SB Nation User Blog: KingofDucks1987

"Hello" from Eugene, OR

KingofDucks1987 — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 07:23:14 -0000

I'm not here to trash talk, I'm actually here to discuss football! Crazy notion, eh? I'm hoping to shed some light on Oregon's team that Sam @ WWHAT didn't really explain to you all. By his post, it appears that he is going from what he has heard on ESPN and seen in statistics. Sam, I mean no disrespect by those statements, I just want to clear the air about Oregon's team.

Let's start with the notion that Oregon is a one-dimensional team. This is simply not true. Actually, Oregon has been so good running the ball through their zone-read that they simply haven't had to throw the ball that much. No one has really been able to "force" Oregon to pass, so, they continue to run the ball. Oregon's receiving corp might be the best blocking receivers in the country. Oreogn's OL is extremely quick and pulls to the outside much more effectively than Michigan was able to against you guys. Michigan has a long way to come to develop their offense to fit the scheme. Oregon is at the top of the pyramid in their ability to run the zone-read. I have never seen cameramen follow the wrong player so many times in one season. What tOSU is going to have to do is adjust to the zone read. You have to stay back on the play and not become too aggressive or Masoli will kill you. The thunder and lightening combination of LeGarrette Blount and LaMichael James is not easy to stop.

Next, let's talk about Masoli passing the ball. Masoli is actually extremely efficient and has simply gotten better and better as the season has progressed. His passing skills were the reason Oregon came back and beat Arizona with a 2-minute drive to send the game to OT. He loves to roll out and force defenders to come up on him and he will beat them over the top. The problem is, defenses try to keep him in the pocket and they learn that he stays very calm in the pocket and if needed, can still squeeze through small holes to escape pressure. He has much better cut skills and agility than Pryor and unlike Pryor, Masoli is small and compact at 5'11 and 220 pounds. Defenders have difficulty tackling him above the waist and it's not easy to get low on him because of his height. He also has a lot of "no-name" receivers who are very reliable and given far too little credit. His top targets are Jeffrey Maehl who is a 6'1 175 lb receiver with incredible hands and leaping ability and Ed Dickson who will be named 1st team all-Pac-10 at TE. He has 4.5 speed at 6'5 245 lbs.

Oregon's defense is incredibly fast. Their linebackers haven't been beaten by a running back all year besides Stanford. Stanford however has a QB, Andrew Luck, who has pinpoint accuracy with great receivers. As well, you don't have Toby Gerhart. From what I have seen, Ohio State's OL is not very impressive and I expect Oregon's speed at LB and DE to give Pryor fits. Oregon has had trouble in the secondary ever since our top corner and his backup were lost for the season to injuries, but they don't give up the big play. Oregon's defensive line is undersized, but has overachieved all season, beating up on USC's offensive line which many consider the best in the country. Watch out for TJ Ward at safety, he is a big hitter. As well, look for Casey Matthews at MLB. His brother CLay plays for the Packers and his Dad was an NFL pro-bowler. He is VERY tough up the middle.

Oregon has an automatic kicker, in Morgan Flint. Flint doesn't have great power, but phenomenal accuracy. He is 15/17 this year and has made 80 straight PATs. Oregon's kick-return specialist is Kenjon Barner and he is lightening.

Lastly, Oregon beats teams in the 2nd half. Oregon is VERY well conditioned. Chip Kelly has put them through an intense conditioning routine since the beginning of the fall camp. Oregon's run game takes advantage of it's quick play-calling and well conditioned offensive line to wear down opposing defenses.

Oregon is not unbeatable by any means, I simply don't believe tOSU to have the tools to expose our weaknesses.

This is a 24-minute video that I put together. I didn't take a lot of time doing this, it isn't...

KingofDucks1987 — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 02:15:02 -0000

Oregon Ducks Football 2009: Pac-10 Champions from KingofDucks on Vimeo.

This is a 24-minute video that I put together. I didn't take a lot of time doing this, it isn't really meant for production value, it's just a fun little project I did. I hope you enjoy. GO DUCKS!

Harang, Arroyo, and Guzman Clear Waivers

KingofDucks1987 — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 21:29:13 -0000

Harang, Arroyo, and Guzman Clear Waivers

Guzman is batting .317, but he is owed 8 mil for this eyar and next. He is only 31 and is a big step up from Rent.

Dan Haren

KingofDucks1987 — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 01:26:30 -0000

Who would you trade for Haren? Would you trade for Haren? What about Bumgarner, Alderson, and Sanchez for Haren? Can you imagine that staff? Do we really need a power bat? We are winning without one now and I'd prefer to stick with the camaraderie we currently have and not mess it up with some prima-donna coming in. Would the Dbacks trade Haren? What say you?

75 109 75 109 etc etc etc

Yahoo Article on Sadowski

KingofDucks1987 — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 18:10:39 -0000

Yahoo Article on Sadowski

Front Page on Yahoo This Morning

VOTE FOR PABLO FACEBOOK GROUP

KingofDucks1987 — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 18:54:28 -0000

VOTE FOR PABLO FACEBOOK GROUP

I voted for Pablo 60 times today...so far. My goal is 300.

VOTE PABLO
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/all_star/y2009/fv/ballot.html

Fun Numbers

KingofDucks1987 — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 07:17:24 -0000

San Francisco Giants

1st place in the National League Wild Card.
2nd best record in the National League.
4th best record in Major League Baseball.
Best home record in Major League Baseball.
Best team ERA in Major League Baseball.
Most strikeouts (for pitchers) in Major League Baseball.
3rd in BAA in Major League Baseball.
2nd in Complete Games in Major League Baseball.
1st in Shutouts in Major League Baseball.
Least Earned Runs given up in Major League Baseball.
Least Runs given up in Major League Baseball.

I just ordered this.

KingofDucks1987 — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 22:38:14 -0000

I just ordered this.

MLB 2K9

KingofDucks1987 — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 04:28:43 -0000

I bought it today and I have been playing it for a while. First of all, make sure you download the rosters on Xbox Live of Playstation Online (whatever they call it).

-The ratings for the players are pretty legitimate compared to previous years.

-The game play is much improved.

-The in-game experience is incredible. It's in real-time, although you can speed it up a little. After each inning, it fades to black as if you were watching a broadcast, then fades back into the broadcast as if you were coming from the commercials. They do a great job with batters walking to the plate, going in and out of the box, and taking time between the pitches.

-The in-game commentary is much more in-depth than ever before and they have tailored quite a bit of information to each team.

-Pac Bell looks great, although the Pepsi ads around the park are weird.

I haven't been playing long enough to go into much more detail, although I have 1 problem with the game so far:

When creating a player, you can't customize stances or pitching motions. I created Posey, Anvil, MadBum, and TimA and put them in San Jose.

My Letter to the Commish

KingofDucks1987 — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 05:43:35 -0000

Dear Bud Selig,

You have brought shame to America's pastime. Amidst scandal and detriment to the game of baseball, you take no responsibility for your lack of action in the past and turn your frustration into inappropriate action in the present.

The Steroid Era has occurred under your watch and you have the audacity to try to punish players who are under protection of confidentiality. You have the audacity to try and change baseball's most holy record. Even Hank Aaron thinks you are out of line. What's next? The 1989 A's lose their World Series trophy and hand it to the Giants? Do you take Gaylord Perry out of the hall-of-fame because he used a spitball?

Mr. Selig, this was your watch and you fell asleep. You chose to do nothing in the mid-90's when Steroids was at it's peak because it helped bring popularity back to baseball after the strike. Man up and take responsibility for what you have done to the game. Apologize to the baseball fans of the world for choosing to do nothing as the game was slowly being tarnished. Apologize to the fans for acting only when you were forced by the pressure of the media as news of steroid-use finally broke out in the early-2000's. Apologize to the fans for not doing your job. Do the game a favor, and retire.

Sincerely,

A REALLY PISSED OFF FAN