This is great news for the Ducks. http://www.addictedtoquack.com/2010/12/30/1904587/lamichael-james-will-return-to-oregon-in-2011
Wow...... I actually have to say I'm surprised. Great news though. Hopefully the OL will be able to give him some holes.
Good news for the Ducks. Maybe we can trade him in the offseason for a defensive line stud? Oh, wait... Ed O.
I'm not entirely shocked. He seems too small to be an NFL running back right now. I know he's crazy quick and very shifty, but adding some strength wouldn't hurt his cause at all.
A few months ago I was convinced that LMJ would be a nice special teams and RB 2/3/4 NFL guy. Now, not so much... Seems to be a trend in the NFL to smaller/quicker backs. LMJ fits the bill with speed and strength (he's a beast in the weight room at UO). I know there are variables, but in the right system, I don't know why LMJ couldn't compete with: Westbrook 5-8, 200 Dunn 5-9, 180 MJD 5-7, 205 Sproles 5-6, 180 Tomlinson, Peterson, Johnson...and so on... Here's an interesting read that relates to the change in NFL game and how smaller, quicker RB's who are dual threat and can run routes like WR's, could be in high demand: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/commentary/news/story?id=5966355
My thoughts exactley. And, as another poster noted, if he gets the Heisman then it'll boost his stock that much more.
That's pretty much what I was saying in another thread.... he has the same body type of other smaller successful RBs in the NFL. I just don't know how much more he can improve his draft stock.
he still has a lot to work on route wise IMO. He is a threat out of the backfield, but there is a reason they dont use him more out of the backfield for pass plays.
20 pounds IS a big difference. Even in that list, it's the difference between Dunn and Sproles and MJD... Dunn had some good years, but his career was a bit of a fluke. Most guys his size won't stay so healthy. Does anyone else think there's a good chance James's stats go DOWN next year? Not because he won't be as good (he should be better) nor because the offense will struggle (it should be at least as good) but because there will be more time-sharing? It'd be cool to see a Duck hoist the Heisman, but I think it'll have to be a QB if it's the foreseeable future because the system seems to run RBs in and out so often... and because the Ducks kick the crap out of teams, which means more bench time. Ed O.