[Ascribing Credit and Blame]

On 11/24/2022 at 8:24 AM, Feathers said:

Ascribing Credit and Blame

 

Two things prompted me to write this morning.  First were the many comments following Charles’ well-written article about the “coaching error” of running Nix between the tackles contributing to his injury, and, then there was yesterday’s Cryptoquote puzzle.  The puzzle quotation answer, from William Butler Years, is: “Think where man’s glory most begins and ends, and say my glory was I had such friends.”

 

I’ll deal with Yeats’ quote first, and how it applies to football and my own experience playing the game some 65 to 71 years ago.  When I first wore pads in a tackle football game, 1950, I was age eleven, a sixth grader at a junior-high school in Coos Bay.  My last game was seven years later as a Senior at Marshfield High when we defeated Medford at Multnomah stadium.  That win capped our third Oregon state high school championship, class A, (big school) in a row.  I was a back-up QB and substitute defensive back.  As in Yeats’ quote above, my glory was that my teammates were my friends, and the real glory of winning began and ended with them. 

 

Marshfield’s success in those years was largely attributable to a combination of the experience and tenacity of the coaching staff and an unusual group of teenagers who were bigger, faster and more mature for their ages than were our opponents.  Our coaches, led by Pete Susick, a former star running back for UW, all played college football and all fought in WW II.  Unlike the name we give to our rivalry game coming up Saturday, these coaches well knew what war was about.

 

I can never forget the comment of one coach, Walt Paczesniak: “When you boys get in the Army you’ll find out what your nose is for.  That nose is not for smelling, it’s for digging!”

 

Only one player in my high school class ever came off the field at the end of the game having experienced a loss.  As a freshman, Roger Johnson, later a starting end for OSU and playing one year in the CFL, played in the only loss, 0-7 to North Bend in 1954.  We won or tied every Junior Varsity game and every Varsity game except that one game Roger played in as a freshman.  In short, we were the best high school football team in Oregon for three years running.  We had the glory of wearing a gold football on a chain around our necks inscribed with “State Champions.”

 

Our coaches taught us things no other teams were doing.  Most significant were the calls made by the offensive linemen for blocking assignments during the instant before the ball was snapped and after the QB called the numbers indicating whether the play sent in from the sideline was to be optioned to a different play.  We were one of few teams that changed the play at the line of scrimmage, and as best I recall, the only team with complicated line calls and defensive calls.

 

Good coaching is crucial to winning, but not as important as the abilities and contribution of the players.  I know that from on-field experience, mostly in four practices a week against the best high school players of my day, all the games we played and the following years of watching football in person and thousands of games on television.  So, when I read a long thread with extensive comments like those following Charles’ article, attributing blame for an injury on the field to a coach, I have to wonder: “Have these guys writing this stuff ever played the game?”  “Have they ever run a football, running for your life while looking for daylight?”

 

College football is way too complicated for anyone to say that something that happened on the field of play was caused by any one person or any play call.  It takes 22 players on the field at that time, a whole team of players on both sides to prepare for the play, two staffs of coaches, support staffs with a myriad of educational and experience backgrounds, officials and so much more for a football play to succeed or fail.

 

Sure, we can “Monday morning QB” and say: “but for . . .” such and such would not have happened.  That “but for . . .” is only one tiny aspect of the result.  We need to consider everything, and when we do so, fairly, no one thing, person, decision or action was the cause.

 

Nix ran the same play that he ran where he was injured at least twice earlier in the game with huge success.  He has done it all season.  I don’t know, and no one else writing on this board knows whether those successful up the middle plays were signaled in from sideline or whether Nix checked down to them because of something he saw at the line of scrimmage or felt in the huddle.  The same is true of the fateful play where he was injured.  

 

Regardless, if you strap on pads and a helmet, and play a violent game, there is a risk you will be injured.  It’s part of the game.  No amount of parsing out the blame will change the simple fact that the next game or season a QB will be injured.

 

Did the decision to run Nix up the middle contribute to his injury.  No doubt about that.  Was it THE CAUSE of his injury, maybe in part, but I sure enjoyed the times he ran the play without getting hurt.  He could get a season ending injury by being sacked on a pass play.  Anyone can say: “But for calling that pass . . . “  So, should the team not pass?

 

I thank coaches Lanning and Dillinghham for bringing a system with a running QB back to Oregon.  Our team had it decades ago with the likes of Reggie Ogburn, Joey Harrington and several more.  It makes being a fan of the game much more interesting.  I knew in the early games of Chip Kelly’s tenure as OC at Oregon there was a greater risk of QB injury with this guy calling the plays.  Probably one of the reasons Chip Kelly had success with running QB’s at Oregon and not so much success in the NFL is that league’s coaches are unwilling to risk their jobs by putting their franchise QB in harm’s way.

 

The Duck coaches deserve some glory for their transformation of Oregon football.

 

Have a joyous Thanksgiving day.

I think execution of the play was the issue.  In my eyes, Nix didn't sell the pass to make it a QB Draw instead of a run up the middle.  

 

The formation was familiar for a run on that play, but the safety stayed in the extended box, anticipating the run.  A simple delay, look to his right at the three receivers on that side would have frozen the safety enough to maybe get the first down.  

 

We don't know when players will get injured.  That was as much a fluke as Justin Herbert's against Cal( it didn't even look all ike Herbert got hurt  on the play).  

 

The call was the flip side of success.  If Nix converts or scores a TD, we wouldn't be having this conversation.  All plays are fifty- fifty chances of success ( a tribute to that is when the defense KNOWS the play,but can't stop it).  

[GameDay Thread versus Utah: Join Us!]

On 11/19/2022 at 9:39 PM, jrw said:

Don't understand. How did that play show a lack of killer instinct?

It's the pattern I'm talking about.  Utah should be done.  But plays like that show up out of the blue, andow and behold, the team OBD should kill, gets back in the game.  

 

That kind of play changes momentum far too much.  And it was constant in the Cristobal era.  

[GameDay Thread versus Utah: Join Us!]

I really don't think that fumble touchdown was on the coaches.  There just seems to be a too many players from the Cristobal era that are mental mush when it comes to killer instinct.

 

I have never seen so many unforced errors as I've seen since Cristobal came to Eugene.  How many changes in momentum will we see with his players?  

 

 

[Lanning, Players Convey Confidence in Backup QBs if Bo Nix Can't Go]

On 11/16/2022 at 3:16 PM, latracey said:

Kris Hutson gave a post practice interview shown on 247 Sports Duck Territory where he actually said Bo is down so it’s the next man up, and then talked about how much confidence he has in Ty Thompson successfully leading the team. My fingers are crossed that this is part of Lanning’s gamesmanship to fake out Utah, but I don’t know…

 

Hutson also suggested he faked his injury and it was just part of the game plan to give Oregon a few more seconds last Saturday night. Yikes !!

I'm not really concerned about the offense. How many points does Utah want to score?

 

Frankly, without Bo, it's a matter of how much they want to humiliate OBD. 

 

Usually I am verbose beyond patience.  But OBD haven't been good in pass coverage since 2019.  

 

And it's not the coaches.  These players are simply horrible.  If I were a WR, I'd be mad at my QB/DC if I didn't get career stats against OBD. 

[GameDay Thread versus Washington: Join Us!]

Well, it's really hard to win 24 in a row.  Didn't think about that until the game started. But to lose to the FUSKIES really sucks.  

 

And after all this drama, it comes down to a PAC12 ref( you know, the conference of champions kind of ref).  

 

Oh I really want this conference to die.  Too many times refs have cost us titles, and playoff appearances. 

 

 

[GameDay Thread versus Washington: Join Us!]

On 11/12/2022 at 6:51 PM, kirklandduck said:

The pass coverage is absolutely terrible. An open receiver on virtually every play right now.

Too many DCs are struggling with coverage rules according to the type of formation they face.  LB coverage as a support to the secondary is not values enough.  

 

That's one thing Kirby Smart has been excellent at.  He does have the players, but he isn't afraid to be aggressive against aggressive offenses.  His safeties close natural windows pre snap.  His LBs almost always close gaps because they are in position according to guess ehat- coverage rules and responsibilities.

 

Safeties and LBs are pivotal is forcing QBs to hold the ball. A QB should not have quick options.  LBs and Safeties make that happen.  If I had time, I'd go through a plethora of examples.  In fact, I'd send them to coaches.  Too many coaches misuse their LBs and Safeties in pass coverage .

 

Boy if I got paid for showing how to do it (I obviously have thought a lot about this). 

[GameDay Thread versus Washington: Join Us!]

One thing I Like about Dilly is he takes his time uncovering weaknesses in defenses.  He felt out how UW's DL pressured Nix, and has adjusted accordingly. 

 

We've always known we can run in teams (Georgia didn't stop us), but it's the adjustment against Hurries that I'm impressed with.  Passes are quicker, deep routes are timed better (something Nix and Dilly CLEARLY have worked on-and to Nix's strength -inside the hashes). 

 

On defense, I still think Dorlus is more of a force inside.  Especially at pash rush.  And if course, Hill just covered the wrong WR when he's supposed to force the underneath pass (the route he covered instead of bracketing the post route). 

 

Who teaches these guys cover responsibility?  Safeties always focus on deep routes first.  ANOTHER example of looking at the QB instead of the guy you should find and cover.  The focus is taking away options, not guessing where the QB will throw the ball. 

 

Man, I should have studied football in college.  There should be a degree for this since coaches are making millions.

[GameDay Thread versus Washington: Join Us!]

So, I've said time and again linebackers need to cover the man, not the QB.  #2 Johnson just demonstrated my point.  He goes to the flat to take away an out route.  The TE slides inside and Penix hits him for a 1D.  If Johnson finds the TE instead, he takes away that option.

 

I am not pleased with DCs that don't emphasize taking away options by getting their LBs to cover receivers.  Nobody can watch the QB and find the guy they are supposed to cover.

[Kliavkoff Believes Pac-12 Will ‘Catch’ Big Ten, SEC in Media Revenue?]

I just don't get it.  Sans the LA schools, their well know brands, UW and Oregon are going to pull national interest to the degree Ohio State, Michigan AND USC does?  And thus Garner media contracts worth nearly 1Billion dollars a year?

 

Or let's say, 750 million dollars a year.  This, after ESPN offered far less?  Where is the additional 35 MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR going to come from?

 

Now if we were talking about the turn of the century, when the conference still prioritized football as part of it's academic reputation (and the conference routinely had five schools hovering near the top ten in rankings and ability), this conundrum would be a no brainer. 

 

But alas, the conference of champions in sports that cannot finance athletic budgets (nor the Academic prowess the conference presidents fancy themselves as), figures they are viable and worthy sports icons. 

 

Sounds like those participation trophies academia has been passing out the past two decades. In the real world, you EARN your worth.  We will certainly see what the conference has earned in value soon enough. 

[Is It Possible for Ducks to Reach CFB Playoffs?]

On 10/22/2022 at 6:50 PM, David Marsh said:

And the PAC doesn't exactly get much respect these days. 

 

But the only thing Oregon has control over right now is just winning their games. If it happens that would be great but if it doesn't that's just the way things are... 

 

I have a feeling it is going to be 2 SEC teams plus Ohio State right now. The fourth spot is a wild card... And I wouldn't be totally shocked if another SEC team sneaks in. 

If LSU could beat Bama...then it's Oklahoma State and Clemson to worry about.  We have to blow teams out the rest of the year, and tOSU or Michigan has to blow out the other (those two are probably going undefeated till they meet). Tennessee is lurking as a possibility as well. 

 

Those with the best shots to me as follows:

 

Georgia

Tennessee

Clemson 

Michigan

tOSU

Bama 

 

Outside looking in:

 

Oklahoma State 

TCU

USC

UCLA 

OBD 

 

An expanded playoffs would look good with just these ten.  I'm not a fan of two or three loss teams.  But expansion is going to make teams relax during the season.

 

I hope teams like that get blown to Pluto when expansion happens.  Hopefully it forces teams to value winning every game.  

 

I'd even consider forgiving  the elitist PAC12 Presidents if they start to respect and prioritize football like they should (CEOs never ignore ten percent of their revenue stream- they'd get fired. They aren't held to account, and that ticks me off).  

 

Win out.  That's the focus I hope OBD are looking towards.  One blowout at a time.

[Is It Possible for Ducks to Reach CFB Playoffs?]

I'm really hoping OBD run the table and face/ defeat tOSU again, but in the  Rose Bowl.

 

It would take Michigan blowing out the Buckeyes again, and an undefeated Clemson to make that happen.

 

If it does, that would be an awesome outcome after being exposed as a "pretender" early in the season.  Not to mention, back to back victories over the most marquee team available would be a statement the college football nation would not ignore. 

 

13-1... redemption...giving tOSU  a second loss, but this time on the grandest stage we could acquire after that horrible loss: priceless 

 

One can only dream.

[Is Brandon Dorlus Increasing His NFL Stock?]

Is it just me, or does anyone else think Brandon Dorlus is an interior line specialist instead of a defensive end?

 

I have seen a serious drop in production from him.  He s looks out of position often, and hasn't really been an impact to me this season.

 

In years past, he was a beast inside.  I'm just not impressed with Dorlus this year.  Am I want off base here? 

 

I'm seeing a "Fat Mac" kind of mistake moving him to DE so he could raise his NFL stock.  He definitely has not created many havoc plays like he used to.  

 

I'm curious to hear your opinions about Brandon Dorlus. 

[OBD Prediction Contest vs. UCLA!]

UCLA

35-31

1 TO 

0 Sacks 

230 Pass Yards 

 

 

[Dalton Kincaid Controversy]

I don't want to sound too sarcastic here. But I sure don't know many one hundred employee companies where the employees make 59 k a year, their direct bosses make 159k to 300k, the next level management makes at least a mil, and the big boss makes 5-10 million. 

 

I don't see millions of people cheer regular front line employees either.  For their forty hour a week plus efforts to generate a  world class product.  It just doesn't happen often.  

 

Some sixty institutions are doing exactly that.  I'm not socialist, but in the entertainment industry, the front line players get paid handsomely because they generate Billions in revenue. 

 

Sound familiar?  

 

The players create memories we hold dear the rest of our lives.  They generate value few people could even dream of creating.  

 

Do I want a bunch of prima Donna boys hoisting their lifestyles? No.  But those boys do things we couldn't do in if we tried a million times.  We cherish the moments.  We spend hours a week talking about it.  How many of the other 15,000 regular students in Eugene do that?  

 

So why are we complaining about the recruitment of some of the finest moments a human being will experience?  Those kids wouldn't create such memories if they practiced five hours a week, watching no film, and spending no time getting bigger stronger and faster.  

 

I haven't seen one intramural stud make plays on Sports Center.  I never will.  He doesn't work as hard as these student athletes do.  He doesn't sacrifice the college experience the regular students relish in.  

 

That has value we want to out a ceiling on.  Yet expect world class performances.  

 

I didn't use to feel this way about it. But we didn't see NFL type money being thrown around at the college level till recently either.  

 

Is it proper that colleges try to breach contracts signed? No.  But are these contracts a reflection of the value these kids bring to life these days?  Nope. 

 

There is a balance between what we want, and what reality is these days.  The industry is a multi Billion Dollar Enterprise.  It isn't Kansas with Toto.  

[How Do You Take This Dan Lanning Quote?]

Road warriors focus on the task at hand.  Cried noise probably ticks them off.  Makes them want to silence the crowd even more.  And when they are the type of team that can, they will.  

 

Hostile crowds are road kill as far as road warriors are concerned.  Killer instinct teams drop nuclear bombs on crowds. Silence them forever.  Pete Carroll and his USC henchman are a great example.  They sent many home crowds home early.

 

Lanning understand this.  A determined team wants to punish home crowds. I want OBD to play like that.  Play like an assassin.  Even if it's on Mars.

[What If Ducks Hadn't Played Georgia? Jon Wilner Explains Impact]

I disagree with this notion.  I'm thinking the money movers on Vegas are all over this six points.  UCLA has a real shot at winning this game.  Even though this is only their second road game.

 

OBD are Mulligan men.  They will need to play flawlessly to win this one.  We are about to see a much better test than WSU.   As we now see, WSU looks like they based their entire season on OBD.  They have thuded back to reality.

 

Can't wait to see what our Oregon men do this week.

[Oregon Has to Go to the B1G!]

On 10/15/2022 at 3:50 PM, Charles Fischer said:

As I wrote in another thread....

    
Let's see how it all shakes out between 1) the new media contract and 2) a separate streaming contract.  That, and 3) the ability to get more the bowl/playoff money from our conference, (if you are the team going) and 4) the increased split for the Pac-12 from the new Playoff Contract.

 

Way too early to predict our demise IMHO, as those are four major elements that affect our future that are yet to be known.

 

The arrogance the Presidents displayed warrants relegating then to the academic prowess they believe they are..

 

I want my pound of flesh.  They ignored the one sport that covers the entire athletic department's finances. Conference wide. 

 

USC is an Academic Power.  They prioritize both their athletic and academic reputation, as they should.

 

The conference should suffer the consequences accordingly.  Let them draw their Rhoades Scholars.  They deserve Academic Trophies. That's exactly where they belong. 

[Do the Beavers Have a Superior Defense to the Ducks?]

On 10/16/2022 at 9:16 AM, Charles Fischer said:

In terms of the eyeball test...I am forced to conclude it, and it is a bitter pill to swallow.  Their defensive backs play tighter, and their pass rush is MUCH better than Oregon's...despite the star ratings of Oregon players, and all the experience in the front seven of the Ducks.

 

Giving up only 17 to USC, and now only 10 to Washington State?  Geez.  Between the regular season and the bowl game...the Beavers have a real shot at 10 wins this year!

 

And if they had an experienced savvy QB like a Bo Nix, a Cam Rising or a DTR....they would be scary, IMHO.

 

 

TT

Well Utah dropped 42 on little brother.  I'm not sold the damn builders are all that. They yielded 27 to Stanford as well.

 

And suffice it to say, USC, you know the defense we expected WSU to shred, held the  "powerful" Cougars to 14. 

 

Thus, I am not convinced Oregon State is anything but Ordinary on Defense.  

 

I'm not saying OBD can stop anybody lethal. Heck I'm worried about UCLA right now.  I do "know" this: I expect OBD to shred little brother.  I'd be offended if they didn't.

 

Kool Aide Mike has spoken.

[What Mario Did Right: Alex Forsythe]

On 10/9/2022 at 1:18 PM, Mic said:

It would be real easy (too easy) to pine for what might have been if Mario had been merely the Offensive line coach and someone like Lanning the HC when Justin Herbert was here.  I have to block that from my mind and just say "It wasn't meant to be."  But that's easier said than done.

We had that.  The coach was Willie Taggert.  The offense was the Gulf Coast Offense.  And it was unstoppable.

 

In fact Justin Herbert (on bad days) was the only the person that did stop that offense ( injury and a very bad day of throwing to defenders he was looking directly at). 

 

And if you doubt that, look at the highlights from 2017.  It was the only time Herbert played at Oregon like he does today.  

[Report Card: Ducks Turned in Their Most Complete Game in Arizona]

On 10/9/2022 at 11:29 AM, Just Ducky said:

 The team as a whole seemed to be in focus. Very few penalties. 

 

 Credit here goes to the coaching staff getting the message to the players in practice.

 

 No 1 for me is the play of Bo Nix. He is in total control of the offense and he is like having another coach on the field. He seems to have a calming effect on the whole offense. 

 

 If we can get a guy like Bo to have the same effect on our defense then look out.

I liken this team to Luke Skywalker at the beginning of The Empire Strikes back. They are learning the ways of the force, but are still impetuous enough to leave before they finish their training.

 

It takes major focus to reach the level of "Yoda,Obi Wan, Qui Gon and Mace Windu".  Those were Jedi a nation would fear.  Like Georgia, and the Alabama teams of years past... The 2001 Miami Hurricanes.  

 

I'm greedy.  But patient.  This team is possible top ten material.  But they are not Jedi yet.

 

It's more fun now. But it's obvious this team is going through growing pains.  

[Mario Food for Thought]

On 10/9/2022 at 2:37 PM, Charles Fischer said:

I will allow anyone to post their opinions in all directions, and I personally will continue to make reference to Mario because:

 

1) It is fun,

2) It is entertaining.

3) It makes me grateful-as-hell that he is gone.

 

 

 

The very best move Mario made was going back to Miami.  He got exposed a season earlier than I expected, but we all know we dodged a massive bullet when he refused our contract offer.

 

It is ironic when you think about it.  Both Mario and the Snake had the talent to land  OBD in the title game again. Both walked right in to own demise instead.

 

It won't happen this year. Probably not next. But if Dan Lanning is as good as he seems to be, OBD may end up right back to 2007.  With enough talent to actually win the Natty. 

 

Thank you Mario Cristobal.  For being who you are as a coach.  And relinquishing control of OBD to someone who might actually have the ability to finish what Brooks, Bellotti, and PK started. 

[Who Do We Root For? UCLA or UTAH?]

On 10/5/2022 at 1:57 PM, DUCati855 said:

I do not believe it would be another 49-3 blow out. But, (I feel) the Ducks would get beat by at least two scores by Alabama, Georgia, or Ohio State. I'd rather see that happen to Clemson.

 

Then the Ducks would likely play (and beat) Michigan in the Rose Bowl. 

 

Season end ranking would be #4. This allows us to recruit against anyone in the nation.

 

I have said it before. The next two years will be when DL's Ducks will shine.

 

Again... my thoughts. I respect yours.

Right now I'm not sure this team can overcome the mulligans they're giving ordinary teams.  Michigan ( and just about every other tier two Big Ten team like Penn State) would gladly take those gifts and rout us like Oklahoma did last year. 

 

I too would rather get smoked in the playoffs than in the Rose Bowl.  The optics of a beatdown in Pasadena wouldn't look good to highly talented sophomores in high school (they're far too shallow to have the kind of vision to recognize an emerging Oregon as a potential powerhouse with DL in 3-4 years). 

 

Potential gets people fired.  Performance gets people driving bonuses.  Let's see OBD perform instead of hope they'll reach their potential.

[AP & Coaches Polls...Look at the Comparison]

On 10/2/2022 at 1:53 PM, Charles Fischer said:

It also gets back to our current goals and expectations.  For Oregon to be No. 12 right now with the butt-kicking we took from Georgia...I am counting my blessings!

 

When I look at the usual cabal of Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State and Clemson...I don't see Oregon busting through those for a Playoff spot.

 

But I do think it is possible to end in the top-ten, and if Oregon did that in Lanning's first year?

 

We should feel lucky.  I can think of several teams behind them that might embarrass them. OBD are good, but not top 15 good.  

 

Clemson will have to lose twice now to get eliminated.  They are living on last decade's accomplishments right now ( a complete shadow of those awesome teams).  

 

Utah would give Clemson a run for the money had they finished off Florida.  USC can lose one, and the media would hype them.  Man I hope we face them undefeated and just obliterate them.  

 

But, I fear another loss or two is coming. And to think, I just bragged OBD would decide the fate of the conference.  Talk about embarrassing myself!!!

 

Sometimes Green and Yellow Kool Aide is simply irresistible.

[I am Surprised at the Wolfing and Showboating...Are You?]

On 10/2/2022 at 1:29 PM, PittDuck said:

Never have cared for it.  Especially when it is a defensive back  jumping around like a sap when he didn't do anything to make the play, the receiver dropped it or the QB missed the throw.

 

I long for the days of “give the ball to the ref and move on to the next play.”

Gonzalez is horribly consistent at it.  Especially when he makes plays 

 

For as disappointing this team has been ( sloppy, chaotic, undisciplined, and leaving months of food on the table) I just want them to play and shut up.  

 

In high school, we had to eat a week old hot dog for showboating.  Our film guy zoomed in on it and we laughed boisterously every week.  We even looked for tiny things.  

 

This team could use many a crusty dog right now. 

[Washington State Could Determine the Conference Champion?]

On 9/27/2022 at 9:46 AM, Wrathis said:

Then let me be clear: if the fate of the conference goes through OBD and Wazzu won't spoil it for anyone, then our defense better get their $hi* together b/c giving up 41 points to conference rivals isn't going to get it done.

Absolutely.  Talk about growth.  The unit we thought would excel isn't.