HappyToBeADuck

Jordan, you are spot on that the Georgia loss will not define Coach Lanning and this Ducks team. Afterall, the Georgia game was just one loss. Its called the 2022 season for a reason. The team and season will be defined by how improvements and adjustments are made. Or not made! Some passionate fans were feeling the season was lost. Others were optimistic that the coaches and players would fix it and improve. One of the PAC12 Network announcers echoed what many OBDF members had felt. When the Duck team got on the plane to Atlanta, then the buses to the hotel, met for meals, on the bus to the stadium, then out that tunnel, well it was their first game day experience together. Their first........ Their first chance to implement a new system (both O and D) under a first time HC and staff. The Dawgs were starting season 6 of Kirby's system and game day procedures. Their 68th plus time, not their first. Hats off to improvement from week one to week two by both the staff and players. The defense overcoming missed tackles and pursuit: The tackling was crisp, wrapping up the ball carrier solid with multiple players in hot pursuit. DL said it was a priority in practice and it showed on the field. Thats coaching and player developement. Well done D....... Bo Nix and the offense: DL and Dilly game planned to utilize the skill set of the players. Those big boys up front can run block. The RB's hit the holes quickly and kept the O ahead of the chains. It was easier for Bo to command the O in 2nd and 3 as opposed to 3rd and 12. The run game opened up the passing routes and Bo delivered. Bo delivered. Yes his receivers bailed Bo out on a couple of throws. But thats just silly nitpicking and I wont throw any shade that way. Well done Bo and the Duck O..... Coaching staff: Nice work in picking the players up off the Georgia turf and moving forward. We all know you will want more things to improve before the BYU game but well done. Coach Dilly nice job taking what EWU gave Bo and the offense. On a few Duck sites some fans were frustrated that no deep throws were being attempted. IMHO, its up to the opposing defense to stop the offense and its strengths. Throwing deep is not Bo's strength. So why call plays that stop yourself. Looking forward to 2 back to back games against the twin Cougars. Both will be much tougher tests than EWU. Both games are winnable if we pound the rock to set up the pass. Both teams played very well yesterday. Both teams will have a difficult time stopping the Ducks running game. If they put 8 in the box Duck receievers and TE's will be open on short and intermediate routes. GO DUCKS...........

Ducks 54-31 3 - TO's 5 - Sacks 226 yards passing EWU gave up over 200 yards on the ground last week. Ducks should exploit that weakness and pound the rock. No reason to force passes. GO DUCKS.........

Thanks Alan for the laugh. Another fun start to my Saturday. Though being without power for the weekend will eliminate watching the game. Wonder if any sports bars will allow 2 great danes and a Carin Terrier puppy for 4 hours. OBDF members enjoy the game and as always, GO DUCKS......

Thanks Charles! It certainly has been fun and exciting watching the Ducks dominate the PAC recruiting. Could be 5 years in a row. Now Coach Lanning and his staff need to recruit the top players who fit their system. Then develope those players with the same passion and intensity shown on the recruiting trail. GO DUCKS...... PS: A & M bought their way onto that list. Let's see if they can parlay that into a title. Or just be the 3rd or 4th best team in the sec.

Notalot, thanks for posting the article. Controlling the line of scrimmage (on both sides of the line) and great QB play certainly are the recipe for winning football games. The Ducks experienced offensive line has that capability. To early to tell about our D line. Takes practice and playing time together to gel. New system, new faces? Gonna take some time. Now we come to QB development and great QB play. 3 new Duck head coaches and multiple offensive coordinators bringing in new schemes and new systems is not a recipe for QB development! Narduzzi pointed out that Tennessee had 10 different QB coaches in 15 years. The result was not good on the field. Back to back QB transfers for the Ducks speaks volumes about QB development within the program. TT and JB not getting playing time may be a sign that they may not be developing. Or do they fit the new system? Another point that Narduzzi made was that when Hendon Hooker transferred from Virginia Tech to the Vols, he fit their system. TT and JB are basically true freshmen in Dilly's system. Could be they need more time to master the schemes nuances. GO DUCKS.........

Alex, thank you for the thought provoking article. Last Saturday's game created more questions than answers. They say the greatest improvement comes between game 1 and game 2. There's no reason that we shouldn't see solid improvement this week. About Bo, Bo has alot of football under his belt. With the O-line run blocking skill set the EWU defense should be on their heals and off balance. This will help reduce the pressure on Bo or any QB in the game. Bo should have a good game. I am more concerned about the QB room! Why can't JB and TT earn playing time? About the RB rotation, I think a true number one back will emerge over the next few games. All these running backs are new to this coaching staff. No reason to make a guess, just let them play. Let the creme rise to the top. No reason the Ducks shouldn't rush for over 200 yards. As long as thats the game plan. About the Defense, my concern is the poor tackling. We saw this at times last season. Confident this will improve on Saturday. All the players should understand the new system better this week. With this type of talent, there are no excuses for not improving. EWU is capable of scoring points and this will be a great opportunity for the Duck D to step up. BYU and WSU are on the horizon. A few 3 and out and a couple of turnovers will jump start the players Coaching staff, looking for a solid game plan that utilizes the player skill sets. And better in game adjustments. The players follow the leadership of the coaches. Feel confident the coaches will step up. GO DUCKS...........

Decades ago they had exhibition games with college all-star teams playing a pro team. It was ugly! A 53 man NFL roster is loaded with the very best players from the college ranks. When they go to work its to practice their profession. The best practicing against the best playing games against the best. Sure glad they stopped those exhibition ganes. LOL

Charles, it is so true that growth can come from adversity. Just depends on your attitude. At times like this player leadership will come in handy. This is the story of life. Getting back up when you have been knocked down or repeatedly knocked down. Never giving up....... The true character of coaches and players will shine thru this week. I can do without the drama but it makes it more compelling

David, thanks for the article and presenting an optimistic view. At this point, so early in the season, well anything is possible. As a fan its fun to look ahead and be positive. Looking forward, speculating and pondering all the possibilities. Last Saturday all those possibilities came crashing down. Not because we got run over by a speeding train but because the coaches and players had no answer. Simply no answer........ Now we are in a new week with a new opponent. A fresh start in front of 58,000 passionate fans. The players have a new chance to tackle better, cover better, run better routes, pass block better, make better decisions and execute the game plan. The coaching staff can build a game plan that utilizes the strengths and skill sets of their current roster. It truly is all ahead for the team just one game at a time. The 2023 Rose Bowl is not in January for this Duck team. The Rose Bowl is this Saturday vs EWU. Then the Rose Bowl is the following week vs BYU. Then vs WSU. Nothing less than 12 straight weekly Rose Bowl victories will have this team in Pasadena. I am rooting for and positive the players and coaches will grow together and can make this happen. Together they will determine if its Rose, Alamo, Holiday or Toilet Bowl. Afterall, the SEC,BIG and espn held a funeral and declared yhe 2022 Ducks dead and buried. Not for one minute, does this happy duck fan believe that. This team needs our total support. I believe they will make us proud. GO DUCKS

Thanks Drex, I agree with most all of your thoughts and analysis of that painful game. Thank you for taking the time to assemble and present your thoughts. IMHO, I do not feel that Coach Lanning and Dilly were playing to the strengths of the players on offense. The lineman's skill set and strength is run blocking. When the Ducks ran the ball they had moderate success. On one of the other OBDF threads it was mentioned the Ducks averaged 4.9 yards per rush. Thats almost double what any team has mustered against the Dawgs D since 2019. Run blocking for a stable of solid running backs is the number 1 strong suit of this offense. Keep running until they stop you. When they put 8 in the box yhen throw the darn ball. WTH? When Dilly, got impatient and forced it downfield he asked his players to use skill sets they do not have. The Ducks lineman do not have quick feet. They cannot slide laterally and pick up blitzing backers. This played into Georgia's greatest asset, their front 7. Think back to the Duck spring game. How many sacks did the D get when sending an extra rusher? Too many............In the spring gane the O line could not move laterally fast enough. How was it going to be different against the Dawgs or any 2022 Duck opponent? There's plenty of Auburn game film for Coach Lanning and Dilly to see that shows Bo Nix does not perform well under pressure. He makes poor decisions and forces his throws. Dilly called plays with no backs into block Bo did not even have time to set his feet. This game plan is directly on the coaches. They asked their players to execute a game plan that required them to use skills they do not possess. The coaches on this Forum know you can teach technique. Can you teach quick feet? The Duck spring game also revealed the secondary lacks experience. All 3-QB's had a great day passing. So did Stetson Bennet. Should be noted that Bennet hit pinpoint passes in his spring game. He did it against tight covereage and intense, relentless pressure. Imagine what he would do in a game with no tight coverage? When the Ducks got pressure on Bennett he slipped out and too often hit a wide open receiver. Easy peasy.. .. . Once the Dawgs realized the Ducks could not set the edges the entire Dawg playbook was wide open. The Dawgs avoided the Duck D strength and destoyed the secondary. It wont be the last game this season that the Dawgs destroy a team. Kirby and his staff schooled Coach Lanning and his staff. 15 Five stars helped alot. Remember Saban has destroyed almost all his former coaches. ODB's just played one of those former coaches who schooled Saban. No disgrace losing big to Georgia. HEC they may run the table and go back to back. What matters is how this coaching staff rallies these wonderful players. Can they develope them and restore their confidence? Can and will the coaches learn valuable lessions from this beat down? Yes they can. GO DUCKS.......

IMHO, Coach Lanning and his staff were asking players to learn and execute new systems that they may not be best suited for. Or simply need more time to execute properly. For example, MC recruited lineman who could plow the road and substitute for bridge support posts on their off days. Run blocking was and is their skill set. When the Ducks tried running they had some moderate success. IMHO, Dilly got impatient and called plays to force the issue. QB's need time to throw and for routes to come open. The Ducks wonderful offensive lineman could not hold off the Dawgs relentless pressure. No matter what adjustments were made it did not change the skill set of the players. The farther the Ducks fell behind on the scoreboard just magnified the problem. Especially against what may be, again, the best defensive unit in all of college football As for the defensive unit it appears the players are struggling with their assignments in the new system. This unit could not hold the edge nor get QB pressure. Reviewing this game film will enlighten both coaches and players on what work needs to be done. Takes time for players to build trust with each other. Petsonally, I am going to let my observations on the defense percolate and simmer. Better performances are ahead for this uniy. It's understandable to be disappointed, angry or beyond frustration as a fan. Consider this, a new first rime head coach, new staff, new systems and new portal transfers playing against a team that may not lose a game until the SEC title game. And they may not lose that one either. The Dawgs 5☆ players are in a 5 year old system that now is on a 59-10 run. The footer and foundation were layed in years 2 and 3 and the stone wall is up. But year one for Kirby was a disaster. This Duck fan will temper my expectations and face the reality that this will take some time to build. Coach Lanning and his staff will need that time and our support. When the puppy woke me up at 5:30 for our walk. It was dark but soon their was light on the horizon. When we finished our walk the sun was up and the sky had not fallen. GO DUCKS.........

What a fun read, well done Alan. Speaking or typing out loud what our innermind is thinking? Really? Refreshing and life altering. This article will be truly considered sacrilege by espn and SEC fans. How dare the image of the greatest league, with the greatest players, the greatest fans and the greatest teams to ever take the field be impuned by a PAC 8-10-12 whatever writer. Afterall aint that PAC whatever league a division 3 league. Fun way to start this wonderful Saturday. Georgia fans don't take this article too seriously. We love you and enjoy what you bring to the OBDF. Any team the beats The Death Star from the state of Alabama is our friend. This wickedly funny article put a smile on this old graybeards face. GO DUCKS...keep us all smiling layer today.

Thud, welcome, and nice post. Very gracious and thoughtful. Keep yhem coming. SoGaDawg, you and the other Dawg posters have been a joy, insightful and objective. Hopefully you will stick with this forum and continue to share your thoughts. GOOD STUFF! Alex, nice article and I agree with your comments. I would add that the Dawgs are going to face one of the best defensive units on their schedule this season. This Duck unit is full of future NFL players with power, speed and built in nasty. Many would be starters in the SEC. A few would even start for Georgia or Bama. And now they have a proven defensive scheme. HEC YEAH........ Last year these baby Ducks, minus 2 - 5☆ defenders handed the immortals in the shoe their tails. tOSU does not lose in the shoe, just ask their over confident fans. Those baby Ducks are not babies anymore. Add to that, Coach Lanning brought in some seasoned veterans thru the portal. Vanderbilt, Tennessee and South Carolina arent playing the Dawgs tomorrow. The Oregon Ducks are......... Georgia holds all the cards and should win the game. This is the best defense Oregon has faced including Utah. However, these Ducks can hold their own. If the Ducks dont turn it over and 1 or 2 offensive players perform over their skis, then this will be a ball game. GO DUCKS....prove me wrong because i picked against you.

27-20 Georgia 2 - 4- 224 Hope i am wrong. GO DUCKS..........

If the Ducks want to stay in this game or hopefully win this game then they need to open the offense up. Full throttle and keep this powerful Dawg D guessing and off balance. Georgias running game is dominant and impressive, for sure. However can Bennet lead them to a come from behind shootout. Dont know...... So lets find out. GO DUCKS......

Joshua, you are on target with your three keys or components for a Duck upset victory. The question still remains, can they execute in those areas? Dont know for sure but all of us will find out on Saturday.... I would certainly like to get my hands on the wonderful drugs that Vandownbytheriverduck is taking! I like where he is headed and if the Ducks execute then anything goes. In reviewing the 2020 and 2021 Dawgs schedule the Ducks will be one of the toughest, talented and experienced teams that Georgia plays. Right on par with Clemson, Florida, Michigan and Cincinatti. And well below Bama, well who isnt. Maybe Georgia ? The Dawgs I believe are 5-3 in those games. (The great Dawg fans on the OBDF can correct me on that record). They are not 8-0 or 7-1, but close enough. In looking at the other teams on their schedule those 2 seasons the Dawgs had superior talent, depth and execution. The Dawgs won all those other games. They beat the teams that they were supposed too! Now its Oregons turn. This is the big stage. It is not about proving we belong. Its about executing. Bama and the Gators put over 40 points on the board to beat the Dawgs in the 3 losses. When Bama and Florida didnt score over 40, well they lost to the Dawgs. Matter of fact, no other team on the Dawgs schedule the last 2 seasons has scored over 30 points. Georgia won ALL those games. Charles and others have shown us repeatedly that the teams who make the CFP usually average 40 ppg. This is a CFP quarter final game, IMHO.......Score and score often or play the greatest defensive game in Duck history....... GO DUCKS........

SoGaDawg, IMHO, the lack of real time in game playing experience showed up in the spring. The young QB's struggled with the stunts and pressure the D delivered. This is no knock or criticism of those talented players. Bennett moved the ball with his game time experiece. There is no substitute for live experience......... However the D they face in practice is better than almost all the ones they face during the season. That provides a solid baseline. I have no doubts, if they were forced into action, they would fare well. Just like JB and TT. Its just a matter of time for before a well intentioned, deep pocket booster offers JB or TT a chance to start for their school. Afterall, free agency is available to all in college sports.........

DnC, good post. This years,Duck D should help generate some blow outs Thus giving valuable playing time for the backup QB's and all players. You want to keep your players then play them. Play them alot. If we lose 12-15 starters then next years starters need to play a good deal this year. Including QB's Injuries will occur that give backups valuable playing time. 2021 was the perfect example.

Well in the spring game, i believe Bennett drove the team down and it generated a game winning field. There werent many explosion plays but many third down conversions. Smash mouth, grind it out and take what the defense gave you. Smart football against a top D. I agree, a close game late, with a quiet crowd in the stands works in the Ducks favor. IMHO, the crowd will not be quiet. Whoever is the Ducks QB will hear the noise and feel the pressure. Bo has been there before. This time he has talent around him. GO DUCKS.......

SoGaDawg, i agree if Bo gets protection he should do well. Unlike his situation at Auburn, Bo has multiple weapons, multiple players deep to get the job done with. Coupled with a system that suits him........ But against The Dawgs D? Not sure at this point. Not to be a downer but i watched the Georgia spring game. Remember, all 15 of the Dawgs drafted by the NFL were gone and not in the spring game. I have mentioned this before but the Dawgs D brought it play after play after play. Didnt matter if it was first, second or third string those younsters brought the pressure. Only Bennetts experience, elusiveness and pin point passing allowed the Dawgs offense to move the ball. The Dawg fans posting on this site can support or refute what I saw in the spring game. But i fully expect the Dawgs D to bring it and Bo will need to read his keys, adjust and make plays. Can Bo do this and minimize his mistakes? History says no.......... However the Dawgs QB will have to play and execute at the same level as in the Natty. Why? Because yhis highly talented Duck D is going to bring it........... GO DUCKS.........

DnC we can only hope that Coach Lanning allows Dilly to open up the offense. Reintroducing the forward pass (longer than 20 yards down field) to our OBD's offense will be exciting for us all. SoGaDawg is spot on that when you play a good D you have to run plays that stretch the field and loosen up the D. I would add that keeping the D guessing and off balance is critical. This Dawgs D is loaded and borderline great, not just good. Their new linebackers will make a few mistakes but not many. Its a must to exploit their inexperience. If not its gonna be a long day. DnC, i fully expect 500 yard plus games by our offense this season. Just that thought thrills and fuels my excitement for the season. We may not get that kind of yardage against The Dawgs or Utes. However, the talent on the Duck's D should keep us in both those games. GO DUCKS.......

OD, thanks for taking the time to dig out all this specific info about our Ducks and the Dawgs. Cant imagine how long it took you to gather, organize and present your post. Well done.......... Without a doubt there is going to be some great talent on the field next Saturday. The Dawgs appear to have more depth with little or no playing time. While OBD's depth has valuable playing time. Hec, many on the Ducks roster cut their teeth in The Shoe against tOSU. And they performed well. I fully expect the Dawgs first timers to also perform well. Afterall, over the last 5 years the Dawgs are something like 58-10. Playing in the strongest conference the Dawgs come well prepared to kick butt. The Ducks have nothing to lose and should play relaxed and loose. This my OBDF members is big time, big boy football. Both teams will be well prepared. As in any football game it boils down to who executes best and minimizes mistakes. Its almost time to play ball. GO DUCKS..........

This game is all about the Oregon O getting it done against the Georgia D. Football games are won by scoring points. Lots of points . I am a avid Duck fan, optimist and well a OBD homer. But beating the Dawgs will be an all hands on deck, 110% effort on 110% of every play. A Duck win is possible......... But let this fact set in as we excitedly approach this big time matchup. During the 2020 and 2021 seasons only 2 teams scored more than 30 points against the Dawgs D. In 2020 Bama put up 41 and the Gators 44. In 2021 Bama put up 41 in the SEC title game. The Dawgs lost those 3 games. The SEC has more than a few high powered offenses and only 3 topped 30 points in 2 seasons. The Ducks have the weapons, can create mismatches and will need to exexute Dilly's offense to near perfection. And that may not be enough. However, playing a CFP powerhouse is just one more step on the road to a Natty. The Ducks best offense may be the super talented Duck defense holding the Dawgs under 30 points. Its a tall task but to be the best you have to beat the best........GO DUCKS......

Realistic expectations are difficult to find in the off season. As the off season turns to fall camp usually optimism coupled with anticipation over rules reality. I ask myself how would Utah and Oregon fair playing in the SEC. Tops 9-3, more likely 8-4. The SEC plays, in general, a big boy brand of football. The Tide and Dawgs maybe at another level....... Coach Lanning, his staff and this team need to find and build their identity. Mario and his staff would not have beaten tOSU in game 1 of season 1.

Turnovers will tell the story in this game. From the Oregon spring game thru this last scrimmage the Ducks O is turning the ball over DL in Q & A sessions has commented that the D has caused a number of turnovers. They will cause more than a few Georgia turnovers in this game. However, will it be enough? Georgia 38 - Oregon 24.........