In-Depth outlook on the season

[TriDuck]

QB: J. Masoli JR
N. Costa JR
D. Thomas SO (RS?)
D. Hawkins FR (RS?)
Season outlook: The duck's QB's this season are much better than last years group. One main reason is due to the fact that if (God forbid) Masoli goes down, Kelly does not need to change or tweak the playbook at all for the other QB's, since all four fit the exact mold of an ideal Chip Kelly spead offense QB. Both Costa and Thomas have shown through their samples of playing experience that they can be very efficient and that our offense won't darastically drop while they are in the game. As long as Masoli stays healthy and efficient and Costa can finnally keep healthy and show his merit as a backup, then Thomas and probably Hawkins can be reshirted.

RB: L. Blount SR
L. James rFR
A. Crenshaw SR
R. Alston JR
K. Barner rFR
Season outlook: Even as a Oregon homer, you must admit that it will be very difficult to get the same production out of our RB's that we enjoyed watching last year. JJ will most definately be missed; his talent, leadership, and experience was a very large part of our team's success last year, and will be near impossible to replace. However, with a 3-man backup rotation of James, Crenshaw, and Alston, our running game will still be very GOOD and still will be top 2 in the PAC. I am still somewhat skeptical of Blount's ability to have the same production as he did last year, while playing as the lead runningback for this team. The key to success for our runningbacks this season will be thier ability to stay healthy, which will not be easy due to the fact that both James and Alston have a history of major injuries.

WR: J. Holland JR
J. Maehl JR
D. Davis JR
T. Gaines JR
R. Cavaille SR
D. Jordan rFR
D. Jackson FR (RS?)
L. Tuinei SO (RS?)
G. Embry SO
B. Cantu FR
N. Cole FR (RS)
Season outlook: Our WR core is absolutely STACKED for this season. Filled with speed, height, and hands, this young group have a good chance to be the best group in the PAC if they show the willingness to block as we saw with last year's group.

TE: E. Dickson SR
M. Lewis JR
D. Paulson SO
Season outlook: This extremely athletic group will be utilized as much as possible by Chip this season. All three have shown to have everything you want from a TE in our system. We all know that Dickson is easially a top 5 TE in the nation, and that he can be moved around and used in SO MANY ways in our offense. As always, he won't dissapoint. We also know the amount of talent just oozing out of Lewis, and i think this is the year he finnaly puts it all togehter and has a breakout year. And from what we've heared about Paulson coming out of spring and fall practice, he will be a very servicable TE for us this season.

O-Line: LT: B. Thran JR, D. Weems SO, T. Fox FR (RS)
LG: C. York rFR, N. Cody rFR, J. Burrell FR (RS)
C: J. Holmes JR, M. Forer JR
RG: M. Asper SO, C. Carmichael SO, R. Golpashin SO
RT: C. Kaiser JR, N. Ward JR, E. Benyard FR (RS)
Season outlook: In what in my honest opinion(along with many other duck fans) is the biggest question mark and deciding factor of this team's success this season, this group of starters is still better than most of the teams in the PAC, despite all the negative attention they have gotten. The question is if they can remain healthy and gel quickly enough for our tough opening schedule. Both Thran and Kaiser(who are also our most experienced starters) are both recovering from major injuries and surgeries and keep on missing practices this fall as the season opener in Boise quickly approaches. If one or both of them are not 100% by then, then it is of major concern, and can they both remain healthy for the duration of the season? Only time will tell.

ROV: T. Jackson JR
M. Johnson SR
C. Peppars JR
Season outlook: A task that we as duck fans never envisioned must finnally happen: Replace Patrick Chung. Despite the fact of how hard it is to replace such a contributer in every aspect of the game, and his impeccable leadership qualities, the Rover position for this season will still see a good amount of production. Both Jackson and Johnson are experienced in the program, and each bring something different to the table. With Jackson recently being converted from CB, he will bring great athleticism to ROVER, while Johnson brings much phisicality that has helped him become a standout in special teams over the years. Whatever the result of who wins out the battle for starter, we know we'll be in good hands.

FS: T. Ward SR
J. Lewis SO
J. Boyett rFR
T. Jackson SR
Seson outlook: From what we all saw last year, we all know that TJ Ward is second to none when it comes to physicallity and hard-hitting. But he did have a weakness when it came to pass coverage. We will soon discover if he has really imroved in that aspect of his game. Both Lewis and Boyett will be great backups and keys in the nickle and dime packages, not to mention special team coverage.

CB: W. Thurmond SR
W. Glasper SR
A. Gildon SO
W. Wallace SO
S. Grady rFR
C. Harris FR (RS)
A. Patterson FR (RS)
B. Butterfield SO
Season outlook: Walter Thurmond lll has shown time and time again that he is capible of being one of the best CB's in the nation, and this is the year he steps out of Jairus Byrd's shadow and shows the nation that he is the best. However, he must stay healthy throughout the duration of this season in order for the pass defense to have any success. Glasper must also stay healthy, which has been a problem for him over the years; but if he can, he will get many opportunities to prove himself, as opposing QB's will throw to his side of the field the majority of the time in order to avoid Thurmond.

LB: SAM: E. Pleasant SO
J. Kaddu SO
R. Showalter SR
M. Clay FR (RS)
MIKE: C. Matthews JR
B. Littlejohn JR
K. Alonso rFR
B. Hanna SO
B. Lokombo FR (RS)
WILL: S. Paysinger JR
D. Stucky SO
Season outlook: Without question, this has got to be our strongest LB group in years. All starters have great amounts of experience and talent, and our backups will be able to contribute strong on special teams. As long as these guys just use their basic instincts and speed and don't get too wrapped up in our defensive system, they are easilly the best group in the PAC 10.

D-Line: LE: K. Rowe JR
T. Turner SO
K. Arden FR (RS)
DT: S. Toeaina SR
B. Bair JR
B. Ferras SR
T. Montgomerie JR
A. Iupati JR
K. Armstrong FR (RS)
W. Keliikipi FR (RS)
RE: W. Tukuafu SR
Z. Clark JR
T. Irvin JR
T. Hart FR (RS)
Season outlook: A group that has been massively underrated and overlooked. There is a lot more experience and depth that first meets the eye in this group that are newly coached by Jerry Azzinaro, who demands 100% effort and intensity from all his players. Although a bit undersized, this fits right into the schme of the new smaller but faster defensive philosiphy.

[UOducksTK1]

Wow awesome stuff, great read.

[SuperDuck]

Good job TriDuck!

[TriDuck]

Much appreciated guys... My special teams review should be coming shortly.

[VinnyKnuckles]

Well done TriDuck.