Haywarduck

I have confirmed Ron Burgundy is breaking news on the Pac-8's tv contract and the dawgs and buffs leaving the conference. I don't want to spoil it but here it is. The dawgs are moving to the U Football league, the oldest football league and fittingly with much grandeur. Joining the Canadian college football league should allow the mens program to finally win a national title, granted it the Canadian title, but when has the school up north worried about that kind of thing. They are looking forward to many Vanier Cup Championships! The Buffs are going it alone. I mean with Neon who needs a conference. They still need players, but that is also a very small detail. As far as a conference tv deal, many won't like this but, Larry is coming back and reigniting the Pac-? network. He is going to report the network is now worth $5 billion making all the university presidents happy again.

Nice, I'll sleep better tonight knowing dawgs fans are upset, thanks for that! I might even sleep better tomorrow, I'll make reeding that piece part of my bedtime routine.

Great article, once again, and I agree the upgrade at LB is critical. If we are to beat the good for nothing mutts from up north this has to be corrected. I wonder what you think about more stunts, and blitz's? The picture you feature also shows 4 D-lineman against 4 O-lineman, and none of the lineman are beating their man. With the shown defense if is easy to give the qb time, and the receivers have an easy time getting open. Maybe Burch can be more of a disruptor, but it would also seem we need to be less predictable. One on one match-ups on the line of scrimmage, and soft coverage has to end! I would love to see somebody who is effective at the blitz, has speed, and knows how to lay the wood let loose on the qb on an obvious passing 3rd downs, every once a while, please!

The problem was written all over their name!

Not happy at Oregon, can't blame him, not happy at FSU, take a guess at Utah. I too wish him well and it can't be easy coming from a family where Dad was an NFL star, brother is in the NFL, and the expectation is he should be there soon. I hope he works hard and makes the best of his chance. Probably more importantly gets a good education.

Pretty amazing to see an elite athlete from across the country commit to the Ducks after seeing all the other top programs. The young man could've stayed close to home, or gone to any of the other schools, but chose Oregon. This is another huge indicator on just how effective Lanning and staff are at recruiting. It is also another signal of what the student athletes are seeing with the culture Lanning is developing. Commitments like this make me less iffy in my believe Lanning is the real deal, and the future looks bright. Welcome Ify, keep working hard toward your dreams!

He has checked all the boxes, filled most of the shelves, now just how good is the soup he is putting together going to be. I do think we have to keep in mind this is his second season as a head coach. It should be interesting to see how he adjusts in season two. I like what I saw, but will he learn anything from season one, and what will the adjustments be? We should see improvement based on him having more of the players he wants. A big question for me is what has he learned, and how will those game day decisions shift, or just what does he have up his sleeve this season. Connecting with alumni, and seeming to embrace Oregon for the longterm is a huge step.

Wow, an even better take on the season!

Love his athleticism, plays baseball, and can catch the ball at 305! Worse case scenario, put him in at TE, and let him continue to develop as a DL. If Lanning likes him, I all in.

Looks like he has a pretty quick 40 time too, he pulls away early against some very fast guys. Wow, we have weapons on offense like never before. Our wide receiver group is something our previous qb's could only dream about after getting to the NFL. Also important speed, legitimate track speed is coming back to the football field. Well done Coach Lanning and staff.

I want them all to earn 6* for making it to the 6th game in the NCAA tournament, and winning that game. Those are the only stars I care about! Congrats to the young man, I look forward to seeing what he brings to the program.

Pretty sure Ty won two state championships and has looked good at the camps, and all-star games. Dante is water under the bridge, and will have to prove himself over the long haul. Fortunately for ucla Dante seems to be the back-up. I am just watching how Stein does with Bo, and his qb development. Bo looked good, needs to look better, Ty also needs to improve. We have a lot of work ahead of ourselves at the qb position if we are to really, recruit and develop qb's, again. I think the smartest move we are making is building the weapons around our qb's. Back to the point guard analogy, if you have guys who can score and dominate their position, the pressure comes off the point guard. You can have one of the most dominant NFL ready qb's, but if your receivers can't catch the ball, he doesn't dominate the college game.

The problem I see is I am not sure Ty's issue is nerves. He just doesn't go into the game like a point guard in charge of the flow and dynamics of the game. He doesn't seem to see the game like a highly skilled point guard would, should. He seems to be a skilled guy who when asked to do specific things amazes those watching, in practice, or against lesser talent. The problem is those things have to be in ones back pocket in D-1 football, and you need to be able to pull any of the skills out at any time, and know when the right time is. You also need to know, and be able to do so many other things to be a truly elite qb. I know I bring this guy up all the time, but it was obvious in high school he (Brock Purdy) had all of those traits, beyond the measurables. You need to be the brilliant field general, not just the guy with the big gun. I would say being the point guard type of qb is more important than the big gun, something I think has been proven over and over, at least in the college game. So unless Ty is able to channel his second half of the spring game self from here on out I think the staff is going to have to get somebody else to ensure the season doesn't balance on one play where Bo's decision making, or a defenses game plan is questionable. I can't count on Bo to make all the right choices, and I don't think all the coaches and players will be beyond trying to take Bo out. It is painfully obvious how to beat Oregon. I think it comes down to an elite program needs two guys who can start at qb. Right now we have one and a half. I agree with Charles and others, unless Ty, going forward improves on his second half performance, we need another guy backing up Bo.

Agree about the first half Ty, but the second half Ty could win, or help win a few games. I will agree a qb can't come out and not be the man, leader on the field. That was what was so evident in last years spring game, Bo owned the team, Ty was a bit player. This was the first time I saw Ty starting to own the team while on the field, that is critical! I just hope we don't ever see the first half Ty again. I will also say receivers can make or break a qb. Qb's have won the heisman because they had NFL talent to throw too, not because they were the best qb (Johnny football). We have that kind of talent now, and if we land Zahkari even more guys who make qb's look great. Guys who can make 50/50 balls theirs are invaluable, huge. On defense I do think we have recruited, Devon Jackson, along with transferring in talent, Jacobs, Burch, and developed enough talent, Popo, Bassa, Funa, Hill, to have a pretty decent defense. Next year will be another step forward too, but this year we have more talent which fits the defense, knows the defense, and seems to have the mentality to create havoc!

I would add the offense may not need a Heisman caliber qb to win games. With the weapons available, and the O-line, we may be able to win some games with a serviceable qb. The D might also be good enough to help win some games. I do agree it is not a good sign our new senior qb with experience didn't see the field. Maybe beating North Park, with an enrollment close to what my high school had, isn't a good way to prep for D-1 football? I think we have some options, with good coaching, to sit Bo for short periods. I also agree there isn't greatness sitting on the bench. I do look forward to seeing the defense we thought we were going to have last year, materialize this year. We can't afford to see the defense fail like it did at critical junctures again. What I saw on the field gave me hope.

Burch and Jacobs are going to be even more impactful than Gonzo was last year. I think these critical positions are now manned by players who can do what Lanning wants to see. We have legitimate speed at wideout, and Tez is going to create some highlight film before the season is over. At qb Ty seems to finally be hitting his stride, and Austin looks to have potential. I think Ty needs to start every set he goes in for with a run where he gets hit, and never repeat any of the plays he has runs first up to this point, ever again! The guys head doesn't seem to be right when he goes into the game cold. Fortunately our qb's have weapons galore! I still look forward to seeing what Jurrion Dickey can do, and how Pleasant's speed impacts the team. Also it will be interesting to see who leaves, and any moves Lanning makes in the portal. Lastly I love seeing the energy, and camaraderie the teams seems to be building. It is going to take a team of players, and continued development of on field leadership. Lots of potential, and the future looks bright! I will say this was one of my favorite moves.

I actually hope he stays a 3*, comes to camp with a chip on his shoulder and outworks everyone. We need some effort guys to push everyone to their potential. A big possible weakness to our program is student athletes getting soft after arriving at the best facilities in college football. I'll always remember Ngata talking about seeing Olshansky in the weight room, and thinking this is the place that will push me to my potential. We need guys thinking this way, not I have made it. I love the talk about Oregon being one big family, but a working family. A family with goals, expectations and achievements!

Scholarships are offered, and until signed are not binding. Most scholarships are binding for one year, and renewed for up to 5 years, Covid, extended this length. Scholarships can be binding for multi years, and I think Charles mentioned transfers get a locked scholarship, all the way until they get their 5 years. One way to look at it is if an academic scholarship is given and the students grades drop, they lose their scholarship. I suppose, the same is happening with athletic scholarships, if your performance drops you lose it. Transfers aren't the same, they get the full length, unless the scholarship athlete decides to move on. I don't think I covered everything you asked but hope this helps. Maybe others can chime in, correct me, add on?

The good, if you really are that great and can produce there is NIL money. The bad if you really aren't that good, and don't produce the scholarship may not be there. Welcome to the new world of college football. For every Gonzo who transfers and is extremely successful, there are many more who never leave the transfer portal. We can say we don't like it, but it is the way college football has evolved. To me it seems like shopping for players in the December to January time frame is more fruitful. The players who have proved themselves at a lesser school hit the portal looking for a better place to show their skills. Oregon is a perfect place to upgrade at that time like we did with Gonzo. The problem now is we need a few players, and we might get stuck with underperformers. As Charles has noted, when you pick up a transfer you are liable for his scholarship for the length of his education, produce or not. I wonder if we fill our scholarship max with transfers if we have more transfers out, or will they hold a few for the better transfer window in January?

We should never compare ourselves to any other program, especially one which has never won, and probably never will win an NCAA mens championship. I think our strength is we never compare, we just lead, and let the rest wonder how we do it. Oh they wonder along with complain, and come up with a massive list of excuses for underperformance, which is the definition of a loser, by the way. I think one of the Oregon greats said it best with this.....

Pretty sure Holden was reinstated back in February, but maybe I missed a headline? I also think Jordan Burch might one of the difference makers on defense to watch. Jacobs will be another player who fits Lanning's ideal at LB, and this should impact our defense in a huge positive way. My main concern is depth at QB. Too many seasons have relied on one qb, and when he went down so did our season. The critical element to this season is having a back-up qb ready to go. Stein will need to install our offense, but more importantly have a back-up qb ready to go. Hopefully this will be the quiet story we never have to see develop. Maybe this season, and definitely next season is going to rely on this story to actually have legs.

This is Thompson's year to establish himself as the back-up, and I don't think there are far better options now. If he fails to develop this season, then I would agree there will be better options, but, this season, Thompson is the guy. The question I have is will Stein be a better qb developer for Thompson. I could attribute some of Ty's issues with the play calling, and maybe he wasn't in sync with Dilly. I hope this is the case because we will need a back-up ready to go. The spring game will be our first step in seeing if this is the case. I do agree this will the biggest developing story this spring, fall and during the season. We are, again, one bad break away from being without a leader on the field for our offense. We can't put our back-up in and not have confidence he can throw, and lead the team down the field. Right now this is a big question mark. I would love to see Thompson really shine, and Novosad look like he can do some things. Right now I don't want either guy having to lead the team.

I would say Saban is very concerned, for the student athletes who sign on with the U. Saban is good at developing talent and helping young men reach their potential. When he sees young men buy into the shtick Cristobal is selling he has to know, better than most, exactly what the outcome is going to be. Saban sees Cristobal as a threat to these poor impressionable student athletes. My bet his recruiting pitch to anyone considering Miami is better than anyone else's. He can say first hand how he used Cristobal, and what these players are going to see. If your not an O-lineman, run, don't walk away from playing for Cristobal. Saban may be a little concerned about Cristobal the recruiter, but it is because he knows what Alabama can do with the talent Cristobal can bring in. On the field Saban's Alabama against a Cristobal led Miami would look like...... It is impressive to see a fanbase go from 7-5 to 5-7 and think they are going in the right direction. I suppose you spend that much on a coach you have to rule the preseason.

What seems to be lost in this day and age is the fact that when you denigrate an opponent you take away from any victory, or moment you may have had. When you build up an opponent your victory or moment becomes even bigger. I hope Coach Lanning can get the players to buy into that kind of culture. I realize football is an extremely high energy sport, and emotions can get the best of our players. At the same time, in the vast majority of the situations, I want players who act like they have been there before, and are ready to do it again. This will serve players longterm in football and life.

Morning music to my ears!