Oregon delivered one of its most abysmal offensive performances we've seen since maybe the the Redbox Bowl of 2018. That offense at least grew into the vision of it's coach in a positive way (Mario Cristobal, Marcus Arroyo). This offense looks absolutely lost with zero identity or creativity for the talent on the field. Drew Mehringer does not look like he is growing into the position. In fact he seems to be a major liability in both play calling and now, most likely, retaining talent by the season's end.

An offense is a sum of its pieces, and some of those pieces are clearly underperforming as well. Mehringer should bear the brunt of the criticism but A'lique Terry shares a substantial weight of this quagmire. He either can't develop players or does not have an eye for talent in recruiting. Linemen are consistently missing assignments, not getting the push needed to open running lanes, and bad pass protection is forcing every QB behind center to make nearly all of their passes off platform. Mehringer seems to have inherited a bunch of Will Stein plays and is just guessing at what to utilize and when. He is woefully wasting the plethora of talent he has to work with.

To me, it is without question that Mehringer be replaced this coming offseason with a hungry, well-spoken offensive mind from a national coaching search. Most fans, including myself have entertained the thought of whether Lanning should pull the plug now. But it isn't that simple. If Lanning relieves Mehringer of his play-calling duties he will very likely still have to utilize in-house personnel for the remainder of the season. Ross Douglas is well though of as a wide receiver's coach, but has zero experience in calling offenses. The same can be said of running back coach Rashaad Samples.

Oregon could theoretically hire someone mid-season as an "analyst" to assist the coaching staff. But as far as reaching for a new OC in the middle of the year; someone would have to be brought in that already knows Lanning's philosophy, most of the plays, the tendencies of players as well as their strengths and weaknesses. I don't see this as a viable option. Lanning has said everything is on the table. As I said before. An offense is the sum of its pieces. These pieces are running out of time to make a positive impact on a season that is suddenly on life support.

To be honest... I don't think firing Mehringer solves the problem. At least not mid season.

The reality is that the quarterbacks are under coached. Moore was dreadful vs Oklahoma State and Raiola was dreadful vs UCLA. Part of that is on the OC and part of that is on the qb coach. Moore regressed this season (before injury).

The offensive line talent is just not there and they are being under coached.

Tight ends are being pushed more into blocking so they aren't a divserve weapon in this scheme like they were in previous years and they also feel a bit under coached.

I do believe Mehringer has to go at the end of the season. Oregon needs a top tier OC. We aren't a G6 or FCS program that makes do on a budget. We are a premier brand and a destination job. It needs to be treated that way when it comes to hires. The scheme can change and mold into something new, Lanning's stubbornness to keep effectively the same scheme from Dillingham but without the Dillingham creativity is just not working. Stein riffed on it in his own way and it mostly worked.

We need a staff of coaches with strong coaching resumes. Douglas and Samples are great examples of younger guys but they had established great track records and those positions have been fantastic!

But the internal promotions killing the program right now. Stagnant ideas and now more than ever the same flaws in the schemes are just worse than ever.

How to beat Oregon... disrupt the Offensive line enough to stop the run and then take away the short passes. Done!

Boise State did it, Oklahoma did it, and UCLA did it.

That needs a new coordinator for sure... but the other coaches need to be evaluated as well.

My article this week was delayed but will be out tomorrow on this subject matter for sure. All I can say is thankfully I took up another hobby over the summer, HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts), and I love it or else this fall would be quite miserable right now.

Hire better coaches.

It's been a really bizarre blooming of problems. Certainly I would sell all of my DL stock if he doesn't replace Terry and Mehringer during the off-season. There is only so much schematic change that can be made mid season, especially with our 1 bye week behind us.

The only thing DL can do is lock the OL staff and players in their room and chew them a new one for their lack of execution. Make them ALL run until they can't stand up. Tell them he's already spooling up recruiting to find a bunch of portal players and a new assistants.

If they won't motivate themselves by gratefulness for the opportunity, then Dan will just have to motivate them by fear and discomfort. But this can't continue. You can't have plays where it looks like a screen pass because the entire DL is immediately in the backfield on an inside run. You can't get knocked back on your heels over and over and over.

Line up 9 wide and draw plays in the dirt, since our OL is absolutely terrible?

Have our defensive line play both ways at the line of scrimmage?

Punt on 1st down and hope the defense can score or get the offense the ball within the 5 yard line?

Edited 48 minutes ago48 min by OregonDucks

I've noticed increasing and visible frustration from Dakorien because throws are not on target, he is getting missed, he gets separation and the throw is late.

What a waste it would be if he decided to go become a top WR elsewhere because our offense is regressing.

3 minutes ago, Ktmguy2018 said:

I've noticed increasing and visible frustration from Dakorien because throws are not on target, he is getting missed, he gets separation and the throw is late.

What a waste it would be if he decided to go become a top WR elsewhere because our offense is regressing.

In truth the only way we hold onto Dak I think is if we go out and get a new OC and QB coach. Even then Lanning is going to have to sell Dak on how this is going to be a boon for him. Probably comes with some extra NIL money as well.

2 minutes ago, David Marsh said:

In truth the only way we hold onto Dak I think is if we go out and get a new OC and QB coach

Now multiply this situation by about 5 or 6 when we look at every other player that is being under utilized and is frustrated. I hope it doesn't, but this could snowball in a hurry with young kids seeing money and a chance to put NFL tape down.