“Defense wins championships.” Of all the things that have changed in the game of football over the years, this particular adage seems to have stood the test of time. Folks, that’s exactly why I’m so excited for this upcoming season. For the first time in a long time, we can confidently say that our defense is going to be elite. …
From Gatorade baths, to billboards, to throwing out the first pitch at softball games, there is a spotlight constantly shining on the head coach of a major college football program. While he has embraced his role as a university ambassador wholeheartedly, the spotlight that Oregon Head Coach Mario Cristobal cares about most is the one he shines on his own team. While much of …
I’ve been getting a weird vibe from Oregon Men’s Basketball and am wondering if any of you feel it as well. This has nothing to do with the tremendous job Dana Altman has done during his time at Oregon, but is more of an acknowledgment of how the changes in college basketball have finally caught up to Oregon. It feels …
Spring football games are usually yawners, but Oregon’s annual rite was interesting in many places and actually exciting in others. Heisman candidate quarterback Justin Herbert was not at his best, but was impressive at times: throwing accurate strikes on deep sideline and hook routes, but missing a couple of deep balls that need to be completed in the fall if …
As the debate rages on about the size and scope of the new Hayward Field, it got me thinking about what was going through the mind of the man who matters the most in all of this—Phil Knight. Could it be that building the world’s premier track-and-field-only stadium brings Oregon one step closer to hosting The Summer Olympic Games? Track …
Is it September yet? Well, no, but even though we still have to wait five months for our thirst for real college football games to be quenched, we were given a nice little appetizer in the form of the 2018 Oregon Football Spring Game. Although we played against ourselves, unlike a conventional game, we as fans gained our first exposure …
The NFL Draft is April 26-28 and the Ducks have three players expecting to hear their name called. Painfully, that is three more than last year. Here’s a look (per NFL.com): 1) Tyrell Crosby: The fifth-ranked OT is expected to go in rounds 2-3, and is rated has having a chance to become an NFL starter. 2) Royce Freeman: The …
Football, like our real lives, has its ups and downs, and we can’t ignore either. So while I have some reservations about the new developments in the Oregon offense, I do acknowledge that some good things are happening and I wish to cover them, too. But in short, I do not believe you should deviate from the CK/MH offense if …
You know how it is; Oregon Spring games are hard to truly gauge for accuracy going forward. I could list a ton of examples from the past, but I’m sure you have experienced frustration and fascination from what has unfolded in the many Spring Games you’ve witnessed in the past. For the moment–I simply wish to give those who did …
The hiatus between the conclusion of spring practice, last seasons pratfall and next August is here. We have time, then, to reminisce, ruminate and regurgitate past gridiron games, both great, sad and unforgettable. Upon reflection, here are TEN of mine, indelibly engraved in my gray matter. They could be called The Good, the Bad and the Ugly circa the Clint Eastwood spaghetti …
We really have no idea what to expect from a Mario Cristobal-led Oregon team, as we certainly hope the Las Vegas Bowl was not an accurate indication of the future. Hence this spring has as many questions for me about the coaches as it does about the players. Below I consolidate eye-witness reactions to the Spring Scrimmage at Portland’s Franklin High School …
I once heard a great leader talk about about the Three Phases of Change and couldn’t help but relate it to what we’ve seen with our Ducks and college football nationally. The Three Phases of Change Phase 1—Denial: We can all remember the days of being called a “gimmick” offense while we routinely racked up 50 points. We’d hear the traditional …
