1Funduck

What am I looking for? I'm looking for the playbook to be opened. I'm looking for a masterful usage of Anthony Brown. Coach his strengths on the field. Allow him to finish his career at Oregon standing on the strengths of his game. He can win this and he can win big if the coaching staff will let him. I'm also looking for a defense to test Oklahoma. I remember some 20 years ago how some 2 and 3* kids struggled to be effective until they were juniors. Now? We have the Beef and the Gazelle's to play with anyone. Specifically, I'm looking for defensive line play and serious penetration thereby disrupting timing of OU offense. I'm not worried at all with backfield play. Noah and company can mitigate Caleb well enough to slow the offense. I personally see this game as being a very good product on the field. Both are high quality and caliber programs with high quality athletes. I'm stoked about the game. 38-34 Oregon

Haywarduck; My fellow fan. You mention a point of view that touches me as a Grandpa. One day my grandchild will display his efforts in any given task at school and I will be there to root him on. I'll be first in line for the recorder presentation. I'll take off work for all the graduations. I'll enjoy imparting my experiences in life to any willing ear. After all, my grandchild is learning in life, and family should be there at every turn. But there comes a time in life when we are held accountable for our actions. This isn't an angry point of view, nor is it some demented viewpoint where winning is everything, because it's not. Children are required by law to get a 10th grade education. They are also not even close to developed mentally, emotionally, or physically. Up to this point, they have had little choice in life about their life. But, by the age of 18 they have a choice to make. Do you wish to lend your talents to a school in exchange for a full ride education? The cash value is somewhere in the vicinity of $40,000.00 per year. $200,000.00 for the full ride scholarship is the payment for bringing this kids services to the great school of Oregon for 5 years. This is a choice. His choice. To accost a student athlete is not right. To accost anyone is not right. But, that's not what anyone here is doing. I would like to think that everyone who has an opinion about the abilities of any said player can express them at will. So far, I have seen, read, or heard no reason to think that Anthony Brown isn't a fine human being. An excellent man is a phrase that comes to mind. I do not know him. But, he seems to be gracious and polite. He clearly has his team behind him. But, Anthony Brown entered the real world where life has consequences for your actions/abilities. He's getting 'paid' to play. If he can't meet the challenge then what are the consequences? Let me ask it a different way. If you hire me to mow the grass and I struggle to mow it all each week, would you be concerned about my feelings? 2 out of 4 time a month I mow it real well, even very acceptable in your eyes, but two of those weeks I don't. Do you keep paying me? But, you had an important dinner party at your house and I mowed your lawn but it was substandard, I missed around the side but nobody goes back there anyway. Your clients didn't notice because they were a bit inebriated. You still won the contract. How much longer do we take a chance that my skills that I brought to your house are going to cost you? Is this unfair criticism? No. It's life. Nobody said I was going to be a great yard guy. There is always someone else who can do better. The choice you have is, do you continue to 'pay' for someone's services that you can't trust, or do you try his competition? The beauty of Anthony Browns situation is that he doesn't lose his job. He's still getting paid to be on the roster. Calling the man names is wrong. But questioning his talents is another and especially since he's getting paid. Oregon invested money into the abilities of AB, so did I. I'm his boss. I buy the ticket. When I see a glaring weakness then I get to mention it. Same goes true when I see extraordinary play then I mention that as well. I'm an equal opportunity mentioned of ones abilities to play. I don't see it as mean spirited or anything resembling it. It's not elementary school any more. You want to get paid? You better bring a game worth paying to watch.

SEC this year it isn't. It's the BIG's year as a conference. Who wins remains to be seen

My heart and my Principles are at odds. My heart says you build relationships and the kids should be able to have their friends come and enjoy the festivities. The player helped the team to get to the Bowl game. It's one final hurrah!!! They put in their sweat equity. It's a bit of a reward for a seasons worth of work. My principled side says that if you opt out, then you 'opted out'. It's the choice that the player makes not the Coaches. If you chose to not contribute to the game why would you travel with the team during the season? Then why during the Bowl season? I do believe principles win the day here. No play? No travel with the team.

Sounds unprofessional to not have NC State in the loop and on speed dial.

This! Is my viewpoint! An extremely high character player put in a position that wasn't his strong suit. San Francisco 49'ers offense of the late 80's would suit his style with a bit of run option in the mix.

Oregon has a punchers chance against OK. While I believe AB is an average QB at best, that doesn't mean he can't beat OK. This is on the Coaches, period. Oregon can flat out move the ball on the ground. And AB is lethal inside of 10-15 yards and especially on a slant pass. He can also run effectively. Our defense is nothing to sneeze at. It beat tOSU without KT. I'm not worried about that. As long as we play within our abilities, then I see Oregon putting a good game on the field. We can win this. Their D line starters are being replaced. I'm licking my chops with our run game.

My response isn't to you personally Haywarduck, just a response to the ether world. Yes and no. Effort and development are two different things when evaluating personnel on the field. You can give it everything you've got and it's just not enough. The very next game you develop and your 'best' garners an additional 25 yards. Case in point is, AB should have developed over 6 years. He didn't. I'm not saying he wasn't our best option. I'm simply expressing that his QB play was average at best and all of us should expect more for Oregon. Is this unreasonable, or unattainable? I don't think so. The PAC from top to bottom wasn't even average in quality this year. WSU coach, gone. UW, USC, Oregon coaches, gone. Arizona was a joke. ASU can't put it together. UCLA finally had a winning season. Do you see any team other than Utah that puts fear in your heart? Any? I don't. With that said, Oregon should have pounded every PAC opponent by 17-24 points. Their defense did well, except that over the middle soft spot. Oregon was late to the game every game largely due to average QB play. Sure, Oregon found ways to win. Defense found lots of turn overs and its just a law of averages at this point. tOSU struggled in Defensive scheme. AB played a sub 50% game. Let's be honest. We were fortunate to win that game with a QB play like that. I'm glad I witnessed this monumental win. It was a solid win. Hanging my hat win. But, AB wasn't the difference make. And No. AB will struggle at best in the NFL. I'm still trying to see how he even has a shot in the draft. I'm not sour grapes, I hope he makes it. I hope he lights up the NFL. But has anyone seen anything that makes you say....wow? Objectively, I see nothing that says NFL in his play. My standard is high. It's winning. AB has done that. Some because of play, but most in spite of it. That's just me looking over my green and yellow glasses for an astute look at the product on the field while sighing a gasp of relief for a 10 win season.

I don't believe this has a place in this context of being critical of coaching, players, play calling, and the like. If you don't care, then are you a fan? I know thats an absolute statement, but the principle applies. Everyone that pits their 'Talents' on the field is getting paid. I expect performance if you expect me to buy a ticket and a Bellotti Sandwhich.

Seems like a lot of defensive quotes in this article. Let me preface my conclusion with, I struggle to say AB is a good QB. A game manager? I think so. But, when you have receivers with nothing but the end zone in front of them, how do you consistently overthrow them..... all year? Thats not a route run issue, that's a clear depth perception in finding an over the top pass to a full speed runner. It was all year. You can't use the argument that AB had defenders in his face when throws like that were taking place. Tons of QB's face the same environment within passing plays. So, from the standpoint that the fans weren't happy with his play, is quite the understatement. Another point, our defense was set up dominate. Us fans knew this. So, when you see an offense sputter like it did, then the optimism for a Natty run is tampered. But, let me be clear, it's not all AB's fault. Coaches have a responsibility to identify the strengths and weaknesses of their players. Put the strengths on the field and mitigate the weaknesses. AB's solid games came from wise schemes that fit his strengths. Short passes, QB designed runs, and the like. So, I put the lions share of AB's performance at the feet of the coaches. Which brings me back to a point I would like to share with the team. Fans don't just blow $100+ per seat each week to watch a team play and give the players a pass when they struggle in their assignment. We 'Invest'. We invest our resources, our time, our heart. We know there are 85 players on Scholly, so if a player is consistently struggling then you need to bench him till his play gets better. Jonathan Smith benched his QB early in the year, Beavs went Bowling first time in years. So, do I get to gripe? Yep. And I'll sing your praises as well when your play is praise worthy. We get that right. We paid for it. Players are getting 'paid'. No longer is the player just there for intramurals. Your 'investment' paid dividends with a full ride Scholly. My investment should pay dividends as well. Uncle Phil is investing and not for a cellar dweller. We expect excellence from a 6th year senior. We got average with a side of real good. AB doesn't get to defend himself to the fans. His should be, 'it's on me'. The coaches say it, Ans so should the players. It's one of the signs of a Great Player, self accountability.

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.