James Rodgers Shining In Early Oregon State Practices

SB Nation’s Building The Dam celebrates the return of James Rodgers, whose recent knee surgery doesn’t seem to be slowing him down in cone drills:

Rodgers’ performance almost seemed to be a quiet rebuttal to the Portland media, which seems to be united in calling for Rodgers to be held out until at least the UCLA game. Both papers’ primary writers have said so, and on the Morning Sports Report on 750 the Game, host Chad Doing even went so far as to say Riley is crazy to let Rogers on the field without a knee brace, and would be equally off-balance were he to even consider using Rodgers in a kick return role.

Riley of course is being cautious after the two major surgeries it took to repair the damage Rodgers suffered just before halftime in last year’s Arizona win. But sooner than later, it will be decision time, and unless there is a major setback once full action drills start that there currently is no reason apparent to expect, the question will be whether Riley plays his best players or not.