Oregon Ducks Football: Biggest Position of Need

[FishDuck Article]

For our Oregon Ducks football program, we have a ton of players on this roster to be excited about entering the season. A Nix-less, star-studded offense will spring out to surround Dillon Gabriel, and they should translate almost immediately to success in the Big Ten. Traeshon Holden and Tez Johnson will surely lead this group, with Evan Stewart working in as the ...

 

Oregon Ducks Football: Biggest Position of Need | FishDuck

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For our Oregon Ducks football program, we have a ton of players on this roster to be excited about entering the season. A Nix-less, star-studded...

[Smith72]

Thanks for the article Alex.  I think it will stimulate a good discussion.

 

We can agree the offense will continue to put up points like it did last year.  Lots of depth and weapons galore.

 

However, in my opinion, I think the defensive line is better. Any Offensive problems in the spring game came about because of pressure from the defensive line.  The depth and growth of the young studs on that line were more than an evenly split offensive line could handle.

 

Then when you consider the commitment of Harmon, the defensive line will be a strength for the Ducks.  Take away an opponent's ability to run and we'll see sacks and interceptions galore.

 

Coach Lanning and staff continues to improve every position with competition.  The defense will be making a statement this year!

[David Marsh]

Jordan Burch I'd argue made a major leap towards the end of the year. He was absolutely dominant against teams down the stretch and havoc plays don't always get stats.

 

Burch went down in the first quarter of the Pac-12 championship game and never returned. He was playing so well at this point in the season I feel he was worth at least 3 points if he stayed in the field of not 6. 

 

I like the article Alex. 

 

Though I'd say the great position of need is depth and having back ups. Where Oregon was really lacking last year was the secondary. He got a bunch of banged up corners and safeties and we didn't have enough experienced players back there for the two games we needed it, against Washington. 

 

In the first game against Washington we lost both Jahlil Florence and Khyree Jackson and were forced to play back ups. That's probably the difference down the stretch of that game. 

 

And in the Pac-12 championship game Florence was already out for the season and the Ducks clearly needed some help there. 

 

When it comes to edges... I think there are some great prospects the Ducks have in the roster and now we need them to step up in a big way. 

[Duckhart2]

Edge rushers need to put more pressure on the qb this year. 

[KCDuck1]

Alex, This is a good article - thank you. 

  

I want to emphasize several things you touched on. History: Yes, when DL/Edge Burch left the championship game, he had put a lot of pressure on the Huskies best OL/left tackle. When Burch left, that Husky NFL 1st Rd pick controlled our Edge rushers. Our rushers were all very good freshman players, and they had played almost a whole season, but they were still 1st year players - very good 1st year players, but nonetheless 1st year players against an accomplished Vet who was as good as we wished he was not.

 

So, Burch was worth 3-4 points in that game - maybe even more. We all saw what 12-13 more practices brought out in Tuioti as a rusher during the Spring game, and so many other young players are right there.

 

The Duck defense (just as all defenses are), is a system. The D-Line and its component parts work together with the LBs (we have the most talented LB core we have ever had) and defensive backfield (4+1) (again, the most talented we have had in a decade, if ever). Each element plays a role, and the Ducks recognize this as evidenced by the internal system of replacement we saw in the DLine this past year.

 

Each position group needs to employ replacements because many times a defense can't seem to get off the field (and the overall defense becomes worn down and cannot effectively stop the offense). In Coach Lannings' third season we have those replacements in all three of the defensive areas. Still, they have to understand the defensive system, and then prove it in practice and scrimmages (tests).

 

This is the year Coach Lanning and his coordinators (and Asst coaches and analysts) step forward and raise their hands to select, train, apply and lead the players into and out from the breach. Leaders lead mentally and by example, and leaders make adjustments to create and exploit success. 

 

Now, the refining, training and proofing to establish the system and conditions of replacement will take place - maybe in the office/classroom or on the practice field where the players take turns explaining the what and why to each other followed by the contingencies and the conditions that trigger those contingencies. I believe the Ducks' coaches organize and do this as well as (or better) than any team I have seen.

 

What else is there? The scheme and understanding, the teamwork if you will, by which the coordinators apply their art and human capital to create conditions. I believe Coach Lanning (CL) to be darned close to a defensive whiz (not brilliant/not a genius) as far as his use of stratagems and timing (but he failed in the 2d half of the Ducks-Beavers game two seasons ago, and again last season in the championship game when he did not have an effective plan to stop the Husky off-tackle run game we experienced in the UW-USC game.)

 

CL is not perfect, but he uses his coordinators very well, and he has two great combinations in his current offense/defense Coord staff as well as a determined Spec Teams Coordinator who has experienced greatness in his specialty (but not lately), and we have very good kickers. punters, and return specialists. CL understands we set the conditions to win up front, on the lines.

 

Now, building the team and the refining of the Offense, Defense, & Spec Teams continues.

 

VR, KCDuck1

Go, Fight, Win Ducks, Win!

[Charles Fischer]

I believe that No. 44 Teitum Tuioti is the next big success at Edge, the elite pass-rusher.  He had two sacks last year, but had 2.5 in the Spring Game alone?  That is development, but he also showed extraordinary skills covering the pass downfield against one of the best tight ends in the nation, Terrance Ferguson. He is quite the athlete....

 

I believe when the season is done--he will have the most sacks.

 

[JabbaNoBargain]

Pains me to say it, but we just hit a buzz saw called UW last year.
 

UW felt like smoke and mirrors to me all year, but 10 players drafted including 5 offensive players in the first two rounds say otherwise. Given we lost by 3 points twice with our perceived shortcomings and injuries, I think the only real problem we had last year was that UW was stacked on offense and extremely motivated in the P12 title game.

 

What I see now on our roster seems considerably better overall. I don’t think we’ll see a team with the same passing game this year, that was pretty unique and still barely took us down.

 

If I was being picky, not sure how fantastic our LBs actually are overall as a group. Would love to have a first round destroyer in that group.

Edited May 6 by JabbaNoBargain

[DanLduck]

I think our strength is in depth at each defensive position. 

Especially after the latest 2 additions.

 

Based on snap count analysis from last year, and things coach DL has said, I believe he wants a lot of rotation with fresh bodies. We may not see individual stat #'s set any records, but overall, get pressure on the qb and stop the run.

 

Stopping the run in the B1G will be priority #1. Getting that big bodied defender from MSU was huge. Gives the young guys someone to learn from too.

 

Funny enough, my biggest concern is on offense. I'm hoping Dillion develops a genuine rapport with the receivers, timing, reading defenses the same, and they adjust to that left-handed spin.

Bo in the 4th quarter gave me confidence like I used to have with Joey in the 4th.

I'm hoping DG does the same.

 

I'm also going to miss Bucky. Though our RB depth looks solid.

 

Finally, I hope the poor exchanges between qb and center get worked out. I'm giving new qb's as the reason and they will work things out in the fall.

We have been spoiled with superb center play for many, many years. Something I have taken for granted. It's too important of position for that.

 

Anyway, can't wait for the season to start!

[HappyToBeADuck]

Alex great article to ponder. Many talented players on this roster could suprise us and take that step forward.

 

There is no reason to believe that OBD's offense shouldnt be a top 5 scoring team. Bo was such a calm leader that we all became confident that we could outscore anybody.

 

Gabriel, Moore and even Novasad will lead this team very well. After a few games the offense we be firing on all cylinders. And we will feel confidence and surety in the offense

 

Washington exploited the weakness in the secondary and DL and staff made just a few coaching mistakes and we came up short. 

 

DL is building and eliminating those weaknesses. Shoring up against the run with a hugh transfer, coupled with outstanding secondary cover transfers will allow Burch/Tuioti to cause havoc, chaos and get sacks.

 

DL is putting the talent on the field, in a system that requires execution. Its all coming together.

 

100% effort, 100% of every play by every player will reap the rewards.

 

OBD's will field more talent than everyone but tOSU. I will be disappointed if this team doesnt go 11-1 in the regular season. Beating tOSU at home will help us hold the tie breaker with the Buckeyes.

 

I am not writing Michigan off because they still may have the best defense in the BIG in 2024. They will be difficult to beat in Ann Arbor.

 

Rhe putrid dogs held us well below our scoring average, twice. Our D must do that in all 12 games. And we can expect Michigan and tOSU to hold our offense down, also.....

 

Its very possible that Michigan, tOSU and the Ducks all finish 11-1. Those 2 bluebloods will be difficult to best.

 

I dont know who will step up to lead these Ducks. But DL is bringing in the horses to get it done.

 

Go Ducks........

[NJDuck]

 

Now that it appear Oregon's 2024 class additions are finally finished.  This is my answer to who is my favorite.

 

 

 

[AnotherOD]

Not a starting group but biggest position of need?

 

Back-ups on the OL. Extremely good fortune with the injury bug on the OL and really a pretty tight rotation the whole season.

 

Strother came to the UO with a lot of snaps under his belt but never gained much traction, playing 55 snaps last year, almost half of them in the ASU game. I think he might be the first call at either guard position (but didn't hear much buzz tied to Nishad this spring).

 

I guess the backups at LT and RT are Kawika Rogers who played 96 snaps at RT and George Silva 51 snaps at LT. Charlie Pickard probably is one the two deep at center with 68 snaps and 53 at center (the only other non-starting OL name I can really recalling hearing this spring other than Pickard was Lipe Moala). With 14 games (and at least 7 that were pretty comfortable) that's not a lot of guys getting snaps.

 

Stay healthy guys. It will be interesting to see if anyone breaks into the OL rotation.  Gonna be a big portal priority next year as it isn't outside the possibility Poncho is the only returning OL starter.

 

Maybe not the time to think about such things really; but, this will be be a pretty veteran team. It's not entirely crazy to suggest Oregon might return the fewest amount of starters in 2025 I can recall in 30+ years (especially if a couple guys like Stewart and James break out and Conerly decides to test the NFL waters).

 

Maybe something as small as 4 or 5 and even possibly as few as 2 or 3.

 

WR: senior

WR: senior

WR: junior (but could possibly declare)

TE: senior

QB: senior

RB: junior (but could possibly declare)

OL: senior

OL: senior

OL: sophomore

OL: senior

OL: junior (but very possibly could declare)

 

DE: senior

DT: senior

NT: senior

EG: sophomore

LB: senior

LB: senior

CB: senior

CB: senior*

FS: senior

SS: senior

NB: senior

 

(* Not counting Florence as it sounds like he may not be recovered until into the season)

Edited May 9 by AnotherOD

[WickedGreen]

I have to disagree with you Alex...Position of Need is not Edge. What you really appear to be concerned with is sacks and pressures from the Edge position.

 

Our greatest position of need is a legit backup OT. Quality depth has been addressed through the portal with Harmon and Woodyard as Safety was the other big concern. 

As for Edge results, there appears to be some misunderstanding of DL concepts related to Edge responsibility. The DE/Jack position is different than the SAM in terms of responsibilities with the DE/Jack and DL playing more of an Okie front where the Edge has almost a 2 gap responsibility on passing downs and is responsible for contain. There's a reason why UW was able to run mercilessly on us once Burch went out. He was arguably the best Edge run defender in the country.

 

I'd also add interior pressure was/is a problem last season and frankly why you saw mostly pressures vs sacks. We now have the iDL talent to collapse the pocket which based upon Edge responsibilities should dramatically impact the JACKs ability to close with a sack because it will essentially eliminate 1 of those gaps. Also With better interior pass rush, you'll see more Sacks from the Edge positions. 

Additionally, we now have a bigger stronger Tuioti, Purchase and Matayo so don't be surprised if we move Burch inside on passing downs as a 3T and roll with Matayo/Purchase/Tuioti and SAM and Jack on 3rd and long scenarios. 

[KCDuck1]

WickedGreen,

   Your presentation and discussion of OT as the position we now need most makes sense. I have been curious if George Silva is really The OT/lineman he was brought in to be, or not. He definitely has competition on both ends of the current line - he has to aim high to win! Still, this may be a terrific opportunity to learn from the best (on both ends & sides of the O-line); and, the same for Rogers, Jaramillo, Moala, Crader, &/or the other OT recruited this year.

 

  Your comments regarding DL's intentions for Edge are sound, and I have a high opinion of Burch's capabilities he has already demonstrated. If one, or all the Edge players have advanced to near Tuioti's Spring game level, that will enable DL's flexible use of Burch, and the iDL appears to be advancing rapidly. They will learn from each other and together. It's early, but I don't think we have seen a DL and Edge execution at Oregon lately like we are about to see develop this year.

 

   Besides all the benefits that can accrue to a team when their DL and Edge are functioning at a high level, the previous subject of the OL comes back to mind. As Cornelius credited one of the Edge players as aiding his OL education last year, so also will our DL assist to educate our current OL and backups. 

 

   Your description of the possibilities regarding iDL, DL, and Edge was fun to read and anticipate. I believe we all want it to operate just as DL intends, and as you described, if not better.

   Thank you,

   VR,

KCDuck1