A Strong Opinion from the Mailbox: Masoli's Departure Was Addition by Subtraction

Reader Robert Petty wrote in with the following comment, and he makes a strong point:

I was speaking with one of my insureds who follows the Ducks and he made an interesting observation.

He opines one of the main reasons we may be playing so well and cohesive is the leaving of Masoli. He states that player leadership is critical on a college sports team and Masoli clearly wasn’t one who led by example. As for me, I’ve always adhered to the fact that if one makes poor personal decisions, they also make poor decisions in other aspects of their lives- and other players sense this and it creates its own breakdown in that team cohesion.

Interesting thought.

--That IS an interesting question. And I think your client may be on to something. Masoli always felt like a rent-a-player, kind of detached and mercenary. He wasn't a leader, and the character issue threatened to rip this team apart. If he had stayed, or had his crimes been whitewashed, this probably would have been a much different team, and probably not as cohesive. They grew together this year, and became something greater.

Add to that, Thomas has been more effective and consistent. The Ducks are much improved in the passing game and have better balance. Masoli had some great games, but he had some miserable ones also. In the Boise State and Rose Bowl losses he was a disaster.

Thomas is the most improved player on the Oregon roster. He's exceeded all expectations, and now the Ducks are set up with a capable and experienced quarterback with two years to play and a big upside.

Masoli had some great games in an Oregon uniform, but he was never a Duck. This team is better without him, and the adversity he created helped shape this group into an unselfish and focused unit.