A Different View on Harper

[dthomas=ddixon]

Ok so I was just as dissapointed as anyone that Harper is leaving & going back to Kstate. There is something that makes this loss not as bad as it seems though.

There's something that has stood out to me this whole time with Chris. He was NEVER "all in" so to speak. You could see it his play on the field & how with all his skill, he never could consistently crack the line-up. His head & heart were never in it all the way. It was always a half hearted effort from him BECAUSE he was homesick. So really, would he ever have lived up to his potential? Like Kelly said, we can't move Eugene closer to Kansas & that makes me believe that nothing would have changed with Harper. He would have always shown "flashes" but never reached that next level because he would always be missing home & never giving his all.

[ARGHimaPirate]

I have to agree with you on this one. Harper was never happy in Eugene, it sucks to lose a great athlete but at the same time I dont think he would have ever lived up to his potential at Oregon. I hope he doesnt regret this a few years down the road when he realizes he transfered to a school with a terrible football program that was ran into the ground by Prince, who couldnt recruit high school talent and flooded the roster with JUCO players.

[soduck]

That fact that we play them, kstate two years in a row stings a little, but as long as we beat them both times I wish him the best. It frees up another scholie. I do think he could have been a great slash for us, now he will be just a running option QB behind a weak line for a couple of years. Throwing just enough to keep the defense honest for Snider.

[duckscribe]

He looked frustrated and cranky in some of the spring practices. Once he left the field after Chip spoke to him about hustling. He ended up staying on the sidelines and throwing his helmet down. He probably needs a change of venue. I wish him the best. Hope he's not still connected with Butler.

[BisonDucks]

He looked frustrated and cranky in some of the spring practices. Once he left the field after Chip spoke to him about hustling. He ended up staying on the sidelines and throwing his helmet down. He probably needs a change of venue. I wish him the best. Hope he's not still connected with Butler.

The homsickness made him cranky. It a good excuse for throwing your helmet down after being called out for not hustling. Good riddance.

[pudgejeff]

I like that we play kstate in 2011...he'll be there...that'll be fun

[duck55]

He could jump pro in 2011 & leave K-State hanging

[ncduck]

Will he be a starter at K-State?

[jhopduck]

Sad to say Harper was never going to be a starter for us at QB, but for K-state and their depth chart he most certainly will be after he sits out a year.

[ncduck]

Boiling it all down...good for him and good for us as he seemed to be feeling so down that he couldn't make the most of his time at Oregon. We need players who can and will give their all.

He seemed like a good guy and I hope makes the most of his next opportunity.

[jhopduck]

Here's what Tony D posted via DT:
tony_d

Re: Chris Harper to transfer
FWIW, I did talk to a player on the team earlier and he told me Harper had a bad attitude and is not upset that he left. I obviously will not give that player's name but I thought it was relevant information to release on the board.

I think it's best for both sides, he WAS never going to give 100% here, and K-State is terrible so he can play right away after sitting out.

[DmoneyDuck]

Not to sound like an ass, but then why the f*** do you come here then if homesickness is going to be a huge problem? Don't tell me he didn't know how home sick he would be..as a person who likes being close to home, you "know" if you're going to be missing home a lot way before you sign those LOI papers.

It's one thing to yearn to be home, but not giving it all on the field...screw that...2 fingers peace..Harp

[uodux1212]

Having had some time to reflect on Harper's time in a Duck uniform, he did seem to have some sort of "disconnect" from the team/fans, I cant really put my finger on it, but it was there...

My buddy said it well when he compared Harp to dating a "hot girl"... when you date a hot girl you overlook all her flaws, cuz well, she's hot. But after she breaks up with you all her faults come to light and she becomes the stuck up, shallow, bitach that all your friends knew she was in the first place. She's not your girlfriend/problem anymore, so why not bag on her a little bit?!?

The exact same thing is happening with us Duck fans and Harp...

GO DUCKS

[BisonDucks]

Having had some time to reflect on Harper's time in a Duck uniform, he did seem to have some sort of "disconnect" from the team/fans, I cant really put my finger on it, but it was there...

My buddy said it well when he compared Harp to dating a "hot girl"... when you date a hot girl you overlook all her flaws, cuz well, she's hot. But after she breaks up with you all her faults come to light and she becomes the stuck up, shallow, bitach that all your friends knew she was in the first place. She's not your girlfriend/problem anymore, so why not bag on her a little bit?!?

The exact same thing is happening with us Duck fans and Harp...

GO DUCKS

I broke it off with the hottest girl I ever dated. She bored me tears. She wasn't stuck up or a biatch...just really not a lot there. I don't know how this is analogous to the Harper situation though...? Obviously Kelly didn't put up a big fight to pursue Harper. You'd think Kelly would have if he was going to be such a key cog in the system. Like Kelly said, "I am excited about the players here." In the end, Dion Jordan might just be the perfect marriage for the team. He's a beast in his own right and the effort will be there. Just like my wife is for me (she's hot in her own right and a lot better conversationalist). Hot girl analogies are the best.

[uodux1212]

I guess my point was that we all overlooked Harpers "flaws" while he was here, but now that he's gone and not a Duck anymore its easier to see them... not that there were many... the better the player, the more fans tend to overlook...

GO DUCKS.