Who is the back up QB and why?

[SuperDuck]

Let's just all pray that Masoli doesn't go down.

[MFRDuckFan]

The significant difference when using patellar tendon as opposed to either a cadaver ligament, or one transferred from another portion of one's own body, is the patellar tendon has the ability to regrow, and repair itself.

Due to this, a patellar graft is considered a much stronger implant, with greater potentential for success.

What most don't tell you is the long term pain after the graft can be excruciating. I completely understand why they took this tendon vs. another cadaver, but the biggest concern is the bone structure holding that graft on. The original surgery wasn't up to par and I'm sure the base bone caused difficulties in subsequent surgeries. There are some new procedures out for regrowing ligaments, bone & cartiledge, so I'll bet they did a major rehaul of his knee on this last go around.

I agree that Costa needs to be the backup. He deserves his shot. I will be pulling for him every second. Do not expect Thomas to redshirt. Everyone needs to get over that. I do not see that happening. How can he redshirt? He needs to be right in step with the backup as we have all seen in the past how quickly our situation can change. We just don't have enough depth to redshirt him. That's just my opinion as I am not the coach, so we'll see how things go. I would love to have an extra year of eligibility, but I just don't see it working out.

[echo31]

Do not expect Thomas to redshirt. Everyone needs to get over that. I do not see that happening. How can he redshirt? He needs to be right in step with the backup as we have all seen in the past how quickly our situation can change. We just don't have enough depth to redshirt him. That's just my opinion as I am not the coach, so we'll see how things go. I would love to have an extra year of eligibility, but I just don't see it working out.

Well, the nice thing is that you don't technically use the redshirt option until after the season is over. If we can get through the season with Masoli and Costa and Thomas practices as if he could get called to duty at a moment's notice but never plays a single down in a game, then he gets to use his redshirt.

[woundedknees]

Similar to what the Ducks were attemptingto do in '07, was save Costa's redshir season... Had Nate been healthy when DD went down, the odds are that he would have burned his RS and stepped in.

Leaf was the designated backup, but had the season been on the line, as it was, and Costa had 2 sound knees, there is little doubt on who would have been called on when things went south.

The plan could be the same for DT this season. We will know when the time is ripe as a sweaty locker room.

[UOducksTK1]

Does anybody at all think DT shouldn't redshirt?

Anyone?

Anyone?

Buehler?

What happens if Costa or Masoli gets hurt. It'd be almost impossible to get by the season without playing DT.

DT playing will be inevitable IMO.

[uodux1212]

The only way he red shirts is if everything goes 100% perfect this season. Masoli starts and plays well in every game, Costa plays in mop up duty during blowouts, DT stays on the sideline (nice and safe). Any sort of deviation from that exact scenario and we'll see DT for sure...

GO DUCKS

[woundedknees]

Healthy QB for a whole season? Weirder things have happened... To everybody but the Ducks!

[gofightingducks]

Masoli's toughness combined with Chip's changes to the playbook to help prevent QB injuries should mean the Ducks have a healthy Masoli at QB the whole season........... unless Boise State or someone else cheap shots him long after he has gotten rid of the ball again.