Morning Quack Fix: 4.29.09

by PaulSF on Apr 29, 2009 7:00 AM PDT in Morning Quack Fix Comment 16 comments

It's been a busy week, so let's get right to it. Here's your Morning Quack Fix:

[UPDATE] Ted Miller has a Q&A with Chip Kelly, and talks about some of the changes under his watch, and spring practice in general. Make sure to check it out.
The Oregon baseball team dropped its seventh straight yesterday (and 14th of its last 15), losing to Oregon State, 10-2, in the fourth game of the season-long Civil War series. The Beavers lead the series 3-1 so far this season.
And speaking of the Civil War series, the Oregon athletic department announced the Ducks and Beavers added a sixth game. The sixth and final match-up will be played at Volcanoes Stadium in Keizer on May 20. And because apparently there has to be a catchy name for every neutral-site event in baseball, this game will be known as the Civil War I-5 Iris Festival Classic. Sweet.
ESPN.com's Ted Miller thinks the Pac-10 might get defensive in 2009. He interviewed Oregon head coach Chip Kelly and was surprised by how un-surprised Kelly is about the Ducks' impressive D this spring.
Oregon's running backs coach Gary Campbell posted on the Oregon Coaching Staff Blog last night, and discussed the injury issues at RB this spring and JJ landing in Houston, among other things.
The Oregonian's Bob Rickert predicts five Ducks will be drafted in next year's NFL Draft: Blount, Thurmond, Dickson, Tukuafu and Ward. What do you think? Did he leave anyone off the list?

As always, post any links you find out there in the comments.

GO DUCKS!

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Our goal as a team is to win the day

WHOO! WIN THE DAY!

It’s spelled "S-H-U-M-W-O-W"

by JShufelt on Apr 29, 2009 9:44 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

No. Not at all.

WHOO! BAD ASS!

Ducks Go!
RIP CITY!

by trumpetduck on Apr 29, 2009 10:00 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Miller on Pac 10 Defense

From that article I just get the feeling the team with the best offense could take the crown this year. WIth solid defenses across the board just being able to get a few more scores a game could turn the tides. If our offense can keep on the pace of the last few years, and our D plays well we have a real shot this year.

Ducks Go!
RIP CITY!

by trumpetduck on Apr 29, 2009 9:51 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed. Defenses could be very very good this year, ours included. If we can put points on the board like we did the last couple years, which we should if our O-line can pull together, we should be very, very good.

--AddictedToQuack, SBNation's Oregon Ducks blog

by jtlight on Apr 29, 2009 9:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m very encouraged by the growth of our wide receivers and Dickson. It will be very exciting to see that growth in our offense, considering our passing game didn’t do much until the last few games of last season.

--AddictedToQuack, SBNation's Oregon Ducks blog

by jtlight on Apr 29, 2009 10:10 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Consistent WR play

Could be what we need to really jump start Masoli’s passing game. All of the miscues and drops last year really hurt confidence for the QB and the whole offense. If the pass catchers are running good routs and catching passes it makes it a heck of a lot easier for Masoli to do his job.

Ducks Go!
RIP CITY!

by trumpetduck on Apr 29, 2009 10:33 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know the passing game gets a lot of pub but I’m really interested in seeing what our receivers do as blockers. J-Will, for as maligned a pass catcher as he was, was an excellent blocker, sometimes taking 2-3 guys out of a play.

--Dominic, Addicted to Quack

Autzen Stadium is where great teams go to die." - J. Brady McCullough, The Michigan Daily.

by dvieira on Apr 29, 2009 10:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh I couldn’t not agree with you more! I have always fought for J-Will as a blocker. WR blocking is so important to our running game being top 5 and not top 20.

Ducks Go!
RIP CITY!

by trumpetduck on Apr 29, 2009 10:41 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ditto - Scott Frost's experience at Nebraska will play an important part in that.

(disclaimer: not-so-closet Nebraska fan due to family ties and the Ducks sucking for most of my youth)

I mentioned to dvieira during the scrimmage we attended that I was jacked about he hire of Scott Frost as WR coach. When Nebraska’s option offense was really clicking, it was often due to outstanding blocking by wide receivers. I fully expect Frost will deliver a group of receivers who will open up running lanes by getting physical with smaller DBs at the point of attack.

Watch for Jeff Maehl to have a beastly year catching the ball downfield, breaking big plays runs off that crazy QB option sideline screen pass and knocking some dudes on their asses to spring LeRunningBacks off the edge. Another guy who might be less of a big play guy but could be a monster blocker = Rory Cavaille at 6-3, 210+.

You cannot hide from our weapons of Masoli destruction.

by JConant on Apr 29, 2009 12:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

No one has commented on Rickert's list of Ducks in next year's draft...

I agree with his list, as all five are seniors. But what about early entrants? Masoli? Holland? Maybe even Paysinger or Matthews?

What do you think?

Hi, I'm Paul Thompson, and I'm a quack-aholic.

by PaulSF on Apr 29, 2009 11:42 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

TJ Ward seems a bit iffy….Just is too terrible in coverage…

I think that some of the linemen could make an impact with a big year, as Harris did.

--AddictedToQuack, SBNation's Oregon Ducks blog

by jtlight on Apr 29, 2009 12:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Haven’t read the article yet. I’d have to say all of the juniors you listed are extreme long shots for early entry, at least based on their body of work so far. Any of the four could have breakout 2009 seasons (maybe not breakout per se for Masoli or Paysinger). Making an early entry off just one big year – questionable decision at best.

You cannot hide from our weapons of Masoli destruction.

by JConant on Apr 29, 2009 12:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I can’t see Matthews going out early. Doesn’t seem like their family does that sort of thing. Holland strikes me as someone who would as long as he has a decent year. I can’t see Masoli even being drafted. If JJ wasn’t drafted, why would Masoli?

by westspec on Apr 29, 2009 12:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs