Washington Waddler

In addition to Chip’s demand for good blocking, spread offense and speed, what also made his bubble and tunnel screens work was opposing defenses were not conditioned for his uptempo offense.

I’d agree. There are too many parts of the strategy puzzle we just don’t know being taken into consideration by Lanning and those people whose opinions he trusts. Case in point would be when Dan decided to replace Brock with Dylan. There were people in caves in Siberia screaming for Brock’s head by the 2nd quarter. But DL waited, and guess what? It was the right moment to make the change. Plain and simple: we don’t know what goes into deciding upon a coach’s fate, let alone when to switch quarterbacks in a game.

Benning’s comments speak to the truth about actually playing in the game. It was hard fought, and balanced on who saw and adjusted the quickest to what the other was doing. But most of all, who fought the hardest to win the 4th quarter. I’ll accept that opinion over all the negativity.

Guess it bears repeating as often as needed: “A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on.” - Winston Churchill Receivers are dependent on quarterback health. Not been the best year for that, and staying focused through some frustration is required. That’s what Dakorian has done and Evan hasn’t. By the way, thought DM separated quite nicely.

Watching the Duck finally getting to do push-ups.

Dan’s off-season coordinator and position coach choices were clearly based on passing the torch to the next guy up within the system. If it doesn’t appear broken, don’t fix it. In-house coaching continuity was a huge reason for Oregon success through the Brooks/Bellotti era, but doesn’t look to have worked as well for Lanning. It’s not easy to fully grasp a young head coach’s strengths and weaknesses, but I have to assume (like with anyone) he will have to learn from when he’s allowed his comfort zone to take precedence over learning to stretch beyond those limits. Recognizing that is what lets you grow. And, I’ve no doubt Dan is fully up to the task.

It’s just a good thing that all that feel good, everything is hunky-dory stuff has faded into the rear view mirror.

Remember, that was with the mindset of nothing to lose and saving the day. Not the same pressure as when you’re the starter and not as loose. It doesn’t mean he can’t; but it’s a big mind adjustment between the two roles - especially at QB.

I’ve been thinking the same thing. The feeling reminds me of those days when we seemed to be reinventing ourselves almost on a weekly basis. In those days it was because we were inventing what we would eventually become. Now, it feels like it’s because what we've become is stale.

Physical maturity and mental maturity are quite often not on the same page. NIL is not something you’ve necessarily earned; it’s something you’ve simply taken advantage of.

It feels like a CF take on MLB’s home-stretch trade policy when the big boys with a shot to contend load-up for the final push. Maybe it’s Michigan that needs the restraining order and not the players.

Thanks David; when you have the health of the program at heart, a gut-check, ‘tough love’ article is sometimes called for on individuals who make up that program. A person’s star can ascend faster than that person is ready to have it to do so, leaving them to chase after it in the mad rush to measure up to expectations. When one finds himself suddenly isolated in a high pressure role that normally takes years of experience to acquire, an unseen inadequacy and uncertainty can often be the outcome, especially if success is immediate. I think Dan kind of fits into that category. That’s why I wouldn’t call it complacency or getting comfortable, so much as just trying to catch-up to his star. Sometimes you just need that time to figure out who and where you are, how you got there and where you’re going. The problem for Dan is he doesn’t have that luxury. He’s going to have to do it on the run.

Okay, let’s see if we can stop shooting ourselves in the foot.

Can see how frustrated DR is with himself. He’ll find it.

Worked better in Chip’s day when no one was expecting it.