Let me clarify that title: it was a perfect game in that we fans, the players and the Oregon coaching staff learned a ton while still winning the game. You do not learn as much from a Southern Utah game as you do in a game against Nebraska, hence this was ideal for the coaches as a wake-up call in …
The Counter Trey Arrives at Autzen
The wait was finally over. It was time to see what these Ducks had, after grinding through the rigors of the offseason under the command of new head coach Willie Taggart. Ducks football had arrived at Autzen, and so had the Counter Trey. The Counter Trey is something we have touched on here at FishDuck, with Coach Morris leading us through …
Coaches’/Charles’s “FishWrap” of the Southern Utah Game
Boy — the concerns by Mr. FishDuck about this team written on this website seem about as probable as a victory by SUU on Saturday. Yet, the Pac-12 Network and Mr. FishDuck have pointed out some new observations that are worth pondering. While there are still some questions lingering about with the Ducks, it is evident that when they score 77 points, something special is …
3 Things the Ducks Need to do Against Southern Utah
Southern Utah should be an easy win for the Ducks. A practice game really. The Ducks have questions, and let’s say guys step up and address these questions in a positive way. Does it really mean anything against such an inferior opponent? Being a star against Southern Utah and then getting shutdown a week later against Nebraska would mean that …
Recruiting on Fire: A Conversation with David Kelly, Director of Recruiting Operations
With 22 verbal commitments across ten states, it’s apparent that the new Oregon football coaching staff could sell Hummers during a gas shortage. Four months remain before the early signing period, yet there are only about a half-dozen slots to fill. And make no mistake, those who have committed are players with very impressive credentials. This is early quantity of high …
Oregon Receivers: the WORST EVER for a Season Opener?
The dilemma I describe in this article is not Coach Willie Taggart’s fault. Oregon’s first-year head coach inherited a very difficult situation at receiver this year at Oregon. My belief is that the defensive line, while thin, is highly underrated, and it will become evident in 2017. So will the best depth at running back perhaps ever at Oregon. The …
Oregon’s Countdown to a RECRUITING RECORD
You are as stunned as I am. We as Oregon fans cannot believe what the Willie Taggart staff is doing with football recruiting, as we are experiencing our own recruiting Nirvana, Valhalla, Duck Elysium or whatever your description for a result often dreamed of, but never thought was possible. Our beloved Ducks have 22 verbals on August 6th, with 11 of …
You Tell Us: How Many Games Will the Ducks Win?
SPECIAL EDITION: Please tell us your predictions below in the comments section This past week, two of FishDuck’s finest made their regular-season predictions on how many games the Ducks will win this year. On Monday, young (OK “middle-age approaching”) and fatally cocky Padawan Jedi Darren Perkins predicted that the Ducks would party like it’s 2005 and win ten games. While …
The Schooler Move? “I call this a CLUE”
We have all been guilty of playing down a development that has huge implications by making a joke of it, or rationalizing it away. With my beloved Ducks–I’ve rationalized extensively with two out of the three Mark Helfrich recruiting classes, and I’m sure many fans are not giving much thought to the announcement earlier yesterday about moving Brenden Schooler from …
Coach’s Opinion: Understanding the New Era of Oregon Football
I was highly anticipating this year’s spring game, as it was our first look at both a new offense and defense. Coach Willie Taggart was installing his version of Oregon’s power spread offense, one that is a bit more smash-mouth than what Oregon had been doing. Then there’s Coach Jim Leavitt’s 3-4/3-3-5 hybrid defense. To be honest, I was pretty …
Ducks Football 2017: How Many Wins?
In an upcoming season that combines equal portions of unknowns, shaken confidence and renewed optimism, it is difficult to come to reasonable expectations for the 2017 Oregon Ducks. There are those – possibly trolls – who claim that six wins would be a success. Then there’s Athlon Sports — possibly the premiere preseason pigskin prognosticator – that ranks the Ducks …
Oregon Recruiting: The Player-Profile that MUST Change…
Remember the glory days of Max Unger or Hroniss Grasu (both now in the NFL) pulling from their center position and actually leading the running back on the edge? The speed and athleticism they had was not only amazing, but ideal for the Oregon Spread Offense under coach Chip Kelly as the Ducks unleashed a scoring assault on the country. To …