Another factor here is that the Oregon Ducks offense is no longer a new innovative thing, basically everyone is running a similar hurry up offense. So we don't have that edge anymore, we'll simply have to rely on superior players. Mariota is hobbled, and we don't really have a stud running back on the level we've had for so many hears. Tyner may be next year, but he's not quite there yet.
Marks biggest mistake is he didn't put a mute on DAT going to the media. Next if the ROSE BOWL is a let down, be gone the NFL is waiting for you, you hope! Another huge point not to overlook is we've not truly taught this Duck bunch how to lose! We've lost a national championship, a game to Stanford last year on a fluke DAT overrun past Marcus, and to an LSU team with freshman taking kickoffs. This team hasn't been out of the top ten in 4 years. Our egos grew, and our edge was put into coast and this year it caught us! Two things can happen here. 1) we beat the holy hell out of OSU and crush our bowl game or 2) We fold tent, act like spoiled rotten brats, get housed by the Beavs and not show up for our bowl game. Before I pass judgment on Mark Helfrich, let's see how we finish! The first positive steps is our team needs to be "QUIET" with the media and lethal on the field for the next 2 games!!! We'll know than if Mark is leading this team or merely chaperoning it's talent!
I know this much, Phil Knight probably won't put up with it. If they lose the rest of their games this season and I think it's possible based on what I have seen. It wouldn't surprise me to see a shift in direction...especially if Mariotta and Thomas who are built on this 'style' leave for the NFL. I think there is something to the experts feelings that Oregon is digressing. I can't believe this athletic dept and boosters like Knight want to see or hear that. I think Sly is on to something with Peterson. And if not Peterson. It wouldn't surprise me to see them bring Bellotti back.
To be fair, Targus is the same poster who didn't want "Flip" Kelly back after it looked like he was headed to Tampa Bay, only to have Chip come back to Oregon, and then quit this board for a year after being called out on it. http://sportstwo.com/threads/205928-Canzanbo-on-Chip?p=2727654#post2727654
their leading rusher (Marshall) went out with an ankle in the first half which didn't help the cause. I'm not sure what your definition of stud RB is, but pretty sure he'll end up in the NFL... as will DAT and Tyner. Mariota being hobbled takes away a huge part of their offense as evidenced by every game since he sustained the injury vs WSU. More then the yards he would have run for, it's the threat of his run that keeps the D honest instead of just loading up on the RB. what has me puzzled is the drop off of the play of their front 7 on D. It seems similar to last year when several of their starting Lineman missed games. Maybe they've got some walking wounded that we just aren't hearing about because of the no talk about injuries policy? Through the UCLA game they were constantly in the opponent's backfield shedding blocks and making plays and thats just not happening now. Be it health or attitude, something has changed. It makes a lot more sense to me to guess it's more health then attitude as the team has had plenty of reason to be motivated STOMP
I'm in the same boat that MH isn't the right coach for this team. Granted, I don't think you fire him after one year, but it still is not looking like a great hire. He just isn't ready and he IS NOT a leader. Starting slow is NOT Duck football, and I'd say a majority (if not almost every single game) the Ducks have been slow out of the gate. Beyond that, we simply have been ready for almost every team. Even against Utah it took us a little while to get going. You can tell just in the way this team plays that MH has failed in preparing this team for battle week in and week out. While I'm willing to give him another year, MH needs to take SIGNIFICANT steps in becoming a better leader--otherwise he needs to be fired.
I don't see how that determination can be made in less than 1 season. We have pretty much the same coaching staff. Considering we lost the best TE in college football, our #1 QB is lame and cannot run, so we no longer run the "read option" at all and injuries to DAT and Marshall and Tyner, as dynamic as he is, is a true freshman and fumbles are part & parcel of that. None of those are leadership issues. Neither are dropped passes. As to the penalties, that's an asistant coaching problem, not head coach. Now, maybe he turns out not to be the right fit, but it way too early to make that call. I think he's being diss'd unfairly.
sorry no. How you feel is crystal clear but others disagree (count me in that group) which apparently you aren't willing to accept. You're not telling other fans how they should feel are you? STOMP
Jerry Azinarro Greg Austin Erik Chinander, Matthew Harper Todd Lyght Justin Peelle Josh Gibson James Harris
