Chip Kelly Inherits Thinning Ducks Roster

Chip Kelly has yet to coach a game for the Oregon Ducks, and in this much-anticipated season, he is already three players down following recent transfers. Kelly took over for Mike Bellotti, who moved on to athletic director after 14 seasons, and the first thing he did was name QB Jeremiah Masoli the starter for next season. That prompted the transfer of Justin Roper, who started the first three games last season before a knee injury against Purdue.

Receiver Aaron Pflugrad then followed Roper out of the door, and Tuesday the school announced WR Chris Harper was leaving to be closer to his Wichita, Kan. home. Harper was a true freshman last season and will have three years of eligibility remaining.
The loss of Roper may have the biggest short-term affect because he was considered a major contributor before his injury. Masoli grabbed the job, held onto it and accounted for four touchdowns in the Ducks' 42-31 win over Oklahoma State in the Holiday Bowl.

"Justin is a true competitor just like any other high-caliber athlete who wishes to be out on the football field as much as possible," Kelly said on the school's Web site. "I certainly can't fault him for that. I wish him nothing but success wherever he decides to go."

The school released its two-deep chart this week and Masoli is entrenched as the starter with sophomore Darron Thomas as the backup. The wide receiver departures may allow highly touted 6-foot-7 redshirt freshman Dion Jordan to get more playing time. The Ducks are going to be a run-oriented team and returning senior RB LeGarrette Blount, who scored a team-leading 17 touchdowns last season followed by Andre Crenshaw. Kelly will have the most retooling to do on defense, where four 2008 starters were drafted, including secondary aces Jarius Byrd and Patrick Chung.

The schedule is treacherous, but home heavy. The Ducks begin the season at Boise State and then host Purdue, Utah and Cal in the next three games. Throw in road games at UCLA and Arizona and a Halloween matchup against USC and the Ducks will be severely challenged.

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