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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 28, 2003)
Offensive Outlook by Jerry Thompson Oregon was a very good first half team in almost every game last year but the big question is whether they have solved their lackluster performances in the second half. A tough Mississippi State team at home will be a good test to see if they have found the needed answers. We’ve looked at the line and quarterbacks. Here are the rest of the players who should be the biggest contributors on offense. Tailbacks: 24 - Terrence Whitehead, 5-10, 202; 22 - Chris Vincent, 6-1, 223; 27 - Ryan Shaw, 5-11, 205 Fullbacks: 32 - Matt Floberg, 6-3, 250; 33 - Luke Rowley, 6-1, 239; 44 - Dante Rosario, 6-4, 240 Wide Receivers: 1 - Samie Parker, 5-11; 180, 6 - Demetrius Williams, 6-2, 185, 80 - Kellen Taylor, 6-1, 185; 83 - Marcus Maxwell, 6-5, 194; 89 - Garren Strong, 6-4, 180; 26 - Kyle Weatherspoon, 6-1, 186 Tight Ends: 85 - Tim Day, 6-4, 267; 88 - Nate LiaBratten, 6-4, 245; 82 - Dan Kause, 6-4, 246. Special Teams: Kicker: 25 - Jared Siegel; Snapper: 48 - Ryan Loftin; Punter: 36 - Paul Martinez Some of last year’s second half problems were due to the loss of Onterrio Smith. This year sophomore Tererence Whitehead has had a full spring and summer to get in better shape as well as knowing he will he a running back and not be on defense. The result is he is faster, quicker, and stronger. The same is true for redshirt freshman Chris Vincent and junior Ryan Shaw. Whitehead appears to have the best vision and cutting ability while Vincent is great for power running and carrying tacklers for extra yards. Shaw, one of the strongest players pound for pound on the team is great on getting to the corner on sweeps. The elusive Kenny Washington is also healthy and provides needed depth since no new running backs were signed during recruiting. At fullback seniors Matt Floberg and Luke Rowley are big and very tough blockers. Look for them to run the ball a little more this season. Freshman Dante Rosario has been very impressive running from the fullback position and looks like a can’t miss star of the future there. At the receiver positions the Ducks combine both speed and size this year. They lost Keenan Howry and Jason Willis to graduation and also lost projected starter for the season Keith Allen to a knee injury at the beginning of fall camp. Fortunately the cupboards are not bare. Samie Parker, maybe the fastest collegiate receiver in the U.S. returns for his senior year and he hopes to add to his 49 receptions with 8 TDs from last year. The lanky and sure-handed Demetrius Williams has earned his chance for the limelight on the other side. Junior college transfers Kellen Taylor and Marcus Maxwell also provide size and toughness and will be counted on heavily to con- tribute. Behind them are a bevy of fresh- man: Garren Strong, Kyle Weatherspoon, Brian Paysinger, and Jordan Carey. The Ducks would like to redshirt of couple of them. As for W ID E RE CE I V ER SA MI E PA RK E R now it looks like Weatherspoon will be first in line for play- ing time this year. The tight end position is in good hands as long as the big guys can stay healthy. Valualbe back-up Josh Rogers, a senior, was lost for the season in fall camp and J.C. transfer Eddie Whitaker will miss the first game due to an ankle injury. The Ducks use two tight ends quite extensively so Day, LiaBraaten, and true freshman Dan Kause as well as senior Ryan Loftin should be kept very busy. The kicking game is in good hands with Jared Siegel as long as he stops trying to act like a defensive back, risking his valuable leg. His 59-yarder Ducks Illustrated photo: Walt Grondona was margin of victory over UCLA last year. On kickoffs he needs to stay on his side of the 50 and only make a tackle to save a touchdown. The punting situation is a real concern as true freshman Paul Martinez appears to have won the job but has not be real impressive. Hopefully the offense will be so high-powered this year that the talented newcomer will not be placed in too many pressure situations too early. Defensive Outlook by Jerry Thompson The defensive coaches have done their homework and will do their best to prevent the horrible past defense of last year. Coach Bellotti has stressed that it’s not just the cornerbacks to blame but all 11 players need to step us their game. A better pass rush should be in the offing and that could help immensely. We’ve looked at the D-line, here’s the linebackers and defensive backs: L I N E B AC K E R K E VI N M IT C HE L L Middle LB: 52 - Jerry Matson, 6-1, 224; 37 - Justin Andrews, 6-1, 242; 10 - Scott Vossmeyer, 6-3, 223 Inside LB: 39 - Kevin Mitchell, 5-11, 220; 18-Ramone Reed, 6-2, 213; 49 - Marcus Miller, 6-2, 218 Outside LB: 84 - Anthony Trucks, 6-1, 219; 54 - Reggie Kerney, 6-2, 200; 21- David Martin, 6-0, 218 Corners: 4 - Steven Moore, 5-9, 182; 5 - Aaron Gipson, 5-9, 183; 2 - Marques Binns, 5-11, 163; 14 -Sam Hughes, 5-10, 190; 11 - Charles Favroth, 5-11, 185; 17 - Rodney Woods, 5-10, 185. Free Safety: 16 - Keith Lewis, 6-1, 200; 31 - Justin Phinisee, 5-10, 195; 28 - J.D. Nelson, 5-11, 197 Rover: 23 - Marley Tucker, 6-0, 183; 7 - Stephen Clayton, 5-11, 193; 3 - Demetrius Spates, 5-11, 196. The linebackers and defensive backs instead of being the “smash unit” has been the “M.A.S.H.” unit this fall. Promising linebacker Rob Hamilton was lost for the season the second week of fall camp and starters and key back-ups Kevin Mitchell, Jerry Matson, Justin Andrews, Ramone Reed have missed most of fall camp as far as physical contact. Starter David Martin ran into academic questions and his status is is question. Only converted QB Scott Vossmeyer and walk-ons Steve Lynn, Jonathan Levine, and Brent Haberly have been healthy throughout camp. Highly touted freshman Lance Broadus who chose the Ducks over Nebraska has never been cleared and A.J. Tuitelte who was switched from rover to linebacker broke his finger last week in camp. Things aren’t much better for the backs as much needed corner Marc Walker never was cleared to play and Rodney Woods has been hurt off and on. In some ways nothing has changed from last year as it looks like the diminutive duo of Moore and Gipson are the starters with the slender Binns as the back-up. We keep hearing size doesn’t matter in cornerbacks and I hope I am proven wrong this year. I just don’t buy it. I’d like to see Gipson backing up Moore and Justin Phinisee, Sam Hughes, and Charles Favroth much more in the mix on the other side. If that doesn’t work how about playing Keith Lewis, the fastest db on the team at corner? I think he’d relish the chance to show what he can do. The attitude is better this year and here’s hoping that the players’ improvement as well as adjustment of schemes keeps the opponents out of the endzone a lot more this season. Ducks Illustrated photo: Walt Grondona Ducks I llustrated AUGUST 28, 2003 11
