Morning Quack Fix: Purdue reax and looking forward to Utah
by jtlight on Sep 14, 2009 8:13 AM PDT
in Morning Quack Fix
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PrintAnother Monday. And luckily, this week the Ducks have a notch in the victory column. It wasn't pretty, but as I said before, I think we saw improvement as the game progressed. There were bright spots on both the offense and the defense. However, the reaction around the web was mixed. Here's your daily quack:
- George Schroeder did not see the good signs in the game, and his column from Sunday focused more on the negative. I think it's a stretch to say "we didn’t see much progress," but there was definitely a lack of consistency on both sides of the ball.
- Ken Woody filed his usual game recap. One thing that is concerning is the woeful 3rd down conversion rate the Oregon offense has had. The Ducks are sitting at last in the Pac-10 with a pathetic 22.73% conversion rate. That must improve, along with the consistency of the offense in general. What is most concerning, however, is Woody's comment that, "with the amount of mistakes the Ducks are making, along with the lack of a physical presence in the trenches on both sides of the ball, the Ducks will have a difficult time winning more than five games this year."
- Chip Kelly was pleased with the win, but no overjoyed. There are improvements to be made, no doubt, but getting a win through hard work will hopefully pay dividends as the season progresses.
- Duck Sports News has a number of video interviews with the Oregon players and coaches.
- Looking ahead to Utah, SBNation blog BlockU gets an early look at the game. They predict an Oregon win, which shows more of a lack of confidence in their own team that it shows confidence in Oregon. Both teams have underperformed this season (with Utah looking rather unimpressive against Utah State and San Jose State), so who knows what we'll see this weekend.
- Luckily, the team and coaching staff knows things won't be getting any easier. Utah poses an extreme test, and with the way this team is playing, there will be no overlooking any team (ok, maybe Washington State). Also, there were no injuries of note in the Purdue game, which is always good news.
Got any thoughts on the improvements the Ducks will have to make to win this weekend? Leave 'em below. GO DUCKS!
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Yo Jared, this is Nick from Witt’s. You’re putting the blogging world to shame here, I love it!
Can’t believe the Ducks are both 1) favored in the point spread over Utah, and yet 2) not ranked. I suppose, though, this reflects not that the Ducks are underestimated at this point, but that Utah most certainly is, at least judging by their lackluster performances over the past two weeks…
"Pain is a problem of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it don't matter." -- Brett Favre
You guys really should beat Utah at home this week. Definitely not the same crew as last year and as mentioned, not very impressive against very unimpressive teams so far.
I was surprised that the ducks fell out of the top 25 so fast but not surprised that they’re not ranked right now. Since Boise they haven’t done anything to climb back into the rankings. The Purdue game was definitely a win but wasn’t enough to get back. Purdue is apparently supposed to be a Big 10 gutter team (even though I thought they looked pretty solid in the few moments I saw).
This particular Beaver thinks both Oregon teams will be ranked at the end of this football season.
try a Diff QB for a drive or 2..
couldn’t really hurt.
"Awesome! Totally awesome! All right, Hamilton!"
If Masoli continues to progress...
there is no reason to try a diff qb. We need our oline to play like they did in the second half and our receivers to catch balls that are placed perfectly in the numbers.
It could hurt, actually.
Addicted To Quack [dot] com; Six-hundred and ninety-four yards of total offense.
Acces Denied for me..
damn Gov comp… what the article say lol.
"Awesome! Totally awesome! All right, Hamilton!"
It’s a video of Roger Federer hitting an astounding shot in the US Open.
--AddictedToQuack, SBNation's Oregon Ducks blog
he’s unreal. i usually try not to root for the overwhelming favorite, but he’s so good it’s hard not to.
It's spelled "T-A-K-O-T-U-E-S-D-A-Y-S-!-!-!."
I support inroywetrust in his support of The VD Special in his support of me supporting Roger Kieschnick in his quest to becoming the best Kieschnick ever to play professional baseball.
A tweener on a critical point?
He’s got balls like an elephant to even try that much less succeed with it.
Addicted To Quack [dot] com; Six-hundred and ninety-four yards of total offense.
Nick from Off the Pond has a really good article on the youth in the entire Oregon team this year.
--AddictedToQuack, SBNation's Oregon Ducks blog
Masoli and accuracy
Watching the coaches show last night I noticed one difference in the quick passes by Masoli and by Purdue’s Joey Elliot in Saturday’s game. Elliot’s accuracy was better.
No question, Jeremiah managed the offense better than a week ago. However, his quick passes to Maehl or Holland were often just enough off target to keep the receiver from making a quick, effective move on the defender in open space. A little too high or low, or too far to the outside shoulder. These quick passes clearly are a means of putting the receiver one-on-one with a defender. A couple times Maehl or Holland got free for a big gain. That can happen more often if Jeremiah can improve his accuracy just a little.
Keep in mind, I’m saying “just a little”. I’m not calling for Nate Costa, who to me looks more accurate in practices. Jeremiah threw some very nice balls Saturday, including the pass that Holland dropped. Remember that Chip Kelly during preseason claimed he thought Jeremiah could complete 70 percent this season. Through two games, he’s dead last for Pac-10 starting QBs for passing efficiency, completing 52 percent with no TD passes. The offense moved better this week, but in reality, Jeremiah’s completion percentage was no better than against Boise State. Clearly, he AND his receivers have a lot of work to do.
Last time I checked, there is no "Hall of Average." - Oregon Football Coach Chip Kelly
There were multiple drops that would have improved his percentage quite a bit.
--AddictedToQuack, SBNation's Oregon Ducks blog
I’m not calling for Nate Costa, who to me looks more accurate in practices.
Thank you for your choice of words here. I am getting tired of people claiming that Nate Costa is a better QB even though we have not seen him play in a game in years and therefore have no way of knowing for sure if that is true. He looks accurate in practice, that is true, but it has yet to be proven that he is a better QB.
To my untrained eyes, Costa throws the best ball of all Oregon QBs. But to suggest that he’d be a better option than Masoli, no way. Jeremiah made lots of big plays with his feet. Costa isn’t going to be able to match that. Masoli’s versatility is what makes Oregon’s offense lethal, when it’s clicking. If JM throws a few more balls on target and his receivers drop fewer balls, the Ducks are back to scoring 42 a game with or without scores by the D, at least against most defenses.
Last time I checked, there is no "Hall of Average." - Oregon Football Coach Chip Kelly
Yes AND, I watched practice today and that Costa feller,
he really did throw some sweet balls. And he is quick on his feet too, may not escape to run big but he gets away. I am interested to see what happens when he does get into a game. I hope his first venture isn’t becuz he HAS to, I hope it’s becuz they choose to give him a shot. I also hope that they’ve talked with JM about it in advance.
In college football news, the praise of Michigan and criticism of tOSU is very fun. The new story stream function of SBNation.com is covering it well.
--AddictedToQuack, SBNation's Oregon Ducks blog
Nice post by Heisman Pundit....
…on the strength of the Pac-10.
--AddictedToQuack, SBNation's Oregon Ducks blog
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