Oregon’s Roster Rotation: Have YOU Figured it Out?

[FishDuck Article]

I know, no Oregon game on today and it leaves us wanting for more of Our Beloved Ducks. Yet this is also a good time for pondering some of the curious substitution patterns we are seeing as well as players who are emerging and declining that even the die-hard Oregon fan would not have anticipated. I took some time from ...

 

Oregon’s Roster Rotation: Have YOU Figured it Out? | FishDuck

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I know, no Oregon game on today and it leaves us wanted for more of Our Beloved Ducks. Yet this is also a good time for pondering some of the...

[30Duck]

I say no. Keep the starting group, and play Bedford a bit in Los Angeles and let the new chemistry develop. If there is any drop-off with the group with the substituting, then stick with the starting five we saw in Corvallis. Agree?

 

Agree completely, the other ones you mentioned might just be what coaches do in early non- conference games?

[Smith72]

Thank you Mr. FishDuck for the current status of who is playing and who is rotating in to each position.  Excellent reporting.

 

I agree with you to keep the offensive line that was excelling during the third quarter of the Civil War game.  Subbing in players (with discretion) to provide game time and keep fresh legs is good for preventing injury and rewarding hard work. 

 

But protecting the QB and opening holes for the running backs is job 1. Make sure continuity is not destroyed.  Depth is important this season more than usual.  8 games in a row until the next bye.

 

For this old Duck, too many quality players is a blessing to have to deal with!  Go Ducks!

[David Marsh]

Harper's flexibility in think will be key. We are also waiting to get Iuli back as well. What does the offensive line look like with two more players in the rotation? 

 

I do think Bedford was recruited to play right guard in particular and leave Harper at left. But the current rotation does feel like he can play both and get players where they're comfortable. 

[Charles Fischer]

I think you are right about Bedford at RG, but Harper seems to play both sides pretty well.

[OregonDucks]

Great observations and questions!

 

Despite some denying it, there are players who are "gamers."  Players who do not possess the raw, spectacular athletic ability/physical traits that jump off the screen or look the best in practice, but when the bright lights come on they perform at another level.  I'm guessing that is what we are seeing with Strother and Boettcher, in particular.  I've always loved how Boettcher plays the linebacker position. He's a throwback linebacker - he's really good at reading/recognizing the play, getting in the right place and always seems to make the play (e.g., tackle, pass breakup). He is also a veteran and can provide leadership. You need players like this on your team.  

 

Credit to the coaches for recognizing and playing those players who are performing during the games. I'm not sure what you do with the offensive line, once healthy, on one had you want to play the best players but, given the OL has to play as one unit, there is merit to have a consistent group out there. It'll be interesting to see who starts against UCLA and how they perform, as a unit.

Edited September 21 by OregonDucks

[Charles Fischer]

It is a real dilemma for the coaches, because on the offensive line you need cohesion, but you also need to build depth....especially with four of five starters gone next year!

 

[Haywarduck]

A picture is worth a thousand words and that screen shot of Boettcher is a beauty. If he was playing baseball, he would be ready for any bad bounce. In football he is relaxed and able to mirror any move by a RB. I suppose the greatest thing that picture shows is how relaxed, balanced his body is, while reacting to the RB.

 

We probably all have pictures of Boettcher defending the pass plays in our heads. The way he reaches out and bats the ball away, like a line drive he catches on the fly, which he has done many times.

 

Boettcher is definitely an affirmation the program should look towards multi-sport athletes and all the benefits one can gain from learning the nuances of other disciplines. Boettcher is also another stellar student athlete. Deans list, Pac-12 academic honor roll multi years. 

 

I do want to give huge kudos to Charles for creating this shot and the many others that speak volumes about OBD. This one just stood out, but there have been so many. 

 

The writing, management of the website, and so many others things done for us here are often over looked, under appreciated. I want bring to light this element, and express my true gratitude!

[Charles Fischer]

On 9/21/2024 at 12:46 PM, Haywarduck said:

I do want to give huge kudos to Charles for creating this shot

Thank you, because that is not from a photographer, but a screenshot from the game.  To create, I have to convert the game to MP4 digital, and I spent most of last Sunday searching and finding screenshots for FishDuck articles, and for my use here in the forum.

 

Thanks so much for noticing!

 

 

[OregonDucks]

On 9/21/2024 at 2:46 PM, Haywarduck said:

Boettcher is definitely an affirmation the program should look towards multi-sport athletes and all the benefits one can gain from learning the nuances of other disciplines. Boettcher is also another stellar student athlete. Deans list, Pac-12 academic honor roll multi years. 

 

And he is from the state of Oregon from a family of Duck fans.  Always nice to see Oregon kids doing well.  

[DanLduck]

We do have talented players at depth for every position. Play as many as you can.

It's a long season, we'll want that experience.

 

It has been a joy seeing seniors like Boetcher and Manning playing so well.

We don't have to depend on the portal.

 

Sco Ducks!