Stevens ---> Center, again

by qrsouther on Aug 18, 2008 2:57 PM PDT Comment 10 comments

Moseley reports Hamani Stevens was practicing at Center again today.

I, for one, really like this A LOT. With our O-line basically rebuilding in '09 (which we can expect to be, christ, a dropoff year. Beaver trolls get preemptive fodder here), we get Stevens a tiny head start in adjusting to college level D-lines.

Another thing, I'm noticing a pattern in quality guys we're bringing in. I mean, quality people. Not just players. JJ, Blount, WT3 (although cocky, he's good team captain material next year), now Stevens, and many more. Stevens was fully willing to move to DE to add depth, as the team needed it. Never reluctant, you gotta love the willingness and commitment. Model citizens and good teammates does a family-like-team make.

Your thoughts?

If we get bored of talking about Stevens, an alternative is a venting session about the bootcamp that is Daily Doubles on a high school football team. Or your favorite LOLcat image. Any preference?

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or the Addicted To Quack Moderators. FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable Oregon fans.

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I was coming around on the D-line thing...

But we have a lot of bodies. I like the idea of Stevens playing center for 3-4 years. As far as the whole D-line, I really don’t think it’ll be a huge dropoff. We have a few underclassmen now that will probably be seeing playing time this year, and we have a number of younguns that have a lot of promise as well. Oregon has been recruiting offensive line very well in the past few years, so this won’t be a total collapse.

Along with Kaiser and Holmes, who will both see the field this year, and will be Juniors next year, we have Asper (07 2* who is on the 2-deep, Carmichael (07 3*), York (07 4*), Cody (08 4*), Weems (07 4*), Stevens (08 4*). So, I’m not worried at all about the O-line next year. This is one area that recruiting has excelled at in recent years. Props to the coaching staff for the excellent job they’ve done.

Also, when you really look at it, the move by Stevens is imperative. There are no other true centers out of that list. A lot of talent and depth at every position by center. And though another body on the d-line would be nice, our 2-deep at tackle should be solid despite the lack of big names. Out ends are a different story. The top two should be great, but there isn’t as much depth as at tackle.

As far as quality guys…I guess I agree. I don’t know that Oregon ever stopped bringing quality guys in, but the leaders this year are definitely vocal and strong, which is a good thing. Also, players such as Chung and Johnson have seen the highs and lows of the program. A lot of the young guys have learned from that situation in 06, and that was seen last year. Costa specifically learned from Dixon and Leaf in how to go about things, which will be very important when shaking off mistakes (which Dixon did not do in 06).

One last thing, all the players seem to be in this for the team. It’s easy to forget, but Stevens, Scott, etc. are doing what’s best for the team and playing their hardest. With the right attitude, and the talent this team has, this team could go far. Nothing can be taken for granted, but I don’t see the seniors letting that happen.

We are the power. We are the flower. We are the awesome blossom.
--www.AddictedToQuack.com

by jtlight on Aug 18, 2008 3:17 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I was talking about an O-line drop off

Young O-lines take arguably the most time on the team to mature and gain the composure. Sure, QBs need it too, but it’s been said many atime before that O-line always has the biggest shoes to grow into.

Recruiting good O-linemen is great, but they take time, just as a top prospect in single-A ball does.

Your friendly neighborhood placekicker.

by qrsouther on Aug 18, 2008 4:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was saying I don't think there will be a incredibly large drop-off

I think our O-line should be at least middle of the Pac-10 at the start of the year, with a ton of room to grow.

We are the power. We are the flower. We are the awesome blossom.
--www.AddictedToQuack.com

by jtlight on Aug 18, 2008 6:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

HA

As far as the whole D-line, I really don’t think it’ll be a huge dropoff.

Whosyodaddy?!

Your friendly neighborhood placekicker.

by qrsouther on Aug 18, 2008 7:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

hahahaha

whoops

We are the power. We are the flower. We are the awesome blossom.
--www.AddictedToQuack.com

by jtlight on Aug 18, 2008 8:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Quality People

Butthol,

Good point about quality players. Granted, we had an issue with Garrett but at least were not Florida State of old or UGA this off season.

BKD

by Brooklynduck on Aug 18, 2008 3:51 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm a big fan of this

Stevens was one of the most highly rated centers in the county. Those don’t come around too often. But it does speak volumes to his character that he was willing to make this move.

--Dave
Addicted to Quack, SBN's Oregon Ducks blog

by Addicted to Quack on Aug 18, 2008 8:22 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs