LaMichael James. Slippery.

Countdown to kickoff: 101 things I love about the Oregon Ducks

On September 3, the Oregon Ducks will begin their 2011 football season. To get through the dog days of summer, I’m listing 101 cool, random things I love about the Ducks, one per day until kickoff in Dallas. In no particular order.

#7: LaMichael James: Statement.

Are you one of those people who thinks Stanford was better than Oregon at the end of the 2010 season?

LaMike has three words for you: Fast. Don’t. Lie.

Seriously, did Stanford’s defense magically get quicker by the end of the season? I’m sure that 49-10 run the Ducks went on to end the game was just a fluke.

Hey, by this time next week, college football will be back! How cool is that?

Countdown to kickoff: 101 things I love about the Oregon Ducks

On September 3, the Oregon Ducks will begin their 2011 football season. To get through the dog days of summer, I’m listing 101 cool, random things I love about the Ducks, one per day until kickoff in Dallas. In no particular order.

#35: Yesterday’s fast is today’s slow.

LaMichael is such a bad ass. 

Countdown to kickoff: 101 things I love about the Oregon Ducks

On September 3, the Oregon Ducks will begin their 2011 football season. To get through the dog days of summer, I’m listing 101 cool, random things I love about the Ducks, one per day until kickoff in Dallas. In no particular order.

#39: LaMichael James takes it to the house in Knoxville.

A couple of little things I love about this run: first, Darron Thomas basically chases LMJ down the field (and even throws a block). And watch Jeff Maehl near the end as he lays out a Tennessee defender. Such a bad ass.

Everything that’s great about LaMichael is on display here. The speed, the shiftiness, and the surprising strength. When it comes to best players in the Pac-12, you can keep Andrew Luck. I’ll take LaMike.

Countdown to kickoff: 101 things I love about the Oregon Ducks

On September 3, the Oregon Ducks will begin their 2011 football season. To get through the next 3+ months, I’m listing 101 cool, random things I love about the Ducks, one per day until kickoff in Dallas. In no particular order.

#90: LaMichael James and Kenjon Barner at the Natty. Forgot about the brouhaha over the uniforms (for the record: I dig ‘em). Forget about play-calling. Forget about missed opportunities. Forget about “Dyer was down.” Forget about all of that.

Take yourself back to that moment when it hit you, “Holy sh*t. The Oregon Ducks are playing for the national championship.” Pure joy, right? That’s what this photo reminds me of. 

Countdown to kickoff: 101 things I love about the Oregon Ducks
On September 3, the Oregon Ducks will begin their 2011 football season. To get through the next 3+ months, I’m listing 101 cool, random things I love about the Ducks, one per day until kickoff in Dallas. In no particular order.

#97: LaMichael James’ touchdown celebration. Part broad jump, part primal scream, it’s an expression of pure joy. And it just looks cool.