Comments on: Stunning: Oregon’s Darron Thomas to pursue NFL dreams

By: davidjcu

davidjcu — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 18:28:57 +0000

I guess he figured he would go higher this year with Luck and Griffin as the main guys vs next year when he would be up against Barkley, Landry Jones, Tyler Wilson, Aaron Murra, and Geno Smith.

By: th56

th56 — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 03:40:46 +0000

As the Oregonian’s Joe Cazano points out, he is leaving because there is no upside in staying. He won’t improve his draft status no matter what he does. He can only hurt his chances, there’s no guarantee he will even start next year. I think Bennet has already outplayed him and he can probably see the writing on the wall. Even if he doesn’t make an Nfl team, he can probably play in the CFL. He is very close to graduating, so he’ll get his degree. he wants to play pro ball and thinks this is his best shot, so good for him. As for the Ducks, they’ll be fine. In fact I think this Bennett kid will prove to be an upgrade.

By: mwcarolina

mwcarolina — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 01:21:20 +0000

honestly, i dont know what to make of Thomas. i have to read more scouting reports on him, i think he does have potential to be a decent QB, even as a starter. the question is, does a team like Washington reach in round one or round two to get him!!!?? i personally dont see him going in round one, but i could see him fall to round 2 and going to Washington who has a clear QB need.

By: Ben Kercheval

Ben Kercheval — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 21:57:38 +0000

“It is not too early to say that the Ducks will not be the same team in 2012 that they were 2010-2011. Duh.”

Not sure “different team = no Pac-12 title” applies when Ducks have proven it doesn’t in last 3 years.

By: Maximus Decimus Meridius

Maximus Decimus Meridius — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 21:45:58 +0000

UNDRAFTED….

Welcome to the AFL

By: tailgatersanimal

tailgatersanimal — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 21:28:20 +0000

“But now the Ducks have lost their star running back and quarterback to the NFL. It’s too early to tell if that will affect Oregon’s chances at another Pac-12 title — USC is now apparently a Top 5 favorite again – but it does make the conference race a bit more interesting.”

It is not too early to say that the Ducks will not be the same team in 2012 that they were 2010-2011. Duh.

By: seanmmartin

seanmmartin — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 20:18:32 +0000

My friend and I were driving back from the Pats game when we heard this announcement on the radio. We both started laughing.

He will not make it as a QB. He isn’t fast enough, honestly, to play WR in the NFL. I mean, I don’t even think he has enough athleticism to make the transition ala Brad Smith, Josh Cribbs, or Randle El. Most guys don’t even make a big impact (Armanti Edwards.) Hope he’s tough enough to play special teams. Someone will keep him if he’s a smart football guy.

By: trojan33sc

trojan33sc — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 18:37:49 +0000

There seems to be a total lack of communication between DT’s representatives and realistic expectations as to his draft status. Someone has mislead the kid, he NEEDS that last year of college experience. Hate to seem him throw his career away.

By: burntorangehorn

burntorangehorn — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 16:31:58 +0000

Thomas isn’t quite the quarterback Dennis Dixon was in college, and I’m not sure he’ll be quite the quarterback Dennis Dixon is in the NFL. Oregon just runs a very nice offense for guys with that skill set. Look for Bryan Bennett to have a very good career there.

By: lanzurrah

lanzurrah — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 16:26:50 +0000

@tg1896

Reading comprehension must not be your strong suite…the comment I was responding to assumed USC would have a “cakewalk” to the title game because of Oregon losing their QB, in which USC would lose to another SEC team.

I was pointing out how unlike other high profile PAC-12, Big Ten, VII, etc teams….USC doesn’t struggle against SEC teams, be it recently or historically. They’ve in fact, beat the living hell out of them when SEC teams agreed to play them the past decade.

By: Ben Kercheval

Ben Kercheval — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 16:13:49 +0000

“Not quite sure what the author (Kercheval) means in saying that “USC is now apparently a top 5 again” simply because Darron Thomas elected to leave the Ducks. Thomas’ departure has no bearing on USC being identified in the top 5. However it does impact Oregon’s similar ranking.”

I didn’t say USC is a top 5 favorite again because Thomas left. That was a link to John’s predictions about the Trojans for next season, which came before Thomas’ announcement.

By: str8cashomie2

str8cashomie2 — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 15:08:14 +0000

are you KIDDING me??? Has WR written all over him? Do you watch football? This guys in no way could play WR in the NFL

By: canetic

canetic — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 13:37:27 +0000

No one can see the writing on the wall? He probably did something that made him ineligible for his senior year anyway so he had to move on.

By: uscatjerseyshore

uscatjerseyshore — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 13:23:04 +0000

Not quite sure what the author (Kercheval) means in saying that “USC is now apparently a top 5 again” simply because Darron Thomas elected to leave the Ducks. Thomas’ departure has no bearing on USC being identified in the top 5. However it does impact Oregon’s similar ranking.

Ultimately the games need to be played so rankings (including USC being identified in the top 5) at this juncture are problematic. What is known the SEC semi-pro league is going to be tough. So long as the SEC continues to attract more than half of the five star athletes coming out of high school as they have for the past several years that status won’t change.

By: tg1896

tg1896 — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 13:18:54 +0000

Lanzurrah – so you cherry pick one team and talk about their record versus a CONFERENCE?

Try this on for size – SEC vs Pac 10 (Pac-12) football, all-time, head-to-head record (through the 2010 season; excluding Colorado and Utah) – SEC leads the Pac-10 63-40-5 (.606).

Anything else?

By: lanzurrah

lanzurrah — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 08:59:13 +0000

@mrslay1

Oregon will still be a top ten team…they’ve been recruiting well the past couple of years. DeAnthony Thomas and Kenjon Barner are extremely talented fill-ins for James. Darron Thomas was benched at one point this year in favor of Bryan Bennett who ran the offense just as well as Thomas.

As for Southern Cal and the SEC…they’re 17-10-1 all-time against the SEC…with the most recent games being a 23-0 drubbing of #6 Auburn @ Auburn, a 70-17 win against Arkansas in LA, and a 50-14 win @ Arkansas the following year. These were Pete Carroll’s teams, but nonetheless…historically the PAC-12 gives USC bigger fits than the SEC.

Try again?

By: hillzmickelzon

hillzmickelzon — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 08:11:25 +0000

Wr?? What i cant believe you so called football fans can say that, why stay in school and have chip mess with your head & your money by bringin bennett in when no (other) qb with those stats would ever be forced too sit or get pulled when you throw for 250 in a half? Have you guys noticed that the ducks became unbeatable with thomas starting? I mean who throws for 3400 yrd and 33 tds 7 ints? Wait your gonna tell me ryan tannehill is a better qb than thomas right? Im laughin at that one do any of you guys watch the pac 12? This guy outplayed LUCK on the same field two years in a row AND BEAT HIM.. Check ya stats go WR that!!!

By: pdcooper08

pdcooper08 — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 07:52:09 +0000

The Ducks will be fine, they will adjust and reload and compete for the conference. DT can and will play QB at the next level. I thought that was a great comment regarding being Tebows back up, as he will need one. Who ever wins the Pac -12 next will play in the big dance. I can’t wait to see the championship game with Arkansas next year and see what the SEC is all about. Your conference has been dominate of late, but the Pac -12′s best can hang with you.

By: hutchtl

hutchtl — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 06:47:28 +0000

Mistake, Mistake, Mistake…… Darren is good but not yet good enough for the NFL. He needs to give it one more year and try. Not only is hurting Oregon but he is hurting himself.

By: crazyfootballfun

crazyfootballfun — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 05:33:10 +0000

I love DT, but think this is a huge mistake. For all you naysayers, the Ducks are still going to be tough next year. DT came out of nowhere to lead us to the championship game last year. We have Bryan Bennett and another solid kid, Marcus Mariotta behind him ( or ahead, if rumors are true about how good he is). DT…we thank you for all you did for the ducks and wish you luck, and lots of us. Maybe you can surprise everyone in the NFL the same way you surprised the Pac 10/12 in your first 2 years.

By: imaduffer

imaduffer — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 05:31:02 +0000

And the owner of the Ducks, just do it, said “shit.”

By: trojan33sc

trojan33sc — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 05:16:42 +0000

I can’t believe that he submitted a draft evaluation from the league that encouraged him to leave early. A final year of college ball would have done him good. I’m a Trojan but the more competitive the conference the better the conference games. Wonder what happened to his prior committment? Oh well, good luck….

By: duckfan2400

duckfan2400 — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 04:50:23 +0000

Why did that retard say it was racist to say he will be a receiver? He might be.

By: webfootdoug58

webfootdoug58 — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 04:12:19 +0000

This hurts.

By: florida727

florida727 — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 03:32:35 +0000

“As in all cases, we educate our players with the information we feel will be beneficial to them throughout the process but ultimately, the decision is left up to the players. I will always support Darron in his decision…”

TRANSLATION: You’re making a mistake kid, you aren’t even going to get drafted. Good luck going the free agent route. Hope someone takes a chance on you. Forget about that QB thing by the way.

By: thecrazyasianinseccountry

thecrazyasianinseccountry — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 02:54:34 +0000

C’Mon can’t we talk sport without bringing in race or politics in. Aren’t you listening to what they’re saying about Tebow? He’s only a good NFL fullback. How about Matt Ryan? I believe he’s a white guy too. You know what, now that you’ve brought it up, Timmy Chang set all kinds of records and he’s not an NFL qb, maybe because he’s Asian?
Now I hope, like I said in earlier post, that Thomas succeed whether it as quarterbacks or any other positions. If those that are close to him truly love and care for his future, then they should advice him to exploit all his options.

By: ogre2010

ogre2010 — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 02:28:20 +0000

There is Tim Tebow’s back up in Denver

By: mrslay1

mrslay1 — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 02:22:47 +0000

You can take Oregon out of the top 15 now. They were the team to beat so.cal next year. Now they will have a cakewalk to the big game. Of coarse they will lose to the SEC:-)

By: pudgalvin

pudgalvin — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 02:22:07 +0000

Well, he can probably run faster than the white guy.

By: centexhorn

centexhorn — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 02:15:08 +0000

I gotta say, seeing how well he played in the Rose Bowl surprised me. He looked like a genuine quarterback, making very good throws.

I think the “He’ll be an excellent wide receiver” comments are racist. He’s a quarterback, just like any white guy.