[Do we Honestly Have a Shot at a Playoff Berth?]

Do we have a chance to go to the playoff? I think not. Ducks will be lucky to win the North division. I agree with Confused that UCLA will win in two weeks, and I expect another loss as well. Most fans seem to think that Cal is a sure win but it could be a game where it all comes together for them and they romp. As we've seen, any Pac12 team can win on any given weekend.

 

IMO, the whole rankings/playoff picture was skewed before the season with writers and pundits and conference level hopes, so Oregon was placed in a higher ranking than I think was justified merely to keep a door open for a Pac12 playoff berth. They said the Pac12 ‘needed’ to show up in the playoffs this year and so they chose Oregon to hang their lofty expectations upon. Does anyone really believe Ducks were top five material to start the season?

 

A loss is monumental and in some ways, we’re right back to the old system of rankings where the favorites get voted to the top spots based on favoritism, W/L record, and TV ratings. Larry Scott being mostly AOL didn’t help either.

 

We REALLY need a larger playoff group but I fear that ultimately will lead nowhere for the Pac12. The SEC and some name favorites from years past, via ESPN (think money and big fan markets) and some others, will find a way to get their top share of attention. The only way for Oregon, and probably any team in the conference, is to win and win BIG so then they can’t be denied.

 

Chip had his system, but he always preached one game at a time. His teams were ready to play and their focus was disciplined enough to keep on winning. I think the current team and the head coach lack that kind of discipline.

 

Ohio State, to start the season, was trading on their reputation. The Ducks had practiced for them for weeks, and the Buckeyes didn’t look like a great team. They didn’t adjust defensively and had some kinks on offense and, I think, assumed they’d be able to win. They are a different team now, and so are the Ducks, so the comparison doesn’t mean much now, really. I agree, if it comes down to Oregon or Ohio St in the playoffs, the Buckeyes get the nod.

[Im going to ask a Question about Cristobal.]

Not confident at all. I'd say his chances are slim to none.

[An Offensive "System" at Oregon?]

Is it the system? Maybe. Or maybe it's the way the staff coaches the system. But, what exactly is the system??

[Swinson Back, Moorhead in Eugene and Williams Lost for Season]

According to James Crepea of the Oregonian, RB coach Mastro was the play caller for the Stanford game and will do so again for the Cal game if necessary. Nate Costa, who is an offensive analyst, will take on some or Moorhead's coaching responsibilities "in the quarterback room and at practice". 

 

After saying that, Mario added this profound bit of word salad: “When we do call it, everything we do we collaborate. We do it collectively; as we did when Joe was here as well. The system is the system. We’re not going to change systems.”

 

So, it would appear that "the system" is the all important thing. I think this would be a good time for Mario to more clearly define "the system".

[What shift would you like to see in CristoBall?]

Yes, totally agree that people seldom change and only shift a little. I also agree about using the tempo offense more, but just enough to keep the defense guessing. However, this move seems less basic and more finesse and I don't see them pulling it off right now. Brown is using the option play at times and he's not always a good decision maker. Can he run a hurry-up too? I don't know.

 

Harkening back to previous posts about changes and what to expect in the next game--what about 2 QB play? It's an idea that I generally hate, but maybe this would be an option to maximize each QB potential, get TT some action and get the best out of Brown? Just a thought.

 

[Anthony Brown and His Private QB Coach]

Hi everyone! First post, here.

 

Does anyone else remember an article in July 2021 by Jame Crepea of the Oregonian where he interviewed both Brown and Shough at the Manning Camp? 

https://www.oregonlive.com/ducks/2021/07/tyler-shough-anthony-brown-reflect-on-splitting-time-as-oregon-ducks-qbs-in-2020.html

 

The article is an insightful read about the internal dynamics of QB play during last season and into the Winter of 2021. I didn't know players could have their own private coaches, and especially ones who talk to the media about their "pupil's" playing time. Shough had anticipated a competition for the starting spot but realized right away that Brown would be getting the majority of the snaps. Brown's private coach had expressed his frustration at Brown's lack of snaps in 2020 and "intimated that the former Boston College signal caller would be exploring other options".

 

Six weeks later, Shough entered the transfer portal seeking a fresh start. He acknowledged some troubles getting along with Moorhead and wanted to transfer some place where he could have a good relationship with the coaches, grow as a QB and compete.

 

Is there still a struggle as to who is/should be the starting QB? Are Moorhead and Cristobal on the same page?