Oregon QB Darron Thomas turns pro
I don't think many "experts" saw this one coming. I personally think comparing himself to Cam Newton is ridiculous but good luck to him.
Link -
http://www.registerguard.com/web/sports/27467931-41/thomas-oregon-ducks-quarterback-darron.html.csp
January 16th, 2012 at 9:59 AM ^
Drew Rosenhaus picked him up. He must see something there.
January 16th, 2012 at 11:12 AM ^
Wasn't he Pryor's agent as well? I'd say Thomas compares more to the arm punter than Newton, in the Auburn-Oregon game Thomas was the major reason why Oregon lost. Doesn't have the size or arm srength of either player.
January 16th, 2012 at 9:59 AM ^
Good luck to him. I get the the feeling there might another reason for him entering the draft.
January 16th, 2012 at 10:06 AM ^
Supposedly he is in danger of losing his spot to the backup if he comes back. The backup is bigger faster and has a better arm
January 16th, 2012 at 10:12 AM ^
Really? Was he evaluated by a certain RB coach from the state of Michigan?
January 16th, 2012 at 10:18 AM ^
but his backup Brian Bennett is pretty good. He a fast white boy
January 16th, 2012 at 11:00 AM ^
wait... the guy from the ESPN's big ten blog, i would have never guessed
January 16th, 2012 at 10:18 AM ^
I don't think a 2 year starting QB, with a MNC appearance (which they lost on a last second field goal) and a Rose Bowl win is in danger of losing his job to a backup
January 16th, 2012 at 10:18 AM ^
That may be, but how can you bench a 3 year starter and put a freshmen in? DT ran that offense pretty damn good
January 16th, 2012 at 10:56 AM ^
Chip Kelly truly marches to the beat of his own drum so I could see him doing that. He doesn't seem to follow conventions in any way. Some find him refreshing but I can see why others think he's arrogant.
January 16th, 2012 at 4:05 PM ^
January 16th, 2012 at 10:07 AM ^
I see what you did there.
January 16th, 2012 at 10:03 AM ^
It would be interesting to see how good Oregon could be if they had continuity at the starting quarterback position (not that they've been bad)...What's it been like four new starting quarterbacks in the past five years? No idea what inspired Thomas to go pro....I don't even know if he's a first day pick...
January 16th, 2012 at 10:21 AM ^
The article states that draft analysts place in the fifth round or later, with some even saying he wouldn't be drafted. The way in which this is written gives me the impression that this is being driven by Thomas' view of himself largely as it says he believes he can compete with NFL "second-tier" QBs. Maybe that's true, but he probably would have fared better in the draft with another year of development. An agent picked him up, of course, so they must see something saleable in Thomas.
The other thing I believe I heard is that the backup QB is pretty good and that Thomas would potentially find himself as the backup next year, so that's a possible reason for his departure too, but I have trouble believing this one somehow - Thomas is, after all, pretty damn good at this level.
Good luck to him, if this is what he wants, of course. It's a big step and you don't want to see kids make it for no return down the road.
January 16th, 2012 at 10:10 AM ^
Now that the draft is 3 days, he may not even be a 2nd day pick. He is projected to be at best a 5th rounder and possibly not drafted at all.
January 16th, 2012 at 10:30 AM ^
plus one to you, I forgot the draft was 3 days. I was still thinking the "old format" where the first three rounds are on day 1.
January 16th, 2012 at 10:05 AM ^
I think the Cam Newton comparison is more about staying one step ahead of NCAA investigators. There's no point in staying in school if you're not going to be eligible...
January 16th, 2012 at 10:07 AM ^
He has a degree and, as others have alluded to, there might be some pending concerns that led him to leave early. He definitely is not leaving because he is assured for a good draft position.
January 16th, 2012 at 10:12 AM ^
There is no question about DT's off the field issues. It is a pretty well known rumor his off the field issues have not stopped, having a negative effect on the team the last two years. For Oregon, it is probably a good thing they lose Thomas and James.
This reminds me a little of losing Manny Harris early. A lot of people thought he should stay, but it was most certainly better for the team when he left.
January 16th, 2012 at 10:12 AM ^
This pretty much clears up USC to run the table now
January 16th, 2012 at 10:39 AM ^
If Pete Carroll can inexplicably fall on his face against Stanford (twice) and Oregon St. with all the talent he had, there's no reason Kiffykins can't fall on his face against like UCLA...
January 16th, 2012 at 11:49 AM ^
To Washington.
January 16th, 2012 at 6:04 PM ^
I don't know, I hear that Baylor is still scoring touchdowns on them...might last until at least next november.
January 16th, 2012 at 1:11 PM ^
January 16th, 2012 at 3:08 PM ^
the seniors next year were at USC before they received the sanctions. USC loaded up their recruiting class last year before the scholarship reductions hit.
The scholarship reductions will start taking their toll a year or two from now.
January 16th, 2012 at 6:02 PM ^
yea, good luck fielding 5-6 walkons in a couple years USC. With all their EEs this past cycle and all the reductions they're going to have like 3 schollies to give out the next few years.
January 16th, 2012 at 10:18 AM ^
News like this is why we are supposed to be excited that Denard and JT announced they are coming back.
January 16th, 2012 at 10:46 AM ^
...we are?
January 16th, 2012 at 10:55 AM ^
Agree. I didn't get the mocking that those two took around here about their announcements, especially when surprise NFL/NBA declarations happen all the time.
January 16th, 2012 at 11:08 AM ^
I agree with you for Denard -- he could've had a surprise bolt to the NFL that would've stung. But JT isn't even close to an NFL corner right now. If he has a breakout senior year I could see him being a marginal 6-7 rounder. I would be beyond shocked if he were drafted in this year's draft.
January 16th, 2012 at 11:23 AM ^
If Donovan Warren didn't get drafted there's no way JT Floyd would have been. No team is that desperate for a corner.
January 16th, 2012 at 12:00 PM ^
The Lions have to be AT LEAST close to that desperate.
January 16th, 2012 at 10:46 AM ^
Should make them easier to beat in the Rose Bowl.
January 16th, 2012 at 10:50 AM ^
I don't see this guy being drafted. Good luck to ya, son, but I don't see it.
January 16th, 2012 at 11:00 AM ^
If someone else would like to start a thread topic, per Mike Hart's twitter, Nick Sheridan has been promoted from grad assistant to QBs coach. Here's hoping this is the beginning of a long road where the head coach in 2035 is one Mike Hart and his OC is Mr. Sheridan. Assuming they're studs of course.
Link:
January 16th, 2012 at 11:38 AM ^
Don't get any crazy ideas Denard....
January 16th, 2012 at 12:25 PM ^
Is it bad that my first reaction was a bit of relief that non-Michigan athletes also get bad draft advice? Some selfish, lizard-brain part of me will never forgive Manny Harris for leaving early.
January 16th, 2012 at 12:48 PM ^
i don't see him getting drafted very high, if at all. he's in a spread system, and not exactly the ideal weight for an nfl qb.
January 16th, 2012 at 2:00 PM ^
What about him makes anyone believe he'll be an NFL QB, even if it's at 3rd string? Can he play another position by any chance?
January 16th, 2012 at 2:12 PM ^
Wouldn't shock me to see Oregon go down in flames in the offseason. This could be a case of DT getting out before the shit hits the fan.
January 16th, 2012 at 2:30 PM ^
Comparing himself to Cam Newton is a stretch. Newton rushed for 1,400 yards in 2010. In 2011, Thomas rushed for 206.
January 16th, 2012 at 4:41 PM ^
Rabble rabble