Time for Bryan Bennett
With Darron Thomas making a poor, sudden, and strange decision to declare for the NFL Draft, backup Bryan Bennett will most likely- look for a post on his main source of competition shortly- be the Oregon Ducks starting quarterback next season. Thomas may not even be drafted due to concerns over his mechanics, ability to learn a pro-style offense, and the fact that he isn’t a pure passer and is coming from a spread offense. However, most Ducks fans are more concerned with their quarterback of the future than the quarterback of the past. It is Bryan Bennett’s turn to start in Eugene, and he looked promising in just two games for the team last season.
Make no mistake, fans who are saying that Bennett is better than Darron Thomas are speaking too soon. Thomas had a career adjusted yards per attempt of 8.8 and was 23-3 as a starter. It isn’t true that any quarterback can slot right in and produce for the Ducks, because Thomas had a couple of unique abilities in the mental part of the game. DT is a great decision maker who was among the best QBs in his three years under pressure, and he played an efficient game at the helm overall.
Bennett is stronger and more athletic than Thomas, but he isn’t as intelligent as Thomas. Experience will help, but Bennett takes off and runs a little more than you would like him to. He has more of a feel for the running game and averaged 8.7 yards per carry last season in 23 attempts, but Bennett has accuracy issues that get exposed when the pressure gets to him.
However, Bennett has a rocket arm and can beat you deep; he averaged 14.8 yards per completion last year (25 for 46). He completed 54.3% of his passes and averaged 8.0 yards per attempt, and his lack of accuracy is a little disappointing even for a quarterback who likes to air it out.
A drop off between Bryan Bennett and Darron Thomas should be expected next season, but Bennett should be able to play good football under center. Even without DT and LaMichael James, this is a team that should get themselves into a good bowl game and have another successful season. The losses of their two best players hurt, but they have players like Bennett, De’Anthony Thomas, and Kenjon Barner who can effectively replace them. Bennett isn’t better than Thomas, but he will be a solid starter and give fans somebody else to cheer for.
Vote below to choose which quarterback should start for the Oregon Ducks next season, and you can also voice your opinion in the comments section.
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