The Kamikaze Kid

At this point, I'd say whatever brings resolution to this topic is fine with me. The Pac expands, the Pac dissolves, the Ducks move here, the Ducks move there. The Pac gets a gagillion dollar deal by going to the QVC shopping channel. Just make it stop already.

I actually had forgotten about gambling issues with the game. I wonder how the portal revolving door will foster the mercenary mind set and expand this issue. On second thought, I'd rather just go back to blissful ignorance.

I actually kind of feel sorry for the guy. With his family tree, he has he has a lot of expectations to live up to. It seems like he has next level skills but maybe not the physical capabilities namely speed. Maybe he should pursue a coaching carrier after his playing days are over to maximize his understanding of skill development.

The Spring Game was very encouraging. First, everyone seemed to be in good position at all positions. Next, receivers were tightly covered. Finally, ball carriers went down at the point of contact. Very impressive with the amount of player turn over with only fourteen practices under their belts. It looks like the D is all ready handling the basics. Give them more time in the summer and they should be ready to handle some of Lanning's havoc inducing schemes.

I think it would be interesting if offenses developed special QB2 packages to bust out randomly in the game. Much like last years J14 bulldozer sets. The other team would have to prepare for two different types of offenses. Just when the D starts getting settled in against your pass happy system with a standard run game, here comes your hell on wheels speedster QB with planned runs off passing formations and classic option plays. Not to be confused with those horrible QB 1A QB 1B systems that never work. Just a different look once in awhile that shakes thing up and keeps the D on their toes. This could also help retain QB2s looking for playing time. Just a thought.

In his mind, absolutely! In reality, meh.

In theory, sure ASU looks like a trap game on paper but does anybody really think they'll be looking passed a reunion with their former coach? Also, UO still runs a very similar scheme as Dilly so the D will be coming in already prepared for an offense they see every day..UO 45 ASU 24. Book it!

Maybe the most impressive thing about Lanning is how aware of the mind set of the modern elite athlete he is. Last recruiting class he lost a couple 5 stars at the last minute in bizarre ways and was a finalist with several others. This year he has even more interest from several top recruits. At first, I saw his youth as a possible liability but now it seems like a real asset. The dude just gets it which is far easier said than done.

This could be the most complete Duck team we've had since the Kelly/ Aliotti era The 2014 Helfrich/ Pullman team was already showing warning signs on D. Their C game wins against half the schedule.Their B game should get it done against TT, UCLA and OSU and their A game should beat UU, UW and USC. Games rarely go like clockwork as we saw last year but Lanning seems to have really focused on overhauling the troubling D into the type of unit he envisions. I think this will be the year we see what kind of game day coach he really is. Nearly half the schedule could or should be ranked when they play them. Plenty of opportunities to both rise to the occasion or fall flat on their beaks. I'm thinking they get it done and are in the playoff discussion as well as the Pac championship game.

I always prefer being ranked too low than too high preseason. I also enjoy SUC and fuskies being ranked too high than too low.

Where there's smoke, there's a smoke machine.

Love the hoops take Hayward. I'll add my two cents in that direction. TT seems like the best kid on his 6th grade basketball team. He's got the size and skills that the other sixth graders can't deal with. The problem is that today he's playing at the park with his older brother's friends. Now his size and skills are no longer over powering and he just doesn't know how to respond. After getting a few shots blocked he simply shuts down and hopes to blend in no longer feeling dominant. From what I saw of Butters last year and Novosad this year, they seem like younger brothers just excited to be out on the court with the older guys. By playing their best and embracing the learning experience, they look willing to take their lumps as a part of he learning curve that's required for getting better. The kid's a Duck and I'm rooting for him to succeed. I'd still like to see them add a player that looks like they belong out on the court right now.

Since the QB2 situation seems to be the biggest concern after the spring game, I thought I'd review and breakdown his 2nd half since that was the one people are hanging their hopeful hats on. TT's 2nd Half 1st and 10: 0 yrd pass incomplete off target and nearly a pick 6. 2nd and 10: Pass complete for 1 yrd. 3rd and 9: 6 yard completion to Tez who then takes it another 60 yrds to the house. TD 2nd and 9: 10 yrd pass to Herbert. Good play 1st and 10: 65 yard pass to Hutson hitting him in stride. Good play. 1st and 10: Keeper up the middle for 2 yrds. 2nd and 8: Pass complete for 1 yrd loss. 3rd and 9: Pass complete for 5 yards, 2:00 minutes left down by 2 1st and 10: 5 yrd pass incomplete. Pass broken up. 2nd and 10: Back to pass scramble. Loss of 2 3rd and 12: 5 yard pass incomplete. Off target. 4th and 12: 20 yrd pass incomplete. Pass broken up. 1:00 minute left down 9 1st and 10: 12 yrd completion. Good play 1st and 10: 20 yrd pass incomplete 2nd and 10 22 yard completion. Good throw to an open receiver 1st and 10: 25 yard pass to end zone incomplete. Under thrown and could have been picked. 2nd and 10: Check down pass in backfield for 8yrd gain. 3rd and 2: Pass into endzone incomplete. Nearly a pick six. 4th and 2 (last play of game): 25 yrd TD. Good pass.

My only mini gripe is I wish Bo would have been pulled after a quarter or so and we could have seen a real battle for QB2. It's hard to judge Novosad on such a small sample size. Some of his throws where off but so were many of Bo's. On one pass play, he didn't see anything and just kept it and ran picking up several yards, the exact amount I can't remember. Just that play alone showed good real time awareness and self confidence. Contrast that with TT repeatedly mechanically throwing into tight coverage with near disastrous results. The Tez 60+ yard TD was mostly Tez being Tez. The 60+ yard Hutson TD was a nice throw to a receiver that had beaten his coverage by a few steps. I really hate piling on the guy but with better punting and a much improved D all across the board, the QB2 issue has become the lone elephant in the room.

Great review Charles. I was at the game and the vibe in the air was electric, I think it will turn into the recruiting bonus that Lanning was looking for. After reviewing the video yesterday, I'd say all of my in person perspectives were validated. First, the sound of that ball being punted was music to my ears. Punt punt punt punt! The improvement on D all across the board was impressive. good passes turned into contested receptions or broken up incompletions. Ball carriers went down when met by the D most of the day on both sides. Who knew that was even a thing! I'm not concerned about the O at all. There are play makers everywhere. They just ran into a much improved D. The glaring red flag I'm afraid is TT at QB2. I hope he thanked the refs after the game because on his very first play, he passed the ball on the 19 yard line back to the 18 where Funa blew it up. Instead of a live ball scoop and score, the refs blew the play dead. There were too many more near pics to count. On film you can see him just stare at where he's about to throw. His emotionless whatever demeanor was also more disturbing to witness in person. QB3 Novosad looked much more energized and into the game. I say either he jumps to QB2 today or portal in a senior QB2. I was really impressed with Hill as a linebacker. It looked like he was easily doing what Lanning wanted done at that position last year. He brought down Bucky fairly easily in a 1 on 1 battle with no help and we all know how hard that is even for a good lineman.Burch also looked like the real deal. I think Tez will be that DAT like spark the offense has been missing for years and Holden will be the go to guy to keep the chains moving. Overall, I was very impressed. I think with a QB2 upgrade, this is a legit Pac Championship game/ playoff contender.

If this was last year's veteran group, I'd say what we saw was a much improved D line. Since there is a lot of turn over this year, with a one game sample size, it's hard to know if the improved looking D was due to an over matched O line or that the O line is fine but the D has just vastly improved. Like I said before, I'm not worried about the O line. I think we saw a D that is ready to spell trouble for the rest of the Pac and a newly formed O line that was just trying to deal with that reality.

Pluses All defensive position groups. Huge sigh of relief. Additions at receiver. Welcome aboard Tez and Traeshon! Dowdell looks to be the real deal. Minuses QB2 TE depth OL? Not really a minus but didn't stand out as dominant yet. Still work to be done but not worried about it.

A boringish game was exactly what I wanted to see from an improved D perspective. Looked like better tackling and positioning than last year.

Would the group fleeing from the CU football team be considered The Not Ready For Prime Time Players?

Can't wait for that epic Alabama vs Middle Tennessee St battle. It will be an instant classic.

Shortening the game = removing commercials and the Pac is the only conference that hasn't locked in a TV contract yet. Great timing.

Jalil Tucker enters the portal. Jalil Tucker Enters Transfer Portal 247SPORTS.COM Jalil Tucker Enters Transfer Portal

On the topic of Kieth Brown to the portal, I just consulted the ChileDuck Depth Chart in the repository link on this page. It lists Brown as first at his position but check out this right up of second at his position Jestin Jacobs. As A Redshirt Freshman at Iowa (2021) Played in all 14 games at outside linebacker, earning starts in eight contests … Finished the season fifth on the team with 53 tackles and in solo stops with 33 … Caused two turnovers, forcing one fumble and picked off a pass … vs. No. 17 Indiana (Sept. 4): Earned a then-career best grade of 78.0 by Pro Football Focus after making four tackles, including three solo, along with a half TFL … at No. 9 Iowa State (Sept. 11): Started at outside linebacker, earning a career-best PFF grade of 83.9 with an elite run defense grade of 90.1 while finishing with four tackles, all solo, a pass breakup and a forced fumble that led to a touchdown … vs. Kent State (Sept. 18): Had a career-high eight tackles with three solo stops, holding the Golden Flashes to 264 yards total offense … vs. Colorado State (Sept. 25): Matched career-high with eight tackles, including four solo stops en route to allowing just 250 yards total offense … at Maryland (Oct. 1): Made four tackles, including two solo stops to hold the Terrapin offense to 271 yards … vs. No. 4 Penn State (Oct. 9): Started at outside linebacker, finishing with three tackles (two solo) and first career interception … vs. Minnesota (Nov. 13), Had four tackles, including two solo tackles … vs. Illinois (Nov. 20): Made four solo tackles and added a quarterback pressure to help hold The Illini to 64 net rushing yards … vs. #22 Kentucky (Jan. 1): Finished with four tackles, including two solo tackles, in Citrus Bowl start. He was injured most of last year and only played in a couple games. I don't have any inside scoop but if Jacobs was starting for Iowa as a redshirt freshman two years ago, I would think he just came in and took the starting job.

I think Altman should just go after his type of guys and forget about star power. I am convinced that a junior/ senior lead team of scrappy gym rats that buy in to his vision would compete for Pac championships and be threats to make the sweet sixteen and beyond some years.. Throw in a few upper four stars that want to really get better at the game for a few years instead of being a late second round one and done.They could still be a deep tourney run threat most years and we'd actually get to care about the guys that make up the team and watch them grow and develop their game year after year.

From Altman's post NIT comments, I'd say he is done with 5 star one and dones. Personally, I'd way rather cheer on a scrappy group of under dogs win or lose than guys just putting in their obligatory one year of semi pro ball before joining the NBA. Does anybody remember freshman Freddie Jones missing two end of game free throws his freshman year? The Ducks ended up losing to the mighty Arizona by one point and Freddie took it real hard. Flash forward three years and Senior Freddie Jones destroys Arizona by 30 in route to winning the Pac and making it to the elite eight. Jones also one Pac Player of the year and became the #10 player selected in the draft. Watching the journey of a gifted freshman become a senior team leader is half the fun of rooting for a college team. I really hope Altman shifts his recruiting strategy back in that direction.