Five Big “Ducking” Deals of 2013

Josh White FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

  With 2013 quickly coming to a close and only one major event remaining on the calendar, (Men’s basketball vs Morgan State doesn’t really count) it’s time to take a look back at some of the greatest impact moments for the Oregon Ducks in 2013. The Ducks Win Another BCS Bowl Game Oregon hammered Big 12 champion Kansas State Wildcats, 35-17, to secure a Tostitos Fiesta …

Chip Kelly Update: Matt Cassell Shoots Down Eagles

Mark Saltveit FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

The Minnesota Vikings were desperate Sunday in the MetroDome.  Not only was star running back Adrian Peterson (last year’s NFL rushing leader) out injured, so was his more-than-capable backup Toby Gerhart.  Desperate people are dangerous though, and as Tommy Lawlor said, the Vikings were backed into a corner and came out swinging. Swinging in this case meant throwing the ball. …

What Now Oregon?

Don Gilman FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Kevin Cline It would appear that after four straight years of BCS appearances, the University of Oregon football team will be left on the outside looking in.  Most likely the team will be headed to the Alamo Bowl, something that most pundits and fans would not have predicted before the season began.  Yet here they are. There is nothing wrong …

Chip Kelly Update: A Defensive Mastermind

Mark Saltveit FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

from Video Chip Kelly seems to spend half his life fighting shallow stereotypes about his teams.  He’s a passing demon!  No, wait — he’s obsessed with running.  Well, he demands running quarterbacks, right?  In any case, he has a huge book of tricky plays.  Or is it a small book of flexible plays?  They all come fast . . . …

Is Helfrich Establishing a New Identity for the Ducks?

Nathan Roholt FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Kevin Cline Is Mark Helfrich’s team taking on a new identity?  Did anyone see that ending coming?  What about Oregon’s other senior receiver?  Following the closest Civil War in more than 30 years that was part of the craziest weekend in college football in recent memory, some thoughts: Mark Helfrich is Beginning to Establish His Own Identity as Head Coach Remember …

An Emotional Civil War Victory Marks the Beginning of an Era

Chris Charbonnier FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Kevin Cline In five years, the previous decade of Oregon football may end up being remembered as two separate eras: before and after the Arizona game of 2013. Some would say that opening sentence is nonsense, arguing that the latter era began once Mark Helfrich became the head coach.  I would respond by suggesting that for the first time this year, the …

Chip Kelly Update: Leading the division, taking a week off

Mark Saltveit FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

from Video The Philadelphia Eagles are now in first place in the NFC East, on track to make the playoffs just a year after finishing last and losing 11 of their final 12 games.  They have their bye this week, well timed to heal up some injuries and refocus for the final push. It won’t be easy.  In December they …

Chip Kelly Update: Maybe He Is a Genius After All

Mark Saltveit FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

from Video The Eagles consolidated their recent gains by knocking off division-leading Green Bay, 27-13.  It was a solid win (and their first against a team with a winning record).  Nick Foles did not have another Hall-of-Fame-type of game.  He started with some tentative play that brought back grim memories of his terrible showing against Dallas, but he steadied himself in …

Chip Kelly Update: Rock Bottom & Rock Bottomer

Mark Saltveit FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

from Video Four weeks ago, I thought the Eagles had hit rock bottom with their 52-20 loss to Denver.  If only . . . Part of that was the schedule.  They had just lost to the dominant Broncos, the (still undefeated) Chiefs and the surprising Chargers.  Ahead was a parade of cream puffs: the Giants, Tampa Bay, Dallas (less so), …

Chip Kelly Update: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Foles

Mark Saltveit FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

from Video Two weeks ago against Tampa Bay, Nick Foles was the best quarterback in the NFL.  He was the NFC Offensive Player of the Week, throwing for 22-of-31, for 296 yards and 3 TDs, and even ran in a touchdown.  His QBR (ESPN’s quarterback rating) was 89.8, and he was leading the NFL in completion percentage (at 58.3%) for …