For three years now, Jason Fife has been the MVP of Oregon’s Spring Game. Well, maybe not the MVP, but he’s at least been the Big Story.
Two years ago, the Big Story was that Fife would contend with Joey Harrington and A.J. Feeley for the top two spots in the Ducks’ quarterback rotation.
But that story fizzled, as Feeley recovered from an arm injury and was an able backup to Harrington, who quickly developed into a bona fide superstar. Feeley played in only two games, and Fife saw nary a snap in the 2000 season.
In the 2001 Spring Game, the Big Story was that Fife would ably fill Feeley’s shoes as Harrington’s second-in-command. After a strong showing in the scrimmage, it looked like Fife might even contend with Harrington for semi-serious playing time.
But that story faded, as the season’s first few games were too close to yank Harrington, and even in the blowouts there was always “Joey Heisman’s” statistics to think about. So Fife threw the ball only nine times all season.
And on Saturday, Fife was the Big Story one more time, only now he has a better chance than ever to finish the tale. With four touchdowns and 217 yards through the air, Fife clearly stated his case for the job as No. 1 signal-caller.
Now he needs to keep it like a naked bootleg up the right side.
With Harrington gone, the Ducks will undoubtedly crave a strong presence in the pocket next fall. They’ll need a calm, confident signal-caller to lead like Harrington did.

And Fife is the right man for the job. Cool and confident on the field, poised and fun in interviews, Fife could be just the man to fill Harrington’s 100-foot shoes.
Luckily, Fife will have rocket launchers with pillow-soft hands at his wide receiver positions. Samie Parker was stunningly fast in the spring scrimmage just as he was all last year, big-play guy Keenan Howry will be back in the fall and able-handed Jason Willis will join him.
If Saturday’s big plays are any indication, whoever plays quarterback next year could practically set up a lawn chair, toss some wobblers down the field and watch the stats pile up as the receivers go to the proverbial town.
Fife also will be aided by an intangible that has benefited many Oregon quarterbacks in the past: a running game. Onterrio Smith and Maurice Morris kept opposing defenses as honest as Abe last year, and this season Smith looks ready to take over the spotlight for himself. Defenses will undoubtedly start to stack against the Ducks’ strong running game, but that’s exactly what allowed Harrington to throw so many deep balls over his career in Eugene. It will only help Fife if he can take advantage next season.
But Fife’s lack of experience will hurt him just like it will hurt any of the three prospects for the job. No scrimmage can prepare a young quarterback for the pressure of a fourth-quarter comeback, and Harrington proved last season that even the most talented signal-callers can’t avoid close-game situations.
That’s exactly why Oregon head coach Mike Bellotti needs to name Fife the starter as soon as the Ducks hit fall camp. Put confidence in him, and there’s a greater chance that he will have confidence when Oregon meets Mississippi State on Aug. 31.
Fife isn’t a high-schooler any more, and he won’t throw a tantrum if he isn’t chosen as the No. 1 starter. On the other side of the issue, Bellotti doesn’t need to name a starter for posterity’s sake.
But still, if there’s a clear-cut No. 1 heading into the season, Oregon will have ample amounts of green-and-yellow pills of confidence, a drug that the Ducks thrived on last season.
And maybe then, Fife will get a chance to finish his Big Story.