Some coaching staffs get a lot of credit for developing and coaching up their players, but did any team in college football make a bigger improvement from game 1 to game 4 last season than the Oregon Ducks? People buried them after Boise. After the narrow escape against Purdue in game 2 Canzano wrote he couldn't count six wins on the schedule. I'll be honest: I couldn't either. But in the seven weeks that followed they beat teams ranked 18th, 6th and 4th and won six in a row before getting derailed at Palo Alto. Then they responded with three more critical wins to win the conference by two games.
Central to that improvement was the rapid emergence and sudden impact of five critical players. Talmadge Jackson III stepped in after injuries to WTIII and Willie Glasper. LaMichael James made Duck fans (if not the national media) forget Blount's punch. Kenjon Barner emerged as a weapon in the return game replacing Thurmond, Kenny Rowe established himself as a disruptive pass rusher, and redshirt freshman John Boyett became an immediate force as the impact safety replacing a banged-up TJ Ward.
In addition, the offensive line, a question mark before the season because of heavy losses to graduation, (the Ducks sent three starters to the NFL after 2008) quickly developed the cohesion and communication their job requires and started roadgrading opposing defenses. The Fat Kids Living the Dream produced 232 rushing yards a game while allowing just 13 sacks. Bo Thran, Carson York, Jordan Holmes, Mark Asper and C. E. Kaiser are all back this year, as well as Max Forer, Nick Cody and Darrion Weems off the bench.
In 2010, with an experienced team coming back, Oregon will rely less on dramatic and unexpected contributions from newcomers (although there will certainly be some), and more on veteran players who take their game to the next level. LaMichael James will get his yards, and Kenny Rowe will get his sacks, but the following three players need to perform at a championship level for Oregon to repeat as conference champion.
David Paulsen, Tight End
The 6-4, 241 lb. junior from Auburn, Washington was effective as a second tight end last year, with 11 of his 12 receptions resulting in first downs. But now he's the guy, and that requires him to carry on a long tradition of standout Duck tight ends. He's a smart player who played some quarterback in high school, a good blocker, tough over the middle. Paulsen's sealing blocks at the second level make a critical difference in the Oregon running game, and a reliable receiver who runs disciplined routes gives Costa/Thomas a safe, dependable option to move the chains.
Impact: If Paulsen records 30 catches for 400 yards and completes his blocks, the Duck offense has the balance and productivity it needs to win.
Casey Matthews, Middle Linebacker
His inclusion on this list may be surprising, but Casey Matthews needs to make an even bigger impact in 2010. He's a four-year starter who's made a number of preseason watch lists, but that has as much to do with his pedigree as it does his performance. At times last year Matthews was dominating and a force on the field, particularly versus Utah, but other times it looked like Michael Clay was pushing him off the field. Tied for second last season in tackles at 81, Matthews worked hard this offseason and leaned down to 230 lbs., increasing his vertical jump by 5.5 inches. He told Ken Goe of the Oregon, “I’m leaner than I’ve been and I’m stronger than I’ve been. I feel real good.”
Impact:If Oregon's defense is going to make the jump to the nasty, stifling, punishing, intimidating Gang Green glory of the past, it starts with Matthews. He has to claim the family legacy, and play like an NFL-bound middle linebacker every week. He has to record 90 or more tackles, and he should contribute three picks underneath. His improved anticipation and conditioning should make him a even greater force in the middle, and put him in better position to make plays, tackles, sacks and interceptions.
Bo Thran, Left Tackle
The Ducks will start an inexperienced quarterback, but they return their top nine linemen and all five starters from last year's two-deep. They lost only Charlie Charmichael, who had to give up football because of chronic knee injuries. At left tackle, Bo Thran is the anchor of that line. On pass plays, he'll have Costa/Thomas' back. Honorable Mention All-Pac-10 last season, the 6-5, 281 lb. Thran made both the Lombardi and Outland Trophy watch lists this summer.
Impact: Standout left tackles are among the highest-paid players in the NFL, and the smooth, athletic Thran could become one of those. If Thran achieves 24 key run blocks and 20 pancakes in his senior season, the burden of Oregon's inexperienced starting qb gets infinitely lighter.
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