KCDuck1

Sir, Charles, The key question is where is Mom? She appears to be the only family member that did not visit, and she has been the "bell cow". BTW, I mean no disrespect to Mom with that characterization. Mom is the power player on this decision. VR, KCDuck1

Agree. Coaches Taggart and MC were not skilled at building cohesive units and teams. MC came the closest with his Rose Bowl-winning team. Otherwise, no deals. Coach Lanning and his Coordinators/Asst coaches are working with the talented players they have, but they are still teaching them to play as units and as O, D, and STs. VR, KCDuck1

AnotherOD, Those are excellent questions; those are excellent points you make as you lead into those questions. Flaps2 adds "styles make fights", that starts to address your question as to whether this defensive scheme and "style" - stopping the run first, does not incur a greater amount of risk than say another similar style that defends the pass, and tries to stop the run, second. Perhaps that style would be more effective and incur less risk. You have used Georgia as your comparative yard-stick - well done. I will use the NFL for a brief comparative. The NFL has [probably] as much three star-rated talent playing as the many five and four star talents playing (or a close equivalence numbers-wise). But wait, they are three stars, and not five stars. Perhaps they were mis-rated, or their coaches developed them (3 stars), or they studied, learned and developed themselves, or most likely , a combination of the above. The point is they are playing. How could they? Someone or a combination of people developed them and they proved themselves. I don't believe our previous staff were effective developers; the current Duck coaching staff is very development-oriented, and they tell recruits and their families they are so. They must prove it every season/year, or the coaches (against whom they recruit and coach) and current players will show them to be liars. If one compares heighth, weights of players, and the stars by which they are rated, how do we measure the difference? If could be by a schools' name; or it could be by the players' heart, dedication and determination, willingness to learn and apply, and their undeveloped athleticism/quickness, and quick-twitch fiber (that the coaches recognize). I believe that's what fans are generally describing and talking about. However, perhaps they are just snookered and have repeated a story (like W/our previous staff). The current coaching staff on defense have a ways to go, but are getting there. Our HC will coach them up, and they will learn from him. What about our recruits? Perhaps we will sign a phenomenal class of players! We very possibly might, but even the five-star rated players must show up ready to learn and apply (and be in great physical condition). I like our coaches' attitudes, our players' attitudes and our recruits. They have made learning and hard teamwork fun. Although I like the "stop the run" scheme, the coaches must address the "air-raid" attack counters. If Coach Lanning is HC, I believe he will, and more (such as risk). He doesn't seem to let much grass grow between his toes. You are on-track with your thinking and questions. Don't stop now! None of us want to be lemmings running mindlessly off the cliff. Success is all about thinking!

McDuck, Have you seen Trech's (WR recruit) film yet? If he doesn't remind you of Jaden Waddle (Sp?) of Alabama fame a lot, or of DeAnthony Thomas, but taller, more athletic, and quicker, then you are not concentrating on the film. This young HS player is fast with exceptional balance and a stop-and-go/change directions capability like you have not seen before. He would be an incredible slot receiver, and a punt returner extraordinaire. Watch the film. After watching his film, then you can answer the "recruiting hype" question. McDuck inquired about the O-Line recruit from Utah, Fano. You asked about his intent to take his mission. He was reported to have stated he intended to play his freshman year and then take his two year mission. Still, when people play as team members, intent can change. We'll see. VR, KCDuck1

Did not Johnson have two sacks? The game statistics state he did; not just tackles for loss, but Johnson had two sacks. VR, KCDuck1

David, You should recall the 12-0 year Coach Chip Kelly had at Oregon, the first year the Ducks played Auburn in the Natl Championship. One of the Ducks' toughest games was Cal (at Cal), and were it not for Cliff Harris' punt return TD, well, it was a close run game. It's been a decade since that all took place, but I believe I have recalled it correctly. It was not a high scoring win, IIRC. I recall few if any fans thought the Golden Bears would give the Ducks a game (and I suspect many of the Duck players may have thought so, also). Well, Cal did not provide an overwhelming team effort against which to compete, but they gave the less than fully-prepared Ducks a game. You should know the Ducks can never look past any team in the PAC 12. The other PAC 12 teams will be waiting to knock the Ducks off. Everyone in the PAC-12 dreams of beating the Ducks. But, let's not let them have any hope of that taking place this year, or ever. Thanks, and VR, KCDuck1

McDuck, Has Brandon Baker really committed to the Ducks? Or, is this your reaction to Baker's note confirming his unofficial visit, and you are so happy that you took one step too many? If Brandon has committed, it's very early, but no one is turning such a commit down. It's a long time before the 2023-24 LOI signing days, but it would be a nice leg up to have. Thanks, and VR, KCDuck1

It's an Indian Summer, of course. The Northwest and Midlands experience these and love them. VR, KCDuck1