Haywarduck

The receiver room is loaded! Let the competition begin and never end!

Hey, Vanderbilt has 12 conference titles and 6 national championships in football. I know they were all over a 100 years ago, but still the dawgs should be proud being mentioned in the same sentence as the commodores. Who really wants to go to Seattle as DeBoer is most likely gone sooner than later, much like their last great coach. I mean a guy who can coach that well and can't recruit seems destined for the NFL.

Looks like we have fully recovered from Mariø. Although Mariø still has the highest rated qb recruit in program history. This should make us all ponder our obsession about the star ratings, potential. If he turns Dante into what is projected then we can all agree he is the best recruiter, developer ever. It seems right now Helfrich has the crown, picked Marcus and fell into Justin. That is a pretty high bar.

In Lanning I trust! If there is a problem, weakness it will be taken care of. I really don't think he views it as so much an issue as an opportunity to improve, and that is what he has done. Between the recruits and the transfers we now have almost a pure Dan Lanning team. If there was a need he got a transfer and a few recruits to fill the need. This is what we now have at the qb room, with the latest shift, all Lannings guys. Without a coach leaving, so far, we also have continuity within the coaches too. We may have the best qb room in the country, but most importantly we have Dan Lanning's qb room. We also now don't have MarØ's guys being coached by Lanning, or some fill ins trying to do what Lanning wants. We now have each position group with a Lanning guy competing to be a starter in the new Oregon Football Program. With a group of coaches who know what Lanning wants my bet is he can now better focus on the end goal, the National Title. We don't just have the best qb room, we have what we can expect going forward, competition and development within Dan Lanning's vision.

You don't have to take the qb out of the running equation to keep him safe. Also plenty of qb's have been hurt in the pocket, without running. When a defense doesn't have a spy, and doesn't respect Dillon's ability to run, then run him, and have him slide. If they spy Dillon then the pass is easier, pretty simple, I would think. The O-line needs to protect Dillon as does Stein's play calling. Dillon needs to be the point guard of the offense. A point guard who can't shoot isn't as effective as the gunslinger, who drives and can hit the outside jumpsuit. I look for Dillon to be the assist leader, but also a guy who puts up some points for himself.

Purdy beat Shough every time he played him in high school. He also beat him every time he played him in college, but that just confirms what one could see in competition rather then just at camps and with the tape. In the past we went after guys who didn't have the measurables and went after the unmeasurables. I have a feeling Lanning is looking more at the unmeasurables, unlike the last few head coaches. One should also look back, hindsight, and realize there is something to looking beyond what the camps, and pundits say. Take a chance on a winner who doesn't measure up. A guy like Brock, or Dillon just might pop up if you look hard enough. With a position this important it might be worth putting in the effort. Also we have always been a team who made qb's out of players no one else fought over. Same with coaches, and although the shift away from that is great, I think our past isn't something we should be ashamed of, or ignore.

I would say the question is can Oregon recruit, pick an elite qb again? Picking Shough over Brock Purdy went against who we have always been. Even recruiting Ty Thompson was going after the shiny object rather than the recruit that wasn't mainly based on star rating. This is what worries me about going after Dante, but Lanning and Stein know better than I. I also know the Brock Purdy's aren't easy for anyone to pick, but it is possible to look beyond the star rating. I tend to be impressed by Novosad, but I also think a high school qb has to be willing to sit if he comes to an elite program. Ty may have picked a route which will serve him well. He was around a program which knew how to win and the facilities and coaching were top notch. He may just go on to a good college career. I look at our RB room as similar, as we brought in Bucky, and Noah. We now have Jordan, and Jayden most likely leading the RB room. We have picked elite RB talent again. It wasn't the development it was the choice of recruits and the coaching. We not only have starting RB's, but strong back-ups again, with coaching. That is what we need in the qb room. We need a strong starter and a capable developing back-up. How many times have we seen elite level teams and their starter goes down and they don't miss a beat. That Ohio team we will be playing comes to mind. Even Utah had a 2* who could step in and play reasonably well. We can't afford to lose another game because our starter goes down for a series or more. What we need is to recruit capable talent and I think the coaching is again there. MariØ couldn't pick them, recruit or transfer, or develop them, play them. We are one injury away from finding out if we are elite at the QB position. The reason is elite programs don't just have one good qb, they have two or three, and are ready with a capable back-up who can finish off a win. Elite teams even recruit talent who can win a game as a back-up. That is what we need, again and for the foreseeable future.

Penix went from 12-5 at Indiana to 24-2 under DeBoer. DeBoer just keep winning no matter the qb or place. Penix is good and will need to prove himself at the next level. DeBoer is a very good coach at this level and hopefully needs to prove himself at the next level soon!

Although there are good ethical lawyers, they barely move the dial for the rest of them. This whole whose money is it is a lawyer thing, and it isn't directly football or sports related. I agree with Canvas, we should leave the mud wrestling to the lawyers, and think about the rivalry's history and continue it. Kind of like canceling the Olympics because of bunch of starched shirts try and think what is best for their ilk. Continuing playing the rodents is the right thing to do. What the lawyers do is seldom the right thing, but sometimes it does work out. No offense to the lawyers who frequent the FishDuck forum. I have met a few good lawyers, and I am sure there are more!

I suppose I have to get use to a lot with the new Oregon Football Program. One thing I like about Gabriel is he is the type of QB I envision Oregon having. If it takes the portal to get a 3* grinder to start at qb for Oregon again then I am all for the portal. One element I also like about the portal is it heightens competition. If somebody comes into the program, and doesn't live up to his or our expectations, they can move down a rung on the competition scale and find their home. It also allows those who were overlooked to move up, and rewards the grinders. In the end this is more like real life, nobody is going to protect you once you leave home other than hard work and good solid decisions. The portal just moves that process up a bit. As far as Dante he is learning, and if Lanning and Co. think he can still grow into who they thought he could become I am all for taking a chance on the guy. I do like Moga, looks like Mariota, almost scary how close their skill sets are.

So far Oregon has done pretty well with their QB's under Lanning. Under Stein we saw Ty improve and Nix elevate to a Heisman invite. I am not too worried about what these guys are doing with their Qb's. My bet is QB's are noticing Oregon is again an elite QB destination. There will be transfers wanting to come, recruits wanting to learn, and a healthy QB pipeline, once again. One does have to wonder how Mari can still get a viable QB to return his phone calls.

Two points you can argue against, the Freshman and the Transfer were all him. These are the two areas we need competence going forward, recruiting and picking guys out of the portal. Also the production has to have something to do with how he coached these guys. I would say greatness emerges early, but his guy isn't done becoming as special as he will become. This also reflects back on Lanning. He took at chance on a young guy, and once again he hit a long fly ball, which is headed way, way, way back!

Great stuff, and I need clarification on what an O-lineman can do on a pass play. Seems like our O-lineman are around 5 yds downfield when the pass is made. Is this a penalty, or is it ok because the pass is behind the line of scrimmage which makes it ok? On that play the RB is also open behind the LOS, is that to make sure these is another outlet? It is amazing when you watch all that is going on! Love the play, only thing which could have made it better would have been Herbert handing it to Jackson P-J to get a touchdown, but the finish line move was an instant classic. Really focusing in on what each O-lineman did is also telling about how good that group could execute.

Jayden seems to have the combo, size, speed and power Dowdell was suppose to have, except Jayden has real speed. I think Limar is going to hurts some teams once he gets the ball outside in the future. Nobody is going to catch this guy.

This guy..... oh and that the fear from other programs to continues to grow. Right now on the recruiting trail Oregon isn't just known, they are a shadow getting closer and closer to every recruit we want. Every position is becoming elite level. Example one is the receiver crew, never before have we had NFL talent and bodies like we see now. Jaison Williams may have been the closest, but he just didn't have the hands we are seeing now combined with that speed and size. We have the speed guys again, but now we have the size needed to compete against anyone. If we get Nolan and have Burch on the line, watch out. The problem for other programs is we also are going after the portal like the high school recruits. Struggling at your school come and become a 1st round pick like Gonzo. Stall out with the program you're at, come and become a Heisman candidate, reach that potential and your dreams! We have the facilities where nothing will get in your way. We have the coaching and limelight to get recognized. Nothing is missing but the parts coming our way in this season of giving, and receiving. May we receive all we need, and keep giving away fear and loathing to those who can't, won't compete at the level Oregon brings it! What do you want in this season of giving and receiving?

The problem with the comparisons to Clemson, USC and others is we aren't any other program. We are Oregon, and that should scare them because we have just kept building and winning, relentlessly. We aren't a one and done, or a gimmick offense, and we aren't just an SEC type defense. We are an innovative, aggressive program with integrity. We used to be a long shot, but we now are after all the BIG shots, watch out!

Class act all the way, loved the way he lived, and played the game, inspirational to say the least!

My evaluation would be Ty is disappointed and we were disappointed, but that is life. Move on, keep your head up and do better next time. That is what both parties have done, and that is the way a functioning system works. With our kicker Lanning brought in a junior transfer who probably would have taken over if he had been healthy. If you struggle there isn't a get out of jail free pass like some kids game. If you fail you have to earn it back, and the only thing free is your education, it's a scholarship. I get it Ty was given some poor opportunities last year, but he also didn't rise up to those opportunities. What he was really waiting for was an injury and then the opportunity to take over. Many on here remember Masoli, came to Oregon with no guarantee to start, maybe 4th on the depth chart. He was a grinder and ended up getting a shot because of injuries. Once on the field he took over. What Ty is now going to do is go to a less competitive school and try to earn the job, I wish him well. What we have to do is again have a back-up ready to take over. Every program is one injury away from needing a capable backup. Every back-up is one snap away from that opportunity to shine. Unfortunately for Ty he never got that full opportunity. After watching the dawg game last year, where he did get a small shot, we may have been lucky he didn't. Going forward I do wish him the best. Keep grinding Ty and remember you will always be a Duck and can be proud of the way you dealt with every move.

I lean towards OD's take. I appreciate all Nix did, but it comes down to those big games. I want to see what Gabriel does in the big games. I also love the 3* qb's who have much more than the measurables, just love that. I also love the idea Gabriel probably would have come to Oregon out of high school if he got an offer. I want to hear that story, maybe I am wrong. I don't blame Nix for being a 5* and struggling at his dad's college. I appreciate him coming to Eugene and reviving his career, grateful actually. I just don't relate to the experience. My wheel house has Gabriel type guys coming to Oregon and leading Oregon to tough wins. I live for that type of story! That is what I want, and Gabriel gives me one more chance at that, until we go full 5* all the time. I will still love Oregon Football, but his guy gives me one more chance at the long shot making it big at Oregon.

The game stays the same, the way it is played continues to change. If football isn't in your blood then at some point the change will drive you away. What is in my blood is green and yellow so nothing is going to drive me away from the Ducks. I will admit I still have a hard time accepting we aren't the long shot anymore.

Slot player definitely, he needs more size to play RB in the NFL. Interesting take on NIL money, as that isn't a bad idea, and he could get an even better education. At the same time he takes a beating as a RB, and this is probably his best shot at making a team. He would also need to stay in the league for 4 years to get a pension. I fully support the guy for whatever his choice is, the guy played with heart and passion every down!

He could still make it with basketball, but boy could he have crushed it at TE. I just wish he had given football a go at Oregon, as he loves contact. 'There he goes again, nobody can stop Franck on the short yardage catch.'

In Lanning I Trust! My thinking Lanning thinks he can make Gabriel better, and Gabriel thinks he can do better at Oregon. I also like how Gabriel picked Oregon, much like Lanning did, there wasn't any doubt this is where they wanted to go. Garbiel may have wanted to end up at Oregon the whole time.

Our season hinged on Bo Nix and his Heisman hopes. His stated goal was a National Title, and if he had made it to the playoffs, and a chance at the title he probably would have won the Heisman. I think our stated goal should be to win the National Title and an indicator of that direction will be the Heisman talk on Dillon. If he stays in the hunt for the Heisman through the season, we are in the playoffs and have a chance. For this to happen we may have to pull back on Gabriel's running output. Last season he peaked at 12 rushing td's and almost 400 yds rushing. I look for those number to drop and his passing TD's to rise. We have too many weapons for Gabriel to need to put himself in danger. Dillon is a threat to run and that is enough to keep the defense honest. What Bo did this season was brilliant and almost a carbon copy of the shift in his running play will be needed to keep Gabriel healthy. This will also lead to a better chance at the next level although he might be best in the CFL. I agree Dillon gives us a shot in 2024 and that shot will turn on his health throughout the season, and the Heisman talk will be the canary in the coal mind. Dillon Gabriel for Heisman and Oregon for a National Title in 2024 or bust! One other thing I would like to see with our receiver group is a shift to the big athletic receiver. Holden and Dicky with a big TE along with a speed wideout will be hard to stop. I look for Holden's stats to explode, and Dicky's to start turning heads.

Will be rooting for the guy, wherever he lands. Class act all the way, and whoever lands him will have better program because of it!