Book it: Taggart will STAY

Charles Fischer, Mr. FishDuck Editorials

I wrote in the comments at 3:00 PM on Saturday, and I am more convinced, (75% to 25%) that Coach Willie Taggart will stay at Oregon. To some, the events of this last afternoon swirling in social media does not appear that way, but let me give you my reasons why I believe he will stay. (It is only fitting …

Taggart Tidbits: What do YOU Think?

Charles Fischer, Mr. FishDuck Editorials

My friends, we will have fewer official written articles per week beginning this week, but we are also beginning a new type of article that is simply meant to initiate discussion and get your opinions. The readers engage now on this site like never before, and it is fun to learn from others and see how fellow Duck fan weigh …

Cleansing of Coaches: Is this what Oregon Needed?

Charles Fischer, Mr. FishDuck Editorials

The change of coaching staff has brought about an unexpected vibe beyond what I could have imagined (it figures since being a season ticket holder for 30 years), as I am used to coaching continuity at Oregon, and clearly not used to wholesale change. Oh sure — I anticipated the excitement of the unknown and the hopes of Oregon football …

Oregon Football: Time to Wake the Sleeping Giant

FishDuck Staff Editorials

The end for Mark Helfrich was written long before the second half rains in Corvallis washed away any hope of his redemption. There was no artistry to that second half bludgeoning by Oregon State. No intricate scheme or innovation was required. It was straight ahead football, 27 consecutive running plays by the Beavers, and the Ducks had no answers … …

Rob Mullens: “Pass” or “No Pass” as Athletic Director?

Notalot Editorials

To “pass” is to complete something successfully and move on. Or, one can “get a pass” meaning one didn’t fully complete the agreed requirements, but can move on, anyway, exempted from the agreed requirements.  “No pass,” on the other hand, typically means one is not qualified to move on and results in a penalty or fine. In its strictest form …

How Mark Helfrich Sealed His Own Fate at Oregon in Sunday Presser

D. Louis Thornton Editorials

Despite many columnists already proclaiming Mark Helfrich was ‘as good as gone’; despite Phil Knight long ago eschewing post game press conferences and removing himself from within 2000 miles of Saturdays ‘Civil War;’ in his Tuesday evening announcement, Oregon AD Rob Mullens stated that he did not have his mind made up regarding coach Mark Helfrich when he left Eugene for his College …

Oregon’s Civil War Loss Means the End of the Mark Helfrich Era

Jay Garnett Editorials

Seven days ago, I, like many of the Oregon faithful, was excited at the prospect of a team on the rise after an emotionally taxing 2016 season. On the road against Utah, the 12th-ranked team in the country, Oregon played like a team with pride and something to lose. The defense played hard and actually made more plays than they …

‘Next Man Up’ at Oregon … or Helfrich for 2017?

Matt Bryant Editorials

2016 is in the books. Should the rebuild begin under Mark Helfrich or somebody new? I would like nothing more than to wake up today and get a blaring headline that Rob Mullens has pulled the trigger and followed the University of Texas to become one of two formerly elite programs ready to rebuild. In theory, Oregon had the purse power to …

Find “The One” and #FireHelfrich

Matt Bryant Editorials

Oregon’s 20-year football nadir has produced three factions on this site. It is no secret that I belong to the outnumbered Root-and-Branch faction. As difficult as may be for some to hear, in this camp we’ve forecasted that Mark Helfrich will fail and have begun calling for new leadership to reverse the degradation to Oregon’s erstwhile winning culture. Then there …

Mark Helfrich: Lost Along the Oregon Trail

FishDuck Staff Editorials

Mark Helfrich and Oregon football 2016: So much written, so much argued, so much uncertainty. Amidst the turmoil, one thing is clear: The program now stands at a critical crossroads and turns taken here … or not taken … will shape Ducks athletics for many years to come. In short, the Roman Empire is falling and we must decide: Have …

Five Losses? Or Five Wins? The High Stakes for Mark Helfrich and Oregon Football

Matt Bryant Editorials

Readers: Every writer on FishDuck.com is allowed to express their opinion in their articles. However, articles do not represent the views of the other writers, editors, coaching consultants, management, or the principals at FishDuck.com    Charles Fischer I never say “I told you so” and I don’t like people who do. But I told you so. I didn’t put any money on yesterday’s …

An Expert’s Take on the Ducks Struggles and Mullens’ Failures

Bruce Veldhuisen Humor

Dear Mr. Mullens: I’m mad as hell, and I’m not going to take it anymore! I have been a fan of Oregon football for years (well, I started following Oregon when they went to the “Natty” in 2011) and I just cannot sit idly by and allow you and the coaches to ruin my team! I know insiders, people who …