AnotherOD

Apparently while leaving us without a QB plan, Mario left us without much in the corner cupboard either (thank goodness for Christian Gonzalez as the situation would be even more dire without him). Bridges competed hard but Georgia went after him all game long (not sure what happened with Manning as I didn't see him until the 4th quarter). They also picked on the Duck safeties and nickels early and often - except Addison who played so deep I don't think he really got involved too much (1 tackle). After the Spring game, a bit disappointing to see DJ only get 1 tackle. DL don't always pile up stats but 0 sacks, 0 TFL, and 3 total tackles from DJ, Ware-Hudson, Dorlus, and TaImani. Ugh. Trying not to be hard on guys. Georgia is good.

I can understand that version of the TT or JB narrative above to a point (that the young guys just are not getting it done behind the scenes) but I don't know how it changes too much. Starting QBs can and do get hurt. AB got hurt, Herbert got hurt, VA got hurt, Masoli got hurt, Dixon got hurt, and so on. You might not have confidence in your backup QBs, you might not even like your backup QBs, but that doesn't change you may have to play them for meaningful snaps or even meaningful games. If your starter goes down, you can't really punt on the rest of the season. No matter how bad they might be, it probably will be an even bigger struggle without at least letting them get their feet wet (and experience actual college football).

Maybe it was my imagination, but after the game as the ABC sideline reporter was pulling Kirby in for the post game TV interview, Phil is walking by past and stops and congratulates Kirby, and then walks away. Even Phil was looking pretty dejected.

I find it odd too. Even if you feel good about Bo going forward, playing him being down 49-3 - when the game is ABSOLUTELY and completely over - is just a recipe for getting you starting QB hurt. And if he does get hurt, you then have to turn to one of two guys who you won't even allow to get a bit of play? Bo has been around long enough somehow making a play or two in garbage time after getting rolled isn't likely going to someone change his confidence or trajectory. It might however help one or two of those young guys to get some play against a talented team where it still gets to play with mostly starters on offense with a full playbook still throwing and trying to score.

Bo? What did my untrained eye see? Bo just doesn't seem to see the field well and misses defenders and throws dangerous passes to waiting defenders. This criticism followed him from Auburn (and was on display today when a bad pick ended Oregon's slim chances to stay in the game). It's just gonna hard to be consistently successful doing that. The staring down guys is a problem for a lot of young QBs, but if Bo is going to shake it, we probably should be seeing more signs of it by now. His decision making at times also has been questioned. The announcers didn't seem to critical of the first INT, but it sort of looked forced to me. At the time in the game, the Ducks seemed to be scripting towards taking a shot down field. Obviously they want to get the ball to Seven with some space, but the Georgia DB hadn't taken the bait. You can still take a shot and put one in a spot where the WR has about the only shot, but if you are going to do that, you likely still need to be seeing either your 6-5 WR (Thornton), your 6-4 WR (Cota), or your 6-3 WR (Franklin), not your 5-8 WR (well covered by a 6-1 CB). Even if put in a better spot, that is a tough catch for a 5-8 guy being contested by a bigger defender. He seems to struggle with pressure. Didn't really see him step up in the pocket and deliver a throw. ESPN's box score lists zero sacks by Georgia and zero QB pressures. Yet Bo seemed to be bailing out early all game long, almost as if he is feeling phantom pressure (the OL wasn't great but I didn't see it getting blown off the ball by the pass rush, at least during the meaningful portion of the game). Bo's legs seem fine and will make a few plays per game; but, not exactly a Masoli like guy who you accept a bit less in the passing component because his legs make up for it. As I saw someone else comment, while he occasionally makes a play, he almost cancels it out in numerous plays just bailing out in exactly the wrong direction he needs to go and gets nothing. Finally, I had expected a bit more raw arm juice. Balls seem to come up with either medium zip or float a little. It's ok but it's going to have to be something managed. He isn't going to be lasering the ball around.

Have to agree. This isn't one game, this is getting absolutely rolled in 4 of the last 5. Seeing "rebuilding year" being thrown around, but with the amount of guys likely leaving after this year, its hard to see how the stars line up for 2023. With last year being sort of **blah** 2024 could be beginning following 3 "rebuilding" years. If you are "rebuilding" for 3 years, you likely are no longer "rebuilding". You have stepped all the way back to building it up in the first place (which as we know isn't easy).

They are missing tackles. I'd say it's a bunch of guys processing slowly, reacting slowly, being a step behind, a step or even two out-of-position trying to catch up (and when they do get a shot to make a play, they are so excited, they are over running it and missing it). Just flat being rolled. It is gonna get a lot of discussion but this is now getting totally drilled in 4 games in 5.

Wow they are going after Bridges relentlessly

Impressed with Georgia. Just patiently mixing it up and making it look easy. Announcers just said they just went over 30 yards rushing. Found the Duck weakness (LB in coverage, nickel, and S) and just have been eating their lunch. DL and staff had to see this coming, it's a concern moving forward.

14-0 but driving you are still in the game. The defense is due a stop too. That is just a throw you can't make.

Other than Bassa getting ran over by a freight train of a TE, the front 7 looks ok to me. The DB group is off to a tough start. Georgia to me looks like they are going right at them.

I had a feeling the offense was setting up to take a shot. I think if you run that sort of script, you are expecting to get a guy more open than Seven. If you are going to throw that? Maybe try 6-3, 6-5, or 6-5 instead of 5-8?

3rd and 11 is tough to defend as a DB if you run backwards 13 yards before you turn around. 1st series on D so it's understandable. The chance to get off the field on 3rd and long was there though.

That 3rd down play to Irving was almost, almost there. Ducks look very composed for a 1st series of the season.

I recently rewatched the 60 minute Pac-12 Network replay of the Fresno State game on DVR. The Ducks score with about a minute left before halftime to go up 21-6. Oregon had held Fresno to something like 137 yards of offense. Fresno State zips down the field in 1:02 against the "play it safe" defense and completes a 17 yard TD pass with 7 seconds to go in half to get back in the game 21-13. Oregon comes out and matches down the field to start the second half and gets 2nd and 4 at the Fresno 17 three minutes into the 3rd. Oregon looks like it is about to take control again. AB then rushes for one yard, on 3rd and 3 Oregon completes a TWO yard pass to CJ, then on 4th and 1 from the Fresno 14 CJ gets STUFFED for no gain and Fresno gets the ball back, fired up and right back in the game. Then Fresno of course goes 85 yards in 10 plays and the score is tied 21-21 middle of the third (just like that). Oregon then comes back and gets a first down, but then goes incomplete, incomplete, and then 3rd and 10 a FIVE yard completion and a punt. Next time Oregon gets the ball, it is a sack, then three plays later a sack and fumble and Fresno has the ball at the Oregon 27 and ends up with a FG and Oregon is now losing a game it was really fairly well controlling with 1:09 left in half. Thankfully, Oregon pulls it together, mostly on AB flashing with a 32 yard pass to JJ than that 30 yard TD run, but until that happened, it was pretty dicey. Rewatching, despite some 1st half sputtering on offense, Oregon and it's D looked to be pretty much in control and then went "safe/snooze fest" until needing AB to wake up in the last 5 minutes to pull the thing out of the fire. That won't be missed.

Yeah. I don't know if I totally buy it all. As a veteran, Dye absolutely could spend massive time around friends and family, and show up mid-August and be a Duck for 4 more months... And then have? Oh maybe 60+ years to hang with those friends and family? I hear the same thing with the Tom Brady stuff. Does no one realize from mid-January until mid-August each year he has like at most two weeks obligation to his multi-million dollar job? And that is if he chooses to show up for those couple voluntary weeks of practice. So much media talk about him not being around for his family? Where the heck has he been for those 7 month for the last 2 decades? How many of us full time working people have a full 7 months to spend with friends and family evey single freaking year?

Yes, I mean, Jones and Sala both are 340+ all day long (and Jaramillo is not a small dude). It wouldn't entirely shock me to hear Mario would take both at Miami right now and find a way to make it work - though that possibly doesn't mean the guys are a perfect fit for what the Ducks are going to want to do going forward. Regardless of who plays, I think it's a veteran group who most likely won't be the factor the game totally hinges upon. But in a play-by-play analysis absolutely something to watch, and something that might be a key factor when breaking down the game if it ends up competitive

I think the question on the OL is the Ducks have one solid center and four OG in it's top 5. If you add in the first two guys off the bench, it is one center and six OG. Obviously, someone has to play OT. While not really horrible, the OT play at times has been at times... interesting? I think the hope is Bass, who appeared to be another OG, settles into the position and does well. Jones, Sala, and Jaramillo all can play the position, the question is more "upside" with guys maybe not playing the spot they might be most fit for. Duck fans would love it if true freshman Conerly runs with that spot, but it is a big ask for a true frosh in game #1.

Interesting to mention that as I didn't have room above but there are a couple ways to look at that. Again, going off projections, some "key" depth guys for both sides: GEORGIA A. Gilbert (5 star TE): #5 (#1) A. Mims (5 star OL): #8 (#3) S. Mundon (5 star LB): #35 (#4) D. Blaylock (4 star WR): #36 (#5) K. Milton (4 star RB): #54 (#7) M. Rosemy-J (4 star WR): #55 (#8) A. Smith (4 star WR): #58 (#9) N. Green (4 star CB): #72 (#4) X. Truss (4 star OL): #214 (#19) Z. Logue (4 star DL): #342 (#25) OREGON S. Stevens (4 star S): #137 (#11) S. Dollars (4 star RB): #143 (#2) M. Matavao (4 star TE): #158 (#5) C. Cota (4 star WR): #159 (#29) J. Powers-J (4 star OL): #194 (#14) T. Taimani (4 star DT): #208 (#7) D. Jaramillo (4 star OL): #252 (#14) J. Bassa (4 star S): #344 (#24) M. Irving (4 star RB): #348 (#23) C. Chapman (4 star WR): #354 (#60) B. Swinson (3 star LB): #509 (#20) J.Hill (3 star S): #576 (#46) So, Georgia has a lot of highly rated (top 100 type) young guys not currently listed as starters showing up on their depth chart. The thing is, most of them haven't played much I can find. I see Rosemy-Jacksaint with 7 catches, Arian Smith with 3 catches, Blaylock with 2 catches, Logue with 11 tackles, Mundon with 10 tackles, Green with 2 tackles (as mentioned Milton with 56 carries). I think Gilbert sat out the season. Oregon has some guys not rated as high, but guys who have played quite a bit in its group. Taimani started 11 games for UW and had 41 tackles, Irving rushed for 699 yards (and 3 100 yard games) with Minnesota, Cota has 67 career catches with UCLA, Chapman (despite injuries at A&M) has 28, Bassa started 7 games and ended up with 48 tackles, Powers-Johnson played in 11 games and started 3, Swinson had 24 tackles last year, and Hill has 13 career starts and Stevens 9 career starts. So, while Georgia has some very highly rated depth, Oregon isn't without highly rated kids in it's backing units, and has a lot of kids who have played quite a bit. Possibly, perhaps possibly, an advantage in an opening game that might help balance against the highly regarded Georgia youngsters.

**For the hard core types** A detailed look at the talent ratings for the upcoming Oregon/Georgia game, plus some notes. I mostly watch Pac-12 and only casually watch anything else (even the playoffs unless a Pac-12 team happens to find its way in), so despite the championship I wasn't that up on Georgia heading into 2022. The list below includes 24 players each team, the 22 projected starters for each team plus a 5th DB plus the top 4th WR option (for Oregon a slot and Georgia a second TE). Below a short discussion about the level of playing some of the newer Georgia starters from 2021 (no real discussion is made similarly for the Oregon side as this is an Oregon site and we most likely are more familiar with how much our guys have played). I took projected starters off two decent sites I found (there may be some debates at some spots like Smael Mondon and Xavier Truss, and Oregon with Hill, Stevens, and Swinson, but I took a shot best I could figure). The listing is the 247 Composite National Ranking then national position ranking (which is usually the position they play now but may look a bit funny if the ranking position was ATH or Center or pro style QB or something similar). OREGON 5 STARS J. Flowe - LB: #6 (#1) N. Sewell - LB: #13 (#2) D. Manning - CB: #31 (#4) B. Nix - QB: #33 (#1) GEORGIA 5 STARS N. Smith - LB: #1 (#1) K. Ringo - CB: #4 (#1) B. Jones - OL: #11 (#2) J. Carter - DE: #18 (#4) D. Washington - TE: #23 (#2) OREGON HIGH 4 STARS T. Franklin - WR: #41 (#3) A. Thornton - WR: #57 (#7) M. Funa - LB: #68 (#4) D.J. Johnson - LB: #74 (#6) B. Addison - S: #98 (#3) GEORGIA HIGH 4 STARS T. Rutledge - OL: #38 (#3) K. Milton - RB: #54 (#7) S. VanPran - OL: #60 (#1) B. Bowers - TE: #105 (#3) R. Beal - LB: #107 (#8) OREGON REMAINING 4 STARS S. McGee - WR: #151 (#9) B. Cardwell - RB: #190 (#12) C. Hutson - WR: #229 (#41) T. Ferguson - TE: #231 (#10) S. Jones - OL: #246 (#10) K. Ware-Hudson - DE: #259 (#19) C. Gonzalez - CB: #326 (#31) GEORGIA REMAINING 4 STARS T. Marshall - LB: #122 (#7) K. Jackson - WR: #130 (#23) T. Ingram-Dawkins - DT: #148 (#148) J. Dumas-Johnson - LB: #195 (#22) W. Poole - S: #195 (#28) W. McClendon - OL: #227 (#20) K. Lassiter - CB: #248 (#18) W. Ericson - OL: #263 (#5) C. Smith - S: #306 (#30) OREGON 3 STARS P. Aumavae - DT: #391 (#28) T. Bridges - S: #421 (#36) A. Forsyth - OL: #465 (#49) B. Dorlus - DE: #836 (#56) GEORGIA 3 STARS A. Mitchell - WR: #387 (#64) OREGON UR R. Walk - OL GEORGIA UR L. McConkey - WR: UR (#169) D. Jackson - S OREGON JC M. Aumavae-Laulu - OL: #5 JC (#1) R. Bass - OL: #21 JC (#1) B. Williams - S: #14 JC (#2) GEORGIA JC T. Walthour - DE: #65 JC (#7) S. Bennett - QB: #166 JC (#6) Recruiting giant Georgia obviously wins this category; but, I don't know if the gap is as big as often has been put forth? Georgia is usually listed with 3 returning defensive starters: Jalen Carter, Nolan Smith, and Kelee Ringo. It looks like S Christopher Smith started a number of games (34 tackles) and I saw him listed as pre-season 2nd team All-SEC, so I'm not sure why he isn't listed as a 4th returning starter? LB Dumas-Johnson played in 14 of 15 games and is on the pre-season Butkis watch list (21 tackles). LB Robert Beal had 2 starts and played in 15 games and had 6.5 sacks to go with his 23 tackles. S Dan Jackson had 37 tackles and DE Tramel Walthour played in all 15 games (14 tackles). The three projected returning WR caught: (McConkey) 31 passes for 447 and 5 TDs, (Mitchell) 29 passes for 426 and 4 TDs, and (Jackson) 16 passes for 194 and 1 TD. The top 2 predicted RBs had 58 carries for 328 yards and 3 TDs (McIntosh) and 56 carries for 264 yards and 1 TD (Milton). Similar to Oregon's Cardwell (who finished with 61 carries for 417 yards and 3 TDs). QB Bennett had a wonderful statistical year, rating out at 176.7, with 29 TDs and only 7 INTs (and only took 14 sacks). Found it a bit interesting AB attempted 103 more passes on the season (287 versus 390), yet total yards were pretty close at 2862 versus 2989. AB was sacked 9 more times - a total of 23 - and ended up with a rating of 140.1. Georgia #2 TE Darnell Washington is expected to return from injury last year and On-3 has him rated the #6 TE in college football to go with Bowers at #1.

It is a common factor with the very "elite" OC college football, having quality ready to play depth - without a huge drop off. That allows the to absorb a reasonable amount of injuries during the year without changing their overall level of play dramatically. Taimani, Rodgers, Riley, Swinson, LaDuke, Bassa, Brown, Hill, Stevens, Jaramillo, Powers-Johnson, Conerly, Matavao, Dollars, Irving, Whittington, Cota, Chapman. Other than CB, this season opens on paper with some pretty good Duck depth, It won't be surprising to see many, if not most of those guys play in the Georgia game, not because the Ducks are forced to play them, but because the guys are good enough - that using them at times increases the team's overall performance. Obviously Georgia has recruited like gangbusters and that should mean awesome depth; but, the typical #3 something ranked team playing #12 ranked something team - and #3 is going to wear them out because #3 has a huge advantage with the twos (and threes) seems... well, at least following the usual narrative, without actually bothering to do much further analysis. Maybe off base but I find myself unconvinced the 2022 Ducks are at a "normal" huge depth disadvantage: some prolonged recruiting success, some key portal additions, and some growing players last season due to having a injury heavy season (being three possible factors contributing to the argument).

I know we don't like Walnut Heights. Affluent, undefeated, ranked third in the state: "They've got a swim team, a tennis team, they've got a golf team... for the boys and girls!" "Here's the situation, we haven't beaten Walnut Heights the 5 years I have been coaching. There are 10,000 people out there who don't think you are going to do it tonight. But there are 37 people in this room that know we can. Am I right? <YES SIR> That's you and that's me. Why are we so sure, what do we know they don't know? See, I don't think they know about the human beings inside these uniforms. I don't think they know the pain you are willing to endure, do they Tank? <NO SIR> They don't know how hard you are gonna hit, do they Djordjevic? <NO SIR> And they don't know what you are going to do to Alexander do they Riley? <NO SIR> And they sure as hell don't know about the magic in Rifleman's arm, do they? <NO SIR> The next 48 minutes are gonna find out what you are made of, and you are going to make me proud. You guys are gonna go out in your life and achieve amazing successes and I hope and pray you do. No matter what the future is gonna bring, seldom is there going to be a moment like tonight - where you hold it all in the palm of your hands. When you can achieve something together they can never take away from you. Your friends, your family, your parents, this town. A win tonight is going to give them something to be proud of, something they can believe in. And you know what they call us? You know why they only gave us 500 tickets to this game? We are the ( ), the ( ), the ( ). Alright, it what you are. It's what I am. That is what we are together. And that is how we are gonna' win this game - we are going to win it together. How are we going to do it <TOGETHER>."

Yes, missing Eddie Pleasant, and I just noticed no Brady Breeze either. So many great Ducks over the years.

Why not? Top 50+ offensive players for the Ducks since 1990. Maybe a bit tougher, as most have their own ratings for the skill guys, and OL probably - for a number of reasons - is about the toughest position spot to rank. Where to put all these guys? What standard does one use to place them? 01. Marcus Mariota - QB 02. LaMichael James - RB 03. Penei Sewell - OL 04. Max Unger - OL 05. Jonathan Stewart - RB 06. Joey Harrington - QB 07. Justin Herbert - QB 08. Adam Snyder - OL 08. Ruben Droughns - RB 09. Keenan Howry - WR 10. DAT - WR 11. Royce Freeman - RB 12. Tony Hartley - WR 13. Maurice Morris - RB 14. Ed Dickson - TE 15. Tyrell Crosby - OL 16. Darron Thomas - QB 17. Pat Johnson - WR 18. Kyle Long - OL 19. Sammie Parker - WR 20. Ontarrio Smith - RB 21. Josh Wilcox - TE 22. Demetrius Williams - WR 23. Paul Wiggins - OL 24. Tim Day - TE 25. Jake Fisher - OL 27. Jim Adams - OL 28. Dan Weaver - OL 29. Jeffery Meahl - WR 30. Damon Griffin - WR 31. Jordan Holmes - OL 32. Calvin Throckmorten - OL 33. Shane Lemieux - OL 34. Geoff Schwartz - OL 35. Dennis Dixon - QB 36. Donte Rosario - TE 37. Christian McLemore - WR 38. Jeremiah Johnson - RB 39. Jeremiah Masoli - QB 40. Akili Smith - QB 41. Brian Paysinger - WR 41. Blake Spence - TE 42. Jaison Williams - WR 43. Enoka Lucas - OL 44. Josh Huff - WR 45. George Wrighster - TE 46. Vernon Adams - QB 47. Darrion Weems - OL 48. Deak Moen - OL 49. Jordan Holmes - OL 50. LeGarrette Blount - RB 51. Kellen Clemens - QB 52. Mana Gregg - OL 53. Saladin McCullough - RB 54. David Paulson - TE 55. Ricky Whittle - RB 56. Lee Gundy - OL 57. Jed Weaver - TE 58. Carson York - OL 59. Tony Graziani - QB 60. Byron Marshall - WR 61. Brian Addison - WR 62. Marc Asper - OL 63. Hamaini Stevens - OL 64. Jake Hansen - OL 65. Terrence Whitehead - RB 66. Cameron Hunt - OL 67. Darren Carrington - WR 68. Nick Steitz - OL 69. Charles Nelson - WR 70. CE Kaiser - OL 71. Pharaoh Brown - TE 72. Dino Philyah - RB 73. AJ Jelks - FB 74. Hroniss Grasu - OL 75. Aidan Schneider - K

Ugh. Yes. Missed Jalen Jelks. I probably would add him around JD Nelson and Avery Patterson, about #75? Great Duck. Even for a long time Duck fan, 30 + years is a tough undertaking (as the memory does fade and there just are a number of things to weigh). I probably need to update to add in at least McKinley III and Wright to the list. I'm just realizing, where is Spenser Paysinger? Got to be top 40. And I am happy to be wrong, so if there is a wrong or a big ommission, just fire away...