There must be some bad blood lingering between Oregon and USC? I think the Pac-12 South is stronger than the Pac-12 North this year, but the Ducks are still the top dog. Although this may be splitting hairs in that the worst team in the South, Colorado may be better than two North teams (Wazzu & Oregon St.).
a question i've wanted to ask about oregon for quite awhile....
would people say oregon plays "way above" or "moderately above" their recruiting rankings? or some other "descriptor"?
and of course that answer ties into something that i'm also always curious about. is the #5 ranked recruiting class much better than the #25 ranked class? or is it just some giant, imprecise fog?.... i'm thinking there are only a few players each year that clearly differentiate themselves from the recruiting field (clowney would be one for sure. semi-brain freeze right now but fournette, prior (pryor?), clausen etc...)
would people say oregon plays "way above" or "moderately above" their recruiting rankings? or some other "descriptor"?
and of course that answer ties into something that i'm also always curious about. is the #5 ranked recruiting class much better than the #25 ranked class? or is it just some giant, imprecise fog?.... i'm thinking there are only a few players each year that clearly differentiate themselves from the recruiting field (clowney would be one for sure. semi-brain freeze right now but fournette, prior (pryor?), clausen etc...)
Trying to keep my bias aside, I would say they play moderately above their recruiting rankings.
i think they do two things well to help that tho:
1) they do a great job finding undervalued players that fit "THEIR" system and mantra.
2) they do a very good job of developing those "undervalued" players.
i think they do two things well to help that tho:
1) they do a great job finding undervalued players that fit "THEIR" system and mantra.
2) they do a very good job of developing those "undervalued" players.
One of the reasons they develop under valued players better than most any school is because of the stability with the asst coaching staff.
Gary Campbell 32 Years
Jim Radcliffe 30 Years
Steve Greatwood 28 Years
Don Pellum 22 Years
Tom Osborne 14 Years
John Neal 12 Years
The number of years is how long they have been on the Oregon staff not there number of years coaching.
I was going to bring that up too. There is nothing like some stability to sell a football program to a new recruit when he comes around on an official (or otherwise) visit. That plus the state-of the art new training facilities and great food, juice bar, jacuzzi tubs to unwind in at the end of the day... some of the best fishing on the West Coast within 15 minutes of town, best looking cheerleaders in the conference (by vote of players around CFB.) I'm ready to move in tomorrow.
But it's that stability on the AC staff that sets the tone for everything else to fall into place and guarantees that Phil Knight's money won't go to waste -- elite football will go on and on in Eugene -- that cinches everything. Even at USC you won't find that kind of promise for a future CFB career when things are shaken up from time to time. Nobody gets busted for smoking a joint because NCAA rules demand that a player is charged for the offense by the cops or it never happened. Not that it matters to many, but it can make a difference.
And by the way, Phil Knight stepping down as the CEO of Nike... how do you think he will spend his retirement time? More involved with Oregon Football or less?
Anyone else notice how those 4* and 5* recruits are starting to mount up? Things are definitely moving up in Oregon and there is no reason to think otherwise.
But it's that stability on the AC staff that sets the tone for everything else to fall into place and guarantees that Phil Knight's money won't go to waste -- elite football will go on and on in Eugene -- that cinches everything. Even at USC you won't find that kind of promise for a future CFB career when things are shaken up from time to time. Nobody gets busted for smoking a joint because NCAA rules demand that a player is charged for the offense by the cops or it never happened. Not that it matters to many, but it can make a difference.
And by the way, Phil Knight stepping down as the CEO of Nike... how do you think he will spend his retirement time? More involved with Oregon Football or less?
Anyone else notice how those 4* and 5* recruits are starting to mount up? Things are definitely moving up in Oregon and there is no reason to think otherwise.
What gets to me from time to time is when a promising recruit bombs out one way or
another. I know there have been a few that escape memory but lately Jeremiah Masoli
and probably the worst loss of all had super-athlete/TE Colt Lyerla's cocaine and DUI
troubles whupping his butt. Green Bay tried him out and passed on him after 2 weeks.
It's too bad because I really liked him as a player. 6'6" 250 lb. TE who could carry the
ball and make good cuts with his fast feet right before he mowed down some lucky
linebacker assigned to stop him just in case. They lose them all the time up in Corvallis
because of academics. At least Lyerla still wants a shot reinventing himself in the NFL.
I'd like to see him make it.
I try try not to wish I'll fate upon anyone but lyerla is a pathological liar. He had so many chances and still blames everyone else for his problems. He always has an excuse and that really chapped my ass about him. You're right tho, Oregon has had some fabulous talent roll into that program, some seem to do ok, others get into huge trouble. Remember cliff Harris ?? That dude was a lock down DB who if he just kept his nose out of trouble would be making millions right now. Massoli was great too, just couldn't keep it together. Darron Thomas leaving early paved the way for mariota, but still hurt us....(hurt himself more tho by leaving early).... The ducks tho are finally starting to develop consistency in terms of their recruiting. Their assistant coaches and their tenure have certainly helped the development of the young players who are 3-4 star recruits. They play a crucial role in helping sway a players decision towards Oregon instead of another school. Phil's money has been put to good use and I fully believe Oregon is on the map for the remainder of my lifetime. I'm not saying they're going to be a mega dynasty or anything of that sort, but I believe they will eventually win a national championship as they continue to land more and more top flight recruits.
Defense will ill always be Oregon's issue. Once they shore that up they'll be ready and deserving of a national title. If they can land a big time defensive coordinator, that might be their final piece to the puzzle. I believe they can do it with pellum, but it may be difficult. I really like don pellum, but in just not completely sold on him as the head defensive guy. This season will be a good assessment of what he's capable officials
Not sure Oregon is going to win a National Title anytime soon.
You Oregon guys seem to be bullish on them. I see a program that could never quite break through and win it all. And a good 5 programs in the Pac12 on their heels ready to finally run them down.
It was a hell of a run. 2 national championship game appearances. Almost every program in the country outside of the SEC is envious of that.
You Oregon guys seem to be bullish on them. I see a program that could never quite break through and win it all. And a good 5 programs in the Pac12 on their heels ready to finally run them down.
It was a hell of a run. 2 national championship game appearances. Almost every program in the country outside of the SEC is envious of that.
Jimi Hendrix drew USC, UCLA, Oregon, Cal football sketches as a teenager
Can read the article and find the other pics on from that link.
