Haywarduck

And before this incident, Dean Wormer stated, "Who dropped a whole truckload of fizzies into the varsity swim meet? Who delivered the medical school cadavers to the alumni dinner? Every Halloween, the trees are filled with underwear. Every spring, the toilets explode."

I especially like that a weatherman only needs to be right for a few hours, days and then all is good. A career in the NFL is about more than looking out a few days. Most weatherman also mainly need to be entertaining, once again much like the pundits. Kudos to Lanning for putting some perspective to the analysts, weathermen on the draft, and defending those who lay it on the line for the program.

I thought after that Flounder incident the President made it so Oregon was banned from having any horses on campus!

I think the reason Lanning is so successful is because his goals go deeper than that. I bet he, unlike Paterno, is extremely concerned about the young men he is taking into his care. 1.) A coaching tree unlike any other. Head coaches throughout college football and the NFL who can trace their opportunities to Lanning and their Oregon ties. 2.) Responsible citizens throughout the country tied to their time under Lanning's guidance and Oregon's academic experience. 3.) A brotherhood unlike any, where an annual alumni party is held with Duck football players, coaches come back and celebrate what was, what is and what is going to be! I think the ripple effect of Dan Lanning's days at Oregon are going to go deep and far! Great post and ponder point!

Brooks, Bellotti, and even Helfrich still have places, live in Oregon. A couple of recent coaches may never return and that is just fine. I think what it shows is Eugene and the University of Oregon is a very attractive place to live. The most important element is Lanning has the drive, ability to recruit, and the chops to win it all. Our program has the support system in place to help him do that. For that I am excited. Another tidbit, where does Sagan live now that he is retired, not Tuscaloosa, left pretty quick. Actually left the state pretty quick. Oregon is a place to grow up, live and retire. I always love going on vacation, but am equally excited to come home. My bet, most don't feel that way. Picked this photo, a sunrise, as the sun is just rising on Lannings era!

Can somebody help me with where Santa Anna CA is? I am just trying to figure out which school would be closest to Nasir if he wanted to play close to home. I just want to honor pouring it on the poor horseman.

It's not about the money, the beavs alumni, Jensen Huang, is worth about twice what Phil Knight is. It is about the whole package. As long as other programs are focused on the money we will be just fine. There are so many other things involved in the success at Oregon, but sure it is all about the money. Truth is Oregon was successful before Knight, and will be after too. Knight, on the other hand, built his success through Oregon. Knight has made Oregon better than when he came, but that is how it is done, or not at other institutions.

Just wow Charles, I mean an analysis and presentation of information one can find no where else!

Sometimes a one horse caravan will get you where you're going. Other times you have to have two. What Coach Lanning is building is like the eight-horse hitch Budweiser uses for their beer. We might even get sponsored by Budweiser this year with all the horse power we will have on the field. I could see a commercial where we have some of the massives pulling the National Title trophy home! I don't know about you but I always love the Budweiser commercials with their clydesdales. I have to say I love the lineup Lanning is putting together even more!

Great point, with a program that has produced some excellent NFL centers. We still have Hansen and Grasu on active rosters. Now we will have a second rounder at this critical position. Looks like we are reloading at the position too! Don't forget the retired great and Pro Bowler Unger. Oregon is quietly producing elite talent at center position, a critical spot on the roster. My hope is we begin to produce elite WR talent. Maybe we have already and the NFL didn't realize it. Or maybe we have a couple on our roster already. The next step to truly elite program development is elite WR. Seems like every national title holder had a 1st rounder at WR?

A huge sign Lanning is doing it right. One of the big signs Mariø was in over his head was the lack of progress within his elite talent development. There also wasn't much development within others, but when 5* players repeatedly underperform that is incredibly destructive for almost all aspects of a program. What we are seeing is the opposite under Lanning. He is developing in house, bringing in under developed players, and exciting the nation with what he is doing. This is just one more signal things are going in the right direction. The sun in rising on a program, that may not have known it, but whose footing had been on shaky ground.

I am not a fan of comparing and I really don't think Bo and Dillon are a good comparison. I will say I am excited to see what Stein brings out of Dillon and the others. This is the magic of the qb position, what is the OC going to do with what he has. I do think most of us, myself included, think too much of our own players. I mean how did Franklin drop to the 4th round based on where our faithful would have drafted him? It does come down to the team of players, and the dynamics created by team leadership. This is one thing which will develop a new with the new crew coming in, and chemistry created. I also think year three of Lanning will be a better year. The systems and processes he wants in place should almost be on autopilot. With that the energy and way players perform should be closer to what we can expect going forward. So the ceiling under Lanning, Dillon, the assistants and many aspects will be better understood after this season. I am excited to see the growth and the bountiful changes occurring as the season progresses. The move to the BIG might be the most impactful, stay tuned.

Depth at qb is critical, but not having a back-up center ready hurt us too, and I don't want to relive that game ever again! Losing too many receivers killed our chances at a title too. What will be interesting to watch is player development and retention at all positions. We need capable back-ups, next man up attitude throughout the team if we are going to make a strong run deep into the season. I will completely agree qb depth is is number one, but just about every other position is 1B. The way Lanning is creating this depth just might be the secret sauce of his coaching success going forward.

Great to hear you have also found our diet has a huge impact on our health and welfare as we age. We are all getting older, but we don't have to get old, too fast! One thing I have found true about diets is you don't have to worry about cheating once in a while, as Krsmqn stated. I actually think it makes us a bit stronger to punch our diets where it hurts once in a while. I like the occasional martini, but enjoy the stronger punch. We definitely can't afford to let our passions go away, just keep them in check.

The guy Nix reminds me of is Kurt Warner. Warner and Nix just keep grinding and I think Nix will end up successful just like Warner did. I look at the last two years at Auburn as comparable to Warners struggles after college. Both had to make some tough decisions and sharpen up their games. Agree Nix started out well, and Warner had some great games in college too. Brees is another one can compare, but I like the Warner comparison a little better. Brees was just underestimated, never really struggled. In the end grateful he came to Oregon and wish him the best of luck over the long haul! Definitely seems like a young man who will land on his feet.

A championship team needs to have a deep qb room. It would seem this is especially true with the new playoff format. In this new day and age of multi game playoff college luck will still play a role. Depth may be the secret ingredient champions are most noted for going forward. Nice to see Oregon again having both depth and growing or qb organically, with Novosad competing well!

Wow, stays at Auburn, may not get drafted. Transfers to Oregon, goes in the 1st round, keep the qb's, and elite transfers coming! I will also say Denver drafted him for all the right reasons, for both parties, well done!

WHAT!

And he can shoot free throws, finally a real shooter!

If Kenny does well it might just be another indicator the coaching game is a young man's game, in the modern era. Kenny just might be another sign the modern job of college coaching isn't for those who aren't young at heart, and body. Interesting the dawgs go with being associated with greatness, but it is consistent. Much like their purple and gold, which can be tied to their attempt to align with the imperialistic past. That is just a facade, like their mens athletic program. Love your writing, thanks for all you do Darren!

This is a very forward thinking post, Jon. Come playoff time I bet this will be a topic of conversation amongst the pundits and it will be a very important element for the team which makes the final game. You need a 5* qb ready to step in, and what an opportunity to shine. I bet elite talent will begin to see getting on a championship caliber team is critical to getting exposure, even if it is backing up a future 1st rounder.

He just started to begin to hit his stride as a sophomore last season. He doubled his solo tackles and was an important part of the Aggie defense. More talent, depth, and competition at the safety position, simple answer.

In a split second a situation changes, and two people are in the wrong spot. In another moment somebody, or two people make poor choices. Seems tragic all around, and we don't know the whole dynamic, but I'll wait to see exactly what happened. Definitely a turn nobody wanted to take. When I think back, I could have been in a similar situation too many times, but was lucky!

I think Lanning way of loading up at positions and then let the talent rise to the top is the only way now. Too many NIL players get to a program, get fat and happy, or transfer out at the first inkling of not starting. Recruit and then over recruit to create competition. I liked the idea of derecruiting players, but I think it is also over recruiting. Let the competition scare the players away who aren't gamers. 'I heard you were pretty good in high school, so were the other guys we recruited at your position, so what now what!'

Jordan Davis was a 3* recruit who started as a freshman at Georgia. He went on to become a 1st round draft pick. Question, will the Ducks have a freshman ready to play a man's position? Agree size matters for Lannings defense, and Jordan at 6' 6" 340lbs, fit the bill at Georgia. Jericho has the weight, more than enough there, does he have the motor, and football mind? I imagine once practices start one knows if a nose tackle has 'it' or not. Spring game will be an interesting test for the nose tackle position. I look forward to the analysis of the position by our astute faithful. The guy who he will line up against at center, Iapani, came in as a freshman and made some noise. I look for Jericho to make some noise if he is going to be the, or an answer at nose tackle.