2008 OUTLOOK: Obviously, it would be tough for Oregon to duplicate what happened before injuries took it all away last year -- especially with 1-2 punch Dennis Dixon and Jonathan Stewart off to the NFL. There is a huge question at quarterback, but there was last year, too, until Dixon emerged. The Ducks likely won't be able to repeat last year, but they won't be bad, either.

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE
Replacing Stewart appears to be an easier task than replacing Dixon. Jeremiah Johnson, coming off knee surgery, is a top-drawer runner and is joined by junior college transfer LeGarrette Blount in a deep position. Quarterback? Sun Bowl starter Justin Roper could start. So could Nathan Costa, coming back from a knee. Or freshman Chris Harper. Or Cade Cooper. This will be a work in progress, but this team has a strong running game to take the pressure off.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE
One of the interesting things to watch in the fall will be the battle between Casey Matthews and John Bacon at middle linebacker. Regardless of who starts, the position is strong, and there's a lot of strength on the Ducks defense. D-end Nick Reed is a Lott Trophy candidate, and rover Patrick Chung is a quality player and leader.

SCOUTING THE SPECIAL TEAMS
Oregon punter Josh Syria is as good as it gets, while the kicking game came on in the spring with Matt Evenson kicking a pair of 50-yard field goals. Stewart will be missed from the return game.

ROSTER REPORT

--QB Nathan Costa didn't take part in spring contact as he continued to recover from knee surgery.

--Oregon QBs were a combined 16-for-46 for 199 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in the spring game.

--TE Ed Dickson had a 67-yard pass reception early in the spring game.

--ROV Patrick Chung and FS Marvin Johnson were both hobbled in the spring.

--QB Justin Roper on his rocky road in the battle to start: "I still need to work on managing the game in certain situations and getting better with the little details."

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