Oregon football’s championship season not half as exciting as Friday’s day in court
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Friday may go down as one of the more interesting and important days in the recent history of Oregon football, as the co-MVPs from last season’s Pacific 10 championship team faced separate charges in the same courtroom.
Reporters have stuffed the Lane County Circuit Court to report on the travails of running back LaMichael James and quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, the poster players for an off-season gone horribly awry since Oregon’s loss to Ohio State in the Jan. 1 Rose Bowl.
Oregon Coach Chip Kelly, who led the Ducks to the Pac-10 title in his first season, is expected to render punishment after Friday’s proceedings. Kelly, remember, suspended LeGarrette Blount for eight games last season after the star tailback punched Boise State defensive lineman Byron Hout at the end of the Ducks’ season-opening loss.
The news so far: James, who replaced Blount in the lineup and ended up rushing for 1,546 yards and 14 touchdowns, pleaded down to a misdemeanor harassment charge in a domestic violence case involving his former girlfriend. He was sentenced to 10 days but may end up doing community service because of jail overcrowding.
Next, at 1:30 p.m., is the case of Masoli, charged with second-degree burglary of computers and a guitar from a fraternity house in January. Masoli was the star of Oregon’s Pac-10 title run, passing for 15 touchdowns and rushing for 13. Masoli has pleaded not guilty, but it remains to be seen how Kelly will handle the situation.
The suspension of James and/or Masoli would have a huge effect on Oregon’s hopes of defending its Pac-10 title and contending for the national title.
Kelly is clearly miffed with the off-season behavior of nine Oregon players who have run afoul of the law or team rules. Kelly recently told ESPN that the incidents were ‘an embarrassment,’ and Oregon athletic director Mike Bellotti told the Oregonian newspaper, ‘Right now we’ve created this monster, and we’re the ones who have to solve it.’
Kelly is in a bind, perhaps, because he acted so swiftly in suspending Blount indefinitely. Kelly later reassessed Blount’s situation and allowed him to return after eight games. Blount, a senior, had a key role in Oregon’s title-clinching win against Oregon State and he played in the Rose Bowl.
Bellotti said the punishment in the cases of current players could be tied to the severity of the charges. James, for example, pleaded down to a misdemeanor, which may help his chances of returning.
Masoli’s future may be decided on whether he is convicted of the felony charge. Kelly, though, could cut his star loose if he believes Masoli has misled him during the investigation. Masoli has reportedly told Kelly he had nothing to do with the burglary.
These are fascinating hours in the history of the program that supplanted USC as the Pac-10’s football power. Many programs face off-field problems, but Oregon’s situation is unique because it involves the top stars on a top-10 program. Masoli and James are considered preseason Heisman Trophy candidates.
Oregon State may want to crow about the problems of its rivals, but the Beavers had their own troubles a few years back, when more than a dozen players faced off-field problems ranging from bar fights to one player being charged with drunken driving and ‘kidnapping’ a sheep.
What happens in Oregon on Friday may affect the future of two players, a coach and next year’s conference and national title races.
James’ legal situation is much more clear after morning proceedings.
Up next, after lunch, is Masoli.
-- Chris Dufresne
