Washington Waddler

Nick, welcome to the shadow world of John Wooden!

Alabama’s pitch will revolve around how they’re the logical next step for DL, even though he fails to check all the experience boxes a job like that usually requires. If they can blow enough ego-inflator smoke into the image they’d like to create for him (not to mention their boosters and fan base) of himself as ‘destined’ to replace a legend, they might just get away with it, The question is, are Dan’s feet squarely on the ground, or are they being swept from beneath him? If he wants to believe in someone else’s image of who he is, he’s probably gone. If he wants to keep his feet on the ground, continue to build his own program and image, and stick to the challenge he’s embraced, he’ll stay. As tempting as it may be, he’s also smart enough to sense a beautiful trap. Sure hope I’m right!

Penix entered that game fully aware what he was about to face, and still couldn’t rise to the occasion. Elite QBs know how to occupy the eye of the storm; in fact, they thrive on it. Didn’t see that quality in Penix.

Once again reminded that defense wins championships, especially against an offense that relies upon a timing passing game. Without the ability to establish his confidence-building rhythm, Penix’s laser turned into a dim bulb flashlight.

Not being able to stomach either program, my new year’s wish is that the championship game end in a tie, and before overtime can begin, disgruntled Texas fans in the Houston area sabotage local power stations causing an outage that forces a premature end to the game, leaving neither team a winner. This would be followed by Jim Harbaugh’s firing, and an announcement by Michigan that Kalen DeBoer has accepted their offer. Not perfect, but would help a little with my pain as a Duck fan.

The current course of this game has me wondering if the SEC may not have inherited the PAC12’s policy of self-cannibalism.

Liberty taking liberties? Going duck hunting? One thing you can ALWAYS count on from new opponents: no imagination.

He may have missed a few blocking adjustment calls when Bo was pushed out of the pocket a bit early, but not much else. Huge piece of next year’s puzzle sliding into place.

Living as I now do in cur country, just the thought of the whelps going 15-0 . . . no, just can’t go there. Since a Husky will eat anything put in front of him, may have to hire someone in nahluns to supplement their training table with intestinal parasite-laced deer poop. These are desperate times.

Bless us ALL, everyone!

Limbing cedars with Lucy

I’d offer him 126 mil to stay away

Greener as in mildew and mold?

While I agree with most of the Washington assessments, it still remains nine points for three games. Is that a big hump? Yes and no. It remains a big hump until Dan finds that ‘gear’ he’s still searching for that gets him over the top. Chip and Mark hit the big game by being in the right place at the right time. Dan is not sneaking up on anyone. He’s doing it like Kirby, the old fashion way. My guess would be that the dirtiest word right now for him in the English language is ‘potential’

Italians do a pretty mean pan steak too, although I’m also pretty sure Mario uses a microwave.

Because of what he accomplished, I can never categorize Chip with the likes of Willie and Mario. But IMHO, his thoughtless exit places him on the margin of that because it created for me a lasting impression of how little concern he had for the future wellbeing of the program that gifted him the platform to become who he did. I’m not holding him responsible for striking while the iron was hot. That’s the nature of the business. What I do hold him responsible for is how little concern he had in not being thorough in his consideration of promoting Helfrich as his successor. It was too easy a call for him. Mark was his protege, his devoted pupil, a friend whom he undoubtedly wished success upon. Despite the qualities listed (great human being; devoted Duck; knowledge of the game; commitment to his players), I can’t help but think their time together would not have made him very aware of a temperament utterly unsuitable for the cold, lonely clarity required of a head coach. Chip’s call was probably inevitable. His interest was in the man and not the program. And it worked; for a while, until reality caught up with his protege. His was the classic case of how nice guys can so often finish last. Chip just wanted out the door, and he took the quick and sure route to that end. And, there was no doubt whoever he crowned would be his successor. But, should he have? Mark was Chip’s fall guy. How do you say no to your teacher’s unwillingness to not endorse, and leave the job open to the normal process? His legacy was more important to him than the program that gave him his start. Water under the bridge.

Back during those Kelly/Helfrich days, Nick Aliotti and I shared the same insurance consultant. One day during Mark’s 2nd season I was there for an appointment, and found the two of them chatting outside the office. Ducks were the topic, and Helfrich’s sideline demeanor and reaction to plays was the topic. What I remember best was Nick’s heated intensity (did he ever react in any other way?) describing and reacting to Mark’s response towards players coming off the field who’d just cost the team with their poor play. What was driving Aliotti crazy was that Mark was unfailingly positive and encouraging to these screw-ups in the heat of battle. Later on, in his office, maybe. But not no way NEVER during a game. Didn’t send the right message to the player nor the others watching the interaction; all it did was cause that player and the team to lose respect for the coach by not holding him accountable for what he’d just done.

SI’s interview indicates his move had a lot to do with Carlos. Stats and measurables aside, if CL is bringing him onboard, not too worried about his creds and potential. A bonus in my mind is his Div II background. Along with a star-sprinkled big name RB would come two seasons worth of a body being beaten on by power 5 defenses.

My wife and I were at every home game and quite a few away games during Sabrina’s years with the Ducks. I remember stretches of many of those games where I’d hone in on Graves, and just watch for his ‘live’ coaching style. After a while I just gave up because I couldn’t tell the difference between him and some fan who was fast asleep. At the time, it was easy to write that off to leaving well enough alone with a field general directing the emergence of the most exciting and successful team in women’s basketball, UConn included. Besides, not every coach pounds the line like Dana. Success breeds fan patience. Like many others, I was more than willing to cut the guy a lot of slack, and wait for the time when a Sabrina-less Kelly would finally put on display those coaching chops developed at St Mary’s and Gonzaga. I’m no judge of women’s basketball coaches, but as far as I can tell, it hasn’t happened. He’s still asleep.

Absolutely.

It all feels like some classic, messy who-gets-the-money divorce with the C***l War playing the child who’s shared between the two parents.

Like everyone else, love um when they’re yours; hate um when they’re not. What else is new?

That adage has always reminded me a bit of the difference between winning and losing. Similar to a strength, winning teaches you one thing: you like it. It is then your job to sustain it. On the other hand, weakness - like losing - teaches you everything else about yourself and what you need to do to improve on it. Sometimes, some people might just surprise you.

The flip side to this coin suggests playing the QB portal lottery on a yearly basis may slowly deplete not only the growth of young QBs within the system; but could - over time - erode recruiting efforts. What effect that may have on over-all team morale remains TBD, especially in those years when you strike out on your lottery choice.

A new program could be just the jolt TT requires to finally take charge of himself. Wish him well.