Smith72

Orduck thanks for posting! It's good to see all the great numbers of postings here on Fishduck. Welcome! All of us love our Ducks. All of us get frustrated at times when we watch a game and mistakes, bad decisions, and goofs happen. I know I have posted several criticisms of the coaches and game action. I even wrote an article calling on our team to play "smarter" AND "physical". I remember my worst losses and the mistakes I made during my career. But I also know that I improved as a coach after time. I think I'm smarter and would be a better coach now. But, alas, I'm too old! I have to remind myself that I am no longer an active coach. I'm just a "couch" coach! I tell myself that I am not in the locker room anymore. I'm not on the field during practices or in the weight room lifting beside the players. I really don't know what's going on out of the public view. So, I love to share my opinions, but after self reflection (and the help of my wife), I get ready for the next game and move on. I have been pleasantly surprised by the growth and improvement during the season! Too many good things to share in this post. Another article maybe. Never say Dye! The best is yet to come! I have faith we have the best head coach possible now and in the years to come.

Herbert so smart, so accurate, so quick to release the ball, and a rocket for an arm! Love this Duck alum! Go Chargers!

The result after this year is we have 3 talented quarterbacks without any true game experience! Next year will be a struggle because of this issue.

Oregon's offensive line are great run blockers! However, they are too slow to set up for pass blocking. Coach decision to work the passing game from the outset was fatally flawed! Oregon's defensive decision all season to rely upon zone pass defense has given opposing quarterbacks record passing yards. How many times have we seen a wide open receiver catch a pass surrounded by 3 or 4 ducks guarding "turf"? The easiest pass for any quarterback is a slant or dig across the middle. We have 4 & 5 star defensive backs. Why can't they be taught to cover man and take away the easy inside pass route? By the way why is the future #1 NFL draft pass rusher dropping back into zone coverage and guarding "grass"? I facetiously asked yesterday on the game thread "Where is Tom Osborn?". He was the Special Teams and Tight End coach at Oregon back when special teams were awesome! Our coaching effort in this area needs major improvement. Supposedly we have more talent on this team. Highly recruited backups can't be motivated or taught? Lots of bad decisions yesterday! Mostly by all the coaches!

Where is Tom Osborn when we need him? Special teams aren't too special!

Oregon wins 34-24 We create 2 TO We sack Utah 3 We pass for198 yds

Great article Eric! Thanks for dissecting the play! Question: If the QB has the TE blocking for him, why not keep the ball as the preferred run? The TE blocks C gap defender and the QB can proceed attacking the edge. A pitch to the wide receiver has the sideline for a long gain. The defensive back on that side disappears following the receiver. Using the speed advantage of the wide receiver would've been awesome. The field is 53 and 1/3 yards. Using all of the field will help set up inside plays later. And vice versa inside plays sets up the outside as this play does so well! Great analysis Eric, thanks!

Thanks for the analysis Charles! Your explanation frame by frame is excellent! Oregon offense is rolling like a big green tank. Go Ducks!

I just don't under one yard routes!

Oregon wins 38-31 2 TO 1 Sack 200 yds passing

#1 Special teams - remember when DAT, Barner, James, Holland, and other KO and Punt Returners would scorch opponents. Who is responsible for coaching this important part of football games? The same goes for KO coverage. This is something I'd like to see improved! #2. QB under center and QB in shotgun - we never go under center. Why don't we use this? The best QB's in the world (the NFL) use both. I just finished watching Herbert do both (QB sneak for 1st down). Why doesn't Oregon do this. Especially since Brown is 6' 3" and 226 lbs.? Many possibilities for using play action passing plays also. Both of these areas would help improve Oregon Football in my humble opinion.

I love Travis Dye! Vision, Patience Quick feet; what an awesome running back!

It II s raining very hard. Not the best conditions for a 2 minute offense. Bad things can happen. I'm happy with this strategy.

27-20 Oregon wins 3 turnovers 4 sacks 250 yds passing

In regards to "angle blocking" scheme versus "root-them-out": look at the Cardwell run for TD against Colorado. https://www.espn.com/video/clip?id=32513494 Ryan Walk has a good block because his man was already inside him (away from the play). Ryan moves him further away from the play. That block is easier that trying to move his man backwards. Combine that with a double team block on the left side and the hole is huge. The angle that #77 George Moore has enables him to turn the double team and seal off the hole. Compare that success with the failure against Stanford right before half time. Or better yet look at all the pistol plunges and the failure to root out the defenders! Smart versus physical. Physics beats physical!

I love this play and love your analysis Eric! I look forward to reading your articles. These type of angle blocking schemes enable our huge athletic linemen to open gaping holes such as we saw Byron Cardwell run thru against Colorado. Smart and physical gives the linemen the advantage to control the line of scrimmage. Go Ducks!

Excellent points Darren. The Ducks are playing with "Rhythm and Flow" on offense! All position groups have improved. No punts in the last game. Every drive resulted in a score. Now that is exciting football! Continued improvement in the penalty department speaks well for the Culture the coaches are creating. TEAM. Go Ducks!

"However, since I’ve been a vocal critic of quite a number of items concerning the coaching of Mario Cristobal, there is also a responsibility to give credit when it is due as well. This has been a roller-coaster year of emotions, and while it could swing another direction–it behooves me to count our blessings of the No. 7 in the nation Ducks!" Thank you Charles for such a positive article! Many of them I had overlooked. Coach Nick A. is one of Oregon's great coaches IMHO. The similar defensive results are good to note. The explosive plays on offense are amazing. The miracle work being done by Coach Mirabal is truly responsible for the improving offense. Go Ducks!

Looks like the offense is starting to jell. 52 points is a good game. Am I correct in that I can't recall our offense having to punt! IMHO it looks like the coaches felt they could beat Colorado with a plain vanilla defense. Too many yards allowed. 29 points allowed that should've been 0. A glass half full game! Offense improved and much better. Defense frustrating! Playing prevent-bend-not-break (but let them score)! I personally would not like to play so passively! But a Win is a Win!

2 weeks in a row! Game over and now lots of commercials!! Terrible scheduling!

Why can't the networks schedule games better to avoid missing the first quarter of the next game? Call me frustrated!!

The best defense is having the ball in your hands! I agree "first downs are important as touchdowns" when the clock winds down, you lead, and the end is near!

Oregon 34 - 17 2 TO 4 sacks 284 yrs passing

This is a good example of why I appreciate the integrity and honesty of Mario Cristobal. I can understand how players want to play for him and follow him as their leader!

This is good advice Charles. The large block of continuous words is tiring to read and sometimes a struggle for me to read. Hitting the return key after a few sentences will really help! Something I appreciate very much!