Mudslide

Charles, I was not diverting. You have forgotten my original point ... easily found. MC coaches and games to the personnel he has. You'll recall our conversation about the lack of quality receivers and running backs. THAT, IMO, is why he has been running the BCO. To the current argument...if he had the players I listed, do you think he would squander the Heisman Trophy ability of Davanta? If you really believe he would run the Duck's current offense with Alabama's personnel, then you give him zero credit as an intelligent coach who understands his players and still embraces learning. If you believe that, you should insist he be replaced. And lastly, to emphasize my POV, winning is everything. Win ugly. WIn pretty. But win.

How might we have done with all those 4 and 5 star O-linemen, Davanta Smith, Mac Jones, Jaylen Waddle, and Najee Harris?

And there is more to football than an high scoring offense (HSO). Ball control (BCO) is a philosophy that may or may not be anyone's cup o' Earl Grey. I would just remind that there is a synergy of all aspects of a game. The Ducks won under Chip's HSO and happiness filled all the land. But the other team had lots of time to score, too. The Ducks won under Mario's BCO. And the other team's scoring went down. Let's look at comparative 12-2 years...the second year under MC and third under CK. 2011 Chip's HSO zipped along at 46.07 ppg. Defense gave up 24.64 ppg. 2019 Mario's offense scored what some would call a lumbering 35.35 ppg. Defense gave up 16.5 ppg. I would offer that the difference of 21.43 ppg vs. 18.85 was proven insignificant to the win-loss records. I hope we all agree that 2020 was a strange, outlier of a year for all PAC-12 teams, including the Ducks. Not much can be taken from that year except sorrow for the country as well as our beloved football. And lastly, I get that an HSO is more fun to watch. But winning is what matters. Ultimately, it is ALL that matters. MC is, IMO, coaching for the best use of available personnel...with that goal of winning as his north star.

Please remember that last year was a one off kind of year. A couple of those games the Ducks had less than 60 scholarship players available. Judging how coaches do or do not perform from 2020 results might just be foolery. Of course, ALL coaches can improve and learn from mistakes...just like ordinary folks. But don't look for perfection because you'll never find it ... especially from 2020 football. I'll take the Ducks record under MC over any other in the PAC-12 (and beyond).

Hahaa...I made the mistake of playing 3rd base in high school. Bad choice. Craig (Greg) Nettles was in my class....made me rethink my sports career.

Thanks, ChicoDuck. I look forward to seeing this gent's progress. Kids from Texas just seem to have 'it'. As an aside, I'm surprised at the enrollment of those schools he attended. I wonder if those are typical numbers for Texas schools (high schools). Growing up in San Diego, most schools in our district had populations ~3,000...10-12 grades. Of course that was 3.5 million years ago.....

He looked decent as a D-tackle in his HUDL film. Maybe there instead of offense. We could use a big plug in the middle of the line. Surely he would be a guard if on the Ducks' O-line.

I've met Bill, and his sons (admittedly when they were young)...and his father...the nicest gaggle of arrogance you'll ever meet.

Yep, this is the first game in a long time on that network that I nor my family had to turn OFF the play by play (if one can call it that). Does ESPN think the man is entertaining?? On top of the decent game analysis and reporting...what a great game for the Ducks. Altman is truly getting the boys to make the easy plays. Only 7 turnovers...that's the path to winning.

I'm with Drake...except...MC could manage the time-outs better. I believe we'll see extraordinary recruiting of players that not only lead to the domination of the PAC-12 but will contend nationally. And MC game management will only improve with time.

Thanks, Charles. We (I) need a good source for televised games. Surprise...no PAC12 Network on DirecTV.

Charles, I thank you. My wife thanks you, too, for getting me out of her hair every morning and evening when I come to this lovely place. You're doing a great job of putting this shared-joy place together. You're very much appreciated. Respect! Mud

As we all well know, football is a team sport. MC would never change an offense for the benefit of a single player's stats or proof of performance. The idea is to win games, not get #1 draft picks. Also keep in mind that JH's receivers were nothing like what the Chargers have.

I'm still trying to process how MC could develop JH as you said... "Herbert came into the league as a ready-made NFL quarterback" while also "costing Justin Herbert being the No. 1 draft pick in the 2020 NFL Draft". I'd say that mistake should should be laid at the feet of the NFL scouts and coaches, and not MC. Or maybe I misread the articles?

I'd suggest taking a look at his Poly Bowl performance and his HUDL tape. He demonstrates better mechanics than TT, but perhaps doesn't have the velocity. That could be a factor of "touch" by RA or a matter of the slingshot windup taken by TT. It would be difficult to argue with RA's powerful arm given he is a baseball outfielder. This would bear a comment by a qb coach. RA is apparently a better athlete than TT and has a year in the system. So I wouldn't count him out as seeing action next season.

Thanks for another great article, coach. The lady Ducks are sometimes painful to watch. I found myself grunting at the tv every time a Duck would launch a rainbow pass into a post who is tightly doubled. Sometime, somewhere they have to learn that is a bad play. And lastly, there seems to be a spot on the floor where both men and women repeatedly slip. Paopao did it a couple of times last night (including that last drive) and Duarte and others did it a number of times when the men played. Any insight on an issue there?

Based upon the supportive atmosphere frequently mentioned by recruits, I would suggest that dealing with young athletes' emotions and their approach to performance is a real strength of MC and the rest of the coaching staff. I know from personal experience that some athletes are harder and more critical of themselves than anyone can deal with. Regarding (once again) "coaching up" the players...these are talented coaches who have won everywhere they've been...have been coaching for years...and know how to get the most out of the team. Without inside knowledge of team operations it is arrogant for us to criticize that aspect of coaching. But heck...I guess that's the job of fans. Now in-game play selection and management...that is a horse of a different color......

There is some delicious irony percolating in this post. Eh Mr. Frost? Thanks,David. And great piece of work, RatherBe.

Thanks, Charles and Chili Duck. Great to have this. Should it be pinned? Also...Addison is placed now as a CB? Wow...a 6'5" CB. Does anyone know his 40 speed? Also, how long does Shough stay on the list...until he officially transfers somewhere?

One thing to note...Oregon was at the max of 85 scholarship players. This news, while a little surprising that it involves a qb, opens up that one slot...for hopefully that ONE guy, Mr. JTT. Or...recruiting flexibility. And I thought we put a stick through that " not coaching up" idea. Different systems call for different play. The Duck coaches coach up their players just fine.

Thanks for the fine article, coach. I think your analysis and your strategic suggestions are spot on. I would only add one comment and also reinforce one of yours. As you suggest, Mikesell should not be playing PG. She makes the really obvious plays and leaves us scratching our heads over most of them. She has an abundance of talent...just not at PG. Second, the bigs, including Prince, do not seem very athletic. They frequently fumble with passes and look like they can be all thumbs on rebounds. (Sabally seems the most athletic of the bunch, however.) I don't know how to fix that. Hopefully I'm wrong ... and it was just the teams playing them that made them look a bit uncoordinated.

It is my belief that the offensive woes this past season do not strictly reside with the qb play nor the scheme. The o-line play was generally atrocious last year. There were far too many 'ole' moments for both tackles in particular. Getting bull rushed so frequently likely assisted in the erosion of Shough's confidence. Compare and contrast time to throw between the Ducks and Clemson or Alabama. I don't have the stats, but the difference is visible when reviewing games of the 3 teams. Lack of experience by the line certainly played an important role in the season's O. Let's hope the next year we have a full compliment of Spring and Fall camps...and a scrimmage or two. I look for vast improvement. Now....if we could just get a half-decent special teams scheme/performance......

I went to high school a million years ago at another school in St. Augustine's league. They kicked our butts up and down the field. The school has a great reputation. I really like these two dudes.

I agree with 30Ducks. Comparing different team's qb's is akin to comparing ... well, Ducks to Tigers. They are both animals but live in different realms. The goal for everyone in football is to win. With Burrow at the helm of the Tigers, they had that generational season of 15-0 and Burrow thrived in the Brady system. The Ducks under Herbert's qb'ing, launched a 12-2 season. Did Herbert not thrive? Different qb's in different systems, on different teams with different players, in different leagues. Meaningful comparisons become a little lost. And To say Herbert wasn't "coached up" based upon Burrow's output or Herbert's professional vs. college systems stats is also subject to the same comparative folly. He was certainly "coached up" on the system he played in. To further the point, offensive systems certainly do vary from team to team...from OC to OC. But the goal is always to best utilize the TEAM as best as possible with the best available players. To try to slot players into systems where they fail to perform at their best or cannot master is likely a ticket to failure and Coordinator replacement. I know you all want to go back to the high flying Kelly offenses. It was SO entertaining. But, in my mind, this system is doing just fine with the players the Ducks have at hand. And for a little further proof...that great system at LSU packed a flopper of a 5-5 record last year. 5-5. Not so "coached up"?