Ducks Attack Message Board Forum

I know we love to be a fanbase full of piss and vinegar, but I just wanted to make a couple so-obvious-we-aren't-noticing observations that are great to see with this team.

They tackle
How many years have we endured where our defense does everything except get a guy on the ground? This year, there have been so few missed tackles that I have almost not even thought about it. Like a specialist, when you don't notice it, it must be working as it should.

The secondary plays the ball
The frustration of 'allow the catch and just get the guy on the ground' pass-defense might be my biggest gripe of the last ten years with the defense. I haven't seen the stats since prior to the UCLA game, but ahead of this last week, Oregon's defense led the country in passes defended. Huge improvement.

Our receivers catch the ball
I still think Justin Herbert would have been the #1 overall draft pick if the same could be said about the receivers when he was at UofO.

There's not a talent deficit among the starters
Historically, we're used to having a guy 40 pounds underweight playing offense or defensive line, a wide receiver playing safety, or safeties playing linebacker, all because of gaps in recruitment. Not this year. Bryce Boettcher is the only walk-on playing meaningful reps, but he's actually begun to play some pretty good ball and definitely doesn't lack for size or athleticism. Though we're accustomed to having an all-american running back and don't have that this year, there isn't a single guy getting meaningful reps that makes you scratch your head about how we got here. The team is solid, top to bottom.

StevensTechU wrote:I know we love to be a fanbase full of piss and vinegar, but I just wanted to make a couple so-obvious-we-aren't-noticing observations that are great to see with this team.

They tackle
How many years have we endured where our defense does everything except get a guy on the ground? This year, there have been so few missed tackles that I have almost not even thought about it. Like a specialist, when you don't notice it, it must be working as it should.

The secondary plays the ball
The frustration of 'allow the catch and just get the guy on the ground' pass-defense might be my biggest gripe of the last ten years with the defense. I haven't seen the stats since prior to the UCLA game, but ahead of this last week, Oregon's defense led the country in passes defended. Huge improvement.

Our receivers catch the ball
I still think Justin Herbert would have been the #1 overall draft pick if the same could be said about the receivers when he was at UofO.

There's not a talent deficit among the starters
Historically, we're used to having a guy 40 pounds underweight playing offense or defensive line, a wide receiver playing safety, or safeties playing linebacker, all because of gaps in recruitment. Not this year. Bryce Boettcher is the only walk-on playing meaningful reps, but he's actually begun to play some pretty good ball and definitely doesn't lack for size or athleticism. Though we're accustomed to having an all-american running back and don't have that this year, there isn't a single guy getting meaningful reps that makes you scratch your head about how we got here. The team is solid, top to bottom.

Great observation Stevens. I have to admit after Dan’s first year I realized how much tackling and DB play had improved.

Other than Leavitt (who Mario hated) there was not a plethora of decent defensive coaches on Mario’s staff and yes, I know there were issues with Leavitt. Hayward was okay IMO, and I know everyone loved him but Sala’vea was a very average coach and a terrible recruiter. Avalos was an improvement but hated Mario and when the Boise job opened he had his ticket out.

My point is the defensive staff now is really good and the Ducks are clearly better coached on the defensive side of the ball.

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Yup, our offense just needs to put it together and this will be as complete of a team as any in Oregon history.

We got the pieces and the coaches to do it.

Not to go off on a big tangent but I will anyway. Good Lord Mario ran some damn good coordinators off. Leavitt, Avalos…Moorhead was literally gonna take any job offered even if Mario stayed and DeRuyter had probably had his fill after 1 season too.

This has been said a million times in here but if Mario ever learns to just set culture, vision and recruiting standards and let his coaches have freedom he’d be likely get several natties to his name.

However, the one thing that makes him elite at his good traits might be what drives people away, kind of like Harbaugh.

bdkipe wrote: Sat Oct 05, 2024 2:10 pm Not to go off on a big tangent but I will anyway. Good Lord Mario ran some damn good coordinators off. Leavitt, Avalos…Moorhead was literally gonna take any job offered even if Mario stayed and DeRuyter had probably had his fill after 1 season too... However, the one thing that makes him elite at his good traits might be what drives people away, kind of like Harbaugh.

At the time, I think the perception was yes; but, looking back at it now?

Leavitt spent a year as an analyst with Taggart at FSU before following him to spend a year as DC at Florida Atlantic. Had a decent year and turned it into the SMU DC job under Dykes where they were 87th in points allowed and was the interm coach when Dykes left for one game (the Fenway Bowl) which was cancelled due to COVID. Wasn't retained by new coach Lashlee; and, at age 64, hasn't coached since.

Avalos became the first head coach fired from Boise State since it became a 4 year college, after a win and with two games left in the season, with reports of a toxic locker room that was about to undergo huge roster departures if he stuck around. He is at TCU now where they are currently 105th in points allowed at 30.8 per game.

Akron is a tough job but Moorhead in 2+ season is now 5-24 with only a couple FBS wins. Last year they averaged 16.2 points per game and are averaging 14.2 points per game this year.

DeRuyter moved onto Texas Tech and his teams have ranked 93rd, 64th, and now 122nd in points allowed in his 2+ years there.

Marcus Arroyo went 0-6, 2-10, and 5-7 at UNLV and wasn't retained. He now is OC at ASU where they are currently 50th in points scored.

From what I've directly heard from a couple of players, most of the players credit Leavitt with building up the defense that Avalos inherited in 2019, which springboarded him to the Boise job.

The secondary actually playing the ball is such a major positive change. They'll have a big test this week!

Lanning/Malchow have built the most balanced roster in team history on paper and it seems to also be playing out on the field. We've had more elite talent at times(D-Boyz secondary; RB/QB, etc), but overall the balance is pretty awesome. We have backups on the D-line we would have given up a lesser organ for in the 90's/early 2000's.

GrantDuck wrote:From what I've directly heard from a couple of players, most of the players credit Leavitt with building up the defense that Avalos inherited in 2019, which springboarded him to the Boise job.

Consistent with what I heard as well.

Not to digress but I was at an event a few years ago that Mario and the entire staff attended and I can tell you the tension in the room was palpable and Mario was not good at all in hiding his disdain for Leavitt.


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Thankful to Mario and his staff for the righting the ship and showing you could recruit at an elite level at Oregon.

Not thankful for the way he and his wife treated support staff at the University and their disdain for the State of Oregon in general.

spacefrog13x wrote: Mon Oct 07, 2024 11:12 am Thankful to Mario and his staff for the righting the ship and showing you could recruit at an elite level at Oregon.

Not thankful for the way he and his wife treated support staff at the University and their disdain for the State of Oregon in general.

What did he/his family do? Interesting bit I've never heard before

spacefrog13x wrote:Thankful to Mario and his staff for the righting the ship and showing you could recruit at an elite level at Oregon.

Not thankful for the way he and his wife treated support staff at the University and their disdain for the State of Oregon in general.

Totally agree.

Mario disrespecting Phil by lying to his face is probably at the top of the list of many things Mario did that rubbed a whole lot of people the wrong way.

With regard to his wife , the best way to summarize it is that she treated staff in the AD horribly. She was rude and disrespectful


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