Links, Linemen and Ludicrous Speed

Rob Moseley has the update on next year's offensive line.  Just a couple of observations:

This isn't a repeat of 2009, where the offensive line entered the season with few starts and little experience.    Weems, York and Asper are returning starters, and several of the reserve linemen got significant playing time last year.  Ryan Clanton and Nick Rowland are ready to step in.  Ramsen Golpashin, Karrington Armstrong,  Nick Cody and Everett Benyard III should contribute.  For the future the Ducks have recruited three offensive linemen with athletic ability that should grow into the job.

Much has been made of Oregon's smaller offensive line being pushed around by bigger defensive lines, particularly elite defensive tackles.  People say the Ducks can't compete against the SEC and other teams with physical fronts, that this is the flaw in the spread scheme.  The gap is closing.  Asper is athletic and big at 322, Benyard 315, Rowland 314.  Cody is 296, Weems 292, York 286 and still developing. Among the four offensive linemen who have verbally committed in this class, Jamal Prater is 290, and the other three are exceptionally athletic with the frame to achieve elite size.  Oregon has one of the most forward-looking and effective strength training programs in the country under Jim Radcliffe.  Their big players become strong and explosive, ideal for a team that scored 611 points and gained 6899 yards in 2010.

Oregon came within a field goal of the national championship last season.  The gap isn't that great.  With improved execution and continued development the offensive line will be effective in 2011.  They are blessed with quick athletes at the skill positions, who don't need truck-wide holes to make impact plays.  The Ducks are built for the long haul, and there is nothing wrong with the Oregon model.  Weems, Cody, Asper, York, Rowland, Clanton and company will move the pile.  They'll get Darron Thomas his four seconds, and they'll give LaMichael James and his running mates room to sprint.  It will still be a popcorn-worthy show this fall.  In fact, the sequel might out-perform the original.

In recruiting, the Ducks have hit every one of their targets, but they still need a good close at defensive tackle.  One big need has been thoroughly met, as Chip Kelly and his staff have secured verbal commitments from four outstanding wide receiver prospects in Rahsaan Vaughn, Tacoi Sumler, Devon Blackmon and B.J. Kelly.  All four are fast, fast, fast, deep threats who would make a pretty good 4x100 relay team.  All four are football players who have expressed enthusiasm about the Oregon offense and the Oregon way.  Imagine Darron Thomas as a senior with a group like this to throw to, plus reliable returnees David Paulson and Josh Huff.  (He has Lavasier Tuinei for one more year, and a solid group of redshirts including Keanon Lowe, Blake Cantu and Eric Dungy.)

The Ducks have long been an operation where opponents can't just defend one guy, and the talent and speed that will be available this fall is becoming truly mind-bending, The Greatest Show on Turf.  On one play Darron Thomas can hand off inside to LaMichael James, pitch to Seastrunk, shovel pass to Kenjon Barner or throw deep to Huff.  It's a dazzling, electric ensemble cast with Chip Kelly writing the script.

At the same time Oregon is accumulating a stable of athletes with freakish ability and potential.  Two of the newcomers, Christian French and Colt Lyerla, could develop into defensive players at end and linebacker, 240+ lbs. with 4.4/4.5 speed.  That's crazy.  Oregon has never had athletes like that on defense; few schools ever do, and now they're entering an era where they may have four or five by the time they're done with the inviting and the signing.

They'll be back.  If the work ethic, attitude and leadership match last year, their potential is unlimited.