Which Pac-10 players will step out of the shadows?

[woundedknees]

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/ncfnation/0- ... dows-.html

by ESPN.com's Ted Miller

We had no idea who Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli was at this time last year. Heck, he hadn't even signed, much less played for the Ducks.

Masoli didn't step out of the shadows, though. He was immaculately conceived.

(The Messiah of Montlake isn't even mentioned...)

FS T.J. Ward and DE Will Tukuafu: These two seniors played well last year but mostly in the shadows of rover Patrick Chung and DE Nick Reed. Ward led the Pac-10 in solo tackles (64) and is a lights-out hitter, while Tukuafu recorded 7.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for a loss (fifth most in the conference).

[UOducksTK1]

I don't think T.J. Ward is a 'step out of the shadows' player. Anyone who knows pac-10 football should know TJ by now. Especially Cal.

I'm still high on DJ Davis. I think he'll break out next year.

[duckscribe]

"Masoli didn't step out of the shadows, though. He was immaculately conceived."

Yep, Holy Masoli!

[duckfbfan15]

I THink Casey Matthews is really going to make a name for himself in the conference this year. I don't know if i would consider him steppingo ut of the shadows but I really do believe he will be a household name throughout the conference in 09

[landoquack]

TJ will light it up this year. His work ethic is outstanding!!

[briarduck]

TJ will light it up this year. His work ethic is outstanding!!

If TJ can get his coverage lapses down he is going to be one outstanding player for us!

My out of the shadows player is Anthony Gilden, I think he steps in for Bryd and plays excellent...he and WTIII are nice pair of fast shutdown CBs! My one question for Gilden is, is he a sure tackler? Because that is what we are really losing in Bryd!

GO DUCKS!!

[duckfan96]

I would have to say it will be LaMichael James. Of course he didnt play so I dont know if he was even in the shadows.

[dthomas=ddixon]

I would have to say it will be LaMichael James. Of course he didnt play so I dont know if he was even in the shadows.

That's a great pick. I definitely think him or one of our WRs like Davis & Holland will shine this year.

[GoDucksIn09]

I think going out on a limb here it might be if remember who am thinking of correctly.. Eddie Pleasant. Mike Bellotti was seeming impressed with him and think he may not be a starter at the start of season but might come out being a starter by end of season.

[rcook]

I think going out on a limb here it might be if remember who am thinking of correctly.. Eddie Pleasant. Mike Bellotti was seeming impressed with him and think he may not be a starter at the start of season but might come out being a starter by end of season.

This is correct ^^^^^^^^

Linebackers will be the strongest part of our defense next year.... A stark contrast to this past season. I suspect we alter our defensive scheme a bit to incorporate the massive amount of talented players we have at this position. I spefically think Pleasant showed he had the right idea of how to play the postion during his time on the field last year.

I am unsure whether anyone realizes what a valuable asset Byrd was as a tackler. The guy was incredible for a corner to be tackling as surely as he did. I think it is unrealistic to expect whoever replaces him to be as good or as physical in the open field.

Considering we have an entirely new and different defense next year, I would bet someone that has barely even crossed anyone's mind emerges unexpectedly. Masoli is a great example had this thread been started this time last year.

I am pretty sure we are going to be very good regardless. I expect the ducks to contend for the pac 10 title at the minimum. We have:

- Multiple legit QB's
- A good stable of running backs (assuming blount plays)
- Plenty of receivers on our roster (none named Williams) therefore they should at least catch the ball.
- A semi sketchy O-line, but not something I am overly concerned with or feel like we cannot work around to find a solution to make a good offense.
- A decent mix of Defensive Lineman (JC's and Semi-experienced others with some potential)
- A silly mix of linebackers that may be better as group than we have had in a long long time (If our receivers turn out to be a bit weak, don't be surprised if Spencer Paysinger get moved there, some of the recruiting buffs on the board may be aware he was recruited to be a receiver and was very good in high school)
- An easy 2 for 4 of our secondary being established and trustworthy + enough others to replace Byrd and Chung in a manner that will not cause our pass defense to be really stressed, especially with help from the linebackers. I do think it will be obvious how much those two players (chung and byrd) meant to our defense though, regardless of who replaces them.

All of this together is why I base my logic on the Ducks being a top Pac 10 team and a hopeful BCS contender...

/END RANT
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[dthomas=ddixon]

I was thinking about this a little more & my pick is Remene Alston. Last year before breaking his ankle Alston was the clear #3 & was actually getting some decent playing time. Which is pretty good when you have Blount & JJ ahead of you. Another thing is LaJames is out for Spring camp with a shoulder injury & if Alston's ankle is healed, he'll definitely get a chance to show himself worthy of the #2 spot.

I really think he could be the #2 guy behind Blount this year if BB goes elsewhere. Of course, I also think LaJames has just as good of a chance to do the same thing. Either way, whoever comes out on top will be that much better from having to really battle for the spot.

[goducks75]

depends on your definition of "shadow"

on a national scale, i'm going out on a limb and guessing paysinger (i feel like we're overdue for a dominating LB and if paysinger improves his numbers, i think he could be it despite his size). or for those on a national scale who were oblivious to the holiday bowl last year, i'd throw masoli or blount (assuming he gets reinstated) in the conversation. as good as they were there at the end, i think that they were pretty overshadowed (masoli was a new guy this year and all the QB focus was on guys like sanchez, tebow, bradford, harrell, mccoy, etc. but then again everyone was. as for blount, more people not in the pac-10 tended to focus more on JJ last year since he was the starter)

within the conference, i'll say lamichael james or remene alston depending on which one ends up being our #2 running back (most assume it will be james but i think whoever steps in will do fine). on defense i'd say casey matthews.

[RuhlandAsherBestEver]

It has to be Chris Harper. Chip has to find a way to get the ball
into his hands more often. He is a threat to score on any play. The
other person has to be Jamere Holland I think the talk late last
year motivated the young man.

[duckgrad99]

When I think of "stepping out of the shadows", I think of a player that has gotten little or no playing time, isn't really recognized and hasn't shown what he can do yet. Someone like a Gildon or even a Blake Cantu. We all know about guys like Ward and Harper.

[alabamaduck]

This article was written by a national writer...from a national standpoint stepping out of the shadows would be a guy who's relatively unknown nationally that should be a star next year. TJ Ward falls into that category, as do guys like Davis and Tukuafu. Ward is my pick...with all the games we've got televised next year sportscenter is going to love the hits he puts on people