Source: LMJ back for SR year

I'm not calling this trustworthy or accurate. I'm simply saying a source is reporting LMJ to return to Oregon.

I'll say it again, if true - we're a NC contender. Without him, we're a Rose Bowl contender.

http://www.sportsreport360.com/blog...-announces-return-to-oregon-for-senior-season

 

Probably bogus, but awesome if true. If james comes back, we are title contenders. If James leaves, we can win the pac12 but probably wont compete for a title.

 

A couple of people have said this is not true as James hasn't made a decision yet

 

Great news if true.

I'm not buying we're not a NC contender without him though. Easy opening schedule, and only one team will loom large on the schedule, USC. I believe even without James we could make a serious run with the depth we have at all positions. Because I'm not sold that Barner is a huge step down from James in the first place. Not only that but Carson and DAT are a year older, same with Darron Thomas. It's going to be a special year regardless.

It would just be that much sweeter to have him here though.

 

Right now most draft analysts have him at around 2nd/3rd round. The salary that commands is nothing to sneeze at. I think the only thing that would make him want to come back, is a shot at a NC and a shot at the records.

This last season, even though he put up huge numbers, was somewhat of a disappointment, due to injury. It was kind of a freak accident as well that got a lot of scouts questioning his durability. I'm thinking that another year wouldn't necessarily hurt his stock and an injury free season could even boost it.

I don't know I'm just spouting off reasons why I think he could come back.

 

I love the guy, but I honestly think the wise move would be to go pro. RBs can have such a short shelf life, and he needs to strike while the iron is hot. I want to see LMJ in the NFL and I want to see him financially secured for years to come. I can understand why he would want to come back though. You can tell this team is extremely close and it would be hard to leave your buddies like that.

 

a National Championship would be good. Who doesn't like more great times with their friends? Becoming the Pac 10/12's all time leading rusher would be kind of cool too. Hell I'd love to take another year of college classes just to explore other interests. I'd guess he goes pro (I would) but he could also buy injury insurance from Lloyds of London and come back for a pretty sweet Sr season.

It seemed a no brainer to me that he'd declare a year ago. He was projected in the 2nd-3rd round and unlikely to improve his stock much by staying... from what I've read he's still projected in the 2nd-3rd round with concerns about whether he's big enough to be an every down player. I understand he'll graduate shortly which could have been a scale tipping reason he came back for his Jr year of eligibility.

btw... on LA sportstalk radio yesterday they were saying he had to go pro because if he came back he'd be benched behind DAT and probably only get 800 yards or so.

STOMP

 

Why would he come back?

Maybe because he really actually likes his college experience? Are people really that cynical?

Look if he goes pro, good for him, the guy has given everything and more to UofO, but if decides to come back because he WANTS to, then great for him, the pro's will still be there next year...

 

I love everyone's comments on this. It looks like a bogus source - no author, but an actual established site. Great if true.

I feel LMJ has given us everything he should and I would like to see him go pro for the benefits. But, ultimately it's his decision and only he knows what is best. I think he's so well liked, we fans want to see him go secure some of that $$ and it would kill us to see him hurt on the field if he were to come back to Oregon.

I do think the Oregon system bread success, but so have several systems - mainly USC over the years. LMJ is just a special and rounded athlete and it takes so much focus from a defense to attempt to stop him, that other areas open up.

I'd love to see him back...but, the risk vs reward is too great -- IMHO.

 

Who is cynical? I think the most common point of thought is that the guy needs to think about his future. Obviously if he comes back I think most everyone will be happy to see him in a Duck uni again, but we're all thinking (at least I am) in terms of how long he could play in the NFL, how tough his position is, and what the chances are that he could get injured. He was extremely lucky that he didn't break his arm this season.

It would be like if you were at the top of your class, ready to graduate, and you had some extremely lucrative job offers coming in, but you decide to stick around one more year because you want to hang out with your frat buddies. It just doesn't make sense. It's time to move on to the next level.

 

Yah, I don't think anyone is cynical. LMJ is loved and fans not only have an opinion, but want what is best for him. Only LMJ knows what is best. But, it would seriously kill us fans that love the kid to see him get hurt his SR year and not make the draft. Not cynical - just concerned fans.

James is such a team guy first and understands an incredibly unique offense -- he no doubt would have some good coaching ops in the future too. I bet Chip would love to have him on staff.

 

he needs 1316 yards to break the all time college rushing record as well. the greatest rb of all time!

 

in his 3 seasons he's averaged 1,694

STOMP

 

I won't blame him if he declares, but I am enough of a selfish git to hope he stays.

Call me a cynic, but I still have doubts about DAT. He reminds me of Bobby Moore (Ahmad Rashad) - better suited to the slot than as a every down TB.

 

Agreed. LMJ needs to go. If it was me I would go to the NFL ASAP. Running backs don't usually have a long career, especially when they are smaller. Look at Steven Jackson, guy is big in terms of Running backs, but he has been the workhorse for the rams so long I'd be shocked if the wheels don't come off in the next few years. If LMJ comes back next year, he's basically losing a years worth of big time dollars.

You guys will be fine without him. Plus this would give Barner a year to try and showcase himself for the pros.

 

I'm not convinced that DAT is an every down back... at least not like LMJ. He could easily play every down as a receiver/back.

 

I don't think DAT will ever be used as an every down back.

Think Percy Harvin.