David Marsh

The Targeting Rule may be changed at the end of this season. I am glad a few years ago they changed it to not automatically eject players with a targeting penalty and I do like how targeting is automatically reviewed. This rule really does seem to have good intentions to protect players and avoid head-to-head contact. Though I do feel there needs to be a change in that intent needs to be taken into consideration. Did the player, usually a defender, try and avoid the contact? Did the offensive player lower their head, should that be offensive targeting? We saw an Arizona runningback lower his head and Mykael Wright was initially called for targeting as he couldn't change his tackling approach in time, thankfully the penalty did not stick. My proposal for a rule change... There should be a rule to avoid head-to-head collisions, it just isn't safe to encourage this behavior. Granted, some times these hits do happen and players do try to avoid them from happening. If the goal is with player safety in mind then then when a head-to-head collision occurs with non-malicious intent (aka by accident), then both players should be taken off the field and trainers should give them a look over... this is for safety after all and make sure there wasn't a major concussion. Then the player(s) who initiated the hit should receive a non-yardage penalty flag where if they are in another head-to-head collision within the same game they are THEN removed from the game and flagged with targeting. If there is malicious intent on the play... and you can usually tell... then flag the player for targeting because that is dangerous behavior. I know many out there don't want anything done if there are head-to-head collisions but the sport of football will NOT survive if that behavior is allowed. It isn't safe for any of the players involved. Though I am in agreement, the current targeting rule needs to change it can hurt teams too much for what are for the most part strange circumstances. Wright didn't commit targeting against the Arizona player last Saturday, his original angle for the tackle was good and he did try to lead with his shoulder. The Arizona player lowered his head and changed the angle in which contact occurred. Players should be allowed to play when mistakes happen, especially when it is out of their control.

Cristobal has liked to start practice and do a full offensive and defensive install the week or two before spring break. Then let students go home. Upon their return they do another install and build up to the spring game.

I'm not sold that J Johnson and Redd need to step up. In trigh both have had some great moments as Ducks but neither have been dominant. They just need to continue to do what they have been doing... And other young receivers need to step up and break out. I would say Pittman needs to step up more, he has all the potential and this is the year that he goes off. Pittman is built differently than Johnson and Redd and we need Pittman to be the game changer. We have seen 4 years of Johnson and Redd already... I don't think we'll see anything new from them. We need the young receivers to step up and break out.

What about real feathers? Personally... I like some sort of feather pattern on the shoulders as it seems to fill the uniform out more. I know I'm probably in the minority here as well but I'm good with the use of a black uniform for football once or twice a year. I however, don't like the use of black or off colored uniforms in bowl games, or tournaments or anywhere that Oregon needs to show off being Oregon. Below is an image from the FishDuck from 2014 where Oregon was playing Washington State. I personally love these uniforms but they are mostly yellow with some black. Again, once a year ... sure. I know that I also have nostalgia for the early 2010's as that is the time where I really became a hardcore Ducks fan. Even though I like these uniforms well enough... I love some bright green and yellow uniforms even more.

I fairness the Ducks snuck into the big dance a couple years ago by getting hot in the pac-12 tournament and winning it all. Though the added bonus was that Oregon smashes washington in the finals who won the regular season.

We all wish VA had another year of eligibility... He was incredibly exciting to watch.

It is all about that deep ball. That;s what Oregon needs really badly right now. Adams was a master at the deep pass. If Oregon's offense is going to take it to the next level, we need someone who can throw a deep ball and just as importantly someone who can catch it!

In truth I haven't watched too many games... Just observed when the Ducks were badly behind they had a tendency to stay that way. They'll make the big dance but they need to learn how to buckle down and fight back to make the comeback. They've done it this year but losing to the Beavers in that way and getting blown out by USC should leave a bad taste in their mouths.

I know there is some gaming the system that is done to try and not let another team get too much of an advantage... But this one is pretty dumb and petty. Ucla is getting their starter and backup back next year. This quarterback from washington isn't going to see the field anyway... It could be possible but it is unlikely. Just let the guy transfer and if he sees the field in his first year congratulate him because it won't be easy. Besides... Washington I thought you had the best defense ever... Are you afraid???

Both the men's and women's basketball teams this year really seem to lack the fire when they are behind. They don't seem to have a Sabrina or a Pritchard type who rallies the team or puts the team on their back and carries that team when needed.

I have to say that I agree with this sentiment. I would volunteer for more Charles but I'm finding my plate quite full right now and with the prospect of having to go back into the classroom soon it will only get more full. Though I wouldn't mind the return of the old format if that is more doable... Or the forum is preserved but with only one topic unlocked to be written in as this will potentially reduce the amount of moderating that has to take place... Not sure on that one. Though old topics and can locked but viewable to they can still be read. This may have been suggested earlier but I don't remember.

It hurts... This year's team seems to go cold and stay cold.

The conference tournaments may actually be SAFER than the normal season. The teams are all cloistered in hotels and practice facilities where everyone is frequently tested. Where covid creeps in is when players leave their bubble so being home is more problematic. In the same vein the big tournament itself is probably safe ONCE everyone is tested and then isolated in the bubble... Which is easier to do when the stakes are so high. If your program follows the procedures and the culture enforces those rules then the tournaments should be pretty safe.

I would say the lack of consistency in the availability of our recievers was quite troubling this last season. Pittman was sidelined for quite some time after the first game. Then williams had a couple of break out games and was sidelined for a few games. In a year with a new quarterback Shough really wasn't given enough of an opportunity to really get in sync with his receivers as the cast was always shifting.

In 2019 Breeland was absolutely a terror on the field. Then he was injured. The rest of the TE group needed some work and were good in some areas but not others. Kampmoyer was a good blocker but until last year wasn't much of a pass catcher. Webb was/is a good pass catcher but needs developing as a blocker. Last year we saw DJ Johnson really emerge in the first few games then he went quiet. Kampmoyer returned and made some noise briefly. Last year I think it is really difficult to judge the TE group because all but Johnson were injured or just out of commission for the first several games. What will this group look like when they are fully healthy? That is the next major question. I think the Tight End position is probably one of the most complex on the field due to its weird hybrid nature. Having to be a skilled enough blocker to act as another offensive lineman but also have the ability to run vertically (not always far mind you) to stretch the defense and give your quarterback a big bodied receiver. That is a skill set that not every player has and needs developing. Yes, Wide receivers need to know how to block and sustain those blocks on the perimeter but they are taking on more knowns than what tight ends need to deal with as tight ends have to be ready to pick up weird blitzes and take on charging linebackers.

The bright side for Oregon is that it really does allow Oregon to maintain full or nearly full recruiting classes year to year. The attrition may be a problem for some as if players don't make it to the field right away may look elsewhere. However, that is where Oregon's culture is to counter that problem for the players who may truly see the field.

I feel like I wrote an article a few months ago that talked about this... Or at the least was rather similar. Still good national coverage for the Ducks.

Doesn't Oregon have a couple of walk ons in the transfer portal? Not saying they are not important but I recall a a couple entering the portal. The transfer portal is a quickly becoming a one stop shop for schools where it is difficult to recruit or group of 5 schools. I think it is more often than not a good thing for athletes because if they had loads of playing time and we're happy where they were they wouldn't transfer. So all the more power to them.

I agree and I have grown weary of shouting at my computer screen as every single news site seems to cry how Washington was robbed.

Ok ok ok.. that was some typical Husky media writing there... starts off negative.. then starts pumping the sunshine and glazing over how things really aren't bad. If Oregon was losing talent at the rate Washington is right now you know we would all be asking questions and looking for real answers. Washington has some serious problems right now but their media writers are content waiting and seeing what happens and not asking actual questions about what IS happening. We may have to play Washington at Washington again this year... but I'm sure our Ducks will fill the stadium with Husky tears once again.

Altman's team peaking right on time.

Matt Lubick ... Wide Receivers coach during the Helfrich years should get some consideration. There were no issues with the receivers during those years, yes some issues with back-up quarterbacks but the receivers caught the ball and blocked well. Though I think Campbell is probably more impactful just due to some of the big time runningbacks and his years of tenure. Though if we are talking about years of tenure and program impact Don Pellum should get consideration. Yes, he was a bad defensive coordinator but he was a solid linebacker coach. As for Cristobal's staff... Mirabal and Salave'a are the two who I have pinned as sticking with the program for awhile and will probably be the most impactful over time. Though I really can see DeRuyter staying for a good long tenure at Oregon, assuming he is successful.

The major advantage Oregon gains with this is that Oregon's basketball program is pretty good. Another Pac-12 Championship and they should be getting a decent berth in the big dance. Altman's teams are good down the stretch. That also bodes well for a two sport athlete... when those two sports are football and basketball where there can be some significant overlap in terms of scheduling. It will be unlikely that JTT would make it on the court until after the football season is over, and with Oregon we hope that is at the very earliest beginning of January at best mid January. So a basketball team that can reliably make it to the post-season does increase the possibility of being able to play a meaningful amount of time to make basketball worth it. Now what we need to watch for is if Alabama offers basketball as well. This might give Oregon an edge right now but Alabama has a pretty good team this year as they won the regular season in the SEC in basketball, though Alabama doesn't have the regular consistency of doing that. Does Alabama give him a basketball offer in order to continue the pursuit or do they just stick with football?

That is the way you really need to approach every game. Play to win and not play to not lose. The Fiesta Bowl this year really felt like a play to not lose... Coupled with a heap of indecisiveness of what they actually wanted to do with the quarterback position. Need to always play to win and if you lose in the process so be it ... But playing to not lose will end in a loss more often than not.

Being a ball control offense comes in two forms only... 1) be varied and creative because you MUST move the chains in order to maintain control over the ball. 2) the Stanford approach... Your opponent knows exactly what you are going to do and beat them anyways. The Stanford approach tends to milk the clock out the gate with very little tempo ever. Though they do still need first downs to really milk that clock. I feel like Cristobal would like to do the Stanford model... But even Stanford can't do the Stanford model anymore. The big thing I liked out of Moorhead was how many first downs created on first and second down. Oregon was actually one of the best teams during the season at avoiding third down all together. Also just think about some of those plays coming off turnovers. Oregon got a turnover in or outside the red zone and in a couple plays scored a touchdown. There is some beautiful stuff in that Moorhead playbook that is just itching to come out. I do believe though that the ball control offense has no place on the field until the 4th quarter. I'm tired of seeing Oregon letting opponents back into the game in the 3rd quarter as they try (and usually fail) to milk the clock. Score some more points and put the other team away and then milk the clock.