Morning Quack Fix: Competition day recap, Nick Reed continues to impress, assessing the Duck defense
It's the home stretch everyone. 10 days til kickoff, and we must only endure one more weekend without college football. On to the quack! We have a lot of stories this morning so make sure to check out the ones after the jump.
- The defense won the last competition day of fall camp, by a final margin of 66-63. It was a very competitive practice, with each side matching the play of the other throughout the day. One of the bright spots was the receiver play, and all of the receivers (minus Rory Cavaille) were practicing, which is very encouraging. And in injury news in general, Bo Thran seems to be the only main player whose status for the opener is in doubt.
- One of the biggest stories of the fall camp is the play of the receivers. After having a good majority of the expected receiving corp unavailable during spring ball, D.J. Davis, Lavasier Tuinei, Diante Jackson, and Tyrece Gaines have been very impressive. After all the drop problems all receivers had last year, it's good to hear that this is a strength of this receiving corp, as well as blocking. I am really excited to see what this talented and deep group can do.
- In more competition day roundup, check out this recap by 'FishDuck' from DSA. For those of you that couldn't make it to the competition, this is a lengthy piece that has a ton of info. Some highlights: The receivers (especially Diante Jackson) were very impressive, Jackson Rice is going to be a stud, and if LaMichael James can learn how to handle punts, he will be amazing.
- On the schedule this week for the Duck football team, normal practice on Monday, scrimmage Tuesday, conditioning Wednesday, and the start of game prep on Friday. And with the end of camp, comes the secrecy, and not everyone agrees with the scrimmage on Tuesday being closed.
- In alumni news, Nick Reed has continued to dominate. In Seattle's preseason game, he had 1.5 sacks, deflected a punt, and forced a fumble. While a roster spot is not yet certain, this showing seems to make it very likely. Meanwhile, Dennis Dixon showed flashes of his upside on consercutive plays, with a 17 yard pass followed by a 17 yard run on a broken pass play.
- The buzz around the internet lately has been the state of the Oregon defense. Last week, John Canzano wrote a column that claimed that the fate of the defense rested in the Nick Aliotti and defense's hands, and Ken Goe responded with a defense of Aliotti and the Oregon defense. Then, AJ Jacobson of DSA wrote that the no-huddle offense has unfairly portrayed the Oregon defense. My take: The 2008 Oregon defense is incredibly hard to judge. They ended up with good yards per play averages, had poor poor 3rd down and red zone numbers (though oddly enough, good passing down numbers), and were a top 35 defense according to Close situation S&P+ (which is a widely used metric). Blaming TOP or ignoring it entirely won't accurately assess the defense, but I believe the truth, as usual, lies somewhere in the middle.
- However, as much as some will want to rag on Aliotti, what is really important is where the defense will fare this year, and both the Register Guard and the Oregonian had weekend article on the speed of the defense. The speed and versatility at all positions will allow the Ducks to do a lot, and a lot of emphasis will be placed on pressuring the QB, especially from the linebacker positions. This will be a very fun defense to watch, with players like Kenny Rowe, Eddie Pleasant, and TJ Ward, that have the ability to play all over the field and in a large number of circumstances. I expect to see a versatile defense that is flying all over the place.
Got an opinion on the defense? Leave it, as well as any other Duck links, in the comments!
0 recs |
16 comments
|
Comments
I'm just felling so positive!
Every morning I read the quack fix I’m looking for at least one negative note and I can’t find it. It seems that this team has the most potential for greatness than any in recent memory. Just 10 days baby! I can’t wait. lol
by thepackage333 on Aug 24, 2009 7:09 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I was thinking the same thing. It made me stop for a few and really think if we were ignoring signs. But while there are going to be problems for the team, this camp is just going almost as well as we can expect.
--AddictedToQuack, SBNation's Oregon Ducks blog
by jtlight on Aug 24, 2009 7:14 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
There were a few dropped passes during competition day, so this group is not entirely immune to 50/50-itis, though these guys do make a surprising number of tough catches. I’d say Jeremiah Masoli is off target from time to time, though mostly on deeper balls. He’s pretty lethal throwing those quick hitters that keep Oregon’s offense moving.
Field goal kicking might be an adventure all season. And there’s going to be a bad snap or two in most games. It all comes down to whether it results in a turnover (unlikely), and when in the game and where on the field the bad snaps occur. Losing Bo Thran for BSU hurts, but at least it wasn’t a couple days before the game. Other guys are getting needed preparation at Thran’s position.
Seriously, that’s the worst I can come up with. It’s almost like saying, “well, we’re human.”
There is A LOT more to feel positive about than negative.
Last time I checked, there is no "Hall of Average." - Oregon Football Coach Chip Kelly
by JConant on Aug 24, 2009 9:20 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, there are definitely issues, but it’s a far cry from last year, when the receiver and QB positions were quite unsettled.
--AddictedToQuack, SBNation's Oregon Ducks blog
by jtlight on Aug 24, 2009 9:35 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is it 9/3 yet?
I just want to get this started, beat Boise State and put the doubters to sleep (at least until the Utah game).
"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely
by skywaker9 on Aug 24, 2009 8:52 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Morning Duck Fans!!
Thanks for the links guys! Check out Episode 2 of the podcast:
Lord Beverage and Muchas G rap about regime change and the Duck’s new uniforms, all the while fanning the flames of anticipation for the season opener at Boise St.
by muchas g on Aug 24, 2009 9:00 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
NYT puts Oregon at #12
Here. AtQ is namedropped at the end.
by grimc on Aug 24, 2009 9:20 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Apparently this site is having an ESPN the Mag and Insider giveaway….
--AddictedToQuack, SBNation's Oregon Ducks blog
by jtlight on Aug 24, 2009 10:36 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Nice post jtlight
Anyone know if this site is legit? Is this like WOOT?
by SeattleDucks on Aug 24, 2009 10:41 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
According to the slickdeals.net forum commenters, it’s legit, and like Woot.
--AddictedToQuack, SBNation's Oregon Ducks blog
by jtlight on Aug 24, 2009 10:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks for the confirmation
Paid by $3 and its on its way (eventually)
by SeattleDucks on Aug 24, 2009 11:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
it’ll likely be a few weeks. But it’s worth it for the insider articles.
--AddictedToQuack, SBNation's Oregon Ducks blog
by jtlight on Aug 24, 2009 12:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
SI's top Pac 10 players
Sleeping under an avalanche with Cartman, wake me Sept 3.
by trumpetduck on Aug 24, 2009 12:53 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Haloti Ngata
just scored a touchdown… of a Mark Sanchez interception.
PADO
by Tortuga12 on Aug 24, 2009 5:12 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I was pleased with that…until he tried to flatten Kellen Clemens and forced him into a pick-6 as well. Ngata’s a beast. I hope he keeps it going all the way to the Hall Of Fame. The J-E-T-S have issues at QB.
Last time I checked, there is no "Hall of Average." - Oregon Football Coach Chip Kelly
by JConant on Aug 24, 2009 10:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The J-E-T-S have issues at QB
yep, it’s gonna be another long season for them
by echo31 on Aug 25, 2009 9:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs


















