Morning Quack Fix: 4.3.09

by jtlight on Apr 3, 2009 7:23 AM PDT in Morning Quack Fix

Good morning quack addicts! Let's get straight to the friday fix:

Oregon baseball kicks off another weekend series, this time a Pac-10 matchup against Stanford. The Oregonian has a very good piece on the team, and how they were originally going to play non-conference games only for the first season back, but George Horton would have none of it. And the difficulty of the schedule the first year back is a huge challenge. While the team hasn't been truly bad, they have lost 8 out of their last 11 games, and have scored 1 or fewer runs in 7 of those games. If this team can make it through this season without negative psychological repercussions, then they will come through stronger. For now, I hope to see the fundamental play continue, and to win at least one game in this series.
The baseball team definitely does some things well, including pitching and defense, and that's due in large part to pitching coach Andrew Checketts. RG writer Adam Jude has a piece on him.
Jason Vondersmith of the Portland Tribune has a piece on LaMichael James, who is practicing with the team, but wearing a red jersey during the spring, after having offseason shoulder surgery. While James' size draws comparisons to Jacquizz Rodgers, James doesn't have the bulk or strength of Jacquizz. However, he has speed and shiftiness. He can catch the ball, and loves how the spread offenses isolates him on a defender. He says, “If I can’t beat one person, I don’t deserve to play." At this point, James is in competition with Alston and Crenshaw, though I expect him to end up the strong number two for most of next season.
Moseley also adds a piece on new defensive line coach Jerry Azzinaro. While the intensity of practice on day 2 seemed a bit waning from day 1, Azzinaro didn't let up. One of the things that Azzinaro is stressing is constant pursuit of the ball, and mirroring the energy of the Oregon offense in his defensive line. On top of that, he's really getting down to fundamentals and technique, teaching the inexperienced players how to get the most out of their body type. He's done a lot of work with Brandon Bair, who has been moved to tackle, and does not have prototypical size for that position. This piece definitely got me excited, because it seems like this hire was a real home run. Azzinaro is a great football mind, knows just about everything there is to know about his position, and has constant energy. What else could you ask for?

As always, leave any more comments or links below. GO DUCKS!

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With respect to the D-line.

Reading that article reminded me of how the NY Giants use their D lines. They were the first to take ends and move them inside for passing downs. Betting on the hopes that a quick D-end can out manuver a slower bigger guard/center. Seems to have worked pretty well a few years ago w/a Super Bowl win. Now I am not saying that this situation and the one in NY are exactly the same but maybe Bair can take some of that athletism and use it to his advantage. Plus its not like the Pac 10 is the Big 10 were all the offenses do is 3 yards and a cloud of dust. The Pac 10 offenses are more spacial and place guys in one-on-one situations. I think a faster more athletic D line will be to an advantage for the Ducks rather than having 2 big lumbering nose tackles who can’t run after 5 yards.

To go out and ruin somebody's dreams like that, it feels real good," Oregon receiver Jaison Williams.

by DuckinNC on Apr 3, 2009 8:59 AM PDT reply actions

Vondersmith linky brokey

http://www.portlandtribune.com/sports/story.php?story_id=123862186186129200

by grimc on Apr 3, 2009 9:19 AM PDT reply actions

fixed..

thanks for the heads up.

--AddictedToQuack, SBNation's Oregon Ducks blog

by jtlight on Apr 3, 2009 9:32 AM PDT up reply actions

More from the "Our D-Line coach is awesome" department...

from Moseley’s twitter:

“Jerry Azzinaro was just so happy with a play by Blake Ferras, the assistant coach dove into/over the pile before the play was dead to slap Ferras on the helmet”

--AddictedToQuack, SBNation's Oregon Ducks blog

by jtlight on Apr 3, 2009 10:20 AM PDT reply actions

i like it.

by ntrebon on Apr 3, 2009 10:21 AM PDT up reply actions

A few more links

First, Ducks Attack has some info up about 2010 football recruit Brennan Clay. The junior RB out of San Diego calls Oregon his “dream school” and last year racked up over 1,400 yards rushing and 1,000 yards receiving. My thoughts: Yes, please.

In the R-G, Bellamy posts some basketball links. He also includes his thoughts about whether or not Ernie will face a “make the tournament or else” edict and the potential for thing to get ugly with the coaching staff if the Ducks get off to a slow start next season. He offers a counter-argument for those who simply see Dunlap as the unofficial “coach-in-waiting”.

by ntrebon on Apr 3, 2009 10:21 AM PDT reply actions

Looks like we also offered a kid from Portland (Jesuit)

Who will play receiver in college.

--AddictedToQuack, SBNation's Oregon Ducks blog

by jtlight on Apr 3, 2009 11:18 AM PDT up reply actions

Who would have thought

That quote by LMJ at the end of the article is great. Over, through and around and like all of those way to get bay a defender. I just would just assume that it would not be our QB who is know for going through guys. Thank you Masoli, for being awesome.

Ducks Go!
Already miss you MB

by trumpetduck on Apr 3, 2009 11:15 AM PDT reply actions

wow, hangover + typing = bad news

Ducks Go!
Already miss you MB

by trumpetduck on Apr 3, 2009 11:16 AM PDT up reply actions

"Pac-10 mathup against Stanford"

I’m thinking we might get swept in a 3-game math contest with Stanford. The Cardinal being a bunch a high SAT guys and all. In baseball, on the other hand, I like our chances at getting a game.

You cannot hide from our weapons of Masoli destruction.

by JConant on Apr 3, 2009 11:40 AM PDT reply actions