Dear Juju,

 

Let it be known that you are more than a meme. The AtQ curmudgeons might not let this stand but let's face it; we need you like teenagers need a haircut. They just don't get it.

You keep our hubris in tact check and remind us that we all need a little PANIC in our lives. We can no longer take the Pac-10(12) for granted. Every week, and every game has the potential for disaster. We need your help.

Juju, we ask that you help Oregon and the Duck fans to play and cheer at their peak level. ESPN has chosen Eugene to be the host of College GameDay over the likes of other matchups such as Florida vs. Alabama and Texas vs. Oklahoma. We know we are great fans, we just need your help to do it the right way. Be loud, be proud and be humble.

We ask that you put forth the highest abilities in the Pac-10 officials to make the right calls. We all need a clean, controversy-free game. Keep the yellow hankies in the pockets when it's warranted and throw them only when it's needed. 

We ask that you close the center of the Oregon defensive backfield. With any Juju, Luck won't have anywhere to throw. The Cliffs of Insanity is here to lock shit down. Let him do it. Help Eddie Pleasant make the right decision to tackle, instead of lay the wood at the 1-yard line. Help them tighten up and Win The Day.

We ask that the Read-Option be stifling. Who has the ball? Where is LMJ running? Did Thomas keep it? Is the Bubble Screen open? It's up to you Juju.

We thank you Juju for bringing this game to us. We no longer have to wait an additional three hours for this game. We thank you for the success we have achieved so far. We can only continue to do our best to Win The Day, and we ask your help to get there.

 

Thank you, Juju,

BJ Asbury (071903 on behalf of AtQ) 

Just some hypothetical thinking on my part today...it got me wondering what AtQ would say?

 

LaMichael James rushed for 1546 yards last year on 230 carries.

Kenjon Barner rushed for 366 yards on 50 carries.

 

Will LaMichael James rush for over OR under 1300 yards in 2010 for the Ducks?

Keep in mind that LMJ is suspended for the 1st game against New Mexico. Does the likely increase in the passing game take away from his rushing stats? Does the increase in touches that we expect Barner to get take away from LMJ's total? 

 Bonus Question! (There is no other poll question option)

Fact or Fiction: LaMichael James will leave school and enter the 2011 NFL Draft.

He'll be eligible after this year as a Redshirt Sophomore. I've seen his name on a few sites and should be one of the top 5 RB in the country. Does that equate to his exodus into the NFL?

Post your thoughts in the comments.

Poll

Will LaMichael James rush for over OR under 1300 yards in 2010

83%

OVER

89 votes

16%

UNDER

18 votes

107 votes | Poll has closed

Panic! PANIC! PANIC and more PANIC!

We have not seen the Ducks play football for nearly four whole weeks. This has been an eternity. While we have had minimal fodder to discuss lately, aside from the "who is better, the Big 10 or Pac 10" banter and the tired theories of anOSU's stellar defense will shut down the Oregon offense. All I care about is what happens on the field. We can argue until we are all blue in the face. I would rather see a certain team, from a certain Oregon city, wearing certain winged-uniforms, WIN THE DAY. Nothing else matters. We can discuss stats and the like AFTER the game (or, Juju willing, after we're done celebrating).

I am getting more and more excited for the game on Friday. I have a gathering planned at the house with TONS of friends and family coming to watch. There will be food AND adult beverages. I am planning on having someone shave an "O" in the back of my head just before game time and I might even dye it with Kool-Aid. I need Chip Kelly's Kool-Aid recipe. Anyone have that? I am exicted. I am seriously considering NOT drinking on NYE just so I can ensure that I am 100% ready to cheer my ass off on NYD. I think that Juju demands the sacrifice. I am happy to oblige. I am nearly out of adjectives to describe how ready I am for the game.

All PANIC and focus aside, I think this is a good matchup and should be an entertaining game. I really am looking forward to that the most. I love that the Ducks made the RB and hope that it continues in the future. More BCS bowls or even a NC soon would be awesome. I think with the talent they have it is possible and it is sweet to watch it all unfold.

 

In case you don't have anything better to do and like to kill time (like I am doing at work right now...) we should focus, PANIC!, and of course give praise to Juju. WIN THE DAY!

 

GO DUCKS! 

Here is a fun poll question for the week: How many sacks will the Arizona State offensive line allow?

The Over/Under is set at 2.

Arizona State is allowing 1.67 sacks per game or 15 sacks in 9 games.

Oregon has sacked opponents 2.67 sacks per game or 25 sacks in 9 games.

 

Something has to give.

More fodder: Of Oregon's 25 sacks, 13 have come at home. Of ASU's 15 allowed sacks, 4 have come on the road.

 

With the lack of pressure on the QB vs. Stanfurd, does the Oregon defensive line and linebacking core have better success? Keep in mind, Stanfurd has only allowed six sacks all year. One could say that they have a pretty good offensive line. ASU is starting true freshman, Brock Osweiler at QB, who is 6' 8" and 237 pounds. That seems like a pretty good target to me.

 GO DUCKS!!!!

Poll

How many sacks will the ASU Offensive Line allow?

6%

Two or fewer

2 votes

93%

Three or more

31 votes

33 votes | Poll has closed

All this talk about ratings...is well...OVER-rated...I think Gorby will agree with that.

We all know Chip Kelly has set no date for LeGarrette Blount's return to the football field for the Oregon Ducks. He has told us this. What I want to know is; where does LGB fit into the Oregon offense if/when he should return?

LaMichael James has filled in the starting running back role about as well as possible. I don't think there could be anything more asked of him. He is running over  spinning around defenses. He is ranked in the Top 20 in rushing (Shit! I mentioned rankings!) He is just shy of 1000 yards, and keep in mind he had 22 yards on two carries versus Boise State. Behind him, Kenjon Barner is a nice fit for LMJ to get a breather. Andre Crenshaw and Remene Alston have seen limited, but productive playing time.

When looking at rushing stats, (aside from Jeremiah Masoli, as the lion's share of his carries came on read-option plays) I wonder where LGB fits into the scheme.

The Ducks as a team have rushed for 1866 yards on 352 carries, averaging 233.2 yards on 44 carries a game.

LaMichael James has 918 yards on 131 carries. He is averaging 16.3 carries a game.

Kenjon Barner has 234 yards on 43 carries. He is averaging 5.3 carries a game.   

Crenshaw and Alston are averaging 6.4 carries a game (I added their total carries by total games played between the two...)

If you throw in Masoli's numbers you get 436 yards on 72 carries for an average of 10.2 carries a game.

• Now, considering LGB was the starter at the beginning of the season, does he automatically become the feature back?
• Who sees the diminishing carries? Does James get a slight cut in his 16 carries? Does Barner sit out as the give-LMJ-a-breather back?
• Is LGB going to assume the role he excelled with last year, being the bruiser that comes in and beats on tire defenses?

Crack a beer, push a side whatever work you have in front of you, ignore the kids or whatever else you should be doing instead of perusing ATQ. Discuss...

Poll

Fact or Fiction: If/When LeGarrette Blount is reinstated, he will get 10 carries a game.

34%

FACT

28 votes

65%

FICTION

54 votes

82 votes | Poll has closed

To borrow a topic idea from dvieira's posts...

FACT OR FICTION:

The weather in Eugene will affect the outcome of the USC-Oregon game on Saturday.

The weather report for Saturday (I realize that this is Fall weather in Oregon and that it could change 20 times by then...) calls for showers and a high of 58. Light winds around 10mph out of the WSW.

Just in case you need statistical facts on Jeremiah Masoli, I lead you here to Paul SF's article last month.

A list of thoughts that I had while contemplating this topic:

• Will SoCal boy, Matt Barkley be able to throw in cool, wet weather?
• Does this weather mean more of a running attack for both teams, and if so, who is more likely to succeed running the ball?
• Does Chip Kelly not care about rain and ask Masoli to throw the ball to start the game as he has in the past few games?
• Will wet weather affect coaches' decisions to go-for-it on 4th downs, rather than kick FGs in certain situations?

What are your thoughts? Vote FACT or FICTION and give your reasons in the comments.

GO DUCKS!

Poll

The weather in Eugene will affect the outcome of the USC-Oregon game on Saturday.

68%

FACT

82 votes

31%

FICTION

37 votes

119 votes | Poll has closed

from Black Butte Porter! You read that right. I believe know the JuJu had a hand in my quest for BBP. The JuJu once again did not let me down.

I have finally found a six pack and it did not disappoint. It has been over 6 months since I have had the delicious brew in my system. Weeks of searching SoCal for a sixer ended as I got my fix. I waited until halftime ended to crack my first. I usualy wait unless we are way up to drink, but I felt the situation called for a BBP.

Just before the first kickoff in the 3rd, I cracked one open and took a single satisfying sip. 30 seconds later, Kenjon Barner returned the kick 102 yards. I celebrated. Loudly. That was immediately followed by seven push ups. I sat down and savored the events that just took place.

A second sip, however, would not be shown up. Shortly after I tipped the bottle to drink and set the bottle down, Talmadge Jackson III turned in a pick-six, prompting 14 more push ups. It has become glaringly obvious that BBP will not be denied touchdowns.

I was astounded. I don't think that I could have imagined enjoying a beer anymore than I did for that four minutes of a game and the remainder of the game for that matter. I finally had to drink them like a chain smoker, opening another one before the last was finished. I enjoyed the defensive effort and enjoyed the fact that Nate Costa got a win as an Oregon Duck. He deserved at least one and I was glad that I saw every snap of it.

Final thoughts:

• I predicted (but not aloud) a big game from LMJ. I really will enjoy watching him for the next few years and I am hoping for a serious grind at the Jersey Contest so that I can proudly sport the # 21. 20 carries for 152 yards.
• I cannot say enough about Kenny Rowe. I find that I look for him constantly while the D is on the field. The guy is an animal.
• The same can be said about Casey Matthews. He was everywhere and made a lot of plays when they count.
• I almost do not fear any moment when the D is on the field. The goalline stand was huge and they executed VERY well. Aliotti, Neal, Pellum and Azzinaro have the guys in the right place and I really hope to see this continue. The only score allowed was a 52 yard field goal. That is no chip shot. 211 total yards allowed. Great effort.
• One issue I see is the punt returning. I think that it was Barner who caught a punt at the 4 yard line when he should have let it bounce into the end zone. The penalty that was on that play also hurt, but would hurt less if the ball was supposed to be placed at the 20. The returners also need to take advantage of a fair catch more often than they have.
• Phil Steele picked us to lose by 10 today. Does he watch Oregon play?
• Two weeks of rest is a blessing. Here's to hoping for taking advantage of the time and the healing process.
• I'm off to consume more BBP to celebrate sweet victory!
  
  
  

Cheers!!!! Go Ducks!

Masoli haters...I hope you are hungry. You don't get to eat crow today. You get something MUCH worse. Deliveries will arrive by 10 AM Monday.

After seeing the Masoli we have come to love again, I can't help but laugh at the bandwagon fans who called for the benching of the starting QB. Masoli was reported to have had solid practices and Chip Kelly said that he plays like he practices. Kelly said that Masoli gives Oregon the best chance to win. I think know they proved themselves right. Masoli delivered a great game against a solid defense. Masoli also found Dickson, who played a fantastic game.

Masoli went 21/25 for 253 yards and 3 passing TD. He rushed 8 times for 21 yards. He had one turnover, which turned out to be a non issue after Cal fumbled the following play. He ran the read-option well and passed even better. He made the right reads at the right time. He coverted on 6 of 11 times on 3rd down. He was a QB today. That is all we needed.

That and a DOMINANT effort by the defense. WOW. I cannot say enough. Stuffing Jahvid Best, holding him to 55 yards on 16 carries. Also known as 3.4 YPC. 

Cal didn't score after the 14:00 minute mark of the 1st Quarter. Cal had only 207 yards of total offense. 5 sacks for the day. 3 points when they were averaging 48 on the season....DOMINATION!

Final Thoughts:

• I love that Costa got in the game and led a scoring drive.
• 524 total yards of offense. I hope to see more of this.
• 288 yards passing and an average or 9 yards per pass.
• 236 yards rushing and another fine performance by LaMichael James- 118 yards on 21 carries.
• You cannot contain Kenny Rowe. He is doing a great job taking the place of Nick Reed
• 7-15 on third down and 2-2 on fourth down. That is much better than we have seen early this season.
• I really hope Ed Dickson gets laid tonight....he deserves it! Once for each TD. There should be no arguments there
• There was no Kenny Chesney sighting anywhere in the game. I consider the game a success on that alone!

Here's to another tune up game next week with WSU coming to town! GO DUCKS!!!! I am getting drunk!

Hello OBNUG,

 

A Duck fan here and a recent reader of your blog. I like to think that I will represent the logical and more level-headed Duck fans out there, and that is the intention of this post. I have seen some of the posts by fans here and I can't say that I agree (at all) with a lot of them. The good guys know who they are. Out of it all I think there have been some decent banter going on and I, for one, appreciate it. In the last few weeks, it has only gotten better. And by better, the level of crap on both sides has seemed to have subsided. Thank baby Jesus for that!

The fact is, I really enjoy the humor and overall writings found here. Kevan's wit and information-filled articles will more likely than not, keep me coming back here after the game on Thursday. Mikrino, the Intern, and others always keep things light and interject their own brand of wit and jabs here and there. I think we are very alike, AtQ and OBNUG.

My thoughts on the upcoming game are not something that hasn't been discussed many times over. I think both teams are VERY strong in many areas and likewise, have their weaknesses. The Homer in me says that the Ducks win by no less than two touchdowns, but the reality is more likely a different story. While I truely hope that reality is wrong and Homerism is right, I have a feeling that this game can go either way, and I don't think that it will be a blowout for either team. I think it will be a hard fought victory for whoever comes out with the most points on the scoreboard. 

The bottom line is this: Here's to hoping for one hell of a game. Honestly, anything less, with this much hype would be a disasterous letdown of epic proportions. We all have typed and read too many words for this game to go south in either direction. Now let's get one thing straight about this post...I don't want to see a 6-3 game. I want to see a 45-42 game. ACTION! INTENSITY! CAPITAL LETTERS FOLLOWED BY AN EXCLAMATION POINT! LOUD NOISES! Cheers to a good game by both teams.

Here is your Pre-Game Handshake, OBNUG. Good Luck. Now get away from me...

I just finished reading Rob Moseley's blog entry previewing the Duck's linebackers and had a thought: Could we see the Ducks Defense line up in a 3-4 for some situations?

I can't say that I remember a time in the not too distant past that we have ever seen that defensive formation, but I could be wrong. While I HIGHLY doubt that we will use the 3-4 exclusively this season, I think that it might be worth a shot at some point. This year's group is the most talented we have seen in a while and it seems that there is more than enough depth to make an impact. I think that speed would be the dominant force with the LB's and it might just be the thing that helps the defense succeed.

It almost seems like without getting all of the LB on the field it would be a gigantic waste of talent. I would love to see Casey Matthews, Spencer Paysinger, Bryson Littlejohn and Eddie Pleasant on the field at the same time. I can't imagine the amount of speed and run stopping available there with Will Tukuafu, Brandon Bair / Blake Ferras and Kenny Rowe up front and those LBs behind them. And, with the DBs the Ducks have, I love the way that the defense looks on paper. I LOVE the way that looks on paper. That looks like a great defense to me.

I am not a defensive guru by any means, but I know that Cal has had success with it in the past and had a lot of talent at LB to pull it off. I am not sure what the Ducks would gain by using this formation other than getting your best players in the game as much as possible. While I am not attempting to bash the D-Line and say that there is not any talent there, I was just thinking about much faster the defense would be if the Ducks used a 3-4. Good luck running on that squad.

I hope that someone can comment and maybe shed some light on why a 3-4 is good and if I am barking up the wrong tree with this notion. Does anyone else think this might be a good idea for the future?

Poll

Is the 3-4 Defense a good idea for the Ducks?

63%

Yes

35 votes

12%

No

7 votes

23%

Maybe in the future

13 votes

55 votes | Poll has closed

For anyone interested, I set up a 10 team league that is free to join on CBS Sportsline. It is set up for an auto-draft and you draft players from all BCS conferences. Search for a league called Addicted To Quack (I hope the editors don't have a problem with using the name...). The password is asshat. If anyone else sets up a league, please let me know because I would love to join.

Check out the highlight links below and vote in to the poll. If there is one you don't see here, but should, add it in the "Other Play" vote and leave the link in the comments.

I picked one from each game (my favorites), except the Civil War...there were too many to choose!

 

Oregon vs. Washingon - Terence Scott

Oregon vs. Utah St. - LeGarrette Blount (His first of many!)

Oregon vs. Purdue - Jairus Byrd (only 'cause it got us back into the game)

 

Oregon vs. Boise St. - LeGarrette Blount (no brainer here!)

Oregon vs. WSU - Jaison Williams (nice stiff arm!)

 

Oregon vs. USC - Jeremiah Johnson (I had to use this one, cause it was about the only highlight on a game that I am pretty sure never happened. I think that this video is CGI...)

 

Oregon vs. UCLA - LeGarrette Blount

Oregon vs. ASU - LeGarrette Blount

 

Oregon vs. Cal - TJ Ward

Oregon vs. Stanfurd - Jeremiah Johnson

Oregon vs. Arizona - Patrick Chung

 

Oregon vs. OSU - Ed Dickson and Jeremiah Johnson

 

 

 

Oregon vs. OK State - LeGarrette Blount

 

 

 

 

 

Poll

What is the best Highlight for 2008?

0%

Scott vs. Washington

0 votes

0%

Blount vs Utah St.

0 votes

0%

Byrd vs. Purdue

0 votes

8%

Blount vs. Boise St.

10 votes

0%

J-Will vs. WSU

0 votes

0%

JJ vs. USC

0 votes

0%

Blount vs. UCLA

1 votes

0%

Blount vs. ASU

0 votes

2%

Ward vs. Cal

3 votes

0%

JJ vs. Stanfurd

0 votes

0%

Chung vs. Arizona

1 votes

2%

Dickson vs. OSU

3 votes

33%

JJ vs. OSU

38 votes

41%

Blount vs. OK St.

47 votes

8%

Other (add your pick in the comments)

10 votes

113 votes | Poll has closed

Editor's Note: Well, you got my cop-out preview, but it's gameday, so let's hear all your predictions. Reader 071903 posted his thoughts in a fanpost, and he'll start us out!

I have my own thoughts and Mosely has his own...

I think this game is going to be one of the more exciting games of the Bowl season and really have to congratulate the Holiday Bowl committee for choosing both teams. It has all of the characteristics of a bonafide shootout, and in my eyes, will not disappoint.

I feel that the scoreboard at the end of the game will show that the Ducks will win 58-45. I see JJ and Blount both over 100 yards rushing, two TD's a piece, Masoli will have a decent amount of rushing yards as well and throws for over 300 and a couple of scores. I see a Defense or Special Teams TD somewhere. Toss in three Morgan Flint FG and there you have it.

I think our Defense will perform better than expected (in some regards), meaning they will show up when they need to. I see Nick Reed, TJ Ward and Patrick Chung having impact plays for the Ducks. Reed and Chung could help their draft prospect with a good game here.  The Offense will hurt the Defense like they have in the past few games by being efficient and keeping them on the field longer than they should. They will have their hands full, as everyone has said, with very good players at QB and WR. The OK St. RB has also run for over 1500 yards. There is a definite amount of firepower in the OK St. arsenal.

Over 80% of the people who voted on the winner according to ESPN's website have picked OK St. But Kirk Herbstreit has picked Oregon, and we know that we have had decent results in the past when Herbie is in our corner. (Editor's Note, Bruce Feldman, Todd McShay, and Scouts Inc. have all picked Oregon also)

Whatever the results, I am pretty happy with the results of the season. Obviously there are a few hiccups along the road, but we lost to two Top-10 teams, and another team who put up a good performance this season. We also know we are in good hands for the future and I am happy that we have locked up Chip Kelly and will also have Bellotti keeping his experience in the program.

GO DUCKS!

Ted Miller has this to say...

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/pac10/0-3-135/Pac-10-needs-to-rethink-its-ambitious-scheduling.html?post=true

Pretty basic facts when you think about it.

I am against changing the scheduling though. I think that the caliber of teams we have now will get better as time goes on. I think recruiting will get stronger as teams show incoming athletes they aren't afraid to play against the tough schools.

There are a bunch of comments left by other ESPN readers at the end of the article. Pretty good conversation fodder.

 

It’s Spring in the Fall…

 

The leaves are getting green and full on the tree. The grass is growing strong after a solid dormant period of rest and rebuilding. We are re-born. This is part of why my favorite season is Fall. It’s simply the best time of year. While the earth is literally doing the opposite as I previously described, we get simply the apex of the Sports Calendar. We get MLB Baseball playoffs, NFL Football starts (and Fantasy Football if you’re into that kinda thing) and NCAA Football.

 

College Football is re-born: The standings all say 0-0 in the win loss column, and that is just fine. We have filled our heads with every ounce of football knowledge, in every conference and every team. We listened to the Talking Heads give their expert opinions. We are ready for kickoff.

 

            I couldn’t be more ready. I have been on this site religiously reading about what kind of success I will witness this year. This past weekend, I attended the State Fair on what happened to be “OSU Day” and purposely (with all of my family) donned head-to-toe in Duck gear, just to spite them. We get our chances to be fans again. We have missed that for months and I, for one, welcome that chance once again.

 

            To be honest, I try not to get too tied up in the hype of QB controversies, recruiting or depth charts. I read and discuss as fodder for daily conversation, but when it comes down to it, if they are wearing any number of the combinations of colors that represent the Ducks, I will support them. I am a fan. That is what we do. That is our job. Its less than four days away, and I can’t wait!

 

So, let’s fill Autzen past capacity. Let’s tailgate with all the zeal of a lunatic and the liver of an alcoholic. Let’s do push-ups with every score. Let’s yell until we have no voice. Let’s glue ourselves to the TV or listen to Jerry Allen’s every word as if it’s the last noise we will hear. Let’s forget the BCS (until its time to worry about it! J). Let’s defend our team, its players and coaches, no matter what. Let’s put on our Duck gear and be proud! Let’s be DUCK FANS!

I want to know where I can get a Jersey!!

Read this link:

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_564939.html

Or see below:

Dynamic Dixon intrigues Steelers
By Scott Brown
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Buzz up!

He piled up 368 yards of total offense and accounted for four touchdowns. He led Oregon to a 39-7 shellacking of Michigan in front of more than 100,000 fans as well as a national TV audience.
Dennis Dixon thrust himself into the Heisman Trophy race with that performance last September -- and into the consciousness of Steelers director of football operations Kevin Colbert.

"The first thing I thought about was Vince Young," said Colbert, who saw Dixon play extensively for the first time against Michigan. "He was winning that game by himself."

The Steelers, who took Dixon in the fifth round of the NFL Draft on Sunday, won't ask the 23-year-old quarterback to win any games in the near future. They are optimistic that eventually he can back up Ben Roethlisberger, a role the 33-year-old Charlie Batch has filled so capably, and get on the field in select situations.

story continues below

It is, however, too early for the Steelers to know if they uncovered a late-round gem in Dixon -- or whether they stumbled onto another Omar Jacobs (the fifth-round pick in 2006 never made the team).
Making it all the more difficult for the Steelers to assess what they have in Dixon: He is still recovering from the major knee injury that ended his senior season.

The 6-3 1/2, 206-pounder will be limited in the minicamp practices that start Friday and run through Sunday. But Dixon, who had surgery on his left knee in December, said he is "ahead of schedule" in his rehabilitation.

The Steelers, meanwhile, felt good enough about the reports they got from their medical personnel regarding Dixon that they didn't hesitate to take him with the 156th pick of the draft.

Had Dixon not torn his ACL, he would have been selected much earlier.

He is a gifted athlete and polished passer -- Dixon completed almost 68 percent of his passes last season -- and he had been one of the frontrunners for the Heisman before going down late in the season.

"He has great physical talent," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. "He can run, he has a strong arm, and he is coming to a great situation where he can grow behind two people like Ben and Charlie."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Draft picks by the numbers
Here are the jersey numbers for the seven players the Steelers drafted last weekend:

2 -- QB Dennis Dixon

14 -- WR Limas Sweed

29 -- S Ryan Mundy

34 -- RB Rashard Mendenhall

53 -- LB Bruce Davis

55 -- LB Mike Humpal

66 -- OT Tony Hills

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Steelers have made it clear that they drafted Dixon as a quarterback and have no plans to move him to wide receiver, something they did with Antwaan Randle-El earlier this decade.
If Dixon does turn out to be the dual threat the Steelers think he is, they could design some packages that would get him on the field and throw a change-up to the opposition.

"He can really be a headache for a defense," Colbert said of Dixon, who threw 20 touchdown passes in 2007 (and just four interceptions) and had nine rushing touchdowns. "He played in a spread offense, but, boy, is he a patient guy in the pocket, finds open receivers. This kid, he is a passer first."

His sights are clearly set on playing quarterback in the NFL.

Dixon spent last summer playing baseball in the Atlanta Braves' minor-league system, but he said he is finished with that sport.

"I know I have a lot of work (ahead in football), and I'm willing and able with open arms," Dixon said. "I just want to be a sponge and soak everything in."