I don't know...

[nogerO]

because I'm so far away from the team, but it just seems to me like this whole team has a special chemistry. Perceptive or wishful thinking? You thoughts appreciated greatly.

[duckfan2121]

You would be right thinking that this team has a special chemistry right now, it does. I have not seen a year where we have gelled together like this as a team. The young ones are getting help from the upper classmen, and I believe on every players mind they are thinking "championship". Very upbeat and hard working practices..... this team is heading for something special.

[GoDucksIn09]

I think its a bit early to guess about the chemistry. Its summer and they have not played anyone. They have not faced any adversity yet this year. I do think so far they seem to be extremely focused and reminds me a lot of 2001. What happens in the year we will have to wait and see. Ask me at the end of September about their chemistry. We have a really young offensive line. That needs to gel and not be a weakness.

[Phenom]

Leadership worries me...a lot.

[monster]

Masoli and Thurmond seemed primed for leadership roles. Both are big-time players with great charisma!

[duckgrad99]

I think it's more excitement that the season is almost here than anything else. It's hard to measure chemistry without playing a game. There are new coaches and a fair share of new players this year. 1 step at a time!!!!!

[UOducksTK1]

SENIOR Leadership worries me...a lot.

Not as many 4 year starters or big time seniors this season especially compared to last year.

If some of the younger guys can step up, I believe this will be a special season.

[Oregonian]

SENIOR Leadership worries me...a lot.

Not as many 4 year starters or big time seniors this season especially compared to last year.

If some of the younger guys can step up, I believe this will be a special season.

The thing about this year is just about every position group has at least one guy in it who has paid their dues or made a big impact as a leader on the field or off.

QB: Masoli/Costa
RB: Blount/Crenshaw
TE: Dickson
WR: Maehl, Davis, Holland
OL: Kaiser, Thran
DL: Tukuafu
LB: Matthews, Paysinger
S: Ward
CB: Thurmond III

Last year, some of our positions were ridiculously green coming into the season and they ended up running finishing the season as our strengths (Quarterback, Linebacker). This year, every position has a player the other guys can look to that's been out there and hammered it out, which I think means a lot.

[Phenom]

Just because they're older doesn't mean they're leaders, though.

[UOducksTK1]

Just because they're older doesn't mean they're leaders, though.

No, but generally it means more experience. Not to mention, the core of seniors we had last year was an incredibly special group.

[blackjack17]

SENIOR Leadership worries me...a lot.

Not as many 4 year starters or big time seniors this season especially compared to last year.

If some of the younger guys can step up, I believe this will be a special season.

The thing about this year is just about every position group has at least one guy in it who has paid their dues or made a big impact as a leader on the field or off.

QB: Masoli/Costa
RB: Blount/Crenshaw
TE: Dickson
WR: Maehl, Davis, Holland
OL: Kaiser, Thran
DL: Tukuafu
LB: Matthews, Paysinger
S: Ward
CB: Thurmond III

Last year, some of our positions were ridiculously green coming into the season and they ended up running finishing the season as our strengths (Quarterback, Linebacker). This year, every position has a player the other guys can look to that's been out there and hammered it out, which I think means a lot.

I'm not sure ANY of those WRs or LBs are leaders. I have hope for Mathews but the rest need to step up and incourage their position to step up.