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Joshua Whitted
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Posts posted by Joshua Whitted
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On 1/30/2023 at 3:47 PM, Coach Eric Boles said:
Nice piece, Joshua. Exactly as you say, I expect the offensive scheme and identity to remain mostly unchanged this coming season. The only two things I expect to differ is the amount that both RPOs and the pistol are used.
Thank you for the input, coach, and I'm intrigued by the return of the pistol...I'm not too sure many other fans will be though haha.
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On 1/30/2023 at 10:48 AM, cartm25 said:
I'm optimistic about the offense.
My primary concern is the time it will take for the new offensive line to build experience and chemistry. Last year's OL had 4-5 years working with each other; the value of that can't be measured.
Yes that is certainly a concern, and the line's continuity is one of the unsung reasons we had so much success last season.
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On 1/30/2023 at 9:40 AM, Haywarduck said:
Love the hire, a young guy with talent, and a lot to prove. Another item which will be interesting to see is how aggressive he is, and how loose a leash Lanning has on the guy.
Will we see as aggressive 4th down calls, or will having a punter, instead of 3 make us more strategic?
Also what trick plays will Stein have up his sleeve?
Lastly how good will he be at qb development, and will Ty and the new guy better thrive under Stein? Our future will hinge on the guy after Nix, and we need to see somebody ready to step in for a series, or even a game.
That last portion is MASSIVE and such a good point. I think that's the biggest unknown about Stein right now.
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On 1/30/2023 at 9:29 AM, Smith72 said:
Thanks Joshua for the assurance Oregon will continue to have an awesome offense. You spoke of the critical plays that QB Bo Nix excelled at. I'm looking forward to Spring practices!
Go Ducks! Work hard in this off season!
Of course! I expect no drop-off whatsoever!
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On 1/3/2023 at 2:50 PM, Desert Duck said:
Sorry Joshua for trying to give Charles credit for your fine work... Great article. Thank you for the depth.
No worries, haha, I appreciate you giving it a read!
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On 1/3/2023 at 2:26 PM, Pennsylvania Duck said:
Enjoyed your article, Joshua. I can't wait to see a healthy Bo Nix operate the offense next season. We should be very good on that side of the ball. The defense comes a little slower. If we could have incremental improvements in needed areas, the team could be very good.
I agree entirely. I have very little concerns about the offense. The defense is where we'll need to see some growth if we plan on winning the conference.
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On 1/3/2023 at 11:33 AM, idontrollonshobbas said:
I don't know what our blue-chip ratio (BCR) will look like in 2023 (in 2022, it was 60% according to 247 composite) or how to factor NIL/Transfer complexities into BCR, but if we can get it closer to 80%, with Bo Nix staying healthy and this young coaching staff's maturation based on the 2022 season, I like our chances to get to the CFP.
My annual goals are as always the same:
1. Beat OSU
2. Beat UW
3. Win the Conference
4. Win your bowl game
If Bo were healthy this year, I think this was feasible. I think this is achievable in 2023 with 95% certainty--again, if Bo is healthy. Anything beyond that list is "gravy" to me. Rose Bowl win would be better than the CFP 1st round loss in my mind.
If we push that BCR up to 80%, with Dan's Dudes, then I think we are legit contenders. I wish Sonny Dykes was our OC.
It just makes me giddy to see someone else talk about the blue-chip ratio haha, but you're so right. Luckily, we've recruited really, really well for Pac-12 standards recently. Now we just need to keep pushing to get those top-5-type classes.
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On 1/3/2023 at 11:16 AM, Notalot said:
Yours is a good topic, Joshua. Studying the best and emulating their skills and tactics is the way to improve.
The receivers in the playoffs performed amazingly. The Ducks need more speed in their receiving ranks, then need to refine route-running, hand and arm strength, and skills using their bodies to defeat defenders. Those are easy to say and hard to execute principles.
The Ducks running backs are sublime. They are elite and will improve with more Carrie’s and coaching. Check that box.
The Ducks need more speed on the edges. Sealing the edge by preventing the ball carrier from turning the corner is key. Along with that is the need for better DB’s. Winning a championship requires shutdown defenders who can stay close to receivers, close quickly, and play man to man defense consistently winning matchups.
As Joshua said, an elite QB is necessary to win a championship. A fully healthy Bo Nix might be good enough, Certainly it takes Bo’s QB ability or more. Size, speed, motion, leadership, toughness, decision making, competitive spirit, mental processing, mobility, the ability to read defenses and anticipate - being an elite Quarterback requires so much. There is a great leap from being a very good QB to being elite.
Then the Ducks need big uglies in the middle of the defensive line. The kind with push who can bully and maul offensive linemen to plug the gaps. Those who can defeat the blockers and tackle.
The Ducks are building a championship team. Dan, Tosh, and Klemm know what it takes to win . Can they gather the players that are needed and prepare them enough to become national champions?
Really, really good takeaways here. I actually like our talent at receiver, I feel we've recruited it well. But I agree, we haven't developed players at that position at the rate of Ohio State for example. One of our tight ends stepping up and being a real mismatch nightmare would also be ideal.
Defensive back is a big one. Christian Gonzalez was a welcome addition for a year, but we really need consistent players like him in the secondary to have the type of defense necessary to compete with the elites.
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On 1/3/2023 at 8:48 AM, Haywarduck said:
I think you missed somethings. Completely agree, great qb play and explosive plays are critical.
You can' just think you should be in the playoffs, lose to Utah twice, and repeatedly choke your bowl games. I suppose that is the BIG's problem soon enough.
Yeah...USC forgot that defense is also apart of the game lol.
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On 12/6/2022 at 9:02 PM, Skibum said:
The UNC defense is bad (at least that's what the stat's say). Oregon's defense isn't much better (though they showed something agains Utah). Given that both Oregon and UNC have quality quarterbacks that were in the Heisman conversation earlier, I expect a high scoring game. I think Drake Maye is the real deal and we all know what Bo can do.
I just wonder how bad Oregon's defense will be with the number of starters not playing in the bowl due to transferring out through the portal, or prepping for the NFL. But the thing I am really intrigued about is UNC's defensive back, Storm Duck. Storm Duck! That his parents named him Storm Duck and he isn't playing for the Ducks. but against the Ducks... the commentators are going to have fun with that, especially if he plays well!
This game will come down to the coaching. Mack Brown is a wily old fox that's been around the block a few times. He'll have his team ready to play. Dan Lanning is the young up and comer with a ton of energy, but not quite the experience of Brown. Will be a really interesting match-up of coaching chops imho.
I think this game will be closer than people think. If Oregon runs out to a big lead maybe we see Thompson get a shot to run the team... Here's hoping all the PAC12 bowl teams win out.
I agree with Joshua, this will be a good game... Thriller!
I didn't even think about the storyline with Storm Duck! What a little nugget, and should be a fun little talking point for the crew during the game. I also think the game will be close for what it's worth.
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On 12/6/2022 at 10:34 AM, Mic said:
I know our household will be watching the bowl game, even if some big names will sit it out. It's still nice to see Oregon on TV and playing in December. Besides, the uniform clash with NC will be interesting. This will be the wife's chief interest.
Very good point, both teams have some of the coolest unis in the country!
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On 12/6/2022 at 10:31 AM, HappyToBeADuck said:
Joshua, over the years the Holiday Bowl has produced some high scoring, exciting games. This year should be no exception.
Both teams strengths are their offenses. Last team with the ball should win this game.
I know very little about UNC's defense. As we all know, the Ducks D was porous and often undisciplined. As a fan I never new what to expect. I guess we will have to see how many more players transfer out prior to the game.
Regardless of who starts for the Ducks, the television will be tuned to the game. Cheering for the Ducks has been a tradition during the bowl season since the Independence Bowl back in the mid eighties.
I don't take the bowl games for granted every year because OBD's didn't always earn a bowl bid. Hopefully the youngsters will enjoy the trip and have a fun, safe game.
Go Ducks.... All is not lost. Ducks got a better bowl invite than the rodents. The dogs lost their Rose Bowl bid and uscsuck didn't get a PAC title (so Dye doesn't get a PAC Title Ring) or a CFP invite........
Yes both offenses are great, and the defenses are suspect at best. Should at least make for lots of scoring and big plays, which we all love to see!
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On 11/8/2022 at 10:45 AM, Drake said:
Lanning is definitely instrumental in the development of our offensive scheme. To be effective on offense you have to understand defense, and vice versa.
Dillingham told the story of how he met DL in one of his interviews. He and Lanning have similar passions for coaching football.They both embrace the idea that neither of them knows everything about offense and defense, and are willing to learn new ideas from each other, and other coaches.
Our offensive playbook has a solid foundation. However, it is also fluid in that our coaches watch what other teams are doing, and are willing to add plays they believe we can run effectively.
When we played UCLA did anyone else get the sense that our offense was similar to Chip Kelly’s. That’s not a coincidence at all.
I love that they're bouncing ideas off of one another since each has a background on the opposite side of the ball. It really is a good example of how smart, non-egotistical coaches can work together to form something special.
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On 11/8/2022 at 10:20 AM, Smith72 said:
Thank you Joshua for your reassuring words about Coach Lanning. The Oregon offense this year is fun to watch - unpredictable and exciting! Just when a defense thinks they know what is coming, a new complementary angle is added.
I agree with Haywarduck, "A guy who has never been a head coach, who is extremely young, is a Maestro with a headset. I suppose the only question is can he be an even better head coach, stay tuned."
I appreciate all your articles Joshua and look forward to more!
Thank you for reading and commenting, I really appreciate it and I'm glad you enjoyed it!
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On 11/8/2022 at 9:08 AM, Haywarduck said:
Lanning is the unquestioned leader of this team. Dillingham plays a critical role, but so does Klemm, Locklyn, and Adams. One could also say Mehringer, and Love along with Beckham have also done wonders with the players.
What has been truly astounding is Lanning, out of the gate, hasn't had one coach underperform. A guy who has never been a head coach, who is extremely young, is a Maestro with a headset. I suppose the only question is can he be an even better head coach, stay tuned.
As far as Dillingham there will be coaches calling from all points to take his job. On that note there will be players calling from all points wanting to do what Bo did next year. How many DJU's, and Van Dykes out there just waiting to get unshackled from their programs like Bo did?
I don't think it was dumb luck Lanning brought in Dillingham and we are seeing the success we are seeing. Lanning knows what it takes, and will keep it going.
My favorite quote from Lanning is his 'so what, now what,' after mistakes. This is an amazing quote as it shows faith in the players, and his continued aggressive mindset in 4 words. That is exactly what he will say when coaches, and players leave too.
Good stuff all around, Hayward, and I think you make a really good point about potential transfer quarterbacks moving forward that are in situations that Nix was in before he transferred. DJU in particular is a great example.
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On 10/11/2022 at 2:12 PM, NJDuck said:
I thought this as well. I thought Kelly should have kicked a field goal instead of running it up the middle. This is something Charles pointed out, I did not catch in that championship game with Auburn.
If you look at the attached play below, our RB took the wrong path to the end zone. He should have ran where it was blocked well to the outside. It would have been a TD and a different outcome to that game. Great designed play to the outside, our RB made the wrong choice.
This is a really good shot, I imagine this was an outside zone, too. Really surprised he didn't push hard outside that outside edge blocker.
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On 10/11/2022 at 11:19 AM, Haywarduck said:
I think validation is an interesting term to use at this stage of Dan Lanning's tenure. I would use the term affirmation to describe what a win would mean for Lanning and his fans.
It seems like every move Lanning makes is an affirmation of just how amazing he is seen by his fans and players. I was cautious about just how excited the fanbase was about what the new staff was going to bring. So far there has been one bump, one that should've been expected.
The term redemption is, I think, an extremely accurate term when describing what a win would mean to Chip. He has been destroyed by many fans for his moves up to this point. A win would help him restore some of his prowess he once had as the Oregon Head Coach.
My take is a loss won't lesson my conviction that in the end Lanning is the better coach. The road may seem short to where we want Lanning to take us, but I have a feeling there will be bumps, some unexpected.
A win by Chip would be a statement, but not a validation. Proof of product is done over time, and Mr. Lanning has plenty of time to prove he is directing this program in the right direction, with the Oregon offense, and defense back to where we want, expect it. Go Ducks!
I think you make some very good points, Hayward. I also agree that win or lose, Lanning still might end up being the better coach, but it will take some time to determine that.
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On 10/11/2022 at 7:51 AM, debbieduck said:
When we played Auburn and lost 21to 18 it was a heartbreak. A game in which Chip’s ego cost us a title. Even Nick Satan new you couldn’t run on Auburns line!
What was seldom talked about was our defense that year. We held Auburn to 21 points. They hung 28 on Alabama, just a few weeks earlier, in just one half.
When I see that kind of defensive attitude here again I will say we’re back. And Chip never had 4 and 5 star defensive recruits like Lanning has to work with.
We will be facing a top three running back in two weeks and I think he’s faster, and better, than Royce was.
if we stop UCLA’s run, we can win a shoot out.
If not, it’s going to be a long day.Charbonnet is LEGIT. I think he's right up there with Bijan and Corum. We did do a really good job containing him last season, hopefully we can do the same this time around.
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On 9/27/2022 at 11:13 AM, Haywarduck said:
I get the idea there was pressure, but when the bar was so low, I am not sure it should be looked upon as too daunting.
Anthony Brown came to Oregon digressed, and then made an NFL teams roster. I would say if Dilly didn't put up big numbers as compared to the prevent offense he was done.
I will also be the pessimist, realist or just skeptic, but the season isn't over, and I am not ready to crown Nix the next great Oregon Duck qb. His long balls are weak, and we are undoubtedly going to see more mistakes. He is our leader, and our season will hinge on his play, but the season is long.
I hope he continues to develop, but as someone who knows history it is too early to put put him on the Heisman watch list. I hope he gets there, but we have had some truly great qb's and he hasn't crossed that threshold, for me.
WSU was an epic win, but the big games are later in the fall, and that is when heroes are made. I hope he gets there, but I am ready for a bumpy ride. I mean does anyone think Nix can break into the top ten list of Oregon qb's, even the top 20?
Once again I am giving the other side of the argument. I hope I am wrong and his qb rating continues to rise, but I am not holding my breath.
Well, I think if we were making marginal offensive progress, it wouldn't be much to write home about, but the offense has really, really hummed since the UGA game. I mean, over 600 yards of offense against a surprisingly good WSU defense is noteworthy, and the fact that we're 17th nationally in total offense despite doing absolutely nothing against UGA just speaks to how dominant the unit has been since.
I'm certainly not crowning Nix as the next great Oregon QB, just really impressed with his improvement, and his play has been the biggest reason the offense has improved so dramatically.
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On 9/27/2022 at 10:38 AM, DazeNconfused said:
Charles, we discussed how Dilly needed to hit on one of his five stars to establish his Cred as QB whisper.
I think he has done just that whit the first five-star QB up and has two to go in Thompson and Moore.
Dilly will also be an attractive option to blue-chip transfer QBs that they will want to consider after he turned Bo Nix around. Bo's jump he has made under Dilly is a win in several ways for the Ducks going foward.
Stable of 5-Star QB's: The Pressure is ON Coach Dillingham
FISHDUCK.COM
The pressure to develop the highest-rated quarterback room in Oregon football history lies squarely upon Oregon's 32-year-old offensive coordinator Kenny...Very impressive to see what Dillingham has been able to do with Nix. I can't wait to see what he's able to do with other QBs down the road.
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On 9/27/2022 at 10:19 AM, Charles Fischer said:
Good read Joshua, and thanks. Who saw this massive progress coming? Dilly is a quarterback whisperer!
He looks like a completely different player, and I certainly did not see this level of progress coming.
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On 9/27/2022 at 9:41 AM, Smith72 said:
Thanks Joshua, you make an excellent argument for Bo Nix! Your article was a fun read!
Thank you for reading, I'm glad you enjoyed it!
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On 9/13/2022 at 10:34 AM, Pac10again said:
"This weekend we will see the Ducks be over matched in some areas."
A&M lost to a far less talented team Saturday. They did not play like a team that fights for one another; but the team that beat them sure did!
BYU loves each other, they fight for each other, they are a force because they are a team.
If every player on the field played together as a unit, and unselfishly, I would pick Oregon by 17.
Win or lose, I am just hoping to see us playing like a team with purpose, fighting for one another.
Yeah, BYU is very well coached and collectively they play way better than their talent. It is a really good measuring stick opponent for the Ducks. Georgia is out of our league, and obviously we're out of EWU's.
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On 9/13/2022 at 9:38 AM, Haywarduck said:
My question is who does this team compete against. Are they just up for a fight when they are the better team?
Will the Ducks show up when it is an even match, or even when they are overmatched? So far we have only seen them show up and execute when they weren't really pushed around.
This weekend we will see the Ducks be overmatched in some areas and maybe have the advantage in a few spots. Which team shows up, and how do they engage when challenged, or behind?
On defense we need to see gang tackling, the whole team competing if we are going to win. One guy tackling won't get it done against BYU. One guy might get to the qb first, but the next guy needs to be closing on the qb on the other side. Same thing on the RB, one guy slows him down and two others lay him out.
On offense what happens when the ball is in the air. Does our receiver play like it is his mom's favorite vase falling off the shelf, or just another throw away IKEA trinket there will be more of soon enough.
I look for both sides of the ball to play like it is their house and they are playing in front of their mom, for their mom. This game is important, every down is important, don't let the home crowd down. Does this team have that kind of attitude, we don't know, yet, and I want to know, need to know.
I think this is a very fair point regarding the toughness of this year's team. I think it was pretty impressive to see them dominate as much as they did in their get right game. It seemed like they took that beating at the hands of Georgia personally, as they should have.
Oregon’s Offense Will Pick Up Where It Left Off
in Our Beloved Ducks
Posted
Absolutely, I'm beyond thrilled about the Stein offense!