Haywarduck

Interesting take, and I agree teams need the walk-ons, and grinders to make it all work. Too many kids who have been told they are the best their whole lives which leads to not so great results. I would put Bassa in this classification, but he is out of position. Maybe we should look at whom K. Whittingham is recruiting more often? He almost had the whole Sewell family, if he had just recruited Gabriel he might have taken them all. I hope, as a grinder, Lanning can better see this type of attribute, and make sure it flourishes within the program. The Dye's should have the grinder trophy named after them!

FSU, I can't remember much, but the name rings a bell.

John Joseph actually made me begin to question my whole interest in the college game with a post. I am actually ok with this process, as most fans don't know what is best, too emotional. For me it goes back to how the beavs use to hire and fire coaches, while Oregon stood behind Brooks. If we listened to the fans back then, and reacted, we would be beavis II. I think history will be on our side again, it just would be nice to see the programs be a little more proactive with the next step.

The money comes from the fans, and the show comes from the players. The money just keeps coming if the show continues. The show continues if the players keep coming. The show and players is where the focus rightly is, if the show is to continue. Who cares about the fans, they just want a show, and can't even agree on the show they want to see. I will also say the fans are the voters, the players are like the lobbyists, big alumni too. That is where the power is. Even if we had a vote, it wouldn't tip the scale, just make us feel better.

Charles, we may pay some bills, but we don't pay them all. We are the worker bees, and are not as organized as the bees. Administration and the big alumni listen to the fans enough to keep the money coming, and it is still coming, so that communication line is dead.

Programs are run by fans, players, boosters, and administration they all have a place. At Oregon I think there is a better balance than in most locations. As was stated, sc had a time where players ran the show and it wasn't pretty. An elite player often has an advantage, speed, quickness, hand eye coordination which we all worship. The problem is they don't understand how that gift came about, or what it takes to create, develop or inspire a team of diverse players. Their system was, for too long, just get the best players and let them play. We saw that product, and it was fun and actually easy to defeat. We actually had that with Cristobal, and it was going to lead us to the same place. The fan driven team is seldom seen, outright. The fan does influence the process, as stated, with ticket sales. They seldom are part of the process of picking a coach, or really running any aspect of the program. There may be lip service to picking an alumni or somebody who is like a successful coach, but that is more driven by the players, and alumni. The fans just get to complain about the process, and outcome on the internet, little else. The alumni driven teams are the OSU's, Nebraska's, Michigan's and almost Oregon's who go with the legend. They have success and it isn't a bad way to go. It is nice to have somebody on the sideline who really cares about the program. An administration driven program is the dawgs, where they pick the perceived best coach, at the best price. We also saw it with SC, seemingly having administration knock on all doors and finally pull away, with alumni support, the next great coach. That was Oregon too, with Kilkenny getting Altman. This is what Oregon's program looked like, but as I have stated, I am not buying the story line Canzano took most fans down, and many still believe. Canzano was clueless when it began, and wove a story which I wasn't buying at the end. My story is our program is perceived as run by administration which listens to alumni and fans. This administration makes the alumni and fans feel heard. That is the line Canzano fed the fans and alumni. While that whole process was going on the real brain trust came up with answer to the latest quandary we had ourselves in. The answer was the extremely talented coach, who can recruit. This is the new and actually proven method to hire a great coach. Look into Nic Saban, not a great player, certainly not a legend as a player for a school. Nor was Riley at SC, he was a grinder, and is a grinder as a coach, with an ability to recruit. This is exactly what we got with Lanning. He wasn't a great player, but a grinder, who can recruit, pick talent, develop talent, and coach. Mullens didn't pick Lanning, he has no clue on leading on coaching hires, just look at Cristobal, the players led. This choice was made by those who can identify, convince and support a successful coach. This was then fed to the AD who put it together after doing the alumni, fan, player dance. This is why it will work this time. Last time it was the players, and we were in panic mode. It was a mistake we are fortunate we were able to move on from. We are, luckily, led by a group who understands athletics like no other. As far as the name of the game, I think it was a balance of all parties too, not just the players. There are fans who don't like it and that is how all good decisions are made. Try and make everyone happy, and see what misery is all about. I suppose the blame game is part of the process. I don't completely like the name change, but I do respect the process. I will also say this is a politically charged topic and am surprised it is even brought up. I suppose I am left with what was in the best interest of the fans with the name of the game? Best interest seems to be, being able to move on, grow and evolve. That is when I have always been at my best, when I have been made to stretch, question, move from something I may have perceived as the way before. It hasn't ever been an easy process, but that is what humans do, we evolve.

I will also say this needs to be managed by the coaches on staff now. The qb's and receivers should be in the know, first hand, not reading headlines. Whether it was just a talk about how each of them will be on the same footing as any recruits or transfer, or a call before it happened. These are still kids and we saw how Aaron Rogers reacted to the Jordon Love draft pick. Things need to be managed in a proactive way to keep all parties involved content. Respect is earned and these guys on our bench deserve some respect from the new coaches. Let them know they will have a fair shot, and the receivers have a renewed chance to get to 1,000 yds receiving. It will be interesting to see how the roster reacts. I view this as the first big move by the new staff. What is going to happen with how they did it?

Title should have read: Yep, Our QB Room is Questioning... Bo Nix has Committed to Oregon If I was in our qb room I would be questioning this decision. They watched one qb get yanked, for the head coaches qb, and now we have Bo Nix? I imagine the guys who are going to stay are saying game on, but they have to be looking like this now.

I tend to think McClendon is going to say he is a Duck, still a Duck and then Hurricane us. I don't like that idea.

Mario's OC's up to this point, both have head coaching jobs. I have nothing but gratefulness toward Moorhead. He is our OC for this game, and hopefully he can show us what he would have done. I also think the fact our previous OC's both have head coaching jobs is due to the strength of our reputation. A reputation few actually analyzed as well as you have. That reputation on offense is on shaky ground. The premise of my take on the situation is I don't want a guy who may follow Cristobal to Miami heading our program, end of story. That is McClendon, not Moorhead, not sure you read my take. McClendon is our interim head coach, not Moorhead. It is just a title, but Big Joe deserves that title. He would, undoubtedly give Moorhead even broader power then having Miami's next OC as the head coach.

I want this last chapter led by a Duck. We need leadership on this one! I think we, again, are seeing how Mullens leads. He interviewed the coaches in the news, while the real work was being done. Fortunately our new head coach wasn't picked by Mullens, unfortunately our interim head coach was. He made a mistake, get us out of this choice. I suppose it is too much to ask. I'm not blaming McClendon, he is just doing what he saw done before him. It is time for the AD to stop letting it happen.

Our interim Head Coach is the potential Miami Hurricanes Offensive Coordinator. There are three other guys on our staff sitting on offers from Mario to join his staff as well. Who thinks Mullens needs to act too ensure we have a Duck leading our team? Mullens needs to ask Lanning who he wants. More importantly he needs to get a yes or no from McClendon on if he is taking the Miami job. A maybe, or I can't tell you at this time answer, puts him back as position coach. We had two Associate Head Coaches on our staff during Mario's time. One has left to join Mario. The other wasn't offered a job at Miami, and has been, seemingly, an Oregon faithful. Mullens picked McClendon as our interim head coach before the offer from Mario to leave. I can give him some slack on the choice, although Big Joe was a better choice even then, in my opinion. Now that McClendon is 'sitting' on the offer it is time for him to choose the interim position or the Miami job. No choice then he can coach the position he had before. Anyone else think Big Joe should be the interim? McClendon's indecision speaks volumes. We need leadership from an Oregon loyalist. The players need to see loyalty and capability are rewarded. Even if Big Joe leaves, he deserves the title, and opportunity more than a guy who is still tied to the previous staff. We don't need anther game coached by somebody who has at least one foot out the door, while potentially poaching players. We have seen the results of this before with Mario and his clown act. Time to lead Mullens, and we need Oregon leadership! This isn't an easy thing to do, but a real leader would unquestionably take these steps.

Agree as coaches take sides, show them the door they have chosen to go through, and take their keys! Mullens thinks he is staying above the fray, but he is getting run over by Mario and is a tool of the opponents. This isn't a game social engagement where etiquette rules. This is war and only one side is aware of the game being played. We are merely hoping the other side plays fair, not a good game plan. Mullens need to act more like an official ensuring each side plays fair, and stays on their side. My bet is Lanning is doing a great job. He is putting together the coaches he wants. He is also aware of recruits and those in the transfer portal. He also needs administration help knowing coaches aren't in the program pulling players away. Smart has his program protected, he has said as much, knew Lanning was a head coach candidate, and limited his recruiting duties. Smart is still the head coach and is managing Lanning. Mullens is acting like an ignorant fool, with his staffing choices and management, and is not helping Lanning at all. Our head coach is a coach of the Miami Hurricanes, does that make sense! Wake up Mullens! You may not have known he was going to Miami, but you have no excuse now for keeping him as the leader of our program. Make Big Joe head coach, now!

Agree the allure of sc has always been there, but one could understand the delusional choice. A kid choosing the wildcats is like choosing bud light when at Deschutes Brewery. Somebody needed to have his ear other than his buddies, in the corner, sipping on bud light, eating chips, while the world has moved on. He might as well order from the kids menu too. A head scratcher at best!

A fir tree is a beautiful green color. The Tamarack tree, is beautiful too, in the fall, and this is what some of the trees look like. The other brown trees just need some smoke coming off them, along with some flames and they would pay tribute to the forrest fire problem we have in the region. I love the idea and tribute to a great team, but the execution of that idea is terrible. Time to bring the trees back to life. Maybe a bring the trees back to life campaign can begin? The idea and tribute are wonderful, but leave fans wondering where's the fir? Get the colors right, now!

Great points about Mullens, not a fan of, by the way, should have qualified who was going to Miami with Mario. Mario is an elite recruiter, and relationship guy. Those relationship needed to be cut off asap. It is like a cancer in the program There were two assistant head coaches on the team and one of them is all Oregon. Reward Big Joe with the title, and let the other assistant head coach and the other Mario followers go. 'Give me your keys and leave now.' Moorhead left and was willing to come back, let him run the offense. Agree with others, the team gratefully doesn't have it's head coach. We should be able to do just fine without Mario and Feld running up and down the sideline. Feld is another guy I don't want to see on the sideline, what is he going to do, help with game clock management? We have 4 assistant strength coaches they can take care of the players. Basically I think Mullens is playing the nice guy while being played. He is a great accountant, not a manager of people. A program has a new head coach, let the relationships build with Lanning, and cut off any relationship connection they have with Cristobal, via Oregon. Mario isn't Oregon anymore!

I can't blame him for wanting to follow the coach who hired him, and to a place closer to home. I have faith Lanning will be landing with both feet firmly on the ground with his staff, McClendon or not. Grateful and hopeful is my status!

Nothing we can do to change the fact that Cristobal wins on the recruiting trail. He just beat Saban, and will beat Lanning at times. The measure of a coach comes game day, not signing day, or preseason ranking day either. Lanning will put together a very good class, and develop talent. I look forward to focusing on all the elements which make a great team, not just recruiting. That is what Cristobal hangs his hat on, we don't let him wear our hats or hang them on our rack anymore! It is time to move on from the precept Cristobal sold so many, recruiting is what we should focus on. We should focus on the fierce defense Lanning sold us and get back to, what Charles has harped on, our offense scoring a load of points. The Cristoball offense is coming to an end, and the Oregon we all love is on the way back! Time to continue what started long ago!

There really should be a Dye Award, awarded annually to the most, best something. Not sure what attribute they portray the best, but you could come up with any number of things. These 3* kind of players use to be the foundation of Oregon football, and are no longer seen on the sideline or field, the end of an era.

Mario is again killing it in recruiting and their program is over the moon. I think it is time to realize we will do just fine with recruiting, portal finds, but the scheme and culture are the critical components we need right now. Let's move on from the obsession with recruiting. Frost was wrong, we can and will do very well in recruiting. I actually look forward to hearing Lanning talk about how the next 3* is going to be like Troy Dye, or Justin Herbert, now that would be exciting!

Clone this guy, we need more Dye's! The program won't be the same without a Dye in uniform!

Not sure who said Ty is getting more reps in practice, but there is another scenario too. Not to be oppositional but who recruited Ty and who recruited Anthony? If you look at the qb Cristobal recruited to Miami, he is a ringer for AB. The line on him is a great dual threat qb, who has a suspect arm. A 'unique quarterback prospects in the class of 2022 given ability to run the football, struggles at times with accuracy and tends to make some of the easiest throws the most difficult.' AB and Cristobal's new qb show exactly what Cristobal wanted and wants, a big runner, who's throwing is secondary. Saban, and Smart wanted nothing to do with the kid, out of Georgia. Ty Thompson is Moorhead's qb. Moorhead picked the kid, recruited the kid, he even recruited Ashford at his previous school, but not AB. I think Joe respects AB and appreciates what he has done for Oregon, as we should. My bet is we will see Moorhead's offense unleashed, as stated, and if AB falters he will have no problem putting in his guys. One way Moorhead's reputation has been tarnished is the lack of qb development. The last thing Joe wants to do is leave Oregon, and let the next guy get all the credit for all the hard work he has put into his guys. My bet, we see Ty sooner than later, because Ty is Joe's qb, and he wants credit for what we will see next year. How do you like that scenario?

Just sets the mood of the day for me.

Spring game, selfishly. I want data, information on what the Dan Ducks are going to look like! I'm not talking about uniforms either! Then Fall camp scrimmages, again I want data on what we will see next year. As far as games, they're all important!

They read FishDuck, obviously.