Ok...Where do we go from here? The Ducks' offense went from anemic to arguably one of the best in the country; all in the span of a week. I was at the game at Autzen last Saturday. Did expect the Ducks to win? Yes (very cautiously). Did I expect a 42-3 pasting? ...No. Neither did you, at least seriously. What we saw on Saturday has me so excited and puzzled that I don't even know what to make of the whole situation.
First of all, we have a running game without LGB. I'm not going to say we don't need LeGarratte, because what team doesn't need that size and talent, but we're doing alright. LaMichael is a bonafide stud who will only continue to get better. The guy just has a knack for hitting the hole and making guys miss. The fact that he has 3 years after this season should have the rest of the Pac very worried.
Secondly, it's like Chip Kelly has been hibernating while we let an NCAA '10 fan run our offense, trying to score an 80 yard TD every snap. Thankfully, Chip awoke this week and got our passing game back to what it was - screens and quick-hits. No more robo-dancing in the pocket, no more needing a pocket for that matter. What we saw this weekend was exactly what gave Masoli the cover of Sports Illustrated. The O-line became completely irrelavent as the ball was gone in two seconds. If we can keep the offense moving with the pace and efficiency it did this weekend...DUCKS IN THE ROSE BOWL.
On that note, how can the Ducks not be the Pac-10 favorites right now? Sure, all roads lead to SoCal, but with the issues they're having in Hollywood right now, and the Ducks sitting in the driver's seat, I think we have an excellent opportunity to seize the chokehold that Carroll has put on the league for the last decade. Look at it this way: at this point, Oregon controls it's own destiny. If we don't drop a league game, we're going to the Rose Bowl. Take that, coache's poll.
Final rant: the coache's poll is the biggest joke in the land. I understand the idea behind it, but when you're out on the West Coast, with games being played well after Holtz has been put to bed, it's hard to say that SEC coaches have a legitimate grasp on what's going on in college football. Solution: PLAYOFF.
Moral of this post is that we're sitting pretty and it's a great time to be a Ducks fan. For all of those bandwagon fans I mentioned before, welcome back. Try to strap yourselves in for the long haul this time.
GO DUCKS!!!
--Sam
Monday, September 28, 2009
Sunday, September 6, 2009
One Game at a Time...
After taking a few days to let everything sink in, I'm ready to talk Ducks again. I finally feel good and am very excited about this week's game against Purdue, which now appears to be a much better game than anyone thought it would be.
Before that, however, I need to get some final thoughts out on the Blount situation.
Purdue comes to Autzen this week in what was supposed to be a soft warm up to Utah and Cal. Well, nothing looks certain for the Ducks anymore this season and suddenly this game has become very important and vital for the Ducks this season as far as confidence goes. I think the Ducks will rebound as Purdue, while winning their opener handily, gave up over 400 yards passing on defense. The Ducks, in my opinion, just need a chance to catch their breath and get a solid drive under their belts. We need to go with works: quick passes and dumps. We need screen passes and quick outs to Ed Dickson. These plays take a lot of the pressure off of the O-Line and gets Masoli confidence. Masoli also needs to make the correct reads. Our offense is reliant on a quarterback who can decide accurately whether to hand off or take the ball himself based on what the defense shows in real time (See Dennis Dixon junior year and Dennis Dixon senior year). I'm very glad Kelly stuck with Masoli throughout the game. He struggled mightily, but you have to show some confidence in your QB. I loathed the days of the dual-quarterback system at Oregon as no one got a chance to get into a rhythm because they were always looking over their shoulders.
I am very excited to see LaMichael do his thing this season. He looks like a dynamic player and showed great flashes during his limited playing time against They Who Must Not Be Named. One good thing to come out of the Blount situation (if there is a good thing), which was brought to my attention by my buddy Clark, is that Blount was to be our big loss at the end of this season. Now, our other RB's get their shot to get meaningful playing time early, hopefully making less of a drop off next season. I, however, am still excited for this season and hope you all are too! I will be at Autzen on Saturday, Yelling-O as loud and proud as ever, and I hope everyone out there does the same.
Go Ducks!!!
--Sam
P.S. The pregame handshake sure seemed to be a great success around the college football scene this weekend...
Before that, however, I need to get some final thoughts out on the Blount situation.
- I commend the coaching staff for its decision. I think Kelly and his staff had no choice but to suspend him for the season. What transpired simply cannot be tolerated and coach Kelly made it clear by this action. The thing I am most proud of, however, is the fact that Kelly has challenged Blount to stay on scholarship with the university, continue working towards a degree and stay with the team. It looks like Blount will take the coach up on his offer, as ESPN reported today.
- Legarrette Blount's career is not over. I've read numerous articles claiming things along the lines of "make no mistake, this ends any chance of an NFL career." Call me a naive, but that sounds like a huge crock to me. You're telling me that there's not going to be a spot in training camp next season for a 6'2" 240lb back who rushed for 1,000 yards and 17 touchdowns in the Pac-10? Give me a break. I agree that Blount has made his road extremely difficult, lost potential millions, and bought himself the shortest leash possible, but he will be in a camp next year as long as the YouTube clip isn't the last that is heard from him this season. There are a lot of steps he can take between now and then to ensure scouts and franchises he is still a potentially viable option.
- I hear a lot of chatter about the fact that in order to give himself a better shot at the NFL, he should transfer to a Div. II school (since he played in a Div. I game this season he can't transfer to even an FCS school). In my opinion, think about all that goes into changing schools. Give him a week to get to his new school, move in, etc. Now we're talking 2 or 3 games down (Some Div. II schools started last Saturday). He gets into practice after this and has to learn a completely different playbook. This takes 2-3 weeks. At this point, potentially half of the season has been blown. Does that really sound like a good option? I don't think so. Staying at Oregon actually has great implications, all things considered, for Blount. He gets to look like a guy who doesn't give up easily, staying in school and perhaps interacting with the community. He gets to practice with the team, thus continuing to get into physical shape, which it appeared he clearly didn't show up inc. Blount will have access to the best facilities in college football to get bigger, stronger, faster. Also, he will remove most of the risk of being injured during a game. While he won't be invited to the combine, there should be a decent showing at Pro-day this year, as I would bet when the hoopla of this wears off there will be intrigue in signing him.
- Finally, Hout should be suspended. Blount's actions aren't excusable and were frankly embarrassing. Let me make it clear that I am NOT defending Legarrette Blount, but had Hout kept his mouth and hands to himself, none of this most likely happens. It's time for Petersen to hold his program accountable. And for people out there asking why Blount wasn't charged with a crime, Hout would also be charged with assault/battery for unwanted touching of Blount in the first place. Obviously less serious than Blount's punch, but a crime also. The video board operator who showed the punch only over and over, should also be replaced, but I won't get into that.
Purdue comes to Autzen this week in what was supposed to be a soft warm up to Utah and Cal. Well, nothing looks certain for the Ducks anymore this season and suddenly this game has become very important and vital for the Ducks this season as far as confidence goes. I think the Ducks will rebound as Purdue, while winning their opener handily, gave up over 400 yards passing on defense. The Ducks, in my opinion, just need a chance to catch their breath and get a solid drive under their belts. We need to go with works: quick passes and dumps. We need screen passes and quick outs to Ed Dickson. These plays take a lot of the pressure off of the O-Line and gets Masoli confidence. Masoli also needs to make the correct reads. Our offense is reliant on a quarterback who can decide accurately whether to hand off or take the ball himself based on what the defense shows in real time (See Dennis Dixon junior year and Dennis Dixon senior year). I'm very glad Kelly stuck with Masoli throughout the game. He struggled mightily, but you have to show some confidence in your QB. I loathed the days of the dual-quarterback system at Oregon as no one got a chance to get into a rhythm because they were always looking over their shoulders.
I am very excited to see LaMichael do his thing this season. He looks like a dynamic player and showed great flashes during his limited playing time against They Who Must Not Be Named. One good thing to come out of the Blount situation (if there is a good thing), which was brought to my attention by my buddy Clark, is that Blount was to be our big loss at the end of this season. Now, our other RB's get their shot to get meaningful playing time early, hopefully making less of a drop off next season. I, however, am still excited for this season and hope you all are too! I will be at Autzen on Saturday, Yelling-O as loud and proud as ever, and I hope everyone out there does the same.
Go Ducks!!!
--Sam
P.S. The pregame handshake sure seemed to be a great success around the college football scene this weekend...
Friday, September 4, 2009
0-1
Yes, we lost. We got smoked. We didn't compete. You're mad, I'm mad, we're all mad. What's worse, our star tailback took himself out of the season and thrust the program into the national spotlight in just about the worst way possible. If you do an 'Oregon Ducks' news search on Google today, I'm sure there's about 200 articles about the punch, the loss, the embarrassment, etc. For this reason, I won't waste your time with a recap of the game.
What, or who, I want to talk about today are a number of our "fans." I hear talk of abandoning our Ducks, putting season tickets up for sale, basically writing off our Ducks. I have one thing to say to everyone out there who shares this point of view: Go Ahead. You are the same fairweather losers who booed Dennis Dixon when he bounced two balls into the turf in the opener two seasons ago and called for Brady Leaf...Brady...Leaf...? The same ones who three weeks later were back in the saddle anointing him a Heisman candidate. These are the same fans who booed Masoli last season against Stanford. The same ones who claimed "we knew we were going to come back! Masoli is a darkhorse for Heisman and is about to lead us to Pasadena!" Now, we're at it again, claiming Masoli needs to be benched in favor of Nate Costa. I love Costa, but he's copmletely unproven.
If you don't want to be a Duck fan, don't be. I would hate to be in court the day some of you have jury duty. And for those of you calling for Chip Kelly's job after one game? Get a grip. You're telling me that when you've had a promotion, the first day on the job you do everything perfectly? I think not, in fact I would wager far from it. Chip Kelly hasn't had any chance to do his thing. 24 hours ago he was the second coming to Christ, and now nobody wants him? You folks are delusional.
For those Ducks fans who are real fans and who will always be there for the team, I apoligize as this rant has probably fallen on deaf ears. Supporting a team isn't about only being there for the up times, it's about being for the down times; and the down times are what make the up times feel that much better. Besides all of this, we're still fine. We have 6 days until we kick off against Purdue and right this ship.
I hate to come off as such a pessimist towards fellow Duck fans, but we can be better, and we need to be better as fans. We'll all be fortunate to see a perfect season in our lives, and I think everyone needs to step back and think about that. Last night's game was very reminiscent of last year's game at Purdue. We won, sure, but it was very ugly and left us asking who the answer was at quarterback. We're not in a hugely different boat this year and I think we can all agree last year turned out alright at worst.
Finally, I encourage everyone (or anyone) out there reading this to refer to the first line of our glorious fight song: "Oregon our Alma Mater, we will guard thee ON AND ON." Think about if this means anything to you, because it should. If the Ducks are to become a better football team, that's on the shoulders of the players and coaches. If Ducks fans have any ambition of shedding the image that we have some sort of unjust sense of self-entitlement, that's on us. I love my Ducks and I love talking Ducks. I can understand that I'm a bit more into the game than most, but this is something I will not apologize for. Everyone posting these ridiculous demands and claims needs to take a look at their fanhood and decide whether or not this is the team for them. If not, there are always people willing to take your spot on the bandwagon, and demand always outweighs supply when it comes to season tickets.
Today and everyday, GO DUCKS!!!
--Sam
What, or who, I want to talk about today are a number of our "fans." I hear talk of abandoning our Ducks, putting season tickets up for sale, basically writing off our Ducks. I have one thing to say to everyone out there who shares this point of view: Go Ahead. You are the same fairweather losers who booed Dennis Dixon when he bounced two balls into the turf in the opener two seasons ago and called for Brady Leaf...Brady...Leaf...? The same ones who three weeks later were back in the saddle anointing him a Heisman candidate. These are the same fans who booed Masoli last season against Stanford. The same ones who claimed "we knew we were going to come back! Masoli is a darkhorse for Heisman and is about to lead us to Pasadena!" Now, we're at it again, claiming Masoli needs to be benched in favor of Nate Costa. I love Costa, but he's copmletely unproven.
If you don't want to be a Duck fan, don't be. I would hate to be in court the day some of you have jury duty. And for those of you calling for Chip Kelly's job after one game? Get a grip. You're telling me that when you've had a promotion, the first day on the job you do everything perfectly? I think not, in fact I would wager far from it. Chip Kelly hasn't had any chance to do his thing. 24 hours ago he was the second coming to Christ, and now nobody wants him? You folks are delusional.
For those Ducks fans who are real fans and who will always be there for the team, I apoligize as this rant has probably fallen on deaf ears. Supporting a team isn't about only being there for the up times, it's about being for the down times; and the down times are what make the up times feel that much better. Besides all of this, we're still fine. We have 6 days until we kick off against Purdue and right this ship.
I hate to come off as such a pessimist towards fellow Duck fans, but we can be better, and we need to be better as fans. We'll all be fortunate to see a perfect season in our lives, and I think everyone needs to step back and think about that. Last night's game was very reminiscent of last year's game at Purdue. We won, sure, but it was very ugly and left us asking who the answer was at quarterback. We're not in a hugely different boat this year and I think we can all agree last year turned out alright at worst.
Finally, I encourage everyone (or anyone) out there reading this to refer to the first line of our glorious fight song: "Oregon our Alma Mater, we will guard thee ON AND ON." Think about if this means anything to you, because it should. If the Ducks are to become a better football team, that's on the shoulders of the players and coaches. If Ducks fans have any ambition of shedding the image that we have some sort of unjust sense of self-entitlement, that's on us. I love my Ducks and I love talking Ducks. I can understand that I'm a bit more into the game than most, but this is something I will not apologize for. Everyone posting these ridiculous demands and claims needs to take a look at their fanhood and decide whether or not this is the team for them. If not, there are always people willing to take your spot on the bandwagon, and demand always outweighs supply when it comes to season tickets.
Today and everyday, GO DUCKS!!!
--Sam
Sunday, August 30, 2009
"Oregon Behind Brown Probe?"
This week, an article came out on Scout.com's Tennessee site. The article's clear "evidence" was that after Oregon lost Chris Harper and Bryce Brown, they figured they could kill two birds with one stone and get both of them, as they would both be affected by the supposed infraction that occurred in 2006. The controversy centers around campus trips to different college campuses, more specifically how the money was raised to go on those trips.
The article ended with something along the lines of "Clearly, there is evidence to suggest that this was the doing of the Oregon Ducks." What a ridiculous statement. Unless I missed the second half of the article, there is absolutely nothing to suggest Oregon did anything wrong. It's this kind of writing that really makes me miss the days when journalists had editors to check their work for facts, rather than just going on what is the sexiest thing. I don't really care what Tennessee fans think of us as Duck fans, because, well, they're not on our level right now. I am concerned, however, about possible recruiting implications down the road.
At the end of the day, I think the most important thing is to win football games, and keep our noses clean on the violation end, which I think we've done really well so far. We're already in on several top prospects, including making the top 5 of this year's #1 RB, Marcus Lattimore.
For those of you who have a Scout subscription, here is the link to the article.
4 Days everybody!
Go Ducks!!
--Sam
The article ended with something along the lines of "Clearly, there is evidence to suggest that this was the doing of the Oregon Ducks." What a ridiculous statement. Unless I missed the second half of the article, there is absolutely nothing to suggest Oregon did anything wrong. It's this kind of writing that really makes me miss the days when journalists had editors to check their work for facts, rather than just going on what is the sexiest thing. I don't really care what Tennessee fans think of us as Duck fans, because, well, they're not on our level right now. I am concerned, however, about possible recruiting implications down the road.
At the end of the day, I think the most important thing is to win football games, and keep our noses clean on the violation end, which I think we've done really well so far. We're already in on several top prospects, including making the top 5 of this year's #1 RB, Marcus Lattimore.
For those of you who have a Scout subscription, here is the link to the article.
4 Days everybody!
Go Ducks!!
--Sam
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Cliff Harris
Today, we got some news we've been hoping for all summer: Cliff Harris has qualified through the NCAA clearinghouse. This is big time as Harris was rated the No. 6 cornerback in his recruiting class by scout.com, as well as playing in the Army All-American game. Harris had a bit of a tumultuous road to get to Eugene, beginning with academic problems, and continuing with an arrest after getting in a scuffle with a school police officer.
Now the question is: Should Harris play this year or RS? In my opinion, you don't keep a guy on the shelf if he is good enough to play. Watching videos of Cliff shows that he's most definitely ready to make the jump. Will he play against Boise, no way. Can he crack the lineup at some point in the season? Absolutely. The only knock on Harris is that he needs to add some size, which can be done over time, probably next year. If Kelly believes he can do it, I believe he can do it.
There is still no word on Justin Brown from Compton High School. Academics is the issue here, too, as he is hung up in the Clearinghouse. I really hope he can figure it out and does not follow in Myles Wade and Simi Fili's footsteps, both former commits who couldn't get it done in the classroom and therefore never made it to campus. Wade, out of Portland's Central Catholic, ended up this season at Texas Tech, while Simi Fili, to my knowledge, couldn't get it together and may be done playing football. One last one along these lines was Justin Thompson, a highly rated JC player who fell through academically and landed at the University of Memphis.
Once again, congratulations, Cliff!
Go Ducks!!!
8 Days!
-- Sam
Now the question is: Should Harris play this year or RS? In my opinion, you don't keep a guy on the shelf if he is good enough to play. Watching videos of Cliff shows that he's most definitely ready to make the jump. Will he play against Boise, no way. Can he crack the lineup at some point in the season? Absolutely. The only knock on Harris is that he needs to add some size, which can be done over time, probably next year. If Kelly believes he can do it, I believe he can do it.
There is still no word on Justin Brown from Compton High School. Academics is the issue here, too, as he is hung up in the Clearinghouse. I really hope he can figure it out and does not follow in Myles Wade and Simi Fili's footsteps, both former commits who couldn't get it done in the classroom and therefore never made it to campus. Wade, out of Portland's Central Catholic, ended up this season at Texas Tech, while Simi Fili, to my knowledge, couldn't get it together and may be done playing football. One last one along these lines was Justin Thompson, a highly rated JC player who fell through academically and landed at the University of Memphis.
Once again, congratulations, Cliff!
Go Ducks!!!
8 Days!
-- Sam
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Ducks Top-Secret Scrimmage
According to the Oregonian (Link), the Ducks' second and final scrimmage will be completely under wraps -- that means fans, media, anyone who is not suited up or a coach will not be allowed in. Could there be a more exciting thing? OK, it sucks that we can't see what kind of progress we've made (although CJ can attest along with me that Masoli looks redonk), but just think of the plays he must be rolling out if he won't even let Duck fans watch. I'm so excited.
I'm also excited about Daryle Hawkins. The kid looks like a stud on paper. He has a strong arm and quick feet. He was under the radar as a recruit, but we've done alright with those in the past (See Patrick Chung).
Anyways, I just got back from Sun River and Eugene, which were amazing. To top it off, we're 11 days away.
Go Ducks
--Sam
I'm also excited about Daryle Hawkins. The kid looks like a stud on paper. He has a strong arm and quick feet. He was under the radar as a recruit, but we've done alright with those in the past (See Patrick Chung).
Anyways, I just got back from Sun River and Eugene, which were amazing. To top it off, we're 11 days away.
Go Ducks
--Sam
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Baseball Recruiting
Earlier this week, the Oregon Ducks lost out on two recruits who decided to forgo the college experience and baseball level to professional baseball. Tyler Matzek, considered one of the top if not the top high school pitching prospect in the nation, was drafted 11th overall and signed for a $3.9 million (!!) bonus. That's guaranteed money, in the bank when you write your name on the dotted line. Jake Marisnick signed out of the 3rd round for $1 million (poor guy).
I think after a disappointing first season, this shows what an amazing job the coaching staff does recruiting the best of the best. For those of you who don't know about college baseball recruiting, there's not a coach in the country who could have fit Oregon's needs better than George Horton; Pat Casey included. The future of Ducks baseball is bright, with an already solid pipeline to the best players in California, one of the recruiting hotbeds in the nation.
Ponder, if you will, signing bonuses...Ridiculous? More on that later...
Still 14 days...
--Sam
I think after a disappointing first season, this shows what an amazing job the coaching staff does recruiting the best of the best. For those of you who don't know about college baseball recruiting, there's not a coach in the country who could have fit Oregon's needs better than George Horton; Pat Casey included. The future of Ducks baseball is bright, with an already solid pipeline to the best players in California, one of the recruiting hotbeds in the nation.
Ponder, if you will, signing bonuses...Ridiculous? More on that later...
Still 14 days...
--Sam
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