1Funduck

A new HC is going to have his growing pains. Mysterious time outs at questionable times. I don't expect great things in the first year. A winning season, contending for the North, and the like. But, a Natty run by year 3 or so should be doable with this squad and the recruits that DL is supposedly bringing to the mix. Optimism abounds here in this happy Duck's home.

10 years ago, the expansion machine was humming. It was exciting to see which teams joined which conferences. But now what you have is the SEC and everyone else. The BIG12 just about disappeared a few months ago. But does anyone think that the BIG10,11,12,13 is going anywhere? Do they really need to expand? The ACC? Really? That leaves the PAC. More schools won't solve any problems but it might create some. In fact I'm going to argue that SEC expansion is going to water down the SEC. Sure they will get their fair share, and then some, of the best players. However, OU and UT will always get theirs. But, now you play that much more top players inside your conference and expose yourself to more losses. I'm actually in favor of it. The SEC has been playing patsy schedules for decades. It's allowed an abnormal amount of wins to be racked up thereby cresting magnetism to that conference. 8 conference games instead of 9 doesn't hurt eh? Nobody is scared of Ole' miss, Vanderbilt, Miss. ST, and the likes. That's a 7 game win per year built in. Do we really wonder why the SEC puts nearly every school in a bowl game each year? Now I'm hoping they cannibalize each other enough to allow other conferences into the playoffs. It will help make the Bowl season relevant again. The PAC, IMO, needs to stay the way they are. They own the Pacific and Mountain time Zone.

I'm loving this actually. When the Storied programs are throwing shade around like this then it kind of tells you that they are envious, jealous, or any other description you can think of. Go Ducks!!!

This is one of the more insightful articles I've read in quite some time. It touches a nerve of every single CFB fan. For or against, it doesn't matter. Everyone has an opinion. Pay for play is here. It's finally been unshackled. You mention Ewers getting $1 million. I sure hope that somebody from tOSU didn't pony up that cash to watch that kid move cross country. That brings/opens up a whole can of worms doesn't it? And what about a Super League? NFL involvement? University abstinence? Lottery for High School players? Unlimited Roster Counts? No, IMO, you don't have a screw loose. I actually see both sides of the coin. These kids have 'Invested' most of their life to play CFB. Weekly practices. Off season training. Out of state camps. Non stop physical training for, sometimes, years in order to be playing at the highest level of CFB. So, from this stand point, I don't see a kid getting paid to play in a game that brings in $Millions of dollars for a 3-1/2 hr showing. They put their 'Investment' out for all the world to enjoy the entertainment that they personally provide. Even Coaches aren't 'Solely' paid by the University. So, I struggle with any of these kids being limited in pay through their Scholarship. The NFL has a minimum salary. It won't make you rich, but it will give you a head start in life. If you live modestly you won't have to work another day in your life for a simple 3 year minimum Rookie Deal. The benefit? If you get hurt and can't play ever again, then you have been compensated enough to cover the basics for the rest of your life. It's a bit of an argument, I know, but you get the point. The other side of the coin is education takes a seat in the trunk. What's the percentage of kids who play CFB that sniff the draft, let alone play a down in the NFL? What IS going to be the percentage of kids who aren't even good enough to get the pay day NIL check? A degree has value. Getting paid through an NIL deal WILL create a lackadaisical view to education. And.....why not? I'm going to hear about it from the comments, I know. But, hear me out. I personally own my own business doing manual labor my entire life. I have no College credits to my resume. I could never get a managerial job in today's climate that's worth pitting in my application for. Yet, through perseverance, I have built my business and my net worth by hard work and countless 12+hr days. I am not Rich. But, I live a more than comfortable life working about 2 days a week. I've learned managerial skills and have trained a crew to do the work I've learned over the years. My point is, you don't need a college education to be successful in life, In fact, far from it. If you are willing to work, then anyone can go down to Les Schwab tire centers and go to work at any time. Within 3-5 years you can become an Assistant Manager. If you are ambitious, you can make Manager within 15 years of hiring on. The pay for an 'Uneducated' worker is around $250k+ per year. The path will be harder, sure, but it still is a path. So, education WILL get hurt. It's not the end of the world. But it is the end of CFB as we know it. The players are going to get paid before they even suit up to practice for their college school. Do you have a screw loose? I don't think so. It's a viable path that you have laid out. I truly wonder if I will be the Duck fan in 10 years that I am today. The Portland Trailblazers burnt me pretty bad with the JailBlazees of 2000. Will we have the same outcome from entitled kids acting out with their $1 million 'signing bonus' in tow? Time will tell.

OU and UO. What a story line. 'who came up with the ball'? Blocked field goal. Scoreboard!! That's Oregon and Oklahoma. We have two teams from their relative conference championship game on the losing end coming to play in the Alamo Bowl. Both have Coaches who left 10 win programs and were in the hunt for the playoffs in those Championship games. Both have interim Coaches. Both are coming off a painful loss. Oregon with its behind the wood shed curb stomping, and Oklahoma's heart breaking 4 point loss. Now, we have 2 teams coming in off of painful losses with j no clear direction from their HC's and 'Opt out's' all over the place. Sounds dark right? I say....Wrong. While both teams have lost some continuity, they both have something to play for. Those kids are playing for roster spots next year. They are playing for pride. They are playing for their families. And, they are playing for each other. We the fans get to enjoy a beautiful mini series of a rivalry with OU and UO. Where will you be come Wednesday the 29th of December? Yeah, you will be 'At the Game'! Either in person or in front of your Big Screen with your friends and Family. The treasure trove of finger food will be on display. Win or lose, we will watch it. Then we will banter back and forth about next year and what will be. I'm excited! This is going to be a Great Game and a fun time. GO DUCKS!!!

Pure Class! I'm reminded of QB's taking their linemen to a steak dinner if they protect their QB in a game. QB has audacious numbers and that doesn't come from nowhere. A Great QB has a Great Line. Way to be Classy AB!!

Can you imagine what they could do with Ty Thompson? Next year is a forgiving year. If we get 10 wins? Whew! And it would give Oregon a couple years to put the roster together with top 5 finishes in recruiting. By that time TT should be rocking and rolling with eye popping numbers!!!

To be fair, I'm guessing the decision might have DL's input.

The operative phrase revolves around, at this time. Maybe AB has a specific skill set and needs to play within his abilities and therefore the scheme needs to reflect that.

This is what I've been saying all along. We shouldn't confuse 'Fan' loyalty with Coaching Loyalty. Coaches, like any hard working person, should be loyal to their boss. But, that loyalty is rooted in loyalty to family. It's family first. And the Coach is part of his own family. Lanning is a man of Character. He's coaching the Bull Dawgs in the play offs even after taking the HC job here. That's all we should expect of DL. Character will be revealed in how he handles his business. 'Nuff said... PS: Loyalty is often confused and misplaced. For example; my loyalty to the Ducks is evident by my carving out my Saturday's work schedule and finding a way to watch the game. I am even willing to 'Pay' to go to games. I...am...willing...to...pay. Now that's loyalty. Do we expect the Coaches to pay to Coach? No. We pay them to come here. The relationship between school and coach is NOT based/rooted in loyalty. To say we demand, deserve, or (insert your own words) loyalty from a Coach is absurd. Now, that doesn't mean we shouldn't expect Character. If a Coach wishes to leave? Do it the right way. Coach Lanning did it the right way as I've been Quacking all along. Don't leave your kids in the lurch when making a run in the Play-Offs. He didn't. Now, that's a man of Character. Duck On!!

All the above!!

The best thing the powers that he could do is sit on their hands. Let the coach...coach. If he's good enough to hire then he's good enough to run the show.

He hits his players when under duress. There is a line you don't cross. I'm won see ring if he even coaches again. At least not for some time. He needs a time out.

I fully understand 'Opting Out'. And, I agree whole heartedly. The only reason these kids would opt out us because they are slated to be drafted in their dream job. A simple ankle sprain could drop a player down the pecking board. Thats real money with signing bonuses. Would any one of us risk $1 million or more with only 4 months to ink that deal? Not one of us would. These kids are 22 hears old and get one shot to be drafted. Just One Shot. NFL, Not For Long is NOT a team sport. They will cut you in a second. No loyalty. We are fans, we aren't going anywhere. For the kids come draft day, its a business. Its best we look at it like that. After all, we wouldn't leave Millions on the table if we have lived hand to mouth our entire life.

I'm left wondering: Was JH covering his tail feather? I truly don't know.

My bad. JH got railed. Conzano leaks this letter and apparently gets taken out of context. Not what JH meant from what I could tell.

Really? Joey, Marcus, and the rest if the fellas; we all love you no matter what. But, while you were enjoying your time as a star, we had already put in our time through the Journey of mediocrity. I love Oregon, No ifs ands or buts. Just once I would like to have the NC trophy propped up in the halls of Trophy's. Alabama doesn't care where the great coaching staff comes from. NC's? I can't count that high. Oregon players come from all over the States. How many come from Oregon? Not many. Marcus? Hawaii. Jonathan Stewart? Washington. Kavon Thibeddoux? California. Haloti Ngata? Utah. So, when you say within the program, what is really meant is that you can come from anywhere but you have to play here to Coach here? I'm sorry Joey, your squad was a diamond in the rough and doesn't come around very often to even sniff at. Once every 10 years if we are fortunate enough. And....it has Never come home to the Hall that matters most. So, no Joey, I don't agree with you. We have never had a coaching staff that was NC caliber. A splash in the pan doesn't mean it was NC caliber. Chipper was the closest. But, he lacked defense to make a true fight of it. But, thank you, Joey Heisman. Your presence and play on the field had me believing we would win every single game no matter what. A truly great time to be a fan.

That this is even a question is proof positive that Lanning is comparable at the least.

First it was Lincoln Riley to USC. Nobody, and I mean Nobody saw that coming. That move sent shockwaves through CFB. Oklahoma was stunned that they lost their HC. After all, isn't OU a Big Time Destination job? It has nearly all the boxes checked. Recruits want to go there and OU consistently has a top tiered recruiting class. They have dominated their conference for years. They play in one of the most storied rivalry's in CFB. They are on their way to the vaunted SEC. What's not to like? It IS SC. Well, there's that. It's an hour's drive to the warm beaches of Southern California, family should love that. It's the Entertainment capital of the world. Disneyland, Magic Mountain, Universal Studios, Lakers, Clippers, Rams, Chargers, Movie Stars, eclectic eateries representing the entire world??!!! And, did I mention...It's USC?! ...then, in seeming disarray, Oregon looks like a sitting duck as we all think it is waddling through a hiring process. This board seemed to be resigned to a retread and a still unproven in current HC's. Both with supremely unattractive records over the last 3 years. Why were they being considered again? Loyalty? Really? They won't leave 'us' in 3-4 years? Really? Our desire for continuity within the Coaching halls is more important than winning? Surely we can win with loyalty. That was the sentiment by many posters. ....and yet? Rob Mullens goes out, amongst all the confusion, and with one of the largest Shoe Boxes of money at his disposal, and hires an up and coming Defensive Coordinator from Georgia. Georgia you say? Yeah, Georgia. Top of the heap in defense in the SEC. For three years running, a stellar resume in defense that should make the entire CFB world turn an eye to Oregon and start to admiringly wonder, 'how long before Oregon comes rumbling into the playoffs?' That leaves me wondering, why Oregon? Maybe I have Green and Yellow glasses on, but I believe Oregon is a destination school. First off, the cupboard is NOT bare. It's loaded! We have a full complement of 4* athletes. The fan base is wildly supportive. The facilities are second to none. Even NFL teams drool of Oregon's facilities. Oregon has consistently had a top tier team in the PAC for 20 years. A down year here or there, but more times than not, Oregon has been fighting at the top. And we have the man behind the 'Swoosh' thats painted on the Shoe Box mentioned earlier. There are few people in this world that have more pull with their name than Uncle Phil. And, did I mention, Oregon is an incredibly beautiful state? That's not a reason to take a HC job, but it is icing on the cake. Oregon is respected through out the CFB world. It's everyones little brother. It has the genetics, but is always playing second fiddle when it comes to the Natty. Every so often, Oregon rises up and puts a good whoop'n on his Big brother, OU, tOSU, FSU. But, I believe, Oregon has been growing up right before our eyes. It's showed with the interior recruits that have been coming to town. It shows with top ten players at their position all over the field. Now, it's time to teach little brother how to win National Championships. We all love Flashy Offenses, but we all know that Defenses are what win games after Jan 1. If you win games in January, you have been winning all year long. Georgia had no problem putting up points. But, their bread and butter was defense. And, Oregon got that Defensive minded Coach. Rob Mullens should be congratulated. He gets under the burning microscope every 3-4 years. Hiring MC was an unknown but it sure worked well. Lanning is NOT an unknown. His coaching chops have already been proven in the toughest conference swarming with NFL players. If people can't see this as a Grand Slam, well then, maybe their glasses are too Green and Yellow. USC just let out a gasp. Yeah, that USC that just hired Lincoln Riley. Washington fans are going to have a bad, wet winter. UCLA isn't sure what to think. And the Mighty Beavs? They aren't going anywhere. And they aren't scared either. They will over achieve with underwhelming players. They have been resigned to their role. Their fans want loyalty in a HC. Someone who won't leave at the drop of the hat. Do you get the sense that OSU will play for Conference Championships on a regular basis? A slugger's chance to position itself for the Playoffs? Me neither. Why? Because OSU won't make the splash hire. Oregon will. Oregon just landed a Top Tier talent. I'm ecstatic! We all should be.

Not worried about Coordinators at this point. Lanning has some time to get the right guys. Getting Lanning was the Key. Now the recruits will start to flow in.

"Lanning is widely known as a relentless recruiter with connections all over the country." "Lanning's mindset is to punch his opponent in the teeth and then kick those teeth in after he gets done." Oregon hires Dan Lanning: Ducks Embrace Defensive Mindset in Tapping Georgia Assistant as Next Coach By Barrett Sallee of CBS Sports

Who else? AJT says its a deal, Conzano says 'Not so fast'. Who do you believe? I'm left pondering this choice for a HC as I believe that is the choice Uncle Phil wants. While 'Just Do It' is denying through Conzano that a deal has been inked, I find it ponderous that the Atlanta Journal is reporting that it's done and now its a timing thing. Georgia is in a NC run. There is NOT one school that wouldn't let the Coaching staff finish this run before plucking them. It would be immoral. A quiet inking with start dates that corelate to the day after the NC game sounds about right. Or at least something along those lines. Let the coach finish his run then he's done. What do I know? No more than anyone else. But, Lanning is the man that we should all want. He is the 'Splash' hire. Just because his name isn't posted with dry ink doesn't mean it isn't happening. I give Conzano the same credence as AJT. Both should be in the know. I believe Conzano will protect his source and the process as he most likely has the inside scoop with the powers that be. But, doesn't that hold true for AJT as well? Georgia boosters are no slouch either. This seems to me to be there is nothing to see here before Uncle Phil has his guy with dry ink. It's respect for the process and the guy who has the biggest purse to pursue the Stars.

Down to 12 commits. WOW! Thats a full fledged free fall. Just stunning!! Expected to some degree, but this is stunning.

The Roster has been full of 3* and lower for decades. With this kind of roster, we have been to the Natty, or at least should have been, 3 times. You bring up a good point about Dye. He barely cracked the top 1000 players in rank coming into college. Yeah, barely top 1000. McKinley as well. So, the ability to find diamonds in the rough happens every year. Patrick Chung was a 2*. But, name the National Champion teams over the last 20 years. How many have kids who are predominately 3* and lower to fill their roster? None of them. NC caliber teams are loaded with 4* and higher players. Top 10-15 for their position is a common theme. Having heart isn't limited to 3* and below. I know you know that. But, my point is that 5* kids have the genetics, but they have the heart to be great. KT gave his all. His desire to be a game wrecker was proven on the field. He came from California. It's important to NOT impose our Fandom on the intent of these kids. We are loyal based on decisions made several years ago. Usually its because we grew up right around our school or we made a 'personal' decision to Major in a specific class to get us our 'Dream Job'. If you dreamed of being a structural engineer, you aren't a Duck, you are a Beaver. This valley is littered with kids whose dream school is Oregon. They would give their heart and soul to be here. They wouldn't even sleep if the coach requested as such. They bleed Green and Yellow. But, they aren't good enough. Which brings me to the Fans. If we want a National Championship Trophy to parade next to a Heisman Trophy, then you better have the 'Dudes' on the roster. And, that is predominately and consistently a top 10 class full of 4 and 5* players.

I just V'urped