NORMAN, OK -- Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops opened spring practice today and says it will take time to find the Sooners new starting quarterback.

The Sooners must replace Paul Thompson who took over when Rhett Bomar was kicked off the team last fall then led the Sooners to a
Big 12 title and a spot in the Fiesta Bowl.

The candidates are junior Joey Halzle, redshirt freshman Sam
Bradford and incoming freshman Keith Nichol.

The competition will mostly be in private as Stoops is closing
spring practices except for two scrimmages and the annual spring
game.

He says he doesn't want the quarterbacks pressing and thinking
that every play or every day is a "do or die" situation.