The Kickoff: Injury worries take center stage as Oregon prepares for its first conference game against Colorado
by David Piper on Oct 17, 2011 9:00 AM PDT
in Oregon Ducks Football
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PrintTHE TEAMS: Oregon enters the game having won five in a row since the opening week loss to LSU. Despite not having LaMichael James and losing Darron Thomas for the second half while trailing, Oregon still beat #18 Arizona State by two scores. Colorado is in the middle of a season to forget, sitting at 1-6 and having been pounded by Stanford and Washington in consecutive weeks, while also purging the team of most of its secondary.
THE INJURIES: LaMichael James figures to sit out another game with his dislocated elbow, and I'd count on Darron Thomas missing a week as well. Simply no point in playing them if they're not 100%. Dion Jordan left the Arizona State game with an undisclosed arm injury, and Colt Lyerla didn't play with an undisclosed injury of his own.
For Colorado, their two best players are out. WR Paul Richardson is expected to miss the game with a knee sprain. Starting running back Rodney Stewart left the Washington game with a knee injury, and CU coach Jon Embree says that Stewart will be out "awhile." Linebacker Douglas Rippy also left that game with an injury. Meanwhile, Colorado's secondary is a complete mess, with four cornerbacks suspended indefinietly, and converted wide receivers starting at that spot.
THE COACHES: Jon Embree is a Colorado alum who inherits a total dumpster fire at his alma mater after the previous coach completely destroyed the program. In other words, he the new Paul Wulff.
KEY PLAYERS FOR COLORADO:
I don't even know what to say. Both of Colorado's offensive playmakers, their only two big play guys will be watching this one from the sidelines.
QB Tyler Hansen -- While CU has been terrible this season, it hasn't been the fault of their QB who, despite being sacked a whopping 19 times so far this season, still manages to complete almost 60% of his passes with a 13-3 TD to INT ratio. It will take a superhuman effort from Hansen to keep it close.
RB Tony Jones -- Jones, a freshman, was CU's leading rusher and receiver against Washington, with 49 yards of each variety. With Stewart out, Jones figures to get the start, and a lot of touches on a team without much talent. He also returns kicks.
P Darragh O'Neill -- Get used to hearing this name, he'll be on the field a lot next Saturday.
KEY PLAYERS FOR OREGON:
QB Bryan Bennett -- I think Bennett will start if Darron Thomas isn't 100% but, even if Darron gets the start, there figures to be a lot of garbage time for Bryan to build on his impressive performance against ASU.
WR Lavasier Tuinei -- Colorado's secondary is the epitome of depleted, so much so that they are converting skill position players to play the position. Its time for Oregon's most veteran receiver to step up and have a big game.
CB/KR Cliff Harris -- He'll get lots of opportunities, will he take one to the house?
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LMJ doesn't have a separated shoulder
He has a dislocated elbow.
Separated shoulder is a WAY, WAY worse injury.
of course I know that
I have no idea why I wrote separated shoulder. Thanks for catching it.
--Dave
Addicted to Quack, your friendly, neighborhood Oregon Ducks blog
by David Piper on Oct 17, 2011 9:12 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Because you're a sadistic, sadistic man
"Forget it. If 21 gets behind you, you can play the fight song." --Scott Van Pelt
I really don't want Thomas or LMJ to come back until Nov 5 against the Huskies
That way they get some warm up for Stanford and of course, we need them against the Huskies. We cannot afford to look past the Huskies to the Furd. We do that, we lose.
Oregon loves you, Chip Kelly!
I'd like for them to be able to come back against WSU
I’m not taking UW lightly, and would like for them to have a warm up before then.
--Dave
Addicted to Quack, your friendly, neighborhood Oregon Ducks blog
Yeah, but I'm concerned that we're all taking their injuries a little too lightly
Ever since the Dixon fall to the turf and the subsequent collapse of National Championship aspirations and Heisman trophy dreams, it’s been a fear that shadows every Oregon fan. Seeing a key player go down now is more agonizing than probably warranted. I think for that reason alone, most Duck players who have injuries do what they can to reassure fans that they’re OK, that they can play (and of course, there’s the natural desire for every talented athlete to want to play).
I’d rather err on the side of caution and really have them 100% before they come back, rather than risk re-injuring them again or having them force things.
Oregon loves you, Chip Kelly!
by gamedaytribe on Oct 17, 2011 9:23 AM PDT up reply actions
I very much disagree with this assessment.
Injuries are a part of the game, and unless it’s something really serious, you need to play through it. If LMJ or Thomas are cleared by the medical staff, they should play.
While I know there are many Duck fans scarred by Dixon going down at Arizona, that is a terrible point of comparison. Dixon had no ACL. He should have not been playing in the first place. I don’t think the same type of situation would happen again.
It is the job of the medical staff to protect these players from themselves in many cases, and they failed that in 2007, but that failure shouldn’t cause us to overreact in the opposite direction.
--AddictedToQuack, SBNation's Oregon Ducks blog
Doesn't matter how we take the injuries.
What we fans think has nothing to do with reality
Ducks GOOOOD. Fuskies BAAAAAD.
by BigGreenWreckingMachine on Oct 17, 2011 1:56 PM PDT up reply actions
If they are cleared by the medical staff, and do not have any extra risk of re-injury, then they should play.
--AddictedToQuack, SBNation's Oregon Ducks blog
well, of course
that would indicate that they are 100%.
--Dave
Addicted to Quack, your friendly, neighborhood Oregon Ducks blog
I don’t think it would. LMJ played last year while he was clearly not 100%.
--AddictedToQuack, SBNation's Oregon Ducks blog
Pritnear the entire second half of the season.
Ducks GOOOOD. Fuskies BAAAAAD.
by BigGreenWreckingMachine on Oct 17, 2011 5:37 PM PDT up reply actions
DT should start Saturday. His OL is protecting him well. He dosen’t need to run. And if they play right, the game should be decided by the 3rd and Bennett can take snaps after that. LMJ should sit, no need to take hits.
UW is a scary, scary game.
"Forget it. If 21 gets behind you, you can play the fight song." --Scott Van Pelt
I made the mistake of checking out the dawgpound today...
UW is going to take the throne on top of the PAC and we are getting the NCAA hammer.
"I love Oregon's obsolete recruiting report on an unhealthy level. Just more proof how balla Chip Kelly really is." Dr. Saturday
They're very strong believers in multiverse theory at UW.
In some world somewhere, this actually happens.
Now with mustache guarantee!
by HoodRiverDuck on Oct 17, 2011 9:03 PM PDT up reply actions
I guess so...
"I love Oregon's obsolete recruiting report on an unhealthy level. Just more proof how balla Chip Kelly really is." Dr. Saturday
Every time you roll a die, you create 6 different timelines.
And in every one, uw went 0-12.
--AddictedToQuack, SBNation's Oregon Ducks blog
by jtlight on Oct 17, 2011 9:30 PM PDT up reply actions 4 recs
And in every one...
"I love Oregon's obsolete recruiting report on an unhealthy level. Just more proof how balla Chip Kelly really is." Dr. Saturday
I think they just cut-and-paste their posts from an original file created in 2002.
The sad thing is, they believe it. Every year.
Ducks GOOOOD. Fuskies BAAAAAD.
by BigGreenWreckingMachine on Oct 17, 2011 9:36 PM PDT up reply actions
Have fun reading the husky in-fighting
in this thread (near the bottom).
"the putz from that UO blog, Matt Daddy" - Steve Tannen
The Daily Faberian
I read three posts into that fight
and could not bring myself to read anymore
Go Team! Score Six Goal Units!
by FromAutzenWithLove on Oct 18, 2011 1:44 AM PDT up reply actions
I think it's awesome
One huskie is arguing about how superior he is to Duck fans and looking down his nose from his ivory tower on us white trash individuals. The other is arguing that he has no right to feel that way. It’s like an inner look into the emotional conflict that runs in every huskie fan. They want to feel superior and pretend that they still live in the good old days where they ruled the NW, but the reality of their present situation keeps fighting back against them.
"the putz from that UO blog, Matt Daddy" - Steve Tannen
The Daily Faberian
Schadenfreude rules!
But shame on you for making me like not one, but TWO Husky fans in the same thread. I feel dirty.
Now with mustache guarantee!
by HoodRiverDuck on Oct 18, 2011 7:59 AM PDT up reply actions
I know
I almost feel like reccing every one of their comments in response to Bugs, then I remember their huskies and the feeling subsides.
"the putz from that UO blog, Matt Daddy" - Steve Tannen
The Daily Faberian
Today's entry makes me trollolololol
Watching this…makes me wonder whats going to happen once Kelly runs into some adversity.
Yeah, I wonder when that’s ever going to happen.
Now with mustache guarantee!
by HoodRiverDuck on Oct 18, 2011 3:32 PM PDT up reply actions
aw what the hell
I just turned a couple of comments green there. Nothing like shedding some green on a husky site.
"the putz from that UO blog, Matt Daddy" - Steve Tannen
The Daily Faberian
Only takes two rec's, right?
"What you are entrusted to do as a coach is to create an environment where your players have a chance to be successful." CHIP KELLY
they're ?
"What you are entrusted to do as a coach is to create an environment where your players have a chance to be successful." CHIP KELLY
Rather have them back against Wazzu.
Get back to “game speed,” sit out the second half if all things go well.
Ducks GOOOOD. Fuskies BAAAAAD.
by BigGreenWreckingMachine on Oct 17, 2011 1:55 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm glad Colorado is so bad
Because we can afford to rest Darron/LMJ at Colorado and lose nothing.
Heck, we’re 32 point favorites on the road without either.
"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely
They have the second worst D in the Pac
UW’s is actually marginally worse but UW has a good offense, Colorado does not.
"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely
I agree that DT/LMJ should sit for Colorado
As we can beat them easily with Bennett/Barner, but if they can come back for Wazzu that’d probably be best.
You don’t want your QB/RB coming back completely cold for a huge road game.
That doesn't count
Washington was terrible that year
Go Team! Score Six Goal Units!
by FromAutzenWithLove on Oct 17, 2011 4:04 PM PDT up reply actions
Yea, and those were the 'fuckies.'
"What you are entrusted to do as a coach is to create an environment where your players have a chance to be successful." CHIP KELLY
I'm looking forward to seeing Bennett in action
where he is actually asked to throw the ball. We all know he has a rifle arm, but none of us have really seen it in action. I’m sure we’ll be able to run the ball at will, and knowing CK, we will do just that.
However, I’d like to see Bennett put through the paces and this is a good game for him and the receivers to get a lot of reps, given Colorado’s secondary situation.
My parents believed in me.
Whats the word on commits?
For those of you with subs to Rivals and Scout, how did Oregon’s big recruiting weekend turn out? Hopefully, the gutsy win, and the Autzen atmosphere combined with recruits seeing some freshmen like DAT and redshirt freshman like Bennett making an impact went over well.
I was thinking the same thing about us playing a bunch of freshmen.....
That has to be encouraging to potential recruits. The notion that they may see the field right away if they are ready seems like it would be alluring.
by NICKPAPAGEORGIOTHEDUCK on Oct 17, 2011 10:46 AM PDT up reply actions
Ducks picked up commits from
Jeremy Castro and Bryce Cottrell. Oregon has moved to the top of the list for Shaq Thompson, DJ Foster, and Ellis McCarthy.
Come along now, Cabot!
Yessir
Darron Thomas sprinted out of the Mo Center after practice; I didn’t spot LMJ. Pleasant was suited up but gimpy.
"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely
By all means correct me if I'm wrong.
But with many knee injuries/strains, running in straight lines typically isn’t an issue, planting a foot and turning are where things get ugly, right?
It makes sense that Brock Osweiler attends ASU. His tattoo states "live life to it's fullest". The error is subtle, yet it is embarrassing regardless.
Not going to correct you...
But I have suffered an ACL tear and there was no running at ALL for a month due to swelling and pain. Now, every injury is different but I highly doubt he would even be allowed to walk without a brace and crutches if it was half bad. It looked to me like he might have suffered a hyper extension which is painful and all but not like ligament tears. Either way, I think DT will be in a left knee brace much like the one luck plays in if anything. Maybe not even that.
May I say for the sake of stating the obvious… DAT is going to be a beast for us in the coming years! Just add a few more pounds of muscle and dear god… LMJ might have a contented :)
ssshhh....
by OregOnDucks on Oct 17, 2011 9:24 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
I think that’s fair assumption to make. If he had torn his ACL he would have already had surgery .
My guess is that he injured his MCL. With how he’s running around, it’s probably not that severe, but he may have some instability and pain.
--AddictedToQuack, SBNation's Oregon Ducks blog
lulz
Jon Embree is a Colorado alum who inherits a total dumpster fire at his alma mater
Things like that.
Colorado
Oregon’s first game at altitude will be interesting to see. It should actually help Oregon because it should tire out a not very deep colorado defense that much faster. Might hurt Harris’s return game though…
Really? Easier to run thru the less dense air.
"What you are entrusted to do as a coach is to create an environment where your players have a chance to be successful." CHIP KELLY
but less air to breathe.
its an athletes worst nightmare
Go Team! Score Six Goal Units!
by FromAutzenWithLove on Oct 17, 2011 5:28 PM PDT up reply actions
I was trying to look at the situation in a more positive way.
Like Native Americans running long distances in the Alvin Series.
"What you are entrusted to do as a coach is to create an environment where your players have a chance to be successful." CHIP KELLY
I think the advantage will be narrower due to the level of conditioning.
But it will make a bit of a difference.
Ducks GOOOOD. Fuskies BAAAAAD.
by BigGreenWreckingMachine on Oct 17, 2011 5:39 PM PDT up reply actions
I was thinking it will be good for our conditioning down the road.....
But I think it would only really help us for the WSU game….
Does our resident doctor remember the lifespan of 2,3-diphospoglycerate??? I feel like it is only about 72 hrs, but part of me is thinking 7-10 days (like a platelet). I can’t remember.
by NICKPAPAGEORGIOTHEDUCK on Oct 17, 2011 5:52 PM PDT up reply actions
They won’t be there long enough to gain
any physiological advantage.
by sacduxnutz on Oct 17, 2011 6:12 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Well now, you're just talking gibberish. I just sell the boner pills and the people keep buying them.
The advantage that athletes gain from high altitude training is increased red blood cell mass, so more oxygen carrying capacity. It takes 30 days for the marrow to make red blood cells. In other words, the 2+ days they’ll be up there won’t amount to much.
Now with mustache guarantee!
by HoodRiverDuck on Oct 17, 2011 6:31 PM PDT up reply actions
They're going to be without Rodney Stuart (sp?) their stud RB too
God, they are thin now, thinner than the air in Boulder even. :-)
"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely
That's ok.
Harris can just roundhouse kick the opposing team into submission as he makes his way down the field at 118 mph.
Come along now, Cabot!
I'm almost starting to feel bad for Colorado with all the injuries they have
A bunch of injuries is what makes the Pac so hard to play in though. When you have to bring it week in and week out, guys get hurt. This is what makes it tough. This is what the fBSU’s of the world don’t recognize or acknowledge until they join a real conference and have their butts handed to them.
by NICKPAPAGEORGIOTHEDUCK on Oct 17, 2011 7:17 PM PDT reply actions
Colorado was in a real conference...
they just suck.
"I love Oregon's obsolete recruiting report on an unhealthy level. Just more proof how balla Chip Kelly really is." Dr. Saturday
by BisonDucks on Oct 17, 2011 8:09 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
It can take years to shake the Neuweasel karma.
Ducks GOOOOD. Fuskies BAAAAAD.
by BigGreenWreckingMachine on Oct 17, 2011 9:09 PM PDT up reply actions
Its a miracle they won 5 games last year
Seriously, how the hell did that happen?
"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely
They played in the Big 12
"It's not about style. It's about winning the game. That's it." - Chip Kelly
by Duckfanatic10 on Oct 17, 2011 10:28 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm more of the belief it was a miracle we only won 5 games
we did have some talent, Solder and Smith both got drafted in the first round and I think we had four players total get drafted. probably should have won 8 games but thank god we didn’t and we managed to blow a 28 point 4th quarter lead at Kansas that finally cost Hawkins his job. and i believe we have started 13 different true freshmen thus far into the season just to give an idea of how much of a “dumpster fire” Hawkins left us
PAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWLLLLLLLL
You make a fair point, but I get nervous when Oregon fans start saying the same thing about other teams that SEC fans say.
by builds character on Oct 18, 2011 6:50 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Well, I think the SEC is the best conference in the country for football right now
And I think the Pac-12 is the second most difficult……For football this is. Both the Big-whatevers are also good but I would argue that their bottom half’s are worse.
All this said, I forgot Colorado has been in the Big 12. They also beat Georgia last year if I’m not mistaken.
by NICKPAPAGEORGIOTHEDUCK on Oct 18, 2011 7:32 AM PDT up reply actions
Prediction Ducks 52 Buff 21
Go Ducks 2011-2012
by dzwizzard on Oct 19, 2011 12:33 PM PDT via iPhone app reply actions
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