The Ten Best Players on the Oregon Ducks Football Team

The 2008 football season for the Oregon Ducks has been as heartbreaking as it has been triumphant The ups and downs, the cheers and boos, and the wins and losses, have all been combined into what has been a truly unique and memorable season.

Every player on the roster worked hard to get the team where they're at, but a few players rose above the rest and truly pushed this team to accomplish its goals.

To honor these players, I have made a slideshow to honor the top ten players for the 2008 season. After a lot of hard work and consideration, these are my pics:

Ed Dickson

Ed Dickson was an integral part of the Oregon attack He was third on the team in receiving with 479 yards and three touchdown catches. He was also an important blocker for the running backs.

Walter Thurmond III

Walter Thurmond III was an anchor in the Ducks defensive backfield with four interceptions and 47 tackles. He returned one of those pics for a score and was also a kick returner.

LaGarrette Blount

LaGarrette Blount was second on the team in rushing with 961 yards on 130 attempts; a 7.1 yard average. He also set a school record with 16 touchdown runs.

Jarius Byrd

Jarius Byrd, the best corner on the team and one of the best in the nation, is the son of former NFL star Gil Byrd. He is tied for the team lead with four interceptions and was fifth on the team with 54 tackles. He also had a game changing punt return for a score against the Purdue Boilermakers.

Terrence Scott

Terrence Scott was the teams leading reciever and a true downfield target. He was a constant threat to score and he had a 76-yard touchdown catch. He finished the regular season with 42 catches, 629 yards, and five touchdowns.

Max Unger

Max Unger was the heart and soul of Oregon's offensive line. He anchored one of the best o-lines in the nation, and that line gave Oregon possibly the best rushing attack in the nation.

Jeremiah Masoli

Jeremiah Masoli entered the 2008 season as the fifth string quarterback, and has evolved into one of the Pac 10's best quarterbacks. He threw for 1486 yards and twelve touchdowns. He added 612 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground.

Jeremiah Johnson

Jeremiah Johnson is the best running back in the nation. Although he doesnt have the best statistics in the nation, his yards per carry and tendency to explode at opportune times puts him at the top. He finished the regular season with 1082 yards and twelve touchdowns.

Patrick Chung

Patrick Chung has been a four-year starter at Oregon and is the heart and soul of the Oregon Defense. He has twice recorded over 100 tackles in a year and is among the best defensive players in the nation, perhaps, the best in Oregon history.

Nick Reed

Nick Reed is the best defensive end in the country. He was second in the nation with 13 sacks, and he had the most fumble recoveries in the nation with five. His No. 49 is in the back of opposing quarterbacks minds on every snap.