On 9/9/2024 at 7:05 AM, cartm25 said:

 

I didn’t get to see the game, but was there any combo of OLineman that made you say to yourself, “That’s it! That’s the combo that can push around Ohio State.

I didn't get to see enough to make that kind of determination.  You may be right.  It could be desperation.

 

I didn't get to see enough bad plays to get a feel for what's wrong.  It definitely was better than week one, which was a complete mess.

 

Two things stand out though: DG is more "passive" than I expected.  In other words, he's waiting for things to happen.

 

Two: the blocking has no grit to it.  That includes the WRs.  The offense just may be taking on Gabriel's persona here.  Confident, yet lacking a killer instinct.  That's the best I can explain it.

 

I've yet to see anyone just punch somebody ( figuratively speaking).  Like George Foreman power and Mike Tyson is lethality and ferocity. 

 

Georgia is the closest team I've seen with that aura this year.

 

I do see the talent though.  No cohesiveness, but enough ability to be a potent offense.

 

I hope that explains it more 

Well well well,

 

I got to see some extended footage that has my heart aflutter even though my mind says no.

 

The eyeball test says no, we are not elite one bit. But...I saw some flashes I didn't expect watching the ESPN Gamecast description of the game( instead of the real game).

 

First of all, I can see why DL thinks the OL can be fixed.  They were massively experimenting. I saw at least five different OL lineups.  Nothing super encouraging, but now I understand why the offense looks so disjointed.  There were enough blown assignments, that a mean and nasty professor would go pure sadistic on "student Lanning ".

 

That tells me they feel confident enough to horse around against a much inferior team to find the dudes that are going to play come conference time.  That might have been a huge mistake, but now I get it- Lanning is looking for six or seven guys on the OL that can get the team to the playoffs and beyond.

 

The defense.  My biggest concern - which I felt after the Spring Game - are the inside linebackers.  They're not big enough and they're not fast enough.  They do a decent job in spite of it, but I think OBD need more NFL caliber talent.  I'd put Jackson inside, but that's not going to happen.  He IS prototype though, like we see at Georgia, Michigan and Ohio State every year.  

 

I think the secondary is better, but the guys still cover the QB instead of their assignments.  Muhammad got beat for a TD because he didn't get the safety help he deserved.  The safety is supposed to assist on that olay- the QB had no business having an option to throw to that post corner route.  The safety should have been there on the post part of it alone, which would have allowed Muhammad to seal off the corner part of the route.  That can be fixed, but the coaches need to change their philosophy on how to cover receivers.

 

Some people have derided Whittington a bit.  He's fine.  He's not as big as James, so he can't break tackles as well.  If the OL gets straight, he will be deadly. Same for Gabriel.  Though he is waiting for receivers to get open too often ( he needs to throw them open - for those of you that don't know that term, it means to anticipate the spot his receivers will get open and throw to that spot before the receivers turn to look for the ball). 

 

The OL...

 

I think the right combo is there.  I think Lanning may be experimenting too much.  They need to gel, like now.  They need time to clean up the confusion.  Also, the TEs are missing lead blocks.  There are too many blown assignments going on, and not just the penalties.  Guys are a step slow, and even the RBs are blowing pass block assignments.  

 

My thoughts on that are set the platoon, and get to work on communication and situation assignments.  If DG gets another second and a half, this offense will blow the doors open passing the ball.  If the TEs clean up a bit on their motion blocking, the OL can lead the RB well down-field.  I saw enough of that to grasp why DL thinks it's fixable.

 

Now will that happen?  I don't know.  This is the part where DL's learning curve has to kick in.  He is thinking potential and process too much.  My mind says the eval period is over, and it's time to position the best player in his best role, and demand some results.  And I'd scrap some strategy assignments.

 

For example, one time the LT was assigned to block inside and the Center was supposed to cover the edge, AND the RB completely skipped by the DE and gave him a free look at DG.  That's got to stop. That particular Center isn't quick enough to get outside, and the RB needs to be assigned to the DE.  

 

I see potential here.  Which would get me fired lol.  But the talent actually exists.  Everywhere.  The big question is "will the coaches take our advice". RLMAO.

 

Seriously though, is the staff flexible enough to tweak their system to fit the talent they have? I think they're giving this team too much to think about and execute given their respective struggles.  It just might be time to keep things simple add strategies once the team executes the simple things first 

 

What do you think?

On 9/8/2024 at 8:52 AM, The Kamikaze Kid said:

They have three more games to bumble around and go through growing pains until they have a showdown with King Kong. Will they grow up in time for the battle royale, or get squashed like a banana vs tOSU? So far my eyes have me concerned they won't grow up in time but the potential is there that they do.

King Kong .. I love it 

 

Let's hope we turn I to Godzilla!

On 9/8/2024 at 9:50 AM, Charles Fischer said:

Great observation.  I was aghast at the weakness of the force defender on many plays. Hyped up guys who were not performing.

 

Setting the Edge in Oregon’s Lanning/Lupoi Defense | FishDuck

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You will often hear the phrase, “setting the edge” or a reference to...

 

I actually got to see some decent footage of the game.  I saw three plays that should have been forced inside but for the lack of discipline on sealing the edge ( priority number one in my book).  

 

Something that can be cleaned up.

 

Again, I saw my major pet peeve- I watched a safety run up to a receiver he let run by him, so he could watch the QB, and the QB threw the ball right behind that safety to convert a third down.  Inexcusable.  And it is a regular habit.  We're going to lose a game because of that habit.  Just on losing those situations alone.

 

I like what I saw on defense for the most part.  Not elite, but has the ability to dominate all but the elite.  Room for improvement, but they are much further ahead than the offense.

 

 

On 9/8/2024 at 8:21 AM, Krsmqn said:

It’s clear that those missed opportunities stand out, and it’s true that Gabriel needs to refine his touch on deep throws. However, there’s likely more at play here. It’s possible that Gabriel was overly conscious of avoiding a sack, which affected his timing and anticipation. When a quarterback is concerned about the pressure, it can disrupt their rhythm and make it harder to deliver the ball with precision. Improving his ability to trust the protection and anticipate separation earlier will be key to hitting those deep passes more consistently. There's definitely room for growth, but his awareness in the pocket should also be factored in.

Requires he work on his footwork moving forward.

 

If you anticipate constant pressure, you have to set your feet as you plant your last step moving backwards.

 

In other words, as he takes his last step, he'll have to firmly plant his back foot and throw immediately - in one motion.

 

That requires muscle memory, so he's going to have to practice that relentlessly.

 

It's a one motion move...plant and throw.

 

Literally the whole process is one continuous motion 

 

So THEN, he has to create that rhythm for every type of throw: the fade; the post; the seam; the out route; the dig route; the checdowm.

 

THEN, He has to create that motion for every one of his receivers, from TB to TE to WR.

 

He's got his work cut out for him, but he must be prepared to make those kind of throws.

 

Or/And  as I suggested after week one, Max Protect formations, Bootlegs and Rollout plays must be designed.

 

Why waste time doing the same thing when you're getting the same results? 

I refused to watch the game.  First minute of the game confirmed my suspicions.

 

Watched the progress on ESPN Gamecast though.

 

This team does not have an identity yet.  

 

Since the OL issues seem to be a fundamental flaw, I hope Stein starts using checkdowns and designed passes for the RBs - they need the touches and they're too talented to waste on a porous OL.

 

I still don't like the defensive formation.  It doesn't suit the talent in my very "HACK" opinion.  They are going to be the unit that wins games this year. Besides, our guys don't physically look like the Georgias and Ohio States of the world ( and don't play like them either). 

 

This seems like a watered down version of the 2022 offense with a hybrid 23' and 24 defense.

 

We have a damn good coach.  I'm concerned recruiting will suffer based on this performance to date.  We desperately need Bubbas on the OL and DL to deal with the elite. 

 

The Elite are going to sell the bad location with the narrative that Oregon is hype, not substance in my opinion. Winning ten would diffuse some of that, but it's an issue until it isn't.

 

We are a similar version of Penn State at present.

 

And guess what: we won't be laughing at UW and USC anymore.  They may end up laughing at us.  Again, we had it coming.  

 

I believe -especially the grey beards- that we should ALWAYS remember we used to be Oregon State caliber.  We've been very fortunate.  We take that for granted way too much 

 

I certainly hope we are patient with Lanning like we were with Rich Brooks.  I think Lanning will evolve into developing the low four stars into a pesky team the elite will always have to watch out for.  We're a Tier TWO program until we win a Natty.  That's how the college football world is going to look at us moving forward.

 

I hope everyone loves OBD as much as I do and sees this through.  We are a pretty good program.  We will have to fight like our life depends on it to grow into an elite program.  Love the journey.  It's a process that makes it worth the pursuit of excellence. 

 

Boy ..I sure can preach and babble!!!

I really don't have to babble this week...

 

The Idaho game adjusted my expectations.  This game provided some insights:

 

1.  The team totally bit on the hype

2. The players aren't cohesive yet - they don't really know who they are

3.  The schedule has been a huge friend

4. This team will earn EVERY damn one of their victories.

 

How many wins? TBD

That was the worst $100 I've ever earned in my entire life. 

 

Should have bet the farm...

Oregon 38-24

Oregon created 1 turnover

Oregon generates 1 sack

225 Oregon passing yards

On 9/4/2024 at 6:45 PM, 2002duck said:

If the logic was that the first week's uniforms were good, then this can only be seen as an improvement, in my opinion. 

 

I am strongly opposed to throwback uniforms, or those that even somewhat mimic them. I prefer chrome helmets, and the in the incorporation of chrome or black as much as possible. Forest green works with both of those colors, and neon highlights are great as well. The neon socks in the Auburn National Championship game were fantastic. 

 

It's more than possible that the UO brass tries to dumb things down for games that are not very big so that it doesn't lessen the snazzy ones for primetime.

I truly love the throwbacks.  But once the traditional colors came back, I've been worried it's looks boring.  

 

I prefer the wings and the O on the back  and I love the forest green with the chrome helmets.  I'm not too keen on the black or grey, but they're ' spicy '.

 

If we go to the playoffs, the only divergence I want to see from traditional is the forest green and eggshells. 

 

But I agree with you, variety adds more flair to our brand.

On 9/4/2024 at 5:53 PM, Jon Joseph said:

 

Mike, I went West to your stomping ground The Meadows, a/k/a Las Vegas, and bet on OBD to cover and go Over 61.5.

 

Boise ran roughshod over GA SO, but Boise also surrendered 45 points to a team without the athletes Oregon will have on the field. I think the game is close into the 3rd Q and then like UCLA in the LA Bowl, with Latu sitting out, the P5 ( at the time) stood up against the G5. 

 

If you are right and my gaming buddies and I are wrong, it could be a long season.  I recall how Lanning brought the team back from being wiped out in his first game in the ATL. I think he will do the same on Saturday although I probably will not be able to stay up long enough to see it happen. 

 

10 PM kickoffs is an abuse of one's elders. 😁

 

 

Jon,

 

I'm hoping I look like a fool this week.  Losing a small chunk of change doesn't really matter to me.

On 9/4/2024 at 4:59 PM, Charles Fischer said:

Oh, it was meant to be a Red-Flag for everyone to be aware of going forward.

Oh I know that Charles.

 

My first impulse was to argue your point. But the snapshots left no doubt.  

 

It's ok. I put money on BSU to cover the spread before  the article.  

 

Its been pretty obvious how I've felt about the team - and the comments this week.  I put my money where my mouth is.  

 

A three TD victory is going to require an astounding performance this week.  I'll believe it when I see it.

 

And I will be glad to lose that money.  

On 9/4/2024 at 10:09 AM, JabbaNoBargain said:

Sure, but I really wasn’t trying to compare USC’s win to ours. I’m aware of the differences between the SEC and an FCS team 😉  I can’t say what I really want to say, so I’ll leave it at that.
 

My point is LSU could possibly suck given they had no D last year and lost their award winning QB. Or maybe they retooled the D, found a QB and are awesome…it’s an unknown.

I understand what you were trying to say.

 

And I am not saying what I want to say because people will take it as hyperbole.  

 

I have serious concerns about this team and our expectations of it.  

 

I'll leave it at that because I'm sure if you've read my posts lately, I've been pretty emphatic about my feelings.

 

I've watched way too much football to ignore what I saw last Saturday and this Spring.  And FishDuck, raised my concerns further without intending to this morning.  

 

So forgive me if I'm upset that fans are picking on USC fans.  And Husky fans for that matter.

 

If OBD don't start playing well, we are going to get trolled mercilessly.  And we'll deserve it. 

On 9/4/2024 at 5:52 AM, OregonDucks said:

Coach Lanning’s decisions might have cost Oregon the first Husky game last year and will bite us in the butt eventually. I was hoping that he learned his lesson last year but apparently not.  

Edited 7 hours ago by OregonDucks

I guess I have to nitpick.

 

Three of the four 4th down calls  in Seattle were poor execution.  All three of those plays a receiver was open.  All that was necessary was simply completing a pass.

 

 

Chip's 2010 team was the only Oregon team that executed well enough to play any championship team from any modern era and play to the wire.

 

Lanning's teams have not played to that level.  That is the only reason those fourth down calls have been unsuccessful. 

 

If OBD are going to win a Natty, they need to not only execute on fourth down, they need to execute in most clutch situations. 

 

That is the flaw in Lanning's teams: clutch performance.  So perhaps you're correct.  Until this team demonstrates it is a high performing team, he should not go for it on fourth down. 

 

That is the lesson to take, because frankly- the play calls have been on point. 

On 9/3/2024 at 12:38 PM, Charles Fischer said:

How many times does he have to fail on 4th down on his side of the 50 yard line, and help the opponent?

The lineman that would have led an explosive play down-field fell down.  What coach can game plan that?  

 

If you want to keep the ball, and you have a MASSIVE physical advantage, take the shot.  That's entirely on the players.  They weren't playing so bad, that you lose total confidence in them. 

 

I'm about putting an inferior opponent down.  Especially when I have a huge physical advantage.  I'm not going to back down because an inferior team might score a TD off the poor execution.

 

My team is good enough (and they proved it) to overcome an execution problem like that.  

 

Again, I will never fault Lanning for making a decision like that.  Especially since he calls plays the team can and should execute.  

 

The decision is to put an end to the nonsense, instead of playing the percentages-which can be construed as playing not to lose.  Like playing prevent defense. I want to win. There is no reason to believe Idaho would not have scored anyway after the punt.  They scored TDs on back to back drives. 

 

And the first one was ANOTHER example of poor execution as the CB was caught looking at the QB instead of covering the guy right in front of him-who scored the TD.  You know  my pet peeve about that mistake - which happened exactly the same way in Seattle.

 

Chy, these players must take control of the game themselves.  They have been given more than the tools.  You wrote an article about it this morning.  They need to execute.  Coaching is bit the problem right now.  Not one but. The players were given plays to dominate, and they didn't.  It's plain and simple.  And you proved it this morning.

Nice demonstration Charles.  Indeed that is a question to ponder.  I wonder how much of this was brought up.

 

He still played well.  But he left A LOT of food on the table.  

On 9/3/2024 at 5:36 PM, JabbaNoBargain said:

LSU could go 4-8. Week 1 means almost nothing…or maybe they’ll both win out and have a rematch.

LSU going 4-8 is tremendously better than Idaho going 11-1.  We're talking about an SEC team.  That would bury Idaho is fifteen seconds. 

 

I can't say what I really want to say, so I'll say this instead - comparing a team ranked below 126 to a top 20 team before Sunday is like saying a Praying Mantis is more dangerous than a Grizzly Bear.

 

Not to mention, I don't see ANYBODY challenging USC to a matchup next week.  

 

I'll say this until people can't stand me anymore: USuc and the Fuskies playing well is damn good for us.  We're supposedly better than both, right? The better their respective records are, the better it is for OBD. 

 

Rise to the challenge and quit begging for their demise.  Champions don't want wimpy competition. They want to prove they're the best.

I'm sure Lanning drilled them off camera.  But the public message is key as well.

 

We should always strive to learn.  Especially from wins.  Because what you didn't do that you should do must be the focus.

 

Love our coach.  He chided his team, showed tough love, and encouraged them after a very disappointing performance.

 

It's up to the players.  They have the right coach.

The only thing that matters is their offense looked way better than ours.  So did USC:s (against much better competition at that).

 

We are in the here and now.  Florida State lost last night.  We look about as good as they do at present.

 

If we lose, you damn well bet they will troll us endlessly.  They're winning.  Winning matters.

On 9/1/2024 at 6:38 PM, David Marsh said:

I was looking over the game and something stood out to me. 

 

There were a TON of names I didnt recognize in the game. It looks like a lot of freshman got to rotate in and out of the game.

 

Which is good in a blow out ... But we never reached a blowout. 

 

I think it was a big part of the game plan to rotate 2nd and 3rd stringers in early and often. It failed. 

 

Idaho is a better team than Portland State. Last year Oregon scored so much against Portland State because Oregon ran a vanilla offense and there was nothing that PSU could do to stop it. 

 

Idaho was well coached and a better team and their plan out coached Oregon. Top down Oregon didn't respect Idaho. 

 

I am looking for the starters to be solidified this week.

 I sure hope you're correct.

On 8/31/2024 at 6:01 PM, Solar said:

Penn State looked really good as did Tennessee.

 

Wisconsin is poorly coached, and just not a great team. And I don't buy that it's just the first game, something is off.

 

Clemson hasn't scored a touchdown against Georgia in 30 tries, and they finally threw in the towel in the second half.

 

The eye test says the gap between the top 10 teams and 11-20 teams is wider than ever thanks to NIL. I thought that expanding the playoffs might help level the playing field in the top 20, but NIL cash is way more important than sticking with a team to have a special season. It is what it is.

 

Does anyone ever watch Josh Pate?  I'm interested in what people think of his views.  Thought he was on point about the overall scene.

 

 

I recommend checking him out.

On 9/1/2024 at 10:36 AM, Charles Fischer said:

Yes.  In my article on FishDuck on Friday, before the game, I wrote...

 

"We all know the stats and experience of Dillon Gabriel coming in, and frankly–it appears that he throws a better long-ball than Bo Nix. Yet I believe that a reason for so few sacks in the past two years was Nix’s ability to get rid of the ball, and yet complete the pass.  Normally if you are throwing the ball away to prevent sacks–your completion percentage declines, but we did not see that with Bo."

 

I also wrote in this forum that I expected our sacks against us to go up, as Bo was extraordinary at getting rid of the ball, and yet completing the pass.  And we saw our sacks against us go up already....

 

Idaho Test: Is Oregon’s Positional Depth for Real? | FishDuck

FISHDUCK.COM

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With all that has happened, it is hard to believe that Dan Lanning has only...

 

Do you feel Nix might have avoided those sacks?  I saw way too much Havoc from Idaho for my comfort.  And since OBD didn't control the LOS on runs, play action will be less effective if the OL doesn't improve.

 

It's why I suggest slowly implementing max protect, Bootlegs and Rollout packages, 22 and 21 sets.  And Gabriel has to be part of the running game.

 

It's early.  But what do you think?  Is this a fundamental issue, or is it fixable?

 

I don't know if you saw Georgia, Texas, Miami and Bama.  They look miles ahead of us. Frankly, this is no time to just apply the standard.  It's also time for some creative adjustments to deal with our weaknesses ( that is if you believe we have them).

 

And Georgia still has an advantage of adjusting to havoc and physicality better than everyone else.  Implementing contingency strategies to overcome shortfalls is what I call elite coaching.  If you can't out muscle them, you better make them think about what they're doing. 

 

Idaho did that to us, stayed in the game and climbed back in it.  That's damn good coaching right there.

 

What day you FishDuck?

On 9/1/2024 at 4:39 AM, Mike West said:

I truly believe the OL situation is permanent.  I do not believe this OL is capable of handling the Elite teams we would face in the playoffs. They're not athletic enough.  

 

One other observation, I believe the OL is better at blocking 1-on-1.  They are big and strong enough to pile drive anybody in my opinion, and they're good at it 

 

Which means the TEs are the key to motion blocking ( from my perspective).  As H Backs, the TEs can handle pulling to clear space.  

 

I'm going overboard here, but I truly see a flaw that won't be fixed by "fundamental training".  It's like Dak Prescott for Dallas ( he can get you to the playoffs, but he's not winning a Superbowl).  

 

This is a case of you deal with the cards you have.  Fold em properly, hold em properly, and run away from your weaknesses.  

 

Again, I hope I'm totally incorrect.  But I see this as a big picture issue.  A forty thousand foot view.  

On 8/31/2024 at 8:31 PM, Charles Fischer said:

When we talk about the offense...Gabriel was NOT looking downfield, or did not see open receivers deeper downfield today.  We did not stretch the defense, and Dillon did well considering the Vandals tightened up the pass defense within 10 yards of the LOS, IMHO.

 

Bad News: The offense was a big surprise to the negative.

 

Good News: There is a TON of upside to this offense, as the players are there.  Right now...it is surprising to me that Pickard/Poncho at center-right guard was superior to Poncho/Strothers instead?  Strothers must be must worse than I realized.  It would also explain why we went after Bedford as a transfer at right guard.  I thought Strothers had it nailed, but Oregon recruited Bedford and I was surprised.

 

Not now.

Really good observation.  Overall, Gabriel took the efficiency route.  Especially early.  Later, when he did look down-field he didn't have time 

 

The Drive before OBD closed out the game with a TD, Gabriel missed a skinny post for a TD inside the Fifteen  yard line on third down- which resulted in a FG.  He didn't even scan the field- he knew what was going to be open on the opposite and took the "cheap" win.

 

His "clock" is faster though.  In my opinion, he isn't going to have enough time to look backside, and go through his entire progression. 

 

The good news is Stein knows how to get anybody open.  I even saw a copy of what Georgia uses to spring their TEs open.  And that play is designed to get SOMEBODY open- it forces a conflict decision in the secondary.

 

I'm concerned that even a healthy OL won't do.  

 

I'm hoping Stein has sequential plays to Bubble Screens like Arroyo had , and Hitch and Go plays to exploit aggressive LBs and CBs.

 

I'm also hoping several versions of Screens to the RBs and MAX PROTECT blocking packages become a strategy moving forward.

 

I truly believe the OL situation is permanent.  I do not believe this OL is capable of handling the Elite teams we would face in the playoffs. They're not athletic enough.  

 

 

On 8/31/2024 at 9:24 PM, HDuck said:

Gabriel tied Danny O'Neil for the most completions in Oregon history for a single game.  Gabriel was also tenth all-time in attempts, and is eighth for single game completion percentage.  The guys 1-7 had a lot fewer attempts.

 

But, the ten receivers who caught a ball combined for an average of 9.3 yds per completion.  The longest was 24 yds.  Last year at Oklahoma his average for the season was 13.75 yds.

 

I have no clue, but maybe there were too many receiver substitutions going on?   How do you develop comfort and rhythm with TEs, RBs, WRs when they are shuffling?  Maybe that was part of the reason for short throws?

 

I agree the O-line has some remedial learning in practice this week.

Here's my opinion:

 

The 2021 OL that beat Ohio State can beat any defense against the run.  The 2022 OL was better.  They opened holes all day versus UGA, and actually had better pass protection against the Bulldogs.

 

We would have shredded the Fuskies last year with either of those OLs because we had the WRs we were missing in both games against elite teams and Will Stein's imaginative system.

 

That's the cruel joke right now. 

 

This year's OL does not match the talent level of those two years.  

 

I personally would use lots of Bootleg and Rollout when passing, and two back sets (either 21 or 22 sets) when running the ball.  In the 12 set, Gabriel must be a feature runner.

 

I don't see this OL unit as elite enough to handle the likes of last year's Michigan, Georgia, Clemson, Ohio State, Alabama, Penn State, or gulp...  this year's Miami.  

 

I can't remember who it was that said Gabriel doesn't have pocket presence ( after the Spring Game).  He absolutely does.  Yesterday proved the Spring Game wasn't an isolated situation.  Gabriel realistically will have two seconds to throw the ball against the nation's best Front Seven Groups.

 

That's not enough time to unleash an explosive down field passing attack.  Worse this OL unit isn't effective enough to sell play action either.  This is solely my opinion.

 

The Defense MUST win games this year.  My problem with that is I don't believe the system is suitable because the alignments always leave the edge open to exploit.  The Fuskies proved that last year, and I would  personally develop a running attack to directly exploit that "weakness". If I see it, the nation's best do.

 

I REALLY HOPE I'M WRONG. 

 

That is what I'm seeing though.