Oregon Sports Live

I just listened to Chip Kelly’s press conference.  Some answers are available now.

- Blount has “academic and behavioral ladders he has to climb” in order to become eligible to play.  Kelly declined to give specifics about what those might be.

- Kelly says the earliest possible time Blount could play is the Stanford game.  That puts to rest all the USC drama.

- “I am not reinstating LeGarrette Blount right now.”

- Sociologist Harry Edwards came to Eugene on September 15th.  He spoke with the entire team.  I wish there was a recording of those meetings.

- Kelly addressed the timing of the announcement: He says this was the first week of school, and there are academic issues he has to address.  Kelly said the thing he wrestled with the most in recent weeks was when to make the announcement.  He says a plan crystallized last Friday.  I think you have to take him at his word here.

- On why he didn’t suspend Blount indefinitely: Kelly said he had to understand the ramifications of his actions.  He said if he started with four games and Blount didn’t take it seriously, there would be no way to increase the suspension.  He said if he left a return open, the team would face a “cloud of doubt” about whether Blount would return.

- Some media outlets, and myself wondered whether this plan has been in the works from the beginning: “We’re not hiding anything…This isn’t a clandestine operation….This is about a human being.”  Kelly’s tone here was a bit frosty.

- On why Blount hasn’t come forward: “It’s not about words, it’s about actions.  That’s why he’s been mum, and that’s why he’ll continue to be mum.”

Chip Kelly spoke directly and with purpose.  This is what we have come to expect from the new Duck coach.  It’s clear Kelly does not care whatsoever how this plays out across the country.  He says he doesn’t care about Public Relations.  Kelly says he had a process in place after the incident, they went through the process, and he’s been impressed with Blount’s commitment.  Kelly said calling and apologizing to Boise State coach Chris Petersen was entirely Blount’s idea.  That impressed Kelly.

Many folks criticized Kelly’s reaction in Boise as “knee-jerk.”  Last night and this morning many analysts had similar knee-jerk reactions (myself included).  Kelly still insists this is a “teachable moment.”

There is no guarantee that Blount will play again.  After listening to Chip Kelly, it’s clear he cares not what anybody thinks about this issue.  Dude’s got some serious balls.

Despite Kelly’s assertions, I really want to hear what LeGarrette has to say.  I want to hear the tone of his voice, I want to hear what he learned from Dungy, Gruden, Edwards, et al.  I want to know what he learned from this situation.  This seems like a logical progression.

What do you guys and gals think?  Did Chip Kelly handle this well?  Do you have any other questions?  What do you want to hear from LeGarrette Blount?

Ducks are Cornered (LOC, Horydczak Collection)

The Oregon Ducks are still treading water in the dangerous seas of negative publicity bestowed on the program thanks to LeGarrette Blount’s right fist.

I’m sure that wasn’t what Chip Kelly had in mind when he granted exclusive access to ESPN.com before and after the game.

Ivan Maisel’s front-page writeup is not exactly earth-shattering, but he notes Kelly learned the hard way that coaching debuts are never scripted affairs.

Despite his lack of head coaching experience, Kelly is a total coaching nerd and I’d imagine delving into the Purdue game preparation is a welcome respite.

I’d say he deserves a breather.

After nearly a full week of debate ad nauseam about whether ending Blount’s career was a brilliant decision or a tantalizingly stupid one, the Ducks must band together.

They feel cornered in their pen right now, like the whole world is against them.  That’s a good thing.  What greater motivational tool exists in sports?

I’ll offer one more Blount reaction link, then on to actual game implications and other Pac-10 notes.

• File this column by the usually fantastic Bud Withers under the definition of a “no-win situation.”  Withers says the Ducks jumped the gun, and he says the rookie decision-makers in Eugene bear some blame.

“Understand, what Blount did, punching Byron Hout, was abhorrent. The scene was ugly and potentially explosive. But the Ducks then made the kind of decision you make when you’ve got a first-year coach, a first-year athletic director and a president, Richard Lariviere, who’s been on the job for two months.”

I hadn’t heard that criticism yet, and I simply don’t buy it.  If they suspended Blount for merely 3 games or “indefinitely” talking heads and columnists across the land would’ve crucified Chip Kelly and Richard Lariviere for the exact same reasons.  The Ducks couldn’t win with this decision, and I think they knew that going in.

• With Blount gone, who carries the load for the Ducks?  Well, Rob Moseley points out that size is now officially an issue. Andre Crenshaw offered up a nickname for himself, Kenjon Barner, and LaMichael James.  The nickname: “the little scrappies.”  Kind of rhymes with little crapp….oh you know what I mean.  If that doesn’t put fear into the hearts of opponents nothing will.  Someone make a T-shirt in Eugene along the lines of the Lil’ Rascals.  We know you’ve got the time.
• OSU has their own “little scrappy;” you might’ve heard of him.  Goes by the title of Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year.  Yeah, that guy.  Jacquizz Rodgers is getting more active in the passing game. That bodes well for the Beavers, but also adds another way for Quizz to be injured.  The Corvallis GI’s Cliff Kirkpatrick also notes that this year’s trip to Vegas isn’t a homecoming event.  The Beavs have recruited big names from the area in the past (see Jackson, Steven).
• Here’s a nice article about a walk-on putting in the hard work and getting rewarded with a scholarship at OSU.  After all the cynicism and rhetoric surrounding the Blount situation, it’s nice to read Paul Buker’s piece on Damola Adeniji.  The Beavs could also use some production from an offensive player not named Rodgers.
• Speaking of former walk-on wide receivers at OSU, Mike Hass is on the practice squad (again) in the NFL.  For the life of me, I can’t understand why this guy hasn’t made a full-time roster position.  He catches everything, he’s smart, and he is tough.  He may not be the fastest guy ever, but I’m not convinced his services wouldn’t be of some value on Sundays.
• The Beaver defense is always known for pressuring the quarterback….yet the Statesman-Journal notes the Black and Orange registered zero sacks against Portland State.  Not sure what to make of that.  I’ll go out on a limb and say OSU records two sacks against UNLV.  Two.
• Another prediction at OSL – The Ducks will score more than 20 points, and they will record more than zero first downs in the first half.  They will also defeat Purdue 28-14.

OSL The Lonely Tree (photo thanks to flickr's cuellar's feed)

We at OSL decided to sit on the fence and wait to let the LeGarrette Blount controversy set in a bit (and continue to fester) before we touched on it.

We felt adrift – like a lonely tree in an unforgiving landscape of media overlords waxing poetic on the horrific nature of college football and its most current lightning rod – Mr. Blount.

The time for silence is over, however.

LeGarrette Blount messed up, and he probably got what he had coming.

You can’t punch a person in the face, get dragged off the field, punch a teammate, and not expect a heavy sentence.  Everyone at OSL is in agreement about that.

But – that doesn’t mean LeGarrette is a bad person.  We don’t know that for a certainty, but punching someone in the face, even after a demoralizing loss, is not acceptable.

It also doesn’t mean he can’t make it to the NFL.  That will be a difficult road however.

Yes, and shockingly enough Blount didn’t show up at Ducks practice on Monday.  Wowsers.

OSL’s Mike Whitman, Joe Jackson, and Andrew Theen talked for a long time on a recording device about the Blount saga and much, much more.

We touched on a slew of juicy topics:

-Blount’s “conduct unbecoming of a Duck”

-His NFL draft stock (or lack-thereof)

-UO’s attempt to bounce back with a home game against Purdue

-The phenomenal Brothers Rodgers at OSU

-A possible quarterback controversy in Corvallis?

-The return of the monster at UW

-Jake Locker’s unnatural athletic ability

-Martell Webster cleared to hit the hardwood

-Dante Cunningham’s chances of playing

Plus, there are some tasty original grooves on the podcast.  Count on having more of those in the future.  Please give it a listen, download it, or just sit at your computer and enjoy.  We know you’ve got the time.

Blount, Rodgers Bros, Martell Webster Podcast

Well, that sure was something, wasn’t it?

Andrew -

1. This truly was a poorly played game from both sides.  I don’t know if the hype from the preceding weeks truly was so overwhelming that these 19-22 year olds couldn’t handle it, but something was at play here.  BSU turned the ball over 3 times in the second half, and the Ducks did absolutely nothing to take advantage.   An ugly ugly game
2. And Boise State’s defense deserves a ton of credit.  The Ducks didn’t establish anthing on the ground or through the air.  That was almost entirely BSU’s doing.
3. I don’t know what BSU’s player said to Blount after the game, but that doesn’t matter.  He could’ve said a racial slur and it wouldn’t change my opinion.  NO class, absolutely inexcusable from Blount.  It’s funny, because on this very same website I said I had faith in his character.  I said he wasn’t an Onterrio Smith type character.  Now I absolutely have no knowledge of LaGarrette as a person.  I don’t know him.  That doesn’t matter.   He crossed the line…
4. Blount should be suspended at least 3 games, maybe the whole season for his actions.  That was truly a sad way to end an awkward, ugly, yet well-deserved BSU victory.

Stu -

1. (changing the subject)…hey, our uniforms look really cool, right?
2. For as sick as I was of LeGarrette Blount’s performance tonight, I think it’s fair to say that the offensive line hasn’t helped much. In crucial plays when minimal yards were needed, the Oregon O-line failed to get much push off of the ball and were completely unable to create running lanes. This definitely has to be an area of improvement for the Ducks.
3. Hey, we had no offense this game, but Jackson Rice is looking like he’s going to be one hell of a punter. Unfortunately, getting him this many reps is not a good thing.
4. Oregon had every chance to win this game, that’s the saddest part of this game. They opportunities for the Ducks to get back in the game presented themselves over and over again and the Ducks couldn’t deliver. I don’t necessarily think the “overrated” chant is unwarranted. The only way I could have enjoyed this performance less is if we had Jason Fife at quarterback.
5. (plus one) LaGarrette Blount is an absolute embarrassment to Oregon football.

Mike -

1. Ed Dickson’s name was not mentioned until midway through the third quarter. I find great fault in this.
2. It really, really, REALLY seems like Boise has no interest in winning this game. This contest should have been over early in the third, but penalties, missed field goals and turnovers on the Bronco side have allowed Oregon to hang around. This seems like a good time to mention that Oregon is only down NINE points with 11 minutes to go. Is that even right? That can’t be right. Hang on, I’m just going to check and make sure my TV is working properly…
3. Anybody got Justin Roper’s number? Just kidding. But the fact is, Mark Jones was right to call Oregon’s offense both “inept” and “impotent.” Alliteration aside, the Ducks need to make some adjustments for next week. The offensive line needs to be better. Masoli needs to make better decisions. Easier said than done.
4. Annnnnnnnd LeGarrette Blount just went all Riddick Bowe on Boise DE Byron Hout. And then he went all Ron Artest and tried to maim some Bronco faithful. Let’s run some damage control. So, he decked an opposing player, threatened some more opposing players, threatened some fans, slapped his own teammate who was trying to restrain him and then slapped at least two security officials as he was being dragged into the tunnel while screaming wildly. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the LaMichael James era! Seriously, Blount is gone in my mind. No question the NCAA or Bellotti or both kick him to the curb and change the locks on all the doors. Rightfully so. There’s no place for that in college football, regardless of what Hout said. I feel stupid for having put faith in Blount, and I’m angry with him for behaving as he did.

The Ducks are Trying to Erase Painful Memories From Last Year's BSU Dominant Win

Greetings friends.  If the nation’s sports fans were to have a collective set of eyes, they’d be transfixed on Boise, Idaho tomorrow night.  The infamous Blue “Smurf Turf” is inhospitable (to say the least) for opposing teams.  The Ducks are trying to become only the 2nd visiting team to win a regular season game in Boise in the past decade.

The game is filled with pre-made drama goodness.  Boise State pounded the Ducks in Autzen last year.  Pounded.  A fourth quarter desperation rally by freshman Darron Thomas made the score look more respectable.

Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli suffered a vicious late-hit and missed most of the game, and Ed Dickson also was on the wrong end of a late hit.

The Duck players are chomping at the bit for some semblance of revenge.  They’ve been much more vocal than Boise State in the lead-up to this nationally important game.  Only time will tell if that bravado helps or hinders the Ducks chances in Boise.

It’s the only game between two ranked teams on opening day.  OSL’s Mike Whitman and Andrew Theen present the inaugural OSL podcast.

The topics were all over the place: the major storylines of the game, the Bellotti coaching tree, the innovative brain of Chip Kelly, BCS implications, the high expectations in Eugene, Boise State’s nerves, and which Duck is set to have a major breakout season.

Enjoy.

Oregon vs Boise State Podcast