 1,782 yards and 20 touchdowns.

So once Monken arrived after coaching wide receivers for the Jacksonville Jaguars the past four seasons, he didn't try to immediately impart any NFL wisdom. Instead, he listened intently to Weeden, who at 27 grasped the spread attack wonderfully last season, his first as a starter after once pitching in the New York Yankees minor league system.

"He came in trying to learn our system," Weeden said. "So I've spent a lot of time with him, teaching him a little bit. He's really catching on and understanding what we are trying to do."

Yes, that was a player making that comment. But it speaks to the smooth transition Oklahoma State expects after prospering last season under Dana Holgorsen, who left to become the head coach in waiting at West Virginia.

The challenge for the Cowboys won't be the tweaks Monken designs for the offense, but the progress the defense is able to make after a rocky season.

Although Oklahoma State was adept at forcing turnovers, that didn't prove advantageous in all games. In the last regular-season clash against Oklahoma for the right to represent the South Division in the Big 12 championship game, the Cowboys gave up two long touchdowns late in the game because of defensive breakdowns. The Sooners eventually won and moved on to the Bowl Championship Series, an elite postseason status the Cowboys have never achieved.

Bill Young, the cagey veteran who coordinates the OSU defense is back, and figures to oversee some improvement with the return of key players such as linebacker Shaun Lewis, cornerback Brodrick Brown and safety Markelle Martin.

Special teams will feature one of the nation's top punters, junior Quinn Sharp, who enters spring drills in line to also become the Cowboys' placekicker. Sharp handled kickoffs in the past and routinely drilled the ball for touchbacks.

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