College Football Makes Final Plays Of The Year http://www.npr.org/2010/12/04/131806014/College-Football-Makes-Final-Plays-Of-The-Year?ft=1&f=1001 Here's the Oregon clip.
My thoughts... 1) Yes we will still be here in 10 years 2) Still on that Phil Knight shit... guess I can't blame them, but money isn't the only reason we are here... 3) Recruiting is the key, and we are consistently getting better and better.
EXACTLY What I was thinking when reading. Sure Uncle Phil has helped... A LOT. But its not just his money that has gotten Oregon here. Rich Brooks spent years laying the foundation, Mike Bellotti spent years building the house, and now its Chip Kelly's turn to decorate the house with lots of shiny trophies. T Boone Pickens gives as much, if not more, money to Oklahoma State, but they are not a power, and they dont have to convince Texas recruits to come all the way up the country to go to school. It has taken a lot of hard work, advertising, and Passion to get there. I'm not minimizing what Uncle Phil has done for this school in the slightest. But it is a slap in the face to all those who have worked tirelessly also to get Oregon where it is today.
yet Oregon's recruiting classes have never been rated in the top 10. I'd say the key to their rise has been top notch facilities that allow players the best chance to max out their abilities combined with superior coaching. Last year was probably their best class ever and this year's looks like it will probably surpass it... looks like a perfect storm may be brewing on the horizon STOMP
It definitely seems like the program is good at maximizing talent, but I would also say that they've got a great eye for a diamond in the rough.
Right, but to sustain this level as a national power, consistantly in the top 10 and title contenders, you need solid recruiting classes and being able to really have a good shot at getting anyone you want.
It's a snowball effect until we reach a saturation point of top talent like USC had a few years ago. Eventually top prospects will go to other schools in hopes of getting more playing time. Until then, the winning, the facilities, the national exposure, the coaching, & Uncle Phil will bring recruits from far and wide to UO. Hell, we haven't really tapped Florida yet.
yet without the top level recruits thus far Oregon has been in the top 10 this and the previous two seasons, contending for a title shot in 2008 & 2010. Don't get me wrong I think getting the higher ranked talent should help them get even better, but they're already dominating. We're basically arguing nature (raw talent) vs nurture (coaching + environment). With the building of each facility starting with the Casanova center, we've seen the team noticeably step up to another level. Kelly's influence has clearly elevated them to the consistent contender level... the effects of higher ranked recruits have yet to be felt. STOMP
Right. 3 years. But to compete year in and year out with the likes of Texas, Alabama, Oklahoma, Ohio State, USC... we are going to need to recruit better and better. Top 20-25 classes isn't going to cut it if we are talking about becoming a consistent national power. Three years is what it is. Three years.
how long has Kelly been with the team again? Things are only going to get better with more talent, but the Ducks have already arrived. They've been pretty damn good for over a decade now btw, I've heard media guys (like Ted Miller) projecting Oregon as the obvious pick for Pac-12 champs next year as well. STOMP
