Haywarduck

I hope Ty surprises people if he leaves. I think he would surprise many if he stayed, but respect his journey, stand up guy! Whatever is happening, Lanning is getting Oregon ready to compete next year, and years to come, love it!

This young man is a competitor, and a winner, love the news. I look forward to hearing how he viewed Oregon's program as he grew up. He seems like a Masoli, Adams type of guy. Too small to be recruited by the top programs coming out of high school, but has proven himself through hard work and talent. There is also the Mariota connection which all adds up to a pretty exciting future. I hope Ty sticks around, competes and stays as the back-up as a mobile qb, who has been hurt before, will need a capable back-up. This also works well with the young guys we have being able to see a guy of this caliber with his history play ball.

Wow, it isn't everyday I read a Fishduck article filled with history, facts and then laced with such a nuanced opinion. That my friends is good writing! I look forward to the writing hinted at coming soon. As far as is then process flawed, fair, I completely agree, it is flawed. At the same time teams, programs know what they have to do to get in, and most failed at that. Even the ones complaining failed and I look forward to better understanding just how in the coming article(s). Mr Witty's writing elevates this site, and for that I am grateful!

I love it, going after the known quantities is a wonderful venture. Much like the dating game in my younger days as compared to later years. When I was younger it was quite interesting being part of the dating game, and one never new what the next day would bring. This epitomizes the high school recruiting business. We think we have a 5*, then get two 5* and think our LB world is changed forever. Much like the much sought after multiple relationship situation, but it turns out it isn't all that great after all. The transfer game is much like dating later once you have a real job, and know what is important. You meet people you actually have things in common and enjoy a fuller life. In the transfer portal we know their work record, what they actually do with a real schedule. You can go after exactly what you need and know what you are getting. Much like the qb from Oklahoma as compared to a qb from back east who drops us. It might even be the same as going after a DT from A&M as compared to many of the ups and downs of recruiting the big guys. Although I will take a Ngata any day of the week over any transfer! We are part of the college recruiting process and that will mean taking chances on the stars. It also includes what is becoming a more measured exercise which I am happy to have found works for me too. I love knowing exactly what we need and finding someone who is ready to fit that need right away.

Great stuff Mr. Joseph, and I don't just agree, I enjoyed the journey you took me on with you writing! When I reflect I had a pretty perfect fantasy record, as my dream scenario was a close loss in Seattle, and then redemption in the championship game. That scenario played out, until that fatal first quarter. Happily this is just Coach Lanning's second season and putting together a dream scenario that long is beyond laudable. My concern about the defense was unfounded. Lanning put together an even better defense, but is there another Williams brother to lead the way next season? Those concerns should be muted by another year with stability at the coaching position on defense. The consistency along with the recruiting Tosh will again bring should continue to elevate our defense to an even BIGger standard. On offense a thousand yard rusher and two in the passing game, just wow! The O in Oregon is back, even if it went missing at one critical moment. With Stein back we should see the offensive output grow, and Lanning will surprise us again, as the trajectory is up, not sideways, or down! I reflect on being pleasantly surprised, and hopeful with the direction on the field and off! A truly delightful year, and hopefully a great New Year!

“Boulder you’re getting someone who is going to talk & underperform. There fixed it, good luck with that.

I wouldn't underestimate DeBoer, he doesn't compete for top recruits, but he does compete on the field. The guy just doesn't lose, and knows how to pick talent, develop talent, not just get talent everyone wants. He is like the anti-MariØ, doesn't seem to care about recruiting, but knows how to run a program. Not sure this is good english, but I hate that I can't not like the guy! As far as the socal teams they are like trophy wives, they were brought on for all the wrong reasons. The lying and deceit will come back to haunt those programs and the conference. I am on record as stating I think it was a mistake to follow those clowns, but now we have to make the best of it. We got rid of our loyal wives of many years, along with all the grand memories, and have a prettier high maintenance wife now too. As far as the committee, that was a terrible situation to be in. I agree Georgia would probably win the playoff, but they lost their last game, and now Saban against DeBoer will be must watch tv. Thanks for the article which got me pondering some interesting items!

I have a friend who went on a rant like this and I said you sound like a victim, and things don't end well for victims. I then told him the OSU program has a long proud history which will overcome this and anything ahead if they don't look at things like a victim. He shrugged his shoulders and said I was right. I know I blamed the trojans and still do, but I have moved on, also told him that, first. Not sure most beaver fans will move on, they like to play the victim, and that won't end well when playing the Ducks!

I have worked at a lot things in my time going around the sun, over and over and over, and failure is just part of the process. The one thing I have learned is when the despair is the greatest, and your ready to give up, you are actually very close to success. I take your great despair as an indication we are close. For that I am grateful, and that is the other thing I have found, always be grateful. I mean what a season, and so many amazing moments to remember. We also must remember, don't ever give up when despair is the greatest, as the goal is actually within sight!

Use to be you could recruit more than 85 players to your roster, and teams did. They would pack their roster so other teams couldn't get the players. This led to truly elite programs where others couldn't compete There were limits put in to equal the playing field. We are now seeing the limits on class size growing to over 25. We are also seeing transfers of many of the top recruits from lesser programs. What we are seeing is, again, the truly elite ruling college football.

Pretty nice used car lot we are shopping at. One seems to always want the new shiny car, but the used car lot is where I shop most of the time. Unless I know I am going to get a lot of good miles out of the new car, going used just makes more sense. This is especially true if you know where the car has been and the type of miles it has on it. In the transfer pool the miles are right there in front of you, easy to evaluate. If you evaluate a college qb like a used car, one would probably go used every time!

It would seem we aren't just seeing this at the qb position, but throughout the positions on the team. I have a feeling we will see a transfer DT because we don't have the maturity at the line we will need next year. Players who go to a school which haven't won anything, like Colorado, and prove themselves more valuable will be feeders to Oregon and the elite schools. Recruiting isn't a science, and when an elite player, like Gonzo, slips through to a lesser school the top programs will pick him up. This is especially true with NIL money. The Texas ATM method of just giving money to freshman with lots of stars has given credence to waiting until you know what you got. I also think this is what the portal is to the top guys, a way to market themselves to the highest bidder. Maybe some also want to get on a winning program, but with NIL it is about the money. Some are just delusional and unfortunately pay a high price, no scholarship. Head coaches do it, assistant coaches do it, just about everyone with a job does it. Playing football in college is a job.

Should have doesn't happens when could have, would have happen become the excuse. I just hope our Duck show up and do what what they should! Disrespect and lack of preparation are the last thing we need going into a game against a capable long shot with a chip on their shoulder, and nothing to lose.

36-36, 34-34

Agree Arroyo was under the shadow of MariØ and that meant he didn't see the light of day on offense. He isn't head coach material, but no need to let him be boxed in from his days under the long shadow of MariØ. Just ask one of the better offensive minds, Shannon Dawson who is now floundering at Miami now. Or you might ask the OC before at Miami, voted top assistant Josh Gattis, then fired once he tried to run the offense at Miami. Nobody should be judged for struggling under MariØ when considering their offensive play calling.

After watching a couple of Holden's catches, and realizing you are third behind him, he is making the prudent choice. Holden looks like an NFL receiver to me, his size, speed and strength are remarkable. The only thing I can think of which is keeping Holden from being the #1 would seem to be effort at blocking and his practice energy. I have only seen those types of catches, and that type of physical traits on opposing receivers. Best of luck to Hutson, you gave it your all, and deserve to play somewhere! The receiver room is just different than when you signed on.

Another data point is this article on DeBoer and how he remembers every loss. When he started out he lost to the past champion twice, before he fully established his programs dominance. He also lost to MariØ, and it is interesting reading about his take on the games he lost. It is a pay site, but you get a freebie if you haven't been on there before. Fortunately I don't read much about the dawgs, try to stay away actually! Kalen DeBoer has 100 wins, but he hasn't forgotten the 11 losses WWW.ONMONTLAKE.COM Washington's coach reflects on lessons learned in defeat.

Love a scrappy, resourceful winner, absolutely love seeing that in our QB!

What got me wondering about this was Mr. Marsh's comment about Tosh not being the head coach type of assistant. How much better can our defense get with continuity at the DC position? I suppose that is what I am asking all those who respond. The same can be asked of our offense and continuity at OC. I have been thinking if your lieutenants are onboard with what you want to do, it is easier to instill the culture and competencies you are trying to create. Once the coaches know the drills, and the senior players know the drills the program is almost on autopilot. The coaches can work on higher level stuff. When you have knew coaches, and players who aren't use to a system, then a lot of time is spent setting standards, and expectations. Taking it a bit further a program which hires a great assistant as a head coach needs to be more patient. A program which hires an experienced coach, with his top assistants, may be able to expect a quicker return, although they may already know the ceiling. We have no idea what the ceiling is, but we are excited to see.

Annie's excited, and I can guarantee you Liberty is excited. Many may not be excited, but this is an honor, and I am of the thinking the program needs to give the respect this game deserves, or we will find out what disrespect gets you. We are a proud program, but pride doesn't work when ego gets in the way. This will be a great test of just what kind of pride this program has. I hope it is deep, and honors the opportunity to shine our true colors. I can guarantee you the colors that come out when that pride gets bruised aren't the colors we want.

There is definitely something, or things about the dawg program which are causing Oregon problems over the last two years under DeBoer's guidance. Many, myself included have wondered if DeBoer is the difference, and Lanning isn't as good of a coach, or at least not yet, but is that the problem? I would argue Deboer is much like our next opponents coach Jamey Chadwell, a guy who came to a program with a system and all his primary coaches all set up. Both coaches came from a successful program with their DC's and OC's already well aware of how the head coach wants things and in lock step with the head coach. Lanning is just learning how to put the head coaching ideas into action while having new assistants, and a new OC for the second time. My thinking is evolving into believing the assistants are the difference between our program and where we expect our program to be. CK did well at Oregon because he walked into a complete assistant coaching package. All the processes were there and he was able to tweak them, but didn't have to struggle with setting that all up. After leaving Oregon's coaching package he struggled and still does to this day. I view our win against OSU as evidence Lannings coaching package is coming together. Other systems and process within the program are coming together. Lanning is as capable as any coach out there, he just needs more time to get his assistants in line, and the processes he knows running right. We don't have a DeBoer problem, really just an impatience problem. We just have to continue to support Lanning in the process of creating another strong core of the program. We see all the pieces, but the time it takes to really strengthen the core is the key. It is also the key to the strength of the next program we play, and another tough test.

Just glad your back down by the river again, and have an internet connection where you can post your ponderings!

Interesting and hopefully I don't come off as a know it all, too often, but my son made a comment the other day about how I present things that made me reflect. I was in a situation and I said, I think, and he stated I come across like I know it all. He said just say, my thinking now, or this is something I am processing, instead of I think. I of course joked, yes I do know everything, but we had a nice conversation, and it allowed me to think about how we attempt to present information and how it is accepted. The most important thing is how we are perceived, and then that actually allows information to become accepted. There are definitely times where we need to express our truth, respectfully, but we are really just expressing our thought processes. I tend to use this as a creative outlet.I know my opinion are sometimes more tangental because of that. I also use this as a place for humor, which may cross a line, as I did recently, but I know I don't mean to be a know it all, or insensitive. Sort of a mea culpa, but we should all reflect on how we state things in social media. It isn't the best way to communicate, and can be rife with misunderstanding unless we are able, and willing to listen to how we come across, not just intend to.

We have our PG of the future which, like a new qb, is critical. Shelstad is the real deal, and hopefully his story is full of even more highlights on the big stage. Rigsby also looks like the grinder type of player programs need. Should be an interesting, exciting season as it unfolds and the chemistry of this team is complete.