Smith72

Near the end of the video Coach Stein comments, "Coach Kitley really has his team greased up... We need to keep scoring. We need every point we can get..." When the team you're playing is hot and scoring it's best to keep scoring. It is not the time to slow down, go conservative, and try to hold on to your slim lead. I like this philosophy. I'm excited with Coach Stein as Oregon's offensive coordinator.

Four Strong Flag concept vs man coverage. Interesting teaching points. I'm really liking his philosophy. The whip pattern (our coaching staff called it a swirl) versus man with quick receivers is an awesome route. I also liked his comments about ball security and not going out of bounds. Enjoy the video. Spring practices continue next week! Yay!

Another FishDuck writer! How very fortunate we Duck fans are! Thanks CAMERON JOHANSSON for the memories!

Well said David! I agree with your conclusion, "The death of the Pac-12 would signal yet another end to what makes College Football so great." Thanks for writing this article today, and especially for being one of the FishDuck writers!

Thanks Coach Eric, it's always great to read your analysis articles! They are much appreciated since we've had our share of new offensive coordinators. With a QB like Bo Nix and receivers like Franklin, the slant pass to the Wide Receiver is open. The DB is head up giving away the inside. Many RPO options available. Spring practices will continue to reveal more of Will Stein's offense. Go Ducks!

NevadaDawg said, "...football will remain relevant in the South for as long as the game is played." NevadaDawg, I love your posts and appreciate all the input you provide to our forum. You are a true gentleman! I agree with you that the South really really loves football. Instead of relying only on my intuition I checked for articles about high school participation in football nationally. The first article from 2019 was interesting. Numbers provided by the National Federation of High School Associations. High School Football Participation Is On A Decade-Long Decline WWW.FORBES.COM A survey finds high school football participation at its lowest level in nearly 20 years. Texas is the No. 1 state for participation (of course), but its participation-per-school rate is dropping quickly. In 2016-17 it was 153.3; in 2017-18, 135.3; and in 2018-19, 125.6. In 2019 national football participation was at its lowest since 1999-2000. In my humble opinion, I think the downward trend will continue. But hopefully football will still be #1 for the rest of my life! Go Dawgs! (My #2 favorite team). Go Ducks!

Thanks, Charles, for today's article and Our Beloved Duck Forum! You make interesting points to consider. After the traitors have been in the BIG for 2 or 3 years we'll know more about their plight. We'll know about the Pac-10 (12-16) and whether becoming the Clemson of the west coast develops. However, I worry about the future of football. I love the sport! Fantastic game. But one only has to look at the decreasing numbers of high school youth playing football nationally to question whether the sport will be relevant in 20 years. It is already impacting the viewer numbers in the West. Another point I ponder about is the injury concerns with football. Traumatic Brain Injury is nothing to ignore! I worry about my 8th grade grandson who loves football. He will be a good high school player next year. He's the kind of player who has and will play while injured. For me, my desire is to remain in the Pac-? as long as possible. Leaving would be hypocritical! At my age I'm going to just enjoy as much Oregon Football as I can. Go Ducks!

Joshua, your article is a great read to start thinking about Spring practices! I agree with you; "Anything less than significant improvement should be cause for concern." I love offense and that will continue to be a strength. However, you hit the nail on the proverbial head - a lack of improvement in the defense caused the two late season losses. Here's hoping our prayers are answered this Spring. Go Ducks!

Couldn't read article either.

Thanks, Coach Boles, for the film review of a great passing concept. QB does have an easy read! RB was wide open - nobody picked him up. Easy for QB to check down to him if he wanted to. Spring ball is coming. Go Ducks!

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.