Spring practice is here but I never read too much into what goes on this time of year. I think the biggest thing to come out of spring ball is that players will develop and have a good idea of what they need to do to earn spots come fall camp. Last year everyone was raving about Jamere Holland. And even at that time I thought, ‘isn’t this the extremely fast dude that can’t catch?’ The only thing I learned after the spring game last year was that the offensive line was terrible. And sure enough they started the season terrible. By the end of the season however they were respectable, and I expect they will be good this year. I look for Cliff Harris, Kenyon Barner, and Boyett to step it up a notch this spring and the biggest headline will be that Nate Costa is picked to be the starter come September.
What a fantastic running back situation to have. Oregon’s system works best when you play your speedsters the first three quarters and then bring in the power back in the fourth quarter. The quick back will wear the defense down and the fresh power back will demoralize opponents by running them over. Oregon should redshirt seastrunk and huff and let dontae and remene be the power to james and barners speed. Score!
My guess would be Masoli stays at Oregon. Although he can transfer, sit out a year, and play in 2011, what other system would he expect to make as big of an impact in then at Oregon? The reason I love the Oregon spread is because it is adaptive. It allows for relatively unknown’s to step in and thrive once given a chance, and once the system has been adapted to a players strengths. If Masoli does transfer it will need to be to a team that has a need for a dual threat quarterback. As a straight up pocket passer Masoli will not ‘thrive.’ He will fall back into average. And with 2011 being his last year of eligibility he will not have enough time to establish himself with another program. For Oregon, this year is a wash anyway. We have U$C, Cal, and the Beavers all on the road in 2010. Every other year we have a very possible shot of getting to the Rosebowl. Smart money would say let Darron Thomas run the show this year and take his lumps, but also gain the experience that comes with being a first year starter. This will set us up nicely for 2011, especially since some of the new hot shot recruits will have a year under the Oregon system out of the way. If Darron comes in, steps up and establishes himself then there is NO WAY that Masoli will start in 2011 if he chooses to stay. He will be relegated to a backup or 3rd string quarterback by that time. Whichever decision Masoli makes, he will have a difficult time seeing action in 2011 unless he transfers to a non bcs school.
