The Ducks go Donald with new uniforms (?)

Last month ESPN college football host Chris Fowler interviewed Oregon head coach Mark Helfrich.  During the interview, he showed a photo of an alleged new Oregon football uniform.  The scuttlebutt is that it's a hoax, but when asked about it, coach Helfrich didn't really address the veracity of the "Donald" uniforms.  I have no idea if they're real.  Probably not.  But I REALLY hope they are.

Thoughts?

The Rich Get Richer: Oregon's New Football Performance Center

Oregon's opulent new Football Performance Center combines the lavishness of a Tudor castle with the clandestine technological sophistication of the Pentagon.  The $68 million, 145,000 square foot building is regarded as the most extravagant and impressive facility in college or professional football.  I don't know what to think.  It's certainly impressive and will no doubt attract recruits, but it sets a new standard of gaudiness for football programs everywhere.  On the other hand, given that the University makes millions off these unpaid athletes, why shouldn't they get a taste of the revenues they bring in?

Watch here as Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota gives a tour to ESPN college football analyst (and former Washington Husky QB) Brock Huard.

Yes, yes.  Very nice.

The lobby has 64 55-inch televisions.  Really? 

Not bad for a first year head coach.

The war room is surrounded with six 80-inch monitors and writable/erasable magnetic walls.

The locker room.

The weight room.

Hydrotherapy pool for coaches.

And of course, a barber shop.

Ducks Get New Feathers

Continuing the evolution it sparked at Oregon back in 1999, Nike unveiled yet another uniform for their favorite team.  These are actually an extension of the new uniforms featured at the Rose bowl in January.  I've gone back and forth on Oregon's uniforms through the years, but I have to admit, these look pretty cool.  I especially like the new feather pattern on the shoulders.

Blount suspended for the season

Oregon running back Lagarrette Blount has been suspended for the season for his actions last night after the Boise State game. According to the Oregonian, "The suspension would remain in effect through the bowl season, if the Ducks are invited, but Blount will remain in school, on scholarship and in the football program - through any bowl games the Ducks may play in - and will practice and have access to the school's support services. He just won't be allowed to play in games."

I think the punishment was probably the right thing to do for the sake of the program. Anything less would probably be viewed as an endorsement of his behavior. I feel bad for the kid, but I'm glad they are going to allow him to remain with the team and continue working on his degree instead of just throwing him out on the street. He has the rest of the season to work hard, stay in shape and show contrition. Hopefully, he will take advantage of this opportunity. And if he's lucky, he may still have a shot at the NFL.

Ugly night in Boise

The Chip Kelly era got off to a horrible start last night as the Oregon Ducks were embarassed by the Boise State Broncos 19-8. That score doesn't begin to reflect how badly the Ducks were outplayed. Their offense, which averaged 42 points a game last year couldn't manage a first down in the first half. Their decision making and offensive line play were awful.

Compounding their rotten performance was the behavior of Ducks running back Lagarrette Blount. After the game, as Blount was walking off the field, Boise State defensive end Byron Hout came over to Blount, said a few words and gave him a small shove. Hout appeared to be taunting Blount, and most people assume it was a response to Blount's remark in a Sports Illustrated interview that "We owe that team (Boise) an ass-whuppin'."

Blount turned around and nailed Hout with straight right to the jaw, dropping him to the ground. Making matters worse, Blount fought with some of his teammates as they tried to pull him away. Still unable to control himself, Blount proceeded to go after some Boise fans who were mocking and taunting him. It was an ugly scene as teammates, security and police practically dragged Blount off the field.

There has been a lot of talk on the internet about what should happen. Many, including Oregonian columnist Jon Canzano demand that Blount be kicked off the team immediately. I think this is a gross overreaction.

First of all, let me say for the sake of full disclosure that I am Duck fan. So try as I might, I don't know that I can be totally objective. However, I wish to add a little perspective to this discussion. Much as been made in the media of Blount's "ass-whuppin'" remark in the Sports Illustrated college football preview issue. But I believe the media (especially ESPN) have taken his comments out of context, as though he were simply running his mouth, and used them to hype the game.

From what I understand, during the interview with Sports Illustrated, the reporter showed Blount footage of last year's game in which Duck quarterback Jeremiah Masoli was knocked out of the game with a concussion after a late hit by Boise State saftey Ellis Powers. After watching the video, Blount made his comment. That's hardly talking trash. But it makes for great bulletin board material for the opposing team's locker room. He should have been smarter.

Back to the incident. Lagarrette Blount is a scholarship player that represents his team, the program, the university and the state of Oregon. His behavior was unacceptable and he should face serious consequences. If he has no previous such offenses, and he is truly contrite, he should be suspended indefinitely, or for at least 5 games. If he has a history of bad behavior (fights in practice don't count. That happens everywhere), then the university should take more severe action, even that means dismissal from the program. But a blanket "kick him off the team" stance is an overreaction.

To read Canzano's hysterical account of the incident, you'd think Blount ran across the field to find Hout and knocked him out. It is me or does that guy write as though he has a grudge against the program?

Let's keep in mind that these are young men playing a violent and highly competitive sport. Fights break out, punches get thrown and cheap shot are taken every Saturday. This was worse because (1) it was caught on camera, (2) it was after the game was over and (3) Blount's continued actions after the punch.

But let's not kid ourselves, Byron Hout deserved that sock in the mouth for taunting a beaten opponent as he walked off the field. So before we get too self-righteous, let's try to imagine how we would react in a similar situation. Personally, I have a much bigger problem with his meltdown after the punch, taking shots as teammates who were trying to save him from himself, and going after idiot fans. You have to have more self control.

And for those Beaver fans who are taking this opportunity to trash Oregon's football program, try to remember when Beaver nation was cheering every late hit and personal foul during the 2000 Fiesta Bowl. Or repeatedly taking revenge on Fresno State's punt returner in 2002 when the ball was still 10-15 yards in the air, risking serious injury. Or the general thug element that existed during the Erickson years until Mike Riley finally got back control of the program.

By the way, is it too late to change my Pac-10 predictions?

2008 Pac-10 Bowl Record: 3-0

Led by quarterback Jeremiah Masoli (4 TDs), the Oregon Ducks scored 35 second-half points to defeat Oklahoma State for a 42-21 victory in the Holiday Bowl. But it was a hard-hitting Duck defense made the difference, holding the high scoring Cowboys to only two touchdowns in the final three quarters.

Upcoming Pac-10 Bowl Games:
Sun Bowl 12/31: Oregon State vs. Pittsburgh
Rose Bowl 1/1: USC vs. Penn State

Oregon secures its future

The University of Oregon has named Offensive Coordinator Chip Kelly to succeed Mike Bellotti as head football coach. It isn't clear when Bellotti will step down, but it assumed to be within the next few years. When he does, he will assume the role of athletic director.

Kelly, hired two years ago from the University of New Hampshire, transformed an already potent Duck offense into a juggernaut that has led the Pac-10 in total yards and scoring in both of his first two seasons at Oregon.

It seems to me like a great move. Not only do you lock up one of the hottest coaching prospects in the country, but you maintain a consistent (and successful) offensive system for the forseeable future. This continuity will likely pay big dividends in recruiting, as will having Bellotti as AD.

Why I love college football

Do you remember where you were November 8, 1997? I do. It was the day I fell in love. I was in Seattle. It was a chilly, but clear fall afternoon when I walked into Husky Stadium to watch my first college football game.

It wasn't hard. Football seduced me at an early age. As a kid, I was intrigued by NFL Films and their dramatization of the game that made football seem like a Homeric adventure. The personalities, the heroes, the villains, the glory, all brought to life by the purring baritone of John Facenda, transformed a violent, painful, and inelegant sport into a ballet of Shakespearean gladiators.

Pro football became an obsession. And when I wasn't pretending to be Joe Montana in the backyard with my brother, I was devouring names, records and statistics. In high school, I watched as the great 49ers, Cowboys, and Bills teams made Sunday afternoons must-see-TV.

At some point however, football began to lose its appeal. During the mid-1990s, free agency ended the reign of the great dynasties of the past. In their place rose more entitled athletes who frequently found themselves on the wrong side of the law. The few NFL games I attended featured boring, conservative styles of play and passionless fans. It didn't take long before I just lost interest.

That's why I was only mildly intersted when my cousin invited me to go see the Ducks play Washington in Seattle that year. I had never been to a college game. I wasn't interested. In my mind, the college game was little more than glorified high school football; the NFL's stepchild. Not worth watching.

As I found my seat, I marveled at the enormity of Husky Stadium and its picturesque location on Lake Washington. I looked around and suddenly realized I was on an island of yellow and green surrounded by an ocean of purple. As the kickoff neared, the marching band boomed away, and the noise began to build. I then watched as a stuffed animal Duck was tossed back and forth by Husky fans in next section over. A cloud of feathers billowed forth and the crowd got louder. It quickly became apparent that I had been missing something. The passion, the pageantry, and the fun was light years beyond anything I had experienced in sports.

Washington was ranked 6th in the nation, but you wouldn't have known it the way the Ducks jumped out of the gate. I quickly found myself swallowed up in the frenzy of Ducks fans as Oregon raced out to a 24-6 halftime lead. In the third quarter, however, the stadium that had been silenced in the first half suddenly came to life. Freshman Marques Tuiasosopo, starting in place of the injured Brock Huard, led Washington to 22 unanswered points.

Now, I have since been to many games at Autzen Stadium. The noise there is deafening. But the 70,000 purlple-clad Husky fans roaring in unison that day was nothing short of thunderous. I could actually feel my chest vibrating. It was unlike anything I had seen or heard.

Late in the game, with the Huskies leading 28-24, junior quarterback Akili Smith drove the Ducks deep into Washington territory. With only 2:39 to go, and Smith harassed by Washington linebackers, the Ducks were faced with 3rd down and 20. I can remember the nervousness and sense of urgency as Smith dropped back to pass. We all held our breath as he let fly toward a streaking Patrick Johnson. And then, as if straight out of a movie, Johnson laid out, catching the ball with his fingertips for the game-winning touchdown.

I was twitterpated.

Eleven years and hundreds of games later, I am still in love with the greatest sport in the world.

Black Thursday

The sucking sound you heard last night was the collective gasp of Duck fans everywhere as their dream season came to an abrupt end in the desert. After jumping out to a quick lead against the Arizona Wildcats on a 38-yard touchdown run, Dennis Dixon looked every bit the Heisman frontrunner, easily marching his team down the field three times in quick succesion. With 5 minutes to play in the first quarter, and the Ducks in scoring position, Dixon attempted to allude a tackler on an option play. His knee buckled, and Dixon crumpled to the turf.

The Ducks, looking shocked and rudderless without their leader, quickly went into a tailspin, giving up 24 quick points. The Ducks regrouped at halftime, holding the Wildcats to only three points in the second half, and pulling within a touchdown before Arizona iced it with a field goal and interception late.

Bye-bye National Championship. Bye-bye Heisman. And maybe, bye-bye season. Today the news came down. Torn ACL. Dixon's brilliant senior season and his career at Oregon is done.

Let's see...I make that six starters out with season-ending injuries. Are you kidding me?

Wide Receiver Brian Paysinger - torn ACL in practice

Linebacker A.J. Tuitele - broken foot vs. Cal

Wide Receiver Cameron Colvin - broken ankle vs. Wash. State

Running Back Jeremiah Johnson - torn ACL vs. Wash. State

Linebacker John Bacon - torn ACL vs. Arizona State

Each of these injuries was a huge loss, taking their toll on Oregon's depth at wide receiver and linebacker, but the Ducks repsonded and were able to fight through them and keep winning. Dixon, however, was the one player the Ducks couldn't afford to lose. His leadership and skill running the spread option attack made Oregon the nation's most dynamic offense and catapulted them into the national championship race.

And judging by Oregon's performance after no. 10 left the game, winning their remaining two games against UCLA and Oregon State is a tall order.

It's a crummy way to end the season, especially with so much riding on it. A school like Oregon can expect to compete for the conference crown once every 5-7 years, but the opportunity to be in the National Championship hunt happens maybe once every 20 years (or more).

This rash of injuries robbed Oregon of the chance to compete and prove what they were capable of. Unfortunately, it's not the first time this has happened to the Ducks.

In 2005, they lost quarterback Kellen Clemens who was on his way to a record-breaking season. Dixon and Brady Leaf split time replacing him, eeking out wins against Cal and Washington State. They walked over a pathetic Beaver team for their 10th win on their way to the Holiday Bowl where they narrowly lost to Oklahoma. It was a disappointing way to end the season, knowing the Ducks would have won handily with Clemens at the helm.

In 1998, the Ducks were 5-0 and looked unstoppable. But after injuries took their best defender (and the Pac-10's best linebacker) Peter Sirmon and running back Reuben Droughns (who rushed for a staggering 824 yards in only six games), the Ducks went 3-3 and limped their way into the Aloha bowl, losing to Colorado.

In 1988, sophomore quarterback Bill Musgrave led the Ducks to a 6-1 record with a chance to go to a bowl game for the first time since 1963 before succumbing to a broken collarbone against Arizona State. The Ducks lost their remaining five games.

One can't help but ask - What if? It makes me appreciate how special the 2001 season was, when Oregon crushed Colorado in the Fiesta Bowl, finished 11-1, and no. 2 in the polls. Luck plays a role. If nothing else, this season is a testament to how the program has grown in twenty years. Depth has allowed Oregon in recent years to overcome injuries that would have devastated teams from 10-20 years ago.

Hopefully the Ducks can right the ship. They still have a shot at the Rose Bowl if they win their last two games. But if they don't, hats off to perhaps the best Duck team ever (if not the unluckiest); Certainly the best Duck offense ever.

As for Dixon, it turns out he injured his knee against Arizona State two weeks ago, but kept it quiet and tried to play through it, which makes his long touchdown run all the more amazing. You gotta love a guy who wants to win so much he tries to play with a torn ACL. We knew he was an amazing athlete and a classy guy, but Thursday he showed us his heart and determination. Next move for Dixon: surgery, rehab, and the NFL draft.

Happy Trails Dennis. We'll miss you.

Good Luck Joey

The National Football League is a tough business. Just ask Joey Harrington. Despite leading the Oregon Ducks to the best season in school history, a Fiesta Bowl win, a #2 ranking in the national polls, and finishing as a heisman finalist with a 10-story billboard in New York City, most people remember him as a bum; a journeyman quarterback who doesn't have what it takes to succeed in the NFL.

To go from "Joe College", the #3 player taken in the 2002 NFL draft with your face on the cover of a video game, to a bust whose only future in this leauge is as a backup. To go from loved and adored, to hated and written off.

But that's what the NFL can do to even great college players. If you just look at other quarterbacks from the Pac-10 conference who have been drafted into the NFL over the last several years, there is mixed success. Carson Palmer is an all-pro, but Ryan Leaf (Washington State), Akili Smith (Oregon), and Cade McNown (UCLA) were busts. Marques Tuiasosopo (Washington), Andrew Walter (Arizona State), Kyle Boller (Cal), and Aaron Rodgers (Cal) have barely seen playing time.

These guys were all outstanding college quarterbacks and yet they can't cut it in the pros. It makes me wonder what might have been, if guys like Joey or Akili Smith had not been drafted by two of the worst franchises (Detroit and Cincinatti, respectively) in the NFL at the time, where their confidence was destroyed.

After four miserable years in Detroit, and a somewhat better year in Miami, Harrington was all but written off; his confidence shot. After being traded to the Atlanta Falcons in the offseason as a backup to Michael Vick, Harrington realized "I could spend the next six years as a backup and never have the chance to play another game. But I was determined I'd be ready if the chance did come."

After Vick was indicted on federal dog-fighting charges, Joey got his chance.

"I've spent the last two years trying to get my confidence back as a quarterback,'' Harrington told Sports Illustrated writer Don Banks earlier this month at Falcons training camp. "So much of what a quarterback does is about confidence. That's what I lost in Detroit. But I'm much more of a quarterback today than what I was with the Lions, or even last year in Miami. Now it's time to show that."

As someone who had the good fortune to watch his career in person on Saturday afternoons at Autzen Stadium, I hope he does. To me, Joey represents everything good about sports. By all accounts he's an honest, down-to-earth guy who doesn't get into trouble. I once heard him say that he never cared about being a NFL quarterback. His dream was to be a college quarterback. And that's how he played - like a guy living his dream, having fun and playing his guts out. I never saw a player who wanted to win more than Joey. And now, with the opportunity to play on the most talented team in his career, he may get a chance to prove it.

"I've learned a ton the last two years in this league. About myself and about how this league operates. I became so much more comfortable with who I am as a person and who I am as a player. That's what has enabled me to be ready to take advantage of this opportunity.''