Ducks Attack Message Board Forum

Interesting that Paulson's moved past Malachi on the TE depth chart.

Tray Dub wrote:Interesting that Paulson's moved past Malachi on the TE depth chart.

What happened to Malachi?
http://oregon.scout.com/a.z?s=128&p=8&c=1&nid=1758482

I think it's fair to call him a bust.

I hate to label any kid a bust but I think that you are right UOducksTK1. I too am surprised about Malachi's lack of productivity in our offense and while I don't know why he has not been able to live up to his potential, it's seems like he has never really found a home at any one position. When Malachi came in he was a highly rated LB but in our coaches eyes he was better suited for the offensive side of the ball, and after looking at Malachi's physical abilities it's easy to see why. Unfortunately, he isn't fast enough or quick enough to be a serious threat at RB and even if he was he wasn't/isn't going to beat out any of the RB's we have had in our system since he has been here. The only position that is going to give him a chance to see the field is the one he is currently at. Unfortunately for him there is a guy by the name of Ed Dickson that has a death grip on the starting spot and by the looks of it Paulson is locking down the 2nd spot behind Dickson.

ducklydoright wrote:I hate to label any kid a bust but I think that you are right UOducksTK1. I too am surprised about Malachi's lack of productivity in our offense and while I don't know why he has not been able to live up to his potential, it's seems like he has never really found a home at any one position. When Malachi came in he was a highly rated LB but in our coaches eyes he was better suited for the offensive side of the ball, and after looking at Malachi's physical abilities it's easy to see why. Unfortunately, he isn't fast enough or quick enough to be a serious threat at RB and even if he was he wasn't/isn't going to beat out any of the RB's we have had in our system since he has been here. The only position that is going to give him a chance to see the field is the one he is currently at. Unfortunately for him there is a guy by the name of Ed Dickson that has a death grip on the starting spot and by the looks of it Paulson is locking down the 2nd spot behind Dickson.

It's a tough situation for Malachi. We've heard he's too slow for RB and that coaches like him on offense rather than defense. Maybe his true potential is being hindered? It's really tough to say because Malachi has seen the field sparingly.

I'd like to give Malachi the benefit of the doubt, but scout had him close to being a 5 star prospect and so far we've seen close to nothing good out of him.

If he can't make it onto the field in a system that is designed to put the best players on the field regardless of position (CK's reasoning for creating the Tazer) I think it's safe to say he's a bust

Still has a year left to play after this season. A lot of people were calling Dennis Dixon a bust when he was a junior as well.

Lewis had the best catches of the spring game last year. Maybe it will come together for him more consistently next year or even at some point this season.

^^^^ True that - can't really call someone a bust till their playing days are over. Pray we don't lose dickson & Paulson but Lewis could still factor into play this year.

Another part of this is that Paulson is actually very good, especially as a receiver

There wouldn't be this kind of talk re Malachi Lewis if he was a 2 or 3* rated HS player. It's partly a matter of ML being overrated. Furthermore, sometimes very good HS players don't make the best transition into college ball. He's kind of a tweener as some have pointed out.

wheaton4prez wrote:Still has a year left to play after this season. A lot of people were calling Dennis Dixon a bust when he was a junior as well.

Lewis had the best catches of the spring game last year. Maybe it will come together for him more consistently next year or even at some point this season.

But Dixon had played a lot more than Malachi. We rarely see the ball go Malachi's way..

Yes, Dennis played a lot (Brady Leaf was no Ed Dickson). And people called him a bust all the way up until his senior season. I was skeptical myself. They/we were wrong.

Malachi has this season and another after to go. He has shown flashes of talent when given the opportunity. So, I don't see any reason write him off as never being productive. Four stars doesn't mean automatically productive as a freshman or sophomore.