Morning Mud: Bonus Video

• Keeerrrttt1 @FishDuck.com shares his 27th vlog and discusses the following topics:

Chip Kelly rumors (0:37), Basketball update (4:50), FishDuck.com update (6:00), Don't contact recruits (8:56), Random Tweet of the Week (10:42), Music Recommendation of the Week: CHARLES BRADLEY (10:54)

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Duck Stuff: Morning Mud

Morning Mud

• Aaron Fentress continues previewing Oregon commits and takes a sneak peek at TE Evan Baylis.

Duck fans should be excited because: Grandview coach John Schultz said the Ducks are getting a tremendous athlete who loves contact and just so happens to catch the ball very well. 


“He’s one of the best players we’ve had come through Grandville High School,” he said.

• Steve Maher @FishDuck.com looks back at the lessons learned from the "Kelly-not Saga."

• Aaron Fentress believes the Ducks find that recruiting offensive linemen on the national level a real challenge.

Although over the years the Ducks have reeled in big fish from across the country at other positions, none has been of the 300-pound variety that does the heavy lifting in any offense. For that reason, Oregon hasn't made a hard push to seek linemen beyond the West.

• Dale Newton assesses Oregon's immediate needs in recruiting. Here are just a couple of Dale's thoughts:

As the signings come in and the glowing reviews of the classes are posted, it's important to remember that the impact and proof of a given class comes in two or three years. Only a handful of players will contribute immediately. Most are not physically or psychologically ready for an immediate leap to big-time college football.


Looking at the 2012 Ducks, however, there are a few clear opportunities for freshman and redshirt freshman to make an immediate contribution and compete for early playing time.

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Morning Mud: Bonus Video

• Fowlplay2010 is back with his "fan perspective" videos and this time it's the USC game. Even though the Ducks lost he calls it his favorite game at Autzen last year. Some great footage, another keeper.

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Duck Stuff: Morning Mud

Morning Mud

• Ted Miller gives the Pac-12 an overall season grade for 2011 and Oregon helped keep the grades respectable, especially on offense.

Oregon again was the conference's top offense in total offense, scoring and rushing.

• George Schroeder calls OC Mark Helfrich a coach on the rise.

Helfrich is overshadowed as offensive coordinator in a system that’s widely and correctly seen as Kelly’s creation. Kelly calls the plays, sure. But when the coaches say it’s a collaboration, it is. The offense is constantly evolving, and Helfrich’s input has been a significant part of Oregon’s success.


All of which is to say: Helfrich has the tools. He’ll be a very good head coach someday.

• ESPN's KC Joiner predicts Kenjon Barner will be a breakout running back in 2012.

• Ken Goe reports Darron Thomas got the phone call he was waiting for, an invite to the NFL combine.

• Dale Newton will be running special recruiting coverage for 96 straight hours, a sort of and one stop shop for Oregon recruiting news.

• Aaron Fentress has another mini-preview, this time it's Oregon commit 6'5" WR Dwayne Stanford.

As a tall receiver, Stanford said he paid a lot of attention to 6-5 UO wide receiver Lavasier Tuinei. 


“I can bring something similar to L.T.,” he said. “I want to bring something like that maybe with a little bit more speed. Really the best of both worlds, big receiver with the speed of a little guy.”

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Morning Mud: Bonus Video

• Nick Cody takes a closer look at Carson York's long road to recovery after sustaining a severe knee injury during the Rose Bowl.

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Duck Stuff: Morning Mud

Morning Mud

• Aaron Fentress has a mini-preview of DE DeForest Buckner and wonders if he could be the next Dion Jordan.

Duck fans should be excited because: Fans who have fallen in love with the play of 6-7, 240-pound UO defensive end Dion Jordan – meet his clone. 


Buckner will be the next tall defensive end to roam Autzen Stadium and his high school coach, Kale Ane said he believes his star lineman has a bright future.


• Steve Tannen, local sports talk radio host, talked with Chip Kelly about Kelly's decision to stay at Oregon instead of taking the head coaching job at Tampa Bay. Very interesting interview.

• Not that anyone is surprised but Rob Moseley notes that LaMichael James was officially invited to the NFL combine.

• Aaron Fentress wonders if Oregon will land another big fish recruit like they did last year with Colt Lyerla and DAT.

• Dale Newton (part one and part two) and Adam Jude had a chance to have a little Q&A session with former Oregon CB Cliff Harris as he prepares for a chance to join the NFL combine. Here is the last paragraph from Dale's part two:

He's always thrived under pressure, even when he created it for himself.  Cliff Harris has a tremendous heart for the game of football. Hopefully, he is learning what he needs to reclaim his remarkable talent and the rare opportunity to succeed on its biggest stage. Less than .6 of 1% of college players make it in the league. Now out of his own way, Oregon's former #13 has as good a shot as anyone.

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