Haywarduck

Navy Seals have a similar motto, the only easy day was yesterday. If you want to be elite you need to have a core philosophy which many can't keep. As the article states it comes down to trust within the team, but also a willingness, and desire to do what others won't do. It will be interesting to see if Lanning is building a program which aspires to do great things, and is prepared to make the sacrifices which are necessary. I think it comes down to recruiting the individuals who have that trait. How many of these guys have the fortitude to make it through something like a Seal training? Do we have enough guys to drive the group to the heights off effort and commitment needed to win it all, we will see.

Don't let him see, smell, or sense there might be a set of keys to a nicer car, or he is gone, morel like it. Look up the word loyalty, and the antonyms, and there is a picture of Taggart, also a list of words describing him.

If so Lanning owes Holden an apology and a mea culpa. It will be interesting to see how it is handled.

Last I heard Larry Scott was going to sell a 10% stake in the Pac-12 network for $500 million, what happened!

One item I would like to see change is aggressive, successful back-up qb play late in the game. I agree Nix is critical to a successful season, but a back-up qb is also critical for this season and next. You also didn't mention the 5* transfer Burch as an answer to our pass rush. With only 3.5 sacks last year you might be right to not mention him. First critical to our season is back-up qb development. We need Stein to bring out the best in Ty, and the rest of the group. Austin Novasad switched to Oregon late because he believed in Stein. Maybe, just maybe Stein can also help Ty. It would be nice to see a breakthrough with both, and a back-up battle begin for next season. I'm not holding my breath on Burch, but this is his last chance to live up to his potential. It is also Lanning and Tosh's opportunity to help a transfer reach his potential. The Nix fix has done wonders for the program. Can the Burch fix our pass rush problem and help create a pipeline of defensive transfers who want a second chance, like Nix has, I am sure, done at qb. Finishing is a great subject Alex, and I am glad you brought it up, well done. This will be a huge part of the success of the program next season. At qb it will also be critical for next season. Who will bring it on D is also up in the air. Leadership on D, on the field, is something I want to see more of, and maybe it will come for the renewed energy of Burch?

Wow, once again Fishduck has the answers. The Pac-12 payed Lavish Larry how much, and Fishduck wisdom is free!

I always liked the saying the reason there are so many problems is those with the answers are cutting hair and driving taxis. I think the same can be said of the issues with college sports, those with the answers are on Fishduck. We can all agree those without the answers have been in charge for way too long in the Pac-?.

They want to move to the west coast, so they can stay on the west coast. Somebody who is attracted to a nicer climate, and being away from home don't want to go back 3-4 times to play where they could have in the first place. They want the adventure of being away from home, and the continual travel won't be attractive. Everything is used in recruiting, and this will undoubtedly be used, and will be a factor in transfers too.

Too many unknowns for us to really have an informed opinion, and maybe Coach Lanning too. The problem is if Lanning didn't have enough info to make his decision. Right now it is just a bad look for everyone involved. I'm glad Lanning has established he has zero tolerance for any monkey business. The problem there may have been zero going on. You also want to be a coach who has the players backs.

Seems happy now, good for him. Fortunately, or unfortunately these kids are allowed many mulligans and the story isn't over, that I am sure of. Not sure if everyone has read Steve Kerr's comments on AAU basketball. This mentality seems to be invading all areas of college sports. We are creating players, seldom are we creating teammates, young men who are part of something greater than themselves. “Even if today’s players are incredibly gifted, they grow up in a basketball environment that can only be called counterproductive. AAU basketball has replaced high school ball as the dominant form of development in the teen years. I coached my son’s AAU team for three years; it’s a genuinely weird subculture. Like everywhere else, you have good coaches and bad coaches, or strong programs and weak ones, but what troubled me was how much winning is devalued in the AAU structure. Teams play game after game after game, sometimes winning or losing four times in one day. Very rarely do teams ever hold a practice. Some programs fly in top players from out of state for a single weekend to join their team. Certain players play for one team in the morning and another one in the afternoon. If mom and dad aren’t happy with their son’s playing time, they switch club teams and stick him on a different one the following week. The process of growing as a team basketball player — learning how to become part of a whole, how to fit into something bigger than oneself — becomes completely lost within the AAU fabric.”

May seem petty the change I put in, but I don't think the teams are going to enjoy the travel the athletics departments have signed them up for. The AD's, on the other hand, are all about the money they will get. My take is we have no idea what the college football world will look like in one, two or five years, but once again the student athletes are the pawns. They may think they are winning, but most schools are just after the money. Side note, who was the first Alabama player to sign an NIL deal? You guessed it, or maybe not, Traeshon Holden. A little known fact.

I imagine Traeshon was on a short leash when he arrived. Coaches know what they are getting, and that they are often giving somebody a second chance. Not all players are Gonzo types who just want a place to win and push up their draft stock. I give Lanning kudos for being decisive, and setting a tone. This is something we haven't seen outwardly, but I imagine he is all business once the recruiting is over. As has been mentioned, the derecruitment process is on. Players may want to play, but there isn't a lot of play while getting ready.

Quite the turnaround, from losing to Montana at home to having the nuts back out of a home and home. I hope this isn't the Big10 freezing out the Pac-10...?

Vicks career stats, 56% completion rate, passing TD's 133/ 88 Int's, and 43 lost fumbles. An exciting guy, but became a liability. He was one of those, much like DAT, worth the price of admission, and you didn't want to miss a second of his field time. I do think weighing how much a qb should run is a worthwhile endeavor. They can get hurt anytime, but a qb who relies on his smarts and arm is going to last a longer time and be more valuable. I also think we may have a couple guys who will be unstoppable as receivers. This should make the qb running the ball even less valuable as well. A qb is much like a nice sports car, it can go off road, but not what it was made for. You can have plenty of fun with a sports car without going off road.

I would say Vicks 4.3 speed made him a running qb who could throw, no doubt. The other guys can throw first, which is my point. Nix has to prove his throwing all the way down the field can get you a touchdown. As for Fields this past season was an anomaly, and he was running for his life. He had 55 sacks, and was injured, repeatedly. Nix also has the receivers Herbert didn't have, so he needs to lean on these guys. The NFL doesn't want an injured qb who hasn't proven his arm can carry a team. I do agree Nix will have to run, and has proven his toughness, and leadership. What he needs is the sharpness of this guy, when making the decision to slide. Do the smart thing, not necessarily the easy, or glorious thing. That will get you to the NFL, play smart and show skills. Jerick McKinnon Slides Short of the Goal Line to Help the Chiefs Run Out the Clock in Super Bowl LVII WWW.CHIEFS.COM Kansas City Chiefs running back Jerick McKinnon slides down at the 1-yard line to keep the clock running and set up the Chiefs with a field goal attempt late in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl LVII.

What Risings torn ACL tells me is, with the same running stats as Nix last year, you don't want your qb running the ball as much as Utah and Oregon. The Heisman winner ran for less yardage than the Utah or Oregon qb. While Williams had more running attempts his yards per run were less than Nix or Rising. It would seem to indicate he went down sooner, and just tended to scramble more, creating more passing opportunities. Williams pulled his hamstring last season, but didn't suffer a major injury. The pundits lauded his toughness, but Rising and Nix took the big hits while running for more yardage. Being a running qb who throws won't get you into the NFL. The Oregon program needs to rely on Nix to scramble and throw the ball. The occasional run is ok, but the running should be scramblings to give the receivers time to get open. When needed, a first down run is ok, but contact should be minimized. Our season could, and probably will hinge on how we use Nix next season. Next season we need to look at Nix as a passer, and a threat to go when the run is wide open with a perfected slide, or make the qb sneak work. I also want to see him roll out, scramble and make the effort throw. More passing yardage, less running yardage. How do you see our qb used, now and going forward? I say with a stable of incredibly talented receivers, like never before, Oregon needs to become even more focused on the passing game with our qb. The scramble needs to primarily open up the passing game, not the running game. We should also have a better defense and special teams so getting the tough first down with our qb won't be as necessary.

Agree, but.... Oregon makes resumes, they don't hire resumes. Also does seem like a similar kind of guy, much like our coach you mention, Locklyn. Carlos was in charge of high school relations in 2020, now running our show with RB's, and killing it. If Lanning is going to create some loyalty it will be with these guys.

You mentioned the ASU coach loved the RB by committee, it will be interesting to see how Stein sees the position. Another factor will be how Stein sees the qb position. The threat of a running qb is great, but he doesn't need to run too often to keep the defense on their heals. I hope we see Bucky with the ball more running and catching out of the backfield. This will actually keep the LB's busy too. If Bucky is a threat to catch the ball the defensive backfield has to be cognizant of this threat. There are few players who are a bigger threat than Bucky in the open field. We saw how elusive he was against the Tarheals, he made them look like they had tar on their heals with his cutbacks. The main item is the RB competition is over Bucky is our guy. Unless somebody blows up the position this spring, or through summer workouts, Bucky is our number 1 guy. Fortunately we have a few other guys who can run the ball very well. What we don't have is another proven guy who can distribute the ball and lead the team. This season we need Nix throwing more, and running less. What does Stein want, time will tell.

Makes one wonder how defenses can defend an offense with so many options, weapons. It also makes you realize why the LB position is so critical to an effective defense with the RPO. A LB needs to be able to read an offense, be incredibly savvy, and be able to move like cat while hitting like a truck.

It would take a big donor to buy a large jet custom built to transport football players, team. I know when I fly first class it is a different flight, and impact than when I fly cattle car class. Can you imagine Oregon going it alone, and flying into locals with the Big Duck Jet? We blow away the rest with our facilities, how about our jet? The amount of money in college sports it just might pencil out. Talk about a recruiting advantage, tour the university, the facilities, and the Duck Jet!

The inner discussion between coaches and players is the one I would pay to listen to. You still have the previous staff's players, the young guns, and then the transfers all vying for a starting role, playing time. I would imagine there are some very frank discussion about what is going to be expected of the old guard. If you can't step into the new role of the 'jack' linebacker, and do it all you won't see the field again. There are freshman we will give the experience to, and a transfer who will be fighting for this role, if you don't develop and adapt. To our transfer, Burch, I am sure he is being sold the idea this is your last opportunity to show the NFL what you have. I am sure he is being told the job will have to be earned, but this is an opportunity he should hold dear. If one of the young guys is hungrier then you, the coaches will have no problem giving them playing time. The job is his if he takes a leadership role, but if he takes downs off, he will be off the field. For the freshman they are looking at a wide open opportunity. There is playing time available early if they show promise. Right now the weight room is where the competition is taking place. I wonder which one of these 'jack' guys is doing the extra work. Which one is leading all the others all spring and summer. After the workout, which one is seeking out the film, and coaches advice. I think Charles has pointed out this may be the most important competition on the team. My take is Burch is the guy Lanning brought in to play the position. DJ is the next superstar, if he puts in the work. The interesting one is Blake Purchase. His brother was a 3* who has gone on to play as a freshman, start as a sophomore, and become an Academic All-Big 12 first team winner. As the top recruit from Colorado Lanning made a big play to get him from the Neon recruiting machine. I think the future is bright at this position. It could be an immediate turnaround with Burch living up to his potential, or a slower move if the freshman have to take over important downs. Great ponder point, once again, Charles!

They all have potential, the offseason question is who will turn potential into action, leadership and wins. I certainly hope we see more out of our potential going forward. I think it will be interesting to watch some of these junior and senior transfers work to live up to their potential. A guy like Burch is working toward a job in the NFL, Williams too. Will they bring their best season ever as they know this is the opportunity to shine? A freshman or sophomore may not have the sense of urgency, nor the experience to know what it takes. These older transfers, may, and hopefully will bring leadership, intelligence, and effort we need to take the next step. Last year there were many questions about Nix and he more than stepped up. Hopefully some of these guys on defense will do the same.

Great topic, Cart25. I think the defense improves, that I have little doubt. The biggest question is Nix, can he stay healthy? If Nix stays healthy, his WR's will put up some incredible numbers and we will see 45+ points per game avg. If Nix gets hurt, we get hurt. We are still in a one good qb situation. None of our qb's have proved anything, other than Nix. I pick us to win everything, if Nix stays healthy, and the best comes about 14-0, Nix wins the Heisman. Nix gets hurt, we go even wins, losses from that point on. 2-6 losses if Nix goes down. Nix is that important, right now. Maybe I am wrong and Stein is a qb whisperer, I hope I am wrong! I would love to see our qb room become a force, rather than the farce it has been.

Been on the Brock Purdy rant for a while. We signed a higher rated qb out of high school who had never beaten Brock, lost to him again in college, and then transferred away. My belief is this was one of the bigger indicators of our program chasing stars, not developing talent, nor really evaluating talent with the previous staff. I won't go on as this is admittedly a repetitive rant, but you asked.

The right incentives in the past were PERS, which are gone. Not sure what the incentives will work now, unless a love of Eugene, and raising children in one stable place is a strong inner value. I can imagine if the stability, along with the opportunity is a strong enough incentive for Lanning to stay longterm some coaches will latch onto Lanning, knowing what the rest of college football is all about. It does seem like we have moved on to hiring the hotshot coaches, and the instability which comes from that. I can only see Lanning as maybe the guy who can provide some stability if, and only if what he seems to indicate is true. We have definitely entered a new coaching world, which is what I wanted to highlight with this discussion.