I think it was clear who were the "leaders" over the last couple of years.  Obviously LMJ was respected as a strong leader.  Same for Barner this year.  On defense, you had people like Boyett, Jordan, Clay, etc

So, who are our team leaders this year?  Is it DAT?  I just don't see him like an LMJ or Barner type.  Same for Huff.  Mariotta - too laid bad in regards to leading/motivation? 

I think a part of the culture that Kelly created was having players accountable.  Each position had a "captain" so to speak who was responsible for their respective group.  Yes, we had a bad string of arrests in 2010/2011, but notice we have been pretty clean with the recruits Kelly and company picked up since 2009?  Sorry, when I say picked up, I should have meant, "paid for"......."lol"

Back on track here - who do you all see as leaders for this year?

Go OR Ducks wrote: I think it was clear who were the "leaders" over the last couple of years.  Obviously LMJ was respected as a strong leader.  Same for Barner this year.  On defense, you had people like Boyett, Jordan, Clay, etc

So, who are our team leaders this year?  Is it DAT?  I just don't see him like an LMJ or Barner type.  Same for Huff.  Mariotta - too laid bad in regards to leading/motivation? 

I think a part of the culture that Kelly created was having players accountable.  Each position had a "captain" so to speak who was responsible for their respective group.  Yes, we had a bad string of arrests in 2010/2011, but notice we have been pretty clean with the recruits Kelly and company picked up since 2009?  Sorry, when I say picked up, I should have meant, "paid for"......."lol"

Back on track here - who do you all see as leaders for this year?

Offense:

Mariota
Grasu
Huff
DAT

Defense:

Hart
BoLo
T-Mitch
Ifo
Jackson


GO Ducks!!! WTD

Brett

Offense - Grasu, Mariota, Huff, DAT
Defense - Ifo, Mitchell, Patterson, Wade

Defense is harder to me because we lost so many key players and leaders. Linebacker especially. I'll be interested to see how Walker fits into the mix there - the early word is positive.

Grasu
Huff

Patterson
Ifo
Hart

Speaking of Patterson, how is his rehab coming along?

---Daisy

Boyett went out WAY too quietly. Tough way to end his time at Oregon.

A great player in the mold of Rashad Bauman and Kevin Mitchell...

Doesn't have the #s to be loved by the NFL, but any college team would love to have him on the field because he makes plays, one right after another.

We haven't even played next season's games, but I like that we don't lose too many key seniors.

The youth on this team will help the head coaching transition for the next couple seasons.

Leaders?

DAT and MM are humble....who on the offense is vocal and would be respected by team mates?

I would disagree on this one. There were a few times I can remember seeing him pump up the team on the sidelines when the game was close.

Grasu is just as laid back in interviews yet he's one of the leaders on the o-line.

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--- Go OR Ducks wrote:

Mariotta - too laid bad in regards to leading/motivation? 

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Go OR Ducks wrote:

Is it DAT?  I just don't see him like an LMJ or Barner type.  Same for Huff. 

I think Huff has stepped us his game in that regard.  At least from a fan's observation, who knows what it's like in the room.  He is a firey guy who takes pride in his blocking and has been through a lot at Oregon so I expect him to be one of the major leaders on offense for sure.

DAT will definitely be a leader on this team. Absolutely 100% no "DAT" (doubt for those of you who don't get it) about it!

I agree with Killory77 regarding Marcus Mariota. The kind of leadership qualities I see when watching Mariota remind me of what I saw in watching Bill Musgrave. Mariota makes plays, has a tempered celebration after scores, then it's back to work. When he makes a mistake, he doesn't allow it to affect his play going forward. Other players on the team will follow his example. Many players, both past and present, have remarked how talented and impressed they are with Mariota. It says a lot when someone like LaMichael James openly champions the abilities (skill and leadership) of Marcus Mariota when Mariota is a redshirt freshman and James never played in any games with him. Someone like James isn't going to dole out such high praise without merit.

If the team continues the captains by position group, here are my choices from what I've seen and read:

Offensive Backfield: Marcus Mariota
Offensive Line: Hroniss Grasu (has been a leader since his first start)
Receivers/Tight Ends: DeAnthony Thomas or Daryle Hawkins
Defensive Line: Taylor Hart
Linebackers: Derrick Malone
Defensive Backs: Avery Patterson

Linebacker captain is difficult to pick. One would think Boseko Lokombo due to his experience, but linebacker captains in the past from Oregon have tended to be inside linebackers who are vocal. I'm not sure if Malone fits being vocal, but of those that have played he has the most experience. It'll be interesting to see how quickly someone like Joe Walker fits in. Rodney Hardrick's physical talent and skills may elevate him as well.

For the defensive backs, one could pick any of the four projected starters and probably not go wrong. Of these though, someone like Avery Patterson seems to be the most obvious. Vocal leader, voracious hitter, plays coverage well and is a solid defender against the run. Plus he plays a position where the entire field is in front of him.

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--- Killory77 wrote:

I would disagree on this one. There were a few times I can remember seeing him pump up the team on the sidelines when the game was close.

Grasu is just as laid back in interviews yet he's one of the leaders on the o-line.

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--- Go OR Ducks wrote:

Mariotta - too laid bad in regards to leading/motivation? 

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Who are vocal and who lead by example

Mariota is not laid back. I think you are confusing Hawaiian culture or his deference to upper classmen last year as being laid back. He's super intense from everything I've read about him including stories abotu him growing up. Not intense as a negative, but intense. Next year it's his team. No question.

Huff has turned into a leader by word and deed.

Grasu is a leader.

For defense Ifo, Patterson, Hart, maybe Lokumbo, it would be nice to have a LB step up in leadership.  

Go OR Ducks wrote:   Mariotta - too laid bad in regards to leading/motivation? 

Off season, summer leadership is where this team will be made. I think the offense will be in good hands with Marcus and DAT knowing what it takes to win and providing leadership. I like how Ifo plays on the field and would expect the same attitude when the coaches aren't all over the players during summer workouts. Quiet leadership will be these guys first tactic but I can imagine they won't put up with others slacking off and jeopardizing an ethic which has been established. Great discussion as the leadership coming from the players is critical for any team to succeed.

Good discussion

I don't know if it means that he's also a leader in the locker room and on the field but Brian Jackson appears to be one of the go-to guys for interviews this offseason. I think he's really stepping into a leadership role.

phlduck wrote: Who are vocal and who lead by example

phew........that is a powerful statement !   It's important that there are six or eight well respected leaders from different position groups.  But it's when you've sixteen or eighteen guys who are vocal and encouraging guys to hit offseason goals in the weightroom, rehab, etc. that you've really got a team !!

Thank you phl