As many of you may be aware already, I tend to think that others care about my opinion. So I offer up to all the AtQ faithful, my thoughts on the Ducks who will most greatly influence the 2009 football season, one way or another. My list isn't necessarily on-field performance, but overall influence.
#10: Justin Roper
Yes. I am well aware that Justin Roper is not most Duck fan's first choice for starting quarterback. He's not my first choice either. But, by all accounts, he's been the most consistent performer thus far this spring. Jeremiah Masoli hasn't been throwing the best balls, and he's reverted back to his skittish in the pocket ways. I don't think this is something to be concerned about, but Roper's play this spring as well as in the fall should push Masoli to perform and won't let him sit back and let the season come to him. "Winning the day " implies competition, and Roper's steady play so far is providing that at the quarterback position, and assuring that whoever opens the season as the starter will have earned it.
#9: Casey Matthews
Now, I think that this year's linebacking corps is extremely talented and should have no trouble replacing Jerome Boyd. Spencer Paysinger is a special athlete, and some of the younger players like Eddie Pleasant, Kiko Alonso, Bryson Littlejohn, and DeWitt Stuckey get me all giggly-like. Personally, I think Matthews' performance will dictate the overall performance of the unit. This is a fast group, and Casey's speed could come under scrutiny, especially picking up RBs and TEs in pass coverage (see the Boise St. game). But he's an incredibly smart player, and a solid tackler, and his experience will be as much an asset as his on-field skill set.
#8: Will Tukuafu
The only returning starter on the defensive line, the growth and improvement of this young unit stems from Tukuafu asserting himself as a leader and as a talented athlete. He's already having a good spring, as are many of his linemates like Kenny Rowe and Brandon Bair. Replacing Nick Reed as an emotional leader is a tall task, and Tukuafu's ability to do that will make much of the difference in getting the line ready for a Top 10 caliber season.
#7: Jeff Maehl & Ed Dickson
Jamere Holland is having a terrific spring. But Jeff Maehl is still the most important receiver on the roster, and Ed Dickson is the most talented pass catcher. None of the potential quarterbacks throw a consistant deep ball, which is making me take Holland's strong performance with a grain of salt. If Holland goes deep and no one can get him the ball, it negates much of the speed that Holland brings to the table. Maehl and Dickson are an essential complement to Holland in that finding Maehl and Dickson in the short to intermediate passing game helps Masoli or whoever may be throwing passes gain confidence and get into a rhythm to throw the deep ball. On a kind of side note, Ed Dickson's enourmous and amazing. Let's freakin' get him the ball.
Top 6 to come at a later date. Feel free to guess in the comments. And as an added bonus, here's an NFL Draft related poll!
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