Harper's decision

[Phenom]

Who cares?

and yes to answer your question Harper was overhyped by most Oregon fans. He was not Darren McFadden or Tim Tebow, could he be, maybe, but he wasn't there yet.

That's complete b.s. If he was still here, you or others would be saying how special he was going to be. I cannot stand when people try to rationalize a loss by saying "he wasn't that good anyway".

Dude, you're overrating him. Heisman potential my ass. Sure he's athletic but he just looks way too stiff when he's playing. It doesn't seem natural. Would I have liked him to stay here and possibly develop...of course! But he's nowhere near Heisman level. Those guys are football players before they are athletes.

[UOducksTK1]

Agreed for the most part. I do think we'll be able to explain just three transfers, especially when one kid's dad got fired, another said he's homesick, and the last is a D1 starter who was relegated to backup for the rest of his career. I do think the hype surrounding him was always waaaayyyyy overblown. It really sucks he's not gonna be here, but we do have some WR depth (although very very inexperienced) and I think we'll be okay at RB, with Barner showing some potential there this spring. This isn't the kind of loss that will likely change our number of wins by the end of the year.

Why do you think he was over hyped? IMO other than the playing QB in the Boise State game, he's been pretty impressive when he's been on the field. Keep in mind, he's only a freshman! He had so much potential to be a big time threat for us.

What's funny is now that we lost Harper, it feels like we need to add a big RB, another QB, and another WR. He was so versatile and talented that he made a big impact merely as a freshman.

Good luck to Harper. I still feel he's making a bad decision.

[Phenom]

If Harper was a viable RB option he would've been moved there already. He doesn't have the fluidity to play there. I think he could've developed into a fairly solid WR, but oh well he didn't want to be here...move on.

[Tray Dub]

Agreed for the most part. I do think we'll be able to explain just three transfers, especially when one kid's dad got fired, another said he's homesick, and the last is a D1 starter who was relegated to backup for the rest of his career. I do think the hype surrounding him was always waaaayyyyy overblown. It really sucks he's not gonna be here, but we do have some WR depth (although very very inexperienced) and I think we'll be okay at RB, with Barner showing some potential there this spring. This isn't the kind of loss that will likely change our number of wins by the end of the year.

Why do you think he was over hyped? IMO other than the playing QB in the Boise State game, he's been pretty impressive when he's been on the field. Keep in mind, he's only a freshman! He had so much potential to be a big time threat for us.

What's funny is now that we lost Harper, it feels like we need to add a big RB, another QB, and another WR. He was so versatile and talented that he made a big impact merely as a freshman.

Good luck to Harper. I still feel he's making a bad decision.

Like I said, it is a very bad loss, because he WAS a good player with potential for greatness. I'm talking about the "best playmaker at Oregon ever" hype. I think that was ridiculous. We aren't losing a Heisman candidate, we're losing a player with pretty big potential that hadn't yet contributed. That's why I say he was overhyped. He had yet to do anything and had yet to show that he was capable of being a superstar.

[UOducksTK1]

Agreed for the most part. I do think we'll be able to explain just three transfers, especially when one kid's dad got fired, another said he's homesick, and the last is a D1 starter who was relegated to backup for the rest of his career. I do think the hype surrounding him was always waaaayyyyy overblown. It really sucks he's not gonna be here, but we do have some WR depth (although very very inexperienced) and I think we'll be okay at RB, with Barner showing some potential there this spring. This isn't the kind of loss that will likely change our number of wins by the end of the year.

Why do you think he was over hyped? IMO other than the playing QB in the Boise State game, he's been pretty impressive when he's been on the field. Keep in mind, he's only a freshman! He had so much potential to be a big time threat for us.

What's funny is now that we lost Harper, it feels like we need to add a big RB, another QB, and another WR. He was so versatile and talented that he made a big impact merely as a freshman.

Good luck to Harper. I still feel he's making a bad decision.

Like I said, it is a very bad loss, because he WAS a good player with potential for greatness. I'm talking about the "best playmaker at Oregon ever" hype. I think that was ridiculous. We aren't losing a Heisman candidate, we're losing a player with pretty big potential that hadn't yet contributed. That's why I say he was overhyped. He had yet to do anything and had yet to show that he was capable of being a superstar.

I just feel like this is a big step back. We were so excited when we landed Harper, and sure he hasn't lived up to the hype yet, but he's a true freshman! A pretty big blow. How often to you get an explosive offensive player like Harper to contribute as a freshman? Very very rare.

[duck55]

Looks like 7% of the poll got this right
http://www.ducksattack.com/forum/viewto ... ?f=5&t=939

[briarduck]

Agreed for the most part. I do think we'll be able to explain just three transfers, especially when one kid's dad got fired, another said he's homesick, and the last is a D1 starter who was relegated to backup for the rest of his career. I do think the hype surrounding him was always waaaayyyyy overblown. It really sucks he's not gonna be here, but we do have some WR depth (although very very inexperienced) and I think we'll be okay at RB, with Barner showing some potential there this spring. This isn't the kind of loss that will likely change our number of wins by the end of the year.

Just because he is no longer a duck, doesn't mean you can now call him overrated. That's ridiculous. He was the player everyone here wanted to see all over the field.

I agree with both of you...there are good reasons for these transfers and NO Harper was not overrated, he was a special player! But on the bright side none of these guys were starters, minus Pflugrad and Tony C...

GO DUCKS!!

[goducks75]

Agreed for the most part. I do think we'll be able to explain just three transfers, especially when one kid's dad got fired, another said he's homesick, and the last is a D1 starter who was relegated to backup for the rest of his career. I do think the hype surrounding him was always waaaayyyyy overblown. It really sucks he's not gonna be here, but we do have some WR depth (although very very inexperienced) and I think we'll be okay at RB, with Barner showing some potential there this spring. This isn't the kind of loss that will likely change our number of wins by the end of the year.

Just because he is no longer a duck, doesn't mean you can now call him overrated. That's ridiculous. He was the player everyone here wanted to see all over the field.

We're in America. People our entitled to their own opinions. That includes saying Chris Harper is an overrated football player. Last I checked free speech is still allowed in this country. I don't particularly agree with the person (I thought Harper had too much upside as an athlete to not become something special), but they are allowed to have a different opinion.

[blackjack17]

Chris Harper is an incredible athlete, yet he was a terrible passer for our system, not a legit RB, and a mediocre WR prospect. After i saw him play at QB i realized he'd never be a star a UO. If he wants to go to KSU and try out at QB ( which i still think is his number 1 option) then good luck Chris. You were a very popular player here in the Eug, but do what you must.

[jhopduck]

Bad decision to transfer to a lesser school(with regards to football performance), I hyped him but in retrospect I noticed his demeanor on the sidelines in the CW and Holiday Bowl and think to myself how didn't I see the signs. He showed flashes of brilliance, (not at QB), but also took a lot of plays off, or entire games off. Now true he is a freshman, but as mentioned if he is not here to give his heart and soul just like the other members of the team, then weed them out. I personally would rather Pflugrad stay than Harper for that reason.

[Destroyer77]

I was worried about him after watching the sping game. He just seemed to be depressed the whole time, kind of moping around and not trying too terribly hard. If being in Eugene is too hard on him, it's probably best that he head home. He's not a D1 QB, but he is a hell of an athlete and would have been special here at slot WR had he tried hard and had the attitude to do so.