If we don't sign a RB, then..............

[echo31]

Wasn't Lokombo a RB in high school?

[Tray Dub]

Wasn't Lokombo a RB in high school?

Played RB, WR, LB... Kid's just an athlete. He can also throw it a mile, if a case of the 2007 season were to strike again

[woundedknees]

Bolo is going to make other teams cry...

[desertfan]

I think Harper could see some time at the QB in a Wildcat formation next year, he is a perfect fit for a Wildcat QB.

[J-Boy]

I don't think we need a 'wildcat' formation. My understanding of the wildcat is that you have a running back type player take the snap and decide to keep, hand-off, or in rare cases pass. We already do that on every snap with Masoli, and he is a good passer.

[duck55]

How do you figure? Both positions at once has never been something ANY other player has done effectively or for that matter tried? Do you think there is a reason why they haven't? We may be innovative, but our plays our complex and one position is generally enough for any player, athletic or not.

Two words: Percy Harvin

And don't try to say Urban Meyer's offense isn't complex

It seems a fellow @ Oregon by the name of Bobby Moore did quite well doing both

[odux]

Lets not forget about Malachi Lewis. He was thought to be another option at Running Back when he signed with Oregon. Big, Strong, Fast, and great hand out of the backfield. He is even listed as a RB on the roster at goducks.com. The Ducks will have plenty of options next year at RB.
Blount, Crenshaw, Alston, James, Harper, Lewis.
Cant wait till next season!

[dgjducks]

Been thinking about this awhile, thought I'd post it on this thread

Chris Harper - Super Slot

In Chip Kelly’s offense of play fakes, motion, no huddle-shot gun, Harper is the perfect weapon, ( Chi Lewis coming the closet prior to Harper‘s arrival).! From the slot position and with his versatility, he can be moved to and succeed at any of the other “skill” positions, including quarterback.

To paraphrase Jim Rome “ more of Harper and less of everyone else is a good thing”. He’s dynamic and explosive and when Bellotti says, as a Freshman, that he was the best on the team with the ball in his hands, that’s high praise. I expect him to replace Maheal as 1st string slot, perhaps pushing Maheal out wide.

Lets say at the start of a play Harper shifts to the backfield. While his running skills we’ve all witnessed ( the Oregon Wild Duck), it’s his blocking that is also exciting. He’d be like fullback leading Masoli, Blount, James or whoever on sweeps or punches through the hole. Would there be a better blocking back on the team during max-protection plays? When Thomas is in at quarterback and Harper’s shoulder is healed, I could see Harper back to 70% passing completion on little dinks and screens like he threw in high school., particularly throwing to Thomas.

At the slot he would be a nightmare for opposing safeties. His size, speed and his ability to break tackles would make every 5-10 YD pass a potential touchdown. Also probably a great blocker at this position on running plays.

He could move in tight for 2 tight end sets. Here Harper might at times be a bit over matched in blocking assignments, but he’s such an athlete I would not bet against him. However, no linebacker will be able to keep up with him, and as mentioned before he is a mismatch for most safeties, (Taylor Mays excluded)

Harper could be motioned out wide where his hands, speed, and quarterback perspective, (read blitzes), would allow him to excel. But saying this, WR seems like his least comfortable position. He gallops like a horse instead of the normal sprinter-like strides one sees in big wide outs. It’s his blocking at this position however (like Jason Williams did) that could be instrumental in leading Oregon to such gaudy rushing totals again.

synopsis. At slot, Harper will be best utilized and touch the ball the most. That’s why I haven’t been overly concerned this year about WR recruiting. Maybe WR recruits see Harper and think, “I’ll never touch the ball”. There’s only one football , so as far as I’m concerned, I hope it is in Harper’s hands as much as possible. Just an over-geeked Oregon Duck fan’s view.

[ducksvb6]

Did I miss something...what formation were we running this year when Rope and Masoli were out in the Boise game? Harper ran or handed off with few passes attempts. It sure looke like a Wildcat formation

[sickaduck]

I don't think we need a 'wildcat' formation. My understanding of the wildcat is that you have a running back type player take the snap and decide to keep, hand-off, or in rare cases pass. We already do that on every snap with Masoli, and he is a good passer.

That is exactly what I was thinking. Teams will typically use that formation when they want to gain an advantage by having a really good runner in the QB slot and giving themselves an extra man to block. We already have the really good runner back there in Masoli, with everyone in their normal positions. WildDUCK = 100% of the snaps.

[briarduck]

Been thinking about this awhile, thought I'd post it on this thread

Chris Harper - Super Slot

In Chip Kelly’s offense of play fakes, motion, no huddle-shot gun, Harper is the perfect weapon, ( Chi Lewis coming the closet prior to Harper‘s arrival).! From the slot position and with his versatility, he can be moved to and succeed at any of the other “skill” positions, including quarterback.

To paraphrase Jim Rome “ more of Harper and less of everyone else is a good thing”. He’s dynamic and explosive and when Bellotti says, as a Freshman, that he was the best on the team with the ball in his hands, that’s high praise. I expect him to replace Maheal as 1st string slot, perhaps pushing Maheal out wide.

Lets say at the start of a play Harper shifts to the backfield. While his running skills we’ve all witnessed ( the Oregon Wild Duck), it’s his blocking that is also exciting. He’d be like fullback leading Masoli, Blount, James or whoever on sweeps or punches through the hole. Would there be a better blocking back on the team during max-protection plays? When Thomas is in at quarterback and Harper’s shoulder is healed, I could see Harper back to 70% passing completion on little dinks and screens like he threw in high school., particularly throwing to Thomas.

At the slot he would be a nightmare for opposing safeties. His size, speed and his ability to break tackles would make every 5-10 YD pass a potential touchdown. Also probably a great blocker at this position on running plays.

He could move in tight for 2 tight end sets. Here Harper might at times be a bit over matched in blocking assignments, but he’s such an athlete I would not bet against him. However, no linebacker will be able to keep up with him, and as mentioned before he is a mismatch for most safeties, (Taylor Mays excluded)

Harper could be motioned out wide where his hands, speed, and quarterback perspective, (read blitzes), would allow him to excel. But saying this, WR seems like his least comfortable position. He gallops like a horse instead of the normal sprinter-like strides one sees in big wide outs. It’s his blocking at this position however (like Jason Williams did) that could be instrumental in leading Oregon to such gaudy rushing totals again.

synopsis. At slot, Harper will be best utilized and touch the ball the most. That’s why I haven’t been overly concerned this year about WR recruiting. Maybe WR recruits see Harper and think, “I’ll never touch the ball”. There’s only one football , so as far as I’m concerned, I hope it is in Harper’s hands as much as possible. Just an over-geeked Oregon Duck fan’s view.

I agree 100% this guy needs the ball in his hands as much as possible and BTW way if it works I'd love to see JM back in the secondary where I think he was better utilized unless all these other WRs turn out to be horrible! I remember the praise Chung and other were giving him in the secondary as a FR...

We will see soon enough whats happen with these guys.

GO DUCKS!!