Of Chip Kelly’s System and the “Franchise QB” Conundrum

Noah Smith FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

It is well documented that a franchise QB is required in order to win the Super Bowl — at least, that is the common concept. However, this idea has two problems: First — and obvious issue — is that franchise QBs are extremely hard to find; there are many more franchises in the NFL than there are franchise QBs. The second …

Mariota Outscores Winston on Wonderlic

Caleb Couturie FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

As the ongoing debate about which QB, Marcus Mariota or Jameis Winston, should be taken first in the NFL draft rages on, experts are noting that Mariota is making a stronger and stronger case to overtake Winston. The initial sentiments toward Mariota were that he was a system QB who would crumble in the NFL once he had to operate outside …

Shorts, Passes, and Screens — The New Read Option?

Noah Smith Editorials

Needless to say, the Philadelphia Eagles have had an interesting offseason. With a flurry of moves that had (and still have) many Eagles fans questioning Chip Kelly‘s sanity, Philadelphia has set themselves up to have the strongest run game in the NFL. With potentially the strongest stable of runners Kelly has ever had, the Eagles are primed for dominance. Interestingly, what may …

Mariota — From Saint Louis to New Orleans?

Noah Smith FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

We all know that NFL “experts” don’t like “gimmicky Oregon spread offense players” such as Marcus Mariota right? Well, if you didn’t, then let me be the one to tell you – they don’t. This can be clearly seen in the fact that two of NFL.com’s so-called experts have Mariota going outside of the top 10 picks, with Bucky Brooks having him going …

Chip Kelly Update: Welp …

Mark Saltveit FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Going into last Sunday’s showdown between NFC division-leading teams, optimism about the Eagles was soaring like Icarus did right before his wings melted. This game against Green Bay would define how great the Eagles really were. Talk of Philadelphia as a legitimate Super Bowl contender abounded, and one moron thought the tiff might be a preview of the NFC Championship …

Chip Kelly Update: The Quarterback Whisperer?

Mark Saltveit FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Mark Sanchez started his first game in two years Monday night, leading the Philadelphia Eagles to a 45-21 win that was far more dominating than the score suggests. This is the same Mark Sanchez who was run out of New York as a failure, who went from leading the Jets to the AFC Championship Game in his first two seasons …

Former Player Tribute: “Nothing Like the Mighty Quinn”

FishDuck Staff Men of Oregon: Players and Coaches

John Giustina “Come all without, come all within . . . You’ll not see nothing like the Mighty Quinn!”  -Manfred Mann A forgotten starting defensive lineman made a major impact during Oregon’s late 90’s – early 2000’s rise to fortune and fame.  A quiet leader and huge anchor to Oregon’s defensive line, this valuable defensive end speedster played a key …

Fun with Writer’s Block

Kim Hastings FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Some days a deadline looms and nothing in particular comes to mind.  Creative writing isn’t something that can be forced, so when it doesn’t come, I just have to wait it out.  As I go through my day, something will organically grow…I hope.  Meanwhile: 12:17 p.m.  Who knew how much fun compressed air cans can be?  As I was pondering …