It’s the easiest thing to do — to make snap judgments or knee-jerk reactions. Those are what this world is based on (smartphone and twitter in hand.) However, in this instance — and it’s the same every year — the results from college football’s ultimate exploitation event, National Letter of Intent day, won’t be seen for another 2-3 years, and …
Who Got to Budda?
I need to preface this article by saying that I do not know Budda Baker. Not personally, professionally, or in any other capacity. If I did, then perhaps I wouldn’t need to ask the following question: Who got to him? If you’re not following the recruiting trail, Budda Baker is a standout prep from Bellevue, Washington, and verbally committed to …
Get a Grip! Perspective Needed on 2013 Season
Oh no! How much worse can it possibly get? It’s the end of an era! The sky is falling! It’s sadder than a country & western love song! In fact, it should be a country & western song: “I’m a poor Duck; I’m so out of luck. Ten & two is so bad; I’m cryingly sad. With a quivering lip …
One Drive-By Gives Idea Of Oregon’s Future
Yesterday I found myself in the Eugene for the first time in months, friends and family gathering to make some memories on a warm summer weekend. We had plans to make our way to “The Bite of Eugene”, the annual summer festival taking place at Alton Baker Park, next to Autzen Stadium. It was, for me, an opportunity to see …
Zimmerman Trial Brings Out Best In Ducks
As the George Zimmerman trial came to a merciful end last night, the world took to social media expressing their feelings on the biggest media trial we’ve seen since since O.J.’s glove didn’t fit. It brought out the best in people, it brought out the worst. It brought people together, it pushed people apart and, most importantly, it forced everyone …
In CFB’s Free Agency, Oregon Would Aim High To Fill Needs
It’s July, which means NBA free agency is in high gear. For fans in Portland, that means mid-level signings and questionable trades. One thing that free agency offers the big spenders, however, is the opportunity for quick improvement. If college football offered the same opportunity, you have to figure that Oregon would be in the running for some of the …
No Bowl-Ban Was A Win, Win, Win, Win
It’s become increasingly evident over the last week that Oregon got away with one as it pertains to the NCAA investigation. For all of the speculation, all of the rumors and all the worry, it came back as nothing more than a wave of the finger and a “Don’t do that again.” A bowl-ban was at the front of most …
US Open Failures Remind Us That Nothing Is Guaranteed
Last weekend, as the world watched Phil Mickelson stumble to another second place finish in The U.S. Open at Merion, I couldn’t help but correlate his failures to a more local team. The squad that huffs, and puffs, but can never blow the house down. It’s too soon to compare the Oregon Ducks football team to “Lefty,” who has come …
Rivalry Losing Steam In Politically Correct World
The debate over rival-rooting-etiquette came into question this week on a local radio show, prompting passionate calls of “We’re all in the same state,” and “I root for both teams unless they’re playing each other.” Quite frankly, I had to turn the channel. I wrote an article after the Newtown shooting talking about the lines between passion and insensitivity in sports being blurred, with …
Let The Summer Take You Away
In the modern world, it can be nearly impossible to separate yourself from passions. With Twitter, Facebook and various sites at your fingertips, news of your favorite squad can be captured in a second. Sometimes, it’s as if we’ve been swallowed whole by the enormity of sports and all that they have to offer. Sitting in my classroom today, sun …
‘Spicy’ Championship For Auburn in 2011
In the dog days of the off-season, where recruiting and spring ball have passed, it can hard to find content to write about. Sometimes it’s necessary to fish for stories (no pun intended); however, today is not one of those days. You have the classy folks at Auburn to thank for that. Sitting in our living room today, I stumbled …
Rodrigues or Lockie: Both look to back up The Man
On Saturday, Oregon fans got their first glimpse of the two men vying for Oregon’s backup quarterback spot in Jeff Lockie and Jake Rodrigues. While both men impressed statistically, one thing became even clearer during the game: The incumbent, Marcus Mariota, is getting even better than last season. Despite playing against the second-unit defense, it’s hard not to salivate at …