Haywarduck

I can agree asleep, but just seems to be on the snooze button. Can't wait to see George get up and do something to help the Pac-12. I get it he wants to get a feel for the conferences needs, but it is time to make something happen. The low hanging fruit is the 8 game conference schedule, get it done George! The 8 game switch is just waiting to be flipped.

The kicker, punter and long snapper are an important job, and skill. It is also very critical and programs which don't prioritize the position are punished. These positions have their own camps, and coaches. Parents, probably play the scholarship game harder for these kids then just about any position other than qb. Affluent white kids go to these camps to get scholarships and positions on football teams. Programs then feed off these camps, and suffer and thrive. Some thrive when they can find an elite kicker out of the camps. Others suffer when they rely too much on the camps recommendations and then don't coach up a kicker. I think the other way is to find a Kattleman, and coach him up. The NFL is littered with ex-soccer players who took up kicking. No camp, just years of practice, refocused on football. As far as more scholarships for these positions I am not sure about that. I think it is just another way of providing competition between programs. If we give more scholarships the elite will just get more of the 5* talent. I think the 85 scholarship limit has been one of the better rules the NCAA created. If we mess with that then the big boys will just rule even more. I do think you bring up a great subject. Some programs see the importance of their special teams. Others it seems it is an after thought. I think Oregon's special teams suffered under Cristobal. These positions, and the special teams weren't a priority to the tough guy football Mario wanted to play. This is another area it will be interesting to watch Lanning take over. I hope he wants to be elite in this area too, and makes it a priority.

Sorry for screaming but,

I think Chip was destined to define the Peter principle. Anyone who is as cocksure, arrogant and self assured was going to end up underperforming. I also agree he was magic in a bottle we had the privilege to see. I would add Bellotti was the one who let the magic out. He could've stayed and never let it happen at Oregon. Another item we should appreciate about Bellotti, maybe he is worth that PERS payment! Curiosity is the secret sauce often missing from an older coach, and something Saban looked like he lacked. Saban ended up surprising many with his ability to shift, and embrace something Cristobal, undoubtedly won't ever be able too. You have to be able to be critical, accept criticism and adapt. Cristobal can't accept criticism, really think critically or adapt. He wants what was, and fortunately his alma mater also wants that, and think he will bring them there. Sorry for the Cristobal rants, but I don't think many really see who he really is, an elite recruiter with weaknesses as wide as the Mississippi is at its' mouth.

Isn't that the truth! Too often an experience or a way of thinking glosses over a weakness, and it is never addressed. Either that or their strength becomes a shield to facing the reality of a weakness. I think youth can sometimes allow for really facing a weakness, and not being afraid to look at things with a critical eye. I hope that is Lanning's super power, because he is going to need some super powers. I can tell you his shtick resonates with me, in a much more sincere way than the previous two coaches, some more truth!

It has been gone over many times what was Mario's kryptonite. Number one was game management. This became evident early on. The offensive deficiencies which were becoming evident, could always be played off as just needing more time, his guys, the right qb. In the end it was obvious Mario is an amazing coach, but his kryptonite was too strong and plentiful to really get a team over the hump. Helfrich's kryptonite was blindingly evident too. He couldn't lead a team or recruit. The program was destined to continue to go down hill, and it came to an end. There was another coach whose kryptonite was so multifaceted I won't even go into it. Chip's kryptonite, was sadly, really just his aloofness. Not about football, but many of the things a coach needs to do to be successful. He didn't recruit well, manage alumni, or really know how to put or keep together a staff. He was another one of our greats, but his time was, also destined to come to an end at Oregon. This brings us to Lanning. It will be interesting to see what his Kryptonite is. Youthful mistakes may slow him down, but I wonder if he has a flaw which will hold him back. I tend to think he will have too many strengths which will mask any kryptonite flaws. In the end we all have flaws and it is all about how we work through them, problem solve. I tend to think his youthfulness and curiosity will allow him to reach even higher than any coach we have had. There will be kryptonite moments, but I think Lanning will be able to put them into a box and not allow it to be his downfall. At least that is my hope!

Bingo, some coaches don't start the GOAT because they can't see the greatness. Other's don't recruit the best talent, because they rely on recruiting services, false pretenses or just don't want that dynamic. It will be interesting to see what Lanning is able to see, develop and then who he picks. The previous leader had a different view than what was communicated, and then put on the field. I could definitely see an extremely talented qb languishing behind Cristobal's criteria. I hope the men on the bench continue to have patience, the future looks bright!

I hope we don't see too many of Machiavelli's ideas, but I agree, a new staff is warranted. I also hope we aren't seeing the Peter Principle again. I think the gamble on Lanning is exactly what the Oregon Football Program is all about. We aren't about settling for an assistant. We also aren't about going backward, or copying what has already been done. It is an exciting time again. I love it! Hope is winning over fear, the gamble is winning over the staid way, uncertainty and innovation is, freshly, what the Oregon Football Program is defined as, and the others are afraid, again!

Alabama knows how to recruit, develop, scheme and now use the portal. Everyone else is just playing catch up. Even when programs think they have caught up, they end up getting run over.

Those who criticize, like that.

Either prosecute him for crimes, or step away. This idea a 'governing body' can be judicious in their decisions is flawed at best. Alberto was a legend, it is too bad that legend is being tarnished by bureaucrats. If he is guilty, then throw the book at him. Simply having a group of individuals become an echo chamber isn't justice. It will be interesting to see how PK allows this to end.

Back when we recruited based on potential, and the 'it' factor, not just the star factor. Time to, again, see potential arrive and develop, something sorely lacking, but I have hope again! My trust was damaged, but I am beginning again, hopefully the talent onboard is too!

My trust is in Lanning, who has a plan. He has stated he has a little notebook where he has been making notes on how he wants to put this team of coaches together. We are seeing this in action now. It isn't just a reaction, where someone is caught off guard, and now has to create a vision of what they want. Lanning has been planning this all along. My bet is he also has a list of potential transfers he wants, and recruits he wants too. All we can do now is wait and watch. We can wonder too, but until there is smoke, from a festering fire at the Oregon Football Program I will hold back my criticism. I just have optimism about the potential of the future, and each coach and athlete is part of that expectation, until proven otherwise.

What Cristobal built was an amazing group of players and potential, much like a colt waiting to run. What he produced was an amazing group of players with little production, or really development, much like a castrated, throttled stallion. The production is exactly what Mario wanted and what Miami will see. Mario wants to hit a team in the mouth and see how they react. What we saw was our team didn't always want to hit the other team and when it did the other team wasn't intimidated. Especially with our offensive output, and with the injuries to our defense. We also saw qb play where he too often led the team in running plays. Mario's latest qb recruit at Miami is a perfect match for AB. Marios loves the predictable power game. He really wants all the players to be more like an offensive lineman, or basic packhorse. Fortunately we have stallions in the barn waiting to run, one even took off because it couldn't wait any longer. We have qb's who can pass and run when needed. We have receivers who can catch and run. We also have a RB who might turn out to be one of our best. Their skills weren't a priority to use under Cristobal, he just wanted them to become what he wanted, not what they were able to become. Mario didn't just sell us on a high scoring offense and then turn to a power game. He brought in high skill guys and then had them sit, and under use their skills. This new coaching staff is extremely fortunate to arrive with the cupboard full, the barn full of stallions just waiting to be used, find out their potential. I think the transfer is great, more competition, and a player who can nurture the talent to a new system. One problem with new coaches is transferring knowledge to the players. When you have a player who already knows what to do, what is expected, getting others onboard is easier. Nix is the perfect conduit to ready our talent to the new offense. The problem in the past has been too little talent at RB, WR and a lack of creativity to use the talent we had. We have the talent at RB, WR and at QB and I hope we now have a staff which knows and wants to use it properly. While I think the transfer portal is going to be a very useful tool going forward the most critical change will be the scheme all the players at Oregon will see used. We no longer will have a predictable, power game. We are very fortunate we no longer have a coach who wants to castrate, and then stifle our stallions. It is time to train the stallions to run to their potential, each different potential. Let Mario lead his team of geldings, while Oregon, again, turns their colts into workhorses they were all meant to be without altering their abilities, for fear of where that potential may lead. I really do think Mario was full of fear, and nervousness when faced with what an unleashed innovative squad could do. Lanning is full of boldness and has the audacity to lead this program to where it was headed and will again! We have the steeds just waiting to be lead, the time is now, Go Ducks!

I wonder, if we were playing in the Sun Bowl against Miami and Miami had two head coaches on the field, would that be a fair game? I suppose we have to trust McClendon is just helping Oregon out as best he can. I have said it before, I just don't like how it looks. What isn't funny is he is making the same statements guys make when they have already made a decision, but don't want to talk about it. This one is especially convincing. "The thing that is frustrating is I haven't even thought about it as much as some people have." I'm not sure who looks worse, McClendon, Mullens, or I hope Oregon doesn't look too bad on the 29th.

If I had to choose between Mario and my wife, who knows nothing about football, to help call a game, I would choose my wife. With Joe it was choosing a job where he was going to make less than half what he was making or working with Mario, and he chose the pay cut. Miami had the choice of Mario at twice what he was getting paid or continue with a guy with integrity and talent, they chose Mario. I feel fortunate, Joe feels fortunate, Miami feels fortunate, all is good, but watch out!

He is putting his team together so he can have the best cooperative group reaching a jointly agreed upon goal. Without his guys a finely tuned team of coaches isn't going to happen. My take is Cristobal had a finely tuned recruiting team of coaches. From the penalties, lack of execution, to the erratic play, I don't think he had the team of coaches on the same page come game day. Lanning is putting together a cadre of coaches who will adhere to his goals and the culture he wants. As a young guy it is critical he has his guys, and no lone wolves amongst the staff. It is an interesting time to see the staff put together, lots of moving parts. I always loved Big Joe, but this is big business and how the coaching world works. I can imagine Joe will land firmly on the ground in his next position. Thank you Big Joe and all the best!

The uncle you hope your kid listens too, not just the one the kid is pulled toward. We have all had those type of uncle figures!

Thank you, my wife says I bring passion and stories, sometimes too much of both. It is nice to have an outlet where these attributes aren't seen as too over the top, which I have to be careful about, otherwise. Talking to Charles, our wife's, friends often echo what we hear about our writing on FishDuck. Some of us have to shift a little our over the top passion, or just way of expressing ourselves to fit in within the rules. Something we should all be aware of when reflecting on what we write. I know my passion can be too cutting, at times. I have to watch how hard I come across, a good exercise to better myself. I really wanted to write Cristobal is a lying ass, but I knew that is too over the top.

A quick story about the underdog creating the superstar, I think is warranted. A friend of mine was in foster care and was living a very rough life. A family with an elite athlete, who had little motivation decided to adopt him. The two boys became the perfect match. The son went on to an NFL career, a career he undoubtedly never would have reached. My friend only ended up reaching an NFL practice squad. He is a successful business man now, still with some issues. Both of these young men were headed for much less. My friend probably would have ended up in jail or dead. The NFL player, most likely would have just been a very good player. The edge he got was from seeing, living the passion, energy the kid who had nothing brought into the family. The dad, mom couldn't create that passion, drive, they knew it. I think a football program is the same. A program needs the underdog, the driving force to succeed, not just the athletes who everyone knows has the tools to do it all. I hope, and believe Lanning gets that. Georgia's roster is full of the elite talent, but the back end is the 3* kids. We can't forget the passion and potential these kid bring a program, ever.

It will come down to the culture created, end of story. My indicator will be penalty yardage. This is a simple stat to see discipline, and execution. Oklahoma had average stats in this category, which would worry me about a leader of the sc program. Oregon was terrible with this stat, which was the canary in the coal mine about the Cristobal culture. Georgia is an elite program in the penalty world. Can Lanning keep that type of discipline and execution is the single biggest question I have. He is young, unproven as a head coach, I can agree with this. The question is can he create the culture where there is discipline and execution of the actionable plan he creates. If so the penalty stats will show the way to a winning program, a monumental winning program!

I was actually a bit shocked Cristobal never used him as a RB. Noah seemed to be the prototypical type of back Mario wanted in those situations. I know I saw a play where Noah played RB in the Poly Bowl and Flowe just cut him down, but that was trying to go around the edge. Noah would be a great fullback blocker or just bulldozer for the 1-2 yards gain. Hopefully we will, again, have the qb sneak for situations like that. This was another head scratcher with the qb we have had. Why no qb sneak, but that is looking backwards, looking forward, to seeing what happens!

I would add the Ducks recruiting needs a few more things to really make it special, again. We need speed, blindness to the star factor and the it factor. Number 1 we need to get back to having speed on the team. Tyreek Hill wasn't even recruited as a football player out of high school, although he was high school track athlete of the year. Speed kills and not just on the highways and freeways. It kills on the football field and it is time to scare the football world, again with Oregon Speed. We need to leverage our Track and Field roots. This can also help on the line and defense, but we need to bring in elite speed, now! I say blindness to the star factor because our previous coach said he wanted players who couldn't live without football, but he didn't recruit the kids who hadn't reached all they could out of football. Potential in a player is sometimes more valuable than a player who has been to all the camps, coached up to his potential and everybody wants. We need to get back to having more student athletes who have a chip on their shoulders, not just bruises on their backs from everybody patting them day in and day out. We can still recruit the high star kids, just not kids chasing the star rating all the time. The it factor goes back to being blind to the star ratings, but it does deeper. We need to find more kids who play with passion and flair. I go back to the recruitment of Shough over Brock Purdy at Iowa State. Shough had a higher star rating, but when I watched Purdy against our Ducks I just saw, what we use to have in stark contrast to what we had become. We went after the stats, size, height, arm strength, instead of the kid who beat Shough every time they played in high school and college. Purdy knew how to compete, and lead, Shough looked good on the shelf. No more shelf shopping! We need to get back to recruiting more kids we want and less kids everyone else wants. These are the kids who will want to win it all for the Oregon Ducks Football Program. I know this speaks to going backwards, something which was frowned on yesterday and today, but I think it speaks to a problem with any program can develop. We have to go after our guys, guys who fit Oregon's blueprint and that isn't blue bloods!

Captain Cane I wish you luck with winning it all. There was always hope with Mario, as he kept up the sales pitch every time he spoke, or moved. Sometimes salesman come up with the big sale and win it all. I hope both programs can reach their goals, but our goal is reached first. I am sure you feel the same. Best of luck, Mario is a good man and we benefited from his time here.

Sounds like an ex-player council, much like the group who are trying to influence the decisions at Oregon. The Pac-12 is tapping into former football stars, and calling them alumni, maybe fans if necessary to make everyone feel heard. Time for George to lead!