Three Former Ducks Join Eagles’ Flock in Philly

Alex Towne FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

The Philadelphia Eagles are increasingly becoming an NFL reflection of the Oregon Ducks.  The NFL draft earlier this month saw two Ducks go to the Eagles, wide receiver Josh Huff (3rd round) and defensive lineman Taylor Hart (5th round).  The Eagles also signed un-drafted UO defensive lineman Wade Kelikipiki, the three joining five other former Ducks already on the Eagles roster, in Brandon …

Duck Softball Team Holds off Celebrating its Advancement to the NCAA Super Regionals

Will Denner FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

The Oregon Ducks’ softball team took their next step in the playoffs last Sunday afternoon, by defeating the Wisconsin Badgers to wrap up the Oregon-hosted regional. The next step is to the NCAA Super Regionals, but judging by their collective calm and cool body language, you would’ve never guessed it.  They just completed a three-game sweep of the Eugene Regional and …

College Football Nation: Thanks to Those Who Serve Our Country and ‘Free Soda University’

Jeff Hostetler FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

  This weekend we will take a moment to thank our troops and all those who serve.  Thanks to them, I am able to write this article.  Thanks to them, you can read, comment, and argue about it all day on message boards about why the Pac-12 is the best conference … not the SEC!  So, thanks to the American troops …

A Developing Rivalry: Stanford University Cardinal

Pat Pannu FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

The Oregon-Stanford football rivalry might not be the oldest or most polarizing, but for the last few years it has been the one with the most on the line for both teams.  The rivalry is not new, only recently becoming intense enough to warrant the level of dislike and hatred between the teams and fan bases for it to be called a …

Chip Kelly Update: Murderleg, RC Cars, 3 Ducks and the Draft

Mark Saltveit FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

The long, slow, dull days of winter are over and Chip Kelly’s Eagles are crackling with activity.  He drafted a solid if unflashy group of players (including Ducks Josh Huff and Taylor Hart), added a number of UDFAs (such as a savage-tackling kicker nicknamed “Murderleg”) and wielded some innovative technologies that caused a stir around the league. Better yet, Chip’s …

Oregon Football Recruiting Analysis: Ducks Help Close the Recruiting Gap Behind the SEC

Jason Fowler FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

I’ve said that the success of a collegiate football program is directly related to how well their program can recruit highly talented athletes who fit the program; then some of the rest is coaching.  Obviously, over the past decade, the Southeastern Conference has seen the most success in national championships and is viewed as the conference to beat. In addition …

The “Play On Sundays” Guy: Tui Talia

Laura Brehm FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

“The difference between Tui Talia and the others is he’s got that ‘play on Sundays’ size.” That’s the mantra surrounding this solid junior college recruit.  Standing 6’5, Talia weighs 270 lbs.  Well, at least he did before the Ducks delved full force into spring training.  Like many of his fellow teammates, Talia has been very serious about lifting weights and bulking up for the coming …

How Does Oregon’s 2014 NFL Draft Class Compare to Those of the Past?

Joey Holland History

The NFL Draft has been in place for nearly 80 years, and in that time it has changed significantly. With no Internet, no combine, and few formal scouting reports, executives used to draft players that they had never seen work out and, in many cases, had never even seen on film.  At the time of the first draft in 1936, the NFL minimum salary …

Recruiting Update: Oregon Tripping Air-Raid Sirens

Mark Flores FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Football Recruiting News Oregon’s push into the summer camp cycle is gaining momentum as one of the west coast’s top linebackers, Cameron Smith (4-Star/Granite Bay, CA) is slated to visit over Memorial Day weekend.  The 6-foot-2, 240 lb. “Mike” defender is said to be interested in the Ducks after an offer was extended March 3. Oregon’s no stranger to prying recruits …

A Husky Sack from Oregon’s Great Zone Coverage

Joe Daniel Analysis

The “Fire Zone Blitz” is one of the effective blitzes that the Oregon hybrid 3-4 defense uses to pressure a Quarterback. The Ducks do a great job of bringing heavy pressure with 5-man zone blitzes, and then bringing 4 or often, only 3 pass rushers, but there’s another weapon that helps Duck defensive linemen get to the passer. Having success from a …

One Goal, One Word: Shutout

Ashley Young FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

The safety: the last line of defense, constantly going in and out of attack mode, able to sift through offensive structures and break them down.  Arguably the position that gives the quarterback the most trouble, due to the safety’s ability to move undetected.  The Oregon Ducks have seen several players come through this position who have had a great impact. Now it’s …