Morning Mud

• Dale Newton reminds us that we should learn some lessons from signing days past.

It's important to keep perspective as the faxes come in and Twitter goes over capacity. The players who come to Oregon and those who choose other opportunities all deserve good wishes and respect. Welcome the new Ducks, but welcome them with class and a mature viewpoint. The Webfoots went to the National Championship game a year ago. They did with five recruiting classes that averaged 24th in the country. Spencer Paysinger and Jeff Maehl were two of the stars of that team. Paysinger was a 2-star wide receiver when recruited, Maehl a 3-star cornerback.

• Rob Moseley reminds us today is only about the "fax" for Oregon football.

High school recruits can begin submitting signed letters of intent to college programs this morning, and the fax machine in the UO football offices is poised to spit out LOIs from 19 prep players, along with three junior college transfers, according to reports.

• Oregon got a verbal commitment from the #2 punting prospect in the nation in Dylan Ausherman.

• Aaron Fentress highlights the "tall group of recruits" who have given their verbals to Oregon.

• Ted Miller notes that Phil Steele has projected the Ducks as the number four team in the country when the initial AP top 10 is released later this year.

The Ducks have become a fixture among the nation’s elite under HC Chip Kelly with 3 straight BCS appearances and last year captured their first Rose Bowl win since 1916! While QB Darron Thomas and RB LaMichael James are gone, their replacements are plenty capable as QB Bryan Bennett and RB’s Kenjon Barner and De’Anthony Thomas return with some valuable game experience and the Ducks do not open with a marquee non-conference game like they did last year vs LSU.

• Rob Moseley has a couple of stories about LaMichael James and his preparation for the NFL combine.

• Aaron Fentress has another mini-profile for Oreon commit DT Stetzon Bair who hopes to follow in his brother's footsteps.

Fans should prepare to do a double take, or two. Bair is the younger brother of former UO standout defensive tackle Brandon Bair, now with Kansas City of the NFL. Brandon Bair stood 6-7, 272 as a member of the 2010 Ducks who reached the BCS National Championship Game deserves partial credit for his younger brother following in his footsteps.

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Morning Mud: Bonus Video

2012-01-31T05:34:00.000-08:00

• FishDuck looks at the "dart play" in this FishDuck minute.

• Rob Moseley and Adam Jude preview national signing day and beyond for the Oregon football program on the Postgame brew.

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Duck Stuff: Morning Mud

2012-01-31T05:33:00.000-08:00

Morning Mud

• Dale Newton lays out what the Arik Armstead commitment means for Oregon.

It means Cal, UW and USC didn't get him.

If the young man from Sacramento applies himself on the practice field and in the weight room and classroom, he can become a great, dominating college football player.

• ESPN's Craig Haubert (via Ted Miller) believes Armstead would help the Ducks on the O-line.

He's a good fit for their offensive scheme with his combination of size and athletic skills. He can quickly come off the ball low and hard, knock defenders back and, at times, dominate them in the run game.

• Ty and Dan @The Solid Verbal talk recruiting news which includes the surprise Oregon signing of Arik Armstead.

• Under the can't win them all category, Aaron Fentress reports Armstead's good friend, safety Shaq Thompson has given his verbal commitment to Washington.

• Dale Newton believes Oregon can finish strong in recruiting if the land a few key players. Here are two from his list:

Bralon Addison and Chance Allen: The two swift, athletic wide receivers visited Oregon this week and are childhood friends, playing at rival schools a few miles from each other in Missouri City, Texas. Both originally committed to other schools but came away impressed by their Oregon visit.

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Duck Stuff: Morning Mud

2012-01-30T07:12:00.000-08:00

Morning Mud

• Rob Moseley called it a recruiting coup as highly touted five star lineman Arik Armstead (6'8" 285lbs) announced he would sign his letter of intent to attend Oregon.

Aaron Fentress compares Armstead to Haloti Ngata.

Ted Miller wonders if Armstead's good friend, (five star safety) Shaq Thompson will choose Oregon to join his buddy.

• Aaron Fentress has a mini-profile on Oregon commit QB Jake Rodrigues.

The 2012 recruit committed to Oregon in May, graduated from high school in December and enrolled at UO this month, making him eligible to join the team this spring.

So while Bennett, who appeared in several games last fall, and Mariota, a highly-touted and viable challenger, are the front-runners, Rodrigues could very well find himself in the mix in the near future.

• Keeerrrttt1 @FishDuck.com wonders if the "Nike-U" nicknake should be changed to "X's & O's University?

2012-01-25T04:48:00.000-08:00

• ESPN shares their video of Oregon RB Kenjon Barner talking with College Football Live about what's next for the Oregon offense and his thoughts on Chip Kelly deciding to stay at Oregon instead of heading for the NFL.

• Adam Jude reports that Chip Kelly's heart is with Oregon and several U of O fraternity brothers couldn't be happier.

• George Schroeder wonders if Oregon's power brokers will forgive and forget Chip's flirtation with the NFL.

In the short term, there shouldn’t be much fallout from Kelly’s almost-exit. It might even be a P.R. positive.

• Lindsay Schnell also believes the near exit of CK won't hurt the Ducks' recruiting efforts in the immediate future.

• Jon Wilner projects the Pac-12 standings for 2012 and you'll find Oregon at the top of the North division.

1. Oregon: The Ducks would have been the overwhelming favorite with Darron Thomas. Instead, they’re merely the substantial favorite with promising sophomore Bryan Bennett under center. They have plenty of playmakers (Kenjon Barner, DAT, etc.), a quality offensive line and a defense that returns several key players, including safety John Boyett. Oh, and the Ducks get Stanford and Washington at home.

• Aaron Fentress has a mini-preview of Oregon commit safety Oshay Dunmore.

Duck fans should be excited because: Dunmore could have had an impact at Oregon as a receiver, running back, H-back, defensive back or linebacker. "I'm ready to do whatever if they let me play both ways," he said. "If I had my way, I'd want to."

Chances are, Dunmore will have to settle on one position and it appears to be in the defensive backfield. He said UO defensive backs John Neal has penciled him in as a free safety, and if that happens, he would become one of the taller players to play the position at Oregon in recent memory.

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Morning Mud: Bonus Video

2012-01-24T04:45:00.000-08:00

• KVAL shares the video of Oregon AD Rob Mullens talking with reporters on Chip Kelly remaining head coach of the Ducks after turning down the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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2012-01-13T04:49:00.000-08:00

Morning Mud

• Rob Moseley continues his positional season reviews and looks at the wide receivers spot and has some thoughts on 2012.

All eyes will be on B.J. Kelley, Tacoi Sumler and Devon Blackmon — the latter having recovered from midseason shoulder surgery — to see what kind of impact they can have on this group in 2012.

• Ted Miller in doing Pac-12 season grades for each team and yesterday was Oregon's turn and he gave them an "A."

Really, there was only one way the Ducks could have produced a better season, and that's finishing ranked No. 1. And, folks, I can't bring myself to give a team an A- when it wins the Rose Bowl and finishes ranked in the top five.

• Kevin Gemmell looks at the best and worst from the Pac-12 bowl season and has high marks for all the Ducks that are mentioned. He has numerous categories but here is just one of them.

Best bang for buck: Oregon's De'Anthony Thomas. Two carries, two touchdowns, 155 yards and a 77.5 yards-per-carry average.

• Going to be in Eugene on January 21st and you would like to see the football honored? Get your tickets to the UCLA vs Oregon men's basketball game, there will be a halftime ceremony.

• Cliff Harris has decided to give the NFL a shot according to multiple reports. Personally, I wish him the best of luck.

• The Oregonian has a recruiting update and notes Oregon recently gave four more offers.

• David Melo @ FishDuck.com has a Q&A with former Oregon CB Steve Smith about the 2002 Fiesta Bowl victory. Here is one of my favorites from the piece.

Q.) In your memory, what play sticks out the most?

A.) Maurice Morris!! That damn run!! That run was like ‘we could do anything.’ After my second pick. It was another moment in the game ‘here we go, we’re running.’

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Morning Mud: Bonus Video

2012-01-12T04:56:00.001-08:00

• GoDucksdotcom was good enough to share this video with everyone and here is their description from the YouTube video:

The Oregon Football Program produces motivational pump-up videos which are viewed by the entire team prior to locker-room exit on game day. The Ducks watched this video before winning the 2012 Rose Bowl. A special thank you to Steve Pohl and Oregon Football for allowing this video to be shared with our fans on YouTube.

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Duck Stuff: Morning Mud

2012-01-12T04:56:00.000-08:00

Morning Mud

• Rob Moseley continues his season reviews with a look at the running backs.

Debates will rage about the best player in Oregon history, in terms of talent, but from this perspective the best career ever put together for the Ducks — in terms of production — was compiled by LaMichael James, capped by a 2011 season in which he ran for a school-record 1,805 yards. James led the nation in average rushing yards per game for the second straight season, at 150.42.

• Michael Bishop of "Supwitchugirl" fame, has a great article on his first hand experience at the 2012 Rose Bowl where he noticed Cliff Harris a few rows in front of him.

Cliff made mistakes, but showing up to the Rose Bowl last Monday was not one.

• Ted Miller has a "what we learned" edition for the Pac-12 bowl showing.

Oregon, it turns out, can win the big one: Some folks might not want to admit this, but it's a load off the backs of the Pac-12 as well as Oregon that the Ducks broke through with a win over a very good Wisconsin team in the Rose Bowl. The Ducks, whether you like it or not, have been carrying the conference flag for three consecutive years...

• Dale Newton has a couple of recruiting profiles, one on Arik Armstead and the other on DeForest Buckner.

• Keeerrrttt1@ FishDuck.com has a fantastic look back at Oregon's facilities and wonders if it might be part of the UO's success. Kurt's story starts like this:

Ask anybody in the country today their impression of University of Oregon athletics, and three words will immediately be uttered: uniforms, Nike, facilities. Oregon’s facilities now are the envy of the country, even many pro teams don’t have the plush amenities that Oregon athletes appreciate today. It didn’t happen overnight though... click here for the full article, you won't be sorry...

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2012-01-07T05:53:00.000-08:00

• Rob Moseley shares the LaMichael James press conference where he officially announces he will be going to the NFL. Rob also shares his feature article that is in the R-G today. [Personally, I understand his decision and wish him the best of luck at the next level. He will always remain a true Oregon legend.]

James announced a decision he’s been mulling for a year or more — the greatest career ever by an Oregon football player has come to an end, prematurely.

James, who holds UO records for rushing yards in a game, a single season and a career, intends to hire an agent and make himself available for April’s NFL draft. A player whose career was marked by record-setting performances, breath-taking runs but also painful injuries will now be earning a paycheck for taking all that punishment.

• Ken Goe talks about LMJ's decision and lists his accomplishments. Ken also shares a short statement from Chip Kelly.

Kelly said: “I’m 100 percent behind LaMichael. He is a very special person and certainly will be remembered as one of the very best players ever to wear a uniform at the University of Oregon. It has been a pleasure to coach him for the four seasons he has been here, and is comforting to know he will obtain his degree this spring. I could not have asked any more from him, and I am confident he will be a success at the next level.”

• Aaron Fentress notes Kenjon Barner, who is also considering entering the NFL draft, is undecided at this point but has to make a decision by January 15. On a bright note RB coach Gary Campbell gave his opinion.

Oregon running backs coach Gary Campbell, on the road recruiting, said he expects Barner to return, stating that it would be in his best interest to play one season out of the shadows of LaMichael James.

• Dale Newton @ The Duck Stops Here and Josh White @ FishDuck.com both pay tribute to LaMichael.

• De'Anthony Thomas made it on a way too early list of 2012 Heisman hopefuls.

De'Anthony Thomas finally got to show off how dangerous a runner he is when he rushed for 155 yards on two plays in the Rose Bowl game against Wisconsin. Thomas has great burst of speed and ankle-breaking moves but he played sparingly due to team mates LaMichael James and Kenjon Barner getting most of the carries—he made up for the rushing yards in his kick return yardage (983 yards, two touchdowns). Thomas rushed for 595 yards on 55 carries for seven touchdowns and an astounding 10.8 yards per carry for the 2011 season.

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LaMichael James 2011 Highlights

2012-01-06T04:52:00.000-08:00

• Here you go Duck fans, I am starting player highlights now that the season is over and my first one is for LaMichael James. Arguably, the greatest player Oregon has ever had (at least for now) on their football team. Enjoy and if you haven't subscribed to my YouTube channel then do it now so you will know when other player highlight videos are uploaded.

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Duck Stuff: Morning Mud

2012-01-06T04:29:00.000-08:00

Morning Mud

• Aaron Fentress notes Chip Kelly took a few minutes to reflect on the Rose Bowl victory and then it was back on the recruiting trail.

He said he’s most proud of how his young team came together throughout the season. Just 10 scholarship seniors – 14 all together - were on the 2011 roster.

“You didn’t know what they were going to be like,” he said. “You played a lot of kids that hadn’t played before…just to see how they grew as the season went along, how they became just key contributors was a big deal.”

• Can't get enough of the Rose Bowl victory? GoDucks.com and Amazon are both taking pre-orders for a complete game DVD copy of your own. I ordered mine today. Shipping in Late February.

• Ted Miller analyses the Pac-12 schedule for each team and finds Oregon with a "soft" schedule.

• NationalChamps.net has a way too early look at the top 25 pre-season rankings and has Oregon at #4 just behind USC at #3.

• Adam Jude reports in prospective recruits eyes the Rose Bowl victory just might have been a big plus for the Ducks.

“Our big thing in recruiting is making sure we find the right kids for Oregon,” said longtime assistant Don Pellum, named the nation’s top recruiting coordinator by two publications last year. “If a young man is looking for a big-city experience, that’s not who we are. We need to make sure we find the right kids who are going to flourish in our environment, and that’s a biggie.”

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Duck Stuff: Morning Mud

2012-01-04T17:01:00.000-08:00

Morning Mud

• Rob Moseley reports that the difference in this BCS game was the preparation.

“We were not going to be held down in this game,” [Darron] Thomas said. “I think there was a determination factor out of the offense.”

Perhaps that illustrated Thomas’ point that the Ducks were the better-prepared team, that their experience and focus and “emphasis” had paid off. Whatever the reason, when it came time to make plays with the game on the line, Oregon was of championship caliber Monday.

• Keeerrrttt1 @ FishDuck.com has a great story on his experiences at this years Rose Bowl. Kurt ends his article with this:

For years now Oregon fans have endured the same rhetorical taunt from Husky and Beaver fans, “when was the last time you guys won a Rose Bowl?” Well, I can’t wait for one of them to ask me that again, so I can proudly respond “2012 Rose Bowl champions, and I was there.”

• David Melo @ FishDuck.com concludes his multi-part series on the 2001 postseason.

• Ted Miller has some interesting Rose Bowl notes.

• The 2012 Pac-12 schedule was announced yesterday and Rob Moseley breaks down Oregon's schedule.

• Stephen Alexander reports the Rose Bowl victory was particularly meaningful for longtime coach Nick Aliotti.

“I started crying,” Aliotti says. “And at the same time my heart was smiling.”

• Jason Vondersmith reports even the players turn into spectators when De'Anthony Thomas has the ball.

Kenjon Barner heard coach Chip Kelly talking about a Thomas play that the Ducks had practiced all week leading up to the game.

“A couple of us whispered, ‘Yeah, this’ll be a touchdown.’ … It’s something that we went over time and time again in practice,” Barner said. “To get into a game and have it work is very rewarding.”

Added Barner, of his phenom teammate: “If it’s not fun to watch him as a spectator, I’m not sure what fun is to you.”

• Dale Newton states Chip Kelly has a "singular genius." Dale's post starts like this:

Chip Kelly doesn't coach doctors, and he's not going to find a cure for cancer or discover a new fuel cell technology. But he does have particular gift for coaching football, evidenced by a Rose Bowl Championship, three conference titles in his first three seasons, and a 34-6 record. That's 85% wins if you're scoring at home, far better than Bo, Woody, Bill Walsh or Amos Alonzo Stagg.

When Chip Kelly leads them out of the tunnel, he's leading a group that knows he believes in them. The confidence and preparation his teams exude has produced some scintillating results.

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Morning Mud: Bonus Video

2012-01-04T05:21:00.000-08:00

• Rob Moseley and Adam Jude talk about the Rose Bowl victory in the latest edition of the Postgame Brew.

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Duck Stuff: Morning Mud

2012-01-04T05:16:00.000-08:00

• Nick Aliotti, Darrion Weems, Justin Hoffman, and Rob Mullens talk with reporters after landing in Eugene yesterday. Video courtesy of KVAL.

• Oregonlive caught the action on the field shortly after the game ended.

• Rob Moseley has all of the R-G Rose Bowl stories that appeared in print yesterday.

• The Oregonian provides links to what the rest of the nation is saying about the historic win.

• Rob Moseley reports DE DeForest Buckner announced Tuesday that he intends to sign a letter of intent with Oregon next month.

Buckner, a 6-foot-7, 235-pound prep senior from Honolulu, is considered a four-star prospect by both Scout.com and Rivals.com.

• Ken Goe notes that a celebration of the Rose Bowl win might be in the works.

Oregon spokesman Dave Williford said there are no immediate plans for a Rose Bowl victory celebration in Eugene.

“We’ll do something, no doubt, once everybody is back in school,” Williford said.

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Oregon Highlights vs Wisconsin 2012 Rose Bowl

2012-01-03T14:06:00.000-08:00

• Here you go Duck fans, all of the highlights from one of the greatest games in Oregon history. Our 2012 Rose Bowl champions. I will be savoring this moment until the 2012 regular season starts. How sweet it is.

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Morning Mud: Bonus Video

2012-01-03T06:34:00.000-08:00

• KVAL shares these scenes from on the field and in the locker room shortly after the game yesterday.

• Joel Odom shares this video of players and coaches talking about the amazing running back performance of DAT, LMJ and KB.

• The College GameDay crew talks about the Duck victory shortly after the game.

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Duck Stuff: Morning Mud

2012-01-03T06:19:00.000-08:00

• KVAL's new report shortly after one of the most exciting Duck games I have ever watched as they took care of Wisconsin 45-38 and then ESPN's recap video.

• The ODE crew took some fantastic photos at the game as did the Oregonian's Bruce Ely.

• Game recap stories galore for your reading enjoyment. Ken Woody says it is time to uncork the champagne; Steve Summers believes it was the Duck "D" in the fourth quarter that made the difference; Lucas Clark called it a complete team effort; Patrick Malee noted the "D" made plays when it counted; Seth Prince lists four key moments; Ken Goe believes the Duck offense was just too much for the Badger "D"; Josh @ FishDuck.com lists his key moments; Ted Miller called it a total team effort; Dale Newton says it was a day of vindication; articles on GoDucks.com and ESPN round out the coverage.

• John Canzano and Aaron Fentress were highly impressed with the play of De'Anthony Thomas.

John: Thomas, the freshman, left Ducks fans and his coaches slapping their foreheads in the season opener. In the final game, was the best player on the field -- bar none. He's the best player Oregon has ever had. And I don't write those words without thinking on the greatness of Bobby Moore and Dan Fouts, or the consistency of Jonathan Stewart, or the flair of Dennis Dixon and LaMichael James. Or anyone else. Thomas is that good.

Aaron: Thomas, who also played wide receiver, finished his freshman season with 55 carries for 595 yards (10.8 per carry) and seven touchdowns and caught 42 receptions for 571 yards and nine touchdowns.

• Lavasier Tuinei saved his best game as a Duck for his last game, and what a performance it was as he earned offensive MVP honors. Stephen Alexander and Aaron Fentress have the story.

Stephen: On Monday night, though, Tuinei engraved his name into Oregon football lore by catching eight passes for 158 yards and two TDs and winning the offensive MVP in the Ducks' 45-38 Rose Bowl triumph over Wisconsin.

Aaron: "I was just out there trying to help this team win," Tuinei said. "I was out there doing my job and doing my thing. If the ball came my way I knew I was going to catch the ball. That was my mentality going into the game."

• I will be putting together all of the best plays from the game and uploading them to YouTube today so stay tuned for my highlight reel. Subscribe to my channel if you haven't already where you can set up email notifications when a new new video has been posted.

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Ducks 45 - Badgers 38

2012-01-02T18:08:00.000-08:00

• No more talk of 1917 and not being able to win the big one. How much fun was that Duck fans. Congrats to a historic senior class and letting us share this journey with them. Highlight video coming your way later tomorrow.

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Last Minute Gameday Stories

The theater was the Heilig, on Willamette Street between 6th and 7th, a venerable, balconied Vaudeville edifice, later a movie house, eventually among the many victims of urban renewal in the Seventies (the Hult Center occupies its former location).

Click here for the rest of the story.

• GoDucks.com has a special preview of the new Nike Integrated Uniform System uni's Oregon will be wearing at the Rose Bowl.

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Duck Stuff: Morning Mud

2011-12-26T05:45:00.000-08:00

• GoDucks.com would like you to see the "Experience Autzen - Civil War 2011" video. Very good compilation.

• Brian @ FishDuck.com counts down his list of the 19 best seasons in Duck football history.

• Rob Moseley looks at how the Ducks have done recruiting this year as the coaches hit the recruiting homestretch.

National signing day is Feb. 1 in 2012, and recruiting websites have identified 17 recruits known to have made verbal commitments to sign with the Ducks. At least one, quarterback Jake Rodrigues, plans to enroll for winter term at the university.

• Jared @ FishDuck.com looks at the history of Oregon in the Rose Bowl and offers his prediction of the game next week.

Wisconsin might be the epitome of the Big-10 cliche of big cornfed road-graders wanting to grind it out in the trenches, but Oregon has proven that they can get past teams with bigger lines wanting to outmuscle the speedy but undersized Duck defense, just as Stanford. Where Wisconsin can not match Oregon is team speed, and it is a huge difference. Oregon 38-21.

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Top 21 Oregon Duck Touchdowns for 2011

2011-12-25T05:41:00.000-08:00

• A little Christmas present to all my Duck friends around the world. Here is a video I put together because of an idea inspired by Takimoto @ Addicted to Quack. Here is the link to his original post @ATQ:.

Enjoy the Holidays with family and friends.

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Duck Stuff: Morning Mud

2011-12-25T05:30:00.000-08:00

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• Before we get to the links I just wanted to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and hope you enjoy your holiday season.

• Steve @ FishDuck.com has a Christmas wish we all might agree with, keeping Chip Kelly around.

• Divieira @ ATQ has a special "Twas the Night Before Gameday" post.

• Aaron Fentress compares the kicking and punting team between Oregon and Wisconsin and gives the edge to Wisconsin.

• Lindsay Schnell has a touching story on Gary Campbells son, Bryan, who will make an extra special trip to the Rose Bowl to watch the team closet to his heart.

• Rob Moseley believes collaboration has been key for the Oregon defense under head coach Nick Aliotti.

“The bottom line is, how do you get your work done, and do you win games,” Aliotti said. “I’m very lucky — I have three really expert coaches.”

Making their collaboration all the more impressive are the diverse personalities involved. Azzinaro is a gruff former boxer who tends to keep to himself. Neal can be gregarious one moment, brooding the next. Pellum is the stoic of the group.

And having a coach like Aliotti with an open mind.

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Duck Stuff: Morning Mud

2011-12-24T04:46:00.000-08:00

• Keeerrrttt1 @FishDuck.com presents his twenty second Vlog episode. Kurt talks about everything Duck related plus a bonus music recommendation.

• Aaron Fentress breaks down the matchup betwee the Wisconsin receivers and the Oregon defensive backs.

The Oregonian's Aaron Fentress says: Even. Oregon's secondary has been picked on for giving up plays but it has faced at least three future NFL quarterbacks. The group is solid.

• Ted Miller wonders who has the most to prove in bowl games and Oregon makes the list.

• Speaking of lists, Santa has his Pac-12 Christmas list. Find out whether your team was naughty or nice and what Santa plans to put under your tree. Courtesy of Kim @FishDuck.com.

• BenzDuck wonders if Oregon and Wisconsin were separated at birth. Their histories are eerily similar.

• Ken Goe reminds everyone that just because Matt Barkley decided to return next year is no reason to hand USC the Pac-12 title next year.

How about a 1-2 punch of the explosive De'Anthony Thomas and Tra Carson, who brings some size to the position that Oregon hasn't had since LeGarrette Blount.

Darron Thomas will be a third-year starter at quarterback. Three of five starters return on the offensive line. Colt Lyerla will have settled in at tight end. There will be young, speed receivers on the perimeter. The defense, young this season, is loaded with playmakers.

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Morning Mud: Bonus Video

2011-12-23T04:43:00.001-08:00

• Josh @ FishDuck.com breaks down the Wisconsin offense and what the Ducks have to do to slow them down.

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Duck Stuff: Morning Mud

2011-12-23T04:43:00.000-08:00

• The Pac-12 conference does a preview of the Rose Bowl and they pick Oregon. The "three-headed monster," LMJ-KB-DAT, will be too much for Wisconsin.

• David Melo @ FishDuck.com looks back to Oregon's 2001 postseason in part three. David also includes a Q&A with 2001 Oregon Lineman Corey Chambers.

• Aaron Fentress compares the Oregon receivers versus the Wisconsin DB's.

The Oregonian's Aaron Fentress says: Edge to Oregon. This group isn't great but the Badgers secondary hasn't faced many top passing teams.

The State Journal's Tom Mulhern says: Edge to Oregon. Fenelus is a solid cover man but a lack of overall speed in the secondary is a major concern.

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Duck Stuff: Morning Mud

2011-12-22T04:43:00.000-08:00

2011-12-16T04:50:00.000-08:00

Morning Mud

• The Sporting News has two Oregon freshmen on their freshmen All-America team.

Running back/receiver/special teams player De’Anthony Thomas and OL Hroniss Grasu.

• Ken Goe notes David Paulson is all business, in the classroom and on the field.

"He don't make big speeches," said defensive end Terrell Turner, Paulson's roommate. "He leads by example."

Every play, every day.

• Ted Miller lays out what to watch for in Pac-12 bowl games.

• FishDuck is looking to expand FishDuck.com and is looking for volunteers to assist with their website.

• Dale Newton has a guest blogger who breaks down the Oregon "D" line recruiting class.

• A.J. Jacobson also takes a close look at the "D" line recruiting class this year.

• Adam Jude reports a stress fracture has had Josh Huff injured but undaunted this season.

“I’m finally able to get back in the groove of things and finally playing like I wanted to play,” the soft-spoken sophomore from Houston said this week. “The injury has been holding me back and I’ve just been fighting through it and fighting through it, but there has been nothing but great rewards at the end, and I got of preview of that against UCLA.

“I look forward to doing the same thing against Wisconsin.”

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Morning Mud: Bonus Video

2011-12-15T04:44:00.000-08:00

• Rob Moseley, Adam Jude and Wisconsin alum Curtis Anderson talk about the matchup between Oregon and the Badgers in this special edition of the Post Game Brew.

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Duck Stuff: Morning Mud

2011-12-15T04:43:00.000-08:00

Morning Mud

• Not much can top the news that LMJ will be playing his last game as a Duck in the Rose Bowl but there were a few news worthy items from yesterday. One note on LMJ. He said through a U of O spokesperson that he has not officially declared yet so we will wait and see.

• Aaron Fentress notes that although Wisconsin has a big "O" line the Duck defenders are not intimidated.

“It’s no concern,” Oregon defensive end Terrell Turner said. “They are strong. We’re going to be just as strong as them. Everyone always looks down on our D-line and we go in there and play as hard as we can.”

• Rob Moseley reports that Terrance Mitchell is "the guy" in Oregon's backfield.

“Confidence takes you a long way,” Mitchell said. “You can have fake confidence and real confidence. I’m trying to have that real confidence, to the point where I’m back in high school, where nobody fazed me. I was still humble, don’t get me wrong. But I wasn’t worried about anybody.”

• The AP All-America team was announced yesterday where you will find LaMichael on the second team as running back.

• John Canzano has a Q&A (audio provided) with former Oregon running back Dino Philyam where they discuss the Rose Bowl matchup with Wisconsin.

• Ted Miller looks back at his preseason predictions, some good some not, in part one and part two.

• Keeerrrttt1 over at FishDuck.com opens the history books and looks back at the 2000-2001 series with Wisconsin.

• Dale Newton takes a closer look at verbal commit Stetzon Bair.

He has the most kickass football name since Bronko Nagurski. You'd expect Stetzon Bair to manhandle offensive linemen like steers, chasing down ball carriers like strays in the mesquite, all the time exuding the confident, manly fragrance of victory. The legend writes itself. From a tiny town in Idaho near the Montana border, southeast of the Panhandle, he stands 6-9, 265 with his boots off, a former Mormon missionary from Iowa Western Community College, with four years to play three.

The fact that he's the younger brother of a Duck legend just makes it even better.

GO DUCKS!

LaMichael James will declare for NFL draft

2011-12-14T14:49:00.000-08:00

LaMichael James

• According to Aaron Fentress and sources inside the Oregon football program, LMJ will play his last game as a Duck on January 2nd.

I wish him the best of luck but will sure miss seeing him run for TD's at Autzen.

GO DUCKS!