There is a nice article at GoDucks.com about Kellen Clemens. He discusses the transition to New York from Eugene and Burns, what being a rookie in the NFL is all about and even his thought on the new uni's the Ducks are sporting this year.
The defensive side of the ball is where I really see the biggest challenges and question marks for this team. The Duck's lost what is arguably their best defensive tackle in school history (Haloti Ngata) their top defensive end (Devan Long), their sack leader (Anthony Trucks) and both defensive backs (Aaron Gipson and Justin Phinesse). That is a whole lot of experience and playmaking individuals to replace. Can this defensive team come any where near the production as last years' squad which finished ranked 2nd in total defense in the PAC-10? One of the things that the Duck defense has going for it is depth. This could very well be the deepest team that Oregon has had in a long time. The question remains, "will any of these developing players step up to become dependable playmakers?"
You just can't replace a player like Haloti Ngata. However, in the gap control system which coach Alliotti runs, the Ducks should have some players who will be able to hold their own. Even with Ngata at times the defensive line didn't meet some expectations last year. This year Matt Toeaina could be the key player on the defensive line. He at time has dominated just as much as Ngata did. Toeaina also has the versatility of being able to play both defensive tackle and defensive end. Where he ends up will probably be determined by the play of the younger defensive lineman. Cole Linehan got some quality time last year including some significant time against Oklahoma in the Holiday Bowl. He along with David Faaeteete and Ra'shon "Sonny" Harris are physically imposing players who showed improvement in the spring. New junior college transfer Jeremy Gibbs will also be in the mix, but JC's are always a question in terms of their first year production. Unfortunately for Harris, it looks like his year is done with a serious injury. This leaves the possibility for him to medically redshirt this season and retain a year of eligibility.
On the ends the Ducks received good news when Darius Sanders was able to regain a year of eligibility after meeting his academic requirements as a partial qualifier. Trying to fill Devan Long's shoes is the challenge for this years defensive ends. Nick Reed showed flashes of greatness as a true freshman, but he still needs to gain strength and build on his freshmen season.
From an article on Yahoo Sports.At the Running back position Jonathan Stewart, the "Incredible Hulk", is ready to step into the shoes of an underrated and sometimes under appreciated Terrance Whitehead. Stewart is a physical freak with a scary combination of size (5-foot-11, 234-pounds), speed (4.34 forty), and strength (410-pound bench press, 380-pound power clean, 38.5-inch vertical leap). He led the country in kickoff returns and scored 9 TD's in limited action last year. Stewart is perhaps the most heralded recruit ever to don the Oregon uniform. However, with such high expectations there comes the need for results. That's a lot of pressure to live up to and there are still questions about his durability and toughness.
His running style and attitude have been one to seek out contact rather than avoid contact. Coach Bellotti has commented that he would like to see Stewart improve his vision and try to avoid some the big collisions that he has had in the past. We have yet to see Stewart get a lot of reps so the questions of durability remain. In high school he flourished in a tradition run offense that allowed him more time to reach full speed and run "down hill". Can he make the adjustment to the spread offense? And can the coaches make the spread work for him? It does appear that the coaches are going to implementing some more tradition running formations for this upcoming season, but Stewart will need to find success running the ball out of both the spread and tradition formations.
There is a great story by Ron Bellamy in today's Eugene Register Guard about Jerry Allen, who for the last 19 years has been the Voice of the Ducks.
I made my 4th annual trek to Dave's classroom today to snap a couple of pictures and just hang out a little while. In previous years I have helped Dave setup the classroom but this year everything is pretty much the same as last year. We went to lunch and discussed such major topics as the Yanks, fantasy football and of course the Ducks.
It's been 55 years since the Yankees swept the Red Sox in a five-game series. The last time the pinstripes pulled off the feat at Fenway? 1943. That was before Monday's capper to the Boston Massacre.
Full Story at Yahoo Sports.BOSTON (AP) -- Twenty-eight years after the "Boston Massacre" set the stage for Bucky Dent and yet another Yankees championship, New York is snuffing out the Red Sox once again.
Changing the style -- but not the outcome -- of an epic series that's propelled them to a 5 1/2 -game lead in the AL East, the Yankees beat Boston for the fourth consecutive time on Sunday night, coming back with two homers and five RBIs from Jason Giambi to win 8-5 in 10 innings.
"This could have been the most incredible of them all," New York manager Joe Torre said. "This ballclub just won't be denied."
Go Yankees!
Errant throws, dropped passes, penalty flags and poor snaps ruled the day Saturday during the Oregon football team’s first major scrimmage of fall camp.
The Ducks spent 75 minutes scrimmaging in Autzen Stadium, with the offense scoring three touchdowns and adding two field goals in 16 possessions beginning at various spots on the field.
“I though we failed a test today,” UO coach Mike Bellotti said. “I was very disappointed with our offense.”
It definitely didn't sound pretty but they have 2 weeks to get things in order, I have faith all will be well opening day against Stanford.
GO DUCKS!
Read the full story at the Register Guard site.
Noah had his first professional photos taken a couple of weeks ago. They are precious and you can see the others at Flickr.
It was a fantastic day and evening of family, friends and celebration for Gina and Sean's special day. The ceremony and setting were something I am sure they will never forget. I want to wish you two unlimited joy and happiness on your continued journey of love. Some of the pictures I took are at my Flickr site.
New York Yankees center fielder Johnny Damon, left, and right fielder Bobby Abreu congratulate each other after beating the Boston Red Sox, 12-4, after their baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston, Friday Aug. 18, 2006. Damon was 3-for-6 with a home run, a triple and four RBIs, and Abreu had four of New York's 16 hits.
We made it home, safe and sound after a great 5 days of camping at Little Cultus Lake. Chris, Dave , Jake, Max, Bob and I had a great time of hiking, swimming, poker playing, eating like kings (thanks to Chris) and the occasional nip of spirits.
Newly acquired Cory Lidle threw 6 innings of 1 hit ball after joining the Yankees along with outfielder Bobby Abreu last Sunday from the Phillies to lead New York to an 8-1 victory over Toronto.
I have added a group of links down the right side for Pac-10 football blogs. I am sending the author of each site an email asking that they add a link to this site in the hopes we might get a little "friendly" commentary going between the blogs.
