In the aftermath of signing day, as we try to make sense of it all, I compiled a chart (see below) covering the past twelve years of Oregon recruiting to help put things in perspective—from the end of the Mike Bellotti era to the beginning of the Mario Cristobal regime. At first glance, it’s clear that things took a dip …
FishDuck Philosophy: New Lessons Learned from Recruiting…
Just as Jake Locker got schooled on a blitz in the picture above, I learned about some new aspects of football recruiting this year, none of which I particularly care for. I am developing some ways to mentally prepare for them, some FishDuck Philosophies if you will, which will help overcome the roller-coaster ride that has become the modern day norm in college football recruiting. Consider …
2018 Football Recruiting: “One of the Best Classes EVER”
Lately I’ve heard and read reactions from fellow fans about the 2018 recruiting class such as, “this was an unmitigated disaster” and “pretty good considering all that happened!” In the end–both opinions are correct, as it just depends upon your perspective in addressing the results. I have a usual positive spin from the predicable context angle, but I also want …
AGONIZING Over Recruiting? Me Too!
Are you fretting like I am about how Oregon’s football recruiting class will turn out? I should be more mature than to put so much thought into the whims of 18 year olds–yet a ton of men are paid a hefty amount of money to turn those whims into signed letters of intent (LOIs), so maybe it isn’t so silly …
Mark Helfrich: “The NFL BLOCKBUSTER SLEEPER Hire of the Year”
I know you read that title and are now thinking, “oh brother,” but bear with me and try to examine this with new eyes as we contemplate the hiring of Mark Helfrich as Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach of the Chicago Bears. I truly believe he will be the Blockbuster Sleeper hire of the NFL this year, and will fare better …
Oregon Football Recruiting is Changing and It’s Time to Accept It
Oregon Football has been built on a foundation of continuity, innovation and those diamond in the rough players that we, as Duck fans, have loved over the years. Our program has felt like a family, with familiar faces on the sideline and in the locker room. We were comfortable, we were confident and each year, when our recruiting class was …
Jim Mastro Brings More Firepower to the Ducks Offense
More than any other hire that the Oregon has made this off-season, I am excited about the hiring of Jim Mastro as running backs coach, whom Head Coach Mario Cristobal was able to lure away from Mike Leach and Washington State. Mastro’s biggest calling cards is that he helped Chris Ault create the Pistol Offense while at the University of Nevada. A …
Would you do a DEVIL’S DEAL for Oregon Football?
I remember thinking about it and saying to myself, “Yes, I would take the Devil’s Deal.” Would you? From the mid-1980s until the 2008 football season, the Ducks were on a roller-coaster of success and disappointment: from terrible seasons when quarterbacks were hurt, to the highs of the ’94 Rose Bowl team and the Joey Harrington years, as well as a …
Cristobal’s Off-Season Training: A TRANSFER-OUT Wave Coming?
It looks like the beginning of another tumultuous off-season for Oregon, but this time it might be for the players. The massive changes new head coach Mario Cristobal is implementing may not align with some of the upper classmen; could a large transfer-out wave be in the making? Let’s look at some information I digested over the last week to see if your vibe on …
College Football’s Definitive Playoff Solution
We’ve entered that post-championship time of year when we turn our attention towards ways we can make the game better. In other words: Which would be the best playoff model for college football to adopt? I’ve taken it upon myself to end this childish debate. A Six-Team Playoff is the Ultimate Solution First, playoffs were never designed as a full-proof …
ANALYSIS LIBRARY
My friends, it is stunning how much football information is within this site from years of work by so many writers, analysts and coaches. I am creating this article for the sole purpose of simply creating a link for other places on the site to help the readers and coaches to find their topic of interest. To go directly to …
Oregon Spread Offense Analyses
Go to the OREGON FOOTBALL ANALYSIS LIBRARY by FishDuck.com front page to find the articles and links here. Articles about the Oregon Spread Offense under coaches Chip Kelly, Mark Helfrich, Scott Frost, Mario Cristobal, Marcus Arroyo and Willie Taggart are present along with plays and tactics. The Oregon Defensive Articles and Analysis are present on this page as well …