Smith72

Thanks Darren for your calming insights! Much appreciated. I love your point about adding teams, "A nightmare scenario is to expand first only to find out the new teams add little to no value and drive down everyone’s slice of the pie." I agree there is no need to rush things. Whether it is done yesterday or next month, it's best to cross all the t's and dot all the i's.

Excellent points to consider Alex. Thanks! I would like to add one more to your list. Please, Coach Lanning, give the back up quarterback the whole offense to work with. Please don't go into the mindset the game is won so dialing back the offense prevents mistakes. Not only is this unfair to the backups, but it guarantees a loaded box. This causes a quick 3 and out and gives the ball back to the opponent. Being nice, not trying to run up the score puts undue stress on the defense. Being ultra conservative prevents success. By the way, priority must be placed on getting the backup QB ready for the season!

Jon, I said over a year ago you should be the Pac-12 Commissioner. Great plan! Here's hoping Commissioner GK and the Presidents could listen and agree with you!

Thanks for the article David! I too think that Bucky Irving is our back. The competition this spring will be intense. However, I disagree about RBBC. How many times did we see Verdell unable to finish a season. Excellent point by EzDucksIt. Travis Dye was USC's main back - did not finish the season. I agree with Dillingham's "fresh legs". All the backs this past season finished the season. Without Bucky I think our bowl game could have ended our season on a downer! In addition, RBBC keeps a talented room happy! Football is a tough sport. Practice is work. Not getting into a game after all that work can be disheartening. When one is having an off day, another can step in. Besides, " iron sharpens iron" and competition keeps everyone striving to be their best. The Ducks are loaded with talent. In Locklyn I trust!

Chiefs 38-31 Chiefs passing yards 270 Eagles passing yards 233 MVP Mahomes

Darren wrote, "As a kid growing up in Eugene, like myself, Thomas no doubt always dreamed of playing for the Ducks. So, whether it pans out for him at Oregon or not, he can always say that he was a Duck." Kudos to Brock Thomas for following his dream. It seems to have worked out for Ryan Walk. Maybe Thomas could become another Vern Adams. Thanks Darren for today's article! I also agree with your second topic on Conference expansion. Except I would argue for San Diego State and Fresno State only. Keep the Pac-12 truly Pacific (or Western).

Well said Mr. FishDuck! Thanks for writing this enjoyable essay! You make good points in your argument. I would like to posit another factor that USC & UCLA will come to rue. When people discuss an upcoming NFL game during the season much is said about the long trip coast to coast being a disadvantage. The same thing is said about an NBA team on a long road trip. And these are pros. Constant long flights during the season will become a grind! Especially for all the non football sports. What about an equipment truck for football being delayed or in an accident in November! These woes couldn't happen to more deserving Universities.

Jon, good summary of the options available for the Pac-10(?). With the trend of cutting the cable cord and more people choosing to go with streaming, I like the idea of a 50/50 approach. We'll have to hope that the Commissioner and the Presidents negotiate a good deal for the Pac. I'm hoping for more of a streaming option in the future. I don't like being a prisoner to "Pac-12 After Dark" just to get a game on ESPN or FOX. There are so many reasons to hate a game that ends around midnight. Then the travel home! How many recruits across the country will watch Oregon at 3 a.m. Eastern time?

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!

The balcony swaying and shaking as we played UCLA and other teams! Registration in person each quarter for classes hoping to get the class and time you wanted. Running the mile for time in the hallways for a P.E. class. Lots of tight turns. Dressing for wrestling practice in the sauna located in the lower level.

Thanks David for this article! That question is on a lot of fans' minds. I think everyone wants the defense to improve. Chris Hampton does have a long career coaching the back end of the defense. Stopping USC in the Cotton Bowl was sweet! Tosh Lupoi is a motivator which is good to have on the sideline. Watching video of Hampton coaching in practice shows that he is too. Hopefully, as fans, we'll find out more in Spring practices. Go Ducks!

In addition to agreeing with kirklandduck and DUCati855 I think Mr. Skopil is advocating for big super leagues. In my opinion this is wrong. First, the road to winning a championship in one of those leagues would be hard to do. Especially, considering all the long road trips! Second, when these super leagues solidify their strangle hold on the NCAA championship, in my opinion, they just become AAA Pro teams that I will not care about. I only watch the NFL when a team has a few players I care about. I watch maybe one game a week. Some weeks none. When the college game becomes AAA Pro I'll probably just watch local high school and small college games. Until then I will continue to enjoy the upcoming Duck football seasons in the Pac-12. Go Ducks!

What attributes do you look for in a recruit? Here are Six attributes that I think are important when looking at a recruit. What do you think? Is there something you think is missing? What would you add? Can you provide examples of Duck players who epitomize a desirable trait? 1. PHYSICALITY: What are the measurables? Speed, strength, agility, etc. Can they grow into a college body? 2. ABILITIES & SKILLS: What can they do on the football field with their physical attributes? Will their physicality translate into football skills? 3. GAME PERFORMANCE: Does game video show they can translate their abilities and in a game? Do they shine against good competition or only against average high school players? Have you seen them live at camps and games? 3. WORK ETHIC: What is their level of commitment, dedication, and determination to improve skills and performance? 4.TEACHABLE: Will they show that they can learn to improve, accept criticism, and work to grow? Will they accept teaching at all levels they ascend to and everyone they come into contact with? 5. CHARACTER: Trustworthy, Honest, Dependable Does the player do what’s right even when no one is watching? Do they possess the “Team First Above Self” trait? Do they make good choices, follow the rules, show respect for others? My wife shared the article about Justin Herbert that I posted the other day. We discussed what an outstanding young man that Justin is. The point about Justin working with his brothers after his last season and the draft was impressionable. His attention to perfecting his skills reminded me of the time and effort Marcus Mariota put into studying his playbook before arriving at rookie camp. These two great Duck quarterbacks epitomize the work ethic to improve one’s skills. Above all their character is the “X” factor that makes each of them Duck legends. LaMichael James had the skills that shined during games. Brady Breeze was a gamer. So was Ifo Ekpre Olomu. These and other great Ducks excelled in the category Game Performance. I sure enjoyed watching the video posted of Donte Dowdell working out. I think he has the things I’m looking for in a recruit. Physical, Abilities, Game Performance - yes. WorkEthic - yes. Teachable - it looks like someone has taught him well. I’m hoping he continues to grow and thrive in his time at Oregon. His time in Eugene will reveal more of his character. Last year Coach Lanning showed he could save a lot of the class of recruits that had committed to Coach Christobal, and retain good players on the roster. This year Coach Lanning and staff have recruited a great class of incoming freshmen and transfers. Much has been said about the turnover with the Transfer Portal and the incoming recruits. The consensus seems to be Coach Lanning is getting his type of players. Coach Lanning, I think, shares the same values and desire for the attributes I wrote above. He probably has a much larger list. I am optimistically looking forward to the upcoming year! Character and Teachability will have a direct affect on the skill development and game performance for the Oregon Duck Football team. Ultimately the success of the football season will depend on the success of the coaching staff led by Dan Lanning. Call me optimistic. What do you say OBD Forum members? What do you look for in a new Duck football player?

I didn't misspell Justin. I knew there was someone else. I simply, in a Senior Moment, forgot my all time favorite. Thanks for helping me remember!

I'm a Sheldon HS fan. Beginning with my wife of 50 years, there have been many Ducks from this school. My favorites in no particular order are: Michael Walter (49er LB), Chris Miller (QB & Coach), and Ryan Walk (OL starter). Welcome to the Oregon Ducks Teitum Tuioti and Brock Thomas! Disclaimer: I graduated from North Eugene.

Especially as the defensive coordinator! His career and expertise in passing defense will be appreciated. This in my humble opinion has been a Duck weakness since Aliotti left Oregon. Welcome to Oregon Coach Hampton!

Justin is a great young man on and off the field. Good read for Oregon Duck and Sheldon Irish fans. 'A silent killer with great hair': How Justin Herbert helped turn the L.A. Chargers around WWW.ESPN.COM He has always had the strength, but the third-year quarterback had to find another gear to help push a middling team to the playoffs for the first time...

Passing offense route concept. I think QB Nix will love this. The freedom to tell his receivers what route he wants. I also like Stein's run after catch philosophy!

I love everything you wrote in this article today, Charles. You hit the proverbial nail on the head! I agree with what you said about blocking angles. The angles not only make it easier for the offense, it creates mismatches and the defense is unsure who is coming to block them. That split second hesitation helps create an advantage. I liked the play calling by Georgia. You take advantage of aggressive linebackers by misdirection and counters. Georgia took advantage of TCU's fast and aggressive linebackers. The best line in your essay was,"What impressed me about Georgia when we played them, (and in the national championship game) is how 5-Star players were never on cruise-control. They played hard every down..." Teaching your players that the only way to play is 100% every second. Wow, does Kirby create that atmosphere! Here's hoping Coach Lanning is successful doing the same at Oregon!

Thanks Alex for another good FishDuck article! Lots to discuss. I always liked the effort that RB Dye gave the Ducks. He was going to be missed. I was pleasantly surprised by Irving and Whittington! What a major improvement! Coach Locklyn rocks! I thought we would really miss Pittman. Franklin and Hudson stepped up big time. We also got the return of the prodigal son, Chase Cota. Mr. Clutch! I am very thankful that Bo Nix chose to transfer to Oregon! He was definitely the key to a successful 10 win season. Bo is an outstanding QB and an amazing young man. The best surprise was the explosive offense brought by Coach Dillingham. No more boring Mari Prevent O! Good job of recapping the season Alex!

Thanks Coach Boles! Always nice to have the analysis articles you contribute to the Forum. I agree that this is the kind of play that QB Nix is good at reading. Learning more about Coach Stein will help make the time pass more quickly until Spring practices.

Jordan, your description of the ending is perfect. "The feeling is hard to describe — nail-biting, nerve-wracking, excited delirium. It’s games like these that football fans never forget." I agree, that's why football is the best! So many good things to celebrate in the off season as we get ready Spring practices. Go Ducks!

Chase and Chad provide Oregon historic legend. Fitting finish to an amazing story! Bill Oram: Chase Cota’s winning touchdown in Holiday Bowl a storybook ending for a famed Oregon Ducks family WWW.OREGONLIVE.COM The starting strong safety on Oregon's 1995 Rose Bowl team, Chad Coda on Wednesday watched his son give Ducks a win in the Holiday Bowl.

Can't help it, but wondering if recruit Moore is having any second thoughts of choosing Chip to get him ready for the NFL. DTR was tutored by Chip for 5 years. I don't see DTR as a high draft choice. UCLA never was a serious Pac-12 championship team. Don't see them winning the BIG when they change conferences. UCLA line seemed to allow a lot of hits on DTR during his career. Oh well, best of luck Mr. Moore!

Thanks Charles! Great game summary. The defense did surprise me in the second half; improving enough to keep us in the game. Bridges, I think, is the most improved player on the defense. Bodes well for next year. But you hit the nail on the head with, "Yet when the game was on the line–Bo made the throws." Yes, Bo's leadership and determination was the difference. We Duck fans are blessed with an outstanding quarterback!