[Risky Business? What Might Ducks Portal Stats Show?]

There are zero meaningful portal transfers who've left us. These are all process based guys who were either a cancer, have permanent injuries that would impair their ability to play effectively, etc. The OL guys that left were all 3rd string and not going to get better than emergency playing status. Most of these guys had chronic injuries to their shoulders, etc. and quite frankly shouldn't have been offered. They were offered because of stars, their medical's weren't good. 

 

Everyone you see leaving had no shot at PT. Point is, they were processed for better players that the staff wanted. 

[Critical Analysis: Oregon Spring Game Hits and Misses]

On 4/24/2022 at 10:13 PM, Charles Fischer said:

Boy...at 278 pounds?  Tough call, because he has a rough-go in the run blocking, but we will need his quick feet in pass protection.  And we do not have dancing bears at tackle...

He won't be 278 lbs when Fall camp hits. At worst 295. Kid will be hovering around 300 with quick feet. Unless we land a transfer OT, I don't see us having many options. The big Hawaiian is too slow and still needs to drop some weight to handle the speed off the edge. At worst, Conerly will be 2nd string and likely starting by year end. Jones has to turn the corner or he's getting lapped. Kid just can't adjust

[Critical Analysis: Oregon Spring Game Hits and Misses]

On 4/24/2022 at 11:11 PM, Gusduck71 said:

I want to see Butterfield or Thompson take the reins with Nix as a solid back-up. What say you?

 

On 4/24/2022 at 10:31 AM, Jester said:

I think the reason for the lopsided pass/run ratio was two-fold. 

 

1. 1.      There is a greater level of complexity to pass blocking vs. the run.  Even though the defense was somewhat vanilla, I did see a few stunts and overloads on a few reps.  This was a good opportunity to set a baseline                on  where the o-line stands in regard pass blocking schemes. 
2. 2.      We’re all Tiger Woods on the driving range but what happens on the first tee?  It may have been just a glorified scrimmage, but this was taking reps. in a game situation, in front of 42K+ fans and television cameras                while knowing there will be lasting impressions of what you leave on the field today.  I think we all have a sense of where the QB’s stand at the moment, and I believe the coaches wanted a barometer for this as well.

What was the temp. in Eugene yesterday?  Based on all the t-shirts and the halter tops (not complaining) being worn I would guess close to 70, if not in the 70’s?  In today’s day and age, why were all the kickoffs not reaching the end zone, and was the 53 yard attempt short?  Couple that with one return I saw (blown dead) that may have been a house call, and I’m nervous about the kicking game.  How comfortable would you be if on the 19^th of Nov. we were down two with 6 seconds left and we just spiked the ball (no timeouts left) at the Utah 26 yard line?  Cam, we’re rootin’ for you buddy, cuz my spidey senses tell me you’re going to be called upon to win a game this season. 

 

Couple quick shots:

1. 1.      Chad Cota looked as if he was playing for a starting position.  Nicely done.
2. 2.      What a talent DJ is.  I liked him on the offensive side but certainly can’t find fault with his performance yesterday.  Nice first step off the ball. 
3. 3.      There was a Harrison Taggart sighting.  Good to see him getting in the mix. 
4. 4.      I was just glad to see Sean Dollars on the football field.  Good for that young man.
5. 5.      Coach emphasizes explosive plays.  He got them on both sides of the ball and I can’t say “thank you” enough for getting the d*man ball down-the-field.

Ultimately, I think the Ducks come away from that game with many positives and definitive negatives.  Really, what more could you want from a game like that.    

100% the reason for pass focus is the complexity of pass vs run along with our depleted DL and some of the other factors of a solid passing game. I love what we saw. 

[Where Does the Future Lie at QB For Oregon?]

Umm, nope! I want the guy who had an interception on broken play by his WR's and threw for 200+ on 8 completions and it's not even close. Kid moves the chains.

[Whew! Watch Bo Nix When He Played for Dillingham Before...]

On 4/12/2022 at 1:41 PM, Jon Joseph said:

There was a reason why Nix was the SEC Frosh player of the year under Dillingham. 

 

If his ankle is OK I think Nix has a chance to light up a whole bunch of Pac-12 Ds? He is not going against the Ds he saw in the SEC. And on the road he is not going to be playing in front of the hostile crowds he played in front of in the SEC.

Well, personally have him pegged with a better completion percentage (like +5%) than the crap offense at Auburn (we'll play faster & fast play is a QB's friend) so that's a big feather in his cap. However, what he does have is  a.) a solid OL assuming no health issues b.) Outside of Bama, LSU and Georgia, not a huge delta with the D's . Personally, don't think the crowds play into it at all. 

[Whew! Watch Bo Nix When He Played for Dillingham Before...]

On 4/12/2022 at 11:18 AM, 30Duck said:

I was happy when Nix showed up at Oregon and everything we've seen, heard about the QB competition sounds like it's bringing out the best from Nix, Thompson and Butterfield. These highlights of Nix are great to see and if he wins the spot, great, and if Thompson or Butterfield emerge as the starter, greater still!

The only issue with NIX is when he throws off platform. Which, unfortunately, he's had to do a lot with Auburns OL flaws. When throwing on-platform he's solid. As for what's been happening in practices, Nix is consistent, and good but not necessarily electric. Thompson is inconsistent but when he's on, he's a superstar... I'm guessing he hangs in there as QB2 and Butterfield is gone after spring. 

[Oregon Keeps Another In State Player: WR Cole Prusia]

On 4/11/2022 at 1:05 PM, Jon Joseph said:

Nice. Looks like a good back up player and possible special teams contributor? 

 

He counts toward the 2022 and not the 2023 class, right? If it is the 2022 class, do you use a scholarship on this young man or save it for a guy out of the portal?

He's a walk-on. With the NIL, walk-ons now get compensation. He doesn't count against the numbers as a walk-on. I'd imagine we grab an OL and another DB out of the portal after spring but that could change depending upon who we lose to the portal as well.

 

[Lanning--'A Juice...And Excitement About Oregon Football']

On 4/12/2022 at 11:40 AM, Jon Joseph said:

To be elite, you have to win a championship. (But winning a championship does not make guys like Gene Chizik and Larry Coker anywhere close to elite.)

 

Grinch was up and then down at OK. He did well as the DC for Leach, not an easy task in the Pac-12. But what does he have to work with at SC? I think Riley will need two years of solid recruiting and portal picking before SC is a legit Natty threat.

 

But I also think you'd best be able to put up plenty of points vs SC, starting in 2022, if you are going to defeat the Trojans. The D is a mess. But the run game averaged 4.4 yards per run last season and the OL only gave up 18 sacks playing in front of a far less mobile QB than Caleb Williams. Four OL starters are back and Riley picked up an accomplished OL guy from UVA out of the portal.

 

Drake London is gone. But the overall talent at the skill positions has significantly improved.

 

On paper, I see SC having the best O in the conference in 2022. 

If everyone stays healthy this is a fair estimate of their offensive ability this season. However, no team ever stays healthy and if Williams has to run as much as I expect, the depth on the OL and QB will likely rear it's head mid-season.  I'd have concerns about QB and OL depth which could well impact them down the road. They ware woefully thin beyond the starters and October is when their schedule amps up.