If we don't sign a RB, then..............

[duckgrad99]

Good points guys, but remember this: Blount didn't have div 1 experience before last season and look what he did. You can't be afraid to use a player just because he is a freshman or doesn't have experience. Obviously James has to be healthy and look good, but I think he can step in and do good things immediately.

[MacDuck]

Good points guys, but remember this: Blount didn't have div 1 experience before last season and look what he did. You can't be afraid to use a player just because he is a freshman or doesn't have experience. Obviously James has to be healthy and look good, but I think he can step in and do good things immediately.

Nobody is saying James shouldn't be used or won't be good. Most agree he'll get his chances and likely be alright. The point here is BB isn't likely coming here and after LGB, we don't have another big back in our stable if CH is kept at WR. Sure we'll bring in a stud, bigger back, along with Grant for 2010, but you need to address this for next season and not depend on what may happen with '10 recruits. What do we have to lose by seeing what CH can do running the ball? Has he shown any great potential as a receiver that we can't afford to move him to a position of at least equal need? IMO he hasn't.

I know some could say then why wasn't he moved to RB for this season? We had 2 very good backs and they knew this before the season started because of what LGB did in the Spring. That answer is easy. He was forced onto the field early at QB due to injuries. Once Masoli proved he was the man then CH had to play somewhere because he had burned his RS. Slot WR was the immediate spot that seemed to make the most sense as we had JJ & LGB - we didn't need another RB. But we do need another big back next season - even with Blount here - because he's a SR. Harper is a dynamite RUNNER, much more than a dynamite receiver.

[Spartan54]

Im excited for Lamichael James don't get me wrong but why does everyone think he is gonna jump andre crenshaw who will be a proven talent and also a senior

[duxball]

i think mops banner of "evolution of the running back" fits this scenario perfectly. In our past guys like Alston and Crenshaw would certainly be borderline starters and probably have pretty good success. Then came JStew and JJ a coulpe years here and we knew they were Nfl locks. last year Blount in limited action set the season record for tds.

We get a guy like LMJ and can afford to redshirt him knowing full well this kid is legit and will be a major player for us in the future. Keep in mind we have an all world athlete in Chris Harper who could very easily be the best combination of size, speed, strength and vision we have ever had. I say this as a huge huge fan of JStew, JJ and Blount. Overall I am pretty confident that Alston could be a really good player for us but i dont think he gets that chance. Our program has grown that much. We are becoming running back U and i love it and the fat kids livin the dream who open up the holes for our stud backs.

Quick questions What was LMJ's weight at and do we think he will be close to a 200 lb back before to long? Also How many schools have ever had 3 1000 yard rushers in the same season? Cause I think we will do it next year.

[UofDuck]

Harper is the kind of talent that at RB in our system could honestly become a Heisman candidate. Not sure that would happen for him at WR. slot, hybred...etc. And I would hate to see his talent just melted in to 3 or 4 positions. Sure some would say, but is putting him soley at RB the best thing for the team? My answer is, YES if he becomes a human highlight regular on ESPN, and racks up huge yards which gets us more screen time, then Oregon's program is in every 17 year old's family room every week and maybe even a 17 story banner in NY

[ducksin2010]

i think mops banner of "evolution of the running back" fits this scenario perfectly. In our past guys like Alston and Crenshaw would certainly be borderline starters and probably have pretty good success. Then came JStew and JJ a coulpe years here and we knew they were Nfl locks. last year Blount in limited action set the season record for tds.

We get a guy like LMJ and can afford to redshirt him knowing full well this kid is legit and will be a major player for us in the future. Keep in mind we have an all world athlete in Chris Harper who could very easily be the best combination of size, speed, strength and vision we have ever had. I say this as a huge huge fan of JStew, JJ and Blount. Overall I am pretty confident that Alston could be a really good player for us but i dont think he gets that chance. Our program has grown that much. We are becoming running back U and i love it and the fat kids livin the dream who open up the holes for our stud backs.

Quick questions What was LMJ's weight at and do we think he will be close to a 200 lb back before to long? Also How many schools have ever had 3 1000 yard rushers in the same season? Cause I think we will do it next year.

You can't call us the running back []_[] yet... We have had running backs with great stats the last couple of years, but we still don't have the ability to get any kid we want to come run the ball for us. Despite the lack of stats I think USC is still running back []_[] no doubt.

[rcook]

Common sense is the optimal way to view this:

It is fair to say that we have ESTABLISHED that Harper is a very talented athlete and we would like him to be involved in our offense in whatever way he can contribute the maximum of his capacity. The coaches (who happen to make those decisions, logically) will do whatever they see fit to ensure whoever gives us the best chance to win is on the field.

I have faith that this will not become a particularly difficult problem to solve. If we need him to play RB, and he can play it better than our alternatives, then he will probably play there right?

If WR is a better position for him based on the coaches perspective, then well... he winds up playing there.

This positional outcome is nothing to worry about or be concerned with... getting our best players on the field is probably the easiest piece of the puzzle.

[ARGHimaPirate]

I say we play Harper at WR and RB and call it a day. He is dangerous with the ball in his hands and should be on the field for every offensive snap. Playing both positions seems like the logical answers to me.

[rcook]

How do you figure? Both positions at once has never been something ANY other player has done effectively or for that matter tried? Do you think there is a reason why they haven't? We may be innovative, but our plays our complex and one position is generally enough for any player, athletic or not.

I have faith he will play anywhere that he is most effective per the coaches perspective...

OBV?

Also: I have had a few drinks, I hate mis-spelling or grammar errors in general, but positive I will make a few or more in the next 5 mins or so...


GOGOGOGOOGOOGOOOOOOOO Ducks

[ARGHimaPirate]

The duck offense often has a RB or reciever motion into the backfield. So obviously he can line up as a WR and motion to the RB position in a 1 RB set or a 5 wide set. I dont get why Harper cant play RB and WR? He has the skill set to play both. Blount is going to get the vast majority of the carries. LMJ is going to get a number of carries along with Crenshaw/Alston. Whats the point of wasting a year of eligibilty with Harper sharing carries at RB and not playing WR at all?

[midwestduck82]

I think that Crenshaw will start the year at #2 and as LMJ gets healthy they will move to a 2A and 2B. I am no longer worried about depth at RB or any position and am looking forward to a great season of Blount, Masoli misdirections, and play-action bombs.

[alabamaduck]

How do you figure? Both positions at once has never been something ANY other player has done effectively or for that matter tried? Do you think there is a reason why they haven't? We may be innovative, but our plays our complex and one position is generally enough for any player, athletic or not.

Two words: Percy Harvin

And don't try to say Urban Meyer's offense isn't complex

[briarduck]

Our Rb corp is in good shape, great if we add BB, especially once yu add Harp into the mix. If you remember, at the end of the season, MB said if they didn't sign a RB they wanted they would use Harp more as a RB in a Darren McFadden type roll and I can't imagine anything has changed. Even with BB in the fold a combination of LGB (40-45%), Alston/Crenshaw/LMJ/BB 40-45% and Harp will get the remaining 5-15% (at RB). Out of the combo of Alston/Crenshaw/LMJ/BB, and as the season progresses the better of the bunch will see more of their 40-45% pie and Harp will be used at WR as well and depending on how well others play and progress over Spring/Summer will yield how much he plays but currently he is our only playmaker at the WR position and NEEDS to be on the field as much as possible! BTW way I see us using a lot more two TE sets with Ed Dickson on the weak side and Na Derris Ward on the strong side with dual RBs in the backfield...weapons on top of weapons and sneaking Malachi Lewis anywhere they can!!

I really excited to see how they all develop over the coming months!!

GO DUCKS!!

[Oracle]

I know this will never happen but if we don't get BB I'd love to see Harper RS and start working at RB and have some combination of: Blount, Crenshaw, Alston and James handle RB for 2009.

Then in 2010, 2011, and 2012 we'd have Harper and James as our Power/Speed combo.

That sounds pretty good to me

[snapt]

Bamaduck you read my mind. Harper has the potential to be a power percy harvin. that is a scary exciting thought.