Morning Quack Fix: 5.6.09
by PaulSF on May 6, 2009 7:00 AM PDT
in Morning Quack Fix
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"The Cuervo Gold. The fine Colombian. Make tonight a wonderful thing."
Feliz Seis de Mayo! Hopefully last night wasn't too wonderful. But if it was, your morning fix should help you through the day:
- The Buffalo News has a nice piece on Jairus Byrd. Bills DC Perry Fewell coached with Byrd's dad, Gil, in St. Louis a few years ago, so apparently Fewell has had his eye on Byrd for some time.
- The Oregonian's John Hunt thinks Oregon fans' expectations are a little unrealistically high heading into 2009, and gives one reason: The Ducks' lack of experience up front. I can't say I disagree with him, but I also can't say I consider myself an optimist either.
- The Oregonian's Bob Rickert offers his post-spring game thoughts and observations. He seems especially pleased with Chip Kelly and some remarks he made recently.
- And finally, your daily motivational video. I'm sure many of you have already seen this, but it took me until last night to stumble onto this video over at OregonGridiron.com. The site, hosted by GoDucks.com, is also where you'll find the Oregon Coaching Staff Blog, which we've cited a number of times. If you haven't seen the video yet, it's definitely worth every minute.
As always, post any links you find out there in the comments
GO DUCKS!
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Oregon signs JC point guard
It appears that Oregon has signed JC PG Malcolm Armstead from Chipola (Fla.) Junior College. Rivals also lists him as having signed a LOI.
Some stats
Armstead ranked 8th in Region 8 in assists at just under 5 a game. Also, ranked 1st in 3 point percentage at 51.9%. Stats were found: here [njcaa.org].
While the O-line is a concern...
The article linked to Hunt, which relied on a WSJ article, is incredibly flawed. It looked ONLY at line experience and no other factors. Line experience is important, but so are a lot of other factors.
--AddictedToQuack, SBNation's Oregon Ducks blog
I think the point is, without a good O-Line, everywhere else on Oregon's offense struggles
As is true with nearly every football team.
I support Takimoto in his effort to support Roger Kieschnick in his quest to becoming the best Kieschnick ever to play professional baseball.
by The VD Special on May 6, 2009 10:24 AM PDT up reply actions
Hey jtlight, do you have any Spring Game comments?
Did you get to watch the Spring Game yet? If so, what did you think?
I watched the first half of the spring game. Haven’t gotten around to watching the 2nd. I’ll be doing an overall spring recap soonish.
--AddictedToQuack, SBNation's Oregon Ducks blog
Wow. What a load of crap.
I’m not even going to read the article past the graph.
I’ll simply ask: How many of us believe Notre Dame, Florida State and Michigan (lots of starts) will all be overachievers in 2009? How many of us believe Oklahoma, Penn State and Alabama (like Oregon, limited starts) will be underachievers? I’d like to know this – how strong an indicator is the fact that Notre Dame’s and Michigan’s starters sucked last year in determining whether they will, in fact, suck again this year? Best guess = fairly strong.
I like Hunt. I think he is inaccurately characterizing the expectations of most knowledgeable Oregon fans. Correct me if I’m wrong but I think most feel 2009 is an opportunity for great things because we have a solid returning QB, solid skill players and an improving defense, we have a home schedule which flips in our favor, the majority of our opponents have new starters at QB, and if by some stroke of luck we do run the table or go 11-1, our SOS is solid given three quality non-conference opponents – which could factor in a the BCS formula.
I also think we fans largely acknowledge that in order to achieve a truly remarkable season, many things will have to fall in place. Some new guys will have to step up. One being on the line. Asper played in seven games last season, got a Holiday Bowl start and largely kicked ass. Holmes played in every game last year, had four starts in ‘08, and also played in eight games in ’07, including 29 plays against Michigan. Another area where the boys will have to step up is the kicking game, which could easily make or break two or three games. The Ducks will have to get lucky with injuries, and maybe weather, and maybe the ball will have to bound Oregon’s way a couple times during the season.
How inflated does all of that sound? We have some serious talent all over the field, and a lot of factors fall in our favor. And if the pieces fall in place it could be a special season. What’s inflated about that? Maybe Hunt needs to stop taking the “pulse” of Oregon by reading the ridiculous posts we see on OregonLive or ESPN.
Want a decent gauge of expectations? Look at the Vegas odds. Oregon’s opening odds for winning the 2010 BCS was 20/1. It’s now 40/1. Even at 40/1, those are second best odds in the Pac-10, only behind USC at 6/1. Yes, there are questions that will have to be answered. I’ve yet to speak to a single Oregon fan who doesn’t acknowledge that.
I'm really tired of it not being football season.
by JConant on May 6, 2009 10:43 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I won't say I disagree with you, JC...
…actually, that’s exactly what I’ll say. JC, I disagree with you. ;-)
Granted, I agree that Hunt’s conclusion is a non-sequitur. The WSJ article doesn’t really apply. Obviously every case is different.
But I have to admit he has a point. For argument’s sake, let’s compare this year’s Oregon squad with last year’s Arizona State squad. Similarly, the Sun Devils had very little returning help at the skill positions and offensive line, but returned star QB Carpenter. Expectations were high. What did they do? They finished in the bottom half of the Pac-10 and became widely known as one of the bigger disappointments of the season. Many cited inexperience on their O-line as a major contributor.
Oregon enters this season in a similar boat, with a brand new coach to boot. I’ll admit, again, that I tend to be a pessimist because it helps me control my expectations, but I think Hunt’s on to something. Beware of high expectations. They have NEVER served the Oregon faithful well.
Also worth noting: The Sun Devils most certainly entered the ’08 season with similar Vegas odds.
Hi, I'm Paul Thompson, and I'm a quack-aholic.
I don’t think we disagree. Your take on checking our optimism is exactly what I’ve heard from my Duck fan family and friends (both passionate and casual), people I’ve met at the scrimmage and Spring Game, and from many posters here…we think something special COULD happen.
My beef with Hunt is that statement that Duck fans expectations are inflated. I disagree. I think most Duck fans’ expectations – yours and mine included – are right on target.
ASU is a good example, Paul. My recollection is statements of their forthcoming greatness usually came with the footnote ("…if their line can protect Rudy Carpenter"). They couldn’t. Same thing could happen to Oregon. I think Duck fans largely get that, thus my disagreement with Hunt.
I’m not questioning the question mark, just Hunt’s insinuation that we Duck fans don’t get there’s a big question mark hanging over the program. We’re smarter than that and he’s better than that.
I'm really tired of it not being football season.
Many cited inexperience on their O-line as a major contributor.
No, many cited the fact that they didn’t have any O-line talent as the major contributor for their downfall. Being inexperienced was just the icing on the cake. And that’s why the ASU comparison is bad. There was no reason to think that the O-line would be able to protect Carpenter, or even develop that ability. That line had very little going for it.
Oregon, while inexperienced, is going to be putting out the most highly touted (by the Phil Steele definition) line that we’ve seen at the school. It won’t have experience, but there will be no lack of ability.
I’m not gonna say that line experience isn’t important. It is. But it’s also one of many other factors that lead to winning teams. Looking at O-line experience alone is a very bad way to set up expectations.
--AddictedToQuack, SBNation's Oregon Ducks blog
It isn’t like our O-line hasn’t ever played before either. Almost all of them have meaningful playing time in their careers at Oregon. We aren’t talking about the 2008-09 Men’s Basketball Team where most of the starters hadn’t ever played together before.
--Dominic, Addicted to Quack
Autzen Stadium is where great teams go to die." - J. Brady McCullough, The Michigan Daily.
a Eugene resident, McKay Sohlberg, is trying to get the giant O on the south side of the stadium removed. That O was originally put up for gameday a few years ago but never removed. It cost $18K to put up. This fight has been going on for about a year and she lost the first round…she’s appealing the case. RG has the story
http://www.registerguard.com/csp/cms/sites/web/news/cityregion/12992483-41/story.csp
--Dominic, Addicted to Quack
Autzen Stadium is where great teams go to die." - J. Brady McCullough, The Michigan Daily.
Duck fans get your check books ready`
Cause when the sign does come down, its going to be For Sale
I support Takimoto in his effort to support Roger Kieschnick in his quest to becoming the best Kieschnick ever to play professional baseball.
by The VD Special on May 6, 2009 10:22 AM PDT up reply actions
I’d buy it. I’d put a stand on my roof so that you could see it from the fairmont neighborhood.
In all seriousness, it was struck down once. The worst that will happen is that the UO will pay for the permit to have it and the situation will be over.
--Dominic, Addicted to Quack
Autzen Stadium is where great teams go to die." - J. Brady McCullough, The Michigan Daily.
You live by Fairmounttown?
Ditto.
Addicted To Quack [dot] com; Dear Joevan, Develop motor skills. Love, ATQ.
nah I don’t. I’m actually over by Autzen
--Dominic, Addicted to Quack
Autzen Stadium is where great teams go to die." - J. Brady McCullough, The Michigan Daily.
I love that there is a bigger sign that nobody as said anything about. But the sign facing the hills and rich people, take it down now! I hope they keep it. I was looking through some of my pictures the other day and I have some of Autzen pre signage, boring. Its great and if you think the sign is an eye sore isn’t the giant stadium worse, and thats not going any where.
Ducks Go!
RIP CITY!
I wish I was rich and....
had nothing better to do with my life then complain that a university did not obtain a permit to put up a big “O” on its football stadium. That must be so difficult. "My wallet’s too small for my fifties
I wish I lived somewhere in Eugene that I could see the sign everyday!
It would bring a warm feeling to my tummy. I use to live in the apts by Autzen and I loved driving by the sign on my way home, but it made me miss football in the offseason.
OHHHHH Brandon! Do it, do it, do it til your satisfied!!!!!! - Wheels
"We ran the football. We could run it all day long, and again that's what we do." -Mike Bellotti, 65 - 38
Autzen looks empty and naked without it.
I say McKay Sohlberg can have her way, but she needs to buy the post that will hold up the sign in her back yard.
It’s spelled "S-H-U-M-W-O-W"
don't give her that option
She would miss the money for 5 min. Then the sign would accidently burn down a few days later and she would get insurance on her giant piece of lawn art. Its a Win Win Win for her.
Sleeping under a avalanche with Cartman, wake me Sept 3.
And on that note, McKay Sohlberg is a good friend of mine's mother.
Addicted To Quack [dot] com; Dear Joevan, Develop motor skills. Love, ATQ.
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