Ducks’ 2017 Defense: A Thousand Battles, A Thousand Victories

David Miller Editorials

“Know they self, know thy enemy. A thousand battles, a thousand victories.” This quote from Sun Tzu speaks not of the past, but of the future. Likewise, the Oregon Ducks football program must not only look forward, but move forward – as a coaching staff, as a team, and more importantly, as a culture. That forward-looking and moving culture must …

3-4? 3-3-5? 4-2-5? Understanding Oregon’s Defensive Fronts

Coach Morris Analysis, Learning the Jim Leavitt 3-4 Hybrid Defense

Charles Fischer [the head man at FishDuck.com] keeps telling me that many fans, and he, are confused about the configuration of the Oregon front 7: the defensive linemen and linebackers [LBs]. So let’s have a look. At first glance, Coach Jim Leavitt’s most used/base front, appears to be a typical 3 [linemen]-4 [LBs] defense. But the devil’s in the details; …

Oregon (Jim Leavitt) Brings Back the “3-Duck-Chuck” Defense

Charles Fischer, Mr. FishDuck Analysis

Remember all the screaming at former defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti about the three-man rush? How it drove fans crazy, and how the message boards would lampoon Nick on a regular basis about this defense? Well my friends, the defense where the Ducks rush three and drop eight defenders into coverage is back under defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt. Let’s take a look at why Oregon …

Predicting Every Game: Ducks Go 10-2 Plus Win the Alamo Bowl

Darren Perkins Editorials

Sure, the Ducks should be better in 2017. But 10 wins? No way. Yes, Willie Taggart has brought the enthusiasm, the recruiting magic, the superb coaching staff and the Harbaugh moxie (Jim took Michigan from 5-7 to 10-3 in his first season). He may well be the next “it” coach. But it sounds as if the overly optimistic author of …

Coach’s Opinion: “I see Oregon Scoring on Defense this Season”

Coach Cameron Pettus Coach's Opinion

My friends, Coach Cam Pettus from Illinois has been an analyst for FishDuck.com in the past, and a friend of our beloved Ducks, and I am delighted to have his feedback on the 2017 Ducks. – Charles Fischer As a high school football coach, I get time to enjoy the summer with my family, as well as time for self-reflection …

Ducks Defensive Backs’ New “Knock-it-Loose PUNCH Technique”

Coach Morris Analysis, Fish Reports

Earlier, we, at FishDuck.com, showed examples of Colorado’s 2016 corners using the “shadow technique” to effectively neutralize the Washington Huskies’ great WR, John Ross. Remember, this pass defense technique will now be taught by the Oregon Ducks’ new, outstanding corners’ coach, Charles Clark. Today, we’ll look at what a defensive back must do if he fails to execute the shadow …

Cornerbacks: Oregon’s New PRESS TECHNIQUE

Coach Morris Analysis, Fish Reports

My friends … we have some tremendous new techniques to learn from our new coaching staff, and this article begins a crucial area for us as fans to understand. One-on-one coverage or “man” is the most difficult for us fans to know whether if the form or technique is correct, and Coach Morris is going to help us again learn …

Why the Oregon Defense Is Poised for Immediate Improvement

Justin Samples Analysis

FishDuck Note: Below we have a new writer who played college football and in the type of defense that we will see from the Ducks in the 2017 season. After talking with him — Justin graciously agreed to give his views on what he saw of this new defense in the Oregon Spring Game. We’re learning more football! Charles Fischer …

The Improved Oregon Defense: Defending the Counter Trey

Coach Morris Analysis, Fish Reports, Learning the Jim Leavitt 3-4 Hybrid Defense

For the past two weeks, we, at FishDuck.com, have shown examples of good-to-very-good Oregon defense, taken from the Oregon Spring Game.  Last week we looked at the Ducks defending their own Inside Zone Read [IZR], and prior to that we saw good examples of Oregon’s defense containing and stopping the Jet and Pistol Sweeps by their offense. Today we’ll look at …

The “404” Defensive Scheme is BACK with DC Jim Leavitt

Coach Morris Analysis, Fish Reports, Learning the Jim Leavitt 3-4 Hybrid Defense

My friends, we are fortunate again to have an Analysis from our own Grizzled Ol’ Coach, Mike Morris, as he will be slowly releasing information about the new Oregon Offense and Defense over the next couple of months along with our other superb coaches aligned with FishDuck.com. Do know that the defense that our beloved Ducks will be running is …

The Taggart Unveiling: What I’m Watching For …

Charles Fischer, Mr. FishDuck Editorials

This is going to be the most interesting Spring Football Game since Oregon converted to the spread offense a dozen years ago in 2005, and I simply cannot wait. I really should be more mature about this instead of breathlessly panting like a 13-year-old talking about an upcoming rock concert, but I cannot help it.  I am Oregon. As I …

Visiting Coaches Applaud Oregon Football Transformation

Charles Fischer, Mr. FishDuck Editorials

“The difference is night and day.” This answer from a high school coach in Washington stunned me when I asked about the difference in Oregon Spring Football compared to years in the past. This is the time of year when coaches come in from across the nation to meet the Oregon coaches, “talk football” and watch the practices and drills. …