I have been pretty disappointed recently with the decisions and intentions of former Oregon football players, and their disproportionate impact on the Oregon Athletic program. I am not just referring to the bizarre letter to AD Rob Mullens, although it is a good example. As far as I’m concerned, the former players are 0-2 with their influence recently, and they …
Alamo Bowl: Why Joe Moorhead will Never Play a Freshman Quarterback
We are very lucky to have former Offensive Coordinator Joe Moorhead return to coach the Oregon Offense in the 2021 Alamo Bowl. Considering what I imagine he has been through, it is very gracious on his part. Yet I feel there are other elements behind this decision, and why it feeds into my theory of why the freshmen quarterbacks will …
Analysis: Is Dan Lanning an Upgrade from Mario Cristobal?
Coach Cristobal always said that when a coach leaves, it gives him an opportunity to “upgrade” at that coaching position. My question to all my FishDuck Friends is, “did Athletic Director Rob Mullens make an upgrade hire of Dan Lanning replacing Mario Cristobal, or not?” It is a fair question, and makes me wonder about what the odds are that …
Mike Bellotti: Why Not a One-Year Interim Coach?
We actually have two discussion points, my FishDuck friends, as I ponder out loud about (1) might it be best to have a one-year interim football coach for the Ducks, and (2) who might that person be? Tons of points to consider in both directions, and of course I have a candidate who would be perfect for the job as …
GameDay Pac-12 Championship: the Mental, Not the Physical Side Will Win
This particular game is such a mental one in my view, as opposed to what the coaches will say about it being a physical showdown. In fact I do not know if I have ever encountered such a “mental” Oregon game as this one in all my years as an Oregon fan. Of course, I wish to discuss this part …
The “Matured” Inside Zone: Cristobal/Moorhead’s Favorite Play
One of the biggest bones of contention the fans have had with the Mario Cristobal era of nearly four years was pounding of the “A” gaps with the “Plodding-Pistol” formation. Late last year we began to see more of the Shotgun formation, and less of the Pistol to where now we simply do not see the Pistol formation at all. …
Oregon/OSU GameDay Thread: What is Oregon’s Identity? What Should it Be?
I am still trying to figure out what Mario Cristobal is actually building at Oregon between what he says and what we as fans see on the field. But first–let’s use this article as the GameDay thread over on the OBD forum, and let’s discuss aspects of the contest before the game, during the game and after the game right …
Did Beating Ohio State Hinder Oregon’s Progress?
Is that a crazy question? There are so many different components to consider that I cannot help but think that the surprising victory in Columbus steered the coaches into a short-term view at the sacrifice of next year. You know where I’m going with this, and I’d love to get your take on this “ponder-point” in the Our Beloved Ducks …
Utah GameDay Thread: Is Pursuing the Playoffs a Crock?
Depending upon the outcome of today’s game–the discussion of this topic might be moot for this year, but it is really something for the fans and the Oregon Athletic Administration to seriously ponder in the offseason. But before we delve into that serious topic, don’t forget to also use this thread at the forum to discuss the game before it …
Moorhead’s Inverted Veer: The Quarterback is SUPPOSED to Be Out Blocking
The interest in the success of the running game at Oregon has generated a number of comments about Duck Quarterback Anthony Brown our leading the blocking at times. Is this part of the offensive game-plan, or part of a particular play design? Before many of you become concerned about all the screenshots and a video–this article will take you less …
WSU GameDay Thread: Will it be DeRuyter Day?
Whenever we play the Cougars, I think of how fan bases really share the common hate of the Huskies. However it does not matter when both are vying for the crown of the division and the conference, and thus we focus upon our key match-up. Yet I cannot forget the best title to a FishDuck article against WSU ever years …
Most EVER Playoff Pressure on Cristobal and Oregon Fans?
You feel so much more pressure on every third down, and major plays in the games than ever before. As fans, we have not had so much on the line since 2014 for reaching the elite status and vying for the National CFB Playoffs. Sure we had a path in 2019, but everyone wondered if the Auburn loss would come …