Wait-and-See as NLI Comes and Goes

Joel Gunderson FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

It’s the easiest thing to do — to make snap judgments or knee-jerk reactions. Those are what this world is based on (smartphone and twitter in hand.) However, in this instance — and it’s the same every year — the results from college football’s ultimate exploitation event, National Letter of Intent day, won’t be seen for another 2-3 years, and …

Who Got to Budda?

Joel Gunderson FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

I need to preface this article by saying that I do not know Budda Baker.  Not personally, professionally, or in any other capacity.  If I did, then perhaps I wouldn’t need to ask the following question: Who got to him? If you’re not following the recruiting trail, Budda Baker is a standout prep from Bellevue, Washington, and verbally committed to …

One Drive-By Gives Idea Of Oregon’s Future

Joel Gunderson FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Yesterday I found myself in the Eugene for the first time in months, friends and family gathering to make some memories on a warm summer weekend. We had plans to make our way to “The Bite of Eugene”, the annual summer festival taking place at Alton Baker Park, next to Autzen Stadium. It was, for me, an opportunity to see …

Zimmerman Trial Brings Out Best In Ducks

Joel Gunderson Editorials

As the George Zimmerman trial came to a merciful end last night, the world took to social media expressing their feelings on the biggest media trial we’ve seen since since O.J.’s glove didn’t fit. It brought out the best in people, it brought out the worst. It brought people together, it pushed people apart and, most importantly, it forced everyone …

In CFB’s Free Agency, Oregon Would Aim High To Fill Needs

Joel Gunderson FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

It’s July, which means NBA free agency is in high gear. For fans in Portland, that means mid-level signings and questionable trades. One thing that free agency offers the big spenders, however, is the opportunity for quick improvement. If college football offered the same opportunity, you have to figure that Oregon would be in the running for some of the …

US Open Failures Remind Us That Nothing Is Guaranteed

Joel Gunderson FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Last weekend, as the world watched Phil Mickelson stumble to another second place finish in The U.S. Open at Merion, I couldn’t help but correlate his failures to a more local team. The squad that huffs, and puffs, but can never blow the house down. It’s too soon to compare the Oregon Ducks football team to “Lefty,” who has come …

Rivalry Losing Steam In Politically Correct World

Joel Gunderson FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

The debate over rival-rooting-etiquette came into question this week on a local radio show, prompting passionate calls of “We’re all in the same state,” and “I root for both teams unless they’re playing each other.” Quite frankly, I had to turn the channel. I wrote an article after the Newtown shooting talking about the lines between passion and insensitivity in sports being blurred, with …

Let The Summer Take You Away

Joel Gunderson FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

In the modern world, it can be nearly impossible to separate yourself from passions.  With Twitter, Facebook and various sites at your fingertips, news of your favorite squad can be captured in a second.  Sometimes, it’s as if we’ve been swallowed whole by the enormity of sports and all that they have to offer. Sitting in my classroom today, sun …

‘Spicy’ Championship For Auburn in 2011

Joel Gunderson FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

In the dog days of the off-season, where recruiting and spring ball have passed, it can hard to find content to write about.  Sometimes it’s necessary to fish for stories (no pun intended); however, today is not one of those days. You have the classy folks at Auburn to thank for that. Sitting in our living room today, I stumbled …

Rodrigues or Lockie: Both look to back up The Man

Joel Gunderson FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

On Saturday, Oregon fans got their first glimpse of the two men vying for Oregon’s backup quarterback spot in Jeff Lockie and Jake Rodrigues.  While both men impressed statistically, one thing became even clearer during the game: The incumbent, Marcus Mariota, is getting even better than last season. Despite playing against the second-unit defense, it’s hard not to salivate at …