Haywarduck

Thankfully Ryan Day can go home and relax in his chair, now that the Cotton Bowl is over.

Agree, but I think there are back-ups on our bench who have potential to be extremely special. A couple catches Holden made this season had elements I have never seen in an Oregon uniform. The size, speed and strength Holden has is special. If he continues to impress in practices I would think he could take over as a leading receiver on next years team. Jurrion also has the same build and if he can also put it all together our receiving group may become something even tosu is envious of. If Junior Adams develops as well as he recruits we won't be thinking about what if a Tmac had signed and become a Duck. What matters is our guys develop and perform, and I think they will.

Two statements stand out for me. The first was when he was noted early on saying 'so what now what' to Bo Nix I believe. It doesn't matter who it was it epitomized Lanning's mindset with players. The other was when he was quoted as saying statistics don't matter, it is performance that matters. This again gave us an ability to penetrate into understanding how he deals with players. The first statement gives us an awareness about how the players are expected to go about their tasks. Failure is expected and respected when learning and executing tasks. These is no fear on the team when moving up the learning curve. This is critical to the development of players. Too many people don't understand or live in a world where they aren't allowed to journey up the less than vertical path to their potential. When people aren't allowed to fail, or are just expected to be great they never reach their potential. Getting better is a messy process, and Lanning knows that and fosters a culture where that isn't just allowed, but respected. The other critical element is a focus on performance. While failure is accepted the outcome of all the failure is an ability to know what to do and what not to do. There isn't just a focus on statistics, but an analysis of performance to see if players are able to do their complete job, every component, down to the last detail. We see that after games where Lanning is asked about a great game somebody had, he wants to watch film. Just because somebody put up some numbers doesn't mean they performed all their tasks well. Some of the tasks don't have statistics, but are critical to wins and losses. So these aren't visual grains of sand, but verbal disclosures on the foundation of the program. Great article, actions and statements give us considerable insights into the Dan Lanning Program. The last, but most important element is Dan Lanning doesn't just talk the talk with these statements. From what I see in recruiting and output he walks the walk with how he deals with recruits, players and coaches. The future is bright when there is that kind of alignment and high expectations.

Seems like we are looking at a worst case scenario, every time the dawgs win is a worst case scenario, by the way. The best case scenario is the dawgs get drilled and the pundits start talking about how much better it would have been if the Ducks had played. This, of course would happen because the Ducks also drill the Liberty, Bells?, I don't know what they are called and don't care, and the conversation again is about how good Oregon is. The problem is we don't have the faith we had before we lost the first quarter again, and the game against the dawgs. Let's all regain that self worth and confidence we had before we lost in Vegas. I say that because we had better get it back soon because we aren't staying in this position. The dawgs are going right back to where they were before this season, a pathetic preseason favorite who almost always underperforms! Go lay down dawgs!

The only what ifs we should worry about are about the Fiesta Bowl. What the leg lifters do won't matter unless we dominate Liberty. What is Liberty, actually where I went to grade school, but never thought of going to college there, thankfully! Let's just make sure our landing is graceful, before we worry about what the dawg-doo does! I personally would love to see the dawgs-doo this.

Great stuff, and I love your statement about feeder schools losing stars, and power programs really only losing back-ups wanting more playing time to the portal. It is statements like these where you really give clarity to a new paradigm. I would only add the power programs are also losing those who are choosing to go into the draft, but fortunately Oregon has some playing and is able to reload. This paradigm might be a critical element to this game. Playing feeder schools in bowl games may be easier in this transfer portal times. I will add this game is a dangerous game as Liberty has everything to gain and little to lose. Oregon won't gain much from a win, but will look silly with a loss. This is a big test for Dan Lanning, going against elite coaching and needing to show he can win big games, and bowl games are always big.

Still the best,I'm trying to remember what they won? Do you remember them winning anything? I don't remember them winning anything? Repeat as necessary.

Agree and I will add hopefully 2024 will lead us to what we want in 2025. Most importantly health, wealth and happiness, not necessarily in that order, in the New Year. Also a very Merry Christmas to all.

Fortunately for us the decisions our coaches have made have been for attacking, not lacking the basic rules of football, and common sense. It is nice to know we have moved beyond the timeout to start the game. I completely agree all coaches and really the systems and processes that get set up between all coaches needs time to be incorporated throughout the program. This can't be emphasized enough what Chip inherited, and some head coaches bring takes years to develop. Kirby would be a very good example of an assistant taking over and it took 6 years for him to win it all. I am also very happy Lanning is winning the games he should and staying in all games, except the first big road game, an outlier in my book. I just think the talent he is bringing is going to scream next step, playoffs and big wins. We still have to wait to see if that happens, and how the fanbase reacts to more struggles. I am all in on Lanning struggles, or win it all next season!

And what is being offered up north? DeBoer is going to be a white-hot commodity, college and NFL. The $12.5 million buyout won't even be a hiccup in an elite offer. The guy can't recruit, the NFL has to be a very interesting prospect for this guy. Maybe another reason he can't recruit, everyone knows his days are numbered in college football.

Isn't this just the 2022 Alamo Bowl part 2? The dawgs came out strong and held on to win last years Alamo Bowl against Texas. Neither of these coaches has won a truly big bowl game. It could be argued Deboer has won in the little leagues, but the Sugar Bowl is another level. I would guess it will be won in the 1st quarter. You don't want to get behind against a Deboer led team. The 1st quarter will tell if Sark has the coaching chops to out duel the latest wonder coach. So far DeBoer owns Sark, can Sark do what Lanning couldn't do, beat this guy? I don't think so, but doubt DeBoer can get through the next challenge.

Great stuff, and I think you are right about the pressure on Lanning. Winning the games he should is wonderful, something we have demanded. Stacking the statistics up against lesser talent is solid, but winning the big games makes the difference between wonderfully solid, and elite. First off winning the recruiting wars is also excellent. You can't become elite without the army and Lanning is building an army. This isn't his problem, nor does it seem it will ever be. Lanning can recruit, there is no argument to be made against his ability or prioritization. Now then there is leadership of the players and coaches. I would say his leadership of his players is flawless so far. His ability to recruit the right guys and build a functional culture is without dispute. Players want to run through walls for the guy, and what he is selling is pure, and the players are disciplined as we have seen on and off the field. The final piece is his lieutenants and this is where there could become weaknesses. Every assistant can recruit, there is no question there, that has been shown and was a priority in hiring these guys. The question is can they coach, develop talent, create strong units, and manage those units come game day? I would say this is where Lanning will begin to see pressure as his job will never be in question. What happens when the defense doesn't rise up to elite level against the BIG teams we play? Will he be willing to look beyond the ability to recruit and prioritize what happens on game day? I think building a functional system Chip Kelly walked into and Debar brought with him takes years. One of the weaknesses of hiring an assistant as head coach is he can't bring that with him. The problem is he has to be willing to make game day wins the number one priority, not just recruiting. If there is a weak lieutenant will he be strong enough to make a move to hire a better game coach in whatever area that is? We don't know if that is truly a problem yet. Lanning has to be given time to develop his systems and processes with the coaches he has. I will say if the level of talent he is bringing in doesn't win the big games then he needs to start looking at his coordinators and question if they have what it takes. I want to win the big games, and that isn't just winning the recruiting battles.

Chip is that old girlfriend who brings back memories, but it was situational fun. You had no idea the train wreck that was coming and even though you have seen how bad it would have turned out you long for those memories. Time to let go and let Chip age into the great memory he still is, but that is all he is.

Just when you thought you had seen all the doodle types, two Santa Doodles!

Too funny, when I originally saw this topic I was afraid it would lead to hiding the thread. I am now in complete agreement, while respecting those that adore the pan while advocating for the stovetop. If there was ever a thread where we can agree to disagree it is this one! Well done, I mean a medium rare thread!

I believe that is an American Standard, and a fine example of American ingenuity!

Wow, I was and am pretty sure that is a constitutional right. The Supreme Court should get involved! I have heard rumors of such a things, like a football game without a touchdown. If it is true, I don't want to see it, or live in a place where that is thought of as acceptable!

So much talk about the dawgs receivers reminds me of when we use to make most every programs qb we played look like an NFL talent. While Odunze may be an elite receiver, I don't think it was the receivers that did us in. Our backfield has to step up, and this area continues to be a weak link in our defenses attempt to reach the next level. There has been talk about safety play, but what really allowed the dawg offense to beat us? The dawg running game played well, the O-line stepped up, and Penix is the real deal. I would say it was a complete game by their offense. It wasn't three NFL caliber receivers, but time will tell.

Agree, and if we were headed to the SEC they might rethink allowing our program into the conference. There are many ways to cook a steak, but the only ones that count put marks on the meat! Much like a tackle, the opponent should know you meant it!

Great article, and perspective! There is a lot to be grateful for this time of year, and one of those is all that we have here. A big thank you to Charles, and may the new year bring even more greatness to our Ducks and a complete meltdown for the dawgs!

Oregon has been in the hunt for a National Title, but came up short. Part of the reason was depth, injuries and truthfully there was just a talent gap. Now we have the depth and the talent level needed to win it all. Does that mean we are probably going to win it all and all that goes with that? I thought the article on the talent level of our defense early in the season was brilliant. It outlined all the talent, depth and the gaps that had been filled. This also brought what I viewed as an incredible amount of pressure on Tosh, and really Lanning. If you have the talent, depth you better get the performance out of the players. We now are seeing the depth and talent across the board. We also have a fanbase, many who have no memory of the struggle of previous decades. They may know about the Helfrich year, but the struggle to get recruits, have any depth, isn't in their wheelhouse. Are we probably going to win it all, and more importantly going to become one of those programs that expect to win it all? Is the program going to be comfortable with winning 10 games a year and going to a bowl game annually? What happens if we lose our qb, struggle, ball bounces wrong a few too many times in a season? I ask this question because many, myself included, are extremely excited with the news on transfers and recruits. What does capable mean to a program like Oregon, the new Oregon Football Program. We are headed to uncharted territory, and it will be interesting to see how the Oregon fanbase handles it. Winning a title isn't guaranteed and while I imagine Kirby Smarts or Dabbo Swinny's path would be acceptable there are many other paths with talented rosters. I imagine one element is a supportive fanbase, and I hope that is what we see going forward.

I think we all have our opinions on previous coaches, and outcomes. It is interesting to hear the takes, and especially the first hand experiences, along with new data. We do have to respect all opinions and be willing to digest differing information and evolve our takes. I know I was a big detractor of Aliotti's after watching too many 3rd and longs becoming first down. His bend don't break defense skewed my view of the man as a coach. I now more fully appreciate the man and the coach Aliotti was and still is. He was a very good recruiter and an excellent coach when he had the players, and enough time to develop the talent. My view of Helfrich is still evolving, but I am firmly in the camp that sees him as reaching beyond his ability when he had to fully manage the program and become head coach at Oregon. I am open to differing perspectives, but haven't seen the evidence which points in any other direction than Oregon was not on the right path after the Mariota reign. Analyzing people and situations is one of the wonderful things about Fishduck, but these areas are where we have to tiptoe with our opinions. The Golden Rule definitely applies here and in all areas, really.

Helfrich could have gone on to attempt to prove Oregon wrong, but decided to go another way. He could have taken a job as an assistant under somebody he could learn from, or a job at a smaller school, but didn't. I think Helfrich's action speak louder than Fentress or others words. Helfrich, like Chip took over a machine they couldn't continue, or truly grow to the heights needed. Instead they were slowly driving the machine off a cliff. We needed to bring in another coach who could engineer a rebuild of the Oregon football program. We missed with the first couple guys, but they provided a view of what was possible. We now have that vision coming to fruition. The doubters, like Fentress, will just have to watch and wave as the program reaches new heights. The one guy who also deserved a shot, Alllotti, never got that shot. He may have ended up in the same wreck, but we will never know. For now we just have to respect our past, decisions made, and move on to a better renewal under Lanning. My take is complaining about the past and going over and over the could have, would have, should have just leads losing and sounding like a whiner!

Nothing we can do that we already haven't done to keep Lanning. I will say if Lanning leaves he isn't who he says he is, and that, my friends, is all you have. Everything he says he wants we have given him and he chose Oregon because it had the 'its' he wanted. He would become just another guy looking for the next shiny thing which ends up blinding most. I choose to believe Lanning is more than he says, not less.

They don't may really big, scary strong and fast too often. This young man is a freak and Lanning defense is made of freaks. I do agree Lanning will make some mistakes as we move along his learning curve. This may be one of them, if he signs, but I repeat the above.