In our last article on the new Oregon Duck defense, we discussed the basics of Coach Andy Avalos’ system. Now let’s get into the two positions that make it go, the Stud and the Spur. Avalos refers to the latter simply as the Nickel, so that’s the terminology I will use going forward. However, first on the list is the …
Early returns on 2020 recruiting are promising for Oregon. The Ducks have secured five commits thus far, with three four-stars and two three-stars. Two of the four-star recruits have committed within the past week. Remember that it is still April, and that under previous regimes the Ducks would enter the season with roughly five commitments. Where Chip Kelly and Mark Helfrich filled their …
It is always interesting how something “sits” with you after the immediacy of an event passes and you have a day to let it all sink in. I am referring to the 2019 Oregon Spring Game, and my overall reaction is one of being-surprised-at-being-surprised. I had questions to be answered, but frankly expected “more of the same” of what I …
I’m getting shivers thinking about seeing some new Oregon football; how about you? This is a game thread where we discuss our thoughts before the Spring Game, and also give our reactions to it after the game is over. I will let this set of comments run through Sunday as I did during the football season, so when you get …
Is it a 3-4 front? Or is it a 4-3? There is a lot of discussion among the Duck fan base about the new defensive scheme being installed by recently hired coordinator Andy Avalos. In the interest of greater clarity, today I simply want to dive into the look and personnel of the defense. Once we understand the base alignment and …
This past weekend, the Ducks hosted a bunch of high-ranking recruiting prospects — including an unexpected surprise — in what turned out to be a very eventful couple of days. But this upcoming weekend is even more critical. With loads of premier prospects scheduled to visit, the weekend of the spring game has become one of the largest recruiting events …
I was sitting at my local Starbucks Sunday morning, attempting to get jacked up by acquiring that perfect coffee buzz while blasting some early Motley Crue through my headphones (yeah, I watched their biopic Netflix movie “The Dirt” on Saturday night), but for the first time in God knows how long, I couldn’t think of anything to write. At least …
One of the most exciting and nerve-racking scenarios in football is third and long. You know your team has to put the ball in the air, and the opponent knows it too. Just how difficult is it to convert in these situations? To start, let’s put such a situation into perspective by looking at how difficult it is to convert any …
When the Ducks hired Andy Avalos as defensive coordinator, there was suddenly an opening for a STUD. Linebacker, that is. The STUD position in Avalos’s scheme is a hybrid edge defender/outside linebacker, a guy who can rush the passer, stuff a run block or turn and run with a tight end up the seam. Avalos’s STUDs at Boise State measured …
An aging Mr. FishDuck cannot change his look, but he can change the theme or appearance of the site! The photo above was taken at a UO Job Fair four years ago and I’m seated with Pat Pannu, who wrote over 100 articles for FishDuck.com over her college career. I enjoyed working with her and with another Job Fair coming …
Lately I’ve felt a little … curmudgeonly. Perhaps it has something to do with the spring equinox. Or maybe it’s the proximity of this weekend’s Masters Tournament (once again, my invitation to Augusta appears to be lost in the mail). Regardless, I hoped a little research into the history of the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) and the College Football Playoff …
Going into the 2019 season, Oregon Duck fans have every reason to be excited. With a great recruiting class on the way and the signing of an experienced and successful defensive coordinator, the Ducks have certainly put themselves in a position to compete. In addition to this fiery new collection is an abundance of veteran players on offense. A huge …