Just for fun…most overlooked Duck

[duckfan96]

Since you’ve been a Duck fan, who in your opinion was the most underrated/overlooked.

IMO Marshall dude did a lot very little recognition.

[pezsez1]

Nick Aliotti.

[buckmarkduck]

Under rated WTIII

Most overrated
Cliff Harris

Most overrated coach . Nick Aliotti.

[Phalanx]

Mark Helfrich, and it's not close. 37-16 as a head coach, scouted two of the absolute best QB's ever to come to Oregon in Marcus Mariota and Justin Herbert (not to mention Vernon Adams), and as of now, still the only Oregon head coach ever to win a playoff game. All of this while the A.D. was still only hiring bargain basement assistants as his support staff. I am glad we have Lanning now, but I still think Helfrich got a raw deal.

[pezsez1]

Mark Helfrich, and it's not close. 37-16 as a head coach, scouted two of the absolute best QB's ever to come to Oregon in Marcus Mariota and Justin Herbert (not to mention Vernon Adams), and as of now, still the only Oregon head coach ever to win a playoff game. All of this while the A.D. was still only hiring bargain basement assistants as his support staff. I am glad we have Lanning now, but I still think Helfrich got a raw deal.

That's actually a great answer.

I'd also add Darron Thomas. I think I've brought him up before in one of these threads. He gets knocked for his accuracy, but all he did was win big games and he came closer than anyone to getting us a natty. He was a spectacular field general, a deceptively good runner, and he just had a knack for making big throws at the right time.

And, of course, Nick Aliotti. Props to Buck for proving my point.

Most overrated
Cliff Harris

I don't think he was overrated, but man he sure flamed out.

[dd10snoop28]

Ya Darron Thomas is probably most underrated all time.

Cliff Harris overrated? Really? When he played he was really good.

I’d nominate Josh Huff as well.

[bdkipe]

Most underrated pre-2000’s:

- Danny O’Neil
- Herman O’Berry

Most underrated post-2000’s:

- 2007-2008 Offensive Line
- DT
- Tim Day

[rsbgduck]

Under rated WTIII

Most overrated
Cliff Harris

Most overrated coach . Nick Aliotti.

WTIII was my first thought, had he not destroyed his knee on that kickoff/punt he probably goes down as one of the best DUCK true CB’s ever. Because of that injury I still cringe every time I see one of the teams best players at punt or kickoff returner, KB concussion hit didn’t help.

Cliff Harris was a freak, add 4-5 inches, 20-25 lbs plus some therapy along with a better circle around him and he is a top 5 pick.

[buckmarkduck]

My problem with Cliff is everyone uses terms like freak for him, but he wasn’t. He ran a 4.6 40, was undersized, and got bailed out by great safeties.

Aliotti I was joking about. Not that I didn’t love a good 3rd and 15 pickup by the opposing teams.

[UOducksTK1]

WTIII and Darron Thomas are great names.

[OregonFan4Life]

Pharaoh Brown is a name I thought of, if it wasn’t for his brutal injury I think he goes down as one of the best duck TE’s ever and has a solid NFL career. Dude was so good at run blocking and the passing game and I remember him destroying Miles Jack in the 2014 game against UCLA.


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[OrTDuck]

Enjoyed the Herman O'Berry, Byron Marshall, Darron Thomas, and Walter Thurmond III nods.

Before the horrible knee injury in 2009, an always good Thurmond was approaching late first to early second level good. He still landed in the 4th after tearing 3 knee ligaments. Went on to have a very good pro career despite a number of injuries including a broken fibua, a high ankle sprain, and a torn pec. Reportedly walked away (while he still could) with a $4 million dollar free agency offer on the table (missed something like 45% of his NFL career dealing with injuries including seasons ended at 2, 2, and 6 games).

A bit surprised to see the + Helfrich comments. Hard to pick Helfrich with the absolute rapid collapse on the defensive side of the ball (after Aliotti). I've before stuck up for Helfich on a few things but the defense falling off a cliff is nearly impossible.

I think that sort of supports Nick being rated fine by most Duck fans (as neither under or over rated). Oregon didn't always have a ton of talent on defense 1999-2013 and Nick often had to fit it together. When Nick either had talent (or at least experienced players he trusted), the Duck defense was often much more aggressive and successful. When the talent was down (or there were noticeable holes at like LB or CB), the defense often had limited choices but bend-but-don't-break mode (and hope to outscore people).

Toward the end, playing a lot of bend-but-don't-break (force long drives to put together points and hope teams start pressing and making errors) behind a fast paced explosive offense that often was boom-boom-bust meant a defense that was both going to both spend a lot of time on the field and defend a lot of snaps. The defenses defending 80-85 snaps per game rather than 60 usually suffer in traditional stats. By 2016, I think the Duck defense had two OT games where it defended 108 and 105 snaps.

Aliotti's last year, Oregon gave up 20.5 points per game and 370 yards of offense (#13). It held it together a bit the next season at 23.6 and 429 yards of offense (#31).

After that it was 37.5 points allowed and 485 yards of offense (#116), followed by 41.4 points and 519 yards of offense (#126 out of #128). Imagine having an explosive offense putting up 35.4 points and 492 yards of offense behind a freshman QB, only to give up 41.4 points and 519 yards on defense.

And I know some will say the talent was bad by 2015/2016 (and it had dropped off) but I still don't know how it ever should have reached essentially "not only worse P5 but nearly worse in the nation" level behind guys like Rice, Hawaii, UNLV, Louisiana-Monroe, Charlotte, and Old Dominion.

[GrantDuck]

Kenny Rowe and Brandon Bair from the first natty run. That defense is so underrated.

Would probably choose Bralon Addison, Lavasier Tuinei, or Jake Fisher for offense.

[OrTDuck]

My choice for underrated would be Saul Patu (1997-2000).

Four year starter, HM All-Pac12 his first 3 years, 2nd team All-Pac12 as a senior. I believe is still the all-time Duck career leader in TFL (53) and 3rd all-time in sacks (26.5). Finished 2000 with 66 tackles, 20 TFL and 11 sacks. Lead the team in TFL and sacks his final 3 seasons (Peter Sirmon lead both categories his freshman year). Athletic high motor DE that helped rebuild the Duck defense after the two Stubler years (1996-1997). Oregon had finished #19 and #41 in points allowed in 1994-1995 and fell to #89 then #86 in 1996-1997. Got back to #54, #50, and #32 (1998-2000).

[justin_f]

Jeremiah Johnson had some incredible runs