Quack Fix: Ducks win the last two games to split against Hawaii
by ntrebon on Feb 22, 2011 7:01 AM PST
in Morning Quack Fix
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PrintLooks like President's Day had an adverse affect on the amount of quack available today. Hopefully, there will be more to share later today.
- After a tough start to the season that saw the Oregon bullpen blow late leads against Hawaii in both the first two games, the Ducks managed to split the four-game series by beating the Rainbows in the final two games, including a 4-3 victory last night. True freshman Aaron Jones hit his second home-run of his career to lead off the game and Kellen Moen protected the one-run lead by shutting down Hawaii over the last 1 1/3.
- In his weekly look around the conference, Bob Clark takes a look at six conference players who will have to decide whether to leave school early and enter the NBA draft. And, in his weekly ranking, Oregon comes in fifth with the note that they lead the Pac-10 in turnover margin. I have only seen Oregon play on TV a few times this season, but that his been one of the biggest surprises is how well they seem to protect the ball. Except for the last few minutes of the first half. I am definitely looking forward to Oregon hosting the Bay Area schools this week.
- Curtis Anderson has a story about how two former Pac-10 track standouts, Stanford's Russell Brown and Oregon's Andrew Wheating, are training together for Oregon Track Club Elite. It sounds like Wheating passed up an opportunity to work out with the Ducks this year as a volunteer, but opted instead to rejoin Brown who had befriended him while he was still a prep in Vermont.
- Ted Miller continues his top 25 from 2010 and Talmadge Jackson comes in at #20. Miller make his case for why Jackson comes in two spots ahead of Cliff.
- And, if you're jonesing for more football, the Pre-Snap Read has an early preview of Arizona State. Paul Myerberg takes a closer look at everyone's favorite argument for why ASU will be favorite in the Pac-12 South next year: their 19 returning starters.
As always, leave any other relevant links or comments below.
Go Ducks
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Jackson really surprised me with his play this year
He was always a very solid CB, but he really grew a lot this year, especially in pass coverage. He was rarely beat, played man and zone coverage, played physically, and was a great tackler.
Cliff Harris is an absolutely phenomenal cover corner. His instincts at the position are unmatched. But he’s only able to play his game because of the physicality in the rest of our secondary.
--AddictedToQuack, SBNation's Oregon Ducks blog
I still disagree with how low (imo)
Ted ranks Cliff.
I agree with where Jackson is though.
My thinking with Cliff is that, yes, if we were just ranking him based on his play at CB, I would agree with where he is ranked. My issue is that that fails to take into account what he did on special teams.
Cliff Harris wasn’t even the special teams player of the year on Oregon’s team, and wouldn’t have started that that position most of the year except for Barner’s injury. He was a great punt returner and very productive, but it was mostly due to exceptional blocking. You could have plugged in any number of Oregon players and they would have had similar results.
I mean, not to rag on Cliff, he’s a phenomenal player. But I think where Miller put him is pretty fair.
--AddictedToQuack, SBNation's Oregon Ducks blog
. You could have plugged in any number of Oregon players and they would have had similar results.
There’s a lot of assumptions built into that. I’m not taking anything away from the blocking and the rest of special teams, but CH13 was a special return man. Cliff had 4 punt returns for TD this season, the rest of the conference outside of Oregon had 4 TOTAL. Also, let’s not forget the Cal game and what a return that was.
He was a very good return man, but he wasn’t special. If he were special, he would have won the starting job right off the bat, and not had to give it back (mostly) by the end of the year.
I’ve enjoyed as much as anyone else touting Harris’ return numbers, but many of those were padded against poor teams. 3 of his TDs came against New Mexico and WSU, and he had a long return in the UW game. The Cal return was an example of reading your blocks excellently, but the real star of that return was Chad Peppars, who gave Cliff the edge by taking out two Bears at the perfect time.
Cliff has a great feel for the game and position, but he’s very dependent on decent blocking to generate a return. That’s not a bad thing, but it doesn’t separate him from the pack at all.
--AddictedToQuack, SBNation's Oregon Ducks blog
If he were special, he would have won the starting job right off the bat, and not had to give it back (mostly) by the end of the year.
Sure because special players ALWAYS win the starting job right off the bat… cough… LMJ… cough. Sure he’s not going to bowl people over and does need good blocking to be successful, but who doesn’t? Are you telling me anyone could have kept on their feet on that 2nd punt return for a TD against New Mexico? How about the TD that got called back against PSU because of that superior blocking.
A return man is always gong to be dependent on his blocking, just like a RB, to be successful. He also needs to be able to set guys up and see the holes and have the speed to out run guys. Few players have all those things, which is what makes Cliff special as a punt returner.
Special players don’t give back the starting position when the former starter comes back from injury. The very fact that his status as a starter is in doubt at this point in his career says a lot about the level of player that he is (which is very good, not elite).
If Kenjon plays the entire year, I don’t think we lose any production from the position. And that’s my general point. Cliff is a great punt returner. I’m very glad he’s on our team. But he’s not necessarily even the best punt returner on the team, and I’m not giving him (or really any other player) a lot of credit in the Pac-10 top 25 rankings for their special teams performance that should be expected from a top 25 player.
Maybe this is a general bias against punt returners, but I don’t think his contributions in that area merit a significant jump in the Pac-10 rankings. It’s a position that a number of players can do very well, and he should be judged at his main position.
--AddictedToQuack, SBNation's Oregon Ducks blog
You know, Kenjon's not a special punt returner
because Cliff took his position back away from him, even once he returned. I mean, who returned the last punt against Auburn? Kenjon couldn’t do anything, so they had to put Cliff back in there. You see how dumb this argument sounds?
Kenjon is an elite punt returner with a year experience on Cliff. Cliff is a special and elite punt returner also and will continue to split duty even though he had better return stats than Kenjon. Harris was named SI 1st team punt returner. TJ3 was named 1st team all Pac 10 corner. They are both special players.
They are both special players.
Yes, yes they are. They both are great kick returners, and are both very even in that competition. I don’t think either has the edge on the other, and they are pretty much interchangeable.
But despite their strength in punt returning, and Cliffs specifically, it doesn’t really change how I view him in the Pac-10 top 25. And even though Cliff was an All-American, I kinda view it as a cheap one. All-American as a return man just isn’t the same as an every down position.
--AddictedToQuack, SBNation's Oregon Ducks blog
They both are great kick returners
Cliff Harris is? I haven’t really thought of him as anything above average as a kick returner.
He was only five-foot-three but girls could not resist his stare... Chip Kelly never got called an asshole.
Stats say Huff is our best KO return man with Cliff 2nd and Kenjon 3rd based on average.
Cliff only had 7 to Kenjon’s 13 though.
What I love about this team.
We can have arguments like this now. And overlook things like muffed punts and reverses on punts that don’t work and fake reverses on punts that don’t work, etc.
Because I can remember a time when having someone who could just fucking fair catch the damn punt on a consistent basis was a luxury.
Not to mention all the years we didn’t get many punts because we couldn’t stop anybody.
And now, we’re arguing over “¿Quién es más fantástico?”
Oregon Ducks. Undefeated during regular season vs SEC since 1977.
¿Senor Lamas o Ricardo Montalban?
THAT'S RIGHT, Kenny Wheaton you did. You cut back into GREATNESS.
by HoodRiverDuck on Feb 22, 2011 1:57 PM PST up reply actions
KHAAAAAANNNNNNNN
"I don't mean to sound bitter, cold, or cruel, but I am, so that's how it comes out."-Bill Hicks
by Linoleum Knife on Feb 23, 2011 11:26 AM PST up reply actions
He got his TDs against the worst competition on the season, except Cal and on that one, he had some of the best blocking in special teams all year. The blocking on that was ridiculous.
Oh how I wish for Keeerrrttt1’s channel. :-(
But I actually don’t think Harris was the best returner. He didn’t maintain possession before looking for running lanes. I held my breathe before he caught a punt, because I was always worried he’d fumble yet another one.
Also, looking at TD’s for players in football is often like looking at W’s for pitchers in baseball.
Not to take away his accomplishments. Cliff is a talented return man.
Oh, and I’m apparently piling on now.
It's spelled "S-H-U-F-E-L-T-S-K-Y"
Yeah, and I’m sure none of those declined stats have anything to do with teams kicking it away from him later in the year when we were playing the better talent. Anyone care to mention the punt return against USC?
Assuming teams didn’t kick away from Kenjon Barner, and Barner received 100% of his punt return attempts statistically would mean any kicks that were not returned were kicked away from Harris.
The only late-season team that consistently punted away from Harris was Cal. UCLA punted to Harris every time.
Returned%_______Accumulative%
40%____________40%
00%____________18%
60%____________38%
00%____________33%
00%____________30%
80%____________38%
100%___________44%
60%____________46%
40%____________45%
25%____________42%
50%____________43%
50%____________43%
33%____________43%
It's spelled "S-H-U-F-E-L-T-S-K-Y"
It is what it is.
Unlike most postseason honors, which are often determined by using simple popular voting methods, the CFPA prides itself on the scientific merits of its selection system.
From Bradley C. Smith, CFPA executive director:
Cliff Harris,
I would like to take this opportunity to commend you for all your hard work as a student-athlete at Oregon and briefly explain the significance of your achievements as a punt returner for the Ducks.
The goal of the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) is to provide the most scientifically rigorous conferments in college football. CFPA recognizes weekly, annual, and multi-season (career) award recipients – selected based upon objective scientific rankings of the extent to which individual players increase the overall effectiveness of their teams.
After an extensive review of the existing data, literature, and evidence, it was determined that you finished the 2010 season with the strongest punt return performance – not only this year – but in the 4 most recent seasons of D-I FBS college football. As a result, your performance satisfies the strict criteria CFPA established for recognition.
On behalf of everyone at CFPA — Assistant Director Harold A. Smith, M.D., Academic Review Chair Paul Studtmann, Ph.D., Associate Director Kyle Mauk, M.D, and academic review associates, including former Science Advisor to President Obama, Lawrence Krauss, Ph.D., please accept our sincerest congratulations….
Cu2hard
I'll agree with you
when Cliff goes an entire season without jumping to field a punt.
"[Autzen Stadium's] steep concrete banks and closed ends turn a small but rabid crowd from WAC-sized cheering section into a horde of bees with megaphones capable of reaching 127 decibels of hatenoise." -Spencer Hall
by ProbablyMonty on Feb 22, 2011 9:12 AM PST up reply actions
We'll have to agree to disagree
I see that I’m in the minority on this one. I still think his cumulative contributions, even subtracting his negative plays, puts him ahead of TJ3 in the PAC 10.
Looking at stats:
Cliffy:
Offense:
7th in scoring
5th in all purpose yards
3rd in Kick return yards (2nd in average)
1st in punt return yards (averaging 5 yds more per return than Kenjon)
Defense:
6 int’s/1 TD
17 BU’s
23 PD’s
33 total tackles
TJ3:
Offense:
16th in all purpose yards
Defense:
2 int’s/0 TD
6 BU’s
8 PD’s
70 total tackles
Could it be that QBs, after watching film, were not throwing in TJIII’s direction because he was better at covering his man?
DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES PLAY WATER POLO FOUR DAYS AFTER YOUR SCROTUM WAS OPERATED ON - Gorbachav5
Sure its possible
I do think that TJ3 was the better cornerback last season.
What I’m arguing is that Cliff’s total contribution makes him worthy of a higher ranking as a better player (not CB) than TJ3.
How many times did Talmadge Jackson turn the ball over?
--AddictedToQuack, SBNation's Oregon Ducks blog
I've been looking
for the negative stats and can’t find them listed.
So yeah how many PI’s did each have? How many fumbles lost? How many times did they get beat?
We can argue this all day (plants don’t feel pain/fear), I just think that the combined contribution by Cliff outweighs TJ3 in where they should be ranked as players in the PAC. I see where you are coming from and just respectfully disagree.
I actually don't have a problem with where TJ3 is ranked and where Cliff is ranked
I think Cliff is really good at a couple things, and TJ3 is a much more well rounded corner. CH13 will get there as he matures and get stronger and better, but I agree with Jared, an every down back should be placed a little higher on the list at this point.
I do wish that they kept track of PI’s, etc. It’d be nice to have that information. I think it would have been pretty fun to look at also, considering how great the secondary was this year.
--AddictedToQuack, SBNation's Oregon Ducks blog
Am I going nuts?
I swear I just read Tako Tuesday, but now it’s gone.
"What the hell was that?"
"Spaceball One, they've gone to plaid!"
There are some front page issues going on right now…
--AddictedToQuack, SBNation's Oregon Ducks blog
Ted Miller has a piece on coaching continuity in the Pac-10. Oregon and UW are the only teams to have no coaching changes at all.
This seems to be something that is greatly understated in importance, especially going into the game against LSU. Having total continuity through the spring, and not having any adjustment time will be a huge benefit for the Ducks.
--AddictedToQuack, SBNation's Oregon Ducks blog
Hate to say this
but I think UW made a good call getting Sark.
I’m not looking forward to a time when it is no longer a Husky-Free Northwest, but at the same time, it’s good to have more than one decent team up here. I’d just rather it was Wazzu than UW.
Oregon Ducks. Undefeated during regular season vs SEC since 1977.
Sacrilege, avert thine eyes, do not read this comment or you will dieeeeee!!!
Take a doo doo pie. I love you.
by Bill Musgrave on Feb 22, 2011 9:17 PM PST up reply actions
Ladies and gentlemen, we have the first "We Lost" post-national title game shirt
University of Oregon, Class of 2015
why would anyone buy this?
DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES PLAY WATER POLO FOUR DAYS AFTER YOUR SCROTUM WAS OPERATED ON - Gorbachav5
I was wondering the same thing
--Dave
Addicted to Quack, your friendly, neighborhood Oregon Ducks blog
by David Piper on Feb 22, 2011 11:18 PM PST up reply actions
I actually really like the shirt
I have the same thing as my desktop at home…I guess it gives me comfort knowing that my little duckies are still very relevant (and cutting edge).
"It's not about style. It's about winning the game. That's it." - Chip Kelly
by Duckfanatic10 on Feb 23, 2011 10:05 AM PST up reply actions
I'm torn between
accepting the loss but arguing that we’re a legitimate power (shirt above)
OR
plugging my ears and singing LALALALALALALALALALALA while wearing the 12-O shirt.
I think a happy medium is the “National Forecast: Oregon reign” shirt. Clever, but not too cocky.
Dear Pit Crew,
If my ears aren't ringing, YOU'RE DOING IT WRONG.
by Brass-billed on Feb 23, 2011 6:31 PM PST up reply actions
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