Entering what is now the second spring of the Mark Helfrich era at Oregon, Chip Kelly’s influence remains visible across all facets of the Oregon football program. From the up-tempo style of play Kelly initially installed as a coordinator to the commitment to unique and cutting-edge preparation with a focus on continuous daily improvement – as well as maintaining the invaluable coaching …
The Oregon football program is not regarded as a defensive juggernaut. An elite defense wasn’t the catalyst behind the evolution of the Oregon brand. In this new era of Oregon football, where fans expect championship runs, the offense seems almost to have become an after-thought. Improving the defense has become the focal point of radio pundits and TV personalities. Let’s …
Football Recruiting Offers Jack-of-all-trades athlete Stephen Johnson III (4-Star/San Leandro, CA) is catching fire heading into his senior summer. While recently discovered by the Oregon faithful, Johnson III appears to have been on wide receivers coach Matt Lubick’s wish list for some time. Toward the end of last week, the Ducks’ coaching staff made good on their promise and extended …
As Oregon’s 2013 football season came to a close, the majority opinion was, “the sooner the better.” It’s a testament to how high the bar has been raised at Oregon that another double-digit win season, capped with a bowl victory, was cause for disappointment. However, amid the gloom, hope for next season came when quarterback Marcus Mariota and his teammates, …
Football Recruiting Visits Oregon’s fevered pitch along the recruiting trail hit a new high last Saturday as offensive line coach Steve Greatwood welcomed Shane Lemieux (3-Star/Yakima, WA) to Eugene. “Everything about the visit was great, really great,” said Lemieux. ”My parents and I came down late Thursday night and then went to see the entire program and campus Friday and …
With months to go before the start of the 2014 football season, we’re forced to feed our football addiction by taking a look at some of the returning talent. Throughout the Pac-12 this last year, running backs dazzled fans all over the conference and kept us on our toes. Though they lost some top talent such as Ka’Deem Carey, Marion Grice, Bishop Sankey …
While it seems like the 2014 class just signed their papers, the 2015 cycle is already well under way. Two of the common questions early each year are: “How many scholarships are available?” and “How will those scholarships be used?” Using a method I’ve used each of the past two years to predict upcoming class numbers to within one player, …
Football Recruiting News In just over two months’ time, Oregon will take to the grounds at Autzen Stadium for the annual Salute The Troops-themed spring game matchup on May 3rd. In the lull that is the early months of the new year, returners and early-admits make up the bulk of the news that filters out of Eugene. However, the …
Months away from the start of the season, one of the things that tide us over is our love for the Ducks. Throughout the off season, we remember great games, plays and quoteables, as well as looking forward to what the new season will bring. We remember the tailgating and gameday house parties of this last year, we shop for …
Football Recruiting Interest The Midwest has never been known to be much of an Oregon recruiting hotbed, but fortunes may be changing as newly-minted Ducks linebacker Jimmie Swain (3-Star/Olathe, KS) is spreading the word about his new team. Swain’s junior teammate, tight end Josh Moore (3-Star/Olathe, KS) became very familiar with the Lightning Yellow & Thunder Green after the elder Swain started …
Disingenuous, adjective: “Not truly honest or sincere: giving the false appearance of being honest and sincere.” (From the Merriam-Webster online dictionary.) They should call it the Bret Bielema rule. Or perhaps the Bielema-Saban rule, since it is, in part, due to these two coaches’ influence that this rule is now being considered. For those who are unfamiliar with this proposal, …
We all know of them, the “Web Wackos” who post crazy stuff about Oregon football on the major recruiting message boards. You would think they had never experienced a recruiting season before, and perhaps for some of the 14-year-olds posting (in maturity, if not biological), that is true. Sitting at the recruiting luncheon in Eugene, Oregon, a week ago made …
