Courtesy of Kevin Cline Photography I recently read that many pundits think the Oregon State Beavers might actually be a contender; not just in the Pac-12 North, but in the Pac-12 in general. I have also heard this same statement from many of my friends who are Beaver fans. To my friends I must nod politely while trying not to smile and …
Oregon Recruiting Manifesto Part 5: What the Future Holds
This multi-week series will attempt to take a reasonable, logical and unbiased look at Oregon’s recent recruiting successes and failures while analyzing the program’s recruiting philosophy under Chip Kelly. The series will then look at how that philosophy already has and may continue to evolve under Mark Helfrich before ending with a detailed breakdown of the author’s ideal recruiting blueprint. …
Spring’s awakening breathes new life into program
With the turn of another calendar month, we have finally, mercifully, reached April, which brings about the beginning of spring ball in Eugene. New coach. New hope. New beginnings. With Mark Helfrich at the helm for the first time in his career, Scott Frost getting his much deserved attempt at running an offense, and Marcus Mariota taking over the leader …
Auburn is Just the Tip of the Iceberg
The story is just now coming to full light, but according to Sports Illustrated, in 2010 Auburn coaches were only interrupted in giving hundreds of dollars to their players by the need to get busy changing their grades to keep them eligible. Gene Chizik apparently DID NOT appreciate having to call first half timeouts so that his players could run …
Oregon Unknowns: 1916 – A Mighty Year Of Firsts!
1916 was a milestone year for the University of Oregon. The Webfoots were talented. They were innovative and clever. They were also huge — an absolutely massive team whose line averaged an astounding 185 pounds! (C’mon folks…this is 1916!) Led by quarterback Shy Huntington and coach Hugo Bezdek, the 1916 Oregon team remains the only undefeated football team in the University …
From Helfrich: “Why We Closed Practices”
I am disappointed with coach Helfrich’s decision to close practices, but it is fair that I give his side of it a bit more than I did in my earlier article. I wish to emphasize that while I made a joke of how we were shut out whether it was Chip or Helf, the persona of MH is vastly different …
Meet Your New Ducks: Take A “Chance” On Me
Chance Allen, alongside his hometown buddy Bralon Addison, committed to Oregon on National Signing Day back in 2012. He comes to us from Missouri City, Texas, where he was the star athlete for Fort Bend Elkins High Schoo; participating in football, basketball, and track. He really burst onto the national recruiting scene throughout his senior season and earned a 3-star …
Recruiting Update: Oregon Finding Riches in the Muddy Bayou
Football Recruiting Offers In an offense that is predicated on speed, Oregon’s recent additions of interior brawn have only continued to bolster the relentless up-tempo “Blur.” Offensive line coach Steve Greatwood is ensuring future trench battles go the Ducks way with an offer extension to Tyrell Crosby (NR/Henderson, NV). Standing 6’4″ and carrying a playing weight of 298 lbs., Crosby’s …
Will Helfrich unleash the beasts?
Featured Photo © Kevin Cline Photography There are a couple of players on Oregon’s roster that make people scratch their heads. Not the players themselves, but the way they have been utilized; or underutilized, as the case may be. For some reason, coach Kelly liked to keep some of his more high profile players like an ace up his …
The Secret I Could Not Tell…Until Now
“The media in this state HATES Chip Kelly.” I could not believe my ears as I was talking to a former television anchor sportscaster in Oregon. He was in my office in the fall of 2011, and what he told me was depressing and astounding. Remember — at that time I was just beginning to produce what now has become …
Special Teams Analysis: It Starts With A Kick!
Let’s face it – the game we love to watch and learn about starts with a position that we love to hate and hate to love, and that’s the kicker. The kicker is rarely thought of unless the game comes down to the final seconds and he is called on to either be the hero or the goat. My goal in …
OREGON RECRUITING MANIFESTO Part 4: A Philosophical Shift
This multi-week series will attempt to take a reasonable, logical and unbiased look at Oregon’s recent recruiting successes and failures while analyzing the program’s recruiting philosophy under Chip Kelly. The series will then look at how that philosophy already has and may continue to evolve under Mark Helfrich before ending with a detailed breakdown of the author’s ideal recruiting blueprint. …