Today Duck Sports Authority's A.J. Jacobson interviewed Oregon offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich on the progress of his quarterbacks. About 2:20 in, Helfrich observes that Bryan Bennett is a better runner and a better athlete than Darron Thomas.
That's an interesting and intriguing observation. Doesn't mean, of course, that Thomas won't be the starter--there's a lot more to quarterback, even in the spread offense, than athletic ability. Experience and grace under pressure mean more than the shuttle cone drill.
But it does bode well for the future of the quarterback position at Oregon. The redshirt freshman is a better fit for the system, athletically, and the incoming freshman Mariota might be the best fit of all. At 6-4, 195 and timed in the 40 at 4.4, Mariota has measurables like you-know-who. His high school senior highlight tapes shows off a strong arm, some nimble running, and great throwing fundamentals. Watch him take something off the ball for the running back, rainbow the long bomb down the sideline, and zip a 30-yard dart into the seam. He can make all the throws, and has had some good coaching.
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