Oregon Ducks Football: Sorting Out The Mess at Running Back

One thing that a coach does not want to happen to his football team is being too deep at one position.

Well, that has certainly happened at Oregon with the running back position.

The Ducks had six running backs fighting for carries a few days ago: LaMichael James, Kenjon Barner, Lache Seastrunk, Dontae Williams, and incoming recruits De'Anthony Thomas and Tra Carson.

Chip Kelly was lucky enough for Williams to request a transfer. Williams made the smart move. He would have gotten virtually no carries at Oregon.

He helped himself and the football team. And hats off to Chip Kelly for letting the young man go.

But the Ducks still have a huge mess with five young running backs fighting for carries.

LaMichael James: Redshirt Junior In 2011

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: LaMichael James #21 of the Oregon Ducks runs down field against the Auburn Tigers during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jonathan

The Heisman finalist, James is guaranteed carries at Oregon until he leaves.

James is the featured back at Oregon and will once again get the major load for the Ducks.

James, a redshirt junior, can leave for the NFL Draft whenever he wants. The question is when will he want to leave. The smartest move for James is to leave next year.

He will still have a nice, lengthy NFL career then and won't be a 23-year-old rookie. If James has a successful season in 2011, he will be a second-round pick in the NFL.

James won't have to worry about losing carries, but he does threaten the team if he stays for five years in Oregon. Then most likely one of the Ducks' backs will transfer, leaving a hole for the future.

Kenjon Barner: Redshirt Junior In 2011

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CORVALLIS, OR - DECEMBER 4: Running back Kenjon Barner #24 of the Oregon Ducks heads for the end zone and a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the game against the Oregon State Beavers at Reser Stadium on December 4, 2010 in Corvallis, Oregon. The Ducks b

Along with James, Kenjon Barner is a huge part of the Ducks offense.

The No. 2 running back for the Ducks had 1040 total yards and 9 touchdowns despite missing 3 games with a concussion and not even being the starting running back the entire season, save for an Opening Day start in place for the suspended James.

Barner, a great all-purpose player, is also guaranteed a role for the Ducks in 2011. If James leaves for the 2012 NFL Draft, Barner will be the feature back in 2012.

Lache Seastrunk: Redshirt Freshman In 2011

One of the Ducks' top prospects from 2010 is Lache Seastrunk, who redshirted in 2010.

Seastrunk has the potential to be better than James one day if he can get a significant amount of carries. With James' speed and elusiveness and Barner's versatility, Seastrunk has big-play ability.

Luckily for Oregon, Dontae Williams decided to transfer, which makes it less likely that Seastrunk transfers.

But if James stays for 2012 or De'Anthony Thomas is named primarily as a running back, then Seastrunk will most likely transfer to get carries.

Seastrunk's highlights can be seen here.

De'Anthony Thomas: Freshman In 2011

The Ducks' highest rated signee really clutters the running back situation at Oregon.

Thomas has the ability to play corner or running back, but wants to play running back.

Thomas is a good running back, but to help out the team more, he needs to play corner.

There is just no room for another "scat back" like Thomas.

Tra Carson: Freshman In 2011

Tra Carson is going to end up being a huge steal for the Ducks in the future.

The 6'0 220-pound Carson from Texarkana, Texas (LaMichael James' alma mater), has great strength but also has 4.4 speed, which will be huge for the Ducks.

Carson gives the Ducks a much- needed power back for short-yardage runs or on the goal line.

What The Ducks Need To Do To Clean Up The Mess

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: LaMichael James #21 and Darron Thomas #1 of the Oregon Ducks react to the Auburn Tigers during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jona

Here is what Chip Kelly should do to deal with the Ducks running back situation.

LaMichael James and Kenjon Barner:

Kelly should keep Barner and James and the primary backs for the Ducks. James should leave for the NFL after this year, and Barner should replace him as the Ducks primary back for 2012.

Lache Seastrunk:

Kelly should give Seastrunk about 40-60 carries this season to help prepare him for 2012 and beyond and to keep Seastrunk happy.

If Lache sees that he's getting carries, he will be happy and see that he has a future at Oregon and will be less inclined to transfer.

De'Anthony Thomas:

Kelly should keep Thomas primarily as a defensive back, with a few offensive plays. Thomas would benefit the Ducks more on defense and will help keep the best running backs on offense for the Ducks.

Tra Carson:

Kelly should redshirt Carson. Carson has a future as a Duck but he should be redshirted to keep things a little clearer.

If Carson is ever needed due to injury in 2011, then Kelly can do what he did with Darron Thomas and take off the redshirt for a bit and then give it back if necessary.