My FishDuck Friends, I was going through the game looking at the failure of the offensive line, (upcoming article on Friday) and I could not help but notice how Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel seemed to only have eyes for Terrance Ferguson, or other short routes. As much as I loved my fun at exclusive LeoVegas bonus and taking advantage of Exclusive online casino bonuses, I had pause to share my concerns about the Ducks’ downfield passing attack in the Idaho game.
First of all, many of you may recall when I made the Chip Kelly videos a dozen years ago such as this one, but my expertise of the passing game is very limited. I do not claim to be a coach or all-knowing, but I am a 38 year season ticket holder who watched quarterbacks at Oregon beginning with Chris Miller in 1986 from my wonderful seats at Autzen. After watching so much Oregon football on TV and on film, I’ve noted the timing and tendencies of quarterbacks, their vision and their release.
I was surprised at what I saw when looking closely at the Idaho replay…
Looking to the flat, when the middle is open with time to throw. (Screenshot from B1G Network Video)
In the first example above, you can see how Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel has already decided where he is throwing the ball, and it is to the flat where Jordan James (yellow circle above) ultimately dropped the ball.
Meanwhile Tight End Kenyon Sadiq (red arrow above) is breaking open over the middle without even a linebacker to throw over. Note the Gabriel is not pressured at this moment, and as he is about to cock his arm to throw, and his feet are flat on the turf?
This gives me indigestion… (Screenshot from B1G Network Video)
In the first half we saw Gabriel get pressured, but in this example he stepped up in the pocket nicely and delivered the ball before a defensive lineman got a touch on him. The reason is that he was now looking to the middle and connected with Sadiq this time, (yellow circle above) for a big gain. Unfortunately the Duck QB did not see how receiver Evan Stewart (red arrow above) broke away from his defender from a nice cut inside on a post pattern.
Justin Herbert would have thrown a strike with little trajectory about seven yards ahead of Stewart where he would meet the ball and sprint to the end zone. I think Bo Nix would have simply put air under the ball, and thrown a lofted pass that would have lined up with the far goal post, and Stewart would have easily run under it. This was a touchdown missed!
Such a fantastic cut to get open…for nothing. (Screenshot from B1G Network Video)
Even as an old offensive lineman, there was air under my rear-end as I was hopping out of my chair with the play above. Gabriel is standing flat-footed again, (not on the balls of his feet) and spots Patrick Herbert over the middle, (yellow circle above) and hits him with a reasonable gain. But in the right corner–Evan Stewart made a fantastic cut in his flag pattern to spring open to the near corner of the end zone, and was not seen by the Duck QB. I felt bad for Stewart, as he truly left his defender in the dust. Another touchdown missed!
Dillon Gabriel only has eyes for Terrance Ferguson as No. 7 Evan Stewart is breaking free to the End Zone. (Screenshot from B1G Network Video)
It would appear that Dillon Gabriel is locked on tight end Terrance Ferguson all the way. (yellow circle above) Again…Evan Stewart is open (red arrow above) and a rapid pass could enable him to score. Ferguson was stopped, and the Ducks had to kick a field goal. Another touchdown missed!
My Duck-Buddies, we can speculate the reasons for this in our free forum, and the worst part? There were more examples, and I stopped at four, as you get the idea. Was the short-game the plan for Idaho? Perhaps Oregon coaches thought our receivers would get superb yards-after-the-catch, and thus longer passes were not necessary? Did Dillon have a greater confidence in the tight ends than the wide receivers?
Or is this a weakness of Gabriel…his vision downfield? And what is going on with standing flat as you survey the field? If you see something open up, you have to set your feet to throw, which could lose a throwing gap opportunity. Or perhaps I know nothing at all, and am quacking at the Mill Race? It is certainly makes me wonder, as…
“Oh, how we love to ponder about Our Beloved Ducks!”
Charles Fischer (Mr. FishDuck)
Eugene, Oregon
Top Screenshot from B1G Network Video
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Charles Fischer has been an intense fan of the Ducks, a season ticket holder at Autzen Stadium for 38 years and has written reports on football boards for over 26 years. Known as “FishDuck” on those boards, he is acknowledged for providing intense detail in his scrimmage reports, and in his Xs and Os play analyses. He is single, has a daughter Christine, and resides in Eugene Oregon where he was a Financial Advisor for 36 years.
He now focuses full-time on Charitable Planned Giving Workshops for churches and non-profit organizations in addition to managing his two Oregon Football Websites, of FishDuck.com and the Our Beloved Ducks forum. He is a busy man!
He does not profess to be a coach or analyst, but simply a “hack” that enjoys sharing what he has learned and invites others to correct or add to this body of Oregon Football! See More…