[University Of Oregon To Join Big Ten Conference In 2024 (Press Release)]

On 8/4/2023 at 4:24 PM, GatOrlando said:

 

 

A new era begins. 

Great time to start a new 12 year run against the Mutts!

[Rob Mullens Issued a Statement Concerning the Media Deal]

Noticeably absent: And from a financial perspective.

 

May be cause for concern.

[Another Vacancy: Assistant LB Coach Back to Alabama]

Given our linebacker play this season, hard to see the downside of this news.

[Building Lanning’s Defense: Off-Season Problems to Fix]

Watching OSU obliterate us without a single pass in the fourth quarter was truly astounding. Numbers in the box did a little too slow down their rushing game. Contrast that with North Carolina making minor adjustments in the holiday bowl and our running game virtually disappeared. Go figure!

[Can the Oregon Ducks Beat Utah Without Nix?]

I don’t think we stand a chance without Nix. Primarily because we don’t seem to be able to make teams punt the football. Is there a record for the fewest number of punts in a season by opposing teams? We have to be approaching it!

[Lanning: Rope-a-Dope with TT?]

We've all been at a loss to explain TT's performance when allowed to play. He's lost confidence. Lost interest. On the way to the transfer portal. I want to suggest a different perspective. DL is using a rope-a-dope strategy.

 

One article describes the tactic as "a risky boxing strategy famously used by Muhammad Ali against George Foreman in the Heavyweight Championship match held on 30 October 1974, in Kinshasa, Zaire. The match is called the Rumble in the Jungle because of the explosive action between the two great fighters. Ali was the better technical fighter, while Foreman, "the bruiser," packed a more brutal punch. In the first round of the fight, Ali scored several technical hits, but Foreman remained unfazed. By the second round, Ali changed his strategy, frequently laying against the ropes, allowing Foreman to exhaust himself by throwing repeated punches, mainly to Ali's protective arms.

 

"Today, rope-a-dope refers to any strategy involving playing the loser to emerge the winner."

 

Here are a few facts to consider:

• Ty Thompson is an extraordinarily talented and gifted athlete.
• He has earned the coaches' confidence in practice.
• DL is beginning to demonstrate a "season-long campaign" approach to in-game coaching and verbalized this perspective by stating that the staff started preparing for the current three 3-game stretch months ago.

Given these facts, it's worth considering the following questions:

• From a season-long campaign perspective, what could DL gain by having TT show off his capabilities in garbage time against a beaten and inferior opponent? 
• Why would TT, a talented and gifted athlete, suddenly become incapable of throwing an easy-to-complete pass in the backfield?
• From a campaign-long perspective, wouldn't it be more valuable to have a backup QB enter the game for which there is no film to identify his tendencies and capabilities in the event of an injury to Nix? Perhaps one whom the opposition has concluded is inept?
• Why wouldn't DL, a coach who has demonstrated an ability to coach with an entire season and an NC goal orientation, use every possible unknown to his advantage?

Odd as it seems to us Duck fans who want to see the offense score EVERY time they're on the field, DL has a different perspective. When it comes to his use of TT, I think he is "playing the loser to come out the winner."

 

Your thoughts?

[Seven McGee Entering Transfer Portal]

On 10/31/2022 at 12:40 PM, latracey said:

I’m really surprised to see Seven go. Players have to adjust to sharing the rock in this offense which has to be more difficult for those further down the pecking order.

 

I noticed Nix had serious words for McGee in the UCLA game after what I assume was some sort of miscommunication between the two after a play. It will be interesting to see what his reasoning for leaving at this point in what appears to be a great season for the team. I wish him nothing but the brightest of futures.

 

 

[Canzano: Oregon Ducks Fueled Up on Dan Lanning]

Superior performance is when you are only 5 games into the season and your competition is hoping you will find a reason to leave soon.

[Does Chip Still Own Lupoi?]

I’m guessing Oregon has far better athletes coming to this contest than Cal had against CK way back win. Add the home factor against a UCLA team whose only road game was in the friendly confines of Folsom Field and I’m comfortable betting on the Ducks.

[Hate Me, but the FishDuck Adage Applies to Ty Thompson...]

I recall watching back up qb’s for San Jose State & Fresno State come into the game at Autzen and throw the ball all over the field. They weren’t NFL bound, but they were athletes that displayed a will to compete. Then I watch TT come in and… It’s hard to get your head around what you are seeing.