When it rains it pours. Literally. Actually, not at all literally, but figuratively. What I'm trying to say is it's raining like cats and dogs in San Francisco, and somehow I'm blaming the weather for not getting this post up sooner. Better late than never, I suppose. Anyway, here's your Morning (Afternoon?) Quack Fix:
- Former USC recruit Dillon Baxter, who allegedly decided to reopen the recruiting process a few weeks ago, announced last night he will stick with—surprise!—the Trojans. I don't think anyone should be shocked or disappointed by this news. Baxter had been a USC commit since his sophomore year and decided to decommit (temporarily) when the news about Pete Carroll leaving for the NFL broke. He did visit Oregon this past weekend, and that might have led him back to USC, but the chances are the Kiffin Recruiting Machine (read: Ed Orgeron) got a hold of him. Either that or it was Carroll's new Funny Or Die video.
- Of course, there's good news on the recruiting front as well. Local product Owamagbe Odighizuwa's in-home visit with Oregon's coaching staff on Monday apparently went really well. And the Ducks are still in the mix for Lache Seastrunk, Erick Dargan, Anthony Jefferson and Gabe King. Meanwhile in recruiting news, special contributor to The Oregonian Lindsay Schnell has a post about incoming recruit Nick Rowland, an offensive lineman from Peoria, Arizona.
- With the Ducks' ensuing trip to the Bay Area this weekend for games at Cal and Stanford, the San Francisco Chronicle's Vittorio Tafur weighs in on the Ernie Kent saga, claiming Kent is in a "no-win situation" after dropping three home games in a row. I think it's safe to say the Ducks have to get at least a split in the Bay, something they've been hard-pressed to do under Kent's leadership. Of course, stranger things have happened this season.
- In other basketball news, walk-on guard Nicholas Fearn is out for the season after being hospitalized with a spleen injury. The injury was apparently caused when Fearn collided with center Josh Crittle on a high pick-and-roll in practice Tuesday.
- ESPN.com's Ted Miller has been all about the All-Decade lists this week. He's covered the Pac-10's best players, best moments, best teams and best games. There's a lot to debate regarding these lists, but that's for another post. I will, however, point out that I was shocked Joey Harrington wasn't included on his best players list. I'd have put Harrington 10th and removed Troy Polamalu. I think Polamalu's success in the NFL is what got him on this list, which is seems inappropriate considering it's a list based on success while in the college ranks. He does preface that all of the players were All-Americans, so I guess it's a fair filter, but still, no Joey Harrington? C'mon, Ted!
- The R-G's Rob Moseley offers his year in review of Oregon's defensive line. The post includes a depth chart, as well as a look back and forward of the unit. Needless to say, the D-line is in pretty good shape heading into 2010.
- Speaking of 2009 reviews: GoDucks.com released the Year in Photos, a photo recap of the 2009 football season. My personal favorite? This one.
As always, leave any relevant links or comments below.
GO DUCKS!