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Smith steps to the fore as defense lead By Kris Henry EUGENE � Gone are the days of Gang Green, but not forgotten. With Nick Aliotti returning to the fold last season as Oregon�s defensive coordinator, a stiff wind blew through Eugene, suggesting the Ducks would not be walked all over any more. Oregon took great strides in accomplishing that last season and, despite only four returning defensive starters, the Ducks believe even greater things are in store this time around. At the forefront of that optimism is former Grants Pass High standout Matt Smith. After playing understudy the past two seasons at linebacker, Smith will be handed the reins of the Oregon defense and is expected to live up to the promise he showed as the state�s Class 4A defensive player of the year in 1993. And that�s just the way Smith wants it. "There�s some pressure there, but it�s a good pressure," the 6-foot-4-inch 247-pounder said of being counted on as the defensive leader. "I�ve been following some great linebackers, and I�ve watched them growing up. There�s always some exciting, really dominant linebackers who have come through here. It would be nice to have a good year and have people put me in the same breath as some of those guys." Smith returned to football two years ago after four years of playing minor league baseball. Last year, as the Ducks� No. 3 tackler with 83, he received honorable mention in all-conference voting. The number of tackles should escalate with the departure of middle linebacker Peter Sirmon, one of the Pac-10 Conference�s leading tacklers the past two seasons. "Matt Smith is going to go out and show everybody that they�re not going to miss Peter Sirmon as the head of the linebacking corps," said senior defensive end Saul Patu, who also returns as a starter, as do cornerbacks Rashad Bauman and Brian Johnson. Smith�s steady development the past two seasons has endeared himself to teammates, who respect his work ethic and willingness to learn. "The thing about Matt Smith is he�s slow to speak and quick to listen," said Patu. "I�ve seen him a lot the past two seasons watching Peter Sirmon and understanding that he�s been there before. Even though Matt came in as a good linebacker, he watched the veterans who have been here to pick up the things that he had to learn." Putting that all together should spell doom for opposing offenses. "Once his mental matches his physical, he�s going to be an impact player, not just in the Pac-10, but I think he�s going to make a splash around the nation," Patu said. Smith brings toughness to the table. "Matt�s as physical of a linebacker as we�ve had in quite a while," said Oregon coach Mike Bellotti. "He�s a quiet leader but will step up and knock your block off." Lining up unsuspecting running backs or quarterbacks is one of the many thrills Smith gets these days after spurning professional baseball. "A nice hit," the 24-year-old said with a grin, "it�s tough to beat that feeling." Still, Smith said, an even greater feeling was the warm welcome he received upon arriving at Oregon and his growth since. "It was a very tough decision (to leave baseball) at the time, but it has been a positive decision," Smith said. "Football has worked great, but just as important, I�ve got my education now. There has been a lot of positives about it, and I can�t see too many negatives from the decision." Bellotti sees only positives as well. "Matt Smith is one of the acknowledged leaders of this football team, not just the defense," said the sixth-year coach. "He doesn�t say a lot; he just comes to play and packs a full lunch. He�s earned the respect of the team because of the way he plays football and the way he practices." Bellotti said Smith�s advanced age also has a calming influence on the Ducks, although the linebacker could use a few less jabs from teammates about being the old man of the group. "Every guy has something different, and when they grab on to it, they don�t let go," Smith said of the ribbing. "It�s fun and all in good nature. The age comments are thrown around quite a bit, but it could be worse." The best part of being at Oregon now is the opportunity to help bring the defense back to prominence. "I think we�re building to be known as a solid defense," he said. "Early on, it was always, �Great offense, hope the defense does well.� I think we�re closing that gap to where people know we have a great offense and a good defense and are ready on both sides of the ball." The offense has even taken notice. "I feel very confident in our defense and that we won�t have to be put in the position to win games each week," said junior quarterback Joey Harrington. "That takes a lot of pressure off of us as an offense." The defense will be challenged against Pac-10 opponents loaded with offensive talent and a non-league schedule that includes a road meeting with fifth-ranked Wisconsin in Week 2. "We�re going to be tested early, and that�s going to be big for us," said Smith. "In the Pac-10, there�s really not a week off. We just have to hope the young guys learn early and we can jell as a unit. I think we�re strong against the run and the pass and I don�t see why we can�t match up with any of the teams we�ll face." Obituaries | Sports | Business | Classifieds | Tempo | Prime Times | So Oregon Sites | Outdoor Journal | Subscribe | Contact | Movies | Advertise | Real Estate Showcase | Archive | Editorials | Letters to the editor | Religion | Wake-up Call | NIE | Cyber Chef | Job Network | So Oregon Weather | WSJ Northwest | Forums | AP Wire | AP Money | F.A.Q. | Awards Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. 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