12-17-2009, 09:30 AM
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#251
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2023 National Champions
OVR: 43
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: OS Midwest Office
Posts: 42,512
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Re: Oregon Ducks (NCAA 10)
"I think we're looking at an all-time great offense"
Chip Kelly isn't hesitant to heap expectations on his team entering 2012 season
EUGENE, OR - Yes, he actually said it. And he wasn't being glib, sarcastic or outlandish (in his mind, anyway).
"You look at what we've got coming back, the experience we've got across the board," Oregon coach Chip Kelly said at Pac-10 Media Day. "If we stay healthy, I think we're destined to do things that have not been seen before. I think we're looking at an all-time great offense, the standard by which all other spread offenses will be measured."
While it seemed like a bunch of hyperbole to those listening, a closer look at the 2012 Oregon offense shows that maybe Kelly isn't so crazy. Darron Thomas returns, a 5th year senior commanding everything. In 2011, when Thomas was healthy, the Ducks' offense ran just as smoothly as it did under the command of Jeremiah Masoli and Dennis Dixon. At tailback, despite the departure of LaMichael James, the Ducks have a potent 1-2 speed/power combo in burner Kenjon Barner and bruiser Patrick Jackson. There is an embarrassment of riches at receiver, with Diante Jackson, Ivan Jones, Denzel Jefferson and Michael Harper giving the Ducks a quartet of tall, rangy wideouts, along with perhaps the best tight end duo in the nation in Dion Jordan and James Johnson.
On the line, two starters from 2011 return in center Everett Benyard and right tackle Nick Cody. Carson York reclaims his starting job in 2012 after being supplanted by Charlie Carmichael a year ago. At left tackle, redshirt sophomore Jason Browne is penciled in to start, and redshirt freshman Christopher Henderson, a highly touted recruit two years ago, appears ready to step in at right guard.
On the other side of the ball, the Ducks' defense has potential, but also has pieces to replace. Michael King, the 5-star monster from Portland, is finally ready to step into a full-time starting role as a junior, while redshirt sophomores Jesse Johnson and Brett Thompson battle over the other end spot. Inside, sophomore Kenton Montgomery was an unstoppable wrecking ball for most of 2011, and he could be even better this year. The Ducks have recruited the interior defensive line very well since Brian Kudron took over as defensive coordinator, as behind Montgomery is sophomore Maurice Harvey and redshirt freshman Will Brock, two supremely talented players.
E.J. Fuller returns inside at linebacker after racking up 97 tackles as a sophomore. He will be the #1 linebacker now with Kiko Alonso gone. Next to him, the Ducks figure to insert 3rd year sophomore Rob Givens. At corner, the Ducks are deep again, with Cliff Harris entering his 3rd year as a starter. Opposite him will be junior Ray Webb, who has excelled in special teams duty. After that, the Ducks have three excellent options, JUCO senior Jamie Sims, junior (and fellow special teams ace) Mario Hill, and 5-star redshirt freshman Darren Holland.
At the rover/strong safety positions, the Ducks have two spots and three players. One of those spots is guaranteed to Keenan Bell, who starred from day one as a true freshman a year ago. But opposite him, a fierce position battle is taking place between sophomore Chris Campbell and redshirt sophomore Lionel Holland. Kudron prefers size at the rover positions, and Campbell has the huge edge there (6'3, 224 pounds vs. the 6'1, 184-pound Holland), but Holland has the edge in speed and instincts.
If there is one weakness in the Oregon defense, it will be the deep safety position. It's been in good hands in recent years with T.J. Ward and Javes Lewis, but some recruiting misses have left it in a precarious spot. There IS talent there, and local product Jeff Alston has been good in practice, but the free safety position in the Ducks' defense needs to be rangy and athletic, and the Ducks have overloaded themselves with more of the bulkier, headhunting types and lack a true centerfielder. |
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