Don Pellum Building a Dominant Ducks Defense

Nik Brownlee FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

When you look at the Oregon football team what do you see? You see the uniforms and the high-speed offense; you see the flash. You don’t see what defensive coordinator Don Pellum sees; you probably don’t pay much attention to the defensive side of the ball at all. The Ducks operate a bend-but-don’t-break defensive scheme. If the offense is operating …

Critics Want Improvement from Ducks’ Defensive Combine Participants

McKalie Bellew FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

The NFL Combine has concluded, and now it’s up to the scouts to crunch some numbers to decide who they want to draft for the upcoming season. We all know Marcus Mariota did very well at the combine, which was no surprise. Jake Fisher did well, too, showing great athleticism. On the defensive side, three former Ducks participated in the combine. Although combine workouts, especially …

Evaluating Performance of Ducks at the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine

Austin Willhoft FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

On Friday February 20th, the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine officially began in Indianapolis, Indiana with on-field testing. So far this year the players have demonstrated amazing football talent throughout the group which is giving NFL scouts, coaches, owners and managers a show. The six Oregon players who are participating in the NFL combine at Lucas Oil Stadium are Marcus Mariota, …

Secret to Oregon’s Recruiting Success Revealed

Spencer Thomas FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Disclaimer: I do not have any inside knowledge concerning Oregon’s recruiting philosophy or tactics. This is merely one man’s educated take on how and why the Ducks’ performance on the football field consistently outperforms the rankings of its recruiting classes. Having gone through the recruiting process myself (admittedly at the Division II and III level), and having played with and …

What Do The Ducks Have In Store For Next Season?

Omar Garibay FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

If you’re a fan of college football, or if you simply love the Oregon Ducks, then you would understand that Oregon has possessed one of the most talented and successful football programs in the nation the last few years. Since 2009, the Ducks have won 70 games, which culminates to an impressive winning percentage of .864. Also, Oregon has appeared …

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, …

Big Shoes to Fill, But Not the Ones You’re Thinking

Ashley Young FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Nationally, all minds have focused on Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota and who will fill his giant, humble shoes. My mind is elsewhere, namely, on the Oregon Ducks defense. The Ducks offense would not be The Duck Offense if it weren’t for the guys on the field the most. Our defense held big, bad Michigan State to 27 points, powerhouse Stanford to 16 points, and flashy Utah to 27 …

A Quick Outlook of the 2015 Ducks

Austin Willhoft FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

As a Ducks fan, I can’t stop fathoming at all the great times that happened this season. From beating Stanford to finally annihilating Arizona, this season will be remembered as one of the best years of the Oregon Football program. Unfortunately, all of us didn’t want all the hype that was occurring to suddenly end in a depressing fashion as …

Ducks Dominate Pac-12 All Bowl Team

Max Thornberry FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Even if the Ducks didn’t bring a national title back to Eugene we can still look back at their bowl season and appreciate their accomplishments. Which is exactly what Ted Miller of ESPN.com did in compiling the Pac-12 all-bowl team. Miller gave credit where it was due to the Ducks’ offensive standout performances, giving Oregon players five of the 11 spots. …

Tuesday Reaction: The Best Team Won

Caleb Couturie FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

First off, congratulations to Ohio State. As badly as I wanted my boys in white and grey (should’ve been green and yellow) to come out and smother the Bucks, I can admit when we’ve been beaten. The verdict on whether it was actually the Buckeyes who beat us or us who beat us is still out. Either way, keep those heads …

Oregon Peaking At The Right Time

Noah Smith FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Ask any football analyst and they will tell you the difference between a good team and a championship team is timing. A great team that peaks too early can wind up crumbling while a mediocre team that peaks at the right time can win a championship. Oregon however is something very rare, a great team that is peaking at the …

13 Thoughts on the Rose Bowl

Nathan Roholt FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Under the old system, this game doesn’t even happen. The BCS would have assembled a final of Alabama and Florida State, the current participants in a hypothetical bronze medal game (Wait, why isn’t there a third-place game?) instead of the finalists of Oregon and Ohio State. The Buckeyes don’t get in either under the old system, and the 2010 Rose …