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 21 hours ago21 hr 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.

The offense lacks good skill coaching and looks unmotivated. Both can be blamed on the coaches. It's much harder in this NIL age to motivate players that are making millions already. So the quickest solution is having smart game plan and management, which is easier said than done. Sorry but I am not very encouraged by the 2 losses so far. I just don't see us realistically winning more than 7 games this year at this point. So maybe Idaho Potato Bowl vs the Beavs?

Edited 20 hours ago20 hr by DuckFan93

3 minutes ago, DuckFan93 said:

I just don't see us realistically winning more than 7 games this year at this point.

No playoff for us this year... That door is shut at this point.

8 minutes ago, David Marsh said:

That door is shut at this point.

Fat lady is warming up for her crescendo at Ohio State.

I hope she stays in the wings until then.

At the rate Kiffin is losing at LSU, Lane might come available pretty soon.

I'll just say it: Kiffin for Duck OC!

1 hour ago, OregonDucks said:

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

I might try this play if I was OC.😁

1 hour 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.

Imagine DAK in this game after inspiring these edgy new uniforms and the "origin of speed" and now linking these uniforms to this terrible offensive performance. That had to be a big part of his frustration.

Edited 19 hours ago19 hr by mikethehiker

1 minute ago, mikethehiker said:

Imagine DAK in this game after inspiring these edgy new uniforms and the "origin of speed" and now linking these uniforms to this terrible offensive performance. That had to be a big part of his frustration.

Well, Oregon very quickly dropped out of the rankings and playoff conversation.

I think his main option is to realize that he doesn't have options because he has a staff full of young recruiters posing as coaches that have no clue what to do. He could have had a top level OC/QB coach like a Jonathan Smith if he wanted. Instead he promoted a coach who's OC experience was abysmal stints at Rutgers and New Mexico. Boy that sure sounds like a national championship winning decision don't it?

Maybe a real OC comes in and brings in some real position coaches and they are in a position to coach themselves out of this mess. Instead he has a room full of early thirties recruiters that know how to relate with 17 year olds like bros.

In the era of college GMs, NIL and the portal, how important is a recruiter first coach anyway? The Beavers have about a $10 NIL budget but they are being coached up to max potential and playing like it. Boise St always has great coaches and always play like it.

I think this year just is what it is and definetly a step back but if Lanning can truly learn from it, this just may be the kick in the pants he needs to take the next step towards making the Ducks an elite team.

Dylan Raiola's performance on Saturday two weeks following the USC game had to have shocked everyone inside the locker room just as much as all of us outside the locker room. I don't blame coaches for sticking with him as long as they did. It was so unbelievable.

Despite our offensive line, this game was winnable. But then the fumbles kept coming. Brock lost one under center and almost lost another in shotgun. That's not all on coaching.

Offensive lines generally don't get healthy in pass protection. They get healthy when they run the football. We've got to get back to running the football. That is coaching.

Honestly, if we've got guys in that locker room already eyeing the exit for more NIL and more opportunities to have the ball in their hands - that's a BIG part of the problem with this team. Connection? Do we have players who are here for the right reasons? We'll find out in the coming weeks.

Edited 19 hours ago19 hr by mikethehiker

The majority of these posts are spot on, IMHO. My two cents: The most damning indictment of this coaching staff is the consistent lack of improvement—or outright regression—following any extended break. From spring practice and summer training to bye weeks and bowl prep, we never look sharper coming out of time off. Instead, the only predictable outcome is surprising injuries to key players.

I still trust in DL, but dang, he's got to be churning over the results he's getting. Talk about an opportunity for growth.

Go Ducks!

Maybe as a stopgap for the rest of the season, and if they're available and interested, bring in Jeff Tedford and Steve Greatwood as offensive analysts.

I understand the pessimism, and it may well be warranted. In the spirit of free discussion, I will try to build a more optimistic case.

John Neal stated in his interview with John Canzano that UCLA played press coverage well, thereby taking away the shorter routes. Raiola had trouble finding open receivers in part because the short routes were well covered. Future opponents can watch the film, but they may not have the personnel to do what UCLA did.

1. The offensive line played better in the fourth quarter with Crader back at left tackle and Gernorris at right tackle. OBD also brought in a lineman, Tofi I think, to play as a blocking fullback in the second half. I recollect that they had some success with this.

2. John Neal said the offensive line was generally befuddled by stemming before the snap. If so, this seems more a matter of inexperience than lack of talent or physical development. Perhaps improvement can be made there. I could not find anything through an internet search regarding responses to stemming.

3. If pass protection remains an issue, Brock does have mobility. We could alter the playbook to emphasize his strengths, if he is going to play.

4. Coach Neal pointed out that if you don't run well on first down and don't protect well in third and long, it is not illegal to throw the ball on first down. I don't like playing the game that way, but it may be OBD's best chance. It worked for UCLA on their first play of the game, after all.

Enough of this for now.

This question prompted me to do some research on the coaching history of the offensive coaching staff. I posted the results on a different thread.

The short conclusion: With very little experience across the board, this is mostly a recruiting staff posing as coaches. Very few have more than a couple years of experience coaching their positions. A couple didn't have any experience at all. I think not bringing in an A list Offensive Coordinator set the Ducks on an inevitable collision course with where they're at now without much ability to course correct until after the season.

Talent alone could and should still win most of the remaining games but I don't see the Ducks really moving forward until they bring in some real coaches.

WOW! This team is 2-2 against the top 25. The only team that has played 4 ranked teams.

The D was outstanding on Saturday. The game should have gone into OT; a missed spot by the B1G refs did not help. Going for 2 after the first TD was simply stupid.

A 10-2 Oregon team is in the PO. Who gets fired then? Half a season is left to figure it out on offense. Oregon may have defeated G6 and B12 playoff teams.

The good news is that solid Nebraska, Northwestern, and Michigan teams visit Autzen, and Illinois and Michigan State are not lighting it up. And Ohio State is not as good as last season. A season in which the Buckeyes dropped their last two games.

A close loss last Saturday. Close wins the rest of the season? The defense we saw vs. UCLA is good enough to win many games.

And I am not a Sunshine Pumper.

More good news? No more bye weeks.

47 minutes ago, The Kamikaze Kid said:

This question prompted me to do some research on the coaching history of the offensive coaching staff. I posted the results on a different thread.

The short conclusion: With very little experience across the board, this is mostly a recruiting staff posing as coaches. Very few have more than a couple years of experience coaching their positions. A couple didn't have any experience at all. I think not bringing in an A list Offensive Coordinator set the Ducks on an inevitable collision course with where there at now without much ability to course correct untill after the season.

Talent alone could and should still win most of the remaining games but I don't see the Ducks really moving forward until they bring in some real coaches.

What was wrong with the defense on Saturday? Did the D overcome the coaching?

6 games remain, and nothing positive or negative is inevitable.

2 hours ago, Jon Joseph said:

What was wrong with the defense on Saturday? Did the D overcome the coaching?

The defense has a few things working for them right now.

1. The coaching staff has more longer term coaches and stability. Tuioti has been around for awhile and has a decent history. Hampton has had success as a DC before. And only the edge coach is actually a first year coach at this point. LB and DB coach are young and both were internal hires but they have at least been doing the job for a few years now.

2. More vets on defense... All the defensive line is back and linebackers have two returning starters (though Jackson didn't start last year due to injury). DB has some absolute athletes. Defense is often more reactive than offense so a strong athletic showing can make up for a lot of flaws.

3. Lanning knows defense and has probably stepped in tonight the ship a bit.

Offense has 3/5 new line and no one is on the same page. Two new position coaches. An OC with limited past success and a team that just doesn't seem to be on the same page.

Special teams has looked decent... Lorig is been with the program since Lanning got here. Kick offs have been a bit suspect but I don't know if that is partially by design or not because against BSU like all the kick offs were out the back of the end zone.

Oregon has fantastic athletes and often those athletes keep the Ducks in the game despite the coaching malpractice. Seriously... Oklahoma State was only a loss by 9 points considering just how bad that game played out. UCLA was only a loss by 2 points with the defense on the file for 2/3rds of the game!

That's all on the players... The coaching is the problem here.

A coach has a good breakdown of the UCLA game in the below video. According to this coach:

• The offensive line technique is really bad, including by players who have been at Oregon for 3 years. Are they not being taught fundamentals or are they not listening to the coaches? Either scenario is bad.

• Dylan Riola was not making the right reads, was late with the ball, had poor fundamentals (e.g., throwing off his back foot) and felt pressure when there was none. The coach felt, based strictly on the UCLA game, that Brock Thomas should start if DM is not able to go, as he was making quick decisions and getting the ball to his playmakers on the perimeter.

• The coach says that as a coach you have to know what your players are capable/not capable of, where your strengths are and have counters ready. Oregon’s weakness this year is our offensive line and specifically running between the tackles. Why are we trying to run up the middle for the 2 point conversion instead of trying to get the ball outside? Our receivers are the strength of the offense, why are we not trying to get them the ball in space, quickly more often? He suggested having a counter to the option, where the QB pulls the ball and gets it to the WR in space quickly (this play was open in the tape but we never tried it).

While Oregon’s offensive line play has been terrible it also sounds as though our OC has not adjusted to the team’s strengths and weaknesses, and does not have creative counters ready. We keep trying to run the same failed plays with the same results.