Darron Thomas leaving for NFL

Chip Kelly said, "I don't want anybody else to run this football team." Thomas threw three touchdown passes in the Pac-12 title win over UCLA to set the school record with 63 touchdown passes, breaking the record set by Danny O'Neil. He had a season-high 60 rushing yards against the Bruins including a career-best 40-yard run. He is sixth in school history in total offense with 6,360 yards. He has thrown 30 touchdown passes in two straight seasons, the first Duck to do that.

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=84638&draftyear=2013&genpos=QB

 

You seem very angry lately. Also, comparing Thomas to Harrington statistically means nothing. Joey was running an NFL offense that stretched the field in the passing game; Chip's offense has short pass reads the are often caught within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage.

I don't see why there wouldn't be an open competition for the QB spot. That's how DT won the job in the first place, when it was assumed that Nate Costa was going to be QB1 after Masoli got dumped. I think DT saw the writing on the wall, already has his degree, and decided to move on instead of having to fight for his job.

Bennett played very well this year without a lick of experience. Remember how DT got benched against ASU, and Bennett led the comeback? I do...

Bennett had a higher QB rating than DT this year, had zero interceptions with 6 TDs, and that doesn't include his 23 carries for 200 yards, which was only 3 yards less running than DT had all season. I think it's unreasonable to assume that a guy who played like that with limited reps wouldn't be part of the QB mix next season.

 

I notice in your link that Thomas isn't even projected to be drafted. Seems odd that he'd leave a potential BCS title team without being assured of a job in the NFL. A 6th or 7th round pick is more apt to be cut or put on the practice squad than be paid actual NFL money.

 

I wasn't aware emotions were clearly communicated via message boards. This is a new one. I'll just have to 'assume' you know what you're talking about. Weren't you the one attacking Ed O., recently based on what you described as objective? Maybe I'm wrong...it happens. You ever wrong?

Chip says he doesn't want anyone else running the offense and leading the team - late 2011. You say don't assume DT would return as a starter.

...I'll take Chip's word for it...sure, it's an open competition. It was DT's to lose and he did nothing to show he wouldn't return as the starter. DT got these yards as a QB on a run first team. He's a great QB.

I wish him the best of luck and appreciate all he did. Should the NFL not pan, he's a shoe-in for six figures in CFL or Arena.

I'm going to miss him.

 

Really? Because you come across as very angry on this board these days. Not sure why. Aren't we all Ducks?

What do you exect Chip to say about his QB with the Rose Bowl still to be played?

"You know, DT is OK, but he doesn't run very well anymore. He'll probably suffice for the Rose Bowl this year, though."

What was Chip's answer when he was asked after the Rose Bowl about next year? That's what is relevant, not something he said after the Pac-12 title game.

Yeah, same here. I'm just wondering why you find it so absurd that DT may be challenged next spring by both Mariota and Bennett. If they perform better in spring/fall, then Chip will play them. He's proven that before. Masoli passed two experienced QBs, including one who led a rout of USF in the Sun Bowl, in just one fall camp.

 

You didn't notice he's still under 2013 class and projected as the 12th best QB in that class. You also didn't mention 12 QB's were drafted last spring and for 2012, after basically the top 6 QB's of 2012, talent drops off quickly. Thomas is right there. It's his dream. I feel strongly he'll be drafted as a project. But, not being drafted isn't the end of the world. FA. Other pro leagues and six figures. He's a gifted athlete. He has a future. He comes from a fam of limited means so it's not only his dream, but his way of helping his family.

He signed with Rosenhaus - a top and successful agent, so some believe in him. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drew_Rosenhaus

But, of course, we aren't to assume he'd "win" the starting role. Nonsense in many ways.

 

Now you're changing your tune. First, you tell posters not to even assume DT will "win" the starter position (inferring he'll somehow lose it) and now you infer the debate is about being "challenged". Two totally different issues.

I'll assume all day DT was going to be the starter...because he would have been.

I'm not angry. Maybe you're offended by facts and objectivity...that seems to be the trend I'm noticing.

 

That's a false argument. We won't know if he would have been the starter, be it because of being outplayed or because of injury.

I won't assume he would have been the starter ... because maybe he would not have been the starter.

Plus, he was rated by some website without a single individual workout. That's where he'll have to prove himself as a potential NFL QB, and not by dinking and dunking the ball in the Oregon offense. Has he even once taken a snap from under the center and thrown a pass? I can't recall him doing so in two years as the starter.

I also wish him well, but there are QBs behind him who are a much better fit for Chip's offense, and guys who Chip actually recruited to Oregon as the HC.

 

An assumption isn't a fact. Better polish up on the vernacular. I'm also wondering how I'm not being objective.

You're upset because someone has a different assumption than you have. There is no right or wrong answer.

 

I'm not buying your schtick. First, you tell people how they should think and what they can and can't assume, then you change your tune to the QB situation just being a challenge. But when all else fails you resort to calling people who disagree with you - angry. It's all strawman stuff.

And yes, you just got done attacking Ed O. (one of the most respectful posters here) for simply offering an objective opinion that differed from yours. You read into his post in a way no one else did and attacked him. Now, because I disagreed with you, you're on to the next project - calling me angry and making personal assumptions instead of debating something you can't back up.

Yup, I'm not to assume a 22-3 player and team leader, returning for his SR year won't be the starter. You're right. I'm wrong.

Feel better about yourself? Now you can return to telling other posters what they can assume and can't. That's always a crowd favorite.

DT should be drafted, and if not, should be able to make a living and support his family with some level of pro play. He's got a great agent and plenty of teams are in need of good backup QB's and are willing to burn a late draft pick on a project QB.

This is a guy that I really like as a developmental player, and a really great team for him to go to right now to be a backup would be with the Denver Broncos, who are going to be in need of a backup quarterback should Brady Quinn opt for free agency.

http://nflmocks.com/2012/01/15/oregon-quarterback-darron-thomas-enters-2012-nfl-draft/

You posted again before I could respond. Why do you keep saying I'm angry and upset? It's weird, man.

 

We did run a lot of screens but Darron was not afraid to air it out, as evidenced in these videos.

[video=youtube;xhg6ar1kMp4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhg6ar1kMp4[/video]
[video=youtube;JacxeaIjXTU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JacxeaIjXTU[/video]

 

If this happens, I have no problem with it. I honestly think Bennett is the better QB already

 

Huh? Where did I ever tell you what to think? Please link that post, because that wasn't my intention. The rest I'll respond to if you can prove that I tried to tell everyone how they should think, and what they can and can't assume.

 

Huh? Where did I "attack" Ed O.?

I literally posted that there is no right or wrong answer. Are you OK?

You're off the deep end here. Ed O. didn't even post in this thread, did he? Where did I tell you what to assume? You're reading things that aren't even being posted.

An NFL practice squad player doesn't make enough money to support his family, and if he makes somebody's 53 man roster next year, I'll buy you a drink.

The Broncos? What? Just what they need. Another project at QB, and this one is far less mobile than Tim Tebow.

 

This is what has you all fired up? Really? It was more of a throwaway line, and not directed at anyone.

I will assume that DT isn't going to be the starting QB next year now, though.

 

Nice vids, D. DT shows good arm strength. Oregon does have a healthy amount of screens and sideline to sideline passes, but to say passes are often caught within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage doesn't paint an accurate picture. Especially, when the same poster states, "Maybe if you break down his tape, he's a great passer?" The poster basically asks, then if he doesn't like the answer, resorts to personal attacks. Weird. Comforting to know I'm not the only one on the losing end of his verbal assaults. Oh, well...

The longer I follow football, the more variables I notice. What would the great Joey H. have been able to accomplish on a good team or after being mentored by a strong pro? What would Weeden look like without a strong OL and Blackmon? What would Moore look like in the Pac or SEC? Why didn't the amazing Andre Ware make it professionally? How did Brett Favre go from 106 pass rating and 40% completion ratings with nearly as many INTS and TDS in college to pro-bowl/super bowl QB?

It's just so hard to predict. Consider the top pro QB - Rogers. Longshore and Riley had better seasons with more yards and higher completion % at Cal.

 

DT will not be an NFL clalibur QB, I wish he would stay! That said, we've got some gunslingers sitting the bench! Time to compete! Let's go to work!

 

Aaron Rodgers has a cannon for an arm. The other two did not, although Longshore had a much better arm than Riley.

Also, if college stats don't mean much, why did you post a DT/Harrington comparison earlier in this thread? Didn't you kind of just argue against your own premise?

 

Today on ESPN the reporter was raving about our Hawaiin red shirt freshman, he said this kid is an athletic stud and he's got a great arm. I agree,when I saw this kid throw cross body off foot across the field 60 yards for a strike, I thought.... No way can DT do that!

I think DT knew he was going to have to compete this year and we've got some guys that may actually be better!