Under the Umbrella

Rose Bowls and Civil Wars can wait. This week it's time to take down Arizona.

The PAC10 is officially the center of the college football universe. With the most uncertainty in the nation regarding who their BCS representative will be. At the center of this wildfire of what ifs, are Oregon and Arizona. It’s only fitting that the Ducks and Wildcats are set to face off this Saturday with the PAC10 championship hanging in the balance. A loss for either team, all but assures their Rose Bowl hopes wilting while the winner becomes the clear front runner for the “Granddaddy of them all”.

There is a lot on the line, so I’m not going to waste any more time. Here is my weekly locker room speech in hopes to keep my dream of being in Pasadena for New Years Alive.

 

“I don’t want to hear one word about a certain flower today. In fact the first time I hear it, life is gonna be hell for everyone.

 

We are facing a team that is two deflected passes away from being undefeated in the PAC10.

 

Everyone close your eyes and listen hard.

 

What do you hear? I hear the sounds of your pads popping. I hear the air escaping the lungs of Wildcat players. I hear the silence of this stadium as they stunned and heart broken. I hear high fives and joking all along our sidelines. I hear satisfaction.

 

Now look at me. How are you going to make these sounds reality today? It’s not going to be easy, so get that out of your mind right now. I know I’ve said this before and it’s a recurring theme but that’s only because its true, today is going to take everything you have inside of you.

 

They are going to try and outscore us and turn this into a track meet. We want the track meet; we just won’t let them outscore us.

 

Offensively we want to establish the pass early today. The more success we have in the air the more dangerous our ground game will be.

 

WR’s – You have to get off the line of scrimmage in the blink of an eye. Every move you make today needs to be crisp and convincing. Be where Masoli expects you on every play and he will get the ball there all you have to do is catch it.

 

O-Line – If you win the battle up front, we win the game. It’s that simple. No one gets beat today and everyone that Mike Stoops sends gets blocked. Enjoy the view looking down on anyone who gets in your path today.

 

RB’s – Today you have to focus on yards after contact. This team is fast at every position and contact will come sooner than you are used to. Team speed is a double edge sword, today you get to drag defenders and drive piles. I dont want to see any solo tackles. No one man should be able to tackle you.

 

Masoli – Slow down out there, don’t rush your passes. If you can’t find an open receiver take off. It’s the quickness of your decisions and feet we need today, not the speed of your throws. A hundred yards on the ground from you is as good as 200 in the air. But I want both out of you today. There is no better compliment I can give you than pulling you after you have won the game with a full quarter to play. Make it a short day today for the right reason.

 

Defense – You haven’t scored us any points for a while. Fix that. You owe the offense some points right?

 

DB’s – They want to spread you out and confuse you. Foulks is a deadly passer. We are going to confuse him and create the kind of pressure that will make him panic. Your job is to make sure he cant get the throw off before the pressure comes. Tight coverage, jam the receiver at the line of scrimmage and shadow him. If you can cover for 4 seconds that’s all we will need. When the balls start getting rushed in, that’s when I want you to go for the pick.

 

D-line – It’s not easy being you, today is no different. They push pull hold and do everything they can to stop you from reaping havoc in the backfield. It’s gotta be frustrating getting there a half second late. Well take all that frustration and unleash it. Be overwhelmingly dominant today. Wear them down and get the glory of sack after sack and tackles for loss.

 

LB’s – Wow it’s been a rough 2 weeks for you guys. You faced two straight brusers in Gerhart and Nance. Today is not going to be any easier. While Grigsby isn’t a pounder, he wants to make you look stupid, and he has the ability to do it and he’s just now 100% healthy. Antolin is a young back who has as much ability as Grigsby. They will always have a fresh set of legs to throw at you. Give it all today. Be relentless in your pursuit, and violent in your hits. Put the fear of God in them today.

 

Close your eyes again. What do you hear now?

 

Be Proud!

 

Be Great!

 

Be Ducks!”

 

- Kurt Valentine

LaMichael James, Where is the Love?

University of Oregon Redshirt Freshman RB LaMichael James is having the type of freshman season that Coach Chip Kelly wanted everyone to believe he would have, but even Chip has to be a little bit surprised at how well his young back is performing.

 

ESPN’s Heisman Trophy Watch List is lead by Alabama RB Mark Ingram. He has carried the ball 194 times for 1297 yards and 10 TD’s. He averages 6.7 yards per carry. He specializes in yards after carry and is impressive at that, his numbers are actually less impressive than LMJ’s.

 

 

Last year Jaquizz Rodgers was named the PAC10 offensive player of the year when he carried the ball a mind numbing 259 times for 1253 yards and 11 TD’s. Those are great numbers for a season but his average was only 4.8 yards per carry. This year Quizz is having an encore performance that is impressive having rushed for 17 TD’s already and 1148 yards, but that has came on 215 carries for an average of 5.3 yards per carry. Quizz is also on ESPN’s watch list and regarded among the top backs in the nation. His numbers however are actually less impressive than LMJ’s.

 

Toby Gerhart is quietly becoming everyone’s dark horse Heisman Canidate. This year he has carried the ball more than anyone in the PAC10 at 262 carries and likely to finish with over 300, he has punished opposition by already rushing for 19 TD’s and 1395 yards. But he is more of a shining example of durability rather than ability, his yards per carry average is just over 5.3. He is the main reason that Stanford is headed to a bowl this year and his average is good, but still not as gaudy as LMJ’s.

 

 

Cal’s Javhid Best is a household name, even before falling 11 feet to the turf and landing on his neck. Before his injury he had carried the ball 141 times for 867 yards, averaging 6.1 yards per touch. Best’s numbers are worthy of his future as an NFL back, LMJ is still better in every category but TD’s, Best having 12 on the season.

 

Joe McNight is one of the most heralded players coming out of high school in recent memory and his numbers are fantastic. Stuck in Pete Carrols RB stable, he has 143 carries for 932 yards at an incredible 6.5 yards per carry with 9 rushing TD’s. In case you were wondering, close but still not LMJ.

 

LMJ has rushed for 1198 yards on just 171 carries with 11 TD’s. His average is a mind boggling 7.0 yards per carry. His TD numbers are deflated largely due to his QB Jeremiah Masoli having called his own number for 9 TD’s on the ground.

 

Ingram is acclaimed for his yards after contact. Quizz is the definition of dynamite coming in small packages. Toby is a tireless workhorse. Best is a surefire NFL star. McNight is electrifying.

 

LMJ is all of these things without the recognition, in one 5’9” 180lbs package, and he's got the Oregon record book in his sights! 

 

- Kurt Valentine

Another injury, perhaps another opportunity?

Travis Outlaw has many detractors amongst the Portland fan base but he also has an impressive group of supporters, making him one of the most polarizing members of the Blazers roster.

 

Nate McMillan has long been a believer in Outlaw and his jumper. Nate has relied on him in almost every crucial situation the team has faced since 2007 and Outlaw hasn’t let him down. Well not any more than any player called upon to win a game in the waning moments across the NBA.

 

Both sides of the fan base will now be given an opportunity to make their case for Outlaw’s worth to the team. Saturday in Charlotte he suffered a stress fracture in his foot and the earliest he could return will be 29 games from now.

 

Tonight the Blazers face the Atlanta Hawks, a team that is known for length and athleticism at that 3-4 position with swing man Josh Smith. Smith is a nightmare matchup as he has the body and speed of a 3 but sees the bulk of his minutes at the 4 due to his defensive prowess and incomparable shot blocking ability.

 

Last time the Blazers faced the Hawks, Smith had a great game against LaMarcus Aldridge and scored at will. The only lows in his game that day came when Outlaw was guarding him, matching his athleticism and length.

 

Outlaw was having a stellar season thus far and was on his way another season of career highs, which is not an uncommon event for players in a contract year.

 

Now the onus will be back on Nate to get out his lab coat and periodic table to make the rotation work again. His science experiment has worked twice this season going to the 3 guard lineup and replacing the injured Nicolas Batum, now he simply has to come up with a hypotenuse and put the theory in motion to make sure that his team can continue its recent success.  

 

This could mean extended looks at Rookie Dante Cunningham or a push to get injured Rookie Jeff Pendergraph back earlier than expected. It could simply mean more minutes for LA or more of the much loved "Twin Tower" lineup.

 

However Nate attempts to fill the void, a healthy Outlaw would be his, and my, first choice.

 

-Kurt Valentine

It's gotta be the shoes!

Most sons feel pressure to fill the shoes their father has given them. Marcus Jordan’s situation however is a little different. His father is the legendary Michael Jordan, basketballs most revered player.

 

Marcus is not the first offspring of a legend to follow in his fathers footsteps and pursue the sport once dominated by his father. The manning brothers are a famous and successful example of how it can be done. But Marcus’ situation is way more complicated.

 

Michael’s legacy is an empire, he is a brand. That brand makes shoes, iconic shoes that every kid in America who dreams of sports glory has dawned or at least begged their parents for. Marcus has grown up in these shoes. It is unfathomable to think that Marcus has ever played even a pickup game in anything but Jordans.

 

Marcus is a Division 1 talent. His game however is not to the level his name would indicate. He was destined to go to a Mid-Major school. Enter the University of Central Florida.

 

The recruitment of Marcus was special to say the least. There are several draw backs to recruiting someone with such a powerful name. A head coach would have to be confident that he could balance the talent level of the roster with the influence of the father. And in the case of Marcus, a head coach would have to make sure that his contractual obligations to his school's corporate sponsor could be fulfilled.

 

UCF contacted their corporate liaison with Adidas and explained the situation. The regional executive seeing the logic behind Marcus’ reasoning for wearing a particular shoe came to an agreement that the Freshman baller could wear his fathers brand as long as he wore all the rest of the Adidas gear that is provided to the team.

 

Marcus and Jumpman himself agreed to these terms and Marcus enrolled at UCF.

 

Apparently UCF did not take their request to the right person at Adidas. When top level executives heard of this arrangement they quickly over ruled the decision and warned that if Marcus wears his own shoes, the school would be in violation of their contract and sponsorship would be pulled.

 

Today UCF will open their season and Marcus Jordan informed the world that he will wear Jordans. Adidas promptly informed the school that they were voiding the final 6 years of their contract and taking their 3 million dollars with them.  

 

Adidas looks ignorant, I understand corporate law is on their side. I understand that Jumpman is a major competitor for Adidas. I understand that Michael himself has probably burned Adidas in the past.

 

I understand all of that, but does Adidas understand public image? Eggs are great to eat but one should always avoid wearing them. Is this just vengence directed at a legal system over Reggie Bush's gold shoes?

 

Michael has made his fortune and legacy by destroying those who have challenged him. This affront to his icon will be a motivator for him to get Jumpman into the NCAA, and the first school could quite possibly be UCF.

 

That being said until the contract dissolution is resolved any apparel company that contacts UCF could face a hefty law suit for tampering.

 

- Kurt Valentine

 

 

Not this week!

After watching the Ducks lose for the first time since I started doing my locker room speech pieces, I realized that much like the players performance on the field, my speech was lack luster. I went at it expecting it to be an easy day at the office and got smacked into depression. So I’m going to learn from my mistakes and break out of this funk. Sorry Arizona State, I’m taking it out on you!

 

“Maybe last week was my fault, maybe I didn’t push you hard enough in practice. Maybe I let you believe the hype. Maybe I allowed you to look ahead. Maybe I was out coached. Not this week!

 

All week we have focused on nothing but ASU. We know what they want to do. They have a defense that wants to demoralize you and make you quit. Not this week!

 

D-Line - They think that they can bring in a Freshman QB and win this game. He is a big target at 6’8 and when you have the chance to make him a part of grass, do it. Freshman QB’s have done decent against us in the past. Not this week!

 

Linebackers - They think that Stanford provided a blue print on how to score on us. They will run Dimitri Nance between the tackles and try to over power us. They think that if they can take away your athleticism and speed that they can expose you for being soft. Are you soft? Hell no! Show them you are not afraid of power football. We will not get ran over. Not this week!

 

DBs - They have two Senior receivers with great hands and they will make you pay if you gamble. Any ball in the air is yours! You have as much right to it as any one. I want you to win every 50/50 ball today. Last week we lost the air battle and a Freshman QB made you average. Not this week!

 

O-Line - This is an experienced D-Line that is big, strong and nasty. You’re going to be tested. This team lives by their defense and it all starts up front. You guys are the difference between 3^rd and short and 3^rd and long. I want 3^rd and short. Last week we had some struggles on short yardage situations. Not this week!

 

RBs - They have a stout run defense, their Linebackers are all ball hawks. They force turnovers by stripping the ball. They don’t tackle alone and they don’t miss tackles. Explode through the holes and don’t hesitate you don’t have time to think. Trust your instincts. Last week ASU shut down USC’s ground game. Not this week!

 

WR’s – No drops. No drops. No drops! We cannot win this game without a big day out of you guys. ASU has some questions going into this game regarding their secondary. Answer their questions by embarrassing whoever they put on the field. If a ball touches your hands, you make the catch. Last week we dropped passes. Not this week!

 

Masoli – This defense thrives on turnovers and indecisiveness. Give them neither. Show them what we have said all along. Jerimiah Masoli is perfect in this offense. Take what they give you early and soon enough they wont know what to take away. Don’t be afraid to run today. Last week you lost. Not this week!

 

ASU isn’t afraid of you. They are hoping that LeGarrette will be a distraction. They don’t know he is family, and not a distraction. Prove to the world that you are focused and everyone should be afraid.

 

Be proud!

 

Be great!

 

Be Ducks!”

 

- Kurt Valentine

Well the good news is the PAC10 is still in Oregon's grasp.

Chip Kelly warned his team that the college football season was like a heavy weight fight and that if you’re not careful you can get knocked out in the 9^th round ala Mike Tyson against Buster Douglas.

Chip’s warning went unheard. Is this a case of Oregon buying into its own hype for the second time this season, or are they just a bad road team?

 

Chip is not without blame for the loss having challenged a spot late in the game that would not have changed Stanford’s plan of attack, they were going to go for it regardless. That failed challenge meant Oregon could not stop the clock again and Stanford would be able to run them into submission.

 

Secondly, and likely more debatable, was his decision to attempt the onside kick with over 2 minutes left to play. Oregon could have kicked it deep and kept Stanford out of field goal range, and had a shot to win the game with some time remaining from about mid field. Instead a failed onside kick turned into three points and a game that was out of reach.

 

Lastly, and purely philosophically, I don’t understand deferring to half time on the road with an offense that is so potent and a defense that is great with a lead. Oregon State was able to dismantle Stanford by jumping out to an early lead and forcing them to become a pass first team, effectively taking the bulldozing Toby Gerhart out of the game.

 

All of these coaching mistakes pale in comparison to the ineptitude of the Oregon defense on Saturday. Stanford scored on every possession in the first half.

 

Gerhart had a career day as he rushed for 223 yards and 3 scores. Setting a Stanford single game record against a once vaunted oregon run defense.

 

QB Andrew Luck looked like more like Tom Brady than the freshman signal caller he is, as he threw for 251 yards and 2 TD’s in only 20 attempts.

 

And Chris Owusu, a WR who was criticized immensely for not being able to make the down field catch, made them all. His 4 catches wentfor 111 yards and a trip to the endzone.

 

End result was Stanford having an offensive output that ended in over 500 yards and 51 points.

 

But the day was not a total loss, Oregon made it through healthy and the offense was fantastic.

 

Jeremiah Masoli was incredible in the loss. He was 21/37 for 334 yards and 3 passing TD’s. He also rushed for 55 yards on 10 carries and went untouched into the enzone. Jeremiah had arguably his best throwing day in this loss when you consider that the at least 6 of the 16 incomplete passes were dropped.

 

LaMichael James showed again that the Duck’s running game is in great hands for the foreseeable future having yet another 100+ yard performance and breaking the thousand yard mark for the season. Oh by the way, no other RB in Oregon history has done that as a freshman. James finished with 125 yards on 18 carries with 1 TD. He added another 89 yards on 4 catches.

 

The good news for the Chip Kelly is that he was wrong, his team didn’t get knocked out in the 9^th round, sure they hit the canvas but after a standing 8 count, they are still ahead on points heading into the 10^th.

 

Speaking of heavy weight bouts the Oregon announced today that they have reinstated LeGarrett Blount after he was suspended for throwing a knock out sucker punch and having to be physically removed from the field following the loss at Boise State.

 

- Kurt Valentine

Oregon vs Stanford; This is no time for a letdown.

This is the great thing about college football is that the next game is just as important as the last and unlike baseball and basketball you cant afford to take a day off. So how do the Oregon Ducks maintain focus going up against Stanford a mere 7 days after the “Biggest Game of the Decade”? Chip Kelly, that’s how. Here’s how I would handle it if I was Chip.

 

“Today we have the chance to legitimize what we did last week. It’s our chance to prove that we can dominate week in and week out and what happened on Halloween was no fluke.

 

Stanford is a tough opponent who can get up for a big game. They have one of the countries best Running Backs in Toby Gerheart and a stellar young QB in Andrew Luck.

 

History is against us in this one, they say that in this day and age it’s nearly impossible to go undefeated in PAC10 play. Today against Stanford we have the chance get one game closer.

 

The good news is, we only have to play one team today and that’s Stanford.

 

They are going to run as much as possible early, hoping to be able to play action us. But it wont work, they will not be able to run on you will they?

 

They think that we are soft up the middle and Gerhart is too much of a load. They think that they can beat you at the line of scrimmage and eliminate our speed.

 

D-Line; Today is the most we have ever relied on you. Make them one dimensional. Do not let them move you backwards! Every play is in their backfield, got it? Don’t get forced away from the play.

 

O-Line, I love how nasty you have been over the past 6 weeks, keep it up. Remember that we are one of the best running teams in the country and you are the reason. Play with pride and hunger.

 

Linebackers; Make it hurt. Make every tackle take their breath away. Gang tackle everything, if a lineman has someone stood up, you knock them down. If a DB has someone wrapped up, put your shoulder pads on them.

 

DB’s When their running game fails, and it will ball hawk. Force turnovers today and Luck will give up and start throwing the ball incomplete to avoid the turnover. You Safeties must make sure that one of you is in on every play so that we can be more aggressive today and get some picks.

 

Offense; Make it happen.

 

 Be Proud!

 

Be Great!

 

Be Ducks!”

 

-Kurt Valentine