This is not your grandfather's Oregon defense.
When Kenny Rowe, Brandon Bair, Spencer Paysinger, Casey Matthews, Josh Kaddu, John Boyett, Eddie Pleasant and their teammates take the field on Saturday, they may be the fastest, hardest-hitting, most athletic, swarming defense the Oregon Ducks have ever had.
Historically, Oregon has had some great defensive playmakers, but never seven of this caliber all on the field at one time. They have the potential to be great, a fierce, stifling, punishing defense, a defense that merits more attention than the Ducks' flashy and productive offense.
Nick Aliotti told Oregon Sports Network, "I love the character of this team. I like our athleticism. I love the speed." Beginning last year Aliotti tweaked his scheme to take maximum advantage of that athleticism, standing up hybrid sack-monster Kenny Rowe up as a linebacker or putting his hand down as a defensive end, depending on the offensive alignment, giving the Ducks a powerful flexibility without making substitutions, the ability to instantly adapt on the field, attack the offense from multiple angles, create pressure, overload protection schemes, and force opponents into matchups they don't want to see.
The changes have freed the Ducks' playmakers to be aggressive and attacking. The whole "bend but don't break" misnomer is completely shattered: these guys are on the field to make things happen, to make big plays, disrupt the offense and take the ball away, to be "Remember the Titans" dominant on the field.
Add in the capable role players manning the other defensive spots, and factor in Oregon's impressive depth on the defensive side of the ball, and they could change the perception of Oregon football in one season. They could take the conference by surprise. Kirk Herbstreit has Stanford winning the conference. Most people peg Oregon for two conference losses, although even that may be enough to win a highly competitive PAC-10. The loss of Masoli is too great, they say. With a first-year starter at quarterback they're bound to drop one or two extra games along the way.
They're wrong on three counts. With Chip Kelly's hand on his shoulder, Darron Thomas is going to be far steadier and more effective than the doubters anticipate. His supporting cast on offense, the veteran line, senior receivers, and the explosive running back tandem of Barner and James, will give him a comfort level behind center that will accelerate his progress. And Oregon's defense will be dominating. For the first time since Gang Green the Ducks have a unit that can dictate the outcome of games, win them with turnovers and short fields, destroying the rhythm of quarterbacks and the will of opponents. Andrew Luck, Jake Locker and Nick Foles will have their worst days of the year in Autzen Stadium. Matt Barkley won't feel at home in the Coliseum with Kenny Rowe and Brandon Bair spending the afternoon under his chin.
Against a defense this fast, attacking and aggressive, quarterbacks can't find a comfort zone. Offenses struggle to maintain their timing and composure. John Boyett and Kenny Rowe and friends will force punts, fumbles and interceptions. They will change games. They will be tenacious and intimidating. Like the Titans, they will be remembered forever.
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