Lavasier Tuinei and David Paulson are delivering the Maehl in fall camp. Each have displayed the pass-catching ability and consistency to be a key part of the Oregon offense as the Ducks prepare to defend their two-time conference title. Both are catching nearly everything thrown to them, getting open, and making a strong effort every day. As two senior leaders they’re setting the tone in practice.
Each of them have the size and experience to be tough to cover, and they may become a one-two punch in the passing game to complement LaMichael James and Kenjon Barner running the football. Successful offenses need balance, and Paulson/Tuinei look ready to provide that. A pair of clutch possession receivers could really help the Ducks recover from an occasional negative play, be vital in converting those tough 2nd and 8 or more, third and five or more situations that can keep drives going or stall them. It also opens up things for Oregon’s deep threats, gives Darron Thomas a safety valve when he gets in trouble in the pocket, and frustrates opposing defenses as they try to gang up on the running game. Together they can replace a big chunk of the production Oregon got last season from departed seniors Jeff Maehl and Drew Davis.
Versus LSU, the Tigers have some inexperience at linebacker but a quick, physical defensive front. The short passing game becomes a very good way to counteract their strengths and exploit their weaknesses. In the first two weeks of fall practice, Tuinei’s broken open deep and made some acrobatic grabs both in 11-on-11 and in drills. Paulson, according to the Register-Guard’s Rob Moseley, “absolutely owned a period of 7-on-7, with a series of tough catches in traffic and long runs upfield.”
#80 Tuinei is 6-5, 216 this season, having gotten stronger in offseason workouts. Last year he caught 36 passes for 396 yards, despite missing a couple of games due to an injury at Cal. LT made a spectacular juggling grab in the National Championship Game, for 43 yards, coming within about a shoelace of scoring a touchdown. He’s a fierce blocker, which makes him a great example for Oregon’s promising crop of new receivers, and talks very frankly about embracing the leadership role:
Paulson is the poster child for well-rounded consistency as a student athlete, an Academic All-Conference selection who has already earned his business degree with a 3.6 grade average. Wearing #42, the 6-4, 241-lb. tight end could be one of the conference’s breakout players as a senior, after grabbing 24 balls for 418 yards last season and four touchdowns, a 17.4-yard average, tops on the team. Paulson made big plays all season for the Ducks. He rumbled 61 yards on one shoe versus Arizona State, caught a tying TD against Tennessee in a comeback win, torched UCLA for four tough catches for 62 yards and a touchdown, including a sliding grab in the back of the end zone and a spectacular one-handed catch in the red zone. He’s an NFL prospect, and the Ducks best tight end since Ed Dickson and Dante Rosario, making him part of a very select group.
The key with Paulson is getting him touches. He’s reliable, but Darron Thomas has to make finding him a priority, because his production in the middle opens up everything else in the passing game, forcing safeties and linebackers to account for him. Not blazing fast at 4.89 in the 40, Paulson manages to get open anyway. Many observers say he has the best hands on the team. Paulson is the ultimate role player, a guy who doesn’t need to be treated like a star to make a big impact. As a sophomore 11 of his 12 catches went for a first down, and 11 contributed to a Duck scoring drive. In that Rose Bowl season his 15.4 yard average led the team. In the 2010 regular season, 27 of his 33 catches resulted in a first down or touchdown, and he had a critical 33-yard catch and run in the fourth quarter of the Auburn game, on 3rd and 18 from the Oregon 8. Quarterbacks remember pass receivers who deliver like that in the clutch.
Both Tuinei and Paulson will draw on the experience of performing well in last season’s biggest game. Like the other Ducks, they’ll be motivated by coming up just short. Interestingly, the two were on opposite sides in the Spring Game, Tuinei for the victorious Green and Paulson for the White. Each led their respective squads in receptions. Expect the two to push each other all season in just that way.
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