DanLduck

Good point FishDuck. Will do my bestest to comply. The real issue, no football and nothing really to see in spring practice yet. As much as I like football, I dislike speculation and guessing. But onward and upward. Let's go Duckfriends! See you on the 23rd!

An "enhanced fan experience "?? Like maybe win a few home games!!!

We should refer to that Texas school as ATM!!

I think Pac12 is broadcasting the UCLA spring game that day?

I don't see him mentioning NIL at all. His logic is sound for his decision making, he would be learning a new offense anyway... ...but this is hard when he was such a popular player. I guess it's something we better get used to, players will come and go and we will have a new roster every year. TD gave us all he had when here, I have to not be selfish and wish him the best for his future and family. Thanks for sharing article. Also, if we are to accept transfers in as part of the family (see dudes from UW, Auburn, etc) then we have to be gracious if we lose some, at least in my humble opinion.

Nice thought, but no thank you. Too much risk of injury for meaningless game. Spring is already so limited as to time spent with coaches, learning the offense or defense, learning to play as a team. How would paying a team to play us, make $$ for the program? The canned food drive is also an important part of community relations. I do like it when it's team 1 against team 2 and not offense vs defense.

Thanks for the pics. Sure is a good looking stadium.

I agree with the 2010 team with one caveat, that 2014 team lost 10 or more starters to injury that year on both sides of the ball and still managed to make it to the final. Had we been more healthy...

Apparently that was his first number on his first team...who were called the Falcons!

I'm going with Ty. He has really beefed up.

I'm taking this as a good omen for our Ducks this year as we open the season in Atlanta. Maybe MM8 will be on the sideline and bring some good Hawaiian ju-ju. I'm glad to see him get another shot. I think the head coach was his OC in Tennessee one year. That was his best year there. Sure hope he does well...they need some better receivers. And stays healthy!

"Internal BS alert". Love it, and so true! It is awesome to hear players are buying in to the coach. Winning over upperclassmen is key also. They are the team leaders. Thanks Charles, this made my weekend. Looking forward to the 23rd. Can't wait!

Thanks Charles, that was some entertaining reading. Those fans are so delusional. It makes beating them that much more enjoyable.

I don't know if it means anything really, but Marcus signing with Atlanta has to be some kind of good omen for the Ducks playing in Atlanta first thing this coming season. Right?!

I know boosters have influence over coaches hiring and firing. I just was thinking about a blue-chip, big NIL kid not working out being the kids fault, not a coach. Clearly I have not been involved as a big $ donor! This will take a few years to settle out, maybe longer. In the meantime, some will do all they can to take advantage. I hope we can continue to have a quality product on the field. And as Charles so eloquently put it "keep winning" !!

Marcus reunites with his OC from his best season, 2016, who is now the head coach at Atlanta. This is the opportunity he needs to have a 2nd shot at being the starter. They need to draft a good receiver.

Let me add that unless it's the #1 booster of a school, no boosters will be able to fire a coach. In the pros, the owner is paying everyone. So he does have the say. High school kids are a bust often enough anyway, without NIL. I don't see coaches being terminated...but you never know.

I think it is the UT Longhorns paying O linemen. I don't see coaches losing influence over players. If a guy isn't performing, he won't play. Period. As this goes along, companies and boosters will require more specifics when handing out big cash. ROI will become an issue. This NIL will become more divisive in more ways than we can imagine.

It's 8 mill over 4 years. In reading his announcement as to why he chose UT, there was no mention of $$. Just a great program. Yeah, right!

I have zero evidence for this thought, but I'm wondering about the NIL giving individuals on teams a bigger sense of themselves. Both coaches of our basketball teams, Graves and Altman, at different times suggested players were not all buying in to the team plan. Could earning $$ based on NIL encourage players to try and beef up individual stats? We all get influenced by the voices we are listening to. I know we have come to expect more from both men and women's bball of late, and you can't win every year... ...but I don't recall ever hearing much from either coach about players bearing responsibility for losses. Usually the coach has taken the blame. It will be interesting to watch this as NIL continues. What are some of y'all thoughts on this?

I kinda agree. I think the word has become some kind of undefinable word to cover a myriad of intentions like work ethic, grit, determination, desire, teamwork, etc. It is easily over used and is such a big part of 'coach speak'. That said, it has its place for those who want to imagine they understand what is implied by its use. What other singular word can be used to cover a multitude of meanings.

Don't forget the year Darren Thomas was a freshman. He was 4th on the depth chart but had to come in against Boise St. in the 4th quarter. Almost led a total comeback!

The "stars" ratings don't measure intangibles like work ethic and desire. Too many kids work on physical skills that will yield higher measurables, thus a higher star rating. To me, 'ya gotta want it' often is more valuable than natural ability.

This is Jay B's 3rd year. Ty T, his 2nd. They know how to prepare and practice. They know these players better, so that's an advantage for route running. Bo has game experience, a key ingredient. The QB position requires leadership, thus maturity. I'm comfortable with any of these 3 leading us. Can't wait for spring game.

Thank you David. Great thoughts. Clearly you are so right about this simply being safety theater, like so many other things done these days. I was very disappointed when I read they weren't making any significant changes. My biggest gripes are 1. When the offensive player lowers his head 2. Incidental contact (like with KT) 3. And late hit flagrant fouls. They often throw a flag, but the guy stays in the game. Those also should be penalized like targeting. Those late hits often result in more injuries. Thanks again, great stuff.