We here at ATQ feel that it's very important to start kids on Quack at a very early age. For this week's Media Wednesday, we wanted to give you a view into our Quack for Toddlers program. If you're interested in our showcase for the Junior Quack Club, make sure you click the jump.

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We began our yearly makeover yesterday with the announcement of a new set of uniforms for the 2009 season. I'm probably in the minority of Duck fans who just likes all Oregon fashions. I don't care if it has wings, diamond plating, flames, monster trucks, transformers symbols, references to the movie Scarface, I want it all if it has something to do with Oregon. Even though most in the media, and even my fellow members of Duck Nation, are quick to pass negative judgement on these new uniforms, there is one man at ESPN that refuses to give in to this temptation. I give you a clip from November 2008, the week of the Arizona game. A black helmet was sent to the ESPN studios, proving to be an indicator of things to come.

"Who else's uniforms do people talk about these days?"

via GoDucks.com, visit GoDucks.com for the full gallery.

View full size photo uploaded June 23, 2009

So, Oregon has unveiled new uniforms. The full press conference can be viewed here under the Athlete Features tab, and full photo gallery of the uniforms can be viewed at GoDucks.com.

But whatever your opinion on the look of the new uniforms, Chip Kelly made clear during the press conference that while you may or may not like looking at them, that's not that point. The main ponit of the uniforms is to increase the performance of the athletes. According to the Ducks press release, the new uniforms are 28% lighter than the previous jersey's put out in 2006. The new materials do not soak up moisture, and use laminates and other materials to provide reinforcement where needed, such as the wings in the shoulder pads. This keeps the jersey's durable while not using any extra weight. 

During the press conference, Will Tukuafu stated how they could feel the difference between the new and old uniforms, and that the new ones made it easier to move.

In terms of how the uniforms look, the wings are staying for a few years, and the yellow pants and helmet (along with the blasted flames) are gone. They are replaced by a new "carbon" color, which will likely be featured during away games. Here is what the university runs down the changes:

Oregon will again have green, yellow, black and white as jersey options, but adds a second white top to the mix featuring different accent colors. For pants, the Ducks will choose from green, black, white or steel, which replaces yellow for this uniform cycle. And helmet options now come in green, black, white and carbon. The black and white paint schemes are new for 2009, while the carbon helmet replaces Oregon's yellow helmet.

The reaction so far seems to be mixed, so join the fray leave your comments below.

As far as outsider perspective goes, it's gotta be a slow news day over at Doc Saturday, who devoted two whole posts to the Duck uniforms. The post summing up the changes was only margnially mocking. One thing pointed out, is that the uniforms really seem to steer clear from the bright colors we've seen before (such as the blindingly bright yellow), which is a welcome change.

This week's video for Media Wednesday takes us back to 2007. Oregon had a big game coming up against Michigan in the Big House. The Wolverines had just experienced the worst loss in the history of their program but little did they know they would get a pregame pep talk from a most interesting source. Oh, one more thing. Make sure to stick around for "Top Plays" immediately following the opening segment. Some of you may have some fond memories of #5 in that list.

Two weeks ago, I tried to explain why Justin Roper and Chris Harper, who both opted to transfer in May, were simply collateral damage in the process of finding the next great Oregon quarterback, Jeremiah Masoli. Masoli, the Ducks' clear-cut No. 1 heading into the 2009 season, joins a very prestigious list of signal callers who have lined up under center in Eugene.

But how prestigious? While researching Oregon's QB history, I became curious about how the Ducks' list stacks up against the rest of the conference. The Pac-10 has produced some of the greatest QBs to ever play the game. But which Pac-10 school deserves the conference's title of Quarterback U?

It's obviously not an easy question to answer. It's almost impossible to settle on a method for measuring a quarterback's success. Do we base it on statistics? Individual success? Team success? Awards and accolades? Collegiate or professional career?

Every pundit has his method, and I won't claim mine is superior. But after digging through the expanse of statistics and data warehouses scattered throughout the depths of the Internets, I feel learned enough on the subject to rank each Pac-10 team's all-time quarterback list. Check out the rankings after the jump.

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The USC Trojans...Pac-10 Champions in football. Everyone outside of LA is hoping and praying that the dynasty will end. Every year, a few brave souls venture out of their caves to pick against the Trojans and proceed to get flogged repeatedly by their Troy oppressors. Will 2009 be any different? Probably not but that doesn't mean the ATQ Editors couldn't get together and take a stab at this week's Fact or Fiction question.

Fact or Fiction: USC will win the Pac-10 Championship in Football in 2009

Was anyone willing to step out of their mother's basement and pick against the Trojans winning the Pac-10 Championship? Check it out after the jump. Just remember, sometimes living in your mother's basement can help prevent pain, suffering, and from spending money on rent. It isn't always bad.

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I was bummed when Tahj Boyd selected Clemson. He could have been a great fit as a QB in Oregon's spread offense. I was disappointed when Bryce Brown picked Tennessee, and a little put off by his stating that Oregon couldn't prep him for the NFL like UT. I wasn't expecting Aaron Plugrad to leave the program, but it made sense. I wasn't at all surprised when Chris Harper left, but still, it hurt a little. I was surprised when Justin Roper bailed.

Then, this past weekend...

I didn't see Oklahoma coming in the recruitment of running back Brennan Clay. Especially after Clay just weeks ago was proclaiming Oregon to be "...kind of my dream school." I'll admit I was a bit shocked when I then read that running back Ethan Grant publicly stated he was re-opening his recruitment after having committed to the Ducks earlier in the year.

It all has me pondering one question:  Do the Oregon Ducks have a recruiting crisis?

Yes, I believe they do. Sort of.

I'll explain after the jump.

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This week's Media Wednesday takes us back to the 2007 Oregon vs. Cal game at Autzen Stadium. It was #6 vs. #11 in the nation, a national stage and ESPN's College Gameday was there in full force. The fans had come out before the sun had even come up, helping to fill the backdrop with Autzen Stadium looking on. The Gameday guys weren't going to pick the Oregon/Cal game until much later in the broadcast but that didn't stop The Duck from making a memorable appearence, causing Herbie to break up laughing.