Seven Ducks Prepare for 2015 NFL Scouting Combine

Jordan Ingram FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

After national signing day came and went, the Ducks’ newest additions are excited to begin their transition from high school to Division I college football in Eugene. And for a few special Ducks who left an indelible mark on an Oregon football program that finished the 2014 season as Pac-12 and Rose Bowl champions, a different journey continues to unfold.   7 Ducks invited to @NFL Combine: Armstead, Ekpre-Olomu, …

Defensive Big Birds Fill Out Oregon’s 2015 Recruiting Class

Jordan Ingram FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

The myth that Oregon is small and can’t hang with the “big boys” is so tired, it needs a dirt nap. Throughout the 2014 season, the Ducks stood toe-to-toe with elite teams from across the country and were nearly perfect in the win column, producing a magical year that earned them a Rose Bowl victory, a Heisman trophy winner, and a second place …

Could Oregon Lose QB Adams to UCLA?

Jordan Ingram FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

After the much heralded visit to the University of Oregon by FCS superstar quarterback Vernon Adams, everyone must now hurry up and wait. Adams has a big decision to make: transfer to a top-tier FBS school that won the Rose Bowl and finished second overall last season, or finish his career in the FCS with the Eastern Washington Eagles, where he has …

This Week’s Duck Sports Calendar

Michael Bigham FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Oregon Duck Sports Calendar — February 3 to February 10, 2015 2/4/15 Football – National Signing Day – All Day Media: TV: ESPN-U 5 a.m.   Pac-12 Network 5:30 p.m. Football recruiting geeks live for this day as high school seniors across the nation sign on the dotted line, committing to their favorite school. Oregon’s class has shaped up to be very …

Using Discipline and Fundamentals to Defend Brand New Formations

Alex Kirby Analysis

The late, great Bill Walsh, former head coach during the glory days of the 49ers with Joe Montana and Jerry Rice, made a living showing opponents something they hadn’t seen on tape in the days leading up to the game. Oregon is no different. As a staff, Oregon coaches love to talk about how simple their scheme is, and how …

The Punisher: LB Fotu Leiato II Provides Spark for Linebacker Corps

Jordan Ingram FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Oregon’s linebackers have continued to demonstrate that the Ducks are just as physical as the next team: lean, mean, hard hitting terminators that pace just beyond the defensive line, chasing after the ball like a gang of wild pit-bulls. But one recent Oregon commit for the 2015 class, Steilcoom high school’s Fotu Leiato II, may change the definition of what it means to be a Duck …

Learning from Oregon’s Championship Fashion Fail

Brian Libby FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

We don’t just love our school colors—we win in them When Oregon underwent a radical Nike-designed uniform change beginning with the 1999 season, the message was clear: what you wear says something important about you. The Ducks, save for the occasional Rose Bowl every few decades, had never been a traditional powerhouse. Why not claim the future with innovative, constantly changing …

Ducks Land First Five Star

David Koh FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Oregon’s 2015 recruiting class just got its first five-star recruit, according to ESPN and Scout.com, and it didn’t even take a flipped prospect or a new commitment. Punahou School Defensive End and Oregon verbal commit Canton Kaumatule picked up his fifth star last Wednesday, making him officially the best prospect in the Ducks’ current class. Kaumatule’s physical tools were impossible to argue (the kid …

Another First for Marcus Mariota?

Max Thornberry FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

The 2014 football season was a season of firsts for the Ducks and undoubtedly one that will be remembered as one of the greatest of all time. This off-season will be just as historic with the departure of Marcus Mariota and another potential first, the retiring of an Oregon Duck jersey. Reported by Geoffrey Arnold of The Oregonian an online …

EWU QB Vernon Adams Transferring To Oregon? Huge Risk Or Huge Reward For Ducks?

Adam Kruse FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Who is Vernon Adams? Maybe the next quarterback for the Oregon Ducks. Daily rumors are swirling as to potential candidates to become the next quarterback at Oregon. Monday, Head Coach Mark Helfrich said, “We’re going to exhaust every path to find the right guy, the right fit, but we certainly believe in who’s on campus and what’s to come.” One …

Former Oregon QB Bill Musgrave Hired as Raiders Offensive Coordinator

Jordan Ingram FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Since former Oregon head coach Chip Kelly left Eugene for the NFL, Oregon fans have seen some of their brightest star players join Kelly in Philadelphia. But, one former Duck, Bill Musgrave, is leaving Kelly’s coaching staff after accepting the offensive coordinator position with the Oakland Raiders. Bill Musgrave has joined the Oakland Raiders coaching staff as offensive coordinator. — OAKLAND RAIDERS (@RAIDERS) January …

Is Oregon Soft or Is the National Media Lazy?

Charles Fischer, Mr. FishDuck FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

My head is going to explode from the old, but new national narrative about Oregon being “soft.” Yes, I know I am supposed to provide you and a couple of hundred coaches an analysis article each Tuesday, but we have 51 other weeks for that. We have to slay this dragon once and for all while providing you a link …