Lockwood Knows he Needs to be More ‘Aggressive’
By: Justin Felisko
OKLAHOMA CITY – Two-time World Champion Jess Lockwood hobbled down the hallway deep in the confines of Chesapeake Energy Arena, favoring his left leg.
Lockwood’s admittedly “frustrating” season took another agonizing turn on Saturday night when Bandit bucked him off in 3.95 seconds, stepping on his left quad in the process, during Round 1 of the PBR Express Ranches Invitational.
Earlier in the evening, Lockwood told PBR.com about his need to be more aggressive as he tries to overcome the worst start of his six-year career – 3-for-15.
Lockwood felt like he was finally more aggressive on Saturday, but the result was another buckoff and another potential injury to deal with. The 23-year-old has already missed three events this season because of a broken jaw and free-hand injury.
“I felt aggressive, and I felt a lot better today than I have been, but (Bandit) just got me,” Lockwood said. “He got me in my quad, kind of. He just clipped me a bit that I am sored up. I could hear everyone saying, ‘It’s his chest or his head,’ and I was like, ‘No, I just want to get out of here.’”
The wreck also could have been worse as Lockwood was stepped on while laying flat on his back, one of the most vulnerable positions for a bucked-off bull rider to be in.
Lockwood has drawn Bentley (5-1, UTB) for Round 2 on Sunday, but the Volborg, Montana native will meet with Dr. Tandy Freeman and the PBR Sports Medicine Team in the morning before deciding whether he will ride or not.
“It is going to be dang sore in the morning; I know that much,” Lockwood said.
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Lockwood also cracked out a new bull rope this weekend, having rope-maker Bryan Franks make him a rope that was more similar to the one he used when he won the 2019 PBR World Finals.
“I measured the one I won the ’19 Finals on,” Lockwood said. “There was a whole half-inch difference in the rise of the rope. My old one didn’t pull down tight enough.”
However, Lockwood knows his struggles this season are not related to simply a minor equipment issue. Nor does he think his slow start has anything to do with his reconstructive left hamstring surgery from last season.
“I just have been riding lazy,” Lockwood admitted. “I just haven’t been aggressive, and I just need that aggression back. When I spur bulls, I ride better. So, shoot, it probably wouldn’t hurt me to start spurring. It is mental. I have felt good physically. I have no excuse whatsoever. It is just something that I haven’t gotten into a groove of, having that aggression. I really don’t know. I haven’t really felt it too much since I have been back from injury. It is just something that is slowly coming back. It hasn’t hit me yet. I have never gone through an injury like that, sitting out that long.”
Lockwood has not been competing consistently, let alone reaching the 8-second mark. In fact, he is competing in his first back-to-back weekends of the season. He only competed in one back-to-back weekend last season when he returned from his hamstring surgery in the middle of September.
Lockwood is still ranked 21st in the world standings.
His best showing this year was a second-place finish in Glendale, Arizona, when he went 2-for-3 and appeared to be turning a corner. However, he had to miss the next week in Kansas City, Missouri, because of an injury to his free hand that would have prevented him from being able to safely pull his wrap and disembark his bull.
“I definitely am not happy with the way the season is going,” Lockwood said. “After Glendale, I felt really good, but I didn’t go that next weekend. I am mad I didn’t go the next weekend, but I couldn’t do anything with that hand. was feeling really good, riding pretty consistently, and I think I could have kept it going. Then I had to sit out a weekend, and my aggression all fell away again.
“I feel good, but I am nodding, and it is like, ‘Okay, whatever.’ It is just eh. I am just nodding my head, and that is about all that I am doing. I am just along for the ride. I am not in control of the ride right now. I need to be aggressive.”
ADDITIONAL INJURY UPDATES
Mauricio Moreira could not compete in the 15/15 Bucking Battle on Saturday night after he aggravated a left-hand sprain during his 2.45-second buckoff against Night Stalker. According to Dr. Freeman, Moreira is questionable for Round 2.
Meanwhile, Kyler Oliver could not attempt his Round 1 bull after dislocating his left shoulder (riding arm) in the bucking chute. Oliver is questionable for Round 2.
Follow Justin Felisko on Twitter @jfelisko
Photo courtesy of Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media
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