Top 5 Oregon Teams?
Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2015 11:17 pm
Rate what you think are the top 5 Oregon teams of all time. I'll start us off.
1. 2012: This team was loaded in every position, except for one, kicker, and unfortunately in a game where they needed that position to be at least halfway decent, Alejandro Maldonado let them down like he always did. But despite this team having the worst player to ever put on an Oregon jersey, they had loads of NFL talent. It all started at the QB in Freshman Mariota. Sure he wasn't as good as he was now, but he was still great, but he had a lot of support. He had reliable Barner, and DAT making plays everywhere he was on the field. Plus a very good OLine led by Kyle Long and Hroniss Grassu that protected him as he threw to a strong WR core in Huff, Addison, Lowe, and Hawkins. Meanwhile, the defense certainly didn't lack talent. The most important position on the defense, the LB position, was stacked with Dion Jordan, Kiko, Clay, and Lokombo. Behind them was Ifo, Terrance Mitchell, Dargan, Brian Jackson, and Avery Patterson. On the line stopping the run was Ricky Heimuli, Arik Armstead, Wade Keliikipi, DeForest Buckner, Isaac Remington, and Taylor Hart. Plus DAT was out there returning kicks and punts and taking them for a very long distance, I think that there is no doubt that this team, the 2012 Oregon team, was the best team in Oregon history. They would've beaten Bama that year, and they would've beaten Notre Dame in their sleep. if there was a playoffs that year, Oregon would've gotten in as the 4 seed behind ND< Bama, and Florida, I have no doubt they would've won the national championship.
2. 2010: Another loaded team, but this team is in my opinion the most mature team in Oregon history. This team let nothing phase them, and that was probably because they were led by the incredibly confident leaders in Darron Thomas and Cliff Harris. Plus add in LaMichael James and his heart and passion, along with Casey Matthews, this definitely arguably the best team in Oregon history, and I just have them slightly behind the 2012 team.
3. 2007: This was the saddest season in Oregon history probably. A promising team that was decimated by back luck and injuries. Led by what was going to be Oregon's first ever Heisman winner in Dennis Dixon, and Jonathan Stewart, this team was a very complete team, and didn't seem to lack in any area. They have had 18 players play in the NFL, and if you watch this team, it's easy to see why. A very great Oregon team, but unfortunately we were unable to see them on the biggest stage because of the insane amount of injuries that they suffered.
4. 2001: The first great year in Oregon history. Joey Harrington was an amazing leader and player, and there was no doubt about this team under his leadership. Plus, a DLine that was strong and stout that everyone thought would get beat up by the dominant OLine at Colorado, and sure enough the opposite happened. This team had quite a few players play in the NFL. This was another team that felt complete, but despite that, they seemed to have this problem with playing to their opponent's level, which caught up with them against Stanford. But you can't deny, this team was great and had a lot of talent.
5. 2014: Some may have this team higher, but I personally think this team had too many weakness. Yes, this had what I consider to be by far the best player in Oregon history and our first ever Heisman winner in the amazing and legendary Marcus Mariota, but he really didn't have much help. He played behind a solid OLine and two young RB's that had up and down years, but were no doubt very talented, with a young WR group that suffered some unfortunate late injuries and losses. But as you watch this offense and study them more, it's clear that the magic of Marcus Mariota made everyone play beyond their abilities. His brilliance, his genius ability to fool defenders got WR's open, and his ability to run made defense hesitant to attack him, as he could make miraculous escapes. This team had some solid defenders in the secondary and DLine, but they had a very weak LB group. While the coaches found ways to cover up the weakness of their LB's, they were unable to do that on the biggest stage when Ohio State found a way to exploit them. But because of Mariota, this is one of the best Oregon teams ever and they gave us a very exciting year. It really makes you respect Marcus Mariota even more when you see how far he led this team.
What are your top 5 Oregon teams?
1. 2012: This team was loaded in every position, except for one, kicker, and unfortunately in a game where they needed that position to be at least halfway decent, Alejandro Maldonado let them down like he always did. But despite this team having the worst player to ever put on an Oregon jersey, they had loads of NFL talent. It all started at the QB in Freshman Mariota. Sure he wasn't as good as he was now, but he was still great, but he had a lot of support. He had reliable Barner, and DAT making plays everywhere he was on the field. Plus a very good OLine led by Kyle Long and Hroniss Grassu that protected him as he threw to a strong WR core in Huff, Addison, Lowe, and Hawkins. Meanwhile, the defense certainly didn't lack talent. The most important position on the defense, the LB position, was stacked with Dion Jordan, Kiko, Clay, and Lokombo. Behind them was Ifo, Terrance Mitchell, Dargan, Brian Jackson, and Avery Patterson. On the line stopping the run was Ricky Heimuli, Arik Armstead, Wade Keliikipi, DeForest Buckner, Isaac Remington, and Taylor Hart. Plus DAT was out there returning kicks and punts and taking them for a very long distance, I think that there is no doubt that this team, the 2012 Oregon team, was the best team in Oregon history. They would've beaten Bama that year, and they would've beaten Notre Dame in their sleep. if there was a playoffs that year, Oregon would've gotten in as the 4 seed behind ND< Bama, and Florida, I have no doubt they would've won the national championship.
2. 2010: Another loaded team, but this team is in my opinion the most mature team in Oregon history. This team let nothing phase them, and that was probably because they were led by the incredibly confident leaders in Darron Thomas and Cliff Harris. Plus add in LaMichael James and his heart and passion, along with Casey Matthews, this definitely arguably the best team in Oregon history, and I just have them slightly behind the 2012 team.
3. 2007: This was the saddest season in Oregon history probably. A promising team that was decimated by back luck and injuries. Led by what was going to be Oregon's first ever Heisman winner in Dennis Dixon, and Jonathan Stewart, this team was a very complete team, and didn't seem to lack in any area. They have had 18 players play in the NFL, and if you watch this team, it's easy to see why. A very great Oregon team, but unfortunately we were unable to see them on the biggest stage because of the insane amount of injuries that they suffered.
4. 2001: The first great year in Oregon history. Joey Harrington was an amazing leader and player, and there was no doubt about this team under his leadership. Plus, a DLine that was strong and stout that everyone thought would get beat up by the dominant OLine at Colorado, and sure enough the opposite happened. This team had quite a few players play in the NFL. This was another team that felt complete, but despite that, they seemed to have this problem with playing to their opponent's level, which caught up with them against Stanford. But you can't deny, this team was great and had a lot of talent.
5. 2014: Some may have this team higher, but I personally think this team had too many weakness. Yes, this had what I consider to be by far the best player in Oregon history and our first ever Heisman winner in the amazing and legendary Marcus Mariota, but he really didn't have much help. He played behind a solid OLine and two young RB's that had up and down years, but were no doubt very talented, with a young WR group that suffered some unfortunate late injuries and losses. But as you watch this offense and study them more, it's clear that the magic of Marcus Mariota made everyone play beyond their abilities. His brilliance, his genius ability to fool defenders got WR's open, and his ability to run made defense hesitant to attack him, as he could make miraculous escapes. This team had some solid defenders in the secondary and DLine, but they had a very weak LB group. While the coaches found ways to cover up the weakness of their LB's, they were unable to do that on the biggest stage when Ohio State found a way to exploit them. But because of Mariota, this is one of the best Oregon teams ever and they gave us a very exciting year. It really makes you respect Marcus Mariota even more when you see how far he led this team.
What are your top 5 Oregon teams?