Ted Miller Inteviews Chip Kelly

[Tray Dub]

Fair enough, we just have a very big difference of opinion. Dixon could evade better, was faster, was quicker, etc. He also had better breakout ability. Dixon might not have had MUCH better running ability (especially when you compare those stats, which actually surprised me a lot), but I would rather have him running the ball after dropping back or running an option than Masoli. And that's how you define better runner IMO, who you'd rather have running the ball

[dthomas=ddixon]

Fair enough, we just have a very big difference of opinion. Dixon could evade better, was faster, was quicker, etc. He also had better breakout ability. Dixon might not have had MUCH better running ability (especially when you compare those stats, which actually surprised me a lot), but I would rather have him running the ball after dropping back or running an option than Masoli. And that's how you define better runner IMO, who you'd rather have running the ball

That's the thing, I'd much rather have Masoli running the ball. Dixon would get his few yards & get out of bounds or slide down. That's great for a QB but we're talking about simply running the ball. Masoli has more power & just as much quickness and speed. Dixon had some rediculous agility that Masoli doesn't though.

Dixon was a better QB, for sure but Masoli has superior running skills. I don't think there is much of an argument.

[OreDucks01284]

I think he would be redshirting again unless he suprised everyone and beat out roper for number 2 spot. If he redshirt again, Im sure CK will make sure hes ready and capable to lead offense when needed

[karlhungis]

I think he would be redshirting again unless he suprised everyone and beat out roper for number 2 spot. If he redshirt again, Im sure CK will make sure hes ready and capable to lead offense when needed

Call me crazy but I wouldn't be surprised if DT beats out Roper for the #2 spot. I thought last years QB battle was intriguing, but this year is going to be even crazier. What about Costa???

[duckduckgoose]

This has been a very interesting series of posts. What everyone is forgetting here is that Masoli hasn't even been in the Oregon program for a calendar year yet. His improvement from the Washington game to the Holiday Bowl is nothing short of amazing. With good line play this year I think that JM is capable of numbers that Dixon could only dream about. Remember that he was a 3000 yard passer as a freshman at the JC level. Geez now I am ready for football season...

[karlhungis]

This has been a very interesting series of posts. What everyone is forgetting here is that Masoli hasn't even been in the Oregon program for a calendar year yet. His improvement from the Washington game to the Holiday Bowl is nothing short of amazing. With good line play this year I think that JM is capable of numbers that Dixon could only dream about. Remember that he was a 3000 yard passer as a freshman at the JC level. Geez now I am ready for football season...

I hear ya. These are some good problems to have. We have several guys who are capable of being our number 1 guy. Can't wait for practice to start.

[stewbertwilloughby]

I think he would be redshirting again unless he suprised everyone and beat out roper for number 2 spot. If he redshirt again, Im sure CK will make sure hes ready and capable to lead offense when needed

Call me crazy but I wouldn't be surprised if DT beats out Roper for the #2 spot. I thought last years QB battle was intriguing, but this year is going to be even crazier. What about Costa???

It wouldn't surprise me a bit if DT came out as the #2. But I would bet he still redshirts, in the way Costa did in '07. I wish CK and Bellotti found more ways to get DT on the field last year, just for a little more experience. No reason to waste for Boise State, Wash St., and one play in the Civil War.

[woundedknees]

If DT is willing, RS him and save that season... Remember how bummed a lot of us were when Dixon's time ran out, especially with DD asserting that he felt himself capable of convincing Snoop to stick around for one more year. (Wouldn't that have been amazing to watch?)

[buckmarkduck]

I had to chime in on the part that Dixon/Masoli comparison especially the part that Dixon has a better arm than Masoli. Last summer MB said that Masoli has the strongest arm of any QB he has had at UO. That's pretty high praise considering all the QB's MB coached at UO.

I think what sets Dixon and Masoli apart is confidence, JM has it DD didn't until his SR year. DD was the man as a SR but if DD got booed at Autzen he would gone in the tank as a SO or JR, but JM calmly lead UO to the win. Personally I think if Masoli was 6'2 he would be a big time NFL prospect, a Steve Young like QB, instead he will end up in the CFL.

[echo31]

When comparing Masoli and Dixon's running styles, perhaps you should take into account the videos below.

Dennis Dixon 80 yard TD run: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REGaN0h2kPE

Jeremiah Masoli 68 yard TD run: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roSfpGdKCqE

Dixon's run seems so effortless and fast. Masoli's run relies heavily on blocking and he seems to get tired at the end. Dixon had a running style that could gain a ton of yards based on his acceleration and speed, but if the long run wasn't there, he avoided contact as much as possible. Masoli's running style is much more punishing. He has speed, but it takes more effort for him to run over a long distance. His body can handle hits more, so he doesn't have to avoid contact and can pick up extra yards when needed like in this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4JevGzEfFs.

[nogerO]

Honestly? I keep very quiet unless it involves politics, but here are my thoughts on DT.

He scares me. Seriously no BS. This kid has all the tools, all the smarts, all the talent. When he steps into the starting spot, I dont think there is a kid in the nation including Pryor that could take it away from him. The reason he scares me is because he is so damned talented that when it finally happens, and it will, the entire Duck nation will expect a NC title in his first year! I dont want this kid to be a disappointment. Its a recipe for failure if CK and Co do not get a great supporting cast around him.

*note~NO I do not think any incoming freshman this year or the next two can take the spot away from DT. I see what CK sees in this kid.

Please don't use that phrase EVER again. It just sounds so trailer-trashy beaver-esque. We are the O...

[woundedknees]

One of the closests things I have seen to OS(no EWE) and vicinity, appearance wise, is the area around Knoxville Tn... Guess what Tennessee fans call themselves? Vol-Nation!

Coincidence? I think not!

[GrandpaDuck]

Here is a fun fact in contrasting Masoli's to Dixon's running

In Dixon's 10 games (9.25) in 2007, in only 3 of those games did he have a rush over 15 yards (4 rushes over 15 in total).

In Masoli's last 7 games (starting with UCLA when they started calling run option plays for him) he had 14 rushes over 15 yards and had at least a 20 yard gain in all 7 games.

Masoli gained more in those 7 games than Dixon did in 9.25, had more TD's and a higher yards per carry.

But the most interesting fact is that once they started running the zone read with Masoli both JJ and Blount's yards per carry each went up by 2 in the second half of the season.

[dthomas=ddixon]

Here is a fun fact in contrasting Masoli's to Dixon's running

In Dixon's 10 games (9.25) in 2007, in only 3 of those games did he have a rush over 15 yards (4 rushes over 15 in total).

In Masoli's last 7 games (starting with UCLA when they started calling run option plays for him) he had 14 rushes over 15 yards and had at least a 20 yard gain in all 7 games.

Masoli gained more in those 7 games than Dixon did in 9.25, had more TD's and a higher yards per carry.

But the most interesting fact is that once they started running the zone read with Masoli both JJ and Blount's yards per carry each went up by 2ypg in the second half of the season.

Great post. Those are some really cool stats, especially the last one. Shows how important the mesh read is in this offense. It really start & stops with that play, IMO. If we aren't running that play at full strength then our Offense is going to struggle.

[woundedknees]

Throw a consistently solid pass game into the mix with those running attributes, and things start looking pretty positive, don't they?