Drake

I have to think most of the SUC fans can’t be happy about the money they paid for Riley, especially when you look at his results. Each season his win/loss record gets worse. SUC dished out big money for a used Lincoln, only to find out it has engine trouble. Contrast that to Oregon, we took a calculated risk on a young energetic coach that wants to outwork the competition. Lanning surrounded himself with a young like minded staff, and it is obvious it carried over to the players. SUC is throwing around money, but is it being used effectively? Compare the atmosphere surrounding the team in Smog town to Eugene. Must win vs. let’s go out and take a run at the title again …only this time with a few of SUCs top lineman…lol

We have a pretty solid list of coaches. Melyssa Lombardi deserves accolades for resurrecting the program. However, I did notice that Kelly Graves contract is through the end of this upcoming season. If the team fails to improve this year is a coaching change on the horizon?

The next headline should be that because of USC’s new football valuation inflating values in South Central LA, the area has become a hot bed for crime and homeless issues. Oh wait, that isn’t anything new.

Just maybe we have a young enough team that nobody told them they were not supposed to beat favored teams. We have speed, and size, add a little discipline and luck, and we can roll with most teams. I think we have solid talent, but we need some players to step up into starting roles and hold their ground on defense.

Anytime you disrupt an offensive lines interior blocking scheme you create many opportunities for the MINT defense. The 3 - 4 defense is at it’s finest when you have a nose guard that can man handle the center, and require an OL to double team him. Can the “Bear” wreak havoc in the middle? That probably determines how we handle some of our top rated opponents this season. Our defense needs to play well. We don’t need our young QB to feel that they need to play “hero” ball early in the season.

The money being spent for a winning college football team is crazy. Apparently, the wealthy, and Corporate America, need an immediate intervention. They are asking for someone to impose a subjective NIL “salary cap” to save them from themselves. Once a collective secures the commitment of a 5* recruit with a stupidly priced NIL contract offer, the collective is expected to continue to offer millions to kids just out of high school. It’s an addiction, and we all are wondering when someone finally intervenes. Whether we like it, or not, sports entertainment is BIG business.

Golf brings out the best and worst of some people. A private club is owned by the membership, and professional golfers are guests. It would be similar to going into someone’s home and destroying their property. A lack of self control is not a good sign for longevity as a professional. Controlling emotions is a large part of playing at a high level.

I think Nike has had some hits and misses with Oregon uniforms. Trying to hit refresh over the course of a few decades is never that easy. If the players love the combos, and all the swag that goes with the various options, then keep it rolling. Nike wrestled the NFL contract away from Reebok years ago, and Oregon football definitely played a role in helping them. I think the old saying that you shouldn’t bite the hand that feeds you probably is applicable.

We are in the conversation because of DL. All of it is “ white noise” until it happens.

Keep Hawaii in the recruiting rotation. He will live in the weight room for at least two years, and potentially be a 6’ 4” 320 guy. Still a pretty large human.

Hmmmm…the attendance record games usually have something more compelling involved than we won’t be scheduled to play for an extended period of time. The only interesting thing would be how long our backup QB gets to play in the 2nd half, and will he be able to beat the spread.

My knowledge of NIL contracts is about thimble size. Any contract can be broken, it is the language contained in the contract that stipulates any penalties. My knowledge of law is slightly larger than a thimble, but I don’t see how a court can award tampering damages beyond penalties stipulated within the signed agreement.

Can Luke Moga catch the ball? Be interesting to see him run with the receivers to see if his size and speed could create problems for a defense. Seems like a great athlete, and would love to seem him get some playing time.

Guy apparently likes to coach. A college head coaching position seems like a big headache for a former NFL Coach. The professional relationship he refers too … she is his “part time COO” of Belichick Productions. HBO reported that they scrapped a Hard Knocks series of North Carolina football after demands from Jordan Hudson were deemed unreasonable. Apparently, she can’t sit quietly during an interview of her “boss”, Bill Belichick. Too funny.

Although, a 6’ 5” linebacker with the speed of a safety is always useful. He will definitely gain weight over the next few years. But, based on his build he can probably still carry more weight and retain speed. But, you are right about having him stay at safety. He would give QB’ s and receivers trouble with any throw downfield in his territory.

On what planet does it make sense to pay a high school TE $10 million? Does that then make your QB worth $40 to 50 million? I can’t blame anyone to go after life changing money, but you have to wonder what goes on in the locker room and off the field when many proven seniors, players who are more important than any TE, are overlooked. The obvious answer is that they hit the transfer portal, but team chemistry has to be tense, at best, on certain teams. Managing egos is much more difficult than training athletes. I think that Oregon’s NIL collective is being sensible, if that is possible, in the current environment.

Throwing shade at the BIG means nothing if your conference refuses to play against them as part of their OOC schedule. Vanderbilt is only part of the SEC because of location, and their QB is oblivious that they have been a whipping post for the conference for most of their football existence.

Belichick/Hudson…I always thought Bill was more of a Stacy’s mom guy. Turns out he fell for Stacy.

It’s not really true gambling, if you can afford it….lol Therefore, I really only bet on sports if I happen to be at an actual casino with a sports book. I was a financial advisor, and have seen the damage that it can have on people that don’t understand how math works.

The receiver room loses depth and experience, but not a huge drop in potential talent. We will replace a top receiver with 5*, or 4* receiver with less experience, but a high ceiling in potential. If I was a receiver I would be excited about the newest opportunity. This is what these guys should thrive on…the question should be…who wants to step up and be the next 800 to 1,000 yard guy?

It is becoming more difficult for casual fans to root for their teams when they have no chance to compete in the NIL arena. Honestly, I feel that we are lucky that Oregon has a current seat at the table. Having legislators rescue college football…hmmm…no comment, since I risk being banned from the website.

Sports tests physical and mental limits. How frustrating to work out all year, play good ball during the season, and then get derailed in the off season by a serious injury. One of those “ agony of defeat” personal moments. The Ducks will miss him, and I wish him well during his rehab from this injury.

Is anybody expecting him to carry the entire team on his back all year? Tough to have a QB with 5 years of experience every year. Moore throws a good ball, and the question of most younger QB’s is whether they can read defensive sets, and remember defensive tendencies during a game. In the words of Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, don’t think, just do. We will find out if he can play ball at this level soon enough.

Newer book that just came out that is worthwhile. Available in hardback, or Kindle on Amazon. Grew up in North Bend, and was in 4 th grade when Prefontaine broke the high school 2 mile record. A friend of my parents told us to go watch Prefontaine at a Marshfield track meet, so I can say that I saw him dominate an event as a senior before most knew of him. Beloved, and missed by all sports fans of that era.

Phil Knight picked Rosemary St Clair, who was previously a Vice President in Nike Women’s division, to run division street which is Oregon’s NIL collective. With Phil Knight’s goal of a football Championship, I have to think they have a handle on a recruiting strategy. There are two distinct approaches to recruiting. One is “buying” high school talent, and the other is using the transfer portal. While an all out bidding war stacking high school talent could get the job done, there are only so many playing minutes available. Using both is the way to get the job done. MLB has proven that you can “buy a title”, and they always use the draft and free agency to give themselves a shot. While the highest payroll doesn’t win every year, many years they get deep into the playoffs. A little luck, and a lot of talent will give us a shot at a title.