Haywarduck

Great question, and I think the answer is in the fact Lanning isn't a micromanager. We have a manager of the program, the players, and coaches. He is a directing manager who sets expectations through actions. I think we also see Lanning making adjustments like the change in how the players interact with 'Shout' at the end of the 3rd qtr. These are the kind of actions we see from Lanning, not run this gap, and don't deviate. Now do it again! Run this complex of a defense, even though assignments are being missed. He adjusts, and sets realistic expectations. It is fascinating to watch someone who has the ability to lead a program apply that talent, and the development under his guidance, and leadership. It is refreshing and exciting, once again. Go Ducks.

Great to see the connection from our old offense to the new. I would agree there is very little new, but the one constant is you must execute to make any play work. I think what we are seeing is, most importantly execution of plays. Dilly is able to get more creative because the base plays are executed. This then allows him to pull more tricks out of the hat. I look forward to more tricks coming out of the Dilly's hat, and Lanning's willingness to let him go for it. When was the last time we had an OC who had the trust and liberty to run an offense? Maybe Chip under Bellotti?

I hope our DB's respect these receivers, and work to contain more than make plays on the ball. I still remember a seemingly average receiver from ASU who our DB's didn't provide enough respect too. Brandon Aiyuk torched us, when he got behind our DB's who didn't respect his abilities. Gonzalez seems to have next level talent, but so do these receivers. Containment should be the mantra, and look for opportunities to make plays, but don't overplay the ball. The trick plays may be the difference too. Oregon needs to take care of their responsibilities and no hero ball.

I think the challenge goes to the Oregon receivers, and Nix. A middling team like Arizona has a better passing game than Oregon. What say you Oregon, step up! Arizona is a top 10 passing attack, in the Nation! Oregon is just behind Miami, yes that Miami, in passing this season. The challenge is stepping up our passing game. Behind Miami, really, yep! The other challenge is on our pass rush. If we are going to challenge the Utah's, sc's, and the dawgs (top 3 passing team) we have to establish stronger pressure on the qb. Time to see some exotic stunts on blitz's. We have the talent to be a top passing team, and create havoc in the backfield. The time is tomorrow night 6 PM, be there Ducks!

Leach is a throwback, and most programs would throw him back, many have. The problem with Leach is he has an edge. When he is pissed that edge is harsh, when he is happy that edge is many times funny. The one thing about Leach is you can always count on him stepping over the edge. I enjoy him sometimes, when he is happy and funny. The other times he is just a scourge.

Christian has it all, and all the measurables. Once he goes to the combine he should stay a high draft pick. He screams next level every time I watch him. I would pay to watch Troy Franklin and Gonzalez go head to head in practice. Thankfully we have Franklin for 3 years. Best receiver I have seen since being wowed by Bobby Moore back in the day.

Agree, two guys who want to get to the 'league' and have the talent to get there. Oregon has had few guys line up at receiver who had truly elite talent in the past. Going forward the receiver position looks unlike anything this program has seen. Bringing in these guys with Moore will be EPIC!

Another reason why I like Robby Ashford so much. I can't find the tackle he made last week, which was epic, but here is a clip of him running over a defender.

The counter, counter, counter counts for 6, love it! That was a great article, and the work you put into it is evident, thanks!

Another hurdle this program needs to make is to win when we get in the top 10. There is something about playing a team with everything to gain from beating you while you are feeling pretty good about yourself. This game doesn't quite reach that level. I think we can pull this one off. My trap game is after we beat UCLA at home and head to Berkley. This just might be the game where we let down and start thinking we are just that good. Who knows though, these are just college kids with coeds frolicking about.

As long as they don't wear them on my lawn, all will be good.

Also how many schools can help make a great head coach? Almost all of them try to buy a great head coach, and then grind them into failure. Few programs appreciate the support and things a head coach needs to become successful. Brady Hoke proved to be a disaster as a DC, but he is a pretty good head coach. He proved that at Ball State, then SDSU. Michigan hired him and ground him into the ground. They almost did the same to Harbaugh, but stuck with him. Michigan, Nebraska, FSU and many others are just coach grinders. The question for Dilly is which school would be a good choice. I am not too sure, especially now with all the craziness of NIL and the 'Portal.' He would do well to stay a while.

Whoever Lanning wants. The guy has hit it out of the part with every assistant. I am not worried at all, one bit. There will also be guys calling to take the job as it is a proven door to the next level. Also he would be crazy to leave so soon. If there is one way to fail, it is leaving a job so quick. Second, my bet is he will want to stay a couple years at least. Even top assistants at Alabama stick around for a couple years.

I know the coaches give the players scores for every game. I would be extremely interested to see those, these not so much.

Agree, Lanning is use to polishing the experienced players, and then indoctrinating the freshman. Without the group of players who already know the defense he was likely too optimistic he could install the defense quickly. Having players who know the defense already is a huge advantage. This extends to the offense and special teams, and none of them have reached their potential yet, I would bet. Lanning is doing an outstanding job as a first time head coach, but running the whole show has to have some speed bumps. Hopefully we don't see too many speed bumps this weekend!

That would be interesting to see O-lineman pulled after an off sides, and the player doing up downs on the sideline right then and there during a game. I suppose this is just for practices, but up downs can't be fun for the big boys.

One wouldn't think Arizona would be a challenge, but history proves they always are. Well written, and unfortunately an easily well documented pathogenesis of our nemesis. Let's hope Lanning is the antigen to the intransigent opponent.

Another wedding piece of advice from the one and only.

MariØ signed a 10 year $80 million dollar contract. History isn't his, or I suppose Miami's, friend when looking at Oregon head coaches going to other schools. How long do you think he lasts? With the demands of the alumni and MarØ's thin skin I don't think he will last through the 3rd season. He is probably going to lose more games than the alumni want this season, but I can't see it ending that soon. It is like watching two trains headed straight for each other from afar. MariØ's words are easy to buy into, but the reality is where the collision will occur. The alumni bought the words, like we did, but those words don't add up to much. Miami is headed for an FSU, Nebraska like ending with this big hire.

Good stuff, actually Miami is paying for football this season.

Interesting topic and we are getting into areas where opinions are strong and, thankfully, shared freely. I know for a long time I was of the opinion Nic Alliotti wasn't a great coach. Through reading and pondering over facts presented I came around to appreciating Nic much more. When subjects like this begin to be discussed I encourage all of us to ponder what is presented with an open mind. Checks the facts and ruminate over what is presented. Who knows you just might change your opinion, or at least shift it a bit, something quite novel in this day and age. Thankfully something which is promoted and protected on Fishduck.

In 1992 the limit was brought down to 85 from 95 scholarships. I believe it was 1978 it was brought down from 105 to 95. Interesting subject as Title IX in 1972 is what brought the scholarship limits even into existence. Before the 105 limit, a player only had to be enrolled to play and there was no limit on scholarships. Back in the day, some schools had over 150 'students' on scholarship for football. When Brooks came along the scholarship limits impact had pretty much played out. He recruited from the impressive Valley River Center's Restaurant with a pretty view of the Willamette River. I doubt the facilities tours ever mentioned the meetings were held in the hallways of Autzen. Somehow Brooks brought in talent, developed talent, and out coached most coaches.

I suppose it comes down to you can learn to be a better coach and build a program, or you can chase the big dollars. The magic of Oregon's coaching carrousel is we take losers, and those who have little or no experience and make them winners. Other programs chase the winners with money and expect them to have magic. In other words our program is magic, and other programs are just looking to find the magic. What is the magic, we support a coach like few programs out there. The facilities are second to none, and the expectations aren't as unreal as many programs. Also you can recruit to Oregon, just get them on campus, and have an exciting product on the field, pretty simple really. This explains the continual process of failure when our coaches lose after leaving. They choose the money instead of being supported and learning. Once a coach reaches the point, and really anybody, where they think they know it all, they are headed for failure. Bellotti never thought he new it all, just got burnt out. The rest, especially Chip, thought they new it all, and fell for the money. I will agree to disagree on Helfrich, he didn't have it, and chose not to develop it, and still lacks the drive to learn to be a great head coach. I would also disagree that Phil Knight is the magic. We built Rich Brooks into a winner his last 10 years with the support and allowing him to grow. He had little or no support from Phil Knight, and went 67-60 his last ten years as head coach. PK has been huge for Oregon, but there is more to our success than just what he brought to the program.

I suppose the real question is could Oregon win a playoff game. There is no reason for Oregon to go to the playoff if they are going to pull a dawg trick and lose. If Oregon keeps building and wins out then we would have a fighting chance to win a playoff game. That means everyone stays healthy, and the coaching staff continues to call great games. We would also need the ball to start bouncing our way on occasion, especially in a playoff game. So it comes down to taking care of what is in front of us, and not worrying about what others do. I would be extremely happy with a Rose Bowl win and looking like we should have been in the playoff. The last thing I want is to make it to the playoff and get whacked. I could see us playing Michigan or PSU in the Rose Bowl and that would be a great first bowl game for Lanning. Our first game wasn't the best way to start Lanning career. I doubt a playoff game would be the best way to end his first year either. I would love to see Oregon finish strong, and whatever the outcome bowl wise would be fine.

Watched it three times and it only got better.