2010 Oregon Football Preview
by John Berkowitz on Jul 30, 2010 6:45 AM PDT
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PrintThings haven't been that easy this off season in Eugene but Oregon enters the 2010 Pac 10 season as the prohibitive favorite to win a second consecutive Pac 10 crown. That is impressive when you factor in losing Heisman Trophy candidate QB Jeremiah Moseli to an alleged stolen lap top and a dime bag of weed over the off season.
Oregon is still the favorite because they are deep, fast, talented and experienced at almost every position. Nate Costa is a fifth year senior with a good arm and Darron Thomas reminds some of Dennis Dixon. Costa is the favorite to win the job heading into camp. The offense averaged 412 YPG and 36 PPG in 2009 and has the talent to match that this season.
Look for the Ducks to exploit the run more until whoever they name at QB settles down. LaMichael James burst on the scene after Blount was suspended and ran for over 1500 yards last season. Kenjon Barner who can virtually fly will be backing him up. Barner will be returning kicks and he averages nearly 25 yards each opportunity he gets on kickoffs and over 10 yards per punt return
The top returning receiver is Jeff Maehl who had 53 catches a year ago. Lavasier Tuinei is the probable number two option. TE is solid with David Paulson, juco transfer Brandon Williams and touted hometown signee Curtis White.
The Ducks have the ability to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. Oregon returns five starters from one of the best offensive lines in the country last season. Bo Thran is a big load to handle. Jordan Holmes and Mark Asper are excellent run blockers.
Oregon has a defense that was dominate at times last season and that should continue over to 2010 with a starting lineup that features nine seniors and two juniors. Nine of these players have considerable experience. The Ducks held opponents to only 3.4 yards per carry on the ground and 208 yards in the air per game but one big concern was giving up 18 TD's through the air in 2009.
Two returning starters and two new starters make up the Defensive Line. Kenny Rowe is a beast with 11 and a half sacks a year ago and Tackle Brandon Bair led all Oregon Defensive Linemen with 45 tackles. Junior Terrell Turner is in line to replace Will Tukuafu at the other end, but converted tight end Dion Jordan showed in the spring that he might have immediate value as a pass rusher.
At linebacker UO is led by AA candidate MLB Casey Matthews who compiled 81 tackles and 3.5 sacks last year. Spencer Paysinger averaged over seven tackles a game.
FS John Boyett led the team in tackles with 90 from his safety position and was named to the Freshman All-American squad. Eddie Pleasant was moved to the secondary and is scheduled to line up beside him. Both of these guys are ferocious tacklers. More than likely we'll see Cliff Harris, Talmadge Jackson, Scott Grady, Javes Lewis, and Chad Peppars all get significant playing time in the secondary.
(Washington vs Oregon after the jump)
Washington vs Oregon
This game is going to be played later in the year in Eugene so advantage Ducks. Washington has an advantage at QB and wide receiver. The Ducks obviously have the better, and deeper offensive line, and can match, or exceed Washington at running back. Defensively the Ducks have a lot of players coming back from a great defense. Washington will be improved on defense but still some holes to fill and some experienced depth to build.
If Washington or anyone wants to beat Oregon they have to stop the run. Oregon won't be a great passing team but Costa or Thomas should be able to do well enough to keep most squads off balance. Offensively Washington needs to try to exploit a Duck defense deep that was burned by 18 TD passes last season. Going deep means keeping Kenny Rowe out of Jake Lockers face.
Washington is narrowing the gap but this point I would have to take the Ducks in this one by 10. The Ducks have the home field advantage, more talent, more speed, more depth, more experience. Washington hasn't been able to come close to stopping this offense for six years.
It is still early and a lot of things can happen between now and then but the Ducks look like the team to beat in the conference race this season despite the off season losses of personnel.
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10 points sounds about right
I’d imagine the over/under will be somewhere in the 60-70 range though.
Our defense is young and has a lot of holes, but the speed is coming around which should pay dividends againt the zone reads and sweeps that have feasted on our D.
I’m excited for this game though, we have a real shot this year in Seattle, but with the game at Autzen I’ll go UO 38 UW 31.
by B Money on Jul 30, 2010 7:28 AM PDT via mobile reply actions
2010 in the PAC
will be a great year for many of the PAC’s teams. I think OSU, CAL, Washington, and USC all have a chance to knock U of O from atop the conference. I personally hope that Chip Kelly allows Darron Thomas to be the starter. He has great potential and we have a couple easy games to start the season so he can get his feet wet. ( No, I am not including Tennesee in the easy game category). Good article and GO DUCKS!!!
I think Thomas is the most dangerous of the two but he needs to pass the ball better.
by John Berkowitz on Jul 30, 2010 8:13 AM PDT up reply actions
For what it is worth, Thomas and Costa are comparable in terms of speed. About the only edge Thomas has over Costa is that he’s a bit harder to bring down, and probably has a stronger arm. Costa’s advantage is experience and shown leadership.
I just wanted to clear any misconceptions that Costa is slower than Thomas.
it’s spelled "S-H-U-F-R-E-A-K-I-N-H-E-R-O-U-T-M-A-N"
I thought the leg injuries had slowed him down. He did look fast last year with those FG fakes.
by John Berkowitz on Jul 30, 2010 9:38 AM PDT up reply actions
I think they were clocked at right around the same 40 time this year
But I’m not sure. They both should do fine in Kellys system. He seems to be able to plug and play.
by Brian Floyd on Jul 30, 2010 9:45 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
He seems to be able to plug and play.
Why? Last year’s UCLA game?
My orange blood aside, I really see UO as more of a question mark going into this year. I understand they are the team to beat going into the season, but I don’t know if anyone can say with a straight face that they actually think that offense won’t lose a SERIOUS step without Masoli.
I could never figure out if Masoli was designed to run that offense or if that offense was designed for Masoli. The dude was coming off a great performance and was going to be a senior running it coming into this season. All I can say is that he did the rest of the league a big favor by apparently not really but kind of stealing some laptops (according to his Sports Illustrated article AND jeremiahmasoli.net)! I’d be shocked if Costa or Thomas is able to replicate Masoli’s level of play this season.
By plug into the system, I dont mean one game for a guy that had no reps
Costa has been in the system for 4 years. He knows how to run it. Thomas also has time in it. Its not as though these guys are brand new, all they were missing was reps with the 1s and game action.
by Brian Floyd on Jul 30, 2010 10:41 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
I don’t expect Costa or Thomas to play like Masoli.
I didn’t expect Roper or Masoli to play like Dixon.
The play calling is somewhat adjusted to whomever is on the field. Kelly only calls plays his QB is comfortable with running.
I expect our passing game to be an improvement over Masoli, who was always erratic and streaky, but neither will be blazing past the linebackers like Dixon, or trucking over the secondary like Masoli.
I do expect the offense to take a step down from the QB position, but I don’t expect it to take a step down as much as say, OSU (Though, he does get to rely on the Rodgers brothers)
it’s spelled "S-H-U-F-R-E-A-K-I-N-H-E-R-O-U-T-M-A-N"
I’ve heard nothing but great things about Katz, I have no doubt he’ll be a solid QB for Oregon State. I just would like to see him carry an offense without the James or Jacquizz. (Which I think Canfield did, which made James and Jaquizz even more of a threat.)
it’s spelled "S-H-U-F-R-E-A-K-I-N-H-E-R-O-U-T-M-A-N"
Well, why would he carry an offense without James or Jacquizz if he doesn’t have to (yet)?
I don’t know how much of that lies on Katz’s shoulders. We need more weapons to surface, which I expect to happen this year in Joe Halahuni at H-Back and increased roles for Bishop, Wheaton and Catchings. Whether or not we have a second running back remains to be seen…
Well, Canfield was able to keep a defense honest, because they couldn’t just focus on James or Jacquizz. He was an accurate passer, and spread the ball around. If Katz just relies on James and Jacquizz, defenses will be able to shut down offenses pretty easily. During his recruitment, Katz even said his eyes was something he needed to work on. Learning what the Safeties and linebackers were doing is a pretty important thing.
I don’t doubt Katz abilities, I just think his lack of experience in college could hurt. While Thomas and Costa don’t have a lot of playing time either, Costa has also been in the game long enough for things to slow down for him, and learn the plays.
it’s spelled "S-H-U-F-R-E-A-K-I-N-H-E-R-O-U-T-M-A-N"
Side note: the crazy rumor about Katz is that he does something that OSU hasn’t had a QB do forever… RUN.
Funny, I remember Canfield running quite a bit against the Huskies.
It was usually to go meet up with his teammates in the endzone to celebrate a TD.
by Sundodger on Jul 30, 2010 2:16 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Riley and Co have been big on the traditional pocket passer types.
Having a mobile guy like Katz is going to be a new thing for us. I have yet to see him run, but media types have been high on his ability as a tuck and run option.
I’m just having a hard time picture uo’s offense without Masoli at the helm. With only UCLA as an example, I see a sharp drop in productivity, at least to start.
As for OSU, Katz has some light experience but two years in the program. All accounts from Ted Miller and other PAC 10 media are that he’s the real deal. I’ve even heard him compared to our lord and savior Jake Locker. I’d say early on he’ll be handing it to #1 play after play, but as our WRs develop and gel he should be able to showcase his arm a little more.
Didn’t you get the memo?
Arby, I thought they were sent the memo?
Cougfan got the memo.
it’s spelled "S-H-U-F-R-E-A-K-I-N-H-E-R-O-U-T-M-A-N"
I got the memo
Did we forget to include Arby on the memo?
by Brian Floyd on Jul 30, 2010 11:23 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
I got the memo...
“Talk about the two best teams in the Pacific Northwest at uwdawgpound.com. Bring chips, don’t forget the beer.”
...and you still forgot the beer? What an asshole. One at every party.
Damn, my eyeball tastes good.
Hey… you know what… this beer stuff is difficult!
it’s spelled "S-H-U-F-R-E-A-K-I-N-H-E-R-O-U-T-M-A-N"
Not if you're over 21.
:-)
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
Katz should also jave a nice soft landing
It’ll be good for him to adjust to game speed when he has the Rodgers as a safety net this year. It really should help with his development not having to immediately shoulder the load.
Of course the same can probably be said for Oregon and whoever starts. It pays to have weapons.
by Brian Floyd on Jul 30, 2010 11:20 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
I didn’t mean to make this a Katz vs. Narron Thosta debate. I just think it’s a little silly to dismiss UO’s QBs when the same media you mention have said Oregon will be fine at QB.
it’s spelled "S-H-U-F-R-E-A-K-I-N-H-E-R-O-U-T-M-A-N"
Fair enough, but I think it’s silly that you and I aren’t posting videos of us arguing to YouTube. We could blow 541SportsChat out of the freaking water!
As for both QB situations, I think we can safely agree that there will be a lot of question marks until the damned season starts. My uneducated, biased guess is that Oregon isn’t in as good of shape as people think, BUT Kelly has proven his ability to play to a QB’s talents, so I’ll probably be proven wrong soon enough. Just let me have my moment. And don’t call me “silly”…
Most dawg fans won't understand Canzano jokes ..
… only those of us who are Blazer fans do.
Damn, my eyeball tastes good.
I do because I'm down in PDX alot
and I kind of like him…but he hates Oregon…and he’s kind of stupid.
He’s like a more self important version of Softy, only he’ll never admit he hates one school more than another.
I think the more we track recovery from surgery
The more we realize that it takes a lot of guys more than a full year to totally get their spring back. I know when I had my ankle reconstructed I was functional within a short time frame, but I can’t say I got all my speed back for a long time. Sometimes just the sheer lack of confidence in the joint or ligament is enough to slow you down.
This is his third go-round on the ACL repair, right? I don’t know how anyone could fool themself into believing it won’t happen again,
by netminder82 on Jul 30, 2010 12:02 PM PDT up reply actions
His first surgery was in high school.
His second surgery was in ’07, and used a ligament from a cadaver. It was shown later that his body ended up rejecting it.
His third surgery was in early ‘08 and they used his own tissue, and he looks to have had full recovery. He’s had about 2 years to recover from his last surgery.
Who really knows how, at risk he is. I’m not a doctor, but it does seam logical to think his knee is weaker and more apt to further injury.
it’s spelled "S-H-U-F-R-E-A-K-I-N-H-E-R-O-U-T-M-A-N"
UW DAWG POUND...
This has to be the most anticipated football season in recent memory.
It was strange, because the UW men’s basketball team fielded some pretty good teams the past 10 years and it felt almost like UW was a basketball school considering the lackluster play and lack of success over at Husky Stadium. That’s obviously not true, Washington with its storied history is through and through a football school and when things are going well they’ll get 70,000+ at Husky Stadium.
2010 will be exactly what your coach said at Pac-10 media day, "getting over the hump, making the next step". I think that next step for UW is postseason play. I’ve read a lot of comments on the Seattle paper’s Husky Football Blogs, and on this site, and I have to disagree with some of the purple diehards who believe a Rose Bowl or even a Alamo Bowl is achievable. Crazier things have happened, and any time you get a senior QB like Jake surrounded by good perimeter player (WRs/RBs) you give yourself a shot. I do belive though, in my limited fan’s opinion, that UW is still lacking that overall depth to take the conference crown or compete for a 2nd or 3rd spot.
I see UW getting some nice wins, and finally winning on the road. How long has it been since UW won on the road? 2007? The opener at BYU is huge… it should all this program thinks about every day this summer. Win that one, come home a few weeks later and you get a shot at Nebraska. BYU is rebuilding, breaking in a new QB, they’ll think that they will whip you around like they did UCLA a few years back in Provo (66-0 beat down of UCLA), and UDUB can come at them with more skill than they anticipated from a team not far removed from a winless campaign.
The offensive line will be key, and can Washington slow elite offenses down, just enough to give Jake a chance. Winds are changing, and things are going in the right direction up in Seattle. As a Duck alum/diehard, I hate UDUB but I respect you guys a whole heck of a lot more than idiotic Oregon State fans/program. Washington has won a national title, multiple Rose Bowls, has a stellar academic program, is in a great city, and OSU…. Uggghhh. I won’t go there.
I see Washington ending up in the Las Vegas Bowl and sending Jake off in good fashion, as he preps for the NFL and his #1 draft pick status.
Friends dont let friends go to Oregon State, hell, even root for them.
by WashingtonDCduck on Jul 30, 2010 8:07 AM PDT reply actions
Parity
There is a lot of parity in the league this year so I am thinking the conference champ could have as many as two losses.
Where will UW finish?
I am thinking we have a real good chance at being in the top four.
by John Berkowitz on Jul 30, 2010 8:17 AM PDT up reply actions
Big Duck Fan Here
That said, a player of Locker’s caliber deserves a bowl game.
…idiotic Oregon State fans/program.
This really hurts, coming from such a classy, intelligent guy like yourself. I hope someone steals your laptop!
I have no idea what
that cheap shot had to do with anything in the thread.
Andy Wooldridge, andy_wooldridge@yahoo.com
BuildingTheDam.Com
Go Beavs!
While off topic and cheap, it's a great example of the ugly duck fan.
Not to say we don’t have jerk-off Beaver honks, but this guy, wow, good stuff!
I'd say I told you so, but it should be more like I told them so.
Don’t you just love Duck fans!
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
If you need to ask the question . . .
you’re not going to like the answer! :-)
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
I need to think about it for awhile, sorry.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
Wouldn't you like to know!
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
I'm surprised you're not happy with what DCduck wrote--that dude's knees must hurt--he was on the UW jock, big time.
Deep down, hidden husky love, perhaps?
No 'hiden husky love', but I'll check at home.
After growing up in Eugene and attending every Civil War for years as a kid and a UO student, I guess you could say I see Oregon State as the bitter arch rival more so than Washington- which probably is flip flopped for most Duck fans. Look, every fan base has it’s knuckle heads and yes I took a shot at our rival but the post was all football related.
It’s late July 30th, in the dog days of summer, the Washington Nationals are TERRIBLE and now Steve Statsburg is hurt, and it’s fucking hot and muggy in D.C. – a little itchy here for football to start!
As much as Duck fans love to hate the Dogs, give UDUB some credit for success all the way out in Seattle. They had some bad ass teams under Lambright and James. I still have a deep disgust towards them though, and hope we extend our winning streak to 7.
Friends dont let friends go to Oregon State, hell, even root for them.
by WashingtonDCduck on Jul 30, 2010 12:01 PM PDT up reply actions
The Chipster
You’d think with all of his new found wealth he could hire a personal trainer.
Just sayin…
There's a great pic of all 10 coaches at media day
Sark was either really stick out his chest, or we easily have the coach with the best physique.
GO DAWGS!
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
John
Jeremiah Moseli to an alleged stolen lap top
it’s Masoli and laptop… just trying to help
Hey Daisy, git me anudder one!
Addicted to Quack
The names where changed to protect the innocent.
by John Berkowitz on Jul 30, 2010 12:16 PM PDT up reply actions
I think a lot hinges on how Oregon can adapt its playbook to the new QB
Whatever failings Masoli had, he had the absolute best play action fake I have ever seen, and I don’t think he gets anywhere near enough credit for how much grief it caused opposing defenses when he had it working. If they can’t make adjustments to a less shifty QB, Oregon could be in for some grief early in the season. That entire offense was built around that fake.
I think it all comes down to which pants-jersey-helmet-shoes-socks-gloves combo they decide to wear...
I just don’t see Costa being successful with a yellow helmet. He’s more of a carbon fiber or white helmet QB…
The older, more throwback looking yellow ones are gone already?!
I thought you had two versions of the yellow helmet last year.
Oh, whoops, I thought you meant the ugly airbrushed ones.
The throwbacks will probably be around again. Who knows on those.
My yoke is heavy.
He did say yellow and not chartreuse or grellow.
it’s spelled "S-H-U-F-R-E-A-K-I-N-H-E-R-O-U-T-M-A-N"
Correct.
I would have most certainly used the words “grellow” and “flames” and “west coast choppers paint job” in my description if I meant those other helmets.
I seem to remember two different yellow helmets last year. Am I wrong? Both actually yellow too, not some bizarre hi-lighter shade.
Yeah, there were two. The first were actual '97 throwbacks with the old UO logo.
The ones worn in the Civil War were the same yellow color, but with the current Oregon O on them.
My yoke is heavy.
Camouflage helmets aren't going to make him more shifty.
And seriously, if Costa/Thomas can’t pull off the magic the Duck offense could find themselves embarrassingly exposed.
When you can slot running backs in like jigsaw pieces
and they all come out looking like All-Pac10 candidates I tend to look elsewhere on the offense for reasons for success. Not to say James isn’t a solid rusher, but running backs almost always get more credit/scorn for the overall performance of their offense. I’d like to see how he does when half the defense doesn’t think the rock is elsewhere.
Well…
The way the read option works, it’s actually the QB that takes off when the defense thinks the ball is going a different direction. When the defender being read crashes in after the RB, the QB takes off. When he stands his ground and watches the play develop, the RB keeps it.
Remember tackling Jonathan Stewart behind the line and cheering while Dixon had the ball 25-30 yards down field?
Essentially, the read option is a hand off first, keeper second (and pitch a pitch man as a safety valve/third).
If the QB can pull a few defenders by pretending he has the ball (Which IS important), things do work very well, and it helps.
it’s spelled "S-H-U-F-R-E-A-K-I-N-H-E-R-O-U-T-M-A-N"
If the QB can, yes,
but if he can’t, things could get really ugly really quickly. Whoever takes over at QB is going to have to make defenses respect his game, and without a track record it’s going to be interesting to watch early in the season.
If he can’t, which happens often, you rely on the skill of your RB. This is why having skilled RBs is important.
it’s spelled "S-H-U-F-R-E-A-K-I-N-H-E-R-O-U-T-M-A-N"
then the D puts 8 in the box to force the QB to throw...
This is why having skilled RBs is important.
I agree it is important but a defense can crowd the line and force an inexperienced QB to throw, you can’t rely on just the RB for a whole season either. I do think the early part of the season will be a telling sign of how things will be offensively for the Qackers
"Ducks are the college football version of Paris Hilton…they’re famous for no reason, they look pretty and they got a rich daddy." ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit
by DAWGFATHER91 on Jul 31, 2010 3:06 PM PDT up reply actions
Sorry but has your signature ever been confirmed as actually something Kirk said?
Because I’ve seen a couple of articles where Herbstreit denies ever saying that
Understood...
But it’s still hilarious, and i’m not for facts messing with funny!!
"Ducks are the college football version of Paris Hilton…they’re famous for no reason, they look pretty and they got a rich daddy." ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit
by DAWGFATHER91 on Jul 31, 2010 7:04 PM PDT up reply actions
Here ya go...
Updated sig…
"Ducks are the college football version of Paris Hilton…they’re famous for no reason, they look pretty and they got a rich daddy." Author Unkown...so i'll take it - DAWGFATHER91
by DAWGFATHER91 on Jul 31, 2010 7:13 PM PDT up reply actions
What's made Kelly so effective during his Oregon tenure is to adapt the offense to the skills of the QB
If Oregon can dominate a bowl game with Justin Roper as a QB with only one month to prepare, then I have little doubt that whoever starts at QB will be effective.
And he's taken the read option to ridiculous levels
Option 3 can come from a 2 back set, the slot, a man from the far side of the field, a pass, or pretty much anything. There’s a ton of wrinkles that make it hard to defend. You have to be athletic and very disciplined on defense.
Or this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48s440hNS4o
it’s spelled "S-H-U-F-R-E-A-K-I-N-H-E-R-O-U-T-M-A-N"
Unfortunately....
Oregon will probably default to the Rose Bowl because of SC sanctions, but i will lay 5 to 1 odds they can’t bring it home…. and a bag full of Dicks Deluxe burgers for Matt to feel better about it!
"Ducks are the college football version of Paris Hilton…they’re famous for no reason, they look pretty and they got a rich daddy." ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit
How do you know??
Where you there?? I think it’s a myth!
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
Positive it's a myth!!!
Been to Eugene once, never saw any trophy???
"Ducks are the college football version of Paris Hilton…they’re famous for no reason, they look pretty and they got a rich daddy." ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit
by DAWGFATHER91 on Jul 31, 2010 7:05 PM PDT up reply actions
Good read John
Very objective, well thought out and realistic. Wish you guys the best this year.
Mike
GO DUCKS!
Thanks Mike…just calling it as I see it…should be a competitive conference this season.
by John Berkowitz on Aug 2, 2010 7:15 AM PDT up reply actions
Well, minus that last sentence….
Kidding, kidding. I’d rather see us smack down an undefeated Husky team than an ’08 Husky-esque team.
This was a good write up, John. I enjoyed it.
AtQ's Resident Baseball Purist.
by TennesseeQuackAttack8 on Aug 2, 2010 10:22 AM PDT up reply actions
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