Chris Finocchio, Content Director here at Bleacher Report, asked me to participate in an Oregon Roundtable discussion. He poses the following questions.
• The Oregon pass defense was ranked 86 in the country last year. With Patrick Chung, Walter Thurmond and Jairus Byrd returning and Nick Reed rushing off the edge is this going to be enough to contain the wide-open offenses of the Pac 10?
Answer: The returning corners, Thurmond and Byrd, will be playing together for the third consecutive year and will be impressive. Chung will be playing his senior season and shouldn't have to worry as much about the run with Nick Reed and Will Tukuafu rushing off the ends. The linebacker corps (John Bacon, Jerome Boyd and Kevin Garrett) proved less than inspiring last year but they gained valuable experience. Look for the defense to make a substantial improvement over last year.
• What do you guys think about Quarterback Justin Roper's ability to lead this Ducks team after coming off a 6TD 2 interception freshmen year?
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Answer: This is the single biggest question mark in the minds of Oregon fans. I am not so sure that Roper will gain the starters job. While we didn't get to see Nate Costa at the Spring Game, he was leading the depth chart before he tore his ACL in practice last year. There are several other QB's fighting for the job too, Kempt, Cooper, Thomas, Harper, & Masoli. I think Oregon will do more running during the opening games as the starting QB gets his rhythm. Bottom line, I think Roper has the inside track and proved himself in the Sun Bowl.
• Is Andre Crenshaw going to be able to carry the load and keep Oregon's potent rushing attack among the Pac 10's best?
Answer: Crenshaw is going to get a lot of help from LeGarrette Blount, he is impressive. While he may not have the speed of Jonathan Stewart, he is a force to be reckoned with. Combine that with Jeremiah Johnson's quickness, cutting ability and heart and I see no let down in our running game.
• Thoughts on the 2008 Schedule?
Answer: Very tough road schedule against WSU, USC, ASU, Cal, and Oregon State. I think the best we can hope for this year is 8-4 or 9-3.
• Are BCS aspirations realistic?
Answer: Not likely but the Ducks have surprised us before.
• With Chip Kelly's success as offensive coordinator, is defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti under pressure to perform now?
Answer: I think Nick's job is safe as long as Bellotti is the coach. I think the defense will be asked to carry the team during the first couple of games while the new QB and offense gel and I feel the defense, together with Aliotti will respond.
GO DUCKS!
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3 months ago
Great article although I would argue Nick Aliotti's job is not safe
3 months ago
Point well taken Doug...
3 months ago
I'm thinking when the Huskies come to town, Nate Costa will be firmly entrenched as the starter. Roper showed great poise in the bowl game and has a decent arm, but Costa is made for the spread. Although Costa is coming off a torn ACL, remember he tore that same ACL once before his sr. year in high school and he was absolutely dominant that season (against suspect competition).
It is alarming that he is already returning from two ACL tears now, but I fully expect him to be the guy, making Roper an ideal backup ready for service at any time. If last year taught the Ducks anything, it is the importance of depth at the QB position. I think 8-4 is very realistic for next season. Solid take Michael.
from 3 months ago
Thank you very much Aron. I was hoping Costa would participate in the Spring Game but no such luck...
3 months ago
I like the way you are thinking here Michael. The secondary has the best players on Oregon's defense, but they proved vulnerable to deep passes last year. I'm not sure if that was a scheme problem or if the cover guys are just better keeping receivers in front of them. Stewart is irreplaceable, but Blount and J.J. should be good.
The big question I still have is at wide receiver, can Jaison Williams finally be consistent enough to fulfill his potential? Will Derrick Jones finally clean up his act and concentrate on football? Who will be the third and fourth receivers, Maehl and Pflugrad or some new faces?
I'd be very happy to see this team go 8-4.
from 3 months ago
JWill looked very good at the Spring Game and was consistent in the practices. Don't forget about Ed Dixon either, he is very sure handed. I agree with you about Jones, he is a very big question mark but I think Maehl & Pflugard will fill in reliably when needed. Thanks for the comments...
3 months ago
congrats on all the reads your getting
3 months ago
your article was on this website....6 articles down....http://www.ducksportsnews.com/
from 3 months ago
Thank you Doug!
3 months ago
Well, I think the ducks d will lead the team and the o will score enough to win 9-10 regular season games and the bowl. Call me optimistic, but I love our o and d lines, our rb's, our qb competition will bring out a stud with backups, a burner, a possession guy and jwill at reciever, not to mention dickson at TE. Give us a decent qb and we'll be in the race for sure.
from 3 months ago
I like your optimism!
3 months ago
Aliotti's job is quite safe. His defenses have been good & are obviously about to get significantly better (to anyone who follows recruiting and the development of young players). To think his job is anywhere near to being in danger is, quite frankly, ludicrous.
3 months ago
he hasnt had an oregon defense in the top 40 in the country in the last three years..For a team that wants to be playing in BCS games its awfully tough when your defense gives up 38 to Oregon State, 31 to CAL, 34 to Arizona..Kelly is becoming one of the best offensive minds in the country...how much longer do they want be held back as a team....
3 months ago
Both Bruce and Doug make great points regarding Aliotti. Bellotti is fiercely loyal to him for whatever reason, so his job is probably safe unless he gets a head coaching offer, which seems unlikely.
The trouble with his preferred scheme is that is always strands the DBs alone in the secondary, so he has to have "lock-down" corners and speedy LBs to make it work. Even then, he gambles a lot, and that eventually gets you burned one way or another. I think he has the corners this year, and if Bacon and Jermoe Boyd are back at full strength, the LBs should be reasonably solid.
Note to Michael: It's Ed Dickson, and you're right, he'll be a important part of the offense this year.
from 3 months ago
Thanks for catching my mistake there Stephen, you're absolutely right...
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