Shorts, Passes, and Screens — The New Read Option?

Noah Smith Editorials

Needless to say, the Philadelphia Eagles have had an interesting offseason. With a flurry of moves that had (and still have) many Eagles fans questioning Chip Kelly‘s sanity, Philadelphia has set themselves up to have the strongest run game in the NFL. With potentially the strongest stable of runners Kelly has ever had, the Eagles are primed for dominance. Interestingly, what may …

Dargan a Victim of “40 Yard Dash Fanboys”?

Noah Smith FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Oregon has a few players projected to be picked in the first round of the NFL Draft, but some of their most intriguing prospects are projected to be taken much later in the draft. Erick Dargan is one such player, a strong safety who led Oregon in both tackles and interceptions last season. Despite his play at Oregon, Dargan is projected as a late …

Mike Mayock has Mariota Ahead of Winston

Noah Smith FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

The majority of NFL and draft experts, with NFL insiders and everyone else who matters for ESPN and NFL Network agree that Jameis Winston is the best QB in the draft. Despite this, there are a few oddballs who say that Marcus Mariota is indeed, the top QB. One of those oddballs is NFL Network draft analyst, Mike Mayock. In an article for NFL.com, …

Can Lockie ‘Win The Day’?

Noah Smith FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

While much of the attention paid to this offseason’s QB competition has been focused on Vernon Adams, Jr., the simple fact is that he isn’t in Eugene yet. Because he is a transfer student he will not be allowed to join the team until June when he graduates from EWU. Many people, myself included, tend to believe that once he shows …

Baylis and Mundt Looking to Fly High in Spring Compeition

Noah Smith FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

While much has been made of Oregon‘s loaded stable of running backs and solid corps of receivers heading into next season, the TE position has been largely ignored . Unlike other positions on offense, Oregon doesn’t have big name talent at TE outside of the injured Pharoah Brown, who despite being ahead of schedule in his recovery, is not likely to play …

Draft Dodgers — Mariota and Winston to Skip NFL Draft

Noah Smith FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

While many NFL Draft prospects will be sitting in Chicago waiting to hear Commissioner Roger Goodell, call their name, the Draft’s top-2 QBs will be sitting at home. While Jameis Winston had been alluding to not attending it for a while now, it was just recently that Oregon’s own Marcus Mariota, said he will not be attending  either. Most players tend to enjoy all …

Oregon to Tie The Knott Because of Nike?

Noah Smith FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Oregon Ducks recruit Nigel Knott, a CB from Mississippi, was named the MVP of the New Orleans Nike Opening Regional. For those of you who don’t know, The Opening is a combine-like event that is hosted by Nike for high school athletes. The Opening consists of regional competitions around the country from which the top 150 recruits are selected to …

Arik Armstead Rocky Mountain Bound?

Noah Smith FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

As I stated in my article about the absurdity of Marcus Mariota falling to the 13th pick in the draft, NFL “experts” don’t always respect our Oregon Ducks. Mariota isn’t the only player to fall victim to this bias, with Arik Armstead being projected to go No. 28 overall in the draft. Interestingly enough, this is the same mock draft …

Mariota — From Saint Louis to New Orleans?

Noah Smith FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

We all know that NFL “experts” don’t like “gimmicky Oregon spread offense players” such as Marcus Mariota right? Well, if you didn’t, then let me be the one to tell you – they don’t. This can be clearly seen in the fact that two of NFL.com’s so-called experts have Mariota going outside of the top 10 picks, with Bucky Brooks having him going …

Little Big Man Ifo Ekpre-Olomu

Noah Smith FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

One of the Oregon players who’s gotten lost in the shuffle leading up to the NFL draft is Ifo Ekpre-Olomu. Perhaps it’s just the shadow of Marcus Mariota, or his own knee injury rehab, or maybe the fact that Ekpre-Olomu isn’t the 6’3” + CB that everyone is looking for in the NFL now. The thing is though, while everyone …

Oregon QB Commit Excels at Elite 11 Camp

Noah Smith FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

A 4-star QB prospect, Seth Green, had already committed to Oregon when he moved and enrolled in Allan High School in Dallas, TX, which is the same high school that 5-star QB prospect Kyler Murray attended. Clearly, Green has no problem filling big shoes. For more on that topic, check out Andrew Nemec’s fantastic article for OregonLive.com. What I found most interesting is the fact that …

ILB Lokeni Toailoa — Package Deal in the Works?

Noah Smith FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Oregon is now one step closer to landing the top ILB prospect in the nation. He is Lokeni Toailoa and he just recently announced his top seven schools, which include Notre Dame, Oklahoma, UCLA, USC, Utah, Washington, and of course of our Oregon Ducks. This would be a huge move for Oregon, putting them in great position to continue the never ending process of reloading …