I get frustrated with Zachary Neel's writing a lot of times but it's not a bad list.  Totally agree with DR's list, though, I think those things are more important.

There's something that's not on either of those lists that is sorely missing.  I want to see players actually getting better.  I don't want our top 100 recruits to get drafted in the sixth round, or later.  I want to see talent developed and, you know, GET BETTER.  I want to see top recruits coming to Oregon because they know the coaches are going to make them better and they'll have a better chance at an NFL career.  I want to see some of our 3 star and all of our 4 star recruits getting drafted, and some of our four star kids in the top two rounds, and all of our five star recruits in the first round.  That isn't going to happen in every case because the kid has to have the drive, and injuries happen, but it should happen a lot more than it has been.

I'm optimistic, at least on the defensive side, certainly Lanning filled up the draft with his defensive players this year.  That suggests he knows how to develop them into better players than they were when they arrived.

Player development, to me, is maybe even more important than in-game coaching.  Saban wins so many titles because all his players get better while they are at Alabama.  He may have a lot of talent, but if he developed his talent as well as Mario did at Oregon, he'd hardly have any titles, even with good in-game coaching.

Jiffy Jeff wrote:

Agree with all of the above and will add this:

A sense of urgency.

After the Buckeye win last year, the Ducks were the hottest team in the country.  And all of that equity evaporated and was forgotten after two nationally televised beatdowns by Utah and a nothing bowl appearance.  The brand is tarnished to a degree, thankfully not damaged...

Also, the cupboard is full.  There is enough talent still in Eugene and coming in this Fall to win and win now.  I thiink a division title, a conference title and a NY6 bowl appearnace is a lot to ask, but right now the Ducks need all the leverage they can muster up in the short term as the college football world evolves at light speed these next two years.  UW is in the same situation, but they are not yet at the same level as the Ducks are in terms of talent and immediate potential.  

I agree. There is a lot of talent right now, and more coming. I too do not think a NY6 bowl is out of the question. I feel we should be able to win the north, and maybe the conference. A tough OOC schedule. Would be amazing to go 3-0, but at least 2-1. Go Ducks!
 

DucksReign wrote:

1) Lanning is the least experienced head coach in the Pac-12.

2) The players responsible for 52 of Oregon's 56 TD's last season are no longer on the team and I am not sure yet where those 50-some TD's will come from this season.

Agree with the first.  Not particularly concerned about the second, we have loads of talent at the skill positions.  

I think our RBs will be productive.  I really like our receivers.  I think we have at least 2 and maybe 3 QBs that are all going to be better than AB was last year.

I also think that Lanning's lack of HC experience is unlikely to significantly impact our defense, and that if we stay reasonably healthy on defense, the D is likely to produce a few scores and some short fields that make it a lot easier for the offense to find the end zone.  And of course, if we get a lead, the D can often play even more aggressively and wreak even more havoc.

But the biggest gamble is at OC.  It could prove to be the most brilliant hire of the off-season -- or the biggest dud.  If the former, there's definitely the talent to put a lot of points on the board.  We shall see.

 

I'm late to the party and I'm not sure I have much relevant material to add after so many great points.

When you have a new coaching staff and QB things are really hard to predict. 

From the get and go I've been uneasy with Dillingham's fairly unproven career so far. He's saying the right things and getting the players to believe in his system so I do at least have some optimism. Some coaches do their best coaching early on so it's not a given the inexperience will translate to not being able to make in game adjustments.   

I agree with DITM about feeling good about RB and other skill positions on offense.

Same with defense except for injury concerns. I'm not sure if it's been said already, but anything the conditioning program can do to reduce injuries would be huge since there's been far too many recently. 

It's nice to be thinking about the season ahead for a change instead of the conference realignment.

Game time is only 5 weeks away from this Saturday!  Go Ducks!