Quarterback
Comparison
by Cory Howard
Fife vs. Clemens
Ducks Illustrated photos: Walt Grondona
Traditionally the University of Oregon football has been very spoiled when it comes
to the quarterback position. Who could forget the likes of Joey Harrington, A.J. Feeley,
Akili Smith, Bill Musgrave, Chris Miller, and of course Dan Fouts. In recent years the
Duck football program has been very successful tallying the most wins in the Pac-10
over the last “Duckade”, excuse me, decade and the play of the signal caller has been
a big part of that success Following their decisive victory over favored Colorado in the
Fiesta Bowl the Ducks soared to #2 on the AP poll in 2001 and rolled into the 2002
season with even higher expectation from fans and coaches who were accustomed to
winning. Junior quarterback Jason Fife emerged as the starter and led the Ducks to
a perfect 6-0 start. However, questionable offensive and defensive play allowed the
Ducks to drop 6 out of their last 7 games, including a humiliating loss in the Seattle
Bowl to a mediocre Wake Forest team. The poor season left fans, coaches, and players
with a bad taste in their mouths.
There are many questions that must be answered before Saturday's kickoff against
Mississippi State for the Ducks to return to their winning ways. The most important
question is: who will lead this team from the quarterback position? Senior Jason Fife
and Sophomore Kellen Clemens are battling to win the coveted position as Oregon’s
starting quarterback. Both are sharing time with the number one offensive unit in order
to determine who the best candidate for the position is. Thus far neither one has really
done anything to distance themselves from their competitor. It’s likely that we will not
know who the starter will be until game day against MSU. Personally, I have to root for
fellow Oregonian Kellen Clemens to emerge as the teams starting quarterback after
a very solid spring game performance. However, only time will tell if my prediction
is accurate. I asked Kellen and Jason a few key questions about the current quarterback
controversy, and this is what they had to say:
DI: How has your knowledge of the offense improved over the last year?
Kellen: It has improved immensely. I have been watching a lot of film over the
summer and I have been getting a lot of reps. Experience and reps pays dividends
for a young QB.
DI: What do you have to do to improve this season?
Jason: To not let anything affect me at all, forgetting what the media says about me
and Kellen and forgetting about any pressures I’m beginning to feel. Just letting it all
go, just playing football and not worrying about it because that’s when I’m at my best.
M ORE A BOut
DI: What do you have to do to win this job?
Kellen: Play consistent, make good decisions, and not turn the ball over
kellen
DI: How are you going to keep your starting job?
Jason: I have to be confident and optimistic; otherwise I might as well lie down and
not play
DI: How comfortable are you in the pocket now, and with the game speed?
Kellen: I am very comfortable in the pocket, and the game speed is just fine now.
DI: How is your throwing going this summer?
Jason: My footwork wasn’t as great near the end of the season and I wasn’t finishing
my throws, so I concentrated on that during the off-season. And I think that my vision
of the field has improved.
Who Has
The Edge?
GAME EXPERIENCE: JASON
FIELD LEADERSHIP: KELLEN
KNOWLEDGE OF THE
SYSTEM: JASON
SCRAMBLING ABILITY:
KELLEN
ARM STRENGTH: JASON
ACCURACY: TOSS-UP
FIELD VISION: KELLEN
POCKET PASSING: JASON
POISE UNDER PRESSURE:
TOSS-UP
TOUCH PASSING: KELLEN
10 AUGUST 28, 2003
Ducks I llustrated
Favorite Pro Athlete:
Brett Favre
Favorite Food: Steak
Favorite Movie: Tombstone
Favorite TV Show:
Home Improvement
Favorite Music: Country
Dream Play:
Touchdown drive to win the
National Championship
Player I miss the most from
last year:
Dave Moretti
Career after Football:
Rancher
Most Influential Person:
Dad
If I was stranded on an island,
I’d like to be with... :
Shania Twain
Team I Enjoy
Beating the Most:
Oregon State
Funniest Guy on the Team:
Matt Floberg
Team Not on the Schedule
I’d Like to Play:
Texas
On my wall I have
a poster of: 2002 Festa Bowl
Hobbies:
Breaking Horses
M ORE A BOut
JA S ON
Favorite Pro Athlete:
Steve Young
Favorite Food: “Fife’s Surprise”,
a Pasta Chili Cheese dish
Favorite Movie:
Lord of the Rings
Favorite TV Show:
Sponge Bob Square Pants
Favorite Music: Punk
Dream Play:
Scramble for 80-yard TD
Player I miss the most from
last year: Allan Amundson
Career after Football:
Fireman
Most Influential Person:
Wife (see page 9)
If I was stranded on an island,
I’d like to be with... :
Wife
Team I Enjoy
Beating the Most:
Huskies
Funniest Guy on the Team:
Erik Cheney
Team Not on the Schedule
I’d Like to Play: Southern Cal
On my wall I have
a poster of: A person
Kneeling & Praying
Hobbies:
Snowboarding & Golf