Talk about random. Only explanation I can think of is Kelly leaving. Or maybe NCAA infractions incoming
From what I saw, I think y'all had a very capable backup in Bennett this past year. I have many doubts about DT as an NFL QB though. He's not on Cam's level and I'm not sure he can handle a conventional NFL offense. He'd be better served to stay another year and enjoy another good shot at a Pac-12 Title and Rose Bowl IMO.
His decision makes little sense to me. Recent thinking is NCAA sanctions on Oregon will be less severe than first feared, so I don't think that's a new factor. Maybe he had little more to prove in college, and he didn't want to risk injury. I suspect a big factor was,... there was going to be a war over his QB job. Brian Bennett will be a sophomore, he's much faster than Thomas, and is especially accurate throwing on the run. There's been some grumbling in Duckland,.. who wanted Bennett over Thomas last year. And comments I've heard suggest Marcus Mariota a redshirt this year who ran the scout team, is thought to be in the mix, even had Thomas come back. We've also got a commit that Chip's nuts about, Jake Rodrigues, but he just broke his leg, so his status is ?. Barring injury we're great, although USC's stock just rose, and our preseaon rating just dropped. . Good Luck to 2012 Rose Bowl Champion, Oregon QB, Darren Thomas
I dont think it's a good decision at all. Honestly might be a brad smith type player and have to switch positions. just dont see him working out in the NFl
I agree with you. This from sports columnist John Canzano http://media.oregonlive.com/oregonian/photo/2011/10/10199365-small.jpg
From what I saw he's not an accurate passer at all (especially under pressure) and tends to make bad decisions in the read-option.
Those are the two knocks on Thomas. Initially DT was expected to be a much better passer than J. Masoli, and almost as fast... He wasn't. When Masoli got the boot, a very, very inexperienced Thomas took over. He led the undefeated Ducks to the NC, where he did make some bad reads. In 2011 Thomas hurt his knee, missed two games, his speed is less although it might be the knee brace. The last few games not noticeable, but for a while he was really favoring it. I don't have QB mechanic knowledge, but the word is, his sore knee has screwed up his throwing motion. Especially on the move DT has a strong tendency to throw high and behind the receiver. He makes the occasional poor decision, but his interception rate is extra good, (a lot of his ints. were high passes that were tipped). Really his strength is poise and game management, and he has been clutch the few times it was demanded. Mostly he does a very good job managing the read option. I felt a little abandoned and was slightly ticked off, when I heard about him leaving,.. there's a web pic of him picking his nose, I thought about posting it. Then I thought better. Thomas was 23-3 as a starter, he played less than a quarter as a backup. 2010 led Oregon to an undefeated regular season and a berth in the NC. 2011 led Oregon to it's first Rose Bowl victory in 95 years. Good Luck Darren, thanks.
