"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

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

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

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

About that Handshake...

So, it appears that the Ducks and Broncos will shake hands pregame. Absolutely ridiculous. I really don't see an upside to this. It's a nice and novel idea, but how about a mandatory handshake after the game? You know, maybe after emotions have cooled and not everyone is completely jacked up on Mt. Dew? Makes much more sense to me. Masoli hates it, Thomas hates it, Kelly hates it. I'm sure the Boise players and fans don't like it.

My question now is, who has to be the guy at the front of the line approaching the Boise players? This is where the walk-ons come in. Send the guys who won't play to meet the Boise players first and get sanwiched.

In all seriousness, I hope it works out, I hope no one starts a fight, and it's merely a wussy formality before a great game. 14 Days!!!

Go Ducks!!

--Sam

Bryce Brown

It's something everyone following Brown's recruitment had in the back of our minds, and yet tried to shrug off as impossible. Now, before he has played a game in Orange, Bryce Brown's eligibility is being called into question by the NCAA. While it doesn't appear that Brown will face any stiff penalties, it also isn't a sterling start to his career. I feel bad for Bryce. I really thought he gave people an inaccurate perception of the person he is when he dragged his decision out for so long. The expectations, to me, are impossible for Brown to achieve. No matter what, his best may never be good enough, much like Terrelle Pryor. I really hope I'm wrong, but I can tell you that Lane Kiffin's honeymoon is Knoxville will be very short-lived if they don't come out winning right away. This is a microcosm of the expectations already placed on Brown. After a down year, he is supposed to be the savior of the Volunteers, something that is ridiculous to ask of any freshman -- number 1 recruit or not.

To clear the air about him postponing his decision until after signing day, I have no problem with it whatsoever. People always forget that NLI day is the first day a recruit can make a decision as to where he or she will spend the next few years, not the last. I really wish Brown had gone without Brian Butler as he only had a negative impact on the process, at least from an outsider's perspective. I really hope all works out with Brown and he has a great career, except of course a certain game early next season...

College football is coming; 15 days until a huge game between Oregon and Boise St. This is my favorite time of year, and I can't wait to get back to Eugene to take on year 3 of my 4 year paid vacation.

Go Ducks!!!

--Sam

You again, Favre?

Why do you play with us, Brett? Let me preface this by saying I love Brett Favre and I think that in his time he was one of the best. But I really think he runs the risk of ruining or at least severly damaging his legacy. Remember MJ's semi-failed experiment with the Wizards? This is like Brett's second one of those, except he did way worse the first time with the Jets. Speaking of which, he was awful with the Jets. Sure, they started off well, but did anyone see towards the end? It was a disaster. The impression I walked away with was he still has that boyish passion for the game, and the guts that go along with that passion for better or worse. What he doesn't have anymore, however, is the arm strength. When there is that gutsiness and no arm, you're looking at a lot of interceptions, a lot of headaches, and a lot of wasted money.

Brett, we all love you. You're one of those guys who no one can hate, but it's time. You've done it all. Be thankful for the opportunity you've had, and for the opportunities you'll have in the front office of the Packers in the future, and move on with your life.

--Sam

NCAA Pregame Handshake?

I'm all for sportsmanship. When I was a pitcher in high school, I never hit anyone intentionally. I thought it made me look a lot better and classier to simply strike the guy out who was facing me. I also believe that it would be a lot more satisfying if the Ducks went out on September 3rd on the ugliest turf in the nation and punched the Broncos in the mouth the legal way rather than get a second of redemption that could land one of our players in the locker room for the remainder of the game.

This, however, is taking it too far. First off, it's just silly. These are grown men; not 11 year olds in the Little League World Series. Second of all, it's potentially very dangerous. Imagine Lane Kiffin's Volunteers walking over to "shake hands" with the Florida Gators this season, as the PTI crew alluded to on ESPN today. It would be chaos, and in addition to having to deal with getting it handed to them on the field, Tennessee would also have to deal with a melee before the real game even starts.

To me, this just seems like a terrible idea. In theory it sounds nice, but theory is not reality in this case. My final thought is this: My beloved Ducks have been training all summer with a bad taste in their mouths after last season's loss to Boise in Autzen. Frankly, I do not want my football team to share a touching moment with the other team. There should be no camaraderie between these two or any two teams right before game time. Play the game. Shake hands after. Move on. This isn't tee-ball; it's college football.

-- Sam

Hello

How's it going everybody? I created this blog partially for networking, partially because I heard companies like it, and partially because I'm bored. Most of my posts will be sports-related, and most will be concerned with the Oregon Ducks. I am a junior at UO majoring in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance and a minor in Economics. I am very passionate about sports, namely the Ducks, my family, my fraternity (Sigma Chi), and all of the people who make me the person I am today.

I would really appreciate any feedback and constructive criticism, but save the hate for someone else. I love nothing more than to talk Ducks and recruiting as well as the Seattle Mariners so please don't hesitate to do so. Anyways, I look forward to posting whenever something piques my interest and hopefully I can keep it somewhat entertaining.