Quack Attack

Still the most exciting football team in America resides in the Pacific Northwest showing off the colors for Philip Knight's alumni and his business. The school as we should all know is the University of Oregon and their high powered running attack led by LaMichael James the incumbent newcomer of the year in the Pacific Ten and also the latest in a slew of naughty Ducks as James will be suspended for the first game of the season for his offseason debauchery. Not only are the Ducks exciting on the field with the ability to score from anywhere on the field they are also exciting off the field.

In his second season Chip Kelly has had to deal with potential Heisman Trophy candidates getting more time out of uniform than in the green and gold with occasional other colors per the interest of Nike. Last year it was LeGarrette Blount who was suspended indefinately after a opening game punch seen on national television that prompted the head coach to re-act early in his head coaching career. Coach Kelly had every right to forgive his star running back in 2009 but set the standard that the inmates were not going to run the asylum and what an asylum in is in the otherwise peaceful hippie town of Eugene, Oregon. This year it was returning Heisman candidate Jeremiah Masoli who stole the off season Duck mug shot with his pleading guilt to robbery and than breaking the camels back for getting caught with weed by a cop in Oregon known for its lush climate ideal for growing marijuana which is ok in the eyes of a lot of qualified medicinal doctors along the Pacific Coastline.

Well last year it was goodbye LaGarrette, hello LaMichael. This year it's so long Jeremiah and hello Darron Thomas. With Thomas the Ducks get a little bit taller at the QB position not that it helps but considering the Ducks offense Thomas can run the ball when needed but who needs to when the Ducks have a slew of running backs, enough to take up Barry Switzer's the old Sooner wishbone offense. Thomas could be the answer to the problems that haunted the Ducks in last year's hard fought loss to Ohio State in the Rose Bowl. Masoli was ineffective in the passing game often having problems with the taller Buckeye lineman who appeared to cloud his vision as Masoli was victimized by untimely interceptions and tipped passes the downfall of the short QB. Thomas at 6'3" and mobile has exceptional arm strength that should upgrade the Duck passing game and if he cannot come through early fifth year senior Nate Costa is in the waiting to pick up any opportunities to play with a very talented offensive machine.

If the Ducks are going to contend for the National Title which many experts feel is realistic they will need to step up their defensive efforts. Last year's Rose Bowl Duck squad although talented had a tough time keeping the Buckeye offense off the field as Ohio State was able to sustain long drives which ultimately proved the difference as the Buckeyes won the game. If the Ducks are going to compete against the more prominent teams outside the Pacific Ten they will need to be more efficient on third down defense.

Know one thing for sure, these are not cute little Ducks. There is a $500 fine for killing Ducks in Eugene but you better be ready to defend yourself when you play Oregon. These Ducks are mean, they got teeth and they will do anything necessary to kick the bejeezies out of you. Heck, their own mascot the goofy smiling Duck is a sicko with his sadistic habits of stomping Cougars, Bears, Huskies, Trojans, Wildcats, Beavers, and that gay little Scum Devil that runs around the Pacific Coast. Rest for one second on these Ducks you can expect to be kicked in the ass, have your throat stepped on or a big floppy web toed footprint to be embedded in your back. So don't take these Ducks lightly they are contenders.