Haywarduck

I don't think you are a fair weather fan, we have just been trained to expect innovation, excitement and now we have Cristoball. On top of that it seems like a bait and switch, which never goes over well. If we were told we would see a bigger team and less scoring we would expect this. We were told to expect a stronger team and the same type of output. Now if the outcome really suffers, then the bait and switch may not be acceptable to anyone, from fan to players.

When you are use to something, are told it will be even better, and then it isn't, this is what happens.

I love Leavitt, all I will say about that one. The guy can flat out coach, and you don't have to recruit at sc, just don't turn them off. I mean if Helton can bring in the talent then you don't need a Cristobal, you need a coach.

Interesting take on the sack total. Is the defensive line infected with a lack of risk taking too. Is the mantra contain and try not to make mistakes on the d-line too. All I know is an offense is completely different when it hurries up, watch the NFL. The same can be said about rushing the passer. When a qb is rushed he makes mistakes. These two areas are troubling when you look at the longterm outcomes for the Ducks. Maybe it is just the injuries and our qb's are too young. Maybe it will all change soon, but maybe it is systemic.

Statistics are used to influence those who read them, almost always. It takes getting into them to really draw any conclusions. Oregon's opponents, without tosu, are 8-14, this includes a pretty good FSU. Comparing our output to the teams we played isn't a great way to look at our statistics. Also we are averaging 2 sacks a game against these opponents, the leaders are closer to 4, big gap. Our passing attempts are at 40%, running attempts are at 60%. I would imagine our qb run attempts close to leading the nation. Turnovers are a fickle thing, worries me we may end up giving up more turnovers and that will have a huge impact going forward. This team can't score well without the turnovers. Seems like it almost puts us in the hurry up offense mode when we get a turnover. We catch the defense on their heals, which we don't do well otherwise. This may also be why our scoring in the red zone is up. Home game statistics are against two teams a combined 1-9, the other FSU at 4-2. Some great news on the player front. I hope these individuals can lead this team to it's potential. The problem I see is there is a bit of sunshine in the statistics where dark clouds might be looming.

I am starting to think there is something to the dumbing down of our qb's. Herbert wasn't coached up, told not to run, and wasn't the qb we see now. AB seems to be told the opposite, don't pass and run more than the rb's. The main item for Cristobal is to minimize risk, he hates risk. This is what is driving Oregon fans nuts, we are innovators who love to see risk, and the ultimate is the explosion play, not Cristobals thing. Is this why we haven't seen Thornton, I mean he not only caught a pass, he ran recklessly all the way to the end zone, I kid, but maybe not. What we see is a program which led the nation in turnover margin and is now 2nd in the nation. Our last really good season 2019 we were 5th in the nation. This is Cristobals focus on the qb, don't make mistakes, and the team. With Herbert, go ahead and sling it, our receivers can't even catch your balls, and his turnover margin was very good. With a freshman qb, there is too much potential for mistakes for Cristobal. So going forward the Ducks are very predictable, if we win the turnover battle we win. If we don't get those turnovers then we struggle. This is the same with many teams, but especially a team without an offense which can be counted to move the ball on 3rd down, or score points. Just look at the FSU game, we dominated the 1st quarter with 2 turnovers, then we struggled and mightily when AB fumbled. The defense and especially the offense needs turnovers to get stops and to score. Against FSU the two touchdowns early were all set up by the short field turnovers. Against Stanford we lost the turnover battle, and the game. Against Cal and the coming opponents they have the same potential, we lose if we lose the turnover battle. Without an offense that can score on its own we are a program which relies on the turnover, and that isn't a healthy diet.

We were up 14-0 after the first quarter. The defense was on fire, Thibs caused a fumble and then Sewell caused a fumble, we scored twice off the defense. Then it all started to crumble, I agree. For the first quarter we were all we thought we were after the tosu game. After that first quarter I thought we could go undefeated, and have looked for that optimism since, maybe after the Cal game, who knows. Maybe that is the problem, we started off the season looking like giants, and then faded. We then beat a giant and then faded again. The fade hasn't stopped, but many of us have lost the glow from the yellow glasses we love to wear, and would love to put back on.

Well done, fun to read your take!

Thanks I needed that. Oregon can compete and wants to compete. When I think back to how they played with Thibs on the field against FSU I wonder how we became so negative about our Mighty Ducks. That team which started the season was on fire! We can compete against any team in the nation. I hope we rise up and do it!

In college is all about picking the rights kids, developing those student athletes, and putting them in the right position, spot to succeed. At Oregon we seem to be obsessed with picking the most sought after kids. The question is do we develop them, and put them in the right spot to reach their potential. Herbert isn't a great example of any of those metrics. He was extremely lightly recruited, and afterthought by the coaches who couldn't recruit. He then wasn't developed, many said he was the best qb as soon as he came on campus for fall camp, he didn't show up for spring camp. He was also always a qb so his position was never a question. I have little doubt he wasn't coached too much, he came to the program as an elite talent, luckily. Each of these coaching groups had a lot bigger problems than coaching a future NFL star. I hope one of these young qb's is getting developed into a future star. If not, it will be the downfall of the Cristobal, much like Helfrich, you have to have a qb who can perform. The native are restless and the only thing which will calm them is a qb who can sling it, and soon.

If you recruit well enough you don't have to develop talent, right?

Ok, so Brooks would have wanted to start two different teams in order to get the potential out of each of the two different types of qb's. From Reggie Ogburn to Bill Musgrave, two completely different qb's, he got everything out of their skill set. Basically Brooks would have been dumbfounded by the potential of this team! Bellotti would have had the qb who fit the OC's scheme win out. I agree he would have two qb's, probably Butterfield and Thompson, compete on the field and see who had it in Moorheads offense. Although he let Masoli come in to the program, Masoli only played once everyone else was injured. I don't think Bellotti would put a transfer ahead of his recruits. I think Chip Kelly would have turned Ashford into the second coming of Mariota. He knew how to develop, and highlight a dual threat qb like no other, not looking forward to playing him this year! He would have Thompson ready to go as soon as Ashford went down and Butterfield would have transferred. AB would be sitting on the sideline with a headset. Helfrich would have developed and made Ashford and Thompson great qb's. The problem is he wouldn't have been able to get them to come to Oregon so it is a moot point. He would have just struggled with AB as the transfer, while destroying our defense. I'm drawing a blank;) on who the other coach was so that is my take.

I think Cristobal knew AB ceiling was low and wanted somebody who could just manage the store. When you own a business you can bring in a manager who will do exactly what you want and just stay the course. The other direction is to bring in somebody who will shake things up and innovate, who knows the business just might explode. Cristobal doesn't want anyone who will change the business model too much. He seems to want to 'down develop' the talent below, or above AB. He wants what he had in Justin Herbert, a talented qb who will do exactly what he has trained him to do, nothing else. Think about that, is Cristobal training these young talented qb's to do less than they are capable, just to make sure the program doesn't become too exciting? Are we seeing a retrogression of the talent behind AB before they see the field? This is what is killing me when I watch the Ducks play, the potential is not only sitting on the bench, it isn't even even reaching it's height once it sees the field.

I am not sure asking what past coaches would have done is a valid question because Cristobal doesn't want to do what any of the previous coaches have done, even if it was successful. From my understanding he would do what a collaborative committee of coaches would do so that is an even more confusing question. Even if we look at what other programs are doing it seems we don't get a good look at what Cristobal is going to do. Most top programs have an ongoing completion, and if you don't succeed it is time to give somebody else a chance. We seem to have more of a family type of decision process where the parents discuss what will be the best thing to do for their number 1 son. They then go on to become the enabling parents no one wants to become. Like I posted on another thread I have a very bad song in my head for the Ducks right now. When questions arise this same negative beat gets played in my head. I need Cristobal to help get something else going when we play Cal. For now it is like I am stuck in one of those collaborative committee meeting the big boss has when he makes one of those large decisions, like what to do on 3rd down.

I wish it was that simple, then we could coach up every kid who can throw it deep. Todd Marinovich is just one in a long line of guys who could throw it deep and looked good in practice. It isn't just about coaching, some kids have it and some don't, AB hasn't had it for 6 years. I get it Marinovich had more problems than a sat entrance exam. The point is still valid, some guys look good, but aren't going to lead a college team to greatness or ever play pro ball. There are others who can, time to find out who that is!

Cristobal also said he won't demote or discuss the qb decision process in public. I agree we don't know what is going to happen, but the underlying story is what is disturbing to me. We are in an interesting time and as long as the team is behind AB, along with the coaches all will be good. Cristobal isn't going to be swayed by what the press or fans think. The fans and most if not all the press doesn't see the practices where the decision is mostly based. I think there will be some issues with the team if AB is being beat in practice and the change isn't made. So what if AB is the best, the rest just aren't better than what we have been seeing, these guys also can't accurately throw the ball down the field What is distressing to me is we have a group of highly rated qb's who evidently aren't as good as what we are seeing on game day. If AB is the best, and the qb's below aren't developing into something better then we are seeing on the field, that is disturbing. Maybe Cristobal is right, AB gives us the best chance, if that is true, then that is what is alarming.

The objective of penalties isn't just to be punitive, it is to change behavior. It seems, looking at the statistics, the penalty isn't changing behavior, it is just being punitive. It also seems the refs are looking for it more, trying to make the call. It is almost like the speed trap kind of call, is there a quota, or bonus for calling it? I actually think players are trying to miss others helmets, but it happens and you can't judge intent, and that is what is being asked of the refs. The other item, higlighted, is the other player lowering his head, this needs to be taken into account. Also was the offending player pushed, or out of balance. Too often, it seems, the outcome, he touched the helmet, is judged and not the complete picture. Maybe make the offending player wear a leather helmet for the rest of the game, that might change behavior.

Proper depth and development would have and will help going forward. Right now we have the proper depth, we just need the development. Hopefully the bountiful evidence of other programs playing their young qb's, ours aren't really freshman, except for Ty, will help with the decision process. Also there is ample evidence of the struggles our 6th year senior is having, he needs help. The job of the coach is to put players in position to succeed, at qb this isn't happening right now, time for change, and progress on the development front!

It will all come down to turnovers, if Oregon can lead the nation in turnover ratio, or maintain 2nd place we will be ok. If we don't, like last week, then the magic is over. All the rest of the stats are just fluff, and smoke.

This won't be a contest, but what do you think the next two weeks will see for our Ducks. I bring this up as one poster stated the Oregon Bandwagon will be open and full again once the Ducks get rolling again, what will we see over the next couple weeks. My prediction is an underwhelming win against the Bears, maybe 28-24 and then a loss against the Bruins where CK hangs 40 plus points on us. We struggle and the calls for change grow louder, and more forceful. We then have another opportunity for change when the Buffs come to town. The question then will be, does Mario make the change. The game after that and a loss would send the fan base into a frenzy. Without a game I think it will be interesting to see where everyone thinks we are heading. To me the ship is slowing down and turning sideways, and it isn't easy to right the ship.

My question, is the million dollar question on offense. Mr. Cristobal thank you for taking my question. It is a two part question but really hits at the essence of most fans angst about the Mario Cristobal Ducks. Oregon football, in modern days, has always been about innovation. Is it true you wanted to bring power football to this innovative culture and give me two ways you have? Mario '.....................................' If true what is it going to take to see this type of power football where we score boatloads of points, and crush opponents, what 3 or more things are missing in your quest for this type of football? Mario ' Well juice and .....................................................'

The only problem is that group of baboon's doesn't have a football team run by Mario Cristobal. All findings all invalid!

Never, I enjoy OSU doing well for the potential enjoyment of beating them and squelching their hopes and dreams. This season we seem to be crushing our own dreams, but I would root for OSU after they beat us, never while playing.

I am confident we will continue to lauded for winning the recruiting battle every year. We might even move on to becoming the preseason favorites. The problem with those two wins is they don't translate to winning during the season. I am still curious to see a Cristobal offense with a very good qb, great receivers and some strong RB's, but it seems like we already have that, they are sitting on the bench!

At this point I would say he is the guy everyone is impressed with at the driving range and off the first tee. He then comes in with an 89 and lots of stories about what could have been. His coach sees him on the driving range and says keeps the faith. The problem is when the game starts the dynamics of it all kill most good players, and you can tell pretty quick who has it. When Justin came in and lost to, got crushed by the dawgs, most people came away thinking that kid has go 'it' even though he lost. This isn't happening with AB and won't be anytime soon. One of these guys behind AB is that guy, and we won't find out until we travel to Atlanta next year unless something changes. Once again we will get crushed and the new kid will be playing. Many on Fishduck will be saying if only he had played last year we might have had a chance!