Dave's Weekly Thoughts.....

by David Piper on Mar 26, 2009 10:42 PM PDT in ATQ Site News

On LeGarrette Blount being reinstated........

Everybody knew this was going to happen. Very nice that it happened before spring drills. Don't worry about Blount, he's literally got millions riding on this season. He won't screw it up.

On Paul Westhead being named coach of the women's team.......

At first, I was really surprised by the move. I mean Westhead's what, 70 years old? Can he really be here for more than three or four years? But the more I think about it, the more I like it. He's obviously a very good coach (having won both NBA and WNBA titles), but, just as importantly, he makes me want to watch a women's basketball game. Bring the run and gun to the womens team? I'll tune into a game or two and see how it goes. That's the genius of the move. Westhead is about as big a name as you can get. People will tune in to see how this team does. If it fails, you're hardly in worse shape than you are now. But if it works, and this team wins and draws big crowds, when it comes time to replace Westhead in a few years with a big fan base, winning team, and brand spanking new arena, you an go after a really marquee name at that time, and have a good shot and landing them.

On not yet knowing the fate of Ernie.......

I have no problem with Kilkenny taking his time on this. Its a huge decision. As I've said, it'll be hard to fault him either way. You know that you will have highs again if you keep Ernie. You also know you need more consistency to fill that new arena each and every year. My gut tells me that Kilkenny's decision will ultimately be based on whether he thinks Mark Few will come here or not. This would seem to be the only logical reason for the delay in information as he waits for Gonzaga's season to end. This is a real mess, and I'm not sure either decision is right or wrong. However, I find myself leaning more toward the keep Ernie side in the last few days. He's a good guy, graduates his players, and gets us those high highs. Plus, what he's done for the program has earned his something. But, damn, the lows are painful.

On Larry Scott being named new Pac-10 Commissioner.......

I know some of you are giving him a hard time because he was head of the WTA. However, he is saying all the right things, especially regarding our horrible, lousy, no good TV contract. This is a guy who recognizes the importance of exposure. I have no doubt that TV contracts and bowl arrangements will approve. Plus, Tom Hansen is being replaced, and that can't be a bad thing, can it?

On Portland getting MLS.......

Not Duck related, and I've only watched one soccer game in my life. But I find myself incredibly excited. I can get into anything if I've a team. Also, great job to get a sport while its on the cheap. I really think MLS is about to blow up, and this was a great opportunity for Oregon. I've already got Timbers fever. However, I know nothing about soccer. Can anyone loan me a copy of Soccer for Dummies?

--Dave

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If your gut ever has stock tips

let me know, because I think this

My gut tells me that Kilkenny’s decision will ultimately be based on whether he thinks Mark Few will come here or not.

is dead on. Never considered that, and it makes complete sense. PK isn’t going to fire Ernie just to fire Ernie. There has to be a no-brainer replacement, and the only real no-brainer, taking into account not only a name coach but a coach that also makes sense for Oregon athletics culture, is Few.

by grimc on Mar 26, 2009 10:58 PM PDT reply actions

mls in portland’s ok, as long as baseball’s allowed to stay.

by ochocokid on Mar 26, 2009 11:22 PM PDT reply actions

If Portland can prove that they can support something like MLS, I think it will give leverage for a future MLB team in Portland.

It’s spelled "S-H-U-x-x-x-x-x"

by JShufelt on Mar 27, 2009 8:04 AM PDT up reply actions

And yet, as much as I've pushed for it,

I just don’t see Portland with an MLB team.

Addicted To Quack [dot] com; Dear Joevan, Develop motor skills. Love, ATQ.

by qrsouther on Mar 27, 2009 11:50 AM PDT up reply actions

They basing it upon a market between support of the Portland Beavers, and the Portland Blazers. Last time Portland was in the running for an MLB team (And we were very close), the attendance in the Rose Garden was atrocious, and only getting worse – they were literally giving tickets away in the newspaper. Between that and incredibly stupid city council members… D.C. was a better choice.

Regardless, Portland’s support of baseball has been growing since the late 90s after Portland Rockies were “League Champs”. They are also going to make PGE Park and soccer and football stadium, since they have plans to move the team to a (smaller) new park that will be where the memorial coliseum is now. It’s pretty easy to see from their current designs, they are leaving plenty of room for future expansion.

It’s spelled "S-H-U-x-x-x-x-x"

by JShufelt on Mar 27, 2009 12:49 PM PDT up reply actions

I remember MLB was a hot topic in the late 90s. The main problem was the lack of a stadium—the Expo Center site was talked about as the obvious choice, I think a group even put together plans. To a lesser extent was the probability that the Mariners would put up a stink about Portland being part of their market.

Also during that time was talk about an NHL franchise. That seemed to be a more likely choice, as IIRC Paul Allen likes him some ice boxing with sticks, and the facilities were already in place. I still think that’ll happen before MLB.

by grimc on Mar 27, 2009 3:38 PM PDT up reply actions

Why I Love Oregon

It’s relatively calm around here, despite Ernie’s 2-16 conference finish. Back home in Kentucky, they’re calling for the coach’s head after 22-14. I’m always a fan, but it’s just nice to have the more laid-back atmosphere surrounding UO basketball to check in to when things are rough.

All right, back to A Sea of Blue…

by The Lexpatriate on Mar 27, 2009 7:03 AM PDT reply actions

Westhead

I agree wholeheartedly about the Westhead hire — I am genuinely excited about the move. Already this morning, I have read three separate articles on the hire and press conference (and I am looking for more). That’s probably more than I had read on the team over the last 12 months. The team under Bev Smith had just never interested me much.

by ntrebon on Mar 27, 2009 7:04 AM PDT reply actions

I love that Portland got a MLS team

I’m a big soccer fan and a supporter of MLS. As soon as the league announced that they’d be adding two teams in 2011 I was pushing for Portland to get one. If you’d like any soccer help and/or info whatsoever, feel free to ask.

Regarding Scott, I love the hire. I wrote a piece on it for Bruinsnation if you want to check it out.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Mar 27, 2009 2:25 PM PDT reply actions