10:30 a.m. is an important time at FishDuck.com headquarters in Compton. That’s when the mail arrives. While electronic media is responsible for some of the feedback we get from readers, some folks prefer the old ways. They put pen to paper and write to us. Once a year I like to share some of the mail I get from readers and answer them …
Are We Entitled? Is That a Bad Thing?
“Entitled.” Some people use it a weapon when discussing fan behavior. Sort of a “drop-the-mic and declare victory” moment. Critical of the defense? “Oh, you’re entitled.” Critical of the coaching? “You should lose your entitlement attitude.” Disappointed over a season seemingly topping out with a minor pre-New Year’s Day Bowl? “You must be” — *fill in the blank* — “entitled, …
FishDuck.com’s Fearless Oregon-Cal Prediction
Good morning, Duck fans! We thought we would take this opportunity to let you behind the curtain of FishDuck.com. Many of you have asked, “How does FishDuck.com do it? You guys are always so right on! It’s uncanny.” We arrive at our conclusions through research behind the numbers. All designed to provide you with the tools you need to be …
Sun Devils’ Persistent Averageness a Puzzle to Experts
The Arizona State Sun Devils host the Ducks tomorrow with little on the line for ASU. They have already secured a record which may remain unbroken forever. The Sun Devils have lost at least three games every year since at least 1998. The record probably goes back further than ’98. FishDuck.com/psychologistsinoursparetime asked me to examine the persistent mediocrity extant in Tempe. …
Ducks Expect to Dominate Bye in This Week’s Action
Welcome to the most relieved website on Earth. Just when it appeared the Ducks’ domination of the Huskies might come to an end, Washington turned to its hurry-up offense and scored in just under a Millenia. This week, Oregon takes a much-deserved breather from Pac-12 play. FishDuck.com decided to take a look around the conference to see what we should watch elsewhere in the …
Dear Ducks: If Ever, Let It Be This Week
“We compete against ourselves.” “We play them one game at a time.” “Our opponents are faceless.” These are all axioms you have heard from football coaches from Pee Wee ball to the NFL. They are ways of saying no one opponent is any more important than any other opponent. You may have heard people say that about the Ducks and …
A Second Income for FishDuck
Hello, Ducks. Well, we have hinted about it in weeks past. Now it’s time to come clean. The Golden Era of FishDuck.com All gone. We have fallen on hard times. Road trips which were a few hours in the company jet are different now. It has gotten bad enough that I need to take on a second job. But what should …
Ducks Play Colorado for Redemption, Porky’s, and the Head of a Chicken
Good morning, Duck fans. It is good to see you. I trust you have all had a pleasant and prosperous week. I’m a grown man, with a wife, kids, friends and much to anticipate. On a related note, a record number of people are getting hurt in their homes by falling televisions. But onward we forge. Boats beating against the tide, …
FishDuck Quiz: Is a Duck Fan Smarter Than Any Other Fan?
Hello, Ducks! This Saturday the Utah Utes come to Autzen Stadium in the gloaming to take on our Ducks. A lot of questions will be answered by the time Sunday morning rolls around. One question we believe will be answered is one posed by the Utes. Just how long is the field, anyway? Sure we have some questions. We wonder …
An Expert’s Take on the Ducks Struggles and Mullens’ Failures
Dear Mr. Mullens: I’m mad as hell, and I’m not going to take it anymore! I have been a fan of Oregon football for years (well, I started following Oregon when they went to the “Natty” in 2011) and I just cannot sit idly by and allow you and the coaches to ruin my team! I know insiders, people who …
Teams Ready to Take a Dive: 2015 Swimsuit Edition
Mike Merrell’s Three-and-Out This is the third annual preseason report on teams that I don’t think are going to live up to the hype. Why bother to read another preseason projection? So far — for 2013 and 2014 — I’m 5 for 6 in picking overrated teams. And this is the swimsuit edition. Or is that “addition” — hard to …
As Seen While Under the Knife
It was supposed to be a 12-minute procedure — anesthetized, wheeled into the operating room, surgery, and home that afternoon. Blood pressure 128/81. Perfect. Oxygen saturation, 96%. Very good. Heart rate 91. Not unusual pre-surgery. All systems go. IV attached and running smoothly. Kiss the wife goodbye, and I’m off. The cold air and bright lights of an O.R. are …