Oregon Ducks Football: Six Questions Entering the 2011 Season
As the annual spring game approaches, Oregon is returning a great deal of talent and will certainly be in the top five when the season kicks off. Oregon players already have their hearts set on making another run to the national title.
While the Ducks do return many pieces from their championship run, they also enter the 2011 season with a few glaring questions. Should the Ducks find a way to answer all of these questions, they will likely find themselves in the national title game for the second straight year.
Who Will Fill Jeff Maehl's Shoes?
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While Darron Thomas and LaMichael James do return for the Ducks, one key piece from last years title run has graduated and moved on to the next level, Jeff Maehl. Maehl and Thomas had formed a special chemistry last year and put up outstanding numbers.
This year, sophomore Josh Huff, will look to fill the void left by Maehl. Huff is dual threat on the field and has the ability to line up wide or motion into the backfield and become a run threat. If Huff can improve on his route running abilities, he will be a continued threat in the Ducks passing game.
Can They Get Up to Speed Right Away?
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As much as people like to criticize a soft opening week schedule, for most big programs it is a great idea. By playing a lesser opponent, you are able to give your players time to get back up to game speed and work out all the kinks from summer camp.
When Oregon kicks off the 2011 season, they will be lining up against LSU, another team that will likely be near the top of the rankings. Both of these teams stand to gain a lot from this opening week game and the team that comes out ready to play from the first whistle, will have the upper hand.
Filling the Holes on the Defensive Line
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With a new season comes change on the defensive line. Coming into 2010, defensive line was viewed as a position that Oregon would struggle at. As the year progressed the line got stronger and stronger and ended up holding their own throughout the year.
With the season now over, key contributors Kenny Rowe and Brandon Bair are gone and the Ducks will need new players to step up. Hopefully players like Dion Jordan and Terrell Turner will be up to the task. If the defensive line can hold their own, the secondary will have plenty of opportunities to make plays.
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Can Darron Thomas Take a Step Forward?
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When you go 12-1 in your first season as a starter and lead your school to its first national championship appearance, many of you will wonder how I can even ask this question.
While Thomas had an amazing year as starter and is ready to repeat that performance, there is a key to his game that has yet to be unlocked.
In 2011, Thomas will need to improve on the read option play that Oregon runs all the time. While he had a good grasp of the offense as a redshirt sophomore, Thomas will need to learn to trust his instincts more and make the proper read. The inability to do so on a consistent basis cost Oregon an early touchdown in the national championship game.
Can LaMichael James Carry the Load Again?
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Over the past two seasons, LaMichael James has carried the ball over 500 times. While James often appears to get stronger as the game goes on, his 5'9" 185 lb frame can only take so much punishment.
Much like prior years, the Ducks are loaded at running back and enter the year with James, Kenjon Barner and Lache Seastrunk, a three headed monster any team would love to have.
While James will continue to be the feature back throughout the year, the key will be for Coach Kelly to continue to use his depth and keep James fresh. A healthy James could go a long way with the potential of an extra game in the Pac-12 championship.
Will Offseason Issues Prove to Be Too Much This Year?
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In 2010, the Ducks had to deal with one offseason issue after another. Coming into the season, many believed that the issues would be too much for the young team too handle. The Ducks ended up proving the nation wrong by going undefeated in the regular season.
Coming into the 2011 season, reports have swirled around the football program about payments made to a recruiting service, services that teams across the nation use. While all reports have failed to use facts to point out any NCAA violations, the media has dragged this issue along and it will continue to be a distraction when the new season begins.
If last year was any indication, Coach Kelly will have his team focused week in and week out regardless of outside issues.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
