The Pac-12 Thread....

OQ, sorry , I have no answers for you on this one. Have you noticed how every selection was a good one"lots of potential", fills a need. On and on, every team has the picks to make the superbowl.

A bunch of pure fertilizer. From the first overall pick right through the whole damn draft, no one knows what they have and may not for a couple of seasons.

Then why do i watch every, single year?....

Orygun Quacks, Quinton Saulsberry, Center from Oregon, was signed by the Vikings as an undrafted free agent.

Chris Polk not among the top 300 players in the country?  How does he go undrafted?  LG Blount went undrafted because he was a knucklehead.  What is the story with this guy?  And he was a junior who I guess should have stayed at Montlake....very puzzling.

Actually Chris Polk was a senior because the tards at UW screwed up his redshirt paperwork or something along those lines and he got a late invite to the senior bowl. His not being drafted, to me, shows the NFL's sensitivity with "injuries". He sky rocketed up everyone's draft board to as high as an early 2nd round pick because of workouts and tape. Once he went through all the physicals poof he goes undrafted. RB's only last generally like what 3 to 4 years. I still stand by my statement that Polk has been the best back in the Pac-10/12 for the past 2 seasons. After shoulder surgery he returned to early yet still ran for over 1,000 yards. Had knee surgery that he was suppose to miss half the season yet still rushed for 1,000 yards. Him leaving early is kind of why I chuckle at people picking UW to finish 3rd or even 2nd in the north, he was there offense, Keith Price put up nice cute numbers last year, but nearly all of his success was because of the play action pass, with I love to fumble Sankey. I am scared to get him Callier and that horrible defense, UW will finish last in the north division. The SEC gang will pump their chest when LSU beats UW 56-0 in the opener because knuckleheads look at stats so assume the team will improve.

Polk was signed as a free agent by the Eagles.

There has to be something about him we don't know. Polk's college numbers were solid, and his combine numbers were certainly adequate. I figured he would be drafted anywhere from late 2nd round through the fourth round. Shows what I know.

I think Polk went undrafted more from the view that the PAC is a weaker conference that plays good offense but little to no defense, therefore, his stats were easier to get. 

Looks like UCLA lost a LB for the 2012 season. The injury bug is still making the rounds...

The NFL draft ends the attention on last years season/players. A light year, in general, for the PAC-12. There was Luck and a couple first rounders out of USC, drafted, including Kalil, who went the Vikings as expected.

The SEC dominated with some crowing by the Boise St. crowd having two first round selections themselves.

Many undrafted FAs signed by the NFL teams, my Vikings signed 15 undrafted players for a look-see and that's just one team....

I have returned from the Oregon Spring game and am pleased with the teams early efforts.   But, there is a lot of work to be done to make a serious run at the NCG.

The scrimmage should be entitled the Mariota show.  The redshirt freshman QB from Hawaii was lights out.  He has all the throws, and his two td runs of 20+ and 80 yards were poetry in motion.  Unless, Bennett can walk across the Williamette River during summer camp, (and the river is flowing at capacity right now, beautiful) then there is no way Bennett starts ahead of Mariota.  Mariota threw the ball better, is better at the mesh point, and runs better than Bennett.  It is now clear why Thomas feared losing his starting position, but it wasn't a fear of Bennett that sent him to being non-drafted in the NFL, it was his knowledge that Mariota will not be denied taking over this team.  Yeah, Mariota was that good.

Mariota did fumble once, but the reason was Arik Armstead shoved a veteran offensive lineman on top of him.  Armstead is all that we knew he would be.  He is big, fast and strong, but we knew that.  He had the one good play on Mariota that I mentioned and other than that all you could see is future potential.  He is not in the shape the veterans are and when he got blocked, he generally stayed blocked while appearing to be going half speed about half the time.  He was used on the ends for punts and extra points and appeared unmovable upon contact where he was defending ground.  Clearly, this is why he was a 5 star O-line prospect.  He needs a lot of work, but believe he will be playing this year, no way they redshirt this guy, he is too big and talented not to be in the defensive rotation.

Barner only had one carry for about one yard.  He didn't play.  Not that he has anything to prove, but I think he is still a bit gimpy about the foot area and he probably shouldn't have dressed out.  But, it doesn't matter because he will not be the feature RB at Oregon this year.  The reality was this team is all about DAT.

DeAnthony Thomas, made a spectacular catch and showed the great hands he has.  DAT ran the ball through the tackles gaining 20+ with ease.  His speed and threat to the outside is what opened an option run where Mariota took the ball 80 yards for a score.  So, the feature back is DAT, with Barner seeing lots of action, But this team is built around DAT.  The kid was amazing everytime he was close to the football.

There was no one showing up who gave hope on returning punts or kickoffs.  Many tried, all failed. 

Interestingly, and not surprising to Duck fans, the defense looks really really good.  They are fast on the line, fast at linebacker, and the freshman corners from last year look a lot more seasoned in their pass coverages.  The defense is the most obvious improvement in the Ducks going into this year.  Boyett didn't play, but we know he shows up at game time.  Alonso was still going off like he did in the Rose Bowl.  Didn't see any obvious replacement for Pleasant, so someone needs to step up to be the enforcer in the rover position.

The crowd was announced at 44K, and that seemed about right by the eye test.  It was the largest crowd ever for an Oregon Spring game, beating last years record of 43+.

Before the game a bunch of us had breakfast at Taylors.  And, it was good.  The most notable addition in Taylors for those who haven't been there in a while is two huge portraits hanging side by side with the subject features in the same pose.  One of the individuals is the Pope and the other is Phil Knight.  Of course I took pictures and started emailing them to everyone, and when you see it, you can't help but chuckle.  Well, between the paintings and the washing breakfast down with Crown Royal, there was a lot of chuckles.

Of all the outstanding WR's, and they have a bunch, Dungy impressed with some good routes and good hands.  He is clearly the best coached WR on the field, and we thank his Dad for that.  Speaking of his dad, I didn't bump into him at the game, but have bumped into him at the bookstore on game day in the past.  Look for Dungy to be that sleeper who steps up amongst all the others getting the ink, and becomes a go to guy.

Sadly, but in an effort to be accurate, I was not impressed by the "speed" of the offensive skill positions. (Except for DAT and Mariota).  I did not witness the kind of speed necessary to seperate from USC speed players.  I mean, we have the speed to punk everybody in the conference, except USC.  Let me put it this way, a play that will go for 25 yards on anyone else will only get 3-5 against USC. (unless it is with DAT having the ball).  USC can run down all of our players across the field minus the exception of perfect execution.  On the bright side, the O-line will be good enough to open the hole for 3-5 yards.

So, the Spring game showed lots of promise for this year, and showed the need for several months of conditioning and practice to be amongst the elite in CFB.  In the last thirty years of attending the Spring game, I would be remiss not to mention that I have never seen Oregon with so many good players.  The roster is loaded with young talent and the quality of players on the Oregon team is something you have to witness for yourself.  Football at Oregon has sure grown up in the last thirty years.

Very cool report, EverybodyDuck. A couple of questions.

It's my belief that the adjustments to defensive speed by the Trojans is, at least, partially based on Oregon's (maybe ASU's as well) spread offense. Speed is key to making the spread work. If there is a lack of speed on this Year's Duck offense, would you predict a more traditionally styled offense like a ball-control, west coast offense? A mixture of the two?

The other question is, as you say work must be done to seriously contend for the NCG and this is the most talented team you seen at a spring game. where do you place this team in relation to earlier versions of the Ducks? In other words is this team better than the last three years of worse?

If you can't "teach speed"  how does one overcome that against USC's defense?

Contender or not?

Trucker,

The Ducks are staying in the spread.  When I say lack of speed, I mean it only in comparison to USC.  All others will get boat raced by these guys.

To be Champions this year will require the Ducks to beat USC twice.  And, that is why I compare Oregon only to USC, because that is all that really matters.  The offensive skill positions are too youthful, full of talent, but too youthful for a USC team with a Barkley, Lee and Woods tandum.

I don't think the Ducks have ever been more talented than what is on their roster today.  Now, whether that gels into a better team than the past is an unresolved question at this point.

The key to beating USC defensively will require a poised experienced offense.  Therein, is the fear of inexperience.  Oregon will rely on misdirection, and have to be pinpoint in the passing game.  Oregon will have to sustain longer possessions because of the huge reduction of explosion plays against USC.  It is not an impossible task, but would require two games exhibiting perfect execution against one of the most talent rich football teams in the Nation.

If the Oregon defense can generate a pass rush and disrupt the USC offense, it could put the offense in a position to have shorter fields and make the effort a little easier.

I'd say contender, but too early to be sure.  And, I'd have to have a first hand look at the Trojans to evaluate their depth.

But, I do know the quality players that USC fields, and I know how fast they close holes, and how good Barkley can be on some days.

I haven't seen anything from this weekend that makes me think that playing USC twice is anything other than really difficult.

EverybodyDuck, the same holds true the other way. Perhaps we knock each other out of the NCG.  Winning twice against the Ducks isn't gonna be easy. The only advantage I see is the season match-up is in LA. That may be the only edge......

Trucker,

You might remember the last time we played you in LA, we had a good outing under the lights, game day, and all the things that make CFB great.  It is a shame my offense will only have a few games under its belt by then.  The best we can hope for is that both teams remain healthy and the games are competitive.

I seriously believe USC always has the best collection of players for all the reasons I have previously mentioned.  Thank the heavens there are roster limits or no one would play anywhere else. 

I grew up in awe of the "thundering herd".  You guys never fail to impress with your talent.

I remember my first Duck v. USC game at Autzun Stadium.  It was 1980, and USC was starring Marcus Allen in his senior year.  Before the game, the Ducks were working on the field, and I was thinking they looked pretty good.  USC started filtering onto the field and I grew more confident because it looked like the Ducks matched up in size.  I made this observation while Chip Banks was standing next to our biggest lineman.

I tell the guy beside me to look and note we were the same size.  The guy looks and me and says that Chip Banks is a linebacker and that the USC line hadn't come out of the locker room yet!  And, then the line came out, and it was shocking.  I thought we were going to die that day.

The game finished in a 7-7 tie, in a game that Oregon should have won but for bad officiating.  Marcus gained like 172 yards and it had looked like he only gained 20 during the game. (smooth).  Banks had a big interception.  Oh, and did I mention a senior named Ronnie Lott who was leveling everything in the secondary?

I haven't missed an Oregon/USC game since.

Mad props to the Trojans, you are the standard by which College Football is always measured. 

I do wish some of the Trojan fans were a little more humble, but hey, it is what it is.

Everybody Duck, I was always of the opinion, at least during the Carroll era, that the real difference between the Trojans and the rest of the Pac conference was depth.

Sure, there were the Lotts and Allens that went through the program, but even USC gets them few and far between. Time after time I'd watch Oregon et al play the first half to a virtual toss up. Then that bench strength along both lines would come into play. First stringers vs first stringers was a push.

Trouble was there'd be a half dozen or so first stringers sitting on USC's bench rotating in every few plays. By the second half they'd just be getting into a rhythm and the Ducks would be outta gas.

Then the size issue would kill us. I recall you dropping those texas twins on us. They were so freaking small, we couldn't even see em behind your line and when we did finally scope em out, they were so damn short that the only way to tackle em was to reach down and grap em by the pads/jerseys....automatic horse-collar call every time.LOL

Then there's that "evil' spread offense.LOL Here's these big NFL destined monsters running around chasing water skeeters, burning twice the energy and running outta gas by the middle of the third quarter. Time after time. It was Pete Carroll's biggest failure, handling the Duck spread. Kiffin and papa seem to have, at least, partially addressed this.

There is zero doubt that Oregon has used this recruiting disadvantage to find ways to beat it, by scheme and style of play.  The Ducks are official pain in the butts of USC, without doubt....

I find it interesting how Stanford has gone in the other direction with a Pro-style offense and a more traditional, even USC-like approach and still has met with  success as well.

Both Oregon and Stanford continue with outstanding recruit classes with different approaches.

Which has the more staying power? The spread or pro-style? Stanford lost their coach and seems to have continued their success. Can the Ducks continue their's if there is a coaching change in Oregon.(sooner or later that's gonna happen).

Right now the Ducks have the edge over Stanford, but I'm more than a little glad that now your have to look over your shoulders the same we've had to all these years.LOL.

Looks like Washington hasn't slowed down recruiting wise. They've had three quick committs after their spring game and have added a fourth yesterday.

USC is still moving slowly, probably waiting to see where those reduced schollies should be committed to after the season.

The way the rest of the Pac-12 is picking up the slack, I hope Kiffin doesn't wait too long otherwise the pickings could get slim. A few walk-on for the Trojans have helped. I don't believe they count against the 75 scholle limit, but I'm not sure about that.....

I went to the spring game too and I have a different take on things than EverybodyDuck

Mariota showed well and Bennett did not. simple as that? maybe.  Bennett didnt get to show what he truely can do because of the way the game was set up.  His run attempts were cut short because all a defender had to do was get a finger on him and the play was blown dead but that doesn't mean they would have actually tackled him.  this looked to me like it frustrated him and threw him off.  also remember he had a different group of guys around him than what we can expect in the fall.  I have been a Mariota lean all year but I am still not going to proclaim him the clear number 1 based on that 1 game. 

DAT showed his great hands and running ability but you say Barner didnt? Barner had 1 carry and so no he didnt get to show but had they handed him the ball a couple more times he may have.  he also had a catch or 2 himself.  Barner will be the feature back to start while DAT still lines up outside until someother WR actually shows up to play.  give it 2-3 games before this happens.  especially with Huff likely serving some sort of game or 2 suspension.  People have questioned the depth but I was impressed with Forde. bassett was ok and we will have to see what Marshall does. I would be ok with him redshirting but I promise you Barner will be RB#1

Return game showed nothing except that Huff and DAT werent doing it.  Exepect them to in the fall. One thing i did see though was that the returners held on to the ball. Something Oregon Sp teams has had trouble with.

I agree with you on the D.  This will be very likely Oregon's best D, ever. 

Oregon's speed is not a joke even if it doesn't seem like a player is that fast, he likely is.  Oregon will be fine and has players that will be just fine against every team, including USC.  Barner is fast too, and the WR maybe didnt get to show everything they have but their numbers are just as comparable to others around the country. 

USC is still moving slowly, probably waiting to see where those reduced schollies should be committed to after the season.

NW,
There is no probably about it. They are still a "destination" school and one of the few that can be selective and still get the job done. The most obvious thought is that USC is USC. Enough said.

OlyDuck, I don't think Everybodyuck said the speed was a joke. I think he said it would walk all over everyone except perhaps USC.

There's no doubt the Trojan defense is quicker than in Carroll's days. To do that though has probably cost them some of the bigger bodies they used to have for them "eastern schools". may cost them in the post season.

YamD hope your right. There's no questioning that Stanford, Oregon, even Washington is benifitting from this restriction and it's plain to see in their recruiting results.

I'd rather not take it for granted that USC is an "automatic" . There were some lean years not that far back......

NW,
It's depth that will hurt SC short term. Quality will be uneffected and the results this season are somewhat predictable. Will they win the PAC...dunno.
Will they be in the hunt or to say the least affect the outcome...no doubt.

By the way ASU will be much more disciplined and much more a player than in recent years. The new coach is going to make a difference  in discipline and majorly so in conditioning.

My daughter got accpeted to UCLA.  I'm very happy she made it into UCLA over USC


But could there be ramifications?


I have procreated a Bruin?


I couldn't root for UCLA football!  Not over USC!

But could I root for UCLA in basketball or track or something over some neutral?


It might happen...


Could I don powder blue? 

Lipapall, I'm quite sure your happy with UCLA over USC, just look at how many pesos you've save over that "private school" down the street.LOL

Buying the good old boy USC network for jobs/careers etc. is an expensive proposition.

When she's around the house rooting for the baby blue is allowable based on self-preservation. (USC fans are practical).

However, donning baby blue is restricted to underwear and even that cannot be visible, ie low slung jeans etc. (both a sure sign of Bruin corruption).

The duties of a father are at times difficult, you have our sympathies......