DanLduck

This is why the hiring of headcoach DL was so big, defense. We will need a very good defense to win the north. (And as Charles has said many times, more than 40 points a game.) WSU will pass alot. OSU will run alot. We need to be stout up front and quick on the back end. The portal has really changed how fast a team can turn things around, at least on paper. The key will be how well all the new pieces play together. This will separate who the better coaches/programs are. What schools will have the best "team culture". Football is still very much a team sport. It should be very entertaining to watch it all unfold.

Update: Andrew Boyle, a transfer from WSU, will be on campus for fall practice. He is a "big leg" kicker to challenge Camden Lewis but can also fill in as a punter. So maybe now we will have 2.

Walk-on punter Will Hutchison has entered the portal. He was the only punter in the spring game. He was impressive! He had 2 kicks over 60 yards and was able to change his style and keep it out of the endzone. I know it's not the most important position, but a good punter is a great sneaky weapon to have. Scholarship punter Tom Snee is away from the program currently, for undisclosed reasons. I guess we didn't have a schollie to offer. Here's hoping Snee comes back. I want our special teams this year to be, well, special.

So now we will have 6 scholarship players as RB's and 2 walk-ons. Seems like a lot.

Hey, they all got a contract and a chance to make a team. Good for them. They also all had to know that each needed to make improvements. So now it's really up to each of them. Sometimes it's just too hard to wait for that thing you want so badly. I wish them well.

He seems like such of a real deal. You can't help but want to hope he has success. Specially cuz I'm a die-hard Duck fan!! Seriously, I hope we have a long and wonderful relationship with coach Lanning and his family. Starting this Saturday! Go Ducks!! Who all is planning to go this sat?

Clear (mostly) mid 60's, and expecting a big crowd. Bringing back older star players, track, soccer, baseball, softball, all on campus same day. Someone was thinking outside the box! Go Ducks!

Tucker and others aren't listed until they are enrolled in classes. Won't be till summer.

What a great get for Eugene. Better make room reservations now!! Definitely be a busy weekend!

I think Oregon's trap game is WSU. It's a home game for the Cougars who will be out in huge numbers, excited to take us down. We have often struggled on that field. And it follows the BYU game, a possible let down on the road? Mark it down, Sept. 24, will be one tough major battle.

What a great quote, "when you get up to that level (NFL) you got to be a grown a** man and be able to move a guy off a point". Love it. And again, "I want to be able to impose our will on the defense". We've heard that before, but, somehow I believe it more. We'll see. Mr. Fishduck, you must be so excited to see changes in our O-line. I bet you wish you could suit up!

CK worked his tail off to improve and is still doing that. He worked in Oregon last off season. I'm hoping these PWO do the same, work their buttons off and make not just themselves, but the whole team better!

I love all these solid 3☆ PWO the Ducks are bringing in. That's like 6 or 7 now. These guys have the desire and can be counted on to really work hard in practice, which will push others to keep working hard. We got us some smart coaches.

I know nothing of the encouraging part. I was thinking about the idea of family including all, and how family comes first. That we do all together because success is experienced by all, as all contribute. That love of family and responsibility for family encourages a giving of all you got.

Instead of "culture", I wish they would use the Polynesian word, Ohana. What we mean by culture is work ethic, team support and encouragement, obeying coaches, believing in the game plan, believing in each other, and living off the field in a manner that is respectful of the logo on the jersey. What better word than ohana, family. Reaching deep to give a little more for your brother next to you, what better culture is there!

It is very impressive to me the number of preferred walk-ons the coaches are bringing in. And from all over, Tenn., CA, GA, and in state. They are wanting to play for these coaches. Nice. Very nice.

Have we ever had a year without injury to Olinemen? If he is this highly rated he will play and start when there is injury.

Maybe he did know!

I wish this meant he knew Conerly was coming aboard!

Barring injuries, I think WSU is the team to beat in the north. They have an experienced qb with the same new OC, and last year they were surprisingly good. I would rather lose to BYU than the Cougs. USC has too many new pieces. UCLA will finally have a good year and beat them. Utah wins the south. Oregon maybe gets 9 wins... and we better beat the Rodents!

I too would be willing to have a small part in a collective. It is the future. Post any info please.

Us "left coasters" can't understand the mentality of the south when it comes to football. Unless we've been there, lived there...can't grasp it. Filling up a stadium is the single most important metric of 'fan'aticism. We don't have it out west unless the team is winning. That said, fans don't play the game. But fans let their kids play football, and that leads to their development into blue-chip studs who play close to home, cuz, it just might mean more. Dillingham's comment has merit, but having such an immense recruiting backyard is certainly a key element. As others have so accurately pointed out, too many blue-chippers have headed east from out west. If U$C and Oregon can slow that tide, it will benefit most of the Pac12 because I think it will encourage more players to stay here (in the west). The $$ usc spent shows they want to be serious, finally. Will see if it pays off, or more importantly, rubs off on fellow conference mates.

That is really amazing! I wonder how many offers he already has?

Ah, racing stripes. Loved 'em. Still do. A very classic line. I had 'em everywhere: on my car, my rugby shirt, my denim cut-offs, even drew them on my Chuck Taylor's so I could run faster! Good choice Mr. FishDuck. I do enjoy our current arrangement of finding out on Thurs or Fri what uniforms they will be wearing. And I enjoy almost all the choices ( not pink and not orange socks!) but it's called a classic for a reason.

I don't think this is a good sign. He was a valued part of this team...why transfer? The portal is not a good thing.