Although Texas did a good job (thru 3 as I write this) he isn't getting touches. I wonder if this game may sway him to go pro? Perhaps he's thinking next year he won't have enough touches to make it interesting.
Frost is terrible about getting him the ball in space. One of the most electric college football players in the game, and we can't get him the ball. Nice...
I love it when teams hoist the white flag of surrender and pouch the ball 30 yards on a kickoff rather then give DAT a shot. STOMP
If you don't put in the work at practice, you don't get in the work during games. DAT's head hasn't been in the right place since his injury, and Tyner passed him on the depth chart.
Did Tyner really pass him? Did that occur while DAT was out with an injury and it stayed after he came back? I'm disappointed Frost (obviously, I sound like a broke record) couldn't get DAT in space and exploit his strengths. Amazing athlete and so glad he helped deliver a Rose Bowl and Fiesta Bowl win!
Rumors are that DAT was missing some practices up to the bowl, and was basically benched from offense for two quarters of this game. He's as good as gone to the NFL. If he does return, he'll need to become a leader, and also move into a WR spot, because Tyner/Marshall/Freeman are all going to get carries next year, barring injury. I love DAT, I've defended him and still will do so, but something happened to his mindset when he got injured, or so the stories go.
Perhaps. But as both Marcus and Helfrich stated in interviews during the game, Texas was keying on the RBs which was why MM was tucking it instead of handing off & running free again and again. Of course thats what other teams had been doing with success for the last few games but this time Oregon had a healthier MM to counter with. If other teams think Marcus is healthy, then they can't devote as much attention to DAT and the other weapons... Marcus is coming back next season and it would follow that he'll at least start the season 100%. DAT would have good reason to think that he'd again be featured in a starring role on one of the highest profile teams around. I'm hearing he's gonzo and hoping he reconsiders. Tony James & Budda look to be the next wave STOMP
DAT's dog had puppies. As a new father, we should cut him some slack. http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/or...f/2013/12/canzano_a_nice_moment_for_oreg.html
Remember that DAT was given back his position as starting RB after he returned, but was benched because he wasn't doing well. He's also still our KR man and just didn't make the same plays. So I don't know if he still had his explosiveness after that injury. I was really surprised to see some pundits ranking him so highly. I think he projects as a return specialist in the NFL. I wouldn't discount him totally as a receiver but he just seems like he's one of those guys that is very athletic but doesn't really have the football skills. Like a Dante Hall/Ted Ginn. It seems he would want to return and try to establish himself as a legit NFL player.
Dante Hall and Ted Ginn both had/have solid NFL careers. If that's DAT's future, he's worth a second round pick.
Not sure if there is any truth to this, but read that DAT received a firm "readjustment" from fellow teammates and staff for his liberal media statements. Maybe the ego couldn't handle a peer-check. Could have happened...
The problem with DAT is that he's really a defensive player and a tweener on offense. He's not a TB as he cannot run between the tackles. We don't run a lot (or, enough) wheel routes (although we do run screens) so he could be used that way. But teams will key in on him in that role heavily. I think STOMP may have said it, but I like him strictly as a receiver. And we're loaded there.
I liked DAT anywhere he creates a mismatch...utilizing his speed vs mid defenders who don't have the ability to match his foot speed. As you stated, that isn't always in the role as a traditional between the tackles runner. But, he's gone off for huge TD runs between the tackles too on numerous plays (think Rose Bowl). DAT is one of those players who will have several plays of no gain, then exploit the smallest defensive error and rattle off a huge TD run. I don't agree with how DAT was used this year (total armchair QBing this one). He is great at stretching defenses horizontally on the wheel routes (as you stated), screens and short or long out plays and the jet sweep. DAT is one of those players that draws the attention of the defensive players and opens opportunities for other players because he has to be accounted for on every single play. I don't think Frost utilized this fact much. It seems he wasn't used enough on the outside zone read to get outside the tackles and utilize his speed to spread the field and get by defenders in open space. Who knows how much the injury impacted him and how much was the result of inexperienced staff/lack of insight at utilizing our offensive strengths... I'll miss DAT...too bad his career at Oregon couldn't have ended in grand bowl game style - much like the RB and FB. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eqvy9pbpdkE
