Oregon Ducks: 5 Weakest Positions to Start Worrying About Now

First, let me say that I honestly do not believe that the Oregon Ducks have any weaknesses this year.

Cheerleader may be the weakest position on the field—and I think the Ducks' cheerleaders are the best in the Pac-12 and maybe in the entire country!

However, I am by nature a worrier and I have to worry about something.

So, while Chip Kelly has pronounced that players like Kenjon Barner, De'Anthony Thomas, Josh Huff, John Boyett (John Boyett for Heisman), Dion Jordan and other top players are playing at a top level, I worry about depth at certain skill positions.

Here are the nightmares I will be having between now and fall camp.

What If Kenjon Barner Gets Hurt?

How many of you remember the hit Kenjon Barner took in the 2010 Washington State game? The one that kept him overnight in Pullman's best hospital with a concussion?

Yeah, me too. It was very scary.

I prefer to think that that awful hit was the worst that Barner will endure in his college career. But this year, as "The Guy," Barner will be a marked man. He will bear more of the RB load and, therefore, the chance of injury goes up.

I will be anxious to get a gander at other RBs like walk-ons Ayele Forde and Kenny Bassett in this week's spring game. And I can hardly wait to see Byron Marshall in the fall.

I'm also anxious to see how De'Anthony Thomas is used in the Spring Game.

But I fear that the Ducks are only one monster hit away from being weaker than usual at running back. 

What If John Boyett Goes Down?

Oregon's safety position is, for me, simultaneously the Ducks' strongest position and weakest.

It's strong as long as John Boyett (John Boyett for Heisman) is on the field. But it's unclear who will back up Boyett. I can't even think who will start on the other team in the spring game.

Nick Aliotti has expressed reservations about the depth at safety. That's all I need to hear to start worrying.

Linebacker

I want to remind y'all that I said at the beginning of this piece that I don't believe the Ducks have any glaring weaknesses this year. Therefore, this is mostly about depth.

I adore Michael Clay and most of you—as you keep reminding me—think Kiko Alonso walks on water (he does look good in this photo, I'll admit.)

After that, it gets a bit murky.

Nick Aliotti seems to be somewhat concerned about linebacker depth. My gut feeling is that this position will be fine and the Ducks will end up with a strong, healthy rotation, especially with guys like junior Boseko Lokombo and sophomore Anthony Wallace.

If defense guru Aliotti is fretting, however, so will I.

Deep down, we are probably both afraid that Kiko will end up in jail this summer (please don't write me; I'm entitled to my worries.)

Wherefore Art Thou, Wide Receivers?

Honestly, I haven't felt comfortable with Oregon's wide receiver position since Jeff Maehl left. Lavasier Tuinei had his moments, but he was no Jeff Maehl.

Josh Huff may end up being a shorter version (5'11") of Maehl, but he may also end up with legal and disciplinary problems because of his DUII citation in early March.

Huff pleaded not guilty to the DUII and two lesser charges during his arraignment on March 23. A trial date has not been set.

So, we still have Huff's fate hanging over our heads. Senior Justin Hoffman will surely see action, but still needs to make a believer outta me.

There are plenty of names floating around out there: Devon Blackmon, Rahsaan Vaughn, Daryle Hawkins, Eric Dungy and B.J. Kelley. Who will step up and earn playing time?

I don't know if wide receiver is a weak position for the Ducks or not. We just don't have enough information yet to feel confident. I will watch the wide receiver position more carefully than any other at the spring game.

Replacing David Paulson at Tight End

Replacing a guy like David Paulson is never easy. In our house, we referred to Paulson as Mr. Clutch. And he was one of the best blockers on the 2011 team.

I don't think Duck fans can reasonably expect the tight end position to be as strong as it was last year.

However, there are some reasons to be optimistic. The conventional wisdom is that Colt Lyerla will effortlessly step into Paulson's role. Lyerla showed flashes of brilliance last year, so that is a possibility. His size and toughness are positives.

I'm also excited about Evan Baylis, the 6'6" mega-star freshman recruit, and will be watching for him on Saturday as well.

My feeling is that Lyerla will start in the fall, but he'd better mind his Ps and Qs because Baylis may be breathing down his neck sooner, rather than later.

You?

So those are the positions I'm worried about. What are you worried about? It's healthy to get it off your chest.

You will feel better.