SoGaDawg

I want to thank all of my Duck friends for your thoughts and prayers. We were fortunate, it could have been much worse. We will all be uncomfortable for a week or so, but this could have went much worse.

Thanks, we are doing ok. There is a good bit of damage around and many are going to be without power for awhile. Most around me have no power. I live in an home in the country and somehow only lost power for about an hour, but most were not so fortunate. Valdosta, GA is about 15 mins from me and they got hit very hard. Power lines down all over, trees down, and many homes damaged. I’ve only heard of one fatality in our area so far. A person was in a car when a tree fell on it. It isn’t a good situation, myself and immediate family are very fortunate. We have power and have enough resources stocked up to be comfortable. We have some family staying with us and are offering our what we can to friends and neighbors in need. Mostly, a place to get out of the heat, water, place to shower and such.

Thank you very much. Very much appreciated

Bless you as well my friend. It’s been awhile but I’ve been in Aiken for work before, I enjoyed it. Was treated to some great food. Hopefully Idalia weakens dramatically before it gets your way, but who knows about the rain? You will be in my thoughts sir. Yeah, I think the Gators flew to Dallas today to try and be ready. Probably a smart move. And don’t worry, I’m keeping my head down! We are all Hunkering Down like all good Dawgs!!!

Hi my Duck friends. As you know I live I South GA and Idalia is tracking to go right over us. I’m hoping it won’t be so bad, but I’m concerned about what tmw brings a bit, even though I feel comfortable that all my friends and family are adequately prepared. Just wanted to ask you Ducks to keep all of us Dawgs, Gators, Seminoles, and the rest in your thoughts. And if you are religious, I’m grateful for any prayers sent this way. I’m not overly worried, but this thing could potentially make for serious problems for many. Thanks and also, enjoy week 1. Go Ducks and Go Dawgs!!!

Absolutely, I love when the Dawgs are underdogs or in anyway seemingly disrespected or disregarded. There are several games in the Kirby tenure where I believe this played a part! To the main topic, I also love the Ducks being disrespected here. Especially with Oregon State and Washington being 1 and 2. Telling the Ducks they aren’t even the best team in the State! That should light a fire! Go Ducks!!!

No offense taken at all. In truth I guess it depends how close we get to the 3peat. I’m sure the closer we get and don’t make it, the more disappointed I will be. Yeah man, I can hardly wait for this season to start!!!

Sure I’ll be disappointed, but not massively. I was massively disappointed when we lost to Bama in overtime of the 2017 NC game. Especially with the way we lost, 2nd and twenty six and all that.

Honesty compels me to say that after I read your post I spent a bit of time trying to rationalize a way that I might play devils advocate with your analysis. But alas, in truth I would be pulling at straws, as honestly I agree with most everything you said. I’m not terribly worried about our RB situation bc we have so much talent there. We even have a few seasoned walk ons in Jones and Clark that I’m pretty comfortable with. Other than that, I am absolutely in lined with your train of thinking. Time will tell though. I really hope we can 3 peat but hell, I was extremely happy with one in my lifetime, so the rest is just icing at this point!

I’ll admit that the optics on this are terrible, bc most will take what he said and how he acted at face value. I’m not really a coach Prime fan, but I do assume that he had a reason for his reaction. He has a ton of players that have never played together and have no experience with one another. This is not the best recipe for an organized team sport like D-1 football. I’m not saying I agree with his approach, but I honestly do assume that his intent is to build team chemistry and not at all to say that it’s ok to start or antagonize fights. I kinda think he is attempting to encourage them to rely on and look out for one another. And again, maybe it’s not the right approach, I honestly thought bad of it when I first heard it. But at the same time, I gotta assume that Sanders’s experience in dealing with things such as team chemistry at such a high level likely far exceeds my knowledge of the best recipe for the subject.

Charles, like the fans above, I want to thank you for this analysis of the Mint Defense. I’m familiar with the scheme, but admit that I’m still very much learning. It’s a complex scheme, but I think you hit the nail on the head with your analysis. I absolutely agree that having the right talent in the proper assignments is very key to this strategy. If successful, this defense can often stress an offense while only rushing 4, thereby not handicapping the secondary in coverage. As you stated, this is a huge plus. Of course, also sometimes sending an extra blitzer to apply extra pressure and often getting a sack on passing downs. I can’t count the number of times I’ve watched GA send a blitz from the star position and completely explode a play. Like your analysis describes, it’s much about simulated pressure. Attempting to keep the O-line and QB out of sink and unsure of where pressure might be coming from. Having the correct personnel and having every defender understand and execute assignments in unison is paramount. This helps each position group be more effective. The right talent as mentioned is also key. The more speed a defensive front has, the more effective this strategy will work. Along with this though, another aspect that I believe adds to the effectiveness is strength on the interior. Having a few linemen that can hold the interior and reek a little havoc is huge. It is a game changer if you have even 1 lineman that demands a double team. This can cause chaos in the trenches and open up opportunities for the speedy, opportunistic defenders. This can create nightmare scenarios for the O-line and QB. There have been times when my Dawgs are playing very well that I’m pretty sure the opposing offense honestly dreads snapping the ball. Again, thanks for your analysis. I find it quite helpful in understanding the Mint D and very interesting. This Mint D is a very clever strategy. I very much look forward to watching it develop for the Ducks. I’m certainly not going to toot any horns too early, but a defense such as this combined with the Ducks offense could be something special.

I’m almost always using a mobile device and my experience lately on the forum has been much faster and much more enjoyable. I say, job well done sir!!!

133 mil guaranteed!!! Makes sense I guess, he is one of the best young QBs in the League. Maybe the best, I’m not extremely surprised. Herbert is awesome

I absolutely agree with @Nevada Dawgthis is a good move. It’s early but if things go wrong Oregon can back out with some dollars lost. On the other hand, it looks positive, and this announces positivity to players, recruits, boosters, and all concerned! It’s a move of confidence and it could very well encourage confidence. I think it to be a great move bc I honestly have great confidence in CDL. Sure it’s possible that things go sideways, but that’s a chance you take with any young coach. I firmly agree with this move. It says this is the guy and we are keeping him bc he is our guy!!! Stability is understated in college football, but it does play a part. I honestly believe that Lanning will be a very successful college coach. I hope the Ducks do whatever is necessary to keep him so long as he continues to build what we want!

Good chance for Brandon Baker I think. Baker would be a huge get. Truth is though, you don’t need to sign multiple or even one 5 stars to have a great recruiting class. Sure they look sexy in the media, but even they aren’t a sure thing. The Ducks have good evaluation and coaching IMO. Looking pretty good to me.

I would love to see that!

Thanks, it’s good to be back. Thanks also for your opinions here. I’m still catching up with all of the roster changes for the Ducks and honestly can’t be very confident in my assessment of other PAC teams yet. Members such as yourself are one of the many reasons I love this site. I agree about parity in the conference and also that it could be defense that decides which is the most successful team. There are possibly 5 maybe even 6 teams that could win the PAC. That is ridiculous parity. Of course that’s the pre season outlook, come mid season we will know much more. I agree with you about the defense. My hope is that the Ducks are that team that surprises everyone on the defensive side of the ball. Lanning is the real deal, the Ducks defense will dramatically improve sooner rather than later. My hope is that this is the year for a big uptick on Defense. Don’t get me wrong, today that explosive offense is winning tons of games. A great offense is needed, but a team that can play great defense is tough to beat. What I would like to see from the Ducks is a team that can dominate the LOS on both sides. IMO that is one of the main reasons for GA’s recent success. Usually, if a QB is uncomfortable at the snap it’s hard for him to make the right decision quick enough. Obviously there are exceptions, but I’ve not seen any Michael Vicks lately.

Well maybe not likely, but who knows? It’s CFB, unexpected things happen all the time. I think the Ducks have a tougher road to get there honestly. GA seemingly has a very favorable schedule. Who knows though, no telling what we will be thinking around Thanksgiving time.

Thanks for the article, very informative and I agree. If Lanning does indeed have the right players to fit, the Ducks defense will be dramatically better. Sounds like he might indeed. I’m very excited to see!

Awesome, thanks for the knowledge and the article. I’m starting to feel pretty good about the Ducks!!! I also agree with your assessment of the 4-2-5 mint. I probably don’t have the same grasp you do at least on paper, but it’s the defense that Kirby has run since he was at Bama. It’s changed over the years by using faster more athletic LBs to account for spread offenses, but the concept is still similar. It’s a really good defensive scheme if you have the jimmies and joes. I’m excited to see the Ducks! GO DUCKS!!!

Thanks, I really enjoy this forum and the Ducks are my #2 or my West Coast team. I know my Dawgs certainly have a good shot at a 3-peat but I’m not counting on it. We have had arguably the best team the last 2 seasons winning back to back, but we absolutely had the ball bounce our way a few times both seasons like most NC teams do. GA will be very good and the schedule is dare I say favorable, but we will know more of the chances come November. Yeah, I wasn’t heartbroken to see Alan Judd fired. I don’t know the truth of the facts but UGA responded very strongly and a few days later he was fired. His wording seemed at best inflammatory and apparently he embellished the facts in a negative way towards UGA and players and recruits. Oh well, you make your bed and such. He isn’t a learning young journalist so I have little sympathy for him. You and @Log Haulinmake me feel better about the Ducks. Thanks for the response from both of you. I was very confident in Nix and the rest of the skill players, but hearing good things about the defense is awesome. It’s not surprising in the least. Lanning is a great defensive coach. If that offense performs like I think and also has a good defense that might be the difference. I would be ecstatic if the Ducks and Dawgs played for the NC. Of course I want the 3-peat, but history tells me that is unlikely but possible. But if we lost to the Ducks it would at least be bitter sweet for me. I don’t want to lose to tOSU, LSU, Mich, or Bama. Good Gosh forbid losing to TN or USC.

Hi my Duck friends! Been awhile, I hope you all have enjoyed a wonderful off-season. You guys are kinda my go to for all things Duck related and also the PAC in general, so I just wanted to know your thoughts before toe hits leather. I absolutely think that if the PAC champion has one loss, they will make the Playoff. But it’s not lost on me that it might be terribly hard for that to happen. I think this only bc the conference is very competitive. There are several teams with very strong offenses and at least 3 maybe 4 with heisman contenders at QB. My question here is, is there a team that can rise above and take control? I’m still navigating what things look like out there but my hope is obviously for the Ducks to bust out big time. Most places I’ve obviously read about how USC is the team to beat, but they are coming to Autzen, could be a rude awakening for the Trojans! Anyway, I’d appreciate hearing your pre-season thoughts on the PAC-12. I’m still struggling to learn about the 23 version of the Ducks. I’m excited, I feel the offense has great skill players and getting Nix back is freaking awesome. I would like to hear your (Fish Duck folks) thoughts on the O-line and also the new OC. And of course I’d like to hear your thoughts on the Ducks defense. I’m trying to do some research here and learn what I can but I’d love to hear the thoughts of the Fish Duck forum. This is an area that I expect the Ducks to drastically improve in under Lanning so hearing any opinions here will be appreciated. Lastly, I’m just a fan and no expert but I have a decent knowledge of GA football this season I think. Any questions about GA football I’ll be glad to give my opinion on.

Thanks very much for that assessment of the Ducks defense. Sounds promising, I can’t wait to see how it turns out!!! I honestly think that in year 2 under the watchful eye of Lanning, this Ducks D will be much improved. If so it could be huge, especially since it appears the Ducks will be facing some very good QBs leading very formidable offenses. Again, I agree that an improved pass rush could be huge. As you say, it could take much pressure off of the players with coverage assignments. No matter how good a player is in coverage, it’s nearly impossible to stay in phase for an extended period of time. This is one of the reasons that I feel that QBs that can scramble and extend plays are so dangerous.

Yes, I think it’s very possible for the SEC to send two teams. However, it’s also possible that they knock each other out of contention and only send the SEC champ. I do think GA has a very good chance to make the Playoff mainly because our schedule does seem rather lite for an SEC schedule. Losing the Oklahoma game really hurts our SOS though. But in all likelihood, if the SEC ends with two 1 loss teams it will take a very promising looking team from another conference to keep one of them out. I’m excited to watch the Playoff in 2024 with 12 teams. It will be interesting to see who fills the other spots. It’s very likely that the B1G sends a team. But I also think that while the Pac-12 could be super competitive and it’s possible that they too might knock each other out of contention, I believe it’s very possible that bc of this competitiveness a 1 loss Pac-12 Champion could make the Playoff. Of course this is all contingent on how the other conference championships play out. As far as GA 3-peating, while I would love to see it, I think it’s unlikely. Yes GA is super talented and coached extremely well, but we had some very fortunate breaks that helped us win some big games the last two years. Not saying at all GA didn’t earn two in a row, I do think we were the best team and might be again, but the likelihood of getting similar breaks if needed is probably low. Who knows though? As for the Ducks, I absolutely agree that an effective 4-man pass rush could pay huge dividends for the defense. This could also increase the efficiency and effectiveness of LBs and DBs. A dominant or even just strong defense could potentially make a world of difference. You got me curious and excited. In your opinion, who are some of the additions to the Ducks defense that could make the biggest impact?

Yes, after your pointing it out I agree, it is fair to assume that Bama could potentially struggle in the tough SEC West considering all of the major changes. I also agree about LSU, Daniels is a very good QB. And to be honest, I was very impressed with Garret Nussmeier their backup QB. He absolutely torched a very good GA defense in the SEC Championship game. I’m excited to see how my Dawgs will fair with our new QB. My money is on Beck winning the job but all three seem highly talented so it might get interesting. I’m also very excited about the Ducks. Like LSU they have a great QB returning. Bo Nix coming back is huge!!! Looks to me like the Pac-12 will be littered with very good QBs this coming season. I agree that the Pac-12 will likely be better top to bottom than the B1G.