What Does the Future Hold for the Duck's Quarterback Position?

For Duck fans, the first game of the season was one of joy and extreme anxiety. Once again, the quarterback situation was a mystery for Chip Kelly and company. After the No. 1 quarterback on the depth chart, Nate Costa, went down, many people had some serious flashbacks to late 2007.

In recent memory, the Duck's have had some incredible quarterbacks. Akili Smith. Joey Harrington. Kellen Clemens. Dennis Dixon. Every one of those quarterbacks lead the Ducks to some of their most successful seasons. The common denominator for the Oregon Duck's success really seems to be a superstar quarterback.

What about this year? Costa goes down, a young quarterback who has drawn comparisons to Chase Daniel. His mobility, intelligence, and natural leadership qualities seem to come straight out of the spread-option handbook.

After three knee surgeries in three seasons, it's looking more doubtful by the day that Costa ever sees the field in a Duck uniform.

This leaves them with Justin Roper, who was fifth on the depth chart at the beginning of last season, as the starter. Roper had moderate success in 2007. After a UCLA game where he completed more passes to the opposing team rather than his own, he pulled himself together on the road for a solid Civil War outing against the Beavers.

With 144, two touchdowns, and an interception on top of 52.0 completion percentage, he solidified himself as the starter for the upcoming Sun Bowl. After a month and some extremely low expectations against another ex-No. 2 opponent in South Florida, Roper tied the Sun Bowl record for touchdown passes (four) to go along with 180 yards.

After one of the best recruiting classes in Oregon history, 3 quarterbacks came to challenge Roper for the starting spot. Junior College transfer Jeremiah Masoli, though undersized, has some eye-popping stats to go along with a JuCo title.

Last year he completed 214 of 349 passes for 3,065 yards, 26 touchdowns and only three interceptions for the City College of San Francisco.

He demonstrated his quick release and shifty footwork against the Huskies in week one after Justin Roper went down with a minor concussion (Can the Duck's go a game without losing a quarterback?!), he came off the bench to put up 126 yards and two touchdowns; not bad considering he hadn't started practice until the week before (he was recovering from a wrist injury.

What? you expected a Duck's quarterback to not be injured?). Not only did he start practice so late, but he also didn't warm up before the game. With all of that in mind, I'd say his first outing was very impressive.

One who also saw some field time against Washington was true freshman Chris Harper. Simply put, this guy is a beast. Weighing in at 230 lbs. and running a 4.45 forty-yard dash, this guy can play any skill position he wants; Mike Belotti has already dubbed him the most dangerous player on the team with the ball in his hands.

Carrying for 60 yards, a touchdown on five yards per rush, this guy has proven he can run against Pac-10 defense (albeit Washington's) in his very first game. Not only did he look confident on the field in front of the conference's craziest fans, he looked like he was having fun. Many believe he would be better suited as a filler; he could play any position the coach's needed at any precise moment.

The last quarterback, Darron Thomas, will likely be redshirted. He has already earned the name "Dixon-Clone" among many Duck fans because of his identical measurements and how he looks on the field. He is pure potential at this point.

The only way he will see the field is if extensive injuries occur (which, as we know, could very well happen). Coach's believe it would be best to stash him away while working on his passing technique and maintaining his already stellar running ability.

With all of these very different quarterbacks (a pocket passer in Justin Roper, a pure-scrambler in Chris Harper, or a healthy mix in the undersized Jeremiah Masoli) vying for the starting job, the coach's have some major decisions to make. 

Although they have said time and time again that Justin Roper is now the undisputed starter, can they really go all season without a true dual-threat or above average lateral abilities?

I think the coaches should look into the consequences of this loss before going up against respectable defenses, such as UCLA, Oregon State, and USC. With all of these studs being within one of two years of each other, only a couple will truly get admirable playing time.

Many think that with all of these choices, the coaches will revert to the dreaded dual-quarterback system that was used when Dennis Dixon and Brady Leaf were competing for the starting position.

Although it was effective against Washington, I think it would be more of a hindrance against some tougher defenses. If the coaches want to do this right, they will choose one and stick to him.

What do you, the public, think? Which quarterback would best suit the needs of Oregon and it's high-octane spread-option offense? Can Justin Roper lead Oregon to the success it's fans so righteously believe it deserves?