As problems go, which would you rather have-a freshman with a can of Four Loko, or a senior with a 350Z? Neither is good, but still.

Don't care about the new PAC-12 Championship logo; only care about the location of the title game

Fans voted over the Memorial Day weekend on the new PAC-12 Championship logo.  The winning selection, number 2, reportedly won over selection 3 by just 1.88 per cent, making it the most hotly-contested fan balloting since Rueben and Clay.

Don't care about any of that.  It's an okay logo, but what Duck fans really want to know is that the game will be held on Friday night December 2nd  (just one day shy of three months after the Ducks' season opener), televised on Fox (channel 12 in Portland).

Home field advantage belongs to the team with the best record in conference play.  The opponent will be the winner of the new South division, and USC is not eligible, making Utah and Arizona State the early favorites.

The fact that it is a Friday night game makes home field advantage even more critical.  This is a break in the game-week routine, and the familiarity of playing at home before your own fans becomes an even larger advantage.  The elements will be a factor also.  Oregon can have some pretty nasty weather conditions by December 2nd.

Don't let this Buckner dribble under the glove: Ducks pursue tall, talented defensive lineman

Relentless, unblockable and fierce, DeForest Buckner is a 6-7, 230-lb. linebacker/defensive end from Punahou High in Honolulu. He already has offers from eight PAC-12 schools, and he's getting interest from USC, LSU, Texas A&M and Notre Dame.

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The Synergy of Success

Another benefit of the great quarterback recruiting Chip Kelly has done over the last three years at Oregon:  in Bennett, Mariota and now Rodrigues he has recruited three good ones who love competing as all great athletes do. 

When the spirals start flying in practice, they'll want to outdo each other and show they're the best.  Every rep, every day, they'll make each other better.

And the pressure of winning this competition will prepare them for facing the Huskies and Trojans and Bavers.

NCAA needs to clean house at Ohio State.  They can use the broom the Ducks used to sweep the Beavers in baseball this weekend.

George Horton's team underachieved a little this season, but they can use the strong ending to build on for next year.

Hope Chip Kelly can use the troubles in Columbus as a teachable moment as summer session begins for the Ducks.

Pryor filmed driving away from a workout yesterday in a sleek black 350Z. He's done,  won't take another snap at The Horseshoe.

Already tired of the Miami Heat. They have a USC/NY Yankees feel. Rooting for Dirk Nowitzski to validate a great career. He's the redemption story in this one.

Great talent, but so glad Pryor didn't become a Duck. Character issues would follow that guy. Erodes a team.

ESPN has more on the scandal at tOSU. 28 players sold memorabilia. Pryor got a series of loaner cars. When is the NFL supplemental draft? He's gone.

Will have a recruiting profile later this morning at our new url, duckstopshere.com. Absolute beast at linebacker/defensive end, a key Duck target.

If you don't make a holiday a good day, you are just wasting them. Grilled brats and homemade potato salad for supper. Then some Umpqua chocolate ice cream.

It was a lovely day out there, calm and peaceful, utterly lovely. A mostly cloudy day in Oregon can be just perfect. Plus Marie has a beautiful waggle.

Played golf with my wife at the par 3 today. Started out awful spraying the ball everywhere, but stayed carefree and focused on the next shot. Finished 3-3-4-4.

ESPN's Mark May calls Ohio State "a culture of corruption." Not convinced tOSU is alone, Alabama's Mark ingram drove a pretty sweet ride. So did his mother.

Bear Bryant and Darrell Royal had it easy. Impossible to keep things out of the public eye in the age of internet and 24-hr sports news. No secret arrangements.

One trend I hope ends soon: the media habit of naming every scandal large and small with the suffix "gate," i.e. Tattoogate. It's not clever or useful.

There's a fine line between a whistle blower and a weasel, and often no line at all.

Nothing noble about Ray Smalls coming forward. Then as now, an opportunist. This time for attention.

Unfortunately, the players are creating their own stipends.

Many of the reported violations at OSU and elsewhere involve selling memorabilia or taking pocket money from an agent-a fistful of dollars.

The prospect of Ohio State and USC in semi-darkness is grim news for college football. Nothing to celebrate.

Colin Cowherd interviewing Robert Smith. Defensive coordinator Fickell named interim coach. Two or three years probation likely for the Buckeyes.

Whoa! Jim Tressel just resigned. The walls of the bunker had collapsed.

Expectations are very high for Alabama this year. Odd, because they lost far more than Oregon: WR Jones, QB McElroy, RB Ingram. Cupboard not bare, but still.

Really surprised the latest story was broken by the OSU student newspaper. Campus reporters normally observe a code of silence and a silent loyalty oath.

Star college football players have been getting sweetheart deals and inducements since the 1920s. It happens everywhere.

Mildly amusing to hear former Ohio State running back and current ESPN analyst Robert Smith express shock and outrage about the latest revelations.

ESPN's College Football Live notes that the complete denial of USC's appeal is bad news for the Buckeyes. Also for other teams under the investigatory cloud.

Jim Tressel is on the Richard Nixon impeachment watch. He's probably praying on the office carpet with Gordon Gee right now.

ESPN bombshell on Friday. Former Ohio State WR Ray Small tells the school newspaper he received extra benefits at OSU, including $ and merchandise. OSU denies.

Spilled a glass of lemonade on my modem. Will be an internet-free day on The Duck Stops Here. Wife will be happy.

A Day for true heroes

On this day, Oregon fans will want to remember Ducks who served in the American military, which include Phil Knight (one year active duty, seven years in the reserve) and J.W. Beckett, a standout halfback on the 1916 Rose Bowl Champion team, who went on to become a brigadier general. Chip Kelly has made honoring the sacrifices made by our armed forces an important part of the culture at Oregon, never more important than on Memorial Day, set aside for those who have fallen protecting our freedom.

The Duck baseball team swept the Beavers this weekend to finish their regular season 35-26-1 and keep alive hopes of earning regional play in the NCAA tournament.  Always good to beat the Beavers, no what matter the sport or the other news of the day.

Coleman arrested; Ducks need a buddy system and a double shot of accountability

Rob Moseley reports freshman LB Tyson Coleman arrested, running from police, Minor In Possession. R-G blog faithful are quick to apply the "I did the same thing when I was in college" defense, but the news is disturbing and appalling.  Coupled with the recent lukewarm APR (Academic Progress Rate)  results, you have to wonder if "Winning the Day" really means anything to this group.

College kids drink, often excessively, often without regard to consequences.  But if the Ducks don't get a disciplinary handle on this soon, they'll be out of linebackers.  And excuses.

Tales from the stat sheet: Jake Rodrigues

From maxpreps.com, Jake Rodrigues's junior year stats at Whitney High School, game by game. Rodrigues' Whitney Wildcats achieved a mark of 7-5, 4-1 in league, losing to CIF Dvision III Sectional Champ Del Oro in the quarterfinals. Video highlights from all twelve of his games are available at hudl.com.

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Is LaMichael James the greatest Oregon running back of all time?

J-Stew was great, but LMJ gives a Jeremiah Johnson Stiff Arm to all the rest.

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Studying up on new quarterback recruit Jake Rodrigues. Tremendous prospect. Has one thing he needs to improve. Will have a profile today @ new url - duckstopshere.com

Darron Thomas has work to do at this level, but don't bet against him being ready for the next one

Darron Thomas is draft eligible after the 2011 season, but not likely to declare early.  He doesn't show up on most projections; as a 2013 senior most sites have him 3rd-5th round, approximately the 10th quarterback selected.

Have to think, though, if he finishes his Oregon career healthy and continues his hard work, he'll better that assessment by a wide margin.  Say he builds himself up to 220-225 lbs., continues the work on his mechanics, and leaves the Ducks with 90+ touchdown passes and 30+ career wins.  He'd have to get some more careful consideration.  Bill Parcells used to love to draft long-term starters from successful programs that completed four full seasons of college eligibility.

Thomas outplayed number one draft pick Cam Newton in the national championship game, and he may have a better pro career as well.  He's more of a team guy, has a stronger work ethic and he's a better student of the game.  Thomas is not a one-year wonder, and doesn't call attention to himself.

By the time he's done at Oregon he should leave those highly-touted recruits some impressive marks to shoot for.

In Bennett, Mariota and now Rodrigues Kelly has recruited 3 quarterbacks who are great fits for the Oregon offense. Be fun to see which one emerges and when.

Rodrigues commitment a linchpin for the 2012 class

First look at Jake Rodrigues' highlight film.  Stands very tall in the pocket, in command.   Great release, big arm.  Can deliver a 30 yard clothesline throw down the middle, a 25-yard out route with authority. Trent Dilfer called him "an alpha male among alpha males."

The quarterback competition in 2013 between Bennett, Mariota and Rodrigues will be something to see.  Imagine the winner with Josh Huff, BJ Kelley, Tacoi Sumler and Devon Blackmon running four verticals off the zone read.  Can't imagine the Cover Zero that would contain them.

Jake Rodrigues - Highlight Videos & Athlete Profile - Hudl

Eye-opening to consider Kelly has had just two full recruiting classes as head coach . For Duck fans, the future is an awesome place, provided he stays.

The Pratt Whitney engine just landed a new contract that will create  1000 new, skilled, high-paying jobs here in the United States. Innovation pays dividends. For the Ducks, also.

Put another way, the Ducks are handcrafted like a good beer. If they WERE a beer, Cliff Harris would be the hops. Or cheese on the nachos to go with the beer.

Ducks are getting leaders, winners, athletes. New qb commit Rodrigues fits that profile perfectly. Think Daryle Hawkins, John Boyette, LaMichael James.

Blackmon, Dunmore, spread qbs in high school. Dunmore a future world class decathlete. Prospects Tyner a sprint champ, DJ Foster a prep qb/wr/db. Competitors.

Note also how the current and future roster is dotted with players who were dual-threat qbs or dual sport stars in high school. Smart, versatile athletes.

In recruiting, Kelly has said Ducks look for offensive linemen with the athleticism to develop into left tackles. Versatile like a good mech infantry unit.

Kelly and his staff bring the same innovation to football, in the way the Ducks recruit, evaluate, train, teach, practice and play. Always creating efficiency.

Time magazine's cover story this week tells how New England-based manufacturer Pratt and Whitney developed a new jet engine, lighter, quieter, more efficient.

Rodrigues told the media how he prepped for the combine. "I love to compete." 3 stars now, maybe double that in 3 years. Duck staff excels at evaluation.

Ducks get a verbal commitment from quarterback Jake Rodrigues, a California kid who wowed the Stanford combine. 6-3, 215,  Rob Moseley notes he passed for 2,100 yards and 21 touchdowns while running for over 1,300 yards and 21 more touchdowns. Wow.

DJ plays a lot like TJ, but might wind up being the next Maehl-man

DJ Foster is a four-star Captain Crunch on the football field. Watch his highlight film and you'll see him separate receivers from the ball with sudden impact and magnum force.

A 6-0. 185-lb. muti-dimensional athlete from Saguaro High School in Scottsdale, Arizona, Foster averaged over 11 yards a carry as a running back while picking off seven passes as a DB. Scout.com calls him "a big-play threat and a lockdown corner." The video clearly shows him also to be a devastating tackler, extremely instinctive and smart:

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ESPN's Mark Schlabach, college football's 5-star programs: LSU, tOSU, Bama, OU, Ducks. Did you ever in your Duck life think Oregon would be on a list like this?

Mike Riley tells ESPN blogger Ted Miller he's committed to OSU. Wants to stay until he retires. Wish Chip would say the same thing. That would be a great run.

ESPN insider Larue Cook says quarterback Jordan Jefferson could lead LSU to the BCS title. Maybe, but he has to lead them past Darron Thomas and Oregon first.

If Kelly wins a third straight league title this season, the longevity argument has to be discarded. He will have out-Bezdeked H Bezdek and clipped The Stache.

Here's one: how many more titles/games/seasons does Chip Kelly have to win to be considered Oregon's best ever?

Love best-ever arguments, the antidote to slow sports days. With 3 months to go until the Cowboy Classic, we'll have a few.

Scottie Pippen popping off. Says Lebron James better than Michael Jordan. Ridiculous. How many titles has Lebron won? How many for Pippen without Jordan?

Doing's show is in the toilet. Needs at least two daily Duck segments.

Sweet Lou Piniella on 750 The Game with Chad Doing. Conversation covers sex, left-handed hitting, Elvis, and plumbing. Lou sounds like a cranky Garrison Keillor

Will have a couple of recruiting profiles this afternoon at duckstopshere.com, our new url. Have to earn my monthly stipend first @the day job.

In one visionary stroke, the NCAA could transform college football: negotiate a massive payout for a playoff, and give the players a just portion of the money.

Title IX may squash any meaningful effort to establish stipends. Football drove the new 3 billion dollar deal, but nonrevenue sports will expect an equal share.

Stipend won't eliminate cheating; it will just give athletes a meaningful opportunity to choose rightly. Now, it's an open sewer everyone pretends isn't there.

Scholarship ought to provide true cost of attendance. Many top athletes from disadvantaged backgrounds. Impossibly vulnerable to boosters, agents and runners.

Big Ten and others talking about a stipend for athletes. Mostly agree. No LMJ or DT, no zillion dolllar TV deal. Would make players less susceptible to agents.

In spring, the twos are hopelessly outmanned. Four or five of their best players are still in a hot lunch line at high school.

Only way to achieve a crisp, decisive spring game is to go ones versus twos, and that just becomes a flashy, inconclusive fireworks show for the alumni.

LSU's senior qb showed progress in spring, but ragged in spring game. Not unusual for a spring game to be ragged-lots of experimentation and intense teaching.

Jefferson needs work on his reads, motion and footwork. Shotputs the ball, throws into coverage. New OC Kragthrope hired to groom him, like Kelly/Dixon '07. WIP

Comparisons are tricky, elusive, imperfect. But be assured that the ESPN/SEC storyline is not the only possible outcome. The future isn't written; it's earned.

Miles' qb Jordan Jefferson, much like precursor JaMarcus Russell: more athlete than qb. Ironic, because The Hat botched DT's recruiting, calling him an athlete.

Miles needed a last-second counting miracle to beat the Vols, a team UO buried with a 2nd half blitzkrieg. LMJ 72 run, Harris 76 int, DT 29 pass, Barner 80 ret.

Miles wins, but seems to rely overly on trickeration and miracles. Holder tosses the ball over his shoulder, bounces perfectly to the kicker, first down.

More similarities? Opponent's head coach struggling with comparisons to legendary predecessor. Questions about his game management, ability to be top 5 coach.

Similariites to '07?  Early season game before a capacity, largely hostile crowd in a famous venue versus a storied team.  Ducks coming off a narrow bowl loss to a major power, with the program ready to step up.  Led by a dynamic backfield tandem (Dixon/Stewart, Thomas/James).  Excellent tight end, some questions at receiver with some speedy newcomers counted on to fill the bill.  High-powered offense versus a stout opponent with big. physical front lines.  Exciting young secondary anchored by a savvy, hard-hitting safety.  '11 Ducks are far more athletic at linebacker.  A quick, tenacious, pursuing front line.  Ducks explosive and unstoppable, shock college football with a dominating performance.

Blackmon and Vaughn will suit up in Dallas, and one of them will catch a deep ball. Everyone compares this game to BSU '09. Why not Michigan '07?

Fight on, but you're out of appeals

USC loses its appeal to the NCAA.  Have to think this increases the chances Barkley declares, and the Kiffin era endures some serious adversity in years three and four.  It isn't the SMU death penalty, but for a program that's had the best of everything for a long while, it will be a shock to the system.

Rick Neuheisel turned out to be right.  The football monopoly in Los Angeles has ended.  But it wasn't UCLA, it was the NCAA investigators and the Ducks that ended it.  The Trojans lose 10 scholarships a year for the next three years and face a two-year bowl ban.  Scholarship players have the option of transferring out and being eligible immediately.
Oregon is a position to be the dominant team in the conference for the next several years, provided they can avoid a bowl ban and significant scholarship loss of their own.  Here's hoping the Ducks get Boise State-level penalties rather than an Auburn, USC or Ohio State-type slow-roasting.

NCAA justice would be more impactful if it wasn't so slow and drawn out.

You CANNOT be SERIOUS: going John McEnroe on predictions of doom and gloom

This is college football. Everybody has to replace somebody. Alabama, picked number one in some preseason polls, has to replace former Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram and starting quarterback Greg McElroy. Oregon's opening game opponent LSU (picked anywhere from first to fourth) is without a 1,000-yard rusher and the Jim Thorpe Award winner. Players graduate, or leave early for the NFL, and good programs go on.

Yet some Duck fans are in full panic mode because the Ducks have to replace a center, a third wide receiver and a suspended linebacker who hasn't played a down since 2009. The roundtables and podcasts have their wings in a twist, certain that the Webfoots cannot possibly overcome obstacles like these.

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Your honor, I object

There's a murmur of panic running through the Duck faithful, much like the gallery at a Perry Mason trial right after Lieutenant Tragg identifies the murder weapon and the prints.  But Chip Kelly is the Perry Mason of college football, and the Ducks are on the case.

Here are a couple of facts not previously in evidence:  last year, LSU had the 86th-rated offense in the nation, just behind Louisiana-Lafayette and Utah State.  Their vaunted and legendary defense? 4.86 yards per play.  Oregon's?  4.67.  Sacks? 34-33, LSU.  But Oregon forced more turnovers, 37-32, and LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson threw more interceptions than touchdowns last season (7 tds, 10 ints).  Darron Thomas?  30 tds, 9 picks.

Nothing about the numbers, or an objective look at the makeup of the two teams, suggests there's anything to panic about.

If they're so smart, how come they're not rich? In football, genius is overrated

If schemes, formations and plays won games, Charlie Weis and Norm Chow would be the most successful college football coaches in America.  Both are gurus of the schematic advantage.  Instead, this is what happened at their last jobs:



Norm Chow at UCLA: 4-8, 100th in total offense.  Charlie Weis: 35-27 at Notre Dame

A good game plan can help a team win, but it's far more important to have some big, agile guys to move the pile, and a fast guy to run past it.

ESPN says former Michigan quarterback Tate Forcier considering USC and Auburn.  Already I don't like that guy.  Wonder if he can stay eligible.  SC makes sense; they could have a quarterback competition as early as next spring, assuming Barkley elects to declare.  Forcier has to think he has a shot to slide in there.  Don't think he'll make Cam Newton money at Auburn, but who knows.  espn.com says the Tigers are also auditioning Russell Wilson from North Carolina State, who could be eligible this fall. Hmmm.  Quick, check his dad's bank account.

Some sharp observations in George Schroeder's Register-Guard column today.  Among them, he notes that since the 1994 Rose Bowl, the Ducks have had just five NFL first-round draft picks.  Absolutely true, but they may have five in the next two years.  Among the possibles: James, Harris, Paulson, Thomas.  Figure one additional defensive player to evolve into a first rounder, between Jordan, Heimuli, Kaddu, Lokombo, Boyett and Clay.

Why the Cowboy Classic will be different than the Boise State debacle

This meme surfaces every time the Oregon-LSU college football opener gets discussed by national columnists or the ESPN roundtable. George Schroeder even ran a variation of it in a radio interview just the other day. "Oregon always has trouble with big, athletic defensive lines, and they're replacing three starters on the o-line this year, including the center position. The last time this happened, at Boise State two years ago, the Ducks didn't make a first down in the first half, and got thoroughly embarrassed by a quick and aggressive Bronco front line, losing 19-8."

As if it were that simple. As if it were a foregone conclusion that the big, strong, quick Tiger front line will swallow the Ducks whole, stuff the running game, and embarrass Oregon again in a national TV opener. As if the Cowboy Classic will be a replay of the national championship game: SEC 2, Oregon 0.

Duck fans are trying to be brave about it, but they're nervous. The guys at Addicted to Quack, before they got off on one of their glorious chaotic tangents gave the idea a thorough kicking around. There's a discernible panic out there. Can the Oregon offense get a push, their first time out as a unit, working against an SEC stone wall?

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My wife is watching the Oprah finale on the DVR, and the stage is decorated with a giant yellow "O". It's even Autzen-like in shape. Half expect Phil Knight and Chip Kelly to come out with a bundle of yellow roses, right after Jerry Seinfield and Stevie Wonder.

Will an Arizona playmaker become a Duck?

He's an Oregon target with an Oregon offer, but in the recruiting wars, a lot of trenches are dug before the players pick sides.

Reggie Daniels is a bone-crushing, ball-hawking safety from Hamilton High School in Chandler, Arizona, the same school that brought Oregon offensive tackle and movie star Tyler Johnstone.  Daniels is 6-3, 185, hand-timed in the 40 at 4.38.  Whatever the number, he looks impressive swooping in to snatch a deep ball along the sideline from a free safety position, or playing up close to the line of scrimmage like a rover.  He displays great instincts and he's a tremendous open-field tackler.



Daniels has a dozen offers already, and the competition to sign him will be fierce.  He's a future star in college football.

What we're up against

Saturday Night Slant is one of the best Louisiana State blogs out there.  It's written by Kris Brauner.  In a recent post he rates the Top 21 football prospects in the state of Louisiana, with video.  Les Miles will have his pick of these.

In the state of Oregon, there aren't 21 major college prospects in four years.

In another article, Brauner outlines the LSU roster.  It includes one name familiar to Duck fans:  Jerrard Randall, freshman quarterback.

Will the Aflac Duck go into a green and yellow Heisman pose in 2011?

ESPN reports Aflac is sponsoring the Heisman trophy this season. Is this an omen?  Will the Aflac duck present it to an Oregon Duck?  The two-time PAC-10 champs have three viable candidates, and they'll get plenty of national exposure.

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Be glad the Vulcans don't rule the world, particularly the Moshofsky Center

Rich Cho fired today as Trail Blazers' General Manager.  In the last 33 years the Ducks have had three head coaches, and together those three built a program that is now one of the best in the best in the country, with 15 bowl games in the last 17 seasons.

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Schroeder: "Expectations are too high."

R-G's George Schroeder on 95.5 The Game with Chad Doing.  Asked about Oregon football, he tells the radio host, "I think expectations are too high."  He cites the loss of 24 seniors and their leadership, particularly three starters in the offensive line.  It would be different, Schroeder went on, if the Ducks faced an easier September schedule, but they open with what may be the toughest defensive line they'll face all year.

Most of LSU's d-line is relatively new and inexperienced also.  Have to check, but I believe they return about 4.5 sacks.  And Schroeder gets paid to be pessimistic.  It sells papers.

There's speed, there's good speed, and there's blur-fast, Oregon backfield ludicrous speed

LaMichael James runs a  10.5 hundred meters.  Lache Seastrunk ran 10.33 as a Texas schoolboy, DeAnthony Thomas 10.57 at Crenshaw High in Los Angeles  Kenjon Barner is an eyelash slower at 10.76, but plenty fast with a football under his arm:



Oregon's newest target at running back is Thomas Tyner of Aloha High, who won the 100 meters this weekend at the Oregon 6A state track championships.  Earlier this spring he set the state record, blazing for 10.35 at the Metro League championships.  Oh yeah, he also ran for 20 touchdowns and 1500 yards while leading Aloha to a state championship in football last fall, behind the blocking of Oregon recruit James Euscher, a 6-7, 280-lb. tackle.

Tyner would look blur-fast in blur-green, and he'd be right at home in this fast company.

Two New Stories at duckstopshere.com

At our new url, duckstopshere.com, we feature unique content every day, in addition to the quick hits and updates you'll find here at our old site.  Today's new features;

Winning the state might start with this guy

   Aloha high school's Thomas Tyner, the state record holder and state champion in the 100 meters, may be the most exciting football prospect in the state, and he's only a sophomore.

Apparently, Chip Kelly is a genius

    This week fastcompany.com names Kelly one of "the 100 most creative people in business."

Tony D delivers the inside dope

New tweet from Tony DiFrancisco:

TonyDiFranciscoTony Di Francisco

Alabama $218,628 on recruiting services the past 3 years- http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2011/05/auburn_and_alabama_rely_on_rec.html

48 minutes ago

Maybe its time for recruitocosm and the other bleating naysayers to get some perspective on recruiting services and agents at Oregon.  It's a systematic issue, not isolated wrongdoing at one school.  Reform and regulation, and some clarification, is what's called for.  If the NCAA throws Oregon under the bus for something all the top schools are doing, it will be a travesty.

Over 127,000 served

Since its inception on July 27th just before fall practice began, The Duck Stops Here has reached 127,000 hits.  In its first month of operation our new site, duckstopshere.com,  has reached 4,780 page views.

It has been an incredible ride to follow the Ducks and college football over this last year.  While other writers and sites blather on self-importantly about formations and plays (which are really a small part of winning football games--schemes don't win games; athletes do), we tried to cover the whole spectrum of Duck football, the issues, the players, the prospects, hopes and dreams.

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Still more stories at duckstopshere.com

Gimme Shelter: Oregon's top defensive plays of 2010

Sleeper hold:  who's the next savage macho man to emerge from the Ducks' depth chart?

Dunmore shines at Hayward field, wins multiple medals

KVAL reports Oshay Dunmore finished second in the discus and pole vault and won the triple jump in the state high school championships on Friday.  The Duck 2012 football verbal commit got an enthusiastic reception from the Hayward field crowd and said, "It feels like home already."

Dunmore plans to compete in the junior national decathlon championship this summer, part of the U.S. track and field championships, also held at Hayward.  He's slated to play safety for the Ducks.  For a look at his high school football highlight video, click here.

New stories at duckstopshere.com

Link to our new url, duckstopshere.com, to find these updates:

Saturday two-minute drill: Mel Kiper jr. on Quizz Rodgers, Casey Matthews' edge during the lockout, and the benefit of a great track program.

Is Oshay Dunmore a throwback to another Duck great? Their high school careers have some eerie similarities, and their personal stories both include some devotion and perseverance through family adversity.

Ripped from the headlines, along with a piece of Mike Riley's heart

From the headlines at Duck Sports Now: 

Forbes magazine says "Cost of living stipends for athletes are just, but cheating will continue."  A pessimistic view, but almost certainly true.

From recruitocosm.com "More street agent backpedaling by Oregon."  The Duck athletic office has been pretty consistent through this whole deal.  The use of services and agents is widespread, and Oregon isn't any more or less guilty than a host of other schools, including first-game opponent and SEC power LSU.  Reform the system.  Singling out one school at a time as a scapegoat does nothing.

George Schroeder's most recent column is a candid interview with Mike Riley, "Mike Riley's task: Direct Beavers' rebound and catch up with the Ducks."  Beavers need an infusion of talent and cash.   Right now their upside is three competitive years out of ten.  Maybe the new conference media agreement will stabilize the picture financially.  They need a star to build the team around ( Ryan Katz? Markus Wheaton?) and a handful of those diamond-in-the-rough linebackers and linemen they used to develop.

If Tomorrow Never Comes

Dire crackpot predictions aside, the world is fraught with uncertainty.  Rogue states, terrorists, angry polar bears swimming to nowhere or mating in desperation with brown bears, earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, birds dropping out of the sky, every day there is a fresh disaster and another dire portent.  Boise State cracks the Top Ten--all of it together makes you wonder when the Mayan clock will sound the last note of despair, or chaos will triumph completely over the fragile order.

In my last breath before the blinding flash of light, I'll regret I never lived to see the Ducks win a national championship.  They came close, within a twisted knee in '07, within a couple of busted drives and an illegal motion penalty in Glendale this past January.  Like Cub fans, we'll die with the whisper of the curse on our lips, just short of paradise, just shy of knowing that hope and belief are stronger than the cruel hands of an unblockable defensive tackle or the hooves and horns of a vengeful goat.

We all dodged a bullet of dogmatic certainty in New Zealand.  They're across the International Dateline, and the supper time deadline has passed.  But who knows if the next dire pronouncement has more weight of logic or dumb luck.

I'm just hoping this fragile, weary space-lost bulb lasts through 2012, when the Ducks have their best chance ever of winning it all.  I want to see that before the lifetime of too many brownies and too much bacon has its revenge.  I'm just kidding, mostly.  In truth I'd settle for one Rose Bowl trophy, before my ticket gets punched for the undiscovered country.

This young man may be the most critical "get" of this recruiting season

He's Jordan Simmons, 6-5, 325 from Crespi High, and the video is awe-inspiring.

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Moseley also reviews the special teams, post-spring practice.  With Beard, Rice, and a fleet of talented returners, it's hard to imagine a team being more set in the special teams.  Oregon's depth and athleticism shines in the return and kick units, and special teams coach Tom Osborne does a marvelous, meticulous job with them.

How many touchdowns will Huff, Barner, Harris and the rest produce in the return game this year, and how much plus-field position?  It is a huge weapon, and an incredible emotional lift for a team to get a big play in special teams.  The Ducks will get a lot of them, increasing the effectiveness of both the offense and defense.  Scheme all you want, but speed kills.

Chip Kelly loves bright, versatile, athletic players, and Oregon's first verbal commitment of 2011, Oshay Dunmore of Newport, Oregon, sounds like that kind of player.  Rob Moseley of the Register-Guard has the story on Dunmore, who may also wind up being a star decathlete for the Ducks, in addition to being a promising safety.

One wins the day while the other has lost a market

In year one of the Chip Kelly era, the team overcame the Boise State debacle and the loss of a 1,000-yard rusher in game one.  Kelly unleashes LaMichael James and Kenjon Barner, who rush for nearly 2000 yards, and the Ducks win the conference title and a Rose Bowl berth.

Year two starts with the loss of an all-conference, Heisman trophy candidate at quarterback.  Kelly coaches up Darron Thomas, who throws for 30 touchdowns, and the Ducks win a second conference title and a trip to the BCS National Championship.

At every turn Canzano has been there to bleat misery and doom, and he has repeatedly been wrong.  Kelly's teams overcome adversity with character and turn a setback into a strength..  Canzano keeps peddling the negativity and hysteria, until folks give the fishwrap no more than a glance. 

Who needs to ramp up what? Canzano sacked for a loss again

John Canzano's column this morning posits that Chip Kelly "needs to ramp it up" this year as Oregon head coach.  In the last two years, his first two years, Chip Kelly is 22-3, one of the best winning percentages in PAC-10 history, with two highly-rated recruiting classes training for the future.  In that same time period, John Canzano is about 33-422 as a columnist.  He has some ramping up to do of his own.

New stories at duckstopshere.com

More on "Winning the Line": a painful video of Auburn's offensive line dominating the Ducks

ESPN roundtable previews #7 Stanford

The 7th thing Darron Thomas should do to reach his potential as the Duck quarterback

Darron Thomas: this is one time the sequel will be a better movie

What's Darron Thomas working on this summer?  How much improvement can Duck fans expect from him in year two as a starter?

Get this story and all our extended features at our new site, duckstopshere.com.

Three Ducks line up a future occupation, but with some obstacles to overcome

Gil Brandt of nfl.com has his early edition 2012 draft rankings.  Including all draft-eligible players, he ranks PAC-12 quarterbacks Andrew Luck and Matt Barkley as the top two picks of the draft.  LaMichael James is 35th, and Cliff Harris 43rd.   Brandt projects Duck tight end David Paulson 60th, near the end of the second round.

Of James, Brandt writes, "Last year's Doak Walker Award winner is coming off a huge year in which he scored 24 touchdowns and averaged 5.9 yards per carry."

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The Fish Report: 'Cuse Me? You talkin' to ME??

[Editor's note: This morning in this space young upstart Robert Stroup unleashed a jailbreak blitz on the legendary FishDuck, "Stroup to FishDuck: Not so fast, my friend."  While our ambitious rookie scribe respectfully acknowleged Fish's reputation and contributions to Oregon football analysis, he took him to task for failing to recognize the importance of winning the line of scrimmage,  flatly asserting that the Ducks had to get bigger and stronger on the line to win football's biggest prizes.  Three paragraphs down, he delivered this head slap, followed by a swim move:

In my opinion, FishDuck is a bit naïve to assume that the style of offense Oregon employs now will remain the style of offense Oregon employs two/three years from now. (And if he is right, and Oregon does stay with the Zone Blocking scheme, what stops other Pac-12 defensive coordinators from doing what Auburn or California did and loading the box? This still seems unanswered).

Like Dennis Dixon in '07, FishDuck is calm in the pocket.  Not one to trade insults or get rattled, he carefully went to his keyboard this morning and hammered out this response, as gracefully executed as a Fake Statue of Liberty Play.]

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Regarding depth, another factor is that most of this current group is in its third year in the program, meaning they've had two full years of Jim Radcliffe's conditioning program and Chip Kelly's practice pace.  They will be the best-conditioned team in the country.

A Hat Tip to a worthy adversary

Bill "Earthquake" Enyart, fullback on the 1967 "Giant Killers," one of the most memorable teams in Oregon State history, was named yesterday to the College Football Hall of Fame.  It's a well-deserved honor for a hard-nosed runner who played the game the right way.

The Giant Killers earned their nickname.  That season they beat number 2 Purdue and Leroy Keyes, tied number 2 UCLA and Gary Beban, and beat number one USC in a quagmire 3-0.  Enyart was the star, but it was a team in the truest sense, featuring Jess Lewis, Steve Preece, Billy Main and others.

In those days, the Beavers owned the UO-OSU rivalry, and the state.  Enyart's induction is a reminder from the past that everything in sports and life is a cycle, and the whirligig of time has its revenges.

No reason to panic: Depth on defense might not be the crippling concern some think

The new wrinkles in the offense should allow the Ducks to change up tempo with greater effectiveness.  That takes additional pressure off the linebackers, and the defense as a whole.  With nearly every Duck game on TV, and most of them national, there are more breaks in the action.  Oregon may not need as deep a rotation, although there's every likelihood they can develop one.

This year's defensive group, loaded with agile, agressive speed and two tenacious gap swallowers in the middle, will force more turnovers and three-and-outs.  It's the other team's defense that needs to worry about getting tired.

More on the linebackers

The Pac-12 is a pass-happy conference.  Arizona State, Washington State and Arizona are in five wides half the time.  Cal is going to a spread offense.  To win the league, you've got to get past Nick Foles, Matt Barkley, and Andrew Luck.  Jeff Tuel, Brock Osweiler,  and Ryan Katz are all capable throwers.  The only true Ground Chuck-style offenses in the pack are UCLA and Utah, and the Ducks don't play either of those schools this year, although Washington will also rely heavily on Chris Polk while they break in a first-year starter at quarterback.

With a shortage of linebackers and a surplus in the secondary, Nick Aliotti will likely adapt.  A fair portion of the time the defense could be in a 4-2-5 look, employing an extra safety with two linebackers on the field.   At times the best 11, given the game situation and the opponent, might include Brian Jackson, Scott Grady or Erick Dargan off the bench.

Aliotti can use different personnel groups to ease the burden on the linebackers, particularly as Don Pellum's younger LBs get up to speed in the system..  The foundation of the Oregon defensive philosphy is "two big uglies, and nine guys who can run."  Amend that to nine guys who can run and tackle, and it gives the Ducks the right combination of flexibility and effectiveness.  Wallace and Malone will learn, and John Neal's group will spell them. 

With their athleticism, pride and aggressiveness, the Ducks can play defense with anyone in the country.  At times they get overshadowed by the flashy offense, but this is a capable unit, likely to improve as the season goes on.

FishDuck responds: Yeah, win the line of scrimmage, but there's more to it than that

Recently The Duck Stops Here ran a guest column by Robert Stroup, "Win the Day? Win the line of scrimmage." Stroup posits that Oregon has gone far with the Win the Day mantra, but it's time to think about getting bigger and tougher on the lines, particularly after the way California and Auburn shut down the Oregon running game.

FishDuck responds:

The latest article submitted by Robert on your blog…..that was kind of a "duh" conclusion, one that you, I, and everyone has had. When Oregon gets more beef, then………….

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New stories at duckstopshere.com

New this afternoon at the new url for The Duck Stops Here, duckstopshere.com:

The dot dot dot on the Oregon linebackers

State of Texas gets tough on sports agents.

The new Deep Ace formation is a perfect fit for LaMichael James and his offensive line. Details at our new website, duckstopshere.com.

R-G blog reviews last week, the group that achieved the least clarity this spring. Must achieve some over summer. Bet on Huff, Blackmon and Vaughn.

With Kenjon to keep him fresh, and DT and his new speed receivers to keep the safeties off the line, LMJ might achieve 13-0, 2000, The Stiff Arm Trophy, Academic A-A.

Defensive line presumed a weakness, emerges as a strength

 "Of all the groups with major holes to fill this spring, the defensive line had the most encouraging month," Rob Moseley observes in his post-spring review of the defensive line. In Wade (Special) K, Ricky Heimuli and Jared Ebert, d-line coach Jerry Azzinaro has three stout, strong bodies who can play the nose with authority.  Whoever winds up at middle linebacker (probably Michael Clay), these three will make him look better by clogging and penetrating in the middle, and finishing their share of plays on their own.

Their emergence inside, along with the rapid development of Dion Jordan at drop end, really enhances the prospects for this year's defense.  The Ducks will be tougher at the line of scrimmage next fall.  Don't look for these guys to back down to anyone.  When you factor in Hart, Hanna, and senior leader Terrell Turner, this is a strong rotation.

You know a trend has peaked when your dorky neighbor adopts it

Ted Miller of espn.com reports that Zach Maynard, a transfer from Buffalo, won a competition among six quarterbacks and has been named the Cal Bear starter for next season.

A dual-threat, Maynard beat out part-time starter Brock Mansion, among others.  He's the half brother of Cal receiver Keenan Allen.  At Buffalo, Miller said, Maynard passed for 2694 yards as a sophomore, with 18 touchdowns, 15 ints, and 300 yards rushing.

Interesting that Jeff Tedford and the Bears are moving toward a spread option attack, just as the Ducks are diversifying and adding the Deep Ace formation.  Will Tedford coach  this fall in Navy blue Zubaz pants?

SEC style discipline?

Houston Nutt dismissed two players for alcohol-related second offenses at Ole Miss.  One of the players, Clarence Jackson, was slated to be a starter at weakside linebacker.  Espn.com's Edward Aschoff  has the story.

Every situation is different, and Chip Kelly will make the decision in Kiko Alonso's case not as a football decision, but as a life decision based on what is best for Alonso and the team as a whole.

But it's telling when the tough discipline is coming from the SEC.

New Stories at our sister site

duckstophere.com has expanded Duck coverage every day, unless it's just too nice to miss out on playing golf.  Here are the blog posts we have for Monday afternoon, May 16th at our new url,  duckstopshere.com:

The Luddite versus The Realist: a playoff debate

Tiger fans don't think the Ducks will show up

Win the Day? Win the line of scrimmage  --a guest column by Robert Stroup. 

Robert looks back at national championship game and the 2010 season from the safe vantage point of  17 weeks of reflection, and considers that the Ducks might need a change in their now-famous mantra.

As always, we welcome your comments and fan contributions, and you can reach us by email at duckfanmo@yahoo.com

Is Larry Scott the Chip Kelly of commissioners?  Doesn't talk quite fast enough, but he's forward-looking, and gets results.

Oregon State 341-lb. defensive tackle arrested for harassment, coercion and second degree kidnapping.  Where is the shrill, outraged column from Canzano, proclaiming Mike Riley has lost control of the program and the player must go?

Winning the Day on School Days

Meanwhile, some of the more conscientious Ducks are closing in on academic milestones.  Mark Asper, with undergraduate degrees in sociology and Spanish, is working on a graduate degree.  David Paulson and LaMichael James could become Academic All-Americans.  They're that good on the field and off.

According to the "Inside Oregon" website, Paulson and James  "were first team Academic All-Pac-10 last season, along with junior offensive tackle Carson York.  Offensive lineman Ramsen Golpashin, wide receiver Justin Hoffman and senior center Jordan Holmes all were named to the Pac-10’s all-academic second team. Six more Ducks received all-academic honorable mention from the conference."

Some of the most vital repetitions of the off season occur in the next two weeks

The Ducks won't run a stretch play or an inside zone read for ten to eleven long weeks, except in voluntary workouts in tee shirts and shorts, but they have some of the most important reps of their lives coming up between now and the end of the month:  term papers are due soon, and finals will be held.

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110 Days to go, and the hype is only beginning

Tony DiFranscisco passed this along in a tweet, a video from an LSU fan "RajunCajunsull." Decent video, with the appropriate magisterial music, it shows they're as pumped up and antic as we are about the matchup, possibly more. The included highlights, featuring athletic plays and ferocious hits by both squads in last year's action, suggest an epic confrontation awaits in Dallas.

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You're so fat, you have shocks on your toilet seat

Will Ferrell has a new movie out, and for a hard-core USC fan he's a pretty funny guy.

An Oregon player has a bit part in the movie.

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The LDS mission experience: invaluable in a way blocking drills and the weight room can never duplicate

I'm not a Mormon and couldn't even play one on TV, but over the years it's become apparent that the experience of going away from home and encountering another culture enriches and deepens kids in many ways, and parenthetically, it makes them better football players.

Rob Moseley's article today in the Register-Guard, "Oregon football: Hamani Steven's return could shore up Ducks' offensive line" gives a valuable clue why. Consider this quote from Stevens, at the end of the article:

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In Chip Kelly's coaching style there are many parables

At Autzen the student section calls him "Big Balls Chip" with reverent irreverence, unabashed admiration for a man who has never met a fourth and two he didn't like, even from his own 36.

In the words of the immortal Charles Barkley, "something's gotta kill ya, it might as well be fried chicken."  Or fourth and two.

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More on Hamani Stevens

Two recent Stevens updates at our new url, duckstopshere.com.

David Paulson: Next Action Hero?

Get this story and all our latest Duck coverage at the new home of The Duck Stops Here.

Preseason reasoning is not always reasonable or consistent

Weird thing is. Stanford is replacing three offensive linemen, Owen Marecic, their dynamic head coach, both coordinators and their best three receivers, but everybody is talking about how good they'll be. 

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Stevens is back, adding depth and stronger competition in the offensive line

 Rob Moseley posts a review of the offensive line's progress through spring practice, and he notes that former four-star recruit Hamani Stevens will return this summer from his Mormon mission and he intends to rejoin the Ducks as a scholarship Center.

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New stories at The Duck Stops Here

For our latest content and super sized posts visit our new location, duckstopshere.com.

Here are some of our most recent entries:

Is Cliff Harris ready to accept the challenge to be even better?

A new bread-and-butter play for the Ducks

Is Chip Kelly the next Pete Carroll?

This afternoon we'll have a new feature: "David Paulson: Next Action Hero?"

Would Hall of Famer Harry Caray have survived the cell phone/youtube/talk radio era? Would Mantle, Namath, Ruth? FDR, JFK, Churchill? Hemingway? Steinbeck? Fitzgerald?

Also on 95.5 The Game, Andrew Bynum of the Lakers makes a classy apology. Takes responsibility. The challenge and the lessons of integrity are everywhere.

Doing poses an important question about the cell camera/youtube phenomenon and our culture of ridicule. Nothing is private.

OSU issues a statement in support of Parker, acknowledging his positive contributions to the athletic department and their desire to aid him in his recovery.

I remember Parker's radio show on KFXX. It was three hours of the most original, creative, cultured sports radio imaginable. Dignified and inspiring. Miss that

Doing points out how ubiquitous exposure of everyone's worst moments has eroded our capacity for compassion and human decency. He's right. No one tries to help.

Chad Doing of95.5 delivers an eloquent, compassionate defense of Mike Parker. Makes me rethink-maybe he deserves the same consideration as Kiko, some support.

Out with the blob, in with the voice

The new PAC-12 media agreement is already paying dividends: Duck fans got a huge upgrade yesterday in the quality of football broadcast commentary.

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Who needs Will Lyles? Ducks land two from Texas

Duck Territory's Justin Hopkins posted today that Oregon got a verbal commitment from two Texas defensive backs, twin brothers Eric and Stephen Amoako of Martin High in Arlington, Texas.  The two have yet to make an official visit, so their pledge won't be officially accepted until they come to Eugene and meet the coaching staff.

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Tuesday Two-Minute Drill

Recruiting, attendance, BCS-busting games.  Does a newly-available quarterback have Duck DNA?

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Bennett will start to look a whole lot better in August, when the second group includes two or three of the Fleet Four, plus maybe Ryan Clanton and Jake Fisher.

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Only Duck qb who was ready to start as a true freshman was Bill Musgrave, who took a bunch of 2 and 3-stars to their first bowl, started the UO revolution.

Bennett is a redshirt freshman, throwing to a group of undermanned receivers behind a makeshift line against a deep, talented secondary and a resurgent front four. He's right where you'd expect him to be.

The veteran R-G scribe also questions Bryan Bennett's progress as backup quarterback. The kid oozes potential one day and looks erratic and overmatched the next.

Until Dixon took the Statue of Liberty and the torch to Michigan in the Big House, the only Heisman candidate the Webfoots had was J-Stew.

His head coach was grousing at him in the papers for skipping summer workouts to play baseball. A lot of fans thought Leaf should start.

The Moze compares DT's progress to Dennis Dixon in '07. As a junior, Dixon threw 12 tds and 14 ints. Only Kelly knew he was going to be that good as a senior.

Rob Moseley is the godfather of Duck football coverage and a regional treasure, but he is dead wrong in his post-spring breakdown of the Duck quarterbacks.

Utah Senator Orrin Hatch continues to campaign against the BCS.  Right now college football has the most meaningful, exciting regular season in sports. Would a coach sit out starters for a rivalry game because he's clinched a playoff spot?

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Sad to say, integrity and disciplinary standards are a competitive disadvantage. Under Urban Meyer, Florida's two BCS championship teams had more than 30 arrests.  They all played.

If Alonso is sent packing this will be the third year in a row the Ducks have lost a key starter to disciplinary action.  In each case, it was probably the right decision, and the team prospered anyway.  But at other schools, players with similar offenses stay on the roster, and most of them in the lineup.  It took South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia  five suspensions to play his way out of the starting job, and most of those were alcohol related.

Alonso has work to do, and what he did was serious. He lost complete control of himself, violated a home, terrified a woman. Has he forfeited his scholarship?

Oklahoma, Alabama, LSU top most polls. No way a starting MLB is dismissed for a misdemeanor at any of those schools. In the SEC he'd probably miss a half.

No word from the coach yet on the terms of Kiko Alonso's suspension. His second offense-dismissal is possible, even likely. It's a shame but impossible to excuse.

Why the Lakers' demise is a cautionary tale for the Ducks

Teams get old.  They lose their will to compete at the highest level.  They rely too much on their star.  Becoming the hunted, they get worn down by the grind.  The big guys up front stop paying the price, stop working as hard as they must to keep winning.  The trust factor erodes in the face of adversity.

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(links to the new site after the jump)

Have You Called Your Mama Today? I sure wish I could call mine.

A couple of great links from EC Dawg, author of The Leather Helmet Blog.

The first is Mother's Day advice from the legendary Bear Bryant:

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Bayliss Another Foundational Player for a Soundly-Built Team

Evan Bayliss is the most finished tight end you'll ever see in a high school highlight film.  Here is the video, courtesy of Mike Wines at Oregon Duck Soup.

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Saturday Two-Minute Drill

In light of the recent arrests of Dustin Haines and Kiko Alonso, maybe the Ducks' Squad Leaders need to adopt a little Rex Kwan Do for the football team between now and August.  From now on, we're on the buddy system-- no more flying solo.

The Oregon Outlook in 2011: Cloudy with a chance of crystal footballs

Most polls predict the Ducks for a top-five finish and a BCS bowl, but the season could fall far short of that.

Yet for some, anything less than a return to the National Championship Game would be a disappointment.

As always, Kash is brash and unabashed about his goal in 2011. He wants another crack at the Natty. "The last one left a bad taste in my mouth."

Chip Kelly to ESPN: "We're a young team-we only have 11 seniors." True, but they have LMJ and Cliff Harris, two NFL first rounders, who'll be gone next year.

How do you define success for Oregon football in 2011?

In his article Schroeder quotes Urban Meyer, who told the Spring Game ESPN audience, "I'd rather replace a quarterback," than three offensive linemen.  Ducks also lost a ton of senior leadership in Thran, Holmes, Kaiser, Maehl, Davis, Bair, Clark,  Matthews, Rowe, Paysinger, and T. Jackson III.

In this week's Sports Illustrated, the R-G's George Schroeder suggests expectations might be too high for the Ducks. Losing 3 starters on the o-line too much.

Blackmon says he's already learning the formations and plays. "I just want to fit in and contribute however I can." Check 95.5 The Game website for a podcast.

John Lund of 95.5 just interviewed Devon Blackmon. Confident, enthusiastic, he's scheduled to reach campus on June 17th, in time for six weeks of pass routes.

Alonso Accepts a Plea; Burglary Charge Dropped

John Hunt of the Oregonian reported that Kiko Alonso pleaded guilty this morning to one count of criminal mischief, and took diversion on a charge of  criminal trespass.  It's a misdemeanor.  Alcohol was not involved in the charges, but KVAL reported Judge Maurice Merten sentenced Alsonso to two years probation, 200 hours community service and "intensive alcohol treatment."

Now Chip Kelly will have to rule on the appropriate discipline within the football team.  A statement from the athletic department is expected later this afternoon.

The Real Secret of Chip Kelly's Genius

LaMichael James and Kenjon Barner run fast, and Darrion Weems, Mark Asper, Ramsen Golpashin, Carson York, Karrington Armstrong and David Paulson are good at knocking people out of the way.

Friday Two-Minute Drill

Some clarity may be coming  in the Kiko Alonso situation.  KVAL reports he will appear in court today for a change in plea and sentencing.  The police report indicated Alonso was "confused and disoriented" at the time of his arrest, rather than intoxicated, so speculation is rampant that there is more to the story.  There may be less, but everything should be a little clearer after his court appearance, and Coach Kelly should follow with more specifics about the talented middle linebacker's suspension or dismissal.

The new PAC-12 has star power, and now every game will be on a national stage.  Jon Wilner forecasts the 2012 NFL draft, and he can't resist a dig at Duck fans.  Three PAC-12 quarterbacks could go in the first round of next season's draft, and Cliff Harris and LaMichael James could be first-round picks.  David Paulson is the top-rated tight end in the conference, as high as number two nationally.

Some people think Chip Kelly is a genius, and those people include the sports writers at the Wall Street Journal.

The genius label, like many labels, isn't useful.  Kelly is a good football coach.  He has a supreme talent for organization and motivation, getting kids to understand and believe in the goals of the program.  He has a great gift for strategy, enough to plan anyone's castle onslaught.  But people misunderstand and misinterpret Oregon's success.  It isn't a gimmick.  It's good athletes, well-coached.  Nothing about it is a football mad scientist concoction, just fundamentals and execution.  His innovative use of scheme just keeps everyone distracted and in a dither.

Speaking of genius, by night, in the secret confines of his man cave, he's FishDuck, breaking down formations and plays with aplomb and alacrity. By day, in his guise as mild-mannered financial planner Charles Fischer, the FishDuck advises folks on retirement strategy, and he does so with integrity and a sound eye on the future.  One of the first principles of his day job is, when blessed with a windfall, resist the urge to splurge on luxury items and toys.  Instead, invest in your future.  In light of the new, lucrative PAC-12 media agreement, the Ducks and Beavers would be wise to heed his advice.

Make No Mistake, This is a Big Loss

Live long enough as a sports fan and you'll encounter the phenomenon of it-might-have-been, whether it's a backup slider to Kirk Gibson, a ground ball through Buckner's legs, or Len Bias overdosing on cocaine.  The painful memories of agonizing muffs, lost chances due to inattention or misbehavior are part of the legend and humanity of the games.

The enduring image of Kiko Alonso, other than a mug shot, will be him in this year's Spring Game, throwing down David Paulson like he was roping a steer.  That kind of aggressiveness and tough intensity can't be taught.  One athlete in ten thousand has it, and now it appears Alonso's might be wasted forever.

The Ducks will manage without him, probably, but the value of a stud middle linebacker to a defense is inestimable.  A seek-and-destroy presence in the middle gives a defense character, identity, and the play making ability to change games.  It's a quality that can't be faked, or adequately replaced by a journeyman with six career tackles.  The personal issues of Alonso's life will be sorted out.  But the loss of his talent in the middle might haunt the Ducks for two seasons.

This team has risen above adversity before in big ways, notably and emphatically after the losses of  LeGarrette Blount and Jeremiah Masoli.  Stars took themselves out of the lineup with bad judgment.  Now Michael Clay and Anthony Wallace will have to do what LaMichael James and Darron Thomas did before them, replace a seemingly irreplaceable player.  Chip Kelly's forward-looking, no-excuses demeanor will have to lead this team out of the football wilderness one more time.

This Sunday, in a vastly more significant context, the Navy Seals reminded the world what superbly trained and conditioned men can do in a crisis.  For now, the ongoing saga of Kiko Alonso is a sad footnote to the success of Oregon football, a washout, a reminder that ability without discipline is a damned shame.

In Chip Kelly Year 3, The Ducks are among the usual suspects

Chris Sprow of ESPN breaks down the top preseason contenders for the national title.  His short list includes Oregon and one other surprising addition from the PAC-12:

Wednesday Two-Minute Drill

At three billion dollars and 21 million-a-year per school, the new PAC-12 media deal is currently the richest in the NCAA.  It's a huge boon for the conference's member teams, especially the small market schools, Washington State, Oregon State and Colorado. In one bold stroke they have national exposure like never before, and a much improved, healthier bottom line.

Of all the players to lose on the defense, middle linebacker is the worst.  The MLB is the quarterback of the defense, responsible for calls and knowing where everyone is.  Kiko Alonso's recent arrest and suspension leaves the Ducks with a pretty good best-three at linebacker, but they are one injury away from being very young, thin and inexperienced.  The rapid progress of the defensive tackles during spring practice takes some of the pressure off the linebacker corps.  They'll face fewer double teams, and fewer linemen getting to their legs, with Heimuli, Hart, Wade K and Ebert playing tough in the interior of the line.

All coaches are plagiarists, and Chip Kelly more brilliant than most.  When he was offensive coordinator at New Hampshire it was a running joke on the staff that anything intriguing they saw an opponent do on film one week would be in the game plan the next.  The recent innovations unveiled in spring practice, with the quarterback under center and LaMichael James in the deep "I" formation, gives defenses twice as much to prepare for, allows Oregon to change up the tempo and pace of games, and takes advantage of James' three outstanding gifts as a runner: acceleration, vision, and a knack for setting up blocks.  FishDuck has the details, and the x's and o's, in his spring game "Fish Report."

As big a splash as the new media deal is, it will eventually run into the first sad law of finance: expenditures always rise to meet income.  For one, transportation costs in the newly-configured league might triple over the ten-year life of the deal, between the dramatic rise in the cost of fuel and the addition of far-flung conference members Colorado and Utah.  Athletic Directors will cringe, signing the checks to send the women's lacrosse  and men's soccer team to Provo.

The Fish Report: Spring Game Surprises

Special Guest Column by Charles "FishDuck Fischer

How was that for a boring Spring Game?  If that wasn’t the worst Spring Game I’ve seen in thirty years—then it was in the top three!  Truly, the best entertainment was the coaches on TV, the touching halftime tribute, and the salute to the Armed Forces at the end.  Yet I still learned some important new surprises to the offense beyond the reporting from the multitude of usual media sources. 

Alonso Arrested Again

John Hunt of the Oregonian reported last night that Oregon middle linebacker Kiko Alonso has been arrested and charged with burglary.

Receiver May Be a Question Mark, but the Ducks have several answers

The Spring Game left Duck fans feeling deeply concerned for the outlook at receiver, but there are several things to keep in mind: