Cristobal Signals the Decline of the Backside Zone Read at Oregon

Charles Fischer, Mr. FishDuck Analysis

If you want a fluffy editorial, this ain’t it. I am not going to cover the same stuff as other media — that everyone can already see, such as dropped passes, elite throws by Justin Herbert, improvements on the defense, etc. I will focus on what I am passionate about on offense, and I was dismayed at what I saw …

The O-Line Relay: Cristobal’s New Weapon to Win the Pac-12?

Mike Merrell Editorials

Anyone who’s ever had to compete single-handedly against a relay can tell you that it’s not a level playing field. Could this concept be formulated into a strategy that Coach Mario Cristobal utilizes to win and, ultimately, dominate the Pac-12? Let’s look at some unknown aspects of the offensive line and see if we can determine the unique new tactic …

Off-Season Surprises that Bode Well for the OREGON OFFENSE

Charles Fischer, Mr. FishDuck Editorials

Admit it — after the bowl game, weren’t you were worried about the future of the Oregon offense? I was and I wrote about it, as did retired college coach and former Oregon player, Ken Woody. It was an ugly showing that got us all wondering, but as you know about me — I truly spend a disproportionate amount of time …

Think This New Offense Will Average 40 PPG? Think Again …

Charles Fischer, Mr. FishDuck Editorials

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 …

Mario Cristobal shares with FishDuck his Offensive Philosophy for Oregon

Charles Fischer, Mr. FishDuck Editorials

It was not that much different than 10 months ago when I heard Coach Mario Cristobal speak at Oregon’s recruiting luncheon in February. I came away impressed. I was motivated from his energy, his aura that shouts, “winner.” I remember writing back then that I was so enthused, that this old former offensive lineman was ready to leap out of …

The Taggart Unveiling: What I’m Watching For …

Charles Fischer, Mr. FishDuck Editorials

This is going to be the most interesting Spring Football Game since Oregon converted to the spread offense a dozen years ago in 2005, and I simply cannot wait. I really should be more mature about this instead of breathlessly panting like a 13-year-old talking about an upcoming rock concert, but I cannot help it.  I am Oregon. As I …

Taggart’s Smash-Mouth, Deceptive Spread Offense: The Counter Trey

Coach Morris Analysis, Fish Reports, Understanding the Willie Taggart Oregon Spread Offense

In our last FishDuck.com analysis, we showed how the classic off-tackle power blocking scheme has been adapted to the Spread Offense. While those play possibilities are interesting and exciting to me, I am more looking forward to the several ways the Oregon Ducks might merge the Counter Trey into their Smash-Mouth … with deception, offense. The Counter Trey Coach Tom Osborne …

Visiting Coaches Applaud Oregon Football Transformation

Charles Fischer, Mr. FishDuck Editorials

“The difference is night and day.” This answer from a high school coach in Washington stunned me when I asked about the difference in Oregon Spring Football compared to years in the past. This is the time of year when coaches come in from across the nation to meet the Oregon coaches, “talk football” and watch the practices and drills. …

The Willie Taggart Offense: Oregon’s New Toss Read Play

Coach Eric Boles Analysis, Fish Reports, Understanding the Willie Taggart Oregon Spread Offense

A few things became crystal clear to me as I poured over hours of South Florida game footage from this past season. For starters, the offense is just plain cool. It’s a run-first system with a ton of variety and ingenuity to it. This offense is really fun to watch! It’s been said that while designing his spread offense, Willie …

Taggart brings an Ultimate POWER/MISDIRECTION Play Package to Oregon

Charles Fischer, Mr. FishDuck Analysis, Fish Reports, Understanding the Willie Taggart Oregon Spread Offense

The Oregon fans that watched the South Florida Bowl game (another 47 points scored) could not help but see how USF liked to run their quarterback a ton. This is a major decision that Coach Taggart has here at Oregon. It was the subject yesterday of a wonderfully informative and thought provoking article from our own Grizzled Ol’ Coach, Mike …