Happy Fourth of July!

Have fun with family and friends and be safe everyone!

Duck Stuff: Morning Mud

• Rob Moseley leads today's links with his story on wide receiver Tyrece Gaines and punter Jackson Rice. I liked this quote from Gaines:

“I love to block,” Gaines said. “It just so happens that I know how to run and catch as well. I like the big plays. That’s what it’s about. It’s the teamwork, getting my running backs to the sideline and me running with them. That’s more exciting than catching a touchdown and doing it myself.”

Sounds like Gaines has his head on straight. Rice comes into a program in desperate need of a consistent punter (did you see the Spring Game?)

Rice averaged 47.6 yards per punt as a senior, was roundly considered one of the top one or two punters in the nation and participated in the prestigious U.S. Army All-America Bowl.

This guy is the real deal. I wish them both the best of luck.

• Ted Miller is up next with his continuing series, "Don't be surprised if...". This time he thinks Pac-10 QB play will be much better in 2009. He has Oregon on the upswing:

Masoli was the best quarterback in the Pac-10 over the final quarter of the season. If he improves, he could end up first-team All-Pac-10... and maybe more.

"Maybe more" as in the "H" word? Let's not get too far ahead of ourselves just yet.

GO DUCKS!

Hottest Pac-10 Rivalry?

That's a pretty silly question to ask a Duck fan but ESPN's Ivan Maisel and Pac-10 blogger Ted Miller confirm what we already know.

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Duck Stuff: Morning Mud

• Jon Wilner explores his all-decade Pac-10 football team. Four Oregon players made the grade between the first and second teams.

First team: OL Adam Snyder and DL Haloti Ngata.

Second team: OL Max Unger and DB Patrick Chung.

Did Wilner leave any other Ducks out? Check out the list here.

• Brandon Oliver does a Q & A with Brady Leaf. I would have to agree with Brady on his best moment as a Duck.

DT- Favorite game and favorite play as a Duck?

BL- I would have to say my favorite game was against Cal my sophomore year at home when we won in OT. I threw my first touchdown as a Duck. My favorite play was the catch Jonathon Stewart made against USC at their house in the back of the end zone.

GO DUCKS!

Duck Stuff: Morning Mud

• GoDucks.com notes that two Oregon football players will not be returning this season due to failing to meet NCAA eligibility requirements.

Zach Taylor, a junior long snapper, and Dominic Glover, a defensive end.

Also worth noting in this article is the start of Fall Camp, which is slated for August 7th.

• Bob Rickert travels on the recruiting trail and highlights five potential Ducks. Highest rated player on his list?

Terrance Broadway: Terrific player. Still being recruited by the Ducks. 4th rated dual-threat quarterback nationally. Ole Miss, Alabama, Nebraska and the Ducks have all offered. He's visited Ole Miss at the beginning of June and came away with good reviews. Nothing spectacular but, clearly Oregon's going to have a lot of competition for his signature.

• Brandon Oliver continues his Q & A series at the DuckTerritory with Zac Clark. This guy has one thing on his radar, the Rose Bowl. Nothing wrong with that.

DT- What are your goals for this year and your time at Oregon?

ZC- Rose Bowl(s)

GO DUCKS!

Duck Stuff: Morning Mud

• Rob Moseley made it down to the voluntary summer workouts yesterday. Lots of new faces and a few that were more than familiar.

There were also a few UO graduates out working out with the team: Jaison Williams, Matt Toeaina, Kwame Agyemen, Garren Strong, Brian Paysinger and Andiel Brown.

Check out Rob's article to keep up to date on all the activity's.

GO DUCKS!

Duck Stuff: Morning Mud

• Coming on the heels of last week's announcement that Michael Clay, Tyrece Gaines and Brian Jackson had arrived on campus for summer classes is word from Rob Moseley that Nick Cole has joined the group.

That leaves five members of this years signing class who have yet to enroll.

PK Mike Bowlin
DT Justin Brown
CB Cliff Harris
DT Andrew Iupati
WR Diante Jackson

GO DUCKS!

Duck Stuff: Morning Mud

• Couple of tidbits from Rob Moseley today. Apparently Justin Roper has agreed to transfer to Montana.

Roper has two years of eligibility left to play, and would be immediately eligible for the Grizzlies of the FCS. Montana lost one QB to graduation but returns two other lettermen.

Looking for a job and have experience as an assistant strength coach? Send your resume to Oregon's strength and conditioning coach Jim Radcliffe.

Jeremy Pick has vacated the assistant job he has held for the last 12 years and is headed to Towson University.

An announcement regarding Pick's replacement is expected in the next couple of weeks.

GO DUCKS!