GangGreen2

As a Duck fan, and self-described gym rat . . . man, I totally agree with you. This team plays defense in brief spurts, but generally they play team defense at such a poor level (Coach Altman and the other coaches have to be tearing their hair out with this bunch). Some of that looks like poor effort, some of it is general discombobulation, some is terrible communication, and some is that several players are weak one-on-one defenders (Angel is terrible; I think Altman leaves him in because he is a net benefit on offense in some situations, but his D stinks . . . he's slow, easily knocked off balance, and fouls too much). And that sequence where not once, but several times Martinelli drove the lane . . . which parted like the Red Sea when Angel got beat: there was no guard help, and the NW big man easily sealed off Bittle, giving M. an uncontested layup. I mean, really? And not fighting through screens, or switching when necessary? Getting beat again and again on back cuts? Knowing the high double screens are coming but not adjusting? Getting beat with the same post-timeout play again and again? These Ducks are Charmin soft on D.

Actually, it ended 30-23, but that last TD just made the score more respectable. It really hurt for the Chargers to lose J.K. Dobbins, and the running/receiving double threat he poses. It's also pretty clear that Ladd McConkey is Justin Herbert's only reliable/clutch target right now. The Ravens offense was humming after a slow start . . . the Bolts needed to score a bunch to keep up. Their offense just wasn't up to the task tonight. And in further news: Derrick Henry is a beast!

Let that sink in!

Uhhh, how was that not a fumble? The explanation during the broadcast was that the play had been blown dead due to . . . stop of "forward progress". What? The QB was still being tackled and not down!! The Ducks caused the (yes, it was a . . .) fumble, there was a clear recovery by the Ducks. Bogus call by the officials. To be fair, they later missed a facemask penalty that should have been called against the Ducks.

"Yes. NFL scouts that charted his plays noted and wrote how he dropped 10% of the passes thrown at him, although not the long ones like the pass this last weekend. Most were routine ones where he was thinking about where he was running next such as a Bubble Screen." I wonder if some receivers, when they get to the NFL, get something like "the yips" . . . it's gotta be in your head that some really good, fast DBs are just a fraction of a second from taking you out from the side or behind, and that you've constantly got a target on your jersey.

Oregon has certainly left some meat on the bone, especially on offense. Should be a really good game . . . and I think it's appropriate for tOSU to be favored. Actually, I like it that the Ducks are coming in as the 'dog at home. If the coaches and players can't "get up" for this one ...! Go Ducks!!

Hope Dana was knocking on some (hard)wood when he said this!

From where I sit, Muhammad is a great player, an excellent defender . . . he's a stud and was one of the Huskies' best this last season. I would love it if he defected and became a Duck!

They aren't blowing anybody out, but this team is resilient, and is showing they know how to win. To be where they are without Dante, Bittle, and Cook for so long . . . is nothing short of amazing. I'm excited about the talent sprinkled all over this team, and how well they are playing together. It is even a bit unique in that there is no "he's the guy" kind of player . . . though I suppose Couisnard comes closest to that distinction (and Shelstad is the evolving Robin to his Batman); because of this, other teams can't really focus on one player to shut down. The Ducks MBB have eight active players that average about 8 points a game or more, and adding Bittle back would make that nine . . . .and Mookie Cook hasn't scratched the surface yet of what he's capable of. Spreading the wealth on offense is a strength, and any of these players could "go off" for a big game. We can sit back for a moment and enjoy this ride. Things will get even more "real" when the Ducks face Colorado, Utah, and the Arizona schools in the next couple of weeks. That stretch will be a bit more revealing just how solid this team actually is. But so far, Dana and Co. has them playing better than expected and they are in a great spot right now!

Dude is a baller! I loved watching Evan play this season . . . such quick recognition of where he needs to be and a vicious hitter. Hope he balls out and finds a home in the League. Thanks Evan, we Duck fans are gonna miss you! Good luck in your future endeavors, and as always . . . GO DUCKS!!!

Right on, Micro. Altman really wants to see if his team can switch back and forth between a quicker, small-ball line-up (their current flavor by default) and a 4-wing/1-big line-up (or if needed, 2 bigs). This versatility could make a big difference as they get ready to make a tournament run. Dante, as he comes back, will almost certainly be on a minutes restriction, at least until he gets his conditioning back. But it sounds like he can play at beast-mode for at least 5-7 minutes at a stretch already, in practice . . . very encouraging.

Michigan was really able to get Penix uncomfortable and out of rhythm. They have an excellent pass rush, as well as terrific discipline and athleticism in the secondary, with tight coverage. Penix's long distance throws were really 'off' last night (too high, wrong side of the receiver, etc.), and he had some plays where a receiver was open, but he didn't make the right read (threw to a covered receiver/into coverage instead). You can be a quick processor, but when a defense can speed you up or get you off platform, it is the rare QB that can compensate for that. And Penix wasn't able to last night. I think he is an excellent QB, but against an elite pass rush and secondary, he wasn't able to elevate his game last night. Hats off to Michigan's D.

I noticed that too. LOL!

Shelstad certainly reminds me of Pritchard . . . he seems even more fundamentally sound at this point than Pritchard was. He is like a more slender, but quicker and a bit more athletic version of PP. I hope he sticks around, because he is the real deal. Right now he is a "shoot first" PG (he is already an excellent shooter, and knows how to create space to get his shot off against bigger players) . . . his progression will be to make everyone else around him better, and add more assists to his stat line.

Same for me, OD. I'd love to hear the difference explained by someone in the know.