[Quack Attack]

Bacon earns starting middle linebacker role for Ducks

But sophomore Matthews also expected to play Saturday

By Jason Vondersmith
The Portland Tribune, Aug 26, 2008

ERIC EVANS / UNIVERSITY OF OREGON


The Oregon Ducks say they have plenty of good linebacker candidates, including John Bacon, who will start in the middle Saturday against Washington.

Another three inches, and John Bacon would have been seriously hurt.
Sleeping in his bed one night this summer, Bacon awoke to a surround sound speaker crashing into his forehead, opening a gash that required nine stitches and keeping him out of some Oregon training camp practices. Gosh, what if it would have hit an eye? "It had been bolted in forever and, for whatever reason, a lot of bass (being played at times, loosening the speaker) or whatever, it came out and hit me in the head," says Bacon, UO's starting middle linebacker. His knee, surgically repaired, had been fine in workouts and training camp; it was the forehead gash that kept him out.

"They wanted it to heal, instead of busting open, because it kept busting open." The freak accident aside, the senior Bacon played well enough in training camp to regain the starting "Mike" linebacker spot. Sophomore Casey Matthews will also play – a sore knee limited him in training camp – but coach Mike Bellotti entrusts Bacon to start Saturday's 7 p.m opener against Washington at Autzen Stadium.

"They'll both play, and they have both proven they can win at this level," Bellotti says. "I feel we're blessed we have two guys who can start. I don't worry about that. "I want to keep each of them fresh throughout game, and season. They both deserve to play."
In days of old, the "Mike" backer led UO in tackles, but the defensive scheme allows for defensive backs (see: Patrick Chung) to make more plays. Therefore, Bacon had only 42 tackles, including 18 solos, in nine games last season. Although, Bacon could get better at getting off blocks and wrapping up ballcarriers. It's a goal Bacon has for his senior season – make more tackles.

"A lot of it is getting back to fundamentals and having fun with it," he says. "A 'Mike' linebacker who is worried and anxious and mambi pambi isn't going to make plays. A 'Mike' linebacker has to be an emotional leader of the defense and have fun. That's what it's going to take, and it's something I'm going to focus on. I hate the word 'responsibility' (to make tackles), I look at it as an opportunity."

Bellotti describes production from the middle linebacker this way:
"That person is a key to what we do defensively – he makes a lot of calls directing things, making plays, can plug the inside, cover the deep middle, go to the flats, play man-to-man and blitz."
The 6-4, 230-pound Bacon, from Golden, Colo., suffered his blown-out knee in the ninth game last season against Arizona State – the same game Dennis Dixon first hurt his knee. He rehabilitated with Dixon, Jeremiah Johnson and Brian Paysinger, who also had knee injuries, and came out of things healthy.

"Knee's holding up good, and my mental game is better it's ever been," Bacon says. "My understanding of things and awareness are better than ever. It's exciting for me." He wanted to lose a few pounds before the Washington game "to make sure I'm as light on my feet as possible."
Bacon says he has concentrated on being more prepared this season, to react to plays better. "Then you don't have to think about fundamentals when you play," he adds.

Says Bellotti: "John is the most experienced and most knowledgeable (player) in the entire defense."
The 6-2, 225 Matthews, from Agoura Hills, Calif., started against Arizona after Bacon's injury last season before suffering a shoulder injury. He competed with Bacon some in camp, but his knee kept him out of action at times. He's healthy now, Bellotti says. Bacon doesn't look at his duel with Matthews as a competition, rather than a couple teammates working to make the team better. "People like to make a lot out of competition, like it's the NFL," Bacon says. "The linebacker corps eats together, hangs out together ... yeah, we compete, but it's more than that. We want each other to do as well as a group as we can do. It's more like family atmosphere than competitive.

"And, I don't think people know how much of our energy and efforts are built toward getting young guys the foundation to really learn this defense and be as good as they can be. It is a huge emphasis." Senior Jerome Boyd returns as "Sam," or outside linebacker. Recruited as a safety, Boyd has rounded into a solid linebacker who could get a chance at the NFL next year. He's 6-2, 210 and he's run a 40-yard dash in 4.3-something seconds and he's bench-pressed 405 pounds. He's aggressive and a hard hitter.

"I'm just trying to lead my team and be a good leader," he says. "I need to be the leading tackler in the Pac-10. I need to find a way. You need to have goals to accomplish them." Boyd was fourth in tackles on the team last season with 79; Eddie Pleasant will serve as his backup.
Sophomore Spencer Paysinger gets the nod at "Will," or weakside linebacker. He's 6-3, 215, and he's taken advantage of the suspension and ultimate dismissal of expected starter Kevin Garrett. Riley Showalter, ex-Central Catholic, and Terrance Pritchett should also see action.

Bacon says the Ducks will probably play five or six linebackers each game.
As far as starting "Mike" backer, Bacon says, "Who's going to start each week? I don't know. It could be, 'Who's better that week in practice?'"