LaMichael James ran for 227 yards against Portland State last week, and in the interview room after the game he expressed disappointment in himself. He said he didn't run well, that it was one of the worst games of his career at Oregon. He danced too much, his coaches told him. He let up and didn't finish runs. He had the best statistical day of his career, but didn't run with purpose or focus. He expects more from himself, he said.
LaMichael James is a focused guy. On Saturday, he will face a fast, aggressive, highly-rated defense that is poised to stop him in their own house. We'll find out how great a running back LaMichael James can be.
He'll get hit a few times in this game. The first four or five times he carries the ball, with the crowd in full throttle and the defense playing with a surge of emotion, there might not be a hole. The pace of the game might go away from him early on, with the real openings in the passing game, or the best options for Darron Thomas to keep or pitch wide. He might be a decoy 80% of the time. Versus Arizona and Oregon State late last year, James didn't get going in the Oregon offense until later in the game.
If LMJ wants to be a truly great back, he'll have to find ways to assert himself in games like this. He might have to do it with a block, a pass reception, or a perfectly-carried-out fake. He might have to do it with patience or determination or toughness, by turning two yards into four, and four yards into six, until he gets his one opportunity to break free for a big, momentum-changing gain.
But I have no doubt he will do it. One way or the other, LaMichael James will show he is the best player on the field on Saturday. And before the night is finished, he might go old school Bo Jackson on Vontaze Burfict. That would be something to see.
Watching a truly great running back, on any given play, you have the opportunity to see something you have never seen before. LaMichael James is in the rare category of running backs that can change a game on one play.
The first conference game, on the road with a young quarterback, this is a great stage for a great player. Duck fans are looking forward to seeing how he responds.
LaMichael James is a focused guy. On Saturday, he will face a fast, aggressive, highly-rated defense that is poised to stop him in their own house. We'll find out how great a running back LaMichael James can be.
He'll get hit a few times in this game. The first four or five times he carries the ball, with the crowd in full throttle and the defense playing with a surge of emotion, there might not be a hole. The pace of the game might go away from him early on, with the real openings in the passing game, or the best options for Darron Thomas to keep or pitch wide. He might be a decoy 80% of the time. Versus Arizona and Oregon State late last year, James didn't get going in the Oregon offense until later in the game.
If LMJ wants to be a truly great back, he'll have to find ways to assert himself in games like this. He might have to do it with a block, a pass reception, or a perfectly-carried-out fake. He might have to do it with patience or determination or toughness, by turning two yards into four, and four yards into six, until he gets his one opportunity to break free for a big, momentum-changing gain.
But I have no doubt he will do it. One way or the other, LaMichael James will show he is the best player on the field on Saturday. And before the night is finished, he might go old school Bo Jackson on Vontaze Burfict. That would be something to see.
Watching a truly great running back, on any given play, you have the opportunity to see something you have never seen before. LaMichael James is in the rare category of running backs that can change a game on one play.
The first conference game, on the road with a young quarterback, this is a great stage for a great player. Duck fans are looking forward to seeing how he responds.
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