June Football

The big news out of Eugene today is that former Oregon CB Jackie Bates has transferred to 1-AA powerhouse Hampton in order to continue his football career. It disappointed me to see Bates transfer because he was well on his way to fulfilling the expected destiny of all Oregon defensive backs. That path is as follows for Oregon DB's.

Freshman year- Suck beyond words

Sophmore year- Suck, but offer glimmer of hope with good plays against Portland State.

Junior year- Suck, at this stage the DB hasn't done shit.

Senior Year- Suck, but appear to be good due to having quarterbacks like Joe Ayoob, Carl Bonnell, and Ryan Gunderson in the conference

Notables of this pattern include Aaron Gipson, Justin Phinisee, Steve Smith, JD Nelson, Chad Cota, Alex Molden, Herman O'berry, and pretty much any DB who is coached by Nick Alliotti.

In addition to being well on his way to fulling the Oregon DB destiny, Jackie Bates also completed another rare feat that ensures greatness. This feat consists of having an arrest covered up, being suspended from the team, being academically ineligible, and failing a drug test all in one career.

In Mike Bellotti's tenure only truly great players have managed to accomplish all 4 these things during their career. These players are: Akilli Smith (as a bonus feat he also accused Air Force of having a good "white defense"), Salladin McCoullagh (also involved in a ticket for rent scandal), and Onterrio Smith who managed to accomplish each of these 4 things twice, all while being filmed by MTV for a reality show on heisman trophy candidates. (Plus he was a great recruiting host to Lynell Hamilton)

It is clear that had he remained at Oregon, Jackie Bates was destined for a career of greatness. Hopefully Oregon has someone waiting in the wings ready to work equally as hard as Jackie did in an effort to join the aforementioned players as legends.

BaldingReport out.