Moving on from the loss... DAT: Is there anything the kid can't do? I read he averaged 10 yards every time he touched the ball. 2 kick/punt returns for 53 yards/26.5 avg. 6 rec for 47 yards/7.8 yards per catch, 4 carries for 22 yards/5.5 avg. Most of his catches were hot with earned yards after the catch. I think we saw just how well rounded he is. He can do it all. He made everyone else look like they were standing still. 2nd leading rusher for UO, 2nd leading WR and 2nd leading return man. True FR - playing in his first game ever, against one of the biggest and fastest defenses in the country. What will this kid do against Pac defenses? I think we're in for jaw-dropping performances by this kid. Look at it this way...he's so young...just learning...and he nearly avg double the yards per carry as Heisman hopeful and experienced RB LMJ. Incredible. So, the negative. He fumbled. And fumbled. It sucks. It happens. LMJ had a similar problem in 09. I think the fumbles were one of the best things to happen to the kid. It's an experience he'll take on, build on and use to become a better player. I think he's learned he can compete and be a top performer against one of the best defenses in the nation. It's possible we'll see every defensive player take a split second to make a play on the ball and attempt to cause a fumble, and it may disrupt sound tackling. It will give DAT that advantage he DOESN'T need to misdirect, turn on the jets and get extra yards. I'm predicting as the season unfolds and LMJ and Barner sink into doing what they do, we'll see DAT become a favorite target of Thomas. True freshman...It's going to be a great ride for fans who watch this kids game and career develop. 120+ apy vs LSU in his first game. Incredible... Go Ducks!
the fumbles likely ruined the ducks chance at a NC, sooo.....not the "BEST thing to happen to the kid" in the world imo but he does look like a real playmaker, so it bodes well for the future...lets just not try and sugarcoat the past quite yet
Lol, I hear ya. I'm fanatical though. So, I'm sure you'll understand... The fumbles were costly, no question. But, moving forward they have the potential to make this kid that much better and that much more reliable and sure handed.
In fairness, it wasn't *all* his fault. If LMJ had played like a "Heisman trophy candidate", they wouldn't have had to throw the kid in before he was ready.
im not getting this his athleticism was on display no doubt but his fumbles have the potential of making him more sure handed?
No top level athlete wants that to happen to them on a big stage or any stage for that matter. DAT learned some very valuable lessons on Saturday. I venture to guess that next time you see him carry the ball you will see it tucked in a bit tighter and higher.
The SEC beats up on each other pretty well..... I excpect LSU to lose to Bama and Bama to drop one along the way too! That said, the Sooners still need to beat FSU in Doke, Texas and OSU.... These are not free games for them.... Tons of football to be played and injuries to be had.... Anything can happen and let's be honest.... that was far from the fluid Duck offense any of us have seen in the last two years... Deep breath and move on!!!
DAT still would have played those downs. Barner was hurt, so on the Return and DAT was subbed in. LMJ was being worked on when DAT fumbled off the Run Play. Not exactly sure how LaMichael not playing like a Hesiman Candidate affected the fumbles. DAT was in because he was more ready than those others available.
Experience, man. Experience. When a new player at QB flubs a handoff and fumbles, what does he do? When a new OL gets hankied for holding and false starts, what does he do? When a new DT learns he can't overpower players like he did in HS and needs to learn skills like 'swim' and spin, what does he do? When a new receiver drops a few balls, what does he do? When a new return man drops a ball or mistakenly attempts to return a ball within the five yard line, what does he do? When a new center has timing issues or high/low snaps, what does he do? IMHO, the struggles of "game one" and the fumbles will only make DAT that much more sure handed and reliable. He'll work on ball placement/position, upper body strength, etc. I'm not saying it will be immediate - although I doubt he'll soon forget and it will be a constant reminder to protect the rock - over his career at Oregon this could turn into a positive.
Fumbles are never a good thing imo. Look at Quizz. The guy never fumbled in his entire career save for one against BYU in the Vegas Bowl that wasn't his fault. I would be a lot more excited about Agnew at OSU if he hadn't fumbled twice himself. You're either a fumbler or you're not. Too early to say how DAT or Agnew will respond from here on out, but I would much rather they didn't fumble.
Rogers was amazing. Agreed, fumbles are never a good thing on paper. But, I'm not talking stats, W/L, etc. I'm moving beyond all that. I'm talking about player development and the intangibles that help a FR become a better future player. And these painful experiences will lead to a more reliable ball handler. It happen with LMJ.
