Addicted To Quack: All Posts by Dominic Vieira

Three things I learned about Oregon Ducks Athletics this week

2013-05-20T01:00:06Z

That Oregon is still the "Little Brother" in baseball.

The Oregon Ducks baseball team is good, really good. Unfortunately, Oregon State is an elite team playing elite baseball going into the postseason. On retrospect, the Ducks' win on Friday looks more like the bully letting the little kid take the first shot, only to then move onto the expected swirlies. Anything can happen in the playoffs but this was a stark reminder how far ahead Oregon State's baseball program is nationally.

As a Ducks' fan, it's great to be in the conversation of potential national title contenders but that conversation was shortened quite a bit this weekend.

The Autzen Stadium North Side Renovation project includes a new fan tradition.

I love the new pathways, trees, and general landscaping installation going on at the north side of Autzen Stadium. I'm not a fan of the apparent new student tradition of pounding in 6-foot stakes to commemorate the game, win or loss. I don't want to come out and see other teams' colors present at Autzen Stadium.

Sure, we're winning a lot at home now but do you really want to walk by the north side and see a memorial to a giant home losing streak with colors from all over the Pac-12 and beyond? I'll do without this "tradition", thank you very much. It's bad enough actually losing at home. I don't need a special reminder of previous losses as I'm leaving to go drink my postgame depression drink.

The Pac-12 Network finds more value in showing reruns of Women's Basketball rather than live Softball postseason games.

I'm a fan of the Pac-12 Network. I think they've been a great option for showcasing sports for schools in the Pac-12, especially in the fall and winter. As we've moved into the Spring, live events have become a lot more scarce. Very little track, almost no softball, some baseball but mostly replays.

I understand that Spring and Summer sports don't do as well as the Fall and Winter sports, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed. The Pac-12 is elite in many of the Spring sports and we can't get these on the so-called Pac-12 Network? This is a travesty.

Quack Fix: Civil War Baseball, Softball Defeats BYU, and Men's Basketball Championship Odds

2013-05-17T15:05:42Z

Oregon Baseball opens up a 4-game stretch against the Oregon State Beavers, 3 conference games at PK Park and a non-conference matchup in Corvallis. Both teams are in the running for a national seed in the post-season and a series win for both teams would do a lot to strengthen their respective cases. If it wasn't for women's basketball, we could be looking at a yearly sweep of the Beavs in all sports this year. How awesome is that?
Speaking of Baseball, there is a special seat at PK Park honoring MIA/POW soldiers. This was a joint effort between the University of Oregon and the Eugene Emeralds. Here's a close-up view. Honoring and remembering those soldiers is very near and dear to my family's heart. While I know this may be controversial to some, this act means the world to me and especially my wife who served. Thank you UO and Eugene Emeralds from this humble blogger.
Softball notched a first-round victory over BYU last night night, 5-2, after an hour rain delay. Alexa Peterson hit a three-run homerun in the first inning and phenom Jessica Moore had 12 strikeouts in the Ducks win. Next up for Oregon, the Ducks take on North Carolina at 11am PST with the winner advancing to the championship round on Saturday.
SI talks men's basketball with some odds on a variety of teams to win the National Championship in 2013-14. Oregon is listed at 125-1 to win it all. I like the addition of Mike Moser and it will be interesting to see what Jordan Bell can do as a Freshman but the real key to the team will be how much Dominic Artis and Damyean Dotson improve over the summer. Oregon is not going to sneak up on anyone after the year they had last year.

And finally, it would make sense to do some sort of Star Trek-themed video for this week given the new movie is out but I've decided to reach back into my childhood to expose another franchise that could use a reboot. If only "Ted" hadn't taken the idea first.

Miracle Wolf Fundraiser: Mel Renfro Autographed Jersey, 2010 Autographed Football, and more

2013-05-10T17:14:00Z

Thank you to all who have been so generous with the giving of their time and money to help our annual event.

Normally I would do the Friday Quack Fix, highlighting the goings on around the University of Oregon Athletic program and add in a few fun links.

Today, I get to do something infinitely better.

ATQ Community Member, and resident Oregon Duck Historian, Benzduck, has graciously donated some items from his personal collection to help raise money for this great cause. These items will go up for auction today at 10am (post will updated with links).

It never ceases to amaze me how much the Addicted to Quack community, friends, family, and all those around the world will come together for such an important and meaningful cause. We can make a difference in each other's lives by the acts of kindness that we do every day.

Bid on some amazing Oregon Ducks gear. Donate. Help pick someone up. Volunteer. Make a difference in someone's life. Winning the day isn't just about sports, it's about how you choose to live your life.

Now's your opportunity. Let's make it happen!

More information on how to donate and to see the other auctions can be located here.

Quack Fix: Softball wants to make a run, Torrodney Prevot, and Kenjon Barner on Madden NFL 25

2013-05-03T14:00:11Z

The Oregon Softball team is headed into their final stretch of games and a conference title is in sight. After making the College World Series last year, this team is looking to taking the next step and winning a conference championship in the toughest conference in the nation would be a great way to kick off that journey.
Fishduck has a look at Oregon Football commit, Torrodney Prevot.
Kenjon Barner talks "Madden NFL 25". And to no surprise, he used to change out all the names and statistics about the players in NCAA Football so that they would be more accurate.

Sometimes, I find myself looking at a video game trying to imagine what life would be like if we were all in that game. I suppose football players get to experience this all the time and I guess there is always "The Sims", but I want something more... something more abstract. I imagine that this would be how my life would be if I was playing Fruit Ninja.

Poll: Did Jeff Lockie or Jake Rodrigues do enough to take the backup quarterback spot?

2013-04-28T15:00:05Z

Both Lockie and Rodrigues were very good in spots, showing touch, power and agility to get out of the pocket. They also made some poor decisions, showcasing inexperience one would come to expect from young players. Knowing that the Spring Game was the first time most fans have seen this competition up close, what were your impressions? Did either come away as the solid number 2 quarterback behind Marcus Mariota?

Poll

Who is the #2 quarterback behind Marcus Mariota?

Jake Rodrigues

259 votes

Jeff Lockie

39 votes

Undecided

158 votes

456 votes | Poll has closed

Quack Fix: Dion Jordan and Kyle Long in the NFL Draft, Okoboji "borrowed" the Oregon Logo, Penn Relays

2013-04-26T14:00:08Z

The last one has to do with Chip Kelly and how big a splash he would make with his first pick as an NFL head coach. Not an obvious one to the nation, but definitely an expected one from Oregon fans familiar with his work. I admit, hearing the Philadelphia Eagles' draft pick get announced felt a lot like running into your super hot ex-girlfriend at a nice restaurant whose making kissy face to a millionaire Hollywood actor. All the while, you wonder if anyone would notice if you took the cloth napkins.

Not... quite... over it.

The Penn Relays have kicked off and the seventh-ranked Oregon women's track and field team took a couple preliminary races. The 4x400 meter relay team won its heat in 3:35:37 to move on to Saturday's Final. The Ducks also won their section of the 4x100 meter relay in 44.34 to move onto the final today.
Today is the deadline for season ticket holders to renew their seats. Here's the link to the information if you need to renew.
The University of Oregon has sent a letter to Okoboji school district in Iowa after it was discovered that the Pioneers were using the Oregon "O" and font in their uniforms and scoreboards. At least the U of O will work with the school districts to phase out these issues overtime rather than being ruthless and hardcore about it.

And finally, while Dion Jordan is off to the NFL to start the next phase of his life post-college, we'll always have this to remember him by in this week's Friday Video. We'll miss you, big man. Thanks for all the memories in the green and yellow (and often times carbon and black).

Quack Fix: Stanford is a Measuring Stick, Tony Washington, and Mike Moser

2013-04-19T14:00:05Z

As if losing to Stanford last year wasn't bad enough, apparently the Cardinal are the new measuring stick by which Pac-12 success should be measured. The article provides an interesting analysis of the fall of conference powerhouses starting with Washington, USC and (presumably) Oregon after periods of great success. I think it's dangerous to anoint any program as the "measuring stick" because you will ultimately end up disappointed.
While Dion Jordon is off to the NFL Draft, Tony Washington has the opportunity to step up into Dion's role on the defense. While he isn't as fast or tall as Jordon, I think Washington will be an interesting story on the end. Let's face it though. It's really hard to replace a potential number 2 NFL Draft pick no matter how you slice it.
Women's golf picked up an absolutely huge commitment from international star Marcella Pranovia who currently attends Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California.
Friend of the blog, Adam Jude, has the current status on the potential transfer of Mike Moser from UNLV. He was originally thought to be a virtual lock to Washington but Oregon made a push along with Arizona. Matt Prehm from Duck Territory mentioned on Twitter last night that he'd been told Arizona was out of the running. Does Oregon have a shot at landing Moser? If so, what does that do to the repeated concerns over Altman's recruiting strategy?
Washington's defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox is looking for "consistency" from his defense in 2013. The Huskies were definitely improved defensively last year. I would be lying if I said I wasn't hoping for consistency. They've been consistent for 9 years. Let's make it 10.
Speaking of the Huskies, we've got the tennis edition of "I Hate Washington Day" as the Ducks take on Washington on Saturday.

And finally, in your Friday Video of the Week, I give you a song about pants.

NCAA drops inquiry into Oregon Football Recruiting. Levels Sanctions against University of Texas Athletic Department

2013-04-01T12:00:16Z

As we've seen time and time again in football, referees rarely catch the instigator and almost always flag the player who retaliates. This time, however, the referees got it right.

The NCAA has leveled a charge of "Lack of Institutional Control", not on Oregon, but on the University of Texas Athletic Department and Head Football Coach Mack Brown.

At the center of the investigation was Willie Lyles, a Texas-based trainer who reportedly took $25,000 from the University of Oregon for "recruiting services" to help influence Lache Seastrunk to head to Eugene. Lyles was a well-known personality in Texas Football culture, having been involved with players that eventually signed with Baylor, Texas A&M and others.

An anonymous whistle-blower inside the University of Texas Athletic Department

After the Rodgers Brothers went to Oregon State, and then LaMichael James committing to Oregon, Mack [Brown] was furious. He called everyone into the office, including [DeLoss Dodds, UT Athletic Director]. He made it VERY clear that this wasn't how Texas Football should be treated and that we needed to take care of this "little problem".

It was at that meeting that we devised the payments to Lyles through a UT booster club member located in Oregon. They successfully got hired on in the University of Oregon compliance office where they were successfully able to communicate back to us in Texas through MySpace. Since no one goes there anymore, it made for the perfect cover.

Here's a visibly irritated Mack Brown at a 2011 press conference talking about their recent group of signees. Knowing what we know now, you can see how frustrated he must have been in losing the recruiting wars.

Jon Jarvis with the NCAA

I cannot comment too much but we received some anonymous information about the Texas angle in the investigation of Oregon after the Alamo Bowl this year. We take every lead very seriously and we performed a methodical investigation into these matters.

Jarvis on why the investigation took this long

I would be lying if I said that this was usual for us. We like to have these investigations wrapped up as quickly as we possibly can. As you in the media know, however, we've had some issues with employee turnover lately that we're looking to get addressed. We've implemented a great new morale booster at the office where we dress up as our favorite characters from the investigations we've done. Next time, I'm going as Reggie Bush! I was going to go as Rick Neuheisel but Mark [Emmert] called DIBS!

ATQ has received this video of who we suspect might be the subject of the NCAA investigation from this past year's Valero Alamo Bowl

Well, I don't think I have to tell you how relieved I am by all of this news. I'm happy to be done with talk of sanctions and I'm very happy that the NCAA actually got something right for a change. We should be hearing from the NCAA about penalties for the Texas athletic department soon. On a personal level, I'm hoping they involve watching "Animal House" and "Woodstock" over and over again.