A coach expects many things from his quarterback.
Study the playbook.
Be a leader on and off the field.
Stand tall in the pocket.
Get rid of the ball in a timely
fashion.
With Oregon off to a 1-3 start, and the offense struggling with the passing game, head coach Mike Bellotti has a new request for his quarterback, Kellen Clemens: Relax, baby!
The Ducks’ lack of a deep passing game is the result of several offensive shortcomings. Protection has broken down, a big-play receiver has yet to emerge and Clemens is rushing
his throws.
The desire to stretch the field has caused the Burns native to start aiming his tosses in an attempt to throw the perfect ball on almost every play.
Clemens’ drive for perfection has led to some highlight-reel plays, but at the same time has caused the junior to miss open receivers.
“I think he’s excitable, there’s no question,” Bellotti said. “If you watch him play, he’s feeling the weight of the world on his shoulders sometimes. It’s hard for a quarterback to develop a lot of confidence when people are being turned loose in his face and on his backside.”
How does Bellotti plan on calming his field general?
“I’m thinking of bringing in a masseuse,” Bellotti joked.
In all seriousness, Clemens knows exactly what he has to do
to return to form.
“Just step back and sling it,” Clemens said. “I need to have confidence in my arm and my ability.”
After splitting time with Jason Fife last season, 2004 was supposed to be the year Clemens shined as Oregon’s featured quarterback. After a shocking, season-opening loss to Indiana, in which the junior threw three
interceptions, Clemens hasn’t looked the same.
Sitting behind Clemens on the depth chart is the super-talented freshman Dennis Dixon. The lanky, 6-foot-4 signal caller has looked good in practice and should provide Oregon with a bright future.
The present, however, belongs to Clemens. While Bellotti said Dixon will start to see some more playing time, Clemens is still his man.
“(Clemens has) made some very good decisions on the run and made some very good passes,” Bellotti said. “But he’s missed some of the things that I expect him to do. Kellen is a play-maker. I think that he gives us the best chance to win.”
During the past three weeks, I’ve had several people tell me how bad a quarterback they think Clemens is. That’s nonsense. When given the time to set his feet and throw, Clemens can get the job done with the best of ’em. He also has the ability to make plays with his legs when nobody is open.
Just look at his numbers in the 2003 Sun Bowl. Clemens completed a ridiculous 32-of-42 passes for 363 yards, three touchdowns and only one interception against No. 20 Minnesota. Do those sound like the statistics of a bad quarterback?
Criticism comes with playing the position. When a bus arrives late, people blame the driver. When a team underachieves, people blame the head coach. And when an offense struggles, guess who takes most of the heat?
The man under center.
The popular reaction for fans of a struggling team is to call for a change at quarterback. While the idea of letting Dixon’s play-making abilities run wild on the field is intriguing, it’s not the answer for Oregon.
The Ducks have seven games remaining on their schedule, and if they’re to have any chance of making it to a bowl game, Clemens needs to be their quarterback.
Even if Bellotti has to bring in a masseuse.

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