Haywarduck

I want to comment Idaho is a pretty good team and our perspective should be we are playing against a team which can score points. The defense is going to have a challenge with this first game. Our offense will also be tested as many pieces are coming together for the first time for this contest. If we can keep this team under 20 and start the turnover ratio on our side that would be huge. I will be looking for qb pressures, sacks and turnovers caused. I want to see the beginning of the chaos we want to see this season. On offense I want to see which receivers have both chemistry with DG, but also who can't be stopped? Runs after the catch, YAC, and who closes the deal in the end zone. I also will be interested in watching the yardage after contact with our RB's. Lastly on offense we should be able to see our backup qb's, who plays, and how are they used? I want to see lots of players seeing action, and the pedal on the accelerator. Back-ups should be pressuring the qb, and the back-up qb's should be slinging it downfield. For dessert I want to see the first of many trick plays this season. We need teams knowing they don't know what we are going to do!

A teaching job, really, at USC, really, doesn't want to coach again, really? Actions speak much louder than words. Riley could go undefeated, not likely, and he would still be a dead man walking!

Hopefully last year was his new beginning, and what he shows going forward reflects his real potential, wish the young man all the best, class act!

For now it looks like Ty will start against SE Louisiana on the 29th. I wish him all the luck in the world and hope it continues to work out for him at Tulane. It does sound like the qb battle is still going on and he will need to make a good showing against the Lions to keep the spot. I hope he does and leads the team to a successful season. All the best to our Ducks and those who gave their best when they were here!

What I also enjoy is he goes after a student athlete like our recent recruit Dutch. He isn't the highest rated recruit, but Lanning sees something in this kid he likes. Dan is combining what we had before under Brooks and Bellotti, an eye for under appreciated recruit, and what the most recent coaches brought the ability to bring in the highly sought after recruits. I like the blend of recruits, transfers and the culture he is building. We don't have a mass exodus of recruits, too many senior transfers filling voids, and the competition on the team seems fierce, but collegial where everyone has a role. One might say, everything is on fleek!

You lost me once Canzano was followed by 'The Truth', but there were some good quotes from Lanning.

Until we see otherwise, the sc defense's bathrooms have no urinals.

Question of the day, "If there is a chance for DG to win the Heisman, how do we sit him in the 4th?" Quick answer, you blow out the team you're playing in three quarters. You also put up amazing stats in those three quarters. Lastly you go undefeated, or are impressive in each game. The big thing is DG is already in the hunt for the Heisman, and will be watched carefully. It won't be like he needs to play every minute so the pundits notice him. Few mistakes, and lots of productivity while on the field will add up to a Heisman season. Lastly winning the Heisman, or any award is secondary to the ultimate goal, win it all. Each player takes care of their time on the field and wins games! The Heisman usually goes to the best player on the best team, basically. We need to be the best team, Gabriel needs to be the best player and the rest will take care of itself. I would also say the sky will have fallen if somebody gets hurt and we don't have the next man up ready. We need everyone ready, who is able to contribute. This means sitting our qb and giving real minutes to the back-up. It also means resting some dominant players so they can be even more dominant when they are in there. I have faith Lanning has this figured out, and few things are going to trip him up on his way to......

I think his donations say it all. There are seminal moments in all of our journey's, The University of Oregon has had many for a lot of people. Somehow the dynamic at the University of Oregon is unique, and powerful. Some see it, and others mistake it for a quick step along the way.

I think the underlying energy, spirit of Oregon nullifies all the what ifs. The biggest question is what is that vitality and karma that makes up the Oregon magic? I would say number one is we take losers and make them winners, take the average and support them reaching their potential. Just look at Rich Brooks, never had a winning record anywhere and he is a legend, and should be. He hired a loser, who became a winner off Brooks foundation, Bellotti. Each hire built off the last, never have we hired looking for a savior. That is how we do it at the coaching level, and really foster everywhere. At the student athlete level we bring in talent, and make it better, sometimes astoundingly better. We allow for dreams to come true, we don't just bring in the talent and then expect great things. This spirit allowed a mediocre college runner to start a small shoe company. Allowed repeated less than elite level qb's to become legends at Oregon. I get all the what ifs, but it is the why that is important. We are successful because we are Oregon, and all that goes into that. Great article to ponder as we wait patiently for something real to happen!

While I at first questioned the impact of seniors on our program longterm, I tend to agree. If Gabriel pushes for, or gets the Heisman, our new DT's make some noise in the NFL draft then this will solidify our program as an A1 choice for elite transfers. The one two punch of developing recruits like Connerly and Matayo into what they came for while giving elite talent a place to polish their trade may be a modern day longterm recipe for success. If Jestin, Jordan, along with Ajani, and a couple receivers become to NFL talent, watch out. If our recruits fill in to give depth while building a strong culture then Lanning may have a new blueprint other programs will try to copy. This approach to putting together a team just might be more impactful than the hurry up offense was under Chip. We all know every offense has a kryptonite, not sure what Lanning is building has an antidote. All I know is I want to take a bite of this recipe soon. It looks so enticing, tasty and full of promise!

I'm just worried about getting on the cover of SI, if that is still a thing? Do they just produce a swimsuit issue now?

Chip popularized the concept of next man up, which continues to this day with Lanning. The depth he has, especially at DB should provide no drop off, and many of the positions are the same. What Lanning is bringing is the concept of reloading. If you have a first round qb get drafted, bring in next years Heisman favorite. Get beat by your rival bring in their best DB. We now have next man up and move on over. Just keep the train running at a high level while keeping all the feathers from getting ruffled. A pretty astounding situation is occurring with our new Ducks. It use to be one injury and the season was over, you had one pretty good player and the recruiting at that position was done. We now have a new era, of depth, recruiting, transfers which is never over until we are at a position of talent seldom, if ever, seen, Love It!

Love the exposure on the Islands these games give our Ducks. It is a long flight, but I think the student athletes like the trip too. Hopefully our ties to the Hawaiian culture and players on the Islands stay strong, love our Poly players!

I have always liked the things in players that aren't always measurable. Who gets the most NIL money, who was the highest rated high school player, who got #1 on his jersey and who is number one preseason don't matter as much once the whistle blows. It is who is playing the smartest between whistles, and after. It is who is playing 110% all the way through the play. It is who is jacking every player on the field up to play his best. Those are the things that add up to a special season. Freaks and too many measurables are like empty calories. Too many of these and you just get fat. We need meat, and potatoes out of the field playing hard and smart. Can't wait until that first whistle so I can look beyond this freak, preseason, recruiting show that has been going on too long!

Another great article, I am in love with my Ducks and my Doodles. The one thing my canines have always taught me is there is always hope. For you Darren, there is hope, for our Ducks there is hope too. If you could handle somebody calling things gross burgers, then you, my Duck friend, are a real find. I would say the one thing to remember this season is there is still hope. Whether we are up, down, just won, just lost, with a 12 team playoff, it ain't over.

Agree, I don't ever want to see our DB's line up 15 yds deep on a 3rd and 10 again! Some of the elements of the Allioti defense shouldn't be necessary with the talent level we have under Lanning/Lupoi. I don't think this is what Charles is looking for either. I want Havoc, not have another first down!

Love it, 'never in doubt' and I agree bring on the Havoc! How it happens is up for debate, but I want havoc.

His why is unlike most and what drives quite a few to the elite level. Sometimes you need that extra inspiration to reach the top. I loved Mike Tyson's quote about his kids wanting to box. He said you are not going to be boxers. You box because you have to, because you need to in order to get ahead, survive. Sometimes in order to become great at these warrior positions you have to have that extra edge, a different why. Great article on the background of a young man who has a why that is completely different than mine. I'll be rooting for this guy. While I can't relate to his background, I have extreme respect for his journey.

They don't get us, but they got Riley. That is probably the root of the problem with their fan base not liking much about Oregon. Those I have met with a connection to Nebraska are just solid people. I look forward to our Ducks teaching them more about the real Oregon Football Program.

Yikes, I would rather see my weakness than have it, unexpectedly, rear it's ugly head. Wait, it's Friday, that is great news!

Slick and MariØ bargained for all they could get. They are a great example about what is wrong with trying to maximize money, rather than looking at integrity, loyalty and doing the hard work to build something. I say you go after the Gonzo's, Muhammud's and players who have shown they can play at the elite college level with solid NIL money. High school kids are a big gamble to put too much money towards. Do what we did with Lanning, go after potential and a track record for integrity. Pay him big once he proves himself. That is what fits the Oregon way. I think it also destroys the teams culture when you bring in a high school kid with big money. Oregon has shown that if you come you can make the NFL. If you come the program will take care of you. We don't need to be the program that pays more than anyone else. Leave that for other programs. Pretty much anytime it becomes all about money, or money becomes the most important thing, it ends poorly.

Respect and gratitude is already building to a high level at Oregon for Dan Lanning. Most the coaches who are named next to Lanning will be kicked to the curb by their university once they struggle. The reason Lanning is staying is he knows this is a unique opportunity to become the best coach possible, and the legend part, just part of the story. I would say the legendary chapters are to come, and Lanning will fit into a nice piece of the greats of Oregon.

I would say historically we have had NFL talent at TE, which was under used, didn't lack talent. I think the trend continues, but that has been the way our offense works, or doesn't work. We have had more TE's in the NFL than receivers, by far. The position we seldom have NFL talent is the big uglies. Again we have 4 star recruits, but I don't see the NFL snooping around the middle of our defense. This is a huge weakness historically. We have great effort guys, but no difference makers since the Bellotti days. This is a trend we need to stop. The weakest position historically, post Bellotti, and continues is DT.

We want student athletes who are 110% in. If they are shopping themselves around, undecided about being part of the Oregon program, then good riddance. The game of football is like tug of war, we don't need guys watching, thinking that looks cool. We need guys who want, demand to get ahold of the rope and work as a team. When the derecuiting process begins a guy like Sharma won't rise up. We need guys who will rise up past where they are, and past where they think they can ever be.