KCDuck1

A recent Internet article by Max Torres interviewed Traeshon Holden and asked him several questions related to the coming game between Oregon and Boise State. Holden provided a terrific answer to the second question (see below). Question: Not a lot of passes downfield last game. What do you attribute that to? Holden: “Really I don’t know. I don’t know. It was a bunch of things that were going wrong. It was bad. It was bad on us for sure.” Question: Coach Lanning was talking a little bit about the history of this series, that Oregon’s never beaten them. What does that matter to you? Holden: “They ain’t beat me. Coach Lanning wasn’t here when they won, so they ain’t beat none of us. So we just gotta go out there and make a new streak or whatever they call it.” VR, KCDuck1

OBD, Found this brief article about our Ducks on the internet. Who wrote and published it? Unknown, but nonetheless interesting. I believe DL has often made a point about the little things and how the team does them; The example reads something like, "If we do the little things wrong (set up for stretching), that's how we are doing the big things, too." Or, words to that effect. "Saturday early evening in Autzen Stadium, Oregon survived a disciplined, inspired, well-coached Idaho team that spotted them 22 scholarships at the start of the game. Oregon showed a lot of poise in icing the game in the 4th quarter. With the Vandals riding all the momentum after pulling within 17-14 with 9:42 to go in the game Dillon Gabriel led a 10-play, 75-yard touchdown drive for the decisive score, flipping a 12-yard touchdown pass to Tez Johnson on 4th and 2. Nikko Reed then came up with a big play on defense, an acrobatic interception down the right sideline, preserving a hard-earned, shockingly close 24-14 win. But the problem that emerged came earlier. Throughout the game the Ducks looked heavy-legged and sluggish. The team lacked juice. Linemen were late to their blocks and slow-footed in pass protection. They flubbed the snap count and lined up illegally. Running backs lost their balance with wide open field in front of them. On one 4th and 1 play, the left tackle tripped over the fullback. Great veteran coaches like Pete Carroll and Chris Petersen excelled at knowing when to taper off a little, bringing their team to a game with fresh legs. Duck fans love Dan Lanning for his passion, conviction and intensity. He's driven and 100% real. But a game like this should inspire some self-evaluation: The Ducks came out of camp banged-up and looking tired. Did he push them too hard? Nobody gets to see practice except the in-house reporters and the video team, tight shots only. We can only make observations from what we see, a too-close game against Idaho." To answer that last question, only DL and the Asst coaches and analysts really have a semi-accurate assessment on that. I am sure each one has to have a fact-based assessment and recommended fix for their players. They have been very accurate up to this point, and we did not lose this game 33-36. VR, KCDuck1

Fans of OBD, Dillon Gabriel won the Herbie Award for Transfer Players/QBs, and Jeff Bassa won the Ultimate Herbie Award for ultimate team player. I almost forgot: our Duck won Best Mascot. Our Duck does a great job during the season, and our Duck shined this year around the Nation. OBD would be hard-pressed to find two more worthy representatives of our FB team and one more to represent our Football program and our University as a whole. VR, KCDuck1

NJ Duck asked,"Can Oregon's offensive line coach A'lique Terry and Erik Whitsitt of Oregon's throwing group land the prospect?" The answer is NO! But, why not? Coach Blutreich is the Ducks phenomenal Throws Coach. Coach Whitsitt left two years ago and works at U of Tennessee. We came out wayyyy ahead on that trade. VR, KCDuck1

Lrod stated, "...almost every big game on the road for us he will pick our opponent." And well Herbstreit might do exactly that; I hope he does. I am very sure Coach Lanning is not going to allow the team to come out of the lockerroom for any game with a "big head" from reading the sports' writers publicity and opinions. I believe it would be more effective to approach each game as being the underdog up to The OSU game; then, re-evaluate. Or, following The OSU game, return to the underdog role as the Ducks build for UM. Approach that game as one in which the Ducks must prove themselves, and I think they will do just that. I would approach the Wisconsin and Washington games the same way because we have lost to them both away. Then, let's beat them both, and move on to the B1G championship. It seems like OSU (the Beavers) and Huskies have beaten us when the Ducks Prepped for aerial attacks, and both shifted to a ground attack the Ducks could not stop. Suggest having a plan for both. This will be a tough year, and this is the toughest team the Ducks have ever had. Thanks and VR, KCDuck1 Go Ducks, Win Ducks, Win!

Annie, I did not attend the event. However, I recommend you review the article/note titled, "Major Takeaways From Saturday Night Live" that Steven A. posted. Did not read a lot about D-Linemen, but one of the most impressive linemen (O-line or D-Line) is the D-Lineman from Mater Dei (CA) DL TomTom Topui. This player is quite impressive. When he attends a camp, he often competes with the O-Linemen and then the D-Linemen - he is very competitive, and I have not read that he has lost a competition or Rep. He can move fast (forward, back, and laterally). He will be a difference maker. USC and the Ducks lead. Steven A. has posted much more. Reads like this may have been the most broadly competitive Saturday Night Live event Ducks have hosted. VR, KCDuck1

John, Ole Miss is located in Oxford, MS rather than Vicksburg, MS, unless you intended to imply something else. Vicksburg is an interesting battlefield, but Oxford is a lot nicer. Jobs? There are definetly more jobs associated with Oxford and the university. These charges, counter-charges and attempted smears are so easily deflected, and it is easy to pin the tail on the real "donkey"- mismanagement, jealousy, and a lack of problem-solving and creativity. There are a lot of flim-flam men out there in coaching. VR, KCDuck1

Grayson Weir, Sir, Please exercise just a bit of caution any time you cite ex-coach Rick Neuheisel as a source for an article on an Oregon Ducks supporting site. Coach Neuheisel was a Head coach at Colorado, U of Washington, and UCLA. I can't speak for the majority of Duck fans, but many Duck fans (and others) have experienced Rick's brand of humor, decision-making, truth-telling, and sportsmanship, and learned from it. We learned to question the fidelity of everything Coach Rick said and did, on the field and off that field. Coach Rick is smart, and he has a pleasing smile and manner, a mouthful of teeth, and if you are a Duck fan, you can't trust him as far as you can throw him. When he tells you something to be used or referred to for publication, there is a better than 50% chance what he told you may be 180 degrees different than so stated or to which he alluded. Coach Rick is a good guy to keep at arms length. If he has his arm around your shoulder, look out! Spin away! In life, we all meet people like Coach Rick; suggest you keep him and what he says at arms length. Suggest anyone associated with "Ole Miss" take that same attitude. You will be a happier camper and sports fan in life. Thanks and VR, KCDuck1 PS. You cited Josiah Sharma's rating as the #7 DL. He has that potential, but right now, he is a lot closer to #40; Josiah may get to the top 18 DLs by the end of this football season, but he will want a lot of personal coaching instruction to get there. If he gets that, the sky is the limit forJosiah. He is a talented and capable young player.

David Marsh, Coach Saban had a lot of learning experiences before he rose to that high plateau on which he led and worked, and where his teams won seven Natl championships. Most of these mistakes occured after he returned to the university-level from the Pros. Several mistakes were noteworthy. When Alabama played Auburn in the Iron Bowl one year, I recall the game was very close and quite near the end of regulation time. Alabama Special Teams/Field Goal Kicking team was loaded up with big linemen rather than mid-size Alabama-type linebackers that could initially block and run downfield to tackle any potential return. Return? That never happens! However, Auburn prepared for it, and had two (I believe) returners under the crossbar in the endzone. The FG was off, one Auburn returner caught the ball and returned it to the Alabama endzone for points (at the end of the game), and Auburn defeated Alabama. Most of the Alabama ST KT was too heavy to catch and tackle or impede the Auburn returner. I recall that Alabama never structured their FG Kicking team that way again, or at least never did so when I was watching their late season games. All coaches are human and make mistakes; even Bear Bryant made mistakes. Coach Saban made many mistakes, but he also made some incredibly ballsy decisions that paid off. Just ask the coaches he beat. Coach DL will make more mistakes, but I believe he and the position coaches/players are making fewer and fewer obvious mistakes each season. They will never be perfect, but they were rather good this past season. If the offense can approach last years' performance, and the defense can stop the run, sack passers and successfully defend passes better than they did last year (and execute Spec Teams flawlessly), we will be watching one of the best Duck football teams ever. Extra seats in Autzen? The AD could have sold the seats to seven home games easily. Risk? There is risk in everything. There is more risk associated with not significantly improving the toilets and concessions. First impressions are critical, and we will have a lot of new visitors. VR, KCDuck1

Jon Joseph, You asked a great question about whether any SC folks had watched the OK Defense when Coach Riley was the OK HC, and made a great point about coaches Vs recruiters. Well, I can proudly proclaim I am not an SC person. However, I watched OK play Baylor at Baylor. Baylor blew OK out in the first half - the OK Defense couldn't stop a leaf blown by the wind. It was rather incredible. At halftime, the Baylor coaches and team must have all agreed they were going to win and they could now relax; the OK coaches and team determined they would smoke Baylor in 2d half. The OK defense showed up while the Baylor Offense did not - they believed the game was over, and for them, and it was. The second half was a complete 180 degree turn-around. CeeDee (?), an OK receiver was unstoppable, the OK Offense passed like crazy, and the OK QB who had attended Alabama (and now plays for the Philly Eagles) passed and ran well. The OK Defense was not as incredible as the Baylor Offense was inept - they could not get that teamwork and momentum applied. OK won. You stated, "In the offseason, SC completely overhauled its coaching on the D side of the ball but these coaches are not recruiting closers." Jon, that's it! Those SC coaches will take the human material they have available, and they will probably play better than last year. But, those coaches have been expecting to show recruits all their Heisman trophies and their renovated facilities, and Viol'e, the recruits become future happy campers in the SC defense. The real problem is there is no daily relationship between the coaches, recruits, and their families; the defensive coaches forgot that all the other teams are continuing to recruit their prospective recruits, and these other coaches/recruiters from UGA, UA, and UT know how to recruit and sustain that recruiting daily, and close. It's not just coaching anymore. Now, coaches have to prove they (and their team) are "world-class", or at the very least, very good and headed up; and that they can teach these recruits how to become an All B1G and/or AA and go to the League. One weekend visit doesn't get that done for a group of 5* defense recruits. Other than QB, a D-recruit who is big, can move, and is other-worldly twitchy is in high demand, and he might try and set his NIL. SC doesn't have a Division Street NIL organization. We have retired professionals, and they have coaches negotiating. All this is why Duck coaches and Reps establish relationships with the recruit, with their family, with their coaches, and they stay in touch daily. Thanks, and VR, KCDuck1

Charles and all the other contributors of OBD, Excuse me, but I was laughing (and crying) almost as hard as the gif with the lady in the green pull-over; those USC fans were really funny, and except for one or two, they were totally clueless. They know something is happening, but they just aren't sure what it is. The USC fans and the donors ought to start reading something other than the LA Times Sports section or the latest letter from the USC Athletic Dept. Oh, well. It is absolutely enjoyable to watch our Ducks beat their teams, any and all their teams. Successful recruiting is all year round, and must involve a close and sustained relationship with the athlete and his/her family. Just read the On3 interview with Jordon Davison after he announced his commitment. Jordon laid it out accurately and beautifully. As the old saw states, Ignorance of the Law is no excuse. In this case, Ignorance of the Truth and methodology is no excuse. Thanks Charles, and VR, KCDuck1.

ElPatoUO, Thanks for your note. I'll take your camp-measured data any day before data from some sports journalist who may not even know how to effectively use a measuring tape. They don't care about Josiah, the Ducks, or anyone but their own position - well, they might care about their family - might. Not sure why DL likes Odom, what they see in him; he may be like someone they invest in and who develops and exceeds expectations, or, it's JAG. Perhaps we'll see down the road. If he is going to become more than JAG, let's hope he is a Duck. If he is like our former player that transferred to a state school in Michigan, then please stay with tOSU. The D-Lineman I have not heard a great deal about lately is a player from Mater Dei in Santa Ana; he is good enough to excel at D-or O Lineman. He is a Poly, about 6'3", and he is quick and aggressive. He has won best lineman in camps on both sides of the ball. This guy isn't huge but is strong and twitchy, and he is a difference-maker. We have been on him, but so is SC. He would be a phenomenal addition for either team, or other teams in the East. Thanks for the correction and VR, KCDuck1

Drake, That is one heckuva horse! I can see the rider is strapped in, but he is doing a good job riding with the horse. Without those restraints, he is taking a short ride to the moon. Thanks and VR, KCDuck1

Steven A and other OBD Fans, Steven A has put a solid and deep boot into the blue ball area of ewe dub, and it causes me to grin. I don't care about tOSU and/or USA Today recruiting articles. They don't intend to assist OBD to accrue any balance of ability and advantage, and they don't wish us well. Now, back to ewe dub. Those ewe dub "rascals" had bedeviled OBD for a number of decades, and they have used many under-handed means [as coaching Reps and administrators] to do so. Now, our wonderful coaching/recruiting staff is doing an incredible job (and the other sports coaching staffs on campus are learning from them). One thing we can surmise about our competitors at ewe dub, they will be back - get ready to hammer them, just as we must prepare to out-think and out-work tOSU (that other OSU). Anyone can work hard - we must out-think them and work smart! I copied an internet release by On3 Sports, and it lays out how the cornucopia has been tipped onto OBDs this past week with so many great young men choosing publicly to become Fightin' Ducks. Read below. Suggest you read what the recruits have said. The young man who seemed most spot-on is Jordon Davison. Jordon described OBD's coaches approach: "They’re very consistent on how they were recruited me. I wouldn’t even say they recruited me. They just build relationships and they truly care and they continue to be a part of me and my family.” That says it all. Davison and Sharma were headed to Texas until DL threw a lasoo around them. "Oregon stayed hot on the recruiting trail on Saturday morning as it landed a commitment from Derby (Kan.) four-star tight end DaSaahn Brame. The Ducks beat out Tennessee for commitment No. 6 this month. Brame is now the the third top-100 commit in the mix for Dan Lanning and Co. as he checks in at No. 98 overall and No. 3 at the TE position in the On3 Industry Ranking. With a commitment from Brame, the Ducks jumped one spot and now have the No. 5 class in the nation, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. After inking the No. 3 class last cycle, Oregon is on pace to finish in a similar position come December." “It’s the players there. Definitely the offense that they run, I think I fit their offense more than I fit Tennessee’s offense,” Brame said of his decision to On3’s Chad Simmons. “That’s really a big thing for me, and just like the commitment that the players and coaches have to make each other better. They all have the same mindset that they’re trying to win a national championship.” Oregon now has 13 commits in its class. Only Ohio State, Alabama, LSU and Georgia check in ahead of the new Big Ten program, as of June 29. Ducks land Top Targets on both Sides of the Ball "Brame is the third commitment for Oregon in the last 24 hours. Sacramento Folsom four-star defensive lineman and On3 top-100 recruit Josiah Sharma chose the Ducks over Texas on Friday and was quickly flanked by a commitment from Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei four-star running back Jordon Davison. Davison is the No. 96 overall prospect and No. 5 RB in the On3 Industry Ranking. “They show a whole bunch of love, you know?” Davison told On3. They’re very consistent on how they were recruited me. I wouldn’t even say they recruited me. They just build relationships and they truly care and they continue to be a part of me and my family.” Tampa Bay Tech five-star wide receiver Dallas Wilson continues to headline the class as a top-30 recruit and top-five wideout in the nation. San Diego (Calif.) Lincoln four-star quarterback Akili Smith Jr., Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei four-star linebacker Nasir Wyatt and Belleville (Ill.) Althoff Catholic four-star athlete Dierre Hill bolster the top of the class as top-175 recruits. Also currently committed to the Ducks are Lee’s Summit (Mo.) North four-star receiver Isaiah Mozee, Concord (Calif.) De La Salle four-star defensive lineman Matthew Johnson and Scottsdale (Ariz.) Notre Dame Prep four-star receiver Cooper Perry. Tampa Sumner four-star offensive tackle Ziyare Addison pledged to the Ducks on June 10. Four-star athlete Brandon Finney joined the class earlier this week." I remain VR, KCDuck1 Go Ducks! Win Ducks, Win!

Drake, Thanks! Trajen may just be "Just a Guy"; we'll see. He could become more if he is willing to work his buns off. I agree with your inference about Josiah Sharma - Josiah is so young to be as big and quick as he is. Josiah is only 6'3.5" tall; he may grow another inch or so in heighth. Once Josiah gets onto a rigorous weight training program and sprints/stairs and all the other agility drills D-linemen have opportunities to perform, he may actually become quicker with his first step, hands, and his execution of moves. If Josiah signs his NLI with Oregon, he has an opportunity to become exceptionally good if he continues his pace of development. I don't think he'll be JAG. I was surprised the Ducks picked up the RB's commitment (from Mater Dei in Santa Ana, CA.) Five weeks ago, our Ducks were outside looking in. Coach Samples has been very handy in recruiting our RBs this year. We may not pick up Dakorian (Moore, I believe) and Duncanville's QB, just as we missed on Simmons (Edge, UT) last year, but D'ville will have some more good players coming down the road. Perhaps the HC of D'ville will steer us toward them. Coach Samples has been gold. What a hire, so far. Thanks again for explaining JAG, and I remain VR, KCDuck1

ElPatoUO, You wrote, "...he always seemed like a JAG to me." I only speak two languages, and one of those two is not college-level football recruiting. May I please inquire what JAG is? I am absolutely sure it is not 'Judge Advocate General'. I was disappointed when Odom selected tOSU, and I suspect his decision was heavily influenced by his family, much like Elijah Rushings' initial decision to commit to Arizona. The Ducks kept those communications channel open (they get to know the family as well as the player), and eventually, Elijah changed his commitment. I have no doubt that unless the various players we might have missed on shut us down, our coaches will continue to talk with the players and their families until they request otherwise and/or sign a NLI. Remember Dante Moore (QB). Eventually, he returned to the Ducks when the Ducks kept the Comms channels open and focused on relationships. BTW, believe Rushings' older brother joined the team last Spring. Looking forward to an even better year by the D/O/& ST. Thanks and VR, KCDuck1

Steven A. $4.7 Billion, and not $4.7 Trillion. Still, that will motivate them to be more than careful this next time. Naaah, they'll just charge more and be more careful about it. The management (and many players) are very arrogant. Thanks and VR, KCDuck1

That was such a fun game to watch. If one is an O-Line afficionado/fan and/or a running back (RB) fan, what a game to watch! The Duck O-Line personnel are not only doing a great job blocking, but they are all great athletes in terrific condition. Most of the holding is SC D-LIne and LB holding; they just can't move fast enough to get off the blocks. That speaks to the SC lack of quickness and correct hand placement; and, the SC D-line players are sucking wind (although not like the LSU D-line was sucking wind when the Ducks played them in Arlington, but LSU did win that game - too many mistakes by our young players). Thanks for posting that video. Those were some great memories. VR, KCDuck1

For Those Fans of OBD Who may have had Difficulty Opening the Spun.com Site to Review Phil Steele's Heisman Prognostication, Phil selected Dillon Gabriel as the number one leader. Carson Beck of UGA and Jalen Milroe of UA were second and third, respectively. VR, KCDuck1

Drake, Simeon Birnbaum is really a terrific athlete. He was the Gatorade National T&F Athlete of the Year, and if he did not have a stress-related fracture in his tibia region, he would be running in at least the NON and/or the US U20 championships (there are four different championships this week). Another one to watch is Ben Hill. Ben is the U20 National Champ in the shot put with a throw of over 67' (he has thrown 75'). He will be a Duck freshman on the track team. Another Duck freshman from Tenn (a decathlete) just came back at the US U20 Champs with a personal record exceeding 7200 points. I believe the Duck women will once again score in T&F (indoor/outdoor) in the top four (or higher), and I believe the men should make the Top 7 this next year - we'll see. We have some of the best coaches in the US (Blutreich in the throws) and Shalane in the Women's running, and many more. We are doing much better than it seems, but there is a long way to go, still. VR, KCDuck1

WRT the Ducks Women's BB Head Coach, Regardless what he says, it all starts at the top. That is where the rotten plums are located. The leadership, approach, the communication, the teaching, the BB dynamics, the mental and physical discipline, and the teamwork: it all starts with him. It was created and he let it pour through his hands. Very few coaches ever get a do-over. We'll see. VR, KCDuck1

Home | TrackDucks TRACKDUCKS.BOARDS.NET Visit our forum at: trackducks.boards.net VR, KCDuck1

All, ON3's Director of Scouting and Rankings was asked to provide comments on each of the Div 1 Elite 11 Finals counselors. I have copied his comments about Dillon Gabriel who was one of the four counselors. They all threw the ball and executed the drills. They led by example. Impressive! "On3’s Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power was on hand to take in the various workouts and provide some feedback on how this year’s crop of college quarterbacks performed. Among the participants this year were Oregon‘s Dillon Gabriel, USC‘s Miller Moss, Clemson‘s Cade Klubnik and Liberty‘s Kaidon Salter. Here’s how Power evaluated each. Dillon Gabriel, Oregon Dillon Gabriel, Oregon© On3 The headline name in the group at the Elite 11, Gabriel will be one of the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy in 2024 after transferring from Oklahoma to Oregon. He should help ease the transition from Bo Nix, who was himself a Heisman finalist last year. After throwing for 3,660 yards and 30 touchdowns last season, while also rushing for 373 yards and 12 scores, Gabriel will be looking to do it again on a playoff contender. He impressed out West this week. “I think from watching this group, though he wasn’t able to go through the Pro Day, I think Dillon Gabriel was clearly the best of the college quarterbacks that we saw out here,” Power said. “He went through Day 1, going through drills with the high school quarterbacks, then the rail shot challenge. I thought what we saw from Dillon Gabriel during the rail shot challenge was the best glimpse that we saw from the college quarterbacks. “He was really impressive just getting the ball up and out, was able to drop it into small windows consistently, generated good velocity. And you can tell Gabriel is dialed in with his mechanics. I was impressed. “He’s obviously not the biggest, but he has maximized his physical ability and he was impressive throwing that rail shot challenge. We’ve seen a lot of top quarterbacks throw that, and it’s not an easy throw. You have around a 5-yard kind of window to drop the ball in, and the speeds of the receivers vary out here, and Gabriel was able to throw with velocity and touch and location. I thought from what we saw of each college quarterback he was the top arm out here.” Rght or wrong, ON3's Director of Scouting and Ranking is exceptionally impressed with the Ducks' QB and leader. VR, KCDuck1

Smith72, Thanks for that article on the Elite 11 Finals. I believe Akili Jr. has out-performed expectations, and become even more accomplished than the selection committee expected. You and Mr. Fishduck are correct: Akili Jr. is already blossoming as a QB and competitor - he has pushed himself in preparation. He wasn't one of the main selections, but he was selected as others fell away due to other choices. He made the most of his opportunity! The article stated the toughest throw in the competition was "the rail shot challenge, which was the last competition of the [first] day. The challenge, which consisted of a rail-shot [flat, minimum arc, hard & fast due to the defense] pass to the left side of the field against Cover 2 thrown without loft in the ball on a five-step drop, is one of the more difficult throws of the camp." So, Akili Jr. was not one of the top four, but he will continue to improve and excel, and that is a "must-do" in the Duck competition pressure-cooker. A lot more is expected of the best QBs now than when Akili Jr's father played, and yet, just as then, if one wants to be the best, one has to train to be so; he's doing that now. There was a picture published of Akili Jr. and Dillon Gabriel standing next to each other. I don't imagine that was at the Elite 11 Finals site in Manhattan Beach; but, if it was, thanks to Dillon Gabriel for supporting Akili Jr. Our QB is a heck of a team player! Perhaps Coach Stein ought to consider intgrating the "rail shot challenge" into Spring Tng (as they have time). Our Offense may need to pull some rabbits out of their hats now-and-then, just like DL used the fake punt against Colorado. Our Ducks will face some purportedly very good secondaries in the B1G. Would enjoy seeing that Statue of Liberty and the Swinging Gate plays our Ducks used against UM successfully executed. Best regards, and Go Ducks! KCDuck1

HappyToBeADuck, I am not happy to throw a glass of cold water on your comment, but the Ducks lost to the Beavs by four points (38-34); that was a very tough game to watch and from which to walk away. I kept asking myself how can two excellent coordinator-type defensive-minded coaches both miss how the Beavs are catching up and not make changes in their alignment? So the Ducks have 3 x 3 point losses (all to the Huskies), 1 x 4 point loss (Beavs), and one x 46 point loss (Dogs). Nothing personal against FSU, but when they lost to Georgia 63-3 in the Orange Bowl last year, it was as if that 49-3 loss had been expunged from the national record. FSU was 13-0 for their season up to that game, and then the Bulldogs happened to them. Yes, they had almost 20 players that chose to step away from the team - that's a leadership and cohesion issue. When the Ducks play Idaho at the end of August, we may have that same type of problem but with a different slant; we will have the talent, but will all the Ducks be a coherent and cohesive Team, intent on winning every game and on internally helping each other become the best players they can be this year. We'll see. DL and his staff created a very good cohesive team this past year. Let's see if they can do it three times in a row. My money is on DL and our team. Best regards, VR, and Go Ducks! KCDuck1