On his weekly coach's show Chip Kelly observed that on the 47-yard touchdown pass to Jeff Maehl early in the first quarter, Maehl was Darron Thomas's fourth option, and on his 8-yd scoring pass to Malachi Lewis, Lewis was the third option.
Thomas' completion percentage numbers are not yet gaudy, but these facts reflect a crucial part of his development and progress. Most young quarterbacks have trouble learning this phase of the game.
Thomas is an excellent student in film study, and his poise in the pocket is well ahead of the curve. Kelly told the press this week that he is way ahead of where Masoli or Dixon were after three games. He's putting the ball in good places, getting it to the right people, and moving the team. He hasn't been error-free, but he's been effective, and he is constantly learning.
Duck fans have to love the enthusiasm and positive confidence DT expresses in interviews. He is unfailingly team-first, win-first, focused forward.
That makes him the perfect quarterback for these Oregon Ducks. And if I read Rob Moseley's tweets accurately, he'll have his full complement of weapons on Saturday.
With Paulson to throw to and Barner to pitch to, Arizona's athletic linebackers will have too many chances to make the wrong choice. The Ducks have the weapons to exploit their aggressiveness, and frustrate them.
This is going to be a very great test and a close game. I'm pretty confidant of victory, but it should be a great show.
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