Why would Darron Thomas take off running in this game while not before? This is a question we tackled last week, but the answers became even more evident against Arizona. We have examples of THREE positions on the defense being Zone Read in the this game while being introduced to a new play utilizing the strengths of a true freshman …
The Fish Report: Offense Unfolds Against Missouri State
Predictions of new plays, formations, and strategies are beginning to emerge as the season progresses. I expected to see base plays with nothing new introduced in a game of which we are highly favored, but I was surprised to see some new concepts revealed. It was refreshing to see the passing game further refined with new receivers materializing to help …
The Fish Report: New Wrinkles Against Nevada
Blowouts are often boring for fans, yet this one provided some interesting new wrinkles to study. We also had some questions answered about the direction of countering defensive measures against the Zone Read, which some may find surprising. Finally, we began to see the opportunities created by opponents who commit the majority of their resources to stopping the Oregon running …
The Fish Report: My LSU Spin
Why are National Pundits/Sportscasters so myopic? We are hearing their SEC version of events again to explain the obvious to the rest of us, as it happened last January. You recall how we heard of how the Auburn running game destroyed us, yet with two minutes left in the game the score and YARDAGE was tied. Bottom line is– Auburn …
We Have Changes Coming on Offense.
This next season promises to be exciting, with new plays and changes on offense, and I am going to enjoy breaking it down. Why do I think we will have major changes? Most have not noticed that inside of the last two games and the Spring Game of last year—we had FOUR new formations introduced with a slew of different …
The Fish Report: First Scrimmage!
In Oregon we have our natural cycle of summer transformations, of the warmth with the lush green vegetation everywhere that will begin to change. We see the geese begin going south, and we now see Duck fans flocking to Eugene to live the beginning of our football season. For many of us—we cannot help ourselves, as it has become part …
The Fish Report: Oregon’s New Triple Tailback Threat Formation (New Video!)
If I told you that Chip ran a new formation last year that nobody wrote about or even noticed and it put THREE Tailbacks on the field at the same time—would you believe it? Hard to think of something that bizarre, yet he wants to put the best talent, especially the speed guys in space as much as possible. Right? …
The Fish Report: Oregon’s New ACE Formation & Plays
How well does a Zone Read work when the opponent has six DL and two or three LBs stacked up close on short yardage situations? We have all complained about using a shotgun formation in the Red Zone, especially inside our own and the opponent’s five yard line. Imagine my surprise when I see us run an “ACE” formation for …
The Fish Report: Oregon’s New Slash Formation And Plays
The new SLASH formation and plays at the game in Glendale received universal derision from Oregon fans that were unaccustomed to the new look and at the subpar results. Yet Chip is not one to jettison a strategy after the first time and it aroused enough curiosity in me to study the different attack strategy behind these formations that could …
The Fish Report: Oregon’s New Dual H-Back Formation & Plays
What is the biggest reason as to why Oregon has lead the Pac-10 and been one of the nation’s leaders in rushing since the Spread Offense was introduced at Oregon? You may recall that a crucial component to the success of the Zone Read is when a Defensive End is left unblocked and “Read,” on the backside of the play. …
The Fish Report: The Wrong Perspective to 2010 NC Game?
I have taken the last couple of weeks to absorb the NC game, contemplate my reactions to it, and note what others have written. I must give my wife Lois, credit for once again coaxing me out from under the kitchen table while in a fetal position. She was very gentle in talking me out amid the sobs and my …
The Fish Report: Second Scrimmage
The weather report for today was for sunshine and some clouds with a warming temperature that promised to take the rigid chill of winter away. Yesterday gave us that warmth with blue skies in the background of some lovely pink flowering cherry trees. Today—all we got was the promise; it started and remained in the low-forties, and the frigid breeze …