The Oregon Ducks were riding high last year when they beat USC for the
first time in five years. The national championship was in sight, butin the end of a victory over Arizona St, heisman candidate Qb Dennis
Dixon went down, a game later the dream came crashing in on them,
Dixon was out for the season. The disheartened Ducks proceeded to lose
all the rest of their games, including a heart breaker to Oregon St to
end the season. But in the Sun bowl the team rallied and smoked a
highly touted South Florida team in a game that was never in question.
This season the Ducks return 15 starters, and look to contend for the
Pac ten crown again. The road is much harder as this season they travel
to USC, ASU, Cal, and OSU. But to help them is one of the best
secondaries in the nation anchored by all-American candidate Patrick
Chung. The offense returns receiver Jason Williams, who despite his
drops, will undoubtedly go down in the record books as one of the best
receivers in Oregon history. Look to see the Ducks to be in the national title hunt again.
Offense:
Oregon's offense returns Rb Jeremiah Johnson who was having a season
equal to his teammate, NFL first round draft pick Jonathan Stewart,
until he injured his knee and was shelved for the season. Sharing
rushing duties with him is junior college transfer LaGarrete Blount
who drew raves from everyone during spring and fall camp. The
offensive line returns three starters, including center Max Unger, who
is considered one of the best in the nation and perhaps a first round
draft pick in April. At receiver is Jason Williams who appears to have
been cured of the drops that have plagued him his entire career. If so
he should be the best in the nation at 6'5" 240 he can run over Db and
he has the speed to outrun Lb. At tight end is Ed Dickson, who posses
great receiving skills and looks to improve his blocking this year.
The only question is at Qb, heir apparent Nathan Costa is out with a
knee injury. So it is up to sun bowl hero Justin Roper to lead the
offense. Offensive genius Chip Kelly already turned Roper from the
quarter back who looked lost during the shutout against UCLA to the
quarter back who was completely in charge and threw for four
touchdowns during the sun bowl rout. At second string is junior
college champion Jeremiah Masoli who last season threw for 4000 yds
and 40 touchdowns. He had practiced only a week, due to a wrist
injury, but was name the second string for Saturdays game against
Washington. behind him is true freshman Chris Harper who has the speed
of a running back and the size of a linebacker. Whoever is at Qb won't
be called top do much because of what should be a good running game
and an even better defense to back him up.
Defense:
Oregon defensive line returns the Pac ten leader in sacks and tackles
for loss, Nick Reed. On the other end is Willie Tufuaku, who has the
skills to make sure the defense can't double Reed. A DT will probably
be Rashon Harris and Col Linehan. Anchoring the linebackers is hard
hitting senior Jeremy Boyd. The Starters for the other linebacker
positions are in flux because of a dismissal but it looks like the
starters will be Spencer Paysinger and Casey Matthews son of former
NFL lineman Clay Mathews. Secondary is the Ducks Strongest position on
defense and is one of the best in the country. Leader is rover Patrick
Chung who was an all pac ten selection last year and led the ducks in
tackles. He is joined by corners Walter Thurmond III and Jairus Byrd,
who are probably the best cornerback tandem in the country.
