In one week the Oregon Ducks will host the Washington Huskies in the 2008 season opener. That leaves the next few days to prepare for your opponent, and Washington’s Ty Willingham would love to know which Ducks quarterback his troops should plan for. Well, according to the Oregon Staff, you better prepare for all three.
Dennis Dixon piloted the Ducks for 9 games and one quarter in 2007. He won 8 of the 9 games he completed, including victories over Michigan, USC, and Arizona State. Immediately following a torn ACL, the Ducks finished the season 1-3 in the final four games without him, and the 16-0 loss to UCLA marked the first time the Ducks were shutout in 22 years. Dixon is now a Pittsburgh Steeler, and if we reflect back on Oregon of last year, it would appear he took the offense with him.
People may forget, but Dixon didn’t begin his Oregon career as the lone quarterback. He slowly developed in the system as part of a QB duo that featured Brady Leaf. Mike Bellotti and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly either plan to revert back to those days of quarterback development, this time using three QBs, or they’re simply blowing smoke.
Nate Costa, Justin Roper and Chris Harper have battled for the starting job, and just 7 days from kickoff, no one has it. At least, the Ducks don’t want others to believe anyone has solidified their claim of the position. Costa also suffered an ACL tear in 2007, and Roper is most recognized for quarterbacking the Ducks to their only victory after the injury to Dixon, which was a 56-21 blowout of South Florida in the Sun Bowl. The freshman Harper is more likely in consideration for his mobility, as the Ducks have also lined him up as running back and wide receiver.
Would Bellotti use three quarterbacks? I wouldn’t put it past him. But despite the QB concerns, there’s another big question. Can Jeremiah Johnson equal the production of former Duck and current Carolina Panther Jonathan Stewart?
Note: Trojan transfer Jamere Holland has been participating in Oregon practices, after sitting out most of the offseason rehabbing from surgery that repaired torn cartilage in his knee. Holland has sprinter’s speed and will most likely see the field as a return man and wide receiver. Holland transferred out of the USC program because he was too low on the receiving depth chart.
Dennis Dixon piloted the Ducks for 9 games and one quarter in 2007. He won 8 of the 9 games he completed, including victories over Michigan, USC, and Arizona State. Immediately following a torn ACL, the Ducks finished the season 1-3 in the final four games without him, and the 16-0 loss to UCLA marked the first time the Ducks were shutout in 22 years. Dixon is now a Pittsburgh Steeler, and if we reflect back on Oregon of last year, it would appear he took the offense with him.
People may forget, but Dixon didn’t begin his Oregon career as the lone quarterback. He slowly developed in the system as part of a QB duo that featured Brady Leaf. Mike Bellotti and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly either plan to revert back to those days of quarterback development, this time using three QBs, or they’re simply blowing smoke.
Nate Costa, Justin Roper and Chris Harper have battled for the starting job, and just 7 days from kickoff, no one has it. At least, the Ducks don’t want others to believe anyone has solidified their claim of the position. Costa also suffered an ACL tear in 2007, and Roper is most recognized for quarterbacking the Ducks to their only victory after the injury to Dixon, which was a 56-21 blowout of South Florida in the Sun Bowl. The freshman Harper is more likely in consideration for his mobility, as the Ducks have also lined him up as running back and wide receiver.
Would Bellotti use three quarterbacks? I wouldn’t put it past him. But despite the QB concerns, there’s another big question. Can Jeremiah Johnson equal the production of former Duck and current Carolina Panther Jonathan Stewart?
Note: Trojan transfer Jamere Holland has been participating in Oregon practices, after sitting out most of the offseason rehabbing from surgery that repaired torn cartilage in his knee. Holland has sprinter’s speed and will most likely see the field as a return man and wide receiver. Holland transferred out of the USC program because he was too low on the receiving depth chart.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment