Comments on: It's Gotta' Be the Youth

By: Bruce

Bruce — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 15:40:09 +0000

Inexperience is right! When you leave off Ward, who didn’t even play, that left 3 senior starters on defense and only 5 on the two deep.

By: Nick, Off The Pond

Nick, Off The Pond — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 01:32:49 +0000

Jamere Holland is only a junior. Andre Crenshaw was listed third on the depth chart for Purdue. I know he started, but let’s face it, that’s James and Barner’s show back there.

Here’s a link to the depth chart I used:

http://www.goducks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=500&ATCLID=3743320

By: Nevaduck

Nevaduck — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:24:51 +0000

Jamere Holland
Ed Dickson
Andre Crenshaw

3 Seniors on offense.

By: Phil

Phil — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 21:58:18 +0000

You are right, the offense is young. We have watched a huge learning curve from Boise State to Purdue. I am hopeful that it will continue at a quick pace because Cal is less than two weeks and there will be no forgiveness for mistakes.

Utah is in a similar situation as Oregon so it should make for a good game (good if you like hard fought close games). However, as with any game, Oregon holds the potential to score at will. “Potential” being the key word.

In the post game interview of Chip, it sounds like he has seen the problem with Masoli failing to check down through his progression and find the wide open Tight End, Dickson. I think Masoli was a little better about getting through his progression but he is still hesitating. The one pass to Paulson across the middle was open for quite a while before Masoli threw him the ball. Paulson ran about a 8 yard turnaround and stood in the open for a few seconds. I’m sure that Kelly has a pattern to the progression and that Paulson should have seen the ball shortly after turning around. The problem is that Masoli locks on to his first receiver, hoping for him to somehow get open, and he doesn’t proceed to his next receiver. I’m sure that Chip is making sure that Masoli continues to work on this.

I was happy to see Masoli run the ball a couple times on pass plays where no one was open, at least that he saw. Last week he tried to force some balls and threw away some instead of putting his head down and picking up some easy yardage since the flat was WIDE open.

In any case, it appears that the whole offense is getting better and they need to. The defense needs to improve also. It was kind of ironic that they scored 14 points to keep the Ducks in it but they also gave up 36 points. The defense needs consistancy and for Pete’s sake, someone teach the defense how to cover a receiver on 3 and long.

By: Nautiduck

Nautiduck — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 19:58:36 +0000

Ducks took a major step forward on Saturday. At times the offensive flashes from last year were back. Yes, there were mistakes including a dropped “sure touchdown” pass but the Ducks dug deep and got the job done.

The counter to inexperience is for the veterans to step up. We saw a much improved Masoli against Purdue and if he continues to gain confidence that is a major factor. I think Masoli starts the season slowly and then builds.

Still, I think you are right that this is not a team likely to win the PAC-10. To a certain degree I think we all believed our own hype. I’m thinking 8-4 and a good bowl game would be a fine seaason.

Whatever they do – win or lose – these are our Ducks!!

By: jtlight

jtlight — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 16:38:08 +0000

Enjoyed the article. We all overestimated this team, at least initially. It will hopefully be very fun watching the team and coaching staff grow and become more consistent as the season progresses. While a BCS bowl is likely out of reach, I’m quite excited for the rest of the season.

jtlight
http://www.addictedtoquack.com

By: stachman

stachman — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 14:58:50 +0000

Its a tough thing to do getting experience on the fly. But when you compare this last game with the first one I would say the guys are doing a pretty good job of it. GO!!! DUCKS!!!