Week 2 - What do we think we know

[OregonFan4Life]

Does Hythloday ever analyze coaches/players? I like his film analysis but it feels incomplete, he just finds some highlights and lowlights which I feel you can find almost every game. I prefer hearing what positions are strengths and weaknesses as a casual fan, which is probably why I like QB11.

I have listened to Locked on Ducks and overall enjoy him, he just doesn’t seem as knowledgeable about the game of football as others including QB11.

[gogreen55]

Does Hythloday ever analyze coaches/players? I like his film analysis but it feels incomplete, he just finds some highlights and lowlights which I feel you can find almost every game. I prefer hearing what positions are strengths and weaknesses as a casual fan, which is probably why I like QB11.

If you read the full text, rather than just looking at the clips, he does provide some information on how individual units are performing. For example...

The rushing offense was also above water, at 55% efficiency (17 vs 14) in designed runs, though that’s a big falloff from what fans have been accustomed to over the last several years with efficiency rates in the 60s or even low 70s. They were also significantly below expectations in yardage and explosiveness, at only 4.2 adjusted YPC and just 6.5% of designed rushes gaining 10+ yards.

There were a few things apparent from reviewing the film. First is that the step back in offensive line performance from so many departing starters appears to be real – the run-blocking error rates are still better than average for a Pac-12 line, but they’re not the elite numbers Oregon fans have gotten used to from the 2018-19 group or the 2021-22 group, instead they look more like the 2020 group.

https://www.addictedtoquack.com/2023/9/ ... =1*1khy878*

[dthomas=ddixon]

I would agree, except his dad is a retired NFL scout, and he learned a lot from him.

As for DT, that imho is the best front we see as a unit. Alexander -UGA coaches said they hated him and were basically told him to leave. Said he was lazy and had a bad attitude. Maybe he changes, but Riley and Grinch have never shown the ability to coach DL up.

My dad worked in a titanium factory. I know jack about smelting metal. But that association probably is another reason people are reluctant to challenge things. I think he just has blinders. Lots of smart people convince themselves of things that aren't true because of emotions. Just is what it is.

For whatever personal flaws Alexander has, he has more pressures this year than the entire TTU front through the third week.

QB11 actually played football though.

The Autzen Audible bros are a better fit for what you’re describing. I don’t know that they’re actually blinding anyone but they certainly try. Probably in an attempt to keep up with QB11’s pod, they’ve starting doing their own “film review” episodes and it’s just them throwing out football jargon they don’t really understand. I’m even a little suspicious they listen to QB11 first and just parrot whatever he’s said about the game.

[Duck07]

I will lean towards the person who can tell me what DL techniques players are lined up in consistently over someone who merely can speak in platitudes. To suggest that hythloday1 is just picking out a few plays is just bonkers.

As it relates to the OL, what has been clear to me is that Conerly and Cornelius are both better pass blockers than Bass and Sala who are each playing a more natural Guard position in the NFL for them, which is also why we were better able to run the ball against tougher fronts last year because we had 4 Guards to maul up front.

PFF has the Oregon OL giving up the fewest amount of pressures in the nation at 11 and the one sack that we've had, is clearly on Bo giving up on a clean pocket. The analysis that on replay Bo looked like he was giving up on the pocket seems pretty darn accurate to me as he has been more composed than that in the past and I'd also give credit to TT for being a hostile crowd.

Today is going to be a great test for what our Defense will face come conference play as 4 of the top passing offenses are Hawaii, Colorado, USC and UW so how well do in forcing the QB off his spot while in our Mint Defense and playing a light box will be a good look ahead. If we're getting off the field often on 3rd down today, I think we should feel great about next week.

[buckmarkduck]

QB11 reminds me of a lot of guys who sort of blind their audience with jargon and then say something that you know isn't right but most feel like they can't challenge it. For instance - Texas Tech's DTs will not be the best that Oregon faces this year. While not bad, Jaylon Hutchings was honorable mention all-conference last season and probably will go undrafted. Bradford and Ledet aren't NFL guys either. So you look ahead and you see USC with Bear Alexander (most NFL upside) and Jack Sullivan and Kyon Barrs (more college production and accolades), and you bust that myth right away. I'd say washington's DTs are probably better, as well, and they benefit a lot from really good edges on both sides. I'm not as familiar with who Utah is throwing out there, but having watched a couple of their games, I'd bet they might be better than TTU's guys, as well.

Have you checked out Locked On Ducks? As a Podcaster Spencer is one of my favorites. He also runs Locked On Pac12. Hythloday is absolutely the best for knowledge but Locked On Ducks is enjoyable. IMO for his podcasts I like Hythloday best on his appearances on the Quack12 podcasts because when he is on there he is only talking about football.

Huh? I’ve tried it, but that guy tries to hard to be like Pate, and also goes overboard trying to sound impartial, so he ends up sounding negative. I enjoy George Wrighster podcast when I’ve listened to it in the past. . The only issue I’ve had with it, is he gets Wilner on there with him.

It’s funny I don’t like the locked on duck pod, because I don’t like the locked on Seahawks podcast for the opposite reason I don’t like the locked on Seahawks guy. Everything for him is blue skies, even when everyone can see their DBs aren’t a great unit, he will push how great and deep they are. He comes across as never wanting to say anything negative at all. I guess I just like the facts, and quality team info. It’s ok to call a spade a spade, but you don’t have to prove how impartial you are by not being hyped talking up a team, and you don’t have to ignore holes on the team by being overly optimistic.

[StevensTechU]

Yea, the duck podcast selection isn't great, despite there being so many. I do enjoy hythloday's analysis, but would like more commentary on who's consistently playing well/not playing well. I used to really enjoy when someone on the old 247 site would score the linebackers every game.

I thought his Linebacker rankings were really suspect, then one day he posted his scoring methodology and it was absurd. It was funny seeing scores listed with decimal point accuracy to make it look like it was some kind of highly precise system when it was actually a stupid scoring scale subjectively measured by someone without access to the play calls, the assignment on those plays, used TV broadcast "film" and limited knowledge of what he was watching. Other than that it was good stuff.

In my book QB11 is fine for the price, and you get some interesting opinions that are debatable not gospel. Hythoday's stuff is better, maybe the best available and fairest.

Hahaha. Maybe too much time has passed, but I recall it being compare to what PFF does, which has the same limitations on not knowing the calls, but gives you a good sense of who's playing well and who isn't.

Agreed on the latter paragraph.

[SuperDuck]

Trying to summarize a few things in my own head after the first two games of the year.

1. The defense has improved, but still isn't championship level. Pass rush, defensive backfield, and 3rd down defense aren't the envy of many people, but better than they were a year ago.

2. Our linebackers largely stink. I wonder about the Keith Brown situation, because we're starting a walk on with a safety build at inside linebacker and only one guy is injured. I see a need to go fishing in the portal here this off-season.

3. Our OL is good at pass pro, but doesn't have the maulers for run blocking. For the limitations athletically of last year's group, guys like Bass and Sala could push over a tank. Only JPJ is that guy this year.

4. Conerly still has a ways to go. He's a true sophomore and gifted enough to be an NFL guy someday, but right now he's one of the worst starting left tackles we've had in the last twenty years (we've been gifted with a lot of good ones, so it's a high bar).

5. Bo Nix doesn't want to run. It reminds me of Herbert's last season where you could see the offense get handicapped by the desire to keep him in the pocket. Glad he made a play yesterday on that 3rd and long, but it's clear Stein and Nix are playing to prevent injuries not maximize points. Given our lack of depth, hopefully that's prudent.

I saw this again and again during the game. It's hard to imagine that we couldn't consistently run the ball against a team like Hawaii.

I have to keep reminding myself that this was only their third game together as a unit, but it's definitely a concern moving forward.

[Duck07]

I saw this again and again during the game. It's hard to imagine that we couldn't consistently run the ball against a team like Hawaii.

I have to keep reminding myself that this was only their third game together as a unit, but it's definitely a concern moving forward.

30 Carries 227 Yards 7.6 YPC 3 TDS
31 Carries 113 Yards 3.6 YPC 1 TD
34 Carries 348 Yards 10.2 YPC 7 TDS

Outside a few play-calls in short yardage situations, I'm not sure what there is to nit-pick about the Run Game when the starters were effectively pulled 2nd series in the 3rd Quarter. We're heavily rotating our Guards so that by seasons end, JPJ is going to be the only Mario recruit starting on the OL.

[Duck07]

I also think it should be noted that the Defense looked to have a pretty solid day schematically against an opponent that will run a "shell" of what our top tests will use against us. If there's an area where Sheduer Sanders can test oure Defense, I think it will be on the deep passing game which should also give up a good prep for when we've got to face Penix a few weeks later and Williams later on.

3 Yards Per attempt has got to be up there as one of the better games for the Pass Defense in recent memory with minimal use of blitzes. Popo was able to drive the Center back several times and the sack that Burch had was a great example of the brute force he's capable of. Kamara for CSU had a hell of a game and I think it will be important for the Pass Rush to be able to bring Sanders down as he definitely looks to keep every play alive (for better or worse).

[ducks5ever]

I also think it should be noted that the Defense looked to have a pretty solid day schematically against an opponent that will run a "shell" of what our top tests will use against us. If there's an area where Sheduer Sanders can test oure Defense, I think it will be on the deep passing game which should also give up a good prep for when we've got to face Penix a few weeks later and Williams later on.

3 Yards Per attempt has got to be up there as one of the better games for the Pass Defense in recent memory with minimal use of blitzes. Popo was able to drive the Center back several times and the sack that Burch had was a great example of the brute force he's capable of. Kamara for CSU had a hell of a game and I think it will be important for the Pass Rush to be able to bring Sanders down as he definitely looks to keep every play alive (for better or worse).

The middle of the defense is still weak. They can easily test it with QB keepers and shorter passing routes/slants. The MLB's haven't shown that they can defend the middle. Even yesterday, a lot of plays could've been stopped for short gains or losses but there was no second level defender to make the play (they're out of position or can't shed blocks). It also doesn't help that the corners play pretty far off the LOS, thus giving up easy 5 yard completions at times. Not sure if LB's are supposed to cover the intermediate space (but the LB's certainly already have their hands full)

I'm making this statement through casual observations, but Khyree Jackson has looked pretty good so far. However, a lot of the plays he's making should be made by the ILB's in my mind.

[Duck07]

The middle of the defense is still weak. They can easily test it with QB keepers and shorter passing routes/slants. The MLB's haven't shown that they can defend the middle. Even yesterday, a lot of plays could've been stopped for short gains or losses but there was no second level defender to make the play (they're out of position or can't shed blocks). It also doesn't help that the corners play pretty far off the LOS, thus giving up easy 5 yard completions at times. Not sure if LB's are supposed to cover the intermediate space (but the LB's certainly already have their hands full)

I'm making this statement through casual observations, but Khyree Jackson has looked pretty good so far. However, a lot of the plays he's making should be made by the ILB's in my mind.

Outside of Jacobs getting healthy for the UW game and onward, the only way the team gets better is from guys like Devon Jackson and Bryce Boettcher growing into their roles (they were 2nd and 3rd in total tackles yesterday)c. Frankly ILB is about the least important defensive position in modern football right now too so at least we're weak right now where we can afford to be when our scheme is built to be 'Bend but don't Break' and we can at least hide it. Our defense was 2-14 on 3rd down yesterday too which was a serious problem last year. Credit should be given when its earned.

Oregon State and Utah are the only 2 teams on our schedule I'm concerned about designed QB runs. I actually would prefer for teams like Colorado, Washington and USC to take their great passing QBs and turn them into hammers against our LBs - it would play to our benefit as I think right now we can handle their scrambles when we break their OL.

[ducks5ever]

Outside of Jacobs getting healthy for the UW game and onward, the only way the team gets better is from guys like Devon Jackson and Bryce Boettcher growing into their roles (they were 2nd and 3rd in total tackles yesterday)c. Frankly ILB is about the least important defensive position in modern football right now too so at least we're weak right now where we can afford to be when our scheme is built to be 'Bend but don't Break' and we can at least hide it. Our defense was 2-14 on 3rd down yesterday too which was a serious problem last year. Credit should be given when its earned.

Oregon State and Utah are the only 2 teams on our schedule I'm concerned about designed QB runs. I actually would prefer for teams like Colorado, Washington and USC to take their great passing QBs and turn them into hammers against our LBs - it would play to our benefit as I think right now we can handle their scrambles when we break their OL.

I hope you're right, but I'm not sure I totally believe that. QB scrambles on 3rd down will be painful to watch if we can't stop them. We gave up a ton of yards on intermediate passes against Texas Tech and I don't see why another team won't exploit that weakness.

I missed the first quarter. Maybe that's why I didn't realize Devon Jackson was playing. But his growth is a positive development and the player who I think can still save the unit this season. He has day 2 draft pick measurables, and great speed. He has the tools to not just be serviceable, but to actually be good. People are high on Jestin Jacobs but I don't quite follow the logic. I'd be happy to be wrong.

The defense last year had problems at all 3 levels (outside Christian Gonzalez/Bennett Williams). Bassa seemed like an ok LB last year. He didn't stick out in a bad way (on a very average defense of course). He's been largely MIA this year and it's a bit disappointing that he wasn't able to take that next step to up his game. Jamal Hill has largely been MIA too but I don't recall him doing much last season anyways. Season is still early but just sharing what I've seen.