Vernon Adams has a broken finger.
Yes, by now you’ve heard the Oregon signal-caller broke his finger during week 1 versus Eastern Washington, and played with such during the Michigan State game last Saturday. But far more remarkable than the feat of playing against the 4th ranked team in the country with a compromised throwing hand, is the fact that the Oregon Ducks normally tight-lipped coaching staff were openly talking about it.
The question is: Why?
It’s been long known that injuries aren’t talked about in Eugene. Since Chip Kelly’s arrival more than 6 years ago, the Oregon football program has been a closed book. Practices are off-limits and potentially injured players are day-to-day.
That’s it.
End of story.
But Tuesday, “Fracture Gate” (Sorry, had to do it) hit the wire and all the relevant constituents were talking.
Were they making excuses? Possibly. Vernon Adams didn’t play his best game last week and missed on a couple critical throws late in the game which potentially could’ve changed the outcome. Due to such, he’s taken some heat in the media and amongst the fan base. Heat that could be minimalized by a “reason” a broken finger could provide.
Were they lobbying for a talking point come playoff time, providing justification for a loss versus a Michigan State team they could potentially be battling for a spot in this year’s postseason? Possibly again. After all, it was a 3-point game, on the road, in which they had opportunities to win. With a quarterback just weeks into a new system, and now with a broken index finger on his throwing hand. Such an argument has factored in years past, with Ohio State losing its opener with a freshman starter against Virginia Tech. And similar talk surrounding a potential loss for Florida State last season, when Jameis Winston sat out a game versus Clemson for disciplinary reasons.
Or, were they simply slightly opening a door to a program happily closed since the real winning started more than 6 seasons ago? Unlikely.
A betting man – which I am – would put his money somewhere wedged in between the first two of the aforementioned. I do think, while not excusing it, the coaching staff is trying to minimize the backlash from the obvious mistakes their quarterback made. In all honesty, Vernon didn’t play all that poorly. Yes, he appears a click slow with his progressions and is seemingly underthrowing his receivers to their detriment. And yes again, he missed infamously on a throw late that may have left Oregon victorious. But he’s still making plays, gave his team a chance to win in the end, and is doing so after just weeks in an unfamiliar system. He’s taken accountability for his mistakes, and I think his coaches understand that their success ultimately lies in his hands, and are protecting his psyche from the heightened level of microscope he never found himself under at Eastern Washington.
Having said that, I do also think the coaches are playing the propaganda game in an effort to best position themselves in a debate for playoff participation, if the remainder of their season allows for such consideration. Doing so is not only smart, but necessary in a game drenched with political shenanigans.
Oregon’s talking. Whether by design or by necessity, we know Vernon Adams has a broken finger. I wouldn’t get used to it, something tells me this will be the exception opposed to the rule which keeps most of us in the dark. But for now we know, for later it might just depend on what if anything is to be gained by letting us.
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