Open Darron Thomas Overreaction Thread
by Takimoto on Sep 21, 2008 11:26 PM PDT
54 comments
Ok, so let's be honest with ourselves. DT looked like the second coming of Dennis Dixon, Joe Montana, and Jesus during the fourth quarter on Saturday. He entered the game, and we immediately lost our infatuation with Chris Harper, if Chip Kelly's absolute refusal to have him throw the ball didn't already do that. The question becomes, how far do we take this crush? Are we just looking to have fun(40 point win in Pullman) and see where it takes us? Are we ready to make a serious commitment(move Harper to RB at the end of the year)? Should we take it slow and see if we find any skeletons in the closet(makes bad decisions, can't pass through any defense other than a soft zone, torn knee ligaments)? Or do we just hide our feelings until our girlfriend gets back from her vacation(run the 1994 Nebraska offensive playbook until Roper heals)?
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do it
i say start him and let him loose.
Icey
by ChicagoQuack503 on Sep 22, 2008 2:02 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I agree. Wazzu is the perfect opponent. That will also give him some experience playing on the road.
by ATLDuck on Sep 22, 2008 6:57 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Get both Harper and Thomas on the field at the same time when Masoli is out.
Line one of them up in either the slot or the second RB for triple option.
Go Duckies!
by JShufelt on Sep 22, 2008 7:46 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I say we don't even put Harper or Masoli on the bus.
Dix.. I mean, Thomas is going to be able to run away with the Wazzu game, and possibly simultaneously with the Heisman. I think Crenshaw can throw if Thomas needs a small breather.
Seriously though, I got just as excited as anyone when Thomas dominated that fourth quarter. They knew every play that he was going to pass, and they couldn’t stop him. It was exciting, and I am excited about him. That being said, Masoli will be back next week. As far as we know Roper the week after (because he just has a minor partial tear, just like that other guy… oh who was that guy who just had a slight sprain? Oh I can’t remember who it was, but he was back the very next week.)
We obviously ned to take a deep breath. give Chip a chance to lick his wounds, and reset. The season is not over, and we still have some great football to be played.
by everett on Sep 22, 2008 8:24 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Harper
Can Harper play defense? Or maybe he could be D-coordinator? I bet he can cover a tight end lol.
"Droppin' knowledge like J-Will drops first downs" Dave - Addicted to Quack
by MarineCorpsDuck on Sep 22, 2008 8:24 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
He would have matched up better with Vinny Perretta than Matthews
by inroywetrust on Sep 22, 2008 8:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Another option...
We need a new option on the poll: Let him compete with Masoli for PT until Roper returns.
But, that raises another question; what happens when Roper comes back? Moseley has recently reported that he is “more questionable than probable” for this week. Do we have a new three-way battle for the starting job when he’s healthy (Roper v. Masoli v. Thomas)? Or, do we simply go with the experience, but the apparent lack of being able (or willing) to throw the ball down the field?
by ntrebon on Sep 22, 2008 8:39 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I would rather not see Roper come back until after USC.
We don’t have a chance in that game anyway, so let’s throw the young’uns out there (hope no QB DIES!), and see what happens.
--www.AddictedToQuack.com, SBNation's Oregon Ducks blog
by jtlight on Sep 22, 2008 8:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m with you on this. In fact, he may get hurt again if he played.
by ATLDuck on Sep 22, 2008 1:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Knock on some muthafeckin wood Jared
Your friendly neighborhood placekicker.
by qrsouther on Sep 22, 2008 6:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Question.
Everyone is jumping on this Darron Thomas train really quick….but our quarterback of the future?
Isn’t Nate Costa still our quarterback of the future?
"Jerryd is straight ahead at you. Rudy dips around. Jerryd is a rock. Rudy is the wind. Jerryd loves the ball in his hands. Rudy moves without it. Jerryd defends by getting up in your grill. Rudy plays the spaces in between. Jerryd has focused vision. Rudy sees all around him. Jerryd likes to score off of the dribble. Rudy can catch and shoot. Jerryd is aggressive. Rudy is sneaky. Jerryd will hit you hard. Rudy will annoy you until you hit him." -Dave
Word.
by joelor on Sep 22, 2008 10:53 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I can see the confusion
To most people, the answer to the “quarterback of the future” question depends on what week it is
Pre-Season = Nate Costa
Week 1 = Masoli
Week 2 = Harper
Week 3 = Masoli and Harper
Week 4 = Thomas
Here are my predictions for the rest of the year
Week 5 = Thomas
Week 6 = Masoli and Thomas
Week 7 = Masoli
Week 8 = Crenshaw
Week 9 = Nick Reed
Week 10 = Patrick Chung
Week 11 = Alston
Week 12 = Roper
Bowl Game = Hannah Montana
Anyone have a rivals link to any potential ACL injuries with Miley Cyrus?
All kidding aside, I really don’t know if Costa will make it back. I think he is up to 3 knee surgeries now? That is a rough way to start out his career but it all depends on his medical redshirt and how well he can come back.
--Dominic
Autzen Stadium is where great teams go to die." - J. Brady McCullough, The Michigan Daily.
by dvieira on Sep 22, 2008 11:10 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
He’ll have to relearn how to play. The best case scenario that I can think of for Costa is relearns how to play as a pocket passer and reserves mobility as much as possible. I can’t imagine post-surgery x2, that he’ll be the same runner.
It's spelled "S-h-u-f-e-l-t"
by JShufelt on Sep 22, 2008 12:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't know about you
But I am PSYCHED for the Nick Reed era to begin
by inroywetrust on Sep 22, 2008 12:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
agreed
Thomas looked great, but we are talking about 4 guys (I am excluding Costa here) who are freshmen and sophomores! Sure there is a bunch of talent, but we can’t keep getting man-crushes each week because ultimately it will be up to MB and CK to straighten it all out. Now, with that said, WE can’t sit on that lightly either. If Thomas looked that good for a quarter and was 5TH STRING- what are they looking at in practice that was any different?!?!
The Harper Experiment is (should be) over. QB’s have to be able to throw the ball. Spread Option QBs have to be able to run AND throw. Pretty much that leaves Masoli. Thomas ran one play (I think…) but clearly we can’t judge his running skills since the play-calling was so one sided in that quarter.
From this fan’s standpoint; let Thomas practice with the 1st string this week, let Roper and Masoli rest, and keep Harper only for situational use as a RB/QB. Thomas should gain some good game experience and give the coaches a better chance to see what they have. Hopefully everything will work out in the end and we have something good to cheer about for four quarters, not just one. One game becomes a season and we don’t have to spend our time playing laptop-second-guessing-coaches!
by 071903 on Sep 22, 2008 11:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The play he ran on was a 4th and 18
by inroywetrust on Sep 23, 2008 8:26 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It really is going to depend on how Costa’s knee is going to hold up after this later injury. Isn’t this his third ligament tear since high school?
by ATLDuck on Sep 22, 2008 1:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
3 ACL tears, and at least 1 of both MCL and Meniscus tears.
Your friendly neighborhood placekicker.
by qrsouther on Sep 22, 2008 6:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not too early to get excited.
DT has the most experience out of Harper and Masoli and even if it was against a soft zone he still made the plays. Isn’t the plan of the soft zone to stop the opposing offense from scoring 3 TDs in 10 minutes? He may not have the wheels of Harper but I think we can all agree that if we’re just going to run it when Harper is in then why not run LB and JJ at the same time?
Right now I think the QB that gives us the best chance to WIN is Darron Thomas. We know we can run the ball but he’s the only one that has shown any ability to throw whatsoever. Start DT at Wazzu, if he has success start him at SC. His Redshirt is already burned, bringing back Roper too early isn’t going to make his knee any stronger, Harper can throw about as well as I can, Masoli doesn’t seem to have any confidence and we can’t use the run to set up the run. Let’s use those receivers already!
by jessenumber1 on Sep 22, 2008 11:34 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Hard to tell with Masoli
Guy hasn’t been in a whole lot. Utah State was not a good showing and didn’t get anything at Purdue. Good against Washington though. Didn’t get enough information against Boise State. Jury is still out on him.
--Dominic
Autzen Stadium is where great teams go to die." - J. Brady McCullough, The Michigan Daily.
by dvieira on Sep 22, 2008 11:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Masoli is a decent gun slinger...
From what he’s done. He has a good release, and great speed with his throws. But I bet Thomas gets a lot of early reps, while Masoli takes the lead at the end of the game. I have more faith that Masoli can lead the team, but I am not so quick to dismiss Thomas.
I still like Harper, but his game is limited until he is a passing threat.
It's spelled "S-h-u-f-e-l-t"
by JShufelt on Sep 22, 2008 12:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good post. I agree with you: we can’t “use the run to set up the run.” Now that the redshirt issue is over, let’s put him in there.
Does Masoli really have confidence issues? I was not aware of that.
by ATLDuck on Sep 22, 2008 1:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’ve never noticed any problems with Masoli and his confidence.
It's spelled "S-h-u-f-e-l-t"
by JShufelt on Sep 22, 2008 1:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
IMO
I’m not sure if there are any true confidence issues but to me it just looked like he wasn’t as poised in there. Visually DT looked more composed in the backfield, looked like be belonged and that it was HIS team. I know very little in terms of how they actually are but I felt better with DT in when we were down big than when Masoli was in and we were up a score.
by jessenumber1 on Sep 22, 2008 2:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I can see that.
It’s a strange situation:
1. DT has been with the team longer, and probably has more knowledge of how the offense runs, but lacks college experience.
2. Masoli has the winning QB experience from CC that ran a similar style offense, but has only been on the team for a handful of weeks.
It's spelled "S-h-u-f-e-l-t"
by JShufelt on Sep 22, 2008 2:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree with jessenumber1. DT walked into that huddle to bring his team back. I believe that he has shown the most confidence of any of our qb’s. I understand that it was 1 quarter of football, but he was great for that 1 quarter. Can you imagine how we could have run the ball with him throwing the rock all day. They put 8 in the box to stop our running they did, but when they droped 6 to stop the pass they could not. It was 1 quarter, but his very first quarter. Not only did he just let the ball go, you could watch him scan the field for the open guy. Lets just put it this way if you were on the roster who do you want at qb?
by ducksfan on Sep 22, 2008 5:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lets just put it this way if you were on the roster who do you want at qb?
What?
Your friendly neighborhood placekicker.
by qrsouther on Sep 22, 2008 6:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
If you were a player who would you want to be the qb? After Saturday I would think at least the recivers and backs would want to see more DT
by ducksfan on Sep 23, 2008 5:03 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
There is no way to know that. They practice with the QBs all week. I don’t know why they had him on the bottom.
It's spelled "S-h-u-f-e-l-t"
by JShufelt on Sep 23, 2008 6:50 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
My Theory
I think that maybe we were redshirting him to prolong him another year in to a time when we might not be so strong at RB. We have a really strong running game now that the QBs can (or so we thought) lean on and still be successful. Obviously the ability to pass the ball is helpful.
by jessenumber1 on Sep 23, 2008 9:30 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
We'll give you Nate Longshore if you need a QB
In other words, Go Bears!
by royrules22 on Sep 22, 2008 9:17 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
WSU QB Rogers out
Not exactly part of the Oregon QB thread, but relevant to this weekends game:
“Washington State quarterback Gary Rogers won’t play college football again, but was able to walk out of the hospital a day after breaking a bone in his spine.”
Bad news – broken vertebrae
Good news – he walked out of the hospital
We aren’t the only ones with QB issues….what a tough job, so go a little easy on these kids.
It is hard to comment on the relative QB strengths when I can’t see them play, but it seems as if Thomas might be a good QB, at least those I know who were at the game seem to think so.
by vegasduck on Sep 22, 2008 9:37 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Dude. That sucks a lot.
I’m glad he’s still walking, but that really isn’t good.
It's spelled "S-h-u-f-e-l-t"
by JShufelt on Sep 23, 2008 6:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rogers...
Well, in this case it is relative…
Anytime you can walk away from these things it is good.
He was injured on a late, but not flagrant hit.
Speaking of which, the hit on Masoli, was late but not called – true?
"It's just as important as having a major league baseball team or an academic medical center, ... It creates a sense of sophistication in the community."
Oscar Goodman, Mayor of Las Vegas
by vegasduck on Sep 23, 2008 11:09 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The referees called Boise State for a personal foul penalty as a result of the hit
--Dominic
Autzen Stadium is where great teams go to die." - J. Brady McCullough, The Michigan Daily.
by dvieira on Sep 23, 2008 11:18 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Everybody repeat after me:
Bring Back Leaf! Bring Back Leaf!
The Artist Formerly Known as OrState GoBeavs
by The VD Special on Sep 22, 2008 10:25 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Don’t worry guys. We got everything under control. We’re actively looking for a new QB for you guys.
I'm no The Maharg! But I try. Oh, how I try!
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
by TwistNHook on Sep 23, 2008 11:44 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
FTW
I’d try out myself, but I’m on my way to see an orthopedic surgeon about my torn rotator cuff. At least I know you can now feel my pain as an A’s fan. And respect our colors.
by jessenumber1 on Sep 23, 2008 11:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
time....
i swear you people have more hours in a day then i do. well i guess i just like sitting on the couch and drinking more.
by joffthedeckk on Sep 23, 2008 11:57 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Gotta Admit
That’s funny! Anne Boleyn… “Injury: Poor grasp of complicated playbook. Also, no head.” LOL
"Droppin' knowledge like J-Will drops first downs" Dave - Addicted to Quack
by MarineCorpsDuck on Sep 23, 2008 1:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I have to agree....
…nice mix of intellectual and sports humor you’d expect from Beserkley…..TFF.
How are the tree huggers? That is the kind of stuff you’d expect in Eugene.
Anyway, the big suspense is who Bellotti is going to play at QB saturday….
I think he will play Thomas, based on last week and the scratching of a Redshirt year.
"It's just as important as having a major league baseball team or an academic medical center, ... It creates a sense of sophistication in the community."
Oscar Goodman, Mayor of Las Vegas
by vegasduck on Sep 23, 2008 1:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I have to agree...
…nice mix of intellectual and sports humor you’d expect from Beserkley…..TFF.
How are the tree huggers? That is the kind of stuff you’d expect in Eugene.
Anyway, the big suspense is who Bellotti is going to play at QB saturday….
"It's just as important as having a major league baseball team or an academic medical center, ... It creates a sense of sophistication in the community."
Oscar Goodman, Mayor of Las Vegas
by vegasduck on Sep 23, 2008 1:31 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I agree that DT was redshirted for a later date, not due to a lack of ability...
He had talented with Costa, experience with Roper, less talent and experience but good athleticism and a good arm with Masoli, and another athlete with Harper.
There was no reason to think that Thomas was going to be needed this year, and redshirting the kid was probably a good idea. But now that everyone is injured, I expect Bellotti to throw him into the fray with the hopes of playing him the next 2-3 years, assuming Costa is done, which I think is a safe assessment, not many athletes come back from 2 knee injuries.
The Artist Formerly Known as OrState GoBeavs
by The VD Special on Sep 23, 2008 6:31 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
3
To the same knee.
Your friendly neighborhood placekicker.
by qrsouther on Sep 23, 2008 6:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wow
Even worse. But yes, I have to believe if you’re going to waste a redshirt, you might as well see what the kid can do. It’s not like the Ducks have a ton of other options, and I think Bellotti and Co know that this is what the fans want. I will say I was impressed with Masoli and not all is lost with Roper when he returns. But I think Bellotti knows that if you lose 1 or 2 games that maybe you should have won (like Boise State) and he doesn’t use Thomas, then people might start asking questions.
The Artist Formerly Known as OrState GoBeavs
by The VD Special on Sep 23, 2008 6:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
If Roper doesn't make mistakes...
Things will be OK. The problem is that his mistakes can’t be masked with his physical skills (either running or throwing). Masoli and Thomas have the ability to throw very well, especially down the field, with at least above average running ability.
Masoli should be solid, and has a lot of room to grow. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to see him much against BSU. Thomas has a ton of potential as well, though we’ll have to wait and see if he can sustain the pace that he began aganist BSU.
As far as the redshirting question…everything is easy second guessing. It’s really a lose-lose for coaching here, unless they get incredibly lucky and someone like Thomas ends up winning a Heisman in 2 years.
--www.AddictedToQuack.com, SBNation's Oregon Ducks blog
by jtlight on Sep 23, 2008 6:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I have no idea why the Big Green Ducks are still trying to run an offense designed for Dennis Dixon...
…………………………… He’s gone.
"TominHawaii's real name is Hubert and he's a rancher in Burns."
by timbo on Sep 24, 2008 8:46 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Uhh...
The play calling is rather different.
Our OC runs a spread option offense. That’s what we do.
It's spelled "S-h-u-f-e-l-t"
by JShufelt on Sep 24, 2008 8:57 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
And if nobody else has noticed...
This offense has been severely more pocket based and less dependent on option, even with our mobile QBs, not just Roper. The reads are still being made, but we don’t see anything like what Dennis was having to do.
Your friendly neighborhood placekicker.
by qrsouther on Sep 24, 2008 6:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
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