Drake

Has to do with the defensive linemen alignments. A 5 tech is a defensive end, a 3 tech aligns off the outside shoulder of the offensive guard, and a 1 tech is off either shoulder of the center.

Not underrated by Duck fans, but...Underrated by quite a few analysts. Pretty sure Miami wishes they had picked him over Tua. The Head Coach was fired....

The Ducks defense improved, and the offense deteriorated as the abbreviated season moved forward. The Ducks got punched in the nose, and we now have to wait until September to see how they respond. I don’t believe that the inconsistent play from the season will make, or break, the team. However, the inconsistent play at QB does create a make, or break, scenario for Shough. Who starts at QB in September is not very clear at the moment. The perception that the PAC 12 doesn’t belong in the playoff is definitely true at this moment. However, will our young players rise to the occasion and start to change that perception? I think they have a great opportunity in front of them.

Without a “can’t miss” NFL type running back that can create yardage, the Ducks will need outstanding QB play to be a good team. To be realistic, we need both. I think you can be a good team without both, but not a championship caliber team.

Offensive scheme has a lot to do with the drop in rushing yards. Cristobal has really wanted to run a power running game without a true power running back. Kind of a round hole and square peg dilemma. Jonathon Stewart, Lagerrette Blount, LMJ, Kenyon Barner, DAT, Royce Freeman...Ten years worth of running backs...Looking at the list...talent at running back might have a little to do with it as well.

Based on Alabama’s recruiting class rankings over the last ten years, anytime they don’t win the Natty they have “underperformed”. An expanded playoff might help spread out recruiting somewhat, and is the only way I can see to make a dent in the stranglehold that some teams have at the moment. Cash flow is important for college football to stay healthy over the long term. Having a conference champion automatically in a playoff brings in a constant flow of revenue that is guaranteed. Financially speaking, it makes sense to me.

His first game in college was a crushing defeat to the puppies. I stayed for that entire lopsided game because I was interested in watching Herbert. You could tell that he had game. I definitely think the team struggles early in his college career helped him become stronger mentally. Herbert could have easily jumped to the NFL after his junior year. Coming back for his senior year was all about being a team player, and unfinished business. He had confidence in the team, and himself. Great player, great story.

QB1 should have a strong passing game. We have some outstanding young receivers and they will need to get the ball for this team to be successful. We seem to be loaded at receiver, and are still in search of a featured running back. I think Cristobal likes to showcase his big offensive linemen. He really wants to run the ball and wear down the opponents defensive line. However, our strength currently appears to be at receiver, and not necessarily at running back. Until that changes, I think the game plan should be to feature a passing attack to open up our running game. I don’t pretend to know who is best suited for that type of game, but it seems to open the door for Butterfield. That would allow Thompson the opportunity to be a redshirt candidate.

Oregon really missed both Penei and Jevon this year. From my viewpoint, as a fan, we were robbed seeing two of our best players in their final year at Oregon. Just another reason why puttting 2020 in the rear view mirror couldn’t happen fast enough.

Do they hand out vaccination certificates? Will my doctor need to contact the ticket office for me? Vaccination doesn’t guarantee immunity, and some individuals cannot be vaccinated for health reasons. I would think that it would be difficult to require vaccination and then enforce it every game day. Plus, based upon the rollout of the vaccine, getting the vaccine to those who want it is going to take a long time.

Oregon football got punched in the face. I am not sure if Ty Thompson is the only guy that needs to save the team. The 2020 season included poor performances from the coaching staff, offense, defense, and special teams. Did I miss anybody? It will require a total team effort to reestablish the teams identity.

It will be interesting to watch Avalos from afar as head coach. “Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.” I do wish him success. However, I want the Ducks to boot stomp BSU when we play them again.

Solid list of coaches. With the quality of the returning players, and the signed recruits coming in on defense, the Oregon job will be desirable. Therefore, I am not overly concerned about getting a quality coach. I know that if I was a candidate I would certainly take Cristobal’s phone call and listen. Cristobal wants coaches that also have recruiting chops. Cristobal can recruit. Both players and coaches.

Justin will win by knockout. He established too many new records at the most visible position in football.

The PAC 12 has major issues way beyond football. The PAC 12 is trying to hold on by its financial fingertips for two major events. The expiration of Larry Scott’s contract, and the expiration of the broadcasting rights deals with ESPN and Fox. I don’t pretend that I understand all of the intricate problems of the PAC 12. However, I do know that when you distribute revenues half of what other conferences distribute, there will quickly be financial problems trying to stay competitive. We aren’t playing on a level financial playing field, and for the next few years we are stuck. Oregon is blessed (Phil Knight comes to mind) to be as competitive as we are in various sports.

Well said. Cristobal is rebuilding a foundation that had fallen into disrepair.

This year the combination of poor defensive play, questionable QB play, and dumb turnovers ended with a PAC 12 Championship. Funny in a way. Expectations were high at the beginning of the season, then sank, and rose again when we beat USC. However, by then, most of us knew that we weren’t that good. My expectation was that Shough would settle into the starting role and get better as the shortened season progressed. That obviously didn’t happen. Unfortunately, Shough melted when all that was needed to beat OSU, and Cal was good decision making and solid play. However, this is a team sport so Shough can’t shoulder all the blame. In the past the Ducks generally perform well when we have three things. Solid QB play, a featured running back that ends up in the NFL, and a decent defense. This year we had questionable QB play, running backs that don’t necessarily look like NFL guys, and defensive problems. Ultimately, if we can find our QB/running back combo...we solve a lot of the offensive issues. I think the defense takes care of itself with the players we already have.

Sometimes you just need to have fun and play ball.

Watching Herbert in college we all knew he had raw talent. Never thought he would be a bust like some “intelligent analysts” projected, but also never thought he would have a ROTY season, and be breaking rookie records in the NFL... Fun to watch him play. The Chargers are now on my list of teams to watch. I will definitely fly to LA to watch a few games. Congrats to you Justin.

The puppy fans biggest celebrations are when we lose to someone else. Since their football team can rarely do it...we will get back to the business of crushing them again soon....lol

This year the turnover/takeaway numbers we had were abysmal. I am sure some of the conservative play calling revolved around a starting QB that had confidence issues. We see glimpses of what Moorehead’s offense can do, and looks good to me. If you put Herbert in Moorehead’s scheme I am pretty sure we score a lot of points. However, I agree that the pistol has to be thrown out, or completely revamped. One year removed from a National Championship, LSU was in melt down mode. Two of their coordinators were let go and the OC is now an analyst for the team. Losing NFL talent greatly impacts how good teams are...who knew? LSU, an offensive machine last year, is now looking for a new OC. My point is that we had to replace a lot of NFL caliber talent with Freshman and Sophomores. While I agree that we have some play calling issues, there are more problems trying to replace some of the best players we have ever had as well. Just ask LSU.

My experience with hope and optimism has been positive. HOPE is wanting something good to happen. Failing on the way to a goal is certainly not uncommon. Using failure as the only evidence that something can’t be done, or evidence that a person is incapable of a task may be somewhat short-sighted. Never let failure defeat you. That may be hopeful, or optimistic, but it works for me. I hope something good happens seems like a great attitude when faced with negative reality.

Kind of looked like Clemson didn’t show up for the game last night. OSU made Clemson look like they didn’t belong in that game. It happens to everyone. Who knows, Alabama may make OSU look like they don’t belong in the title game. It will take another MVP performance from Justin Fields and Trey Sermon to beat Alabama. You can be an excellent X’s and O’s guy and be competitive. However, you still need outstanding players to win...if you can’t recruit,...you are doomed. Just ask Chip Kelly. Cristobal, even with his coaching faults, has more upside potential than most coaches, no matter what team shows up today.

Leadership that spends money unwisely, and makes questionable decisions...sounds familiar. Does the leader of the PAC 12 conference do anything well? Seems like the highest paid commissioner should be good at something, but I have no idea what that is...???

My expectations are simple and expecting to win doesn’t change the losses to wins. I expect the Ducks to be favored in most games. I know a winner when I see one, and what I saw was a young team making mistakes that they couldn’t overcome. In my opinion, that doesn’t make the coaches incompetent? We have a good team that is missing a few components to have a shot. We need a QB that can carry the team, a RB that can go to the house anytime he touches the ball, healthy TE’s, and depth on the defensive line. We are recruiting talent that is improving our chances at a title shot. Been attending games consistently for over 40 years. That is a lot of tailgaters. I want to see them win a title as much as anyone. This coaching staff has the team on an uptick, and a few losses along the way does not spoil my journey. Win, or lose I know when we have a legit chance at a title...this year was not one of those years.