WolfDuck

This article's framing is patently absurd. Phil Knight doesn't "cold call" people, which suggests he's dialing up random people he doesn't know in the hopes of selling them a "gently-used" jalopy. He is the co-founder of the largest sportswear brand in the world. Which also happens to spend massively to advertise on these same networks we're haggling with. He knows that when he calls, people pick up. He's also Oregon's largest booster -- making it perfectly reasonable that he would be having conversations with those he knows about preserving a brand he loves and is deeply invested in.

I have to say, I absolutely love the potential of this room now and for years to come. Byron Cardwell (former 4 star) is a star in the making. Sean Dollars (former 4 star) has speeeed to burn. Mar'Keise Irving (former 4 star) already put up 699 yards last year in the B1G. Jordan James (4 star) is a coveted recruiting win for the Ducks. Noah Whittington (former 3 star) turned heads during the Spring Game and is reportedly a workhorse. Dante Dowdell (4 star) is 6'1" and 210lbs?! And Richard Young (5 star) is on campus this weekend... Coach Lock has all the keys necessary to dominate the PAC on the ground.

Perhaps my realism will get me in a little hot water this evening, but I still need to be sold that the offense will be significantly better next year. I do believe that Dillingham will be far more willing to open things up and has a commitment to getting our guys in 1:1 matchups (instead of pistol plunging them into oblivion). And that could very well yield instant results (heck -- I would love that!). But I have reservations... I see folks talking about improved QB accuracy. No doubt that we need more from the QB position. My heart may not survive another season like 2021! But Anthony Brown completed 64% of his passes for ~3,000 yards. For a 7.7yd average. Those are all better than any Bo Nix season thus far. I know -- he played against SEC defenses with subpar talent and is a former 5 star recruit. I so want to be proven wrong! But what kind of improvement (statistically) are we asking for? Justin Herbert's 2019 campaign saw a completion percentage of 66.8% for 3,471 yds (8.1 avg). That feels like a stretch. Do we think that's where Nix lands? Again, I'd like to be proven wrong but I'm skeptical. I expect bumps with a new coordinator. And Nix's career performance doesn't scream to me that he is a lock to immediately send our offense into the Chip Kelly stratosphere. My sincere hope is for improvement. I could see Offensive PPG at 34 and Defensive PPG under 23 (would have put us in the Top 4 Pac 12 defenses this year). I want to don my green glasses and dream of vast improvement but -- I may need a little more nudging first.

I so agree. I was indifferent toward Helfrich, ready for *any* spark of life when Taggart came aboard, and I recall scratching my head when Cristobal got the promotion. Glad he elevated us in the recruiting world and had success but the energy around this staff just feels…different. Fresh. Relentless. I’ve really appreciated Lanning’s candidness in interviews. He doesn’t lead with “everything is roses” but says he wants to see more. Improving on last year’s offensive output should be easy. But I see this group hitting its stride a few games in and surprising folks.

A gem

YIKES.

In case you like a behind-the-scenes look, Christen Miller (the country's #2 unsigned D Lineman) is documenting his official visit via his IG story! https://www.instagram.com/fatchr7s IG: fatchr7s

Bo Nix is incredibly talented! And I’ve said that I think bringing him in was savvy roster management. If his performance is the floor — we will be fine with the weapons around him. I also know that comparisons are imperfect, especially when they’re in different conferences. But I’m just leaving these two things here for folks to chew on. It’s not inconceivable that we see another year of flashes of brilliance sprinkled with moments of head scratching inconsistency.

I'm with Charles on this one -- too early for me to be firm on my prediction! But here are the thoughts swirling in my head... It all starts on the lines. The OL coming back nearly in its entirety is huge. Ducks should have one of the best OLs in the country imo. Having Popo, Ware-Hudson, Dorlus, and Swinson back on the defensive side is big. Truth be told, we will need to recruit bigger, better D Linemen if we are going to look anything like the defense we saw last night. But for next year, this is an incredibly talented, tested group that can set the tone for stability in the season. Linebackers are ready to feast. Do you not simply salivate at the thought of Flowe + Sewell + Funa with Brown + Jackson in relief? I watched the blitzing scheme last night and couldn't help but imagine that our incredibly talented LB corps must be itching to get on the field. I just listed two former 5* and three former 4* recruits! My bold prediction is, if they stay healthy are coached up by Lanning and Co., this is among the top LB corps in the nation and Sewell and Flowe are game-wreckers. A Nix floor is manageable -- with a potential Thompson ceiling within reach. I hear the concern. And I feel it too. But this is shrewd roster management. Setting the QB floor for a new coaching staff at a former 5* recruit who is familiar with the system, cut his teeth on SEC defenses and can make plays is wise. Then you go out and let the others compete to beat him out. Either way, with strong line play and a very talented group of skill players around him...I think Nix will be fine. And if Thompson beats him, that means he's ready -- and likely darn good. With all that said, my VERY VERY early guess is... 10-3. A loss to GA is to be expected (but, as I'll be headed up to the game, competitive would be nice!). I'm going to give BYU the edge right now as that feels like a space where a coaching staff and offense still jelling may struggle. And then dropping a conference game along the way -- maybe it's Utah at home as they barrel toward a playoff berth? Maybe Arizona sneaks up and bites us in the desert? Either way, I see us winning the North and avenging our 2021 loss by taking the Pac-12 title and heading to the Rose Bowl. Is it September yet?!

Coach Meat did bring his 4* recruit son over with him. But Gonzalez, Colorado's best defender, is following him now too.

Ducks pick up arguably Colorado's best defensive player (was All Conference honorable mention as a Frosh) and at an area of need, at that. Great news!

Speaks volumes to me that Coach Lanning has not only been able to snag multiple NFL position coaches, but that he is convincing an FBS position coach to take an analyst role at Oregon. Means they're buying into the organization.

Robby Ashford enters the portal.

Great piece, Charles. And I love this part of what you said, Hayward. I was a student at UO from 2006 - 2009. One of the defining features of our athletic programs at that time (at least from my vantage point) was that you could come to Oregon and vie for championships on the football field AND chase your dreams of being an olympian with the best of both worlds. That is an advantage other schools simply cannot compete with. The Nike brand + our world class track and field program/facilities + an elite football team = SPEED. Part of the Oregon brand has been a willingness to innovate, create unique opportunities, and an ability to lean into the things only we can offer. The future is bright! We just have to seize it.

The General is headed off. What a tremendous player and leader for this team. Truly a Duck through and through! He will be missed. Go be great!