Drake

The rules changed the game. I don’t think for a minute that NBA players are soft. Hand checking has been eliminated, the refs finally started enforcing the rule in the mid 90’s. The 3 point arc was shortened to encourage more outside shooting, and zone defense, once banned, is allowed. Eliminating hand checking turned the game from the low scoring rough and tumble games of the late 80’s, where the Bigs ruled the paint, to the “softer version” that we see today. You want a more physical game, bring back hand checking. Zone defense makes it more difficult for a center, or power forward to offensively dominate the paint. For a reference look at old games that show how the Pistons (Bad Boys) man handled Jordan his first 4 to 5 years in the league. You can’t do that anymore, because the NBA wants to showcase their “best players”.

Blending players from the transfer portal into the “family environment “ that is spoken about by recruits has to be managed by the coaching staff. Many of the transfer portal players are immediate impact players, and are filling a position that younger less experienced players want as well. Egos get bruised, and that “family environment” gets tested. I listened to an interview with Jabbar Muhammad and he spoke about the connection that DL and staff wants the players to develop on and off the field. The idea is that you will play harder for the players you feel a connection with. College football has changed, and the Ducks seem to have a grasp on how to navigate the landscape.

Dillon Gabriel’s arrival definitely changed the outlook for this season. Not to overlook other players on the team, but a senior QB with the potential to win a Heisman seems pretty huge. I anticipate that our offense thrives, and the defense is looking nasty for anything less than a top rated offensive unit.

Jumping from a High School in Missouri to Nebraska…hmmm…not the normal career path of a coach. Jamar Mozee (father) has become the new Senior Football Assistant at Nebraska.

There is good weight and bad weight depending on the position. The amount of calories these guys need to maintain, lose, or gain weight is monitored regularly. Some guys maintain their weight and add muscle, others will add weight and muscle. The season is longer now, and I know how much it cost to feed my kids. Any guesses as to the cost of maintaining the training table for +100 guys over an entire season? 😳

Guys like RaShaad Samples, Alique Terry, Chris Hampton, Will Stein, Dan Lanning, etc., have the advantage of youth when it comes to the energy needed to recruit. Chip Kelly comes to mind as a solid offensive coach, but not an energetic recruiter. What is impressive is that our coaches collectively bring offensive and defensive schemes, along with their vision of winning a championship that attracts players. Not everyone can pull that off. If I was just looking at the ages of our staff, I don’t think I would guess that they are coaching one of the top teams in the nation.

An uptempo offense that has a veteran QB is always dangerous. When you add all the other ingredients, top receivers, great RB’s, solid OL, with a QB that is accurate, scrambles well, and runs when necessary…opposing defenses have their hands full. Ultimately, our defense, and overall team health, will decide how far we go this year. Our defense doesn’t have to be in the top 20 for the team to be successful. The exciting part is that the defense has the potential to be top 20, or top 10. Can’t wait to see these guys get after it this season.

If Autzen’s total capacity disqualifies us as a legit member, then Nebraska’s population should disqualify them as a legit state. Makes about as much sense. I will buy their corn products and they can buy our lumber products.

You know you are having football withdrawals when you watch highlights for the umpteenth time… Click the Watch on YouTube… (should be able to read the comments section) I finally read some comments and had a good laugh. Thought somebody else would enjoy as well. Many Colorado fans used these highlights to “scout” the Ducks and then proclaimed their optimism in the comments section. Perhaps they forgot they were on the road and playing at Autzen.

By the end of the season everyone’s starters are going to be hurting. I think our depth will play a big factor against the puppies, and if somewhat healthy our OL and DL overpowers them in a potential bad weather game.

Not a surprise. I have to think that getting “your top teams” in a bidding war is common. However, I also believe that at some point a person’s character is important as well. If a player checks all the boxes, then all you can do is offer a competitive bid. It is a business transaction, and the highest bidder does not always win.

I like it when a perceived weakness is relying on 3 or 4 players that were all 4 star recruits.

The last conference game of the season had relevance because of conference standings. It was fun watching the Ducks knock the rodents out of the running for the Rose Bowl the few years they had a chance. For me, when the PAC imploded, so did the relevance of having them on our schedule.

Considering that Neuheisel has fallen out of the coaching ranks, at a time when successful coaches land huge contracts, he is where he belongs. A healthy percentage of Sirius subscribers leave after their free trial is over after buying a new vehicle. Siruis(ly) does anyone subscribe just to listen to his broadcast’s?

An embarrassing press conference. He will be in front of a microphone every game. He better perform much better on the sidelines, or his coaching career will end quickly.

Our 2nd tier players could easily be a top 25 team if we got solid play from one of our backup QB’s. The talent we have that will be standing on the sidelines any given play is unprecedented.

The increase in the number of games for a playoff team can be substantial. Scheduling OOC teams that require the starters to play the entire game just exposes your best players to injury. Having games where your team can bring in younger players for game experience seems a much better way to decrease injuries to your key players. Especially, for a team that has a legit shot at a championship.

That Duck is awesome. Hopefully, nobody wrecks their car while bird watching.

If you can’t beat him, have him join you. Good things happen when you can force QB’s to throw into tight windows, or make them spend more time going through progressions.

A down to earth interview which gave me another reason to like a man that I don’t know.

Jessica Hull recently set the women’s World record in the 2,000 meters in Monaco. She won the race by over 6 seconds. I watched a replay, and it was obvious she had that as her goal from the very start. Even though she is running for Australia I have to cheer for a Duck.

Opponents will have Oregon circled on their schedules. We will be getting everyone’s best efforts. A win against OBD elevates every opposing team based upon the preseason rankings. I love that we are getting solid reviews and projections. However, you can’t win any games in July.

I added BTN Big Ten Network for $10/mo + tax on Xfinity using their app. If you already have app set up, it takes less than 5 minutes to get access. Not free, but convenient.

Oregon Ducks vs Oregon State Beavers: EA Sports predicts the winner DUCKSWIRE.USATODAY.COM A look at how EA Sports College Football 25 simulated the non-conference showdown between the Oregon Ducks and Oregon State Beavers in 2024. We barely squeak by the PAC 2 Championship contender. Looks like a pad the stats weekend.

I always thought Chris Miller became a turning point for the program. He was truly a tremendous athlete in High School, and honestly, an injury probably kept him from going to a better team. I suppose that Royce Freeman should be a candidate as well. Our all time rushing leader with 60 TD’s. For defense, hands down Haloti Ngata.