Two Ways Darron Thomas is Exceptional For a Young Quarterback, and one area in which he can improve his game

Rob Moseley of the Register-Guard has a feature on Darron Thomas this morning, and Thomas' rapid development and emergence has been a key to Oregon's 7-0 start and climb up the national rankings.

Thomas has been everything Duck fans hoped he would be as a starter. He's fulfilled the promise he showed in the fourth quarter rally versus Boise as a freshman in 2008, showing the same kind of cool and downfield passing ability, growing with every start and every snap.

As Moseley points out, he's proven himself to be a smart quarterback, going through his progressions and checking down to alternate receivers on several of his touchdown throws. LaMichael James was the fifth option on a 25-yard gain on fourth and six in the UCLA game. James is adding to his game in the last couple of weeks with two long receptions down the sideline, a weapon Thomas can use to further baffle defenses in the critical stretch run of the season.

The Aldine, Texas native's mastery of this particular quarterback skill is especially significant. Many young quarterbacks notoriously lock on their primary receivers and telegraph their throws to the defense. Even Masoli and Dixon did this as young starters, and Masoli never fully escaped the tendency. DT is checking down as a sophomore, and that kind of poise and understanding is exceptional. He's clearly put in the work to understand the offense, study the opponent, and has the unflappable poise to deliver under pressure. His concentration and courage in the pocket is extraordinary as well. He doesn't flinch with a defender bearing down on him, another skill he showed early on. Remember the flanker reverse pass to Maehl he threw as a freshman in the Civil War, defender in his face? As a starter he's completed several of his 17 touchdowns despite getting drilled in the process, hopping up to join the celebration.

Thomas has another attribute which is rare in a young starter: his calm and poise. Jeremiah Masoli and even Joey Harrington were notorious as young starters for being a little overamped at the start of games. The first Oregon offensive series was a throwaway, and occasionally a disaster, because they'd throw high and hard or out of rhythm. Kellen Clemens was a little that way early in his career as well. Thomas is uncanny for his even-keel disposition. Hostile crowd, road games, national TV, down by 18, throw a pick, or drive 90 yards in 10 plays in 1:56, his demeanor and concentration are the same. He comes off the field with a smile, checks in with the coaches, and chats with a couple of his buddies. He's just playin' football. His confidence and attention are very consistent, and infectious. As a leader, he doesn't have to say much. The team respects his courage, trusts his talent, and picks up on his confidence. He's the perfect quarterback for this veteran group, and it's startling to think he's had the job for just one half of one season. Imagine Darron Thomas playing quarterback for Chip Kelly as a fifth-year senior.

The great thing is, Darron Thomas absorbs the game. He soaks it up like a green and yellow nerf ball being tossed at a rainy tailgate party. His top end is unlimited. One area he will continue to improve over time is his pocket sense, his ability to feel defenders and recognize when the pocket is collapsing, knowing exactly when to pull the ball down and run, shuffle up, or throw the ball away. USC's physical front and speed in the secondary will test his development in that area. As it is, the Oregon starter has thrown only five interceptions all season, and been sacked twice. There have been a handful of times he's passed up scrambling for a first down when that would have been the best option, a skill which really frustrates a defense.

Amazing to think a starter with a 7-0 record completing 61% of his passes will continue to get better.