Oregon Season Recap

So were moving towards two weeks since Oregon ended its season with a National Title lost and I think I’ve reached the point were its safe to move on. If you don’t hear from me for a couple weeks I think its safe to say the people of Eugene have silenced me while they deal with their loss. I’m not just talking about “the Natty loss” but also the loss of defensive back Javes Lewis. His departure surprises no one as he didn’t start a single game this year and almost led the team with twenty-five tackles. Seriously people thought LeBron James got bad advice I don’t think there is anyway to justify declaring early if there is very little chance that you even get drafted.

Top-10 Plays of the Year

1.Oregon’s Final Drive in the National Title and Ensuing Two Point Conversion
This had all the elements of a fairy tale ending, fumble recovery leading to fourth and goal touchdown to two point conversion leading to overtime win for the Ducks. Unfortunately Cam Newton and the Tigers failed to play to the plot as they stormed back down the field but still this last drive has to be my top play of the year due to its obvious significance and clutch factor.

1.5 Any Play Following the Students Chanting Big Balls Chip

2. Oregon’s Final Drive vs. California
For an Offense known for its quick pace this was an absolute beauty to watch as Oregon’s offensive line willed the team to the finish by running eighteen plays to ice the final 9:25 of the game. Running the ball seventeen out of eighteen plays is truly remarkable and kind of surprising because you think at some point Oregon would break one but instead steady three and four yard gains broke Cal’s back.

3.LaMichael James 72 Yard Touchdown Run vs. Tennessee
Welcome back LaMichael James, this also proved to be his “Heisman Moment” of the year. I’m not sure how many times LaMike tried this run one way cut back the other way run but I don’t think there was once that I was thinking it was a good idea until after the run. Is there really anyway LaMichael really helps his draft stock that much in the next year? He’s not going to return any punts or kicks, I doubt he ends up with more catches next year than this year, and I doubt he runs for more yards next year due to the depth coming back at RB next year.

4. Eddie Pleasant’s Fumble Recovery vs. Stanford
This play has two things going for it; first it was the play that started Oregon’s second half rampage vs. Stanford, and second it turned into one of the coolest sports posters I’ve seen. The photograph showing Pleasant and a blocking convey is simply awesome. In other news fans hope Pleasant learns the art of pass coverage this offseason.

5.Michael Clay’s 64 Yard Run vs. Oregon State
Oregon State had just forced Oregon into a rare three and out and lined up in a punt formation only to run the ball 64 yards up straight up the middle. Not to sure about everyone else but my first reaction was ******* our long snapper did it again. Good news moments later my eyes readjusted to see Michael Clay turning on the jets as he headed into the red zone which led to a crucial touchdown.

6. Jeff Maehl’s Deflection Catch vs. USC
In terms of individual efforts I think this would rate as the best play of the year due to Meahl’s diving deflection effort while maintaining possession of the ball. I mean for crying out loud LeBron even gave him a shout out on Twitter.

6.5 Any Chip Kelly Interview Pre-Game, During Game, After Game
Only thing missing was getting him miked up during games.

7. Cliff Harris Punt Return vs. California
One of only two Oregon touchdowns in the game this was also the moment that Cliff Harris proved to me that no matter how reckless he may be with the ball you have to leave him back there to return every punt. Side note was there any better special teams unit than Oregon this year? Besides for a slight slip up at the end of the year in field goal kicking I don’t think there was (slightly biased view).

8. Darron Touchdown Pass to David Paulson vs. Tennessee
Darron Thomas showed that Chip Kelly made the right choice, had the arm for a downfield passing game and nothing could faze him.

9.Josh Huff 85 Yard Touchdown Run vs. Arizona
Pure speed that helped relieve the nerves of 60,000 nervous Autzen fans. Also Huff ranks up here for helping pioneer the phrase “The Natty”.

10.Darron Thomas Kneel Down vs. Oregon State
Oregon finally made it and survived the final six weeks as the number one or two team in the country. It’s a shame that this didn’t happen against a team that meant anything to Oregon fans.

11.5 Oregon’s Jersey Selections
Not a big fan of the selections this year they weren’t bad but personally I missed not seeing the throwbacks that were worn last year vs. Cal and Oregon State. National Title game jerseys would have been rated much lower but really couldn’t figure out a number to assign to them.



Side note this whole top play section really doesn’t help the notion that Oregon’s defense was behind its offense but lets face it offensive plays are usually more exciting. But still don’t forget the countless deflections by Brandon Bair, tackles by Casey Mathews and John Boyett, the QB hurries by Kenny Rowe, or coverage’s by Talmadge Jackson III.

Offensive MVP

1. Darron Thomas- LaMichael gets all the hype but without Darron Thomas I think that the Ducks are looking at another 10-3 season. The downfield passing that DT was able to provide really opened things up for the Ducks. Masoli was a winning quarterback but Thomas really elevated what the Ducks were able to throw at opponents.
2. LaMichael James- Everyone else’s MVP but his stats don’t really seem to indicate MVP status to me. I mean he just rushed for your standard 1,731 yards and 21 touchdowns that’s pretty average in football. Seriously a very worthy candidate but personally I feel Darron Thomas was the difference that led to the Ducks making the Natty.
3. Jeff Maehl- Not sure if you have ever seen Maehl in person but I would almost guarntee your first thought would not be that he is a dominant wide reciever. Somehow Darron Thomas was able to overcome this initial reaction which led to record-breaking season for Maehl. Does anyone else wonder how good Maehl might have been at safety?

Defensive MVP

1. Brandon Bair- The selection for the top three defensive players was really tough but Brandon Bair ability to get to the quarterback, numerous tackles in the backfield, and batted down passes led to me picking him as MVP of the defense.
2. Casey Mathews- Really could flip-flop either of these guys and be fine with it. Mathews stats between this year and last year are virtually the same but Mathews made great leaps in pass coverage and without a doubt I believe Mathews will succeed in the NFL. Many believe he should win MVP just for his hair unfortunately for Mathews I disagree with that sentiment.
3. Cliff Harris/John Boyett/Talmadge Jackson III- I realize I’m cheating the system but these guys anchored the secondary. Harris and Boyett were the ballhawks but Jackson also did a great job of locking down recievers just didn’t have the impressive stats of the other two. The unit stats for the secondary might not be that impressive but you have to remember teams are constantly throwing at them due to deficits.

The Next Year (Already)

I realize its way to early to start thinking about the next year so soon but its not like Oregon has a basketball team to cover do they? Side note is it possible to red-shirt a basketball stadium until the team is ready? Back to next August/September Oregon will most likely start the season in the top five based on Thomas and LaMichael coming back but the reality is that this team loses tons of talented players on both sides of the ball. The offensive line loses three starters (Bo Thran, C.E. Kaiser, and Jordan Holmes) and the only other two losses are at wide receiver (Jeff Maehl and DJ Davis). The O-line is particularly worrisome because the Ducks open up next season against LSU in Dallas. If anybody hasn’t erased the memory of the Boise State debacle you will also remember that we were breaking in a new offensive line against a top fifteen team. Scary thought right there. I’m not saying that the offensive line will be that bad (at least that’s what I’m hoping) but its going to be tough for a new line to gel against what should be at worst a very good defense. There are capable players that are waiting in the rank and perhaps the best OL coach in the business so not all hope is lost. I think that this unit will be fine it might just take a couple games for them to start rolling again. The backfield behind these guys is set and hopefully can remain healthy so LaMike doesn’t have to run the rock thirty-five plus times again. I don’t think its too far out there to say LaMichael might run for another 1,500 while Kenjon Barner runs for another 800 yards. Tight End doesn’t need to be talked about this is a group that no Duck fan should lose sleep over. Paulson is as solid as it gets, Brandon Williams is a good blocker who next year will show off what a great receiver he can be, and Curtis White is waiting in the wings after a redshirt. Wide Receiver is a different matter as Maehl and DJ Davis graduate and there really isn’t any game proven wide receiver’s behind Josh Huff and Lavasier Tuinei. What made the outgoing receivers so special were not only their playmaking ability but also their perimeter blocking. This is something that I think most Duck fan’s take for granted but it is not something that wide receivers are naturally good at and takes time and most of all effort to master. The Ducks do have some depth in Keanan Lowe, Justin Hoffman, Eric Dungy, and Blake Cantu but none of these players besides Hoffman have played a down of NCAA football. Another thing to keep in mind the Ducks do have some highly regarded recruits coming in at wide receiver (Devon Blackmon and Tacoi Sumler) but Sumler is undersized at this moment (5-7, 155 according to ESPN). Blackmon on the other hand I think will make some noise next year in more of a reserve role similar to Josh Huff.

Offensive Breakout Player Eric Dungy- The easy pick here would have been Josh Huff but that’s too obvious as we have all seen what a special talent he is and I along with many other Duck fans expect big things from him in 2011. Besides Huff and Tuinei the third wide out spot remains unclaimed so I figured I would take a chance on Dungy who seems to have the best body suited for the outside blocking required in Oregon’s scheme. Plus from all accounts he didn’t do a bad job catching the rock on the Scout team. Brandon Williams was a close second as I expect his receiving skills to be utilized more next year out of the two tight end set.

On to Oregon’s defense which will almost always live in the shadow of Oregon’s offense unfortunate because this past year the Oregon defense more than held its own out there and was at the top of the Pac-10 in many important categories. On the defensive side of the ball Oregon loses three defensive line starters (Zac Clark, Brandon Bair, and Kenny Rowe), two starting linebackers (Casey Mathews and Spencer Paysinger), and a starting cornerback (Talmadge Jackson III). The obvious question mark (once again) is on the defensive line luckily for Oregon they got a bit of good news earlier in the week with the news that Ricky Heimuli will be returning for next year. Still it is going to be tough to replace three starters around Terrell Turner. Defensive tackle looks to be the major weakness with scholarship upperclassmen with experience. Wade Keliikipi, Ricky Heimuli, and Taylor Hart look like they will battle it out for the two starter spots with Isaac Remington hopefully able to contribute coming off a redshirt year. There does appear to be a little help coming in at least as the Ducks have signed JUCO DT Jared Ebert, it wouldn’t hurt to sign a couple other defensive tackles though. Defensive end is in better shape with the return of Turner and two other defensive ends that played a significant amount of snaps in Dion Jordan and Brandon Hanna. Linebacker loses two multi-year starters in Paysinger and Mathews but there is a great amount of depth and two of the most highly contested spring battles will be for whom will replace Paysinger and Mathews. It really doesn’t matter who will end up starting because the Ducks rotate so many players but I would give the early edge to Boseko Lokombo and Michael Clay. Only one real battle to watch in the secondary as there is a starting cornerback job up for grabs opposite of Cliff Harris. This will also be hotly contested between Anthony Gildon, Terrance Mitchell, Avery Patterson, and Troy Hill among others. I would give the slight edge to Gildon due to his experience but who comes out with the job is any ones guess. John Boyett and Eddie Pleasant return which should be a good duo if someone tells Pleasant that he also has some pass coverage responsibilities. This should be a good defense once again but I think its fair to say that a slight drop-off compared to this year can be expected.

Defensive Breakout Player Dion Jordan- There was hype about Jordan becoming an impact defensive end this past year and while he showed flashes he never quite burst onto the scene. I think this next year will be different as he can hopefully can become a terror to opposing QB’s. This will be important because of the loss of Kenny Rowe and if you didn’t notice the Pac-12 next year is filled with some QB’s that know how to throw the ball (Especially UCLA). Also under consideration was Kiko Alonso who is coming off of a year off due to off the field issues.

What to Expect in 2011

10-2, (8-1) (Losses to LSU and Stanford) 2nd in Pac-12 North

Pac 12 Conference Championship- Stanford over ASU

North Standings
1. Stanford
2. Oregon
3. Oregon State
4. Washington
5. California
6. Washington State

South Standings
1. Arizona State
2. USC
3. Arizona
4. Utah
5. UCLA
6. Colorado


Five thoughts/Predictions for 2011

1. Why Missouri State? Was Portland State becoming too good or did I miss something?
2. Kenjon Barner will line up in the slot/tazer position much more too offset the lack of proven WR’s.
3. Andrew Luck will get called up to the NFL midseason (maybe that’s just me dreaming).
4. Cliff Harris will consistently say something outrageous (really going out on a limb here).
5. The Pac-12’s most anticipated game will be Colorado vs. Washington State in the battle for worst team.