HappyToBeADuck

Just another form of pay to play or maybe just sit on the bench or sidelines. I truly love people. Love interacting with all that God created. However, some people can sink to the lowest common denominator. When they get caught, the first rat will spill the beans and try to take the rest down with them. Haywarduck is right on that if we are surprised then we weren't paying attention. Personally, those without a moral compass simply say I didn't know I was doing anything wrong.

Jon I think his coach was Bobby Knight. Not sure but the school might have been Army? Not certain but it sounds right. Tough way to go out at home after all these years. What a great Coach... put him in the Coach Wooden class on many levels. Certainly left Duke better than he found it......

Any P-5 defensive player who watched the Natty could envision or dream about playing for Coach Lanning. Only so many high 4 and 5 star players can go to Georgia, Bama, tOSU, etc. Oregon with Coach Lannings scheme can never get enough of those type of players on the roster. If Coach calls and asks you to come visit, WHY NOT? Deciding between Oregon and UCLA? That choice could be the difference between a NFL Combine invite or just finishing your degree and on to your 40 year career. Or maybe just a legitimate shot at the CFP. Young people have dreams. Dreams that drive your personal motivation engine. Playing for a national brand on national TV could be part of that dream Go Ducks find those hungry, talented players willing to work for the team and make their dream come true. Find players who are committed to 2022 being a 15 game season.

Whatever pieces it takes to have a 2 deep defensive roster in place September 3rd against the Bulldogs. Mingle a little veteran experience with the baby Ducks, pour in the seasoning of the Coach Lanning Defense and take the PAC by storm. Georgia, BYU, WSU and Utah offensive schemes and talent will push the D to the limit. The D may need to win 2 of those games. The difference between 10-2 and 8-4 could be a few key pieces.

Injuries from the first three games, especially to starters, will be or could be problematic going into conference play. It normally requires all hands on deck for the Ducks when battling the Cougars in Pullman. 2022 will be no different. Team confidence will be critical depending on a 2-1 or 1-2 start. The character of the team will be taking shape and all the 2021 experience will be on display. Good or bad.......

Annie, thanks for posting the list. It's always fun to see what others feel or perceive the future to be With the unrestricted transfer portal in play by April 30th the top 10 could change dramatically. Then change again by September 1st. Much to ponder and discuss. The only constants are Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State and maybe Clemson. OBD's must string 3 or 4 seasons of 13-0 or 12-1 to break into that club.

Why or why not......... It's difficult for me to think the Ducks can duplicate the result in the shoe against the Bulldogs. As Jon points out, the tOSU defense was not elite. It was the perfect storm for the Ducks to pull the upset. Don't get me wrong, the Ducks earned that great victory. They can certainly equal the effort and execute a masterful game plan against Georgia. However that may not be enough. Their is no reason to believe the Bulldogs will have a let down in 2022. We can only hope they under estimate the Ducks. Can lightning strike twice? Too many ifs at this point to feel confident about a victory. I am confident the players will give it their all. Keep the score close, hit a few bombs and play with your hair on fire. Another game in the national spot light. Go Ducks.....

Great comments with equally great perspectives from all commentors. One could be curious about a sport and give it a try. Realizing the sport is fun and stick with it. In some instances, not all, size, strength, speed, agility and power dominate the landscape. Football and basketball would be obvious examples. Many get left behind as the competition increases. Natural, God given talent is a big plus. Couple that with a desire to excel and the willingness to put in the time to be the best and great things can happen. These young men and women who compete at the college level have poured their blood, sweat and tears to reach their elite status. It isn't by chance, it's by effort and design. But for me it's passion. Pure passion. When I was very young I had a curiosity and desire for the foolish game of golf. After my first 18 hole round (age I had a passion for the game. It became a love affair. From age 14 to about age 35 I would shoot between 67 and 75 each round. However, I was not competitive. Never played on a high school or college golf team. I simply was passionate for the game. That passion is what keeps me playing 6 decades after I started. It cannot be quenched. Must be love because I rarely break 90, anymore. But teeing up at sunrise, challenging the course is as exciting today as it was in 1960. The fond memories of family, friends and customers never wanes. IMHO, the players and coaches have passion and a love for their sports. They work hard, sacrifice and compete to excel. It's within us all, not just sports. It all walks of life......

Duck1972, great question and ponder point. The thread has some excellent and diverse opinions and comments. As a fan, I would hope the new coaching staff will and can assess the strengths and weaknesses of the players. Then teach, train and coach the player weaknesses into strengths. The previous staff may have tried to focus on player development. However the QB talent must have missed many practice sessions. Or the talent is/was unable to be developed. So many facets to player development, especially for the QB position. Should we air it out? With a diverse, well balanced offense, led by a confident, prepared QB then yes. Question is do we have that QB in the room? Can that QB be developed to lead a well balanced offense? Spring ball will tell us alot. Personally the other side of the coin is more concerning. Can the coaches teach this talent? How will they handle in game adjustments? More questions, few answers. So much fun to ponder. Answers coming soon, just not soon enough.

Charles, as always thanks for another great topic to ponder. The whole Taggart, MC experience is difficult to digest, as a fan. Makes me appreciate the continuity of head coaches we had from Brooks thru MH. We were truly fortunate. MC was always going to Miami and I would call him a bold face liar to his face, if he said or implied otherwise. His crowning coaching jewel, the win in the shoe, set it all in motion. The Hurricane boosters, with deep pockets, had to have this coach now. So the check books flew open. But it set in motion the Ducks getting a young, top notch DC as a coach. Let's hope he can become an equally top notch HC.

Joshua, I agree it would be nice to see JB stay with the program. Even though 2020 Spring Practice was cut short due to the pandemic this is his 3rd spring session. However, if he stays this summer will his 3rd full summer session. This young man has 3 or 4 years eligibility remaining. By this time he should have his grown man's body. I truly believe their is one hec of a QB within that young man. And somebody is going to get the benefit of his talent and knowledge. I am afraid that once he gets his degree he will transfer. He will not last long in the portal if he enters it. The big question, to this point, does JB have enough QB IQ or was the previous staff inept at developing his talent?

Joshua you are on target that bringing in Nix was a good move by Coach Lanning. Under the bright or dark shadow of the transfer portal the QB room could change again after spring ball. In or out...........

Jon, your comment about fearing for Oregons future more than the future of the P-12 Conference raises one of the ultimate questions for the OBD Forum and Duck fans ... Where would Ducks sports be without Phil and Penny's generous support and donations? Would we look like Oregon State, California or Colorado athletics? Good grief to that thought..... Would world class athletes come to Oregon? Would our profile been high enough or the facilities the best in all collegiate sports to attract Sabrina, Thibs, the Sewell family, et all? After all to the long time Grey Beards we didn't sniff any national aspirations in the 20th century. Once Phil and Penny committed to provide Oregon with what it needed to be a National Brand then things changed. Can we expect Arizona, ASU, Colorado, California, Stanford, UCLA WSU and OSU to get to that level without a donor like the Knights? It takes dollars, big dollars, millions of dollars to get to where Oregon is at. The 12 Presidents should recognize that TV dollars are their best answer. GK even called out each schools to raise an extra $20-$30 million per year to close the gap. Well what if it's not there, year in and year out? Well you Arrogant, sell righteous, pompous......, improve your brand and negotiate it thru the media rights. Negotiate as if the conference survival depends on it, because it does.....

Jon, you didn't write that article. You posted an article from a national writer with knowledge of the NCAA and what is coming. My apologies if I gave the impression it was your writing. I should have been more clear to all. Sorry, sorry, sorry. Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea culpa. Jon your topics, articles and post are awesome. This topic is not sexy, glamorous or fun. But it is relevant to the truth before us. The absolute foundation of college football is changing. Vision, forward thinking and bold moves are part of the horizon. Oh how I miss PAC 12:30 pm kick offs on ABC.

Duck 1972 I like your solution about creating more divisions as a possible solution. Jon posted an in-depth article awhile back that was a long, boring difficult read to follow. Since my first wife prepared me to handle difficult and boring, I was able to work my way thru it. It was a snapshot into what is coming this August when the schools meet. Divisions are coming. The SEC can invite more schools to join and form their very own division. The P-5 can completely shut out the G-5 schools. The SEC, BIG, BIG12 and ACC can shut out the PAC, if they want to. Will they? I just don't know I am open to anyone on this great forum to share with me how a merger with The B-12 and PAC 12 would weaken our position. Either a single 24 team conference or 2-12 team divisions as one conference. Hec they could have their own semi-final game, then a title game. Winner to the CFP. Not to long ago, a competitor took 4 small accounts from our customer base. Its business and how competition works in America. They were so proud and boasting to a very large 5 store account they serviced that they had taken these accounts from us. At that same moment the very large 5 store account notified our competitor that they were switching to us. Point is, in business you keep working 24/7, 365 to improve your company. Make things better for your customers. Out work, out smart, out maneuver your competition. Do you feel the 12 dwarfs are making things better for the AD'S, players and fans?

This has been an eye opening thread and again thanks Southern Duck and all the posters. Great stuff.... Makes me wonder or question: Are TT and JB over rated? Do they have the mental acumen to learn and execute the new offense? Or were they not given enough real time opportunities? Did MC and his staff teach these young men? Did they recognize the ceiling of the QB's talent? Or was it easier or safer to stick with AB? Were the coaches even capable or willing to adapt to their QB's abilities? Most important: Can Coach Lanning and his staff recognize then develop the talents TT and JB possess? Can the Ducks put in place an offensive scheme that players will adapt to. Keep it simple, continues and the main staple. Just like Saban at Bama .......

Jon, great take and you know I stand with you. The PAC and B12 should follow the advice of this time honored saying, "United we stand, divided we fall. Should they merge or work collectively to improve their media rights dollars.? Yes they should...... Will they merge or work collectively to improve their media rights dollars? No the probably won't..... Why not? My guess the PAC 12 presidents will take a pass. Why will they pass? Let's take a short review to answer that. 1. Back in the very beginning the PAC Conference and PAC Network was offered by the Networks to partner together. The PAC Presidents said no to a media partnership. They felt they could build a successful media sports network. With their giant egos, unrivaled arrogance and academic prowess they wanted to prove to the other conferences that they could build a network. Without the help of people who knew how to do it. The PAC Presidents wanted all the money. No sharing with others. Ask yourself, how did that work out for all 12 members? 2. Once the PAC Network was up and running they couldn't market the Network to all the giant cable networks. The number of eyeball's watching was limited. The coverage became regional. Thus advertisers paid the Network less dollars for less eyeballs. At least the 12 Presidents didn't have to share their limited revenues. 3. The 12 Presidents made what I consider the first of 3 major decisions that may prove fatal to some of the current conference members: FIrst, they hired and took advice from Larry. Second, when Larry's advice and direction failed they kept him in charge way to long. Third, after firing Larry and hiring GK, they are failing to admit their mistakes and move forward with help. The decisions are still being made by 12 presidents not qualified to make these types of decisions. 4. Then when the SEC handed the PAC Conference, PAC Network and 12 closed minded presidents a way out, the 12 dwarfs said no. They said no to giving the B-12 a life jacket or life line The PAC presidents didn't want to merge and felt the conference was in a position of strength as it currently stands. WTH............ They didn't want to make less money. OBD Forum don't be fooled by that bull.... The PAC was in control of the entire situation. No revenues will change or would have changed until Texas and OU headed to the SEC. The PAC presidents failed to see that now the PAC will need a life jacket or life line. 5. The 12 presidents failed to learn from their mistakes. When given a chance to add millions of eyeballs from coast to coast, they said no. When given a chance to expand the footprint, they said no. When given the chance to save the network by giving advertisers more eye balls they said no. The arrogant, unqualified 12 members of the brain trust said NO...... Based on their past decision making why would they now say, yes?

Southern Duck thank you for this informative post...... This information is eye opening and I look forward to all the forum members responses. Please post often and welcome. This is one hec of a article with a great deal of subject matter to ponder.

30Duck thanks for posting this..... An experienced veteran in the receivers room should be a positive. I think the article rings true that all the receivers should expect passes, maybe even accurate passes, coming their way in 2022. No matter the QB throwing the pill.

The pac 12 presidents are doing to the conference what MC did to the high flying Duck offense......... Choking the life out of it. Showing no forward thinking or innovation, what so ever. Do any of you on this forum think that PAC 12 Football is must watch TV? How do you think the Networks feel about PAC 12 football? We come to the negotiating table with nothing changed and a failing network. How much money do you pay for late night viewing and filler games?

Mike West thanks for including that article. Great read and explanation of core and sequential plays. OBD forum members, if you are casually scrolling thru this thread, take the time to read Mike's article from a few years back. it's worth the read. Mike, from what you know of Dillingham's offense, do you see this successful pattern in his sets? As confident as I was that the previous HC throttled down the offense like squeezing the life juice out of an orange....... I am that confident that Coach Lanning will let let Dillingham open his offense up....... Let's choke the life juice put of our 2022 opponents. Also, Mike and all the writers Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts, knowledge and opinions on the OBD forum. Charles has put together a world class, safe haven discussion room on the Ducks. The articles set the bar very high. Well done..........

Great post Mike West........ I was constantly frustrated by the previous staffs inability to make in game adjustments. I never really thought about the players not being capable of covering the slot receivers. They either weren't taught proper techniques, left their assignments or lacked the speed to get the job done. Or all 3....... Or the previous coaches lacked the ability teach, adjust or both. You are spot on in your comment: "If amateur Mike West can figure it out, one of CFB's best former DC's can." I am confident that Coach Lanning and the defensive staff will be installing his successful attacking defense this spring. The competition will be fierce. Those that can't keep up or execute at a high level may hit the portal. I like your 42. 17 averages. The PAC, except Utah can be dominated by the Ducks in 2022. If the OOC schedule ends up with 2 wins and 1 loss, then the PAC title game will be for A CFP spot. The strength of schedule will be a great talking point for the PC. My take is that we have a better chance at the defense giving up just 17 per game than the offense averaging 42. However, other than Georgia and Utah, what other teams on our schedule have strong defenses. Go Ducks. Start spring ball already!

Improvement in all 3 phases of the game will be needed to have something close to 10 wins. Last year's numbers, on both sides of the ball, will not be enough ro beat Georgia, BYU, Utah (twice maybe) and possibly USC. Hec we barely snuck buy some easier teams. Those teams play to light up the scoreboard. Wrathis, that was a great recipe for a highly successful season. It's what will be necessary from the players. Can the Coaches bring out the best discipline and aggression from these talented players?Can the Coaches motivate and jell them into a team? Without prior HC experience can Coach Lanning be the CEO of the operation? We have no idea...... For the sake of the article I am hoping the offense pushes up to 40 points. It will take that many points to stay with the 4 teams listed above.. Anything less and the Ducks are staring down the barrel of an 8-4 season. Harsh yes, but no amount of fan optimism will change that. Optimism has probably never won a game. QB's hitting wide open receivers helps open up running lanes. That recipe scores points. Will the OC's offensive sets fit the players skill set? How well did it translate at FSU? It's not like the ACC was a defensive juggernaut.... The defense has talent. Seasoned and battle tested. This is the only area, at this point, that I have confidence in the coaching staff. Coach Lannings track record is defense. 21-24 points a game will be a good start. The 2 Utah games and Oklahoma skewered the season average. I am trusting this staff will have a game plan to stop giving up first downs on third and long. Forcing the other team to punt helps keep the score down. Keeping the talent on the field and not in the medical tent will go along way, too. I have said this before about the offense. Score alot of points, then score even more points. Then for good measure score even more points. When in doubt score again. Never, never stop scoring. Some of this will unfold during spring ball. They will be working with the best accumulated talent in the PAC. My question is can the coaching staff be equal to the on field talent. The last staff left alot to be desired........

All Bo, or any Duck quarter back has to do is connect on a few passes to wide open receivers and the numbers will improve. Brown was a difficult QB to stay rallied around. Not just for fans but for the players. The Ducks receivers worked hard all season to get open. Brown was not consistent enough to make the throws. As a result, 3rd down conversions and touchdowns were missed. As the season wore down teams realized Brown could not beat them with his arm. Utah loaded the box, stuffed the run and won the PAC title. Let's hope Bo, Ty or Jay can raise the bar

Charles great article. So many diverse points being made by OBD Forum members. I wanted to touch on your thoughts about why can't Oregon and USC be in the final four like 2 SEC teams. And the concern or fear of another PAC team overtaking the Ducks. I believe 2 PAC teams can make the CFP.. Let's go back back to 2009 and compare the mutual road shared by Oregon and Stanford. They were the PAC Conference heavy weights. And both teams were national contenders. It benefited both schools to have a fierce rivalry on a national spot light level. If I made any errors I apologize on the following information. 2009 Stanford 8-5 Oregon 10-3 (Rose Bowl) 2010 Stanford 12-1. Oregon 12-1 (Orange Bowl) (BCS Natty) 2011 Stanford 11-2. Oregon 12-2 (Fiesta Bowl) (Rose Bowl) 2012 Stanford 12-2. Oregon 12-1 (Rose Bowl) (FIesta Bowl) 2013 Stanford 11-3. Oregon 11-2 (Rose Bowl) (Alamo Bowl) 2014 Stanford 8-5. Oregon 13-2 (Foster Farms ( Rose & Natty) 2015 Stanford 12-2. Oregon 9-4 (Rose Bowl) (Disaster Bowl) In 7 seasons the PAC played in 11 New Years 6 Bowls, including 2 Nattys. These 2 power houses dominated the PAC. ESPN ate it up and this brought increased revenues to the conference members. Had the 4 team CFP been in place since 2010, there would have been a good chance of both being in the final four in 2 of those years. Let's not fear USC being a national power, along with Oregon and Utah. The PAC 12 Championship game should be played with the winner in the CFP. Get the scheduling cleaned up and we should have two 12-0 teams meeting every 3 or 4 years. Wouldn't that be nice. The Rose Bowl should be the consolation prize most years. The PAC teams should stop complaining about the current system and just focus on dominating. As a side note u of w, not allowed........