Washington Waddler

I’m not that guy, but I never underestimate the ‘chip on the shoulder’ motivation created for our LB room by being ignored by experts and media as they shine the spotlight on those well-deserving TT LBs.

Just speculation, but some good reasons to hope it’s true. As you mentioned, he’s already proven to himself that being patient pays dividends, and another year of strength training and weight room work would really help to get his body ready for the likely pounding he’d take as a 1st round draft pick. Like Bear Alexander points out, there’s no development at the second level.

After 63 years of life out west (born in San Luis Obispo, 40 year coaching career in either Utah or Idaho), he might find it a challenge to navigate the dense political sports culture and its expectations that saturates Ann Arbor. If he has the patience and willingness to accommodate their absurd and unrealistic pipe dreams, they’ll have themselves a winner.

On the other hand, there were the 2010 grey uni’s in Corvallis to seal the perfect season and trip to the BCS championship.

A Merry Christmas to all

It use to be the moms we’re all saying, I want you to stay close to home. Now it seems some are saying, follow the $$.

It makes me laugh when I see those ‘letter-turned-into-number’ comments. They’re usually made by beaten, frustrated fans who - if they stopped to consider what they are saying - would make them less than zero?

I try not to get ahead of myself. What’s already happened speaks for itself. What’s yet to happen just creates anxiety if it gets me into expectations. I prefer goals. However, when it comes to what makes for a successful season, I can’t really separate the two without feeling like I’m not looking at the bigger picture. So, my definition of a successful season is seeing the team carry on into the playoffs what they built during the regular season. No one can know how the unexpected will affect a game, but - win or lose - if the Ducks are playing their game, it’s a success. Of course, that has nothing to do with desire. I want to see them beat the crap out of everyone.

Imagine red zone passing downs with Gatlin Bair heading for one corner of the end zone and Kendre Harrison the other.

Trent Kirsten looks to have all the tools to become a top drawer P2 head coach. Good strategic coaching, excellent recruiter, scouts his opposition well, and knows how to motivate after suffering a loss. Question remains as to whether Eugene is a destination or a stepping stone for him.

Give that video the Grateful Duck trophy.

And full of bears?

In regards to Husky whining and complaints about NIL/portal funding of Oregon football, the Seattle sports scene reminds me of LA, or any other mega city where the victory hungry spot light siphons off support and interest to whoever is doing better. Case in point: at Husky Stadium, I saw numerous purple puppy farm fans wearing Mariner and Seahawks hats or jerseys, and in some cases, both. As in LA, the $$ is there. It just has no loyalty.

Totally agree. Love the flipping of assumed roles each team is expected to play, all delivered with a condescending, kind-hearted tone worthy of Nick Saban talking about his next opponent. However, even in slow-motion, the Ducks still bear a resemblance to what Jesse Owen’s once said about himself: “I let my feet spend as little time on the ground as possible.”

Iron sharpens iron. Rather than improving the SEC’s top tier teams chances for success, avoidance often diminishes the over all ability to meet challenges.

His speed and ability to juke and side-step defenders makes him the full package at receiver. With his added weight, he’s going to be a defender’s red zone nightmare on back shoulder corner end zone passes.

If basketball can support an NIT, why not football? If nothing else, it would make for a bunch of very happy cities that might otherwise be cut out of their traditional, year-end economic celebrations. Could even keep the NIT acronym: Next In-line Tournament?

Whatever the thought process that led to ND’s decision, likely tilting it a bit for Freeman was just the thought of all those press conference questions directed at how they could have screwed up so bad and ended up there.

All down hill since Mike Leach

And the Bucknuts have now had their wake up call. F**k, another purple & gold clad team? Makes it already easier to despise them.

As long as we accept that there has been a sea change in how officials interpret OL holding, we’re going to see the time for more and better thrown deep balls. Given that, I’m inclined to withhold judgement on Thomas until next year. And, I tend towards someone whose’s motivated to be a Duck.

The sad truth is that this game we all love as fans is what has also helped create this greed-driven monstrosity that feeds off of our never ending desire for a winner. Want to know what a pandemic looks like? From top to bottom, look at what $$ has done to American football.

You know, you either accept a defeat and build off of it, or let it ruin you. We know what that’s all about. Guess Penn State doesn’t.

The more important issue than where one player ends up signing is just that: what effect has this NIL hostage drama had on the minds of high school athletes, their coaches, parents and agents? How will they now perceive their bargaining position in light of the way Henry’s recruitment played out? Unless something concrete is enacted to modify the effect NIL is proving to have on the game, we can safely assume CFB will transition from being looked upon as merely NFL Jr to being a charter member.

Or five centers snapping five ball?