Is Dante Finished At Oregon?

[SuperDuck]

It seems like a silly question because of how passionate and committed he's been to the program, but it may not be far fetched.

He came back this year to try to win a national championship, but now that the odds are very slim of even making the playoffs, should he keep playing and risk another injury?

Personally, I think he should sit. He has much less to gain and so much to lose by playing.

I'm not sure Dylan Raiola is the answer either. He played well against a porous USC defense, but was visibly shaken yesterday before being pulled.

I still think we're suffering from the "Indiana effect". Teams have studied the film from the two games we played last year and found different ways to get to our QBs. This is on our OL and DC. I don't see Indiana dominating other teams they way they did against us. The Curt Cignetti game plan has proven to be very effective, and until the Ducks can find a way to counter that, they'll likely continue to see teams (who have the talent) try to exploit us.

The question is, "where do we go from here" at QB? Raiola is by far more talented than Thomas, but is he the long term solution? Should the Ducks look at their younger players and start grooming an heir apparent instead of planning on Raiolo next year? At the least, I now expect Lanning to scan the portal for another proven QB. Possibly bring in a new OC who coached a proven QB that still has eligibility remaining. Ala' Okie State.

Part of me hopes that Dante returns, but that's just me being selfish. I want the kid to do what's best for him.

That said, we still have some very challenging games remaining. 5-1 Nebraska next week, Michigan, Ohio State, UW, Minnesota, etc. UW will be up to play us and Kyle Whittingham at Michigan has plenty of experience facing Oregon from his Utah days.

Whatever happens, it's such a shame. On paper, we had the talent to make a run, but instead it's been an unexpected struggle.

I know it's not the same situation, but it almost feels a bit like the year when the Oregon Women's Basketball team was loaded with Sabrina, etc, but the season was canceled due to covid.

If it makes anyone else feel better, we're not the only ones in this position. Look at two loss LSU and Florida, Multiple loss Texas A&M and more who have all had to temper their expectations for their season, as well.

I'll say this, no matter what happens, I'm a 100% Oregon Duck fan through thick and thin, win or lose. Oh, and anyone who wants Dan Lanning gone, the guy who's taken the program to an undefeated conference championship in their first year in the conference and a national quarterfinal appearance, as well as a national semifinal appearance just last year, are freaking nuts!!! (See Penn State)

All that said...Go Ducks!!!

Thoughts about the original topic?

[wepto]

If Raiola had played better, team would've been more careful with Dante health.

Reality is, Dante lost the starting job when Raiola outplayed him in the USC game.

Now that Raiola self destructed in spectacular fashion. Dante will be medically cleared.

Program runs on super fake PR BS.

[OregonFan4Life]

I have an indirect connection to Dante’s family, they’re wonderful people, I never meant Dante personally but I have a family member that is coworkers with one of Dante’s family members, and speaks so highly of that family. Honestly, as a duck fan that tries to be reasonable, I truly think Dante shouldn’t play another game at Oregon, certainly not with this disaster of an OLine. For Dante’s sake, I hope her never plays at Oregon again.


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[dthomas=ddixon]

Dante would be totally justified in taking extended time off, IMO. In MMA when a fighter gets knocked out like that they often don’t even spar for 6+ months because of how susceptible they are to being knocked out during that period, even after they’re medically cleared.

I would be concerned for Moore’s brain if he played again this year.

[QuackininBama]

My opinion is just that, my opinion, but does anyone think Dante is still rated as high as he was last year after this years showing? I mean, in regards to the NFL draft. He played scared when he was out there. He was hesitant, made poor reads, could not put the team on his shoulders, in my opinion he's a late first or second round pick. The last time I saw him play a great game was Penn State, he's looked average at best since that game. Sure, he can sit out, but I think his draft stock would plummet. Thinking along the lines of the NFL, you get rocked by a dirty hit and............take the entire year off? You're not gonna have a job. It is what it is.
He has a chance to suit up next week, put the team on his shoulders and win ball games, that's what winners do. You call the entire year a wrap, wow, that is not what leaders do.

[pezsez1]

There's no way he's done. Ducks still make the playoff if they win out. Now, will that happen? No. But it's still technically possible so he won't sit.

[Phalanx]

At this point, the best thing for the Ducks is if Dante snaps back and starts winning. Actually, I kind of feel sorry for Raiola - he came here to sit out a year and learn the craft and instead his profile actually is taking a hit. If he wanted to look like a schmuck, he could have stayed at Nebraska. Oregon is supposed to be QBU, and here these guys are getting exposed by a bad O-line. There is no way Dante's draft position is as promising as last year.

Also, am i imagining things or does it seem like Oregon opponents are taking cheap shots trying to injure our quarterback? The UCLA defender hit Raiola way after he threw the ball and he only got hit with the standard 15-yard penalty, which is totally worth it if our guy can't play anymore, or if he is now scared to play or even injured. It wasn't sitting too well with me a game after they did the same thing to Dante and gave him a concussion. It would be nice to hear something from the conference about this instead of the 'oopsie, we spotted on the ball wrong on the most crucial play of the game' statement.

[SuperDuck]

My opinion is just that, my opinion, but does anyone think Dante is still rated as high as he was last year after this years showing? I mean, in regards to the NFL draft. He played scared when he was out there. He was hesitant, made poor reads, could not put the team on his shoulders, in my opinion he's a late first or second round pick. The last time I saw him play a great game was Penn State, he's looked average at best since that game. Sure, he can sit out, but I think his draft stock would plummet. Thinking along the lines of the NFL, you get rocked by a dirty hit and............take the entire year off? You're not gonna have a job. It is what it is.

I agree with this to an extent. ^^^^

He could drop several spots with Trinidad Chambliss looking all world, as well as Drew Mestamaker, Darian Mensah and possibly, CJ Carr coming out. Of course, there's also Arch Manning, but I think he's going to spiral, too.

I understand the circumstances, which is why I started the thread, but it also occurred to me that one of the reasons Dante came back was because he only had 15 starts under his belt and didn't think he was quite ready for the NFL yet. Unfortunately, he hasn't had the chance to pad that number. You can throw out the Portland State, USC AND Okie State since they were telegraphing our offensive signals.

First and foremost, I want the kid to be healthy. That said, if he's willing (and able), it wouldn't hurt him to make it back for a few more games. It might stabilize his draft status.

One more loss and the playoffs are almost certainly no longer an option, but if he came back, winning out now looks very possible, with Julian Sayin out for several weeks at Ohio State.

I sure wish I knew what he was thinking about things. He may be looking at it from the perspective of not getting drafted by an awful team. If he gets drafted by a mid-to good team he could just sit on the bench and learn for 1-2 years.

Anyone "in the know"?

[duckpoint]

My way too early (week after USC game +/-) was that Dante would start the second half vs. Northwestern if the game was in hand. That prediction was based on a concussion recovery time well above the average and assumed that Raiola would continue to perform like he did in relief vs USC. Now I think that Dante will be cleared and get the start vs Northwestern. Now that the OC has been fired and the sub par performance of the O line, It's difficult to judge any of the QB's performances other than they could not carry the teams through those deficiencies.

[pezsez1]

At this point I won't be upset at all if Dante doesn't come back. He probably SHOULDN'T come back. He returned to play for a title, and that dream is long gone. He would be wise to prepare himself for the draft and to be fully healthy.

But if he DID return? Then that would say an awful lot about Dante Moore's character.

[rockthief]

Will he be paid NIL $ if he does not play?

[squintsdd]

Will he be paid NIL $ if he does not play?

If he injured I imagine he will, but if he willfully sitting out to get ready for the draft I would think there's something written into the contract to withhold his NIL money.

[duckpoint]

At this point I won't be upset at all if Dante doesn't come back. He probably SHOULDN'T come back. He returned to play for a title, and that dream is long gone. He would be wise to prepare himself for the draft and to be fully healthy.

But if he DID return? Then that would say an awful lot about Dante Moore's character.

I get the argument you are making, but I think Dante is in a position that playing gives him a chance to improve or reestablish his draft stock. Also, in this NIL era, players need to be accountable to the team and play if they are needed assuming they are healthy and cleared to play. The fact that the natty is out of reach should not justify riding pine the rest of the season to save themselves for the NFL. This gets into the continued gray area of the NIL era and undefined obligations to the team that need to be defined.

[Everythingsducky]

He could probably just quit, and leave school.

[pezsez1]

I get the argument you are making, but I think Dante is in a position that playing gives him a chance to improve or reestablish his draft stock.

I guess it just depends then what his contract says. I don't think he'll gain much by coming back here and playing meaningless games behind an underperforming O-line. In fact, if he did want to bolster his draft stock, I'd almost expect him to transfer and play someplace else next season. Is our line next year going to be any good? Seems like next season could be a bit rougher than we all thought it might be.