Duckpop22

Great article, Jon. It's always fun to hang out with the smart people here. One thing, though. You said there are 1,000 players in the portal. I heard the other day that there are 2,000! Ten years ago who would have thought that the two most important words in college football are now "transfer portal" and NIL. It is a different world. While I don't believe the Ducks are headed into the Ivy League model, we are certainly barrelling down a road with little in the way of headlights.

I am a great believer in in-game momentum. It was momentum that carried Keenan Howry through the savage storm and into the end zone. It was momentum that carried Bill Musgrave (all 4.95/40 of him) into the end zone at frozen Independence Stadium in Shreveport. Where I believe momentum is overblown though, is when it is game-to-game rather than in-game. I have seen too many NFL teams (usually the ones that I have wagered on) come into a game on a three-game winning streak only to lay a 60-minute egg.

. I too have questions about the direction of this team, and would have had REAL questions if the "former player letter" had turned into the hiring of a mediocre coach of a mediocre team. Would we have been surprised if we had ended up being mediocre? But, I can't imagine what it would take for me to add an "I guess" to Go Ducks.

This has all been on our last nerve for a week. In that time, a few encampments developed. 1. Our feelings were so hurt because of MC's betrayal. Only Justin Wilcox could make us feel good again. "Make sure it's an Oregon guy." I can't stand to be jilted again. 2. So sick and tired of the Bo Schembechler offense. MC held down our offense better than anyone since Gene Chizik. It's Chipper or nothing! 3. He has to have years of proven head coaching experience. C'mon! When has Oregon hired ANYONE like that? Those are the major encampments. Since Coach Lanning doesn't have proven bona fides for any of that there has been more grousing about the hire than I anticipated. So, take a day and come back to Fishy with an improved attitude and a willingness to row this boat over the finish line. LET'S get fired up! I AM FIRED UP!

He defended Erin Andrews to the point that I thought they were going to hook up!

That is DEEP!

I wanted P.J. Fleck before the Slick Willie hire. I think he should be given consideration now. He can talk butter on to toast and would be great at keeping our current recruits in the fold. Besides, who doesn't want to see "Row" on the plastic brand piece on the front of our helmets.

I am all about rooting for these teams: Saturday, Sep 10. Southern Miss. Time TBA ET | TV TBA. Saturday, Sep 17. at Texas A&M. Time TBA ET | TV TBA. ... Date TBA. at Clemson. Time TBA ET | TV TBA. Date TBA. at Georgia Tech. Time TBA ET | TV TBA. Date TBA. Duke. Time TBA ET | TV TBA. Date TBA. Florida State. ... Date TBA. North Carolina. ... Date TBA. Pitt. I may not always feel this way, but I do right now.

Have you seen Alabama this year? They ARE Oregon fast and may win the Natty.

At least two or three times today I have read either "Let's get Mark Helfrich" or "The Ducks stupidly fired the one coach who wanted to stay here forever," or words to that effect. Helfrich was the worst coach we have ever had...when you actually give Chip the credit for his teams! Look, my feelings are terribly hurt today, but turning to a coach just because he is from Oregon is ludicrous! Also, wanting a Natty is NOT a bad thing. It's a very good thing and I, for one, will not rest easy until we get one. Let's get a coach that will show Mario Cristobal what we could have been!

I have to be mad today. I'll think about replacements tomorrow.

Did I just read "the magic of OSU?"

A progressive tax rate versus bugs the size of zeppelins. Tax me, my friend!

I keep reading things like no rational person would blame MC for taking the Miami job. Then allow me to be slightly irrational. In the long run I will wish him well, because he is a good man. However, I will root for his first year's team to go 2-10, because he spurned me. If he had been a good soldier I'll bet PK would have put a personal jet at his disposal for trips to and from South Florida to see Mom. Maybe that wouldn't have made a difference. I just wish the coaches loved the University of Oregon and the Ducks therein as much as I do. But they don't and the beat goes on.

We have to get over that one. Gene Chizik says that God wanted them to win and blinded the back judge to the fact that Dyer was down. (Charles Fischer and I are friends as long as I call him Master and Commander on the phone.)