Washington Waddler

Must be a southern thing. Reminiscent of Scarlet O’Hara when she was trying to figure how to keep both Rhett Butler and her pride by saying, “I can’t think about it now, I’ll think about it tomorrow.” Just like Scarlet, it’s hard Mario to have what you want and keep your integrity.

The article only said that CP wouldn’t retain him. No details as to why. Anyone know why?

Lanning is earning my respect for how he reels in smart, top drawer choices for his staff. NFL experience only means something if you get the right guy, and we saw how that can go with Lake and Donovan.

If I’m looking at just the game, then no - it’s a players’ world only. But, if I’m looking at it as a statement that something is wrong with the post season that is making players opt-out, then I’d just as soon everybody be down on the field silently rooting for an expanded play-off that would make it worth staying.

Yes, if Moss and others see our current guys staying put, helps create that sense of confidence in the program we really need right now.

The bowl situation is only top heavy when viewed through the aging lens of the ‘reward’ system. Maybe not administrations and coaches, but players are certainly experiencing a sea-change in attitude towards the lower value bowls: is the risk of further injury outweighed by reward? And who really gets the reward? To bring back balance and worth to the lower bowl system, the established route of the upper tier system seems to be the only relevant blue print; ie, expand the CBP to 12 or 16 teams, and then allow the existing lower tier bowls to bid on play-off bracket spots.

Was at Hec Edmundson pavilion with my wife for the 2019 Oregon UW men’s basketball game, aka Payton Pritchard’s “I own this house” closing argument. As halftime approached, the crowd began thumping their tails uncontrollably and peeing in their seats in anticipation of the introduction of their new head football coach Jimmy Lake. There is nothing new or unusual about using a campus sports event to unveil a new coach, and new coaches normally use the moment to simply thank the administration and crowd for their support and promise the kind of effort that will bring victories and championships to the school — nothing more. Best to leave them with a solid first impression that evokes class and the anticipation of better things to come. Not Jimmy. He seized the moment like a carnival barker conning a crowd of fools into buying tickets to see a two-headed tattooed lady. His ‘I own this place’ opening gambit was followed by an awkward TV game show host-like climb into the stands to ‘mix’ with his frothing followers that lasted well into the start of the 2nd half. My wife looked at me and I at her in blank amazement at this remarkable display of cluelessness.

Nothing but positive feelings and best wishes for all the Dye family, and a big congratulations to Travis and Erin!

Reading these great comments, it occurred to me how important it is to separate ‘Identity’ from ‘Brand’. It’s also useful to remember that ‘Brand’ or ‘National Brand’ are extremely volatile and subjective terms that don’t necessarily mean the same thing in the eyes of different recruits. And, in the hands of a recruiter who is using ‘Brand’ to sell a program to recruits without understanding it, let alone believing in that program’s ‘Identity’, you have the makings of a ‘Brand’ disaster that can reach far into future recruiting years. Unfortunately, Mario was that guy. He got the ‘Brand’ part, but he never got, nor believed in, the ‘Duck Identity’. We’re fast, smart and know how to adapt to change. We weather storms because we know when to fly, and when to hit the pond. We get to where we’re going (eventually!) because we’re a flock, and we stick together. It’s an identity that is battle tested and hard won. Mario — God bless him — drove his ‘Brand’ new Mallardati like it was a bulldozer at night with the headlights turned off. I’m just hoping that moving to a guy whose roots are more midwestern, and who has chosen coaches with a mixture of west coast roots and experience that our ‘Identity’ won’t be so hard now to grasp and — more importantly — instill in recruits. It’s not rocket science; it’s just being a Duck!

Ducky Holidays to all!

What’s interesting about that is that when you do, and the contributor hears it, the payoff is that he or she has the chance to get past the raw emotion and see what they really wanted to say in the first place — and that can become a valuable contribution!

Put a face to the names you see on this forum; don’t treat others here with the same anonymous approach as you would on other sites. See them, and treat them with respect as you would yourself. Think of it as if you were a kid sitting around a family dining room table with your other brothers and sisters learning how to converse with each other in a civil manner. At times, your older sibs (moderators) might give you the eye when they think you should shut-up. And, if you can’t control yourself, then FishDuck — sitting at the head of the table — is there to send you to your room for a well earned time out and think about what you said. Simple, but effective.

Great article Jon; whatever comes of it, it’s just interesting to ponder. One issue that is a potential Achilles heal is that of how national school administration from the federal level right down to local districts will react to the intensified financial pressure brought to bear on student athletes who will inherit that along with the expected uptick in recruiting pressure. The reverberations from such a change in college ball will unavoidably sound throughout the high school systems of the country as prominent programs begin to jockey for position in this changing landscape and schools are forced to deal even more with some of the same issues colleges do now between education and sports. The reaction from national school administrators would probably be swift and negative as they foresee students of this age group not being mature enough to deal with the pressures raining down on them. Would this alter football as it has basketball where we now have academies created especially to prepare players for the next level? Easier said than done when you look at a cost comparison of the two sports. It could be the only choice though if national educators trump athletic departments at the high school level in the effort to protect youth from a higher sports system run amok in pursuit of the almighty dollar.

Nothing new here. Fans will always see the glass as half full on their side, and half empty on the other. Not going to badmouth Mario for what he’s good at. That’s how he got the job in the first place — by letting the players talk our swishy-washy AD into hiring him. He can recruit — period. However, that should be a strength for DL going toe to toe. The before and after picture with MC has more than enough evidence to suggest to any recruit MC can’t deliver on what he promises. DL can capitalize on that. In some ways, MC reminds me of Ernie. Both were (are) great recruiters, but the only real success both ever had was when they had superior field generals (Justin Herbert, Luke Ridnour). Take that away, and their coaching deficiencies became obvious. Mullens needs to go. It’s becoming apparent he’s more concerned with his ‘national committee’ image than he is with his obligation to Oregon’s success. Just another Peter Principal case: kick him upstairs.

Anyone else getting just a wee bit tired of this Dixieland carousel ride circulating promising coaches through their triple a farm club in the northwest and then back home again?

Deep in the woods? More like lost in the woods.

ESPN/SEC is top heavy — let nature take its course?

Agree, he’s one I wish we could’ve held onto. I like the youth movement DL is creating on his staff, but some veteran voices help to balance that lack of experience.

It helps to remember that there was a time when that was the Ducks. Our single-minded focus on the right to be considered a serious contender was what characterized Oregon through the Rich Brooks years and into Mike Bellotti’s time. And, it was precisely that galvanizing obsession, churning as we flew just beneath the radar of established collegiate powers, that held us all together — players, coaches, administration, fans — and got us to the point of being considered a serious contender. I guess you can’t expect that kind of home grown, single-minded loyalty to exist past that point. Once you become a contender, you’re reward is recognition, along with becoming a threat to the established members; it is — after all — an exclusive club of backstabbers — the price that comes with being taken seriously. I sometimes find myself looking back on that climb from nowhere with a wistful longing. While I don’t miss the frustration of those battle-torn years, I do miss that simple clarity of purpose we all shared — that family bond of loyalty. And while the purpose hasn’t changed, the battlefield upon which it is chased has. There is not a successful program out there that has not had to face and cross that killing field where loyalty no longer seems to exist and the program you thought you were feels like an illusion slipping through your fingers. The ones that survive that ordeal do so because they never for a moment forget who they are. They hold fast to that hard won identity that unifies them, honing and shaping it through good and bad seasons until it becomes like a polished stone that cannot be shaken or denied. Do that, and loyalty follows.

Keep me from falling asleep.

Judging from the player lobbying that went on during Mario’s hire, and the letter from past players that seems to have affected the 2nd Wilcox offer, I can’t quite shake the feeling that Mullens has a need to not shoulder the load for his choices, but share that responsibility. While that obviously can’t carry any weight in the eyes of the public, it still makes me wonder if it colors his decision making process.

When you look at the timeline DL has had to follow in order to get all his working pieces in order, not only did early signing come out smelling like a rose ( pun intended), but should position him for some of the more important targets yet to sign along with a few possible portal prizes he has his eye on.

Sounds like Chip would make a better AD than Mullens.

I’d agree that his best focus and work were while he was at Utah. IF he wants back in, and is willing to do what it takes, wouldn’t be surprised to see him back out west, possibly at an FCS school.

We OBD’ers need to keep in mind — as best we can — that the price of success can, and often will, go well beyond some of our comfort zones — including ex-players. There is wisdom to the saying, ‘be careful of what you wish for; it may come true’. We’ve let the horse loose in pursuit of that dream. But, just like pushing your kid down the driveway that first time, you’ve also started to relinquish control. Enjoy the ride!