The Oregon Ducks have won a lot of games over the past three years. Some memorable, others long forgotten. Some close, some not so much. Some big, and some likely considered far from it, but none prior to last Monday’s Rose Bowl would ever have been considered bigger…and you only needed a set of eyes for that to hit home. From Kiko Alonso’s obviously inspired play, to Mark Asper’s immediate tears of joy. From LaMichael James “this is the happiest moment of my life” declaration, to Chip Kelly’s leap, the Oregon Ducks wanted that game and their reaction immediately following referee Brad Allen’s call, “prior to the spiking of the ball, the clock went to zero,” left us with no other conclusion. So while I congratulate the Ducks on another successful campaign, along with the happy ending that they’ve so desperately deserved, I’d like to now address a few shortcomings of a team so close to winning it all.
Now, now, before each and every Oregon fan exiles me to the land of Canzano (Sorry John, but you know how Duck Fan feels about you), burns my name in effigy and/or breaks ground on a voodoo doll of my likeness, understand that I mean no disrespect. I love watching the Ducks play and appreciate how good Chip Kelly and his staff really are. I get that what they have built, as well as what they are building puts them in the upper-echelon of College Football’s contenders and am fully educated on the recruits they have landed, as well as the ones they have coming in. They’re very good, are likely going to get better, and can be a break or two away from a legitimate shot at a national title in any given year. But they have weaknesses, and it’s those weaknesses that require that necessary break to have that legitimate shot.
Don’t tell me you don’t know at least one of the places I’m going with this? If you watched the Rose Bowl, along with a number of Oregon games in recent memory, you’ve seen a defense capable of being had. Sure, they have moments of stability and at times can limit production, but they’re nearly always undersized and often lack the ability to create pressure without simultaneously creating vulnerability. Why? Primarily due to personnel.
Oregon – while athletic – lacks the type of athlete on the defensive line to pressure the quarterback and/or stop the run without help from the secondary via either the blitz or crowding the box. That player, the guy who has size and athleticism is the difference between them playing consistent defense, and being forced into a style geared more towards limiting points, opposed to preventing them altogether. They need “that guy,” unfortunately “that guy” is not only difficult to find, but even more difficult to wrestle from the grips of the nation’s elite programs. USC can get ‘em, Texas and Oklahoma can get ‘em, and the upper-tier of the SEC can get ‘em seemingly at will, but the Ducks – while able to get in the door of said recruit – continue to have said player slip through their fingers, year in and year out.
Another area of concern – while not a huge issue – is consistent production from the quarterback position. I like Darron Thomas and he brings more to the table than he lacks, but his inaccuracy coupled with his inability to threaten the defense running the ball prohibits the Ducks from maximizing the potential of the Chip Kelly system. Yes, I’m splitting hairs a bit here, but in close games and against worthy opponents the likes of LSU, Auburn and USC in a given year, Oregon needs the capability to overcome an opposing defense’s ability to shut down the Duck running game. Auburn and LSU both stifled Oregon’s running game and due to such dared Thomas to beat them with either his arm or via the quarterback keep. He couldn’t stretch the field, nor could he provide a legitimate threat on the zone read, leaving the offense to play with essentially one leg chopped from beneath it. Yes, half of this problem could be remedied with a faster, more explosive corps of receivers, but more accurate and athletic play from the signal-caller would certainly aid in the process.
Speaking of receivers; Oregon needs them. It’s hard to believe the Ducks finished 12-2 and were crowned Rose Bowl Champions with the group of receivers they lined-up with. Lavasier Tuinei was a possession receiver with size, Josh Huff is a running back playing out of position, and De’Anthony Thomas is an amazing athlete used to create mismatches through motion and formations, but none are textbook definitions of dynamic receivers. There are no Robert Woods’ or Justin Blackmon’s on this team. There aren’t any Nick Toon’s or Anthony Broyles on this team. And there aren’t even any Marcus Wheaton’s or Kasen Williams’ on this team. Yes, Rahsaan Vaughn will have a year of experience under his belt next season and redshirts the likes of Tacoi Sumler, Devon Blackmon and BJ Kelly will offer explosiveness as well, but until their potential translates to production on the field, we and the Oregon team will be left guessing as to when and if such explosiveness exists.
The Oregon Ducks are a heck of a football team, are building a heck of a football program, and are led by one heck of a football coach. They’ve won a Rose Bowl, narrowly lost out on a national championship, and positioned themselves amongst the elite of the college game in regards to perennial contenders, but they’re not there yet. They need a little better athlete upfront, a little more explosiveness on the outside, and a little better play from under center. With such their years can become more memorable, their wins can become bigger, and their endings can become even happier.
The bar’s been raised, so why not raise it even higher?
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