HappyToBeADuck

Jon one more thought about the Super League developing in the near future. IMHO, The PAC and its commissioner made a lethal mistake by not expanding. They could have ended the BIG 12 in one move. The PAC could have laid the foundation for a 18-20 Mini Super League. Not as glamorous as SEC, for sure. But positioned to cover 3 time zones, including Texas. TV money, lots of money, would have followed. ould have eliminated a CFP competitor. Hec the last 3 weeks, after the Utah loss the narrative was all about Baylor, OU and Oklahoma State and the. CFP.. .. 2 of those teams should have been invited to the PAC. I believe a 4 conference set up with 72-80 schools will come first. Test the waters first. See how rating meters move. TV is and will always be the cash cow....... The PAC could have made the first move. But didn't. Eventually 4 to 6 PAC teams will jump to a bigger pond.

Glad JM has recovered from surgery. Glad JM gets to go back home. Best wishes for he and his family at Akron. Hope he calls a great game in the Alamo...... Go Ducks.........

Jon that is some out of the box, forward, innovative thinking. Really enjoyed the article and is one hec of a ponder topic. All things are possible. One thing is for sure, it's 3:35 am and I am not gonna be able to go back to sleep. My little little sleepy brain is now fully engaged. What the Hec........ Here are a few thoughts and comments........... Although their are many pros and cons to a Super League, money will drive the bus. Good or bad, money will drive the bus....... Faculties will be overjoyed at the thought of separating themselves from athletics. After all, they know they are underpaid. Maybe more money for themselves. Whatever money the school needed to funnel into athletics could be saved an funneled for pay raises. Somebody, some schools, some players, their parents and non football athletes will potentially get hurt in the process.. Aka, damages.. Did someone mention damages? Let me introduce my self, I am a lawyer with the lawfirm................ Oh do you really think we can get some money from suing for damages? Why yes, and it won't cost you any money unless we win the law suit........ What do you mean I have to take a pay cut to coach? I don't want to make less money. I need to hire a lawyer. How much money will that cost me? Hello Mr and Mrs Smith does your son have an agent representing his best interests? I can make him alot of money..... The television networks will not want to be left out of this opportunity for more money. The Super League teams will want a a Pete Rozelle type commissioner to represent them in the TV negotiations. The league, it's shield and brand will command large amounts of money. Pete Rozelle was the commissioner of the NFL back during the formation of Monday night football. ABC Network was shut out of NFL football. NBC and CBS had the respective AFC and NFC broadcast rights. The bidding for MNF was fierce. ABC won out. The Nielson ratings for MNF were off the charts.. ABC had no competing games.. Unlike NBC and CBS who had competing games on Sunday. ABC paid more money for the broadcast rights, sold advertising spots for more money Interesting, turn of events happened when the rebids for MNF broadcast rights came open again. Roone Arledge, the producer of MNF, and the ABC executives offered the NFL less money. After all, NBC and CBS got 2 games each week and MNF got only 1 game. Why should they pay the same amount of money as the other 2 networks? Pete Rozelle was too sharp for that tactic. He told ABC, if you want the rights you pay the same amount of money for less games He mentioned that if ABC wanted to continue MNF broadcasts they would have to substantially increase the bid. Why? NBC and CBS had been allowed to enter the bidding war for MNF. They were offering more money than ABC. ABC ponies up and the rest is history. I wonder how many Pete Rozelle types will be involved in the potential formation of a Super League? The possibilities are too numerous to mention. Exciting, fascinating, complicated and maybe painful. Yes, Jon the landscape would change dramatically. Eventually, top to bottom, it will seek its own level and chances are money will drive the bus. Its now 5 am. I'm hungry. Sure glad some of the grandkids are here this week. Nana baked cookies.

Empty words, empty promises, coach speak.......??????? Hard to tell until they play the game and as a fan we have every right to be skeptical. I am a cup half full kind of person so here's what I am excited about: On the 2 deep roster listed for offense, defense and special teams, over 40 players are freshman, redshirt freshman, sophomores and redshirt sophomores Awesome Eight players are juniors or seniors. The future for Oregon and Coach Lanning is amazing. Most of these young players are seasoned now. Many played in the shoe. And they won 10 games. 10 games! I hope they get that 11th win. There accomplishments, in spite of massive, weekly injuries, sub par coaching and coaching defections, are truly solid. Win or lose, if they play with passion and fire, they all earned their stripes........and my respect.

And in future recruits living rooms.. A Georgia Natty puts sideline shots of Coach Lanning on TV multiple times ....... Face and name recognition in front of millions of fans and multiple 4/5 star recruits. That can be the difference between a top 30 or top 15 recruiting class for 2022. Maybe a few Georgia D players, who aren't off to the NFL, miss Coach Lanning and transfer to Oregon The street cred for Coach Lanning goes thru the roof. Oregons defensive footprint is about to change. Go Ducks...... Go Bulldogs........ Please put a frown on Coach Sabans face. Please.

Cyrus Moss is fortunate that Coach Lanning offered again. If this young man has NFL aspirations, can you think of a better coach than Lanning? Cyrus, just watch Georgia's CFP games or games. That's NFL ready talent courtesy of Coach Lanning.

Oregons foot print has changed so much that it can be hard to recognize. The landscape is different. I personally would like a team full of 4/5 stars. Why? Because inspite of a coaching staff that under performed in player development the talent on the field won 37 games. We could see the results of poor coaching during the games. Here's hoping that Coach Lanning and his staff can recruit at high level and coach them into a juggernaut. I won't settle for less....... Alabama, Georgia, Clemson and Ohio State recruit 4/5 stars and coach them up. The Natty runs thru those schools. Are we really hungry for the good Ole days?

It will be fun to watch how the USC and Oregon teams grow the next 5 years. Who will coach and motivate their teams the best remains to be seen. The HC experience that Riley has is an advantage. Shouldn't be over looked in the big picture. Riley has a few disadvantages to overcome, though. Facilities.......enough said! Also, the high priced talent at USC has seemed to quit on the season when their top goal(s) can't be reached. They lose interest. Duck fans experienced viewing this after the Utah loss. No teams, with this much talent, should get their hat handed to them twice in 2 weeks. By the same team. Whether it was coaches, players or both. Oregon looked disinterested. This happens most years at USC. Either way, these 2 programs need to dominate the PAC. Some years both should make the expanded CFP. Then get ready to lead a new expanded PAC or move on to a super conference.

Darren solid article and right to the point. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. The Oregon family of coaches and players grew the brand to a better level of football. Each member of the family brought something to the table to move the program forward. Phil and Penny invested in the future of Oregon sports. First class state of the art facilities. Designed to and for future Duck athletes. Flashy and innovative uniforms chosen by current players but designed to catch the eye of future players. But Chips forward thinking and creative offense moved the brand to the next level. Coupled with those gifted, high flying players you mentioned Oregon became a National Brand. Coaches, players and boosters moving forward to a better future. And fan support exploded. Recently, at a 50 year plus high school reunion, I spent a weekend of looking back. Wonderful and warm memories. As the first evening was drawing to a close a familiar face approached me. I had sat next to her for 3 years in homeroom. Just a wonderful girl who had become a doctor. She sat down and let out a long sigh. I asked her what's wrong? I was very surprised at her answer. I am a little tired of hearing about the past, doesn't anyone have plans for the future? I want to travel and try new things. Any suggestions? For the next few hours I shared with her great places and events that I have experienced in my travels. As she listened and asked questions I could sense her excitement for her future travel plans. Look forward, learn from others and make every day an adventure.... I hope Coach Lanning and his staff, with all their youth, bring the Oregon Brand a Natty. Recruit the 4/5 stars. But learn from the last 6 seasons at Oregon. These gifted and talented players need to be properly coached. Potential is nothing more than future possibilities............ What will you do with all that potential?

Yes time for George to lead The PAC will improve when all 12 schools are committed financially as Oregon and USC. And with more coaches like Shaw and Whittingham. Coaches committed to player development. Improvement will come with better scheduling. How often do Bama and Georgia meet in conference play. Set it up so your powerhouse teams meet less in conference play and more in the P-12 Championship game Profile will rise when the coaches and players take the Mountain West teams more serious. And win those games. Try beating BYU sometime. SEC schedules to win, recruits to win and coaches to win. It's life or death to them. It's not lip service. No explayers or alumni group is going to round table the profile up in the eyes of the media This conference needs more money, better TV exposure and the will to win. Coaches, players and fans included. Half full stadiums don't raise profiles. This is probably wrong to point out. But here goes. If I was the Cal AD, I would be looking for a new HC. Any coach who turns down the chance to coach at a high profile school that is all in to reach the CFP and win a Natty....... Well that coach just told me he is not interested in taking his current program there either. Doesn't matter if the offer was a low ball offer. I want a coach who wants to take a chance on himself. Win big and the contract offer increases Nothing against Wilcox but that's one of the reasons the PAC has an embarrassing profile. Cal AD and administration don't really care. They are just glad to have a coach.

Your point is well taken. Sewell played like a wrecking ball with passion. Flowe gave us a short glimpse before his injury. Bassa was a beast ..... The defense had so many players injured that continuity and trust was not established. Many played above their pay grade so I don't want it to appear that I am criticizing the young rookies. But the passion, the hair on fire after the game in the shoe was not present. Many players played their hearts out, all season on both sides of the ball.... But the schemes were just plain vanilla. How excited can you get as a receiver blocking on 50-60 plays and rarely touching the ball. How excited can you get on defense when we gave away the middle of the field. 3rd down conversions we are the DC, not the players. I hope next year these fine young men have coaches that they will run thru a wall for. It didn't seem like they wanted to after the shoe.

After listening to Joey Harrington on the John Canzano show explain why the players supported the letter, I came to 2 conclusions ...... First, their intentions were good. They meant well and wanted nothing but the best for Oregon. His words, filled with passion and emotion rang true. Don't know if Joey spoke directly to Mullrns about the letter. Either way RM was moved and followed thru. Thank goodness that Wilcox was the only adult in the room. Geez....... Second, nostalgia for home is a powerful emotion. Those players looked back and longed for those glory days. I felt that emotion as I returned home to Spokane for my 50th plus high school reunion. Wonderful memories rushed back that weekend. The players wanted that Oregon family feeling to return. The family program came so close to the Natty. The prize was within reach. Since 2015 the prize was seen on TV earned and given to others. RM and his choices were destroying their deepest memories of Oregon Thank you Coach Lanning. Build your staff and create a new Oregon family for players, former players and us fans. Let's get that prize. As for the non renaming of the the Civil War. If I expressed my thoughts, feelings and emotions...... Charles would ban me from the forum for life...... Go Ducks. Let's get a few more SEC players so the SEC honks can piss, whine and moan some more. Out here in the barren wasteland.

Consider that Bo played Bama, LSU and A & M , and crossover games in the SEC. The O Line was mediocre at best. So Bo's stats are against multiple players who are now or will be in the NFL ........Not a real comparison to AB's stats Oregon has a 2 deep powerhouse line in a weak as hec conference. That line will be learning a new system with multiple set schemes. Do you want rookies learning a new system or an experienced multi year QB potentially running the show? The Duck offense, barring transfers, has alot of skilled position players to compliment that beast of a line. Just needs a skilled leader who must cut down on lazy and careless mistakes ..... Young man has no quit in him. Just ask the Duck players from our 12-2, 2019 team. Hope Bo is the first of many SEC portal transfers. Coach Lanning and his staff have those connections. I for one am going to enjoy the first great new player move by our new coaching staff........ More than one way to build a CFP team.

The PAC teams continue to disappoint. You get to a bowl game for the first time in forever and have no passion. What???????? They got smashed in the mouth and wanted to go back home before half time. Another PAC team getting pushed around by a Mountain West team. Just another trash performance from the conference that others call a wasteland.

Bo knows and thrived his first year in this system. He can do it again. For certain our offense will be learning another new system. Glad to have a player who knows what the OC wants executed. Sure any of our young QB's could transfer out. Honestly they have proved nothing on the field. Bo may not be the only QB transfer.

That article smacked of sour grapes as the sacred SEC lost a former chosen one. Auburn wanted him to stay because he was improving and was a team leader. They were better with him on the field. In order to get the starting job he will have to earn it. Hopefully that earns the teams respect. QB room just gained game day experience. SEC game day experience. This could be just the beginning of some highly talented SEC player transfers. That's exciting..... As for the PAC being a wasteland. That writer was spot on. Many games are boring, very little fan base support and we can't beat Mountain West teams. The PAC gets out coached and out played by lesser opponents. In the 21st century only USC and Oregon have played for a Natty. Respect has to be earned.

It's on like donkey Kong........ Get ready. This may be the beginning of some high profile talent transferring to Oregon. We don't know Coach Lannings plan in any way shape or form. But he has told us all that Oregon is a top coaching job and a top destination stop. Very confident that he wants talent that feels the same, too. He will make the best effort to bring the best players to the Duck program. Don't discount that this sends a message to other potential transfer. Now Oregon is in the news for the right reason........ 3 thoughts....... That is exciting to think about. We'll done Coach and staff. If Cyrus Moss can't get excited about playing in Coach Lannings system, we'll he hasn't watched Georgia's defense play the last few seasons. Bo Nix will have to earn it. During that process our 3 young QB's will only get better.

Nice touch AB. Truly first class. Have a fun time and a great Alamo Bowl game. You and your Ducks team mates have lifetime bragging rights over the tOSU. In your long life 2021 will be a year to remember.

Desert Duck Great question...... Never thought about it from their perspective.

Looking out my upstairs window, as I gaze east at the foothills of the Cascades, thru the rain, all I see is green. As the wife and I drove from Sweet Home to Albany and back, well everything that wasn't flooding was green. That floor makes me uncomfortable watching a game. Some fans love it. That's okay.. Other than the MC offense it ranks 2nd on Duck things I don't like.

Start AB. He deserves it. AB led the team to some very big wins. A couple of come from behind wins. 4th quarter wins. That's on AB His inconsistency was frustrating. But he didn't call the plays. Coaches did.... That's not on AB. AB was not on the field when the D couldn't get stops on 3rd down. Over and over, repeatedly in many games. That's not on AB. However. None of the freshmen QB's will burn a shirt by playing. Give them some meaningful snaps. Let them feel the speed and intensity of the game. Afterall, unlike AB and most of the coaches, our young QB's will hopefully be Ducks next season.

There are some talented young players on the roster. A good number got their baptism by fire on the field, very early in their careers. Yet they are very raw. They need the proper coaching to become polished, poised and lethal. ... So as our young players, recruits and potential portal transfers watch the New Years 6 games and CFP games (invitational games) they will see: 2 exceptional, disciplined defensive coordinators hrlp lead their teams in high level games. They and their parents personal snapshot for their futures. And coaches who finish what they start. Players and school first. A lesson MC had not learned. Won't be coach speak. Actual game results. Wish our future coaches well in their bowls.

Mario stopped being a Duck a few weeks before the first Utah embarrassment. At some point this year, Mario's former Hurricane team mates went from Mario, you should come home and coach someday... To......... Mario, it's all set for you to come now. That's when MC stopped being a Duck.

Coach Lanning has a plan. There are certain types of players he wants and is willing to wait to get. I saw a video of a zoom call Coach had with the press. He implied that he kind of slowed everybody down. He assured firm committs and parents that they had plenty of time to decide. Slow and steady wins the race..... So much may change right after the Alamo Bowl. He doesn't know who's staying and who's going. Roster needs could change drastically.... Best to know what the exact needs are to finish recruiting and pound the portal. Coach Lanning's approach is like my wonderful Father's style. Make the right move, for the right reason at the right time. That's gonna take some getting used to for many fans. It will be worth it. After all who eats the cake until after it's baked.

Jon, I am going to add this to my Santa Christmas wish. With all the money available and eager buyers (Fox, CBS, NBC and streaming networks) the timing is right. The BIG, ACC, BIG 12 and PAC could carve their niche. Revenues would rise for ALL. Imagine how much money for a SEC/ALLIANCE NATTY??????? Well when pigs fly.......