With FishDuck adding coverage to more sports each season, I frequently get asked the question, “What’s it like to be in the press box?” I could say, “Look on the internet”, except for one problem: there isn’t much of an answer. The question is, why isn’t much written on the topic? More than likely, anyone in a position to write …
Developing Offensive Linemen for the Zone Scheme
When watching the Oregon Ducks execute their high octane run game it is easy to get caught up in the play-making ability of their skill players. Watching guys like Marcus Mariota and De’Anthony Thomas is exhilarating. What some fail to realize is the success or failure of the run game hinges on the offense’s ability to control the line of …
The Bowl Game that Changed Oregon Football
Most Duck fans are familiar with the play that changed Oregon football. Kenny Wheaton’s early break on Washington quarterback Damon Huard’s pass deep in Duck territory and subsequent 97-yard touchdown return propelled the Ducks into the 1995 Rose Bowl and forever improved the program’s trajectory. The play was spectacular in every way; the break on the ball, the exciting return, and the …
Recruiting Update: Oregon Shadowing Speed in New Jersey Backwoods?
Football Recruiting News Oregon’s backfield draw continues to illuminate marquee preps. One such senior-to-be, tailback Jonathan Hilliman (NR/Jersey City, NJ) claims an Oregon offer this past season and enters 2014 as one of the nation’s elite runners. “I have to get out there see what Oregon has to offer,” said Hilliman. “I’m pretty interested in them… seeing the success they’ve had bringing out …
Flashback: From Third String Benchwarmer To Star…Within Minutes
Special teams has played an important role in the past 20 years of Oregon football. Specifically, Oregon fans, players, and coaches take great pride in the kicking game. During the great era of the mid-90’s – mid-2000’s rise to fame, the Oregon Faithful saw lots of successful kickers split the uprights. One in particular saw his persistence pay off, …
Oregon Special Teams Analysis: Swinging What?
How does Oregon get so many two point conversions? We have a variety of plays that we have used over the years on extra points, and the Swinging Gate Formation is just one of the reasons Oregon puts the “Special” in special teams. In every aspect of Oregon football we can see an attack style mentality, including after we score …
Ted Miller, Bi-Polar Dogs and the Transitive Property: Right or Wrong?
We all know how Ted Miller and the ESPN Pac-12 Blog hate the overuse of the transitive property. You can read about it here (among lots of other places). Could Ted Miller and all the posters on the football blogs be WRONG about this? For as long as all of us have been on the web, it has been assumed as fact …
The Trouble With Kickers, Balls, And A Bucks
If you’ve ever wondered what kickers really do in practice, you’re not alone. In the off-season, kickers find themselves with plenty of time on their hands, maybe too much time, and when that happens the mind begins to wander. A lot goes into special teams play; it requires endless repetition to master the precise timing and technique necessary to be proficient. With …
The Year The Stars Shined For Oregon Football
551 yards, that’s the NFL passing record for a single game. Every year, the league evolves to incorporate more passing into offenses, yet that mark, set in 1951, has remained untouched for over six decades. It was a record set by Norm Van Brocklin, one of six Ducks in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and the star of the …
Meet Your New Ducks: Mariota Tears ACL? No Sweat
With the recent departure of Bryan Bennett, Duck fans must be wondering, “Who’s our backup now?” Well, right now most of the media is pointing fingers towards redshirt freshman Jake Rodrigues and that the backup position is his to lose over fellow redshirt freshman Jeff Lockie (the guy who held up all those bizarre “play call signs” between snaps). Rodrigues committed …
Recruiting Update: Altman Going Tropical In Florida Raid?
Football Recruiting Head Coach Mark Helfrich is making short work of an Oregon stigma. His recent offers (very early in the recruiting cycle, I might add) place Lighting Yellow and Thunder Green in a favorable position. Relative unknowns, tight end/athlete Ian Bunting (NR/Hinsdale, Ill) and lineman Sam Jones (NR/Highlands Ranch, CO), both received Oregon nods and could be early pieces …
Aliotti’s Zone Coverages Keep Wildcats’ Pass Game in the Kitty Carrier
In the Fiesta Bowl, even though the Ducks began closing down the running game in the first half, Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein piled up short completions to his receivers, most notably former Duck Chris Harper. As the Cats converted first downs via short completions again and again in the first half, I could almost hear the collective groan from Duck fans: …