First off, I love Darron Thomas’ competitive fire. He really is a team first guy. Not to mention he’s 20-3 as a starter over the last two years, has a 53 to 14 TD/INT Ratio, and completes 61% of his passes. So why am I not happy with him? After the UO loss to SC on Saturday, I tuned in to see Robert Griffin III torch Oklahoma and I thought “if the Ducks had that guy, 24-0 since the beginning of last season isn’t hard to imagine”. Is it nitpicking to sneer at DT’s erratic throws and sometimes mind baffling decisions? He missed some easy throws on Saturday, and it cost us. How do you feel about DT? I’m not saying Brian Bennett should be “The Guy”, but I find myself wishing we had someone better under center.
Good, honest and respectable question! DT's value is more in how he runs the option. Sure, we can ALWAYS point to some other player and wish we had them instead of our own - but, this is just my humble opinion - that is an attitude that should be reserved for the pros. These are kids (another IMHO) and it's me who gets more out of supporting and rooting for them, than they get from me. I feel great about DT. He's a special kid. We're lucky to have him and all he brings. Is there area for improvement - sure. Does it hurt to talk about those areas? No. But, my advice - be fair (and it seems like you are). DT arguably outplayed the 'mighty' Andrew Luck and has helped to bring us to a level we've not known. DT nearly lead us to a NC and nearly played at the level of Cam Newton. DT is probably going to outplay his rival in the RB. He's a winner - on the field, on the practice field, in the locker-room. Enjoy it. I have a little different approach than some though. In 2008 I was in Eugene when Masoli (due to injuries) saw his first major playing time. It was a wet and miserable day. He had little time in the system. He struggled and fans BOOed him (like that is going to help him play better in his first game) and so did my friend, who is a medium level donor. I told him I disagreed, and he said he paid for his ticket and pays for the right to have an opinion. I asked him, since I would have to pay to see his son play HS football, if I had the right to BOO if he wasn't performing up to my expectations. He really didn't say much. I get the criticism. I really do. I don't get all of it. Personally, I'd rather enjoy the short amount of time we get with DT and not be second guessing him every step of the way. Sometimes I wonder if being so successful makes us appreciate our players and wins less and less.
He's not perfect, but he's not bad either. He tried to run more too. I think the lack of receivers has hurt his game this season. With Maehl and Davis last year he looked great.
Duck coaches claimed true freshman Mariota nearly beat Bennett for the #2 spot. I've big hopes for Marcus... his highlight tape & back story sold me on him. Darron Thomas is a stud and (baring injury) will remain the starter for the rest of the season. If a change is to be made it will be in the offseason. STOMP
Congrats to DT and his team for sealing the Pac North. One win away from ANOTHER (yah, that's worth caps ) outright Pac Championship and major bowl bid. DT is solid.
DT is one of the best QBs in Oregon history, but he definitely has some flaws. I wish he was a better passer, but he also lost a lot of his weapons from last year.
Agreed. Nice to see DAT emerging as a big time WR and the TE position getting the looks tonight. Paulson and Colt are solid.
My take is pretty similar. He's an average (at best) pocket passer. He's a good passer on the run. Overall he fits the system well. I think if he ran more it'd set up our offense a lot better, but that's Chip's call.
I agree, DT needs some work in the pocket and with his release. Our staff have said as much. But, to say he's average, or less than average is rubbish - in my (and NFL Scouts and the stats humble opinions). I'm kinda of the opinion that to win your conference, go to a NC game and the Rose Bowl - you can't do it behind a QB who is avg at anything - especially as pocket passer in a passing div. Pass Rating: Thomas currently has a pass rating of 157.6. That rates him 11th among 112 QB's this year. He's in the top 10th percentile. Of the top ten passes, six have more INTS on the year. Three have less TD's. Eight have more sacks. NFL scouting reports describe Thomas as: A bigger and more accomplished pocket passer than his predecessor (Dixon)... Rang, a Senior analyst for NFL Scout Report said: "I think that is one of the most important things he has going for him -- not only his ability to get yardage as he scrambles, but his ability to buy time in the pocket," Rang said. After the Stanford win, Penkala said about Thomas: Yesterday, Darron Thomas showed the ability to hang in the pocket and make big plays, even if it meant taking a huge hit. On two pass plays, Thomas hung in until the last second and connected on two big touchdown passes to keep Stanford at a distance. He finished 2010 among the top 20. http://www.buffalobillsdraft.com/2011/11/prospect-preview-oregon-v-stanford/ http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...e-learned-from-oregons-win-at-stanford/page/2 http://espn.go.com/college-football/statistics/player/_/stat/passing/sort/collegeQuarterbackRating
I think Thomas is a good QB. I would love to see what a great passer would do in that system, though. Bennett's not a great passer, and while he'd be more effective on the ground I would be surprised if he'd be as good a passer as Thomas is/has been. Ed O.
Me too. The Scouting Report on him is that he has a strong accurate arm, and can throw in the pocket or on the run. Have we seen that? Maybe some small glimpses, but he hasn't really played that much (two halves and one full game). He's not just a run-first QB who can't throw.
It's not semantics--it's straightforward reading comprehension. I said: -- I'd like to see what a great passer could do in this system -- Bennett is not a great passer And you posted disagreement about Bennett not being a good passer. I think that almost everyone knows that "great" is better than "good". Ed O.
DT's passing rating has more to do with the system that his true passing ability. As to Bennett, I agree with Ed O, he's good but not great.
I feel the same way about the running game. Since Kelly took over the offense literally everyone averages huge yards per carry. I also happen to think LJ is a quality back. Thomas continues to manage the game at a high level. High completion %, takes few sacks, throws few interceptions, and uses his mobility well. I wish he would have found a comfort zone with either Huff or Vaughn this year as they've lacked a true vertical threat, but overall his play has been a huge part of their success this season. Heck... he even played well in their two losses. STOMP
