Heard a rumor this morning while listening to the Morning Sports Page on 95.5 The Game. Chad Doing is broadcasting live from Glendale and Matt Brock was back in Portland in the studio. Doing reported that there's a rumor floating around that Oregon may be planning on putting backup QB and also often-injured QB Nate Costa into the game for one series or even just one play, a quarterback kneel-down, if the Ducks are in a position to win at the end of the game. This, presumably, would be some sort of outward way to honor Costa's meaning to the team, or something.
The fact that Nate Costa has been seen in full pads during a few of the Ducks' recent practices, seems to add steam to the rumor also.
The fact that Nate Costa has been seen in full pads during a few of the Ducks' recent practices, seems to add steam to the rumor also.
It is a little strange that Costa, who was thought to be lost for the rest of the season, has been suited up in full pads and throwing the ball around at practice. Rob Moseley of the Eugene Register-Guard noted in a blog posting yesterday, that Costa was dressed in full pads and throwing passes to help the receivers warm up:
"Nate Costa was suited up again today and threw some passes to help the receivers warm up, but then only watched when the quarterbacks practiced dropbacks and rollouts. Some reports Monday indicated that he took practice reps Monday, but I'm thinking that was limited to passes and handoffs during light drills, not actual, 11-on-11 action that would more adequately prepare a guy to play."
And then Spike89 says this in the comments: "...We need a big lead and the ball toward the end of the game, then let Nate get his last snap(s)."
Then AbDucktion says this: "Spike 89: Nice call. That would be poignant. I hope it happens!
To which I say, no, it wouldn't be poignant. It would be stupid. And completely unnecessary.
Why even worry about this stuff with Costa? Sure, he's a great guy and that he is a huge part of the team and program and everyone loves having him around. He's a leader, I get it. But what makes him so special from the rest of his teammates. It's a nice gesture and all, but it just seems completely unnecessary. Plus, if I was Costa, it would actually be kind of embarrassing to go out onto the field just to take a knee?
Nate Costa is an adult. He's a big boy. He'll get over it. His career, although injury-riddled, has been fine. He didn't want to get injured so many times, but it happened. He probably wanted to play in more than 10 games and throw more than 66 passes in his career, but it just didn't happen. This rumored gesture seems like the equivalent of, say, a trophy for participation that they're giving out to all the little kids that played little league, whether they sucked or not. There is no need to do this.
I mean c'mon, who cares? Nate Costa is going to graduate school, go on to sell insurance or cars or something, and not care about being injured for the national title game. I hope the Ducks don't do this to the poor kid.
[ Register-Guard ]
