Bleacher Report - Articles by Michael Wines

Jackson Rice Gives Oregon Ducks Verbal Agreement

Michael Wines — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 19:00:00 -0400

It was announced today that one of the top prep punters in the nation, Jackson Rice, from Campolindo High School in Moraga, CA, has given a verbal agreement to play at Oregon in 2009. Watch his "promotional" video to get an idea of the leg this kid has. At 6'2", 195 lbs. he has the size to get the job done.

GO DUCKS!

Pac-10: The Next Commissioner Hunt

Michael Wines — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 11:18:00 -0400

I had the chance to get a rare phone interview with the reclusive Mr. Duck this morning.

He was kind enough to email his picture, and while he wouldn't disclose his location, my guess is it's somewhere "tropical."

The blogoshpere is rife with everyone's two cents on who should replace Tom Hansen as Pac-10 commissioner, so I asked Mr. Duck his opinion.

"You know Mike, I have given this a great deal of thought. While the usual method has worked fine (?) for the last few decades, a new century deserves a unique approach.

"Pac-10 sports, and especially football and basketball, are big business. Instead of going with a former athletic director or bringing in a commissioner from a different conference, why don't we treat it like the business we know it is.

"Now, if I was going to hire someone to run my business, wouldn't I want a proven performer, someone who has started their company from nothing and nurtured it to be an industry leader?

"Of course I would, and wouldn't I want someone who understands the West Coast, lives and works in the area? Makes sense, doesn't it?

"With that in mind, the best candidate for the job is Phil Knight. Yeah, that's the ticket."

I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts with me Mr. Duck, I'll try to catch up with you later (click).

Somehow I don't think the rest of the Pac-10 (or the NCAA) would buy into his plan.

GO DUCKS!

Oregon Football: Cade Cooper Says Goodbye

Michael Wines — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 10:43:00 -0400

For the second time in as many weeks, another Oregon QB has decided to move on.

Cade Cooper joined the Ducks a year ago and redshirted the season while recovering from a foot injury. He transferred from BYU and was highly regarded for his knowledge of the spread offense that Oregon likes to run.

He will be joining the Southern Utah Thunderbirds program and hopes to play this coming season, although that would require a special waiver, as this is his second transfer from one four-year school to another.

Sitting about fifth on the Oregon depth chart and having a lackluster spring practice, I think he could see the handwriting on the wall.

The Ducks will enter summer workouts with five QBs remaining—redshirt sophomores Nate Costa and Justin Roper top the depth chart, followed by true freshmen Chris Harper and Darron Thomas and sophomore transfer Jeremiah Masoli.

I wish Cade all the best in his move to Southern Utah.

GO DUCKS!

Oregon QB Cody Kempt Transferring to Montana St.

Michael Wines — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 01:45:24 -0400

Sophomore QB Cody Kempt will be going home to compete for a starting job with the Montana St. Bobcats.

With an uncertain future at Oregon, Kempt felt the timing was right to make the switch. Instead of competing against six other potential quarterbacks in Eugene, Kempt will only have four to go against in Bozeman.

Kempt's father played for the Bobcats from 1985-89 as a linebacker. MSU coach Bob Ash said on Wednesday, "The first thing we're excited about is that Cody is familiar with the Bobcat program because of his family connections. That should allow him to come to Bozeman and plug into MSU easily.

"Second, his familiarity with the type of offense we're running is exciting. He should be able to make a smooth transition to our program in that regard easily, as well. Most important is that we really like Cody Kempt as a person. He's an excellent student, a tremendous citizen, and he's transferring for all the right reasons. He wants a chance to play. He's a first-class person, and it was an easy decision to welcome Cody to our program."

I'm sure I am not alone in wishing Cody the best of luck.

Oregon Football Roundtable Discussion

Michael Wines — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 08:21:00 -0400

Chris Finocchio, Content Director here at Bleacher Report, asked me to participate in an Oregon Roundtable discussion. He poses the following questions.

• The Oregon pass defense was ranked 86 in the country last year. With Patrick Chung, Walter Thurmond and Jairus Byrd returning and Nick Reed rushing off the edge is this going to be enough to contain the wide-open offenses of the Pac 10?

Answer: The returning corners, Thurmond and Byrd, will be playing together for the third consecutive year and will be impressive. Chung will be playing his senior season and shouldn't have to worry as much about the run with Nick Reed and Will Tukuafu rushing off the ends. The linebacker corps (John Bacon, Jerome Boyd and Kevin Garrett) proved less than inspiring last year but they gained valuable experience. Look for the defense to make a substantial improvement over last year.

• What do you guys think about Quarterback Justin Roper's ability to lead this Ducks team after coming off a 6TD 2 interception freshmen year?

Answer: This is the single biggest question mark in the minds of Oregon fans. I am not so sure that Roper will gain the starters job. While we didn't get to see Nate Costa at the Spring Game, he was leading the depth chart before he tore his ACL in practice last year. There are several other QB's fighting for the job too, Kempt, Cooper, Thomas, Harper, & Masoli. I think Oregon will do more running during the opening games as the starting QB gets his rhythm. Bottom line, I think Roper has the inside track and proved himself in the Sun Bowl.

• Is Andre Crenshaw going to be able to carry the load and keep Oregon's potent rushing attack among the Pac 10's best?

Answer: Crenshaw is going to get a lot of help from LeGarrette Blount, he is impressive. While he may not have the speed of Jonathan Stewart, he is a force to be reckoned with. Combine that with Jeremiah Johnson's quickness, cutting ability and heart and I see no let down in our running game.

• Thoughts on the 2008 Schedule?

Answer: Very tough road schedule against WSU, USC, ASU, Cal, and Oregon State. I think the best we can hope for this year is 8-4 or 9-3.

• Are BCS aspirations realistic?

Answer: Not likely but the Ducks have surprised us before.

• With Chip Kelly's success as offensive coordinator, is defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti under pressure to perform now?

Answer: I think Nick's job is safe as long as Bellotti is the coach. I think the defense will be asked to carry the team during the first couple of games while the new QB and offense gel and I feel the defense, together with Aliotti will respond.

GO DUCKS!

Oregon Recruit Escapes Charges

Michael Wines — Sat, 31 May 2008 11:15:00 -0400

San Joaquin County prosecutors have dropped charges against UO football recruit Dewitt Stuckey yesterday.

Stuckey, a 6 ft. , 213 lb. linebacker from Stockton, CA was highly recruited coming out of Lincoln High School.

He was originally arrested on May 23rd for his alleged involvement in an assault and battery case involving a student from a rival high school in the Stockton area.

He has claimed that he was "simply in the wrong place at the wrong time." Due to a lack of direct evidence the charges were dropped.

This is exactly the kind of media attention that the Ducks do not need. Hopefully, the young man has learned a valuable lesson before he arrives on campus in late June.

Oregon Football: Nick Reed, Patrick Chung Named to Nagurski Watch List

Michael Wines — Mon, 12 May 2008 18:11:00 -0400

The Football Writers Association of America named Oregon seniors Nick Reed and Patrick Chung to the watch list for the 2008 Bronko Nagurski Trophy. It is awarded to the best defensive player in college football and sponsored by the Charlotte Touchdown Club.

Reed, who is also on the watch list for the 2008 Lott Trophy, led the Pac-10 with 12 sacks and 22.5 tackles for loss last season and was named second-team All-America (SI.com).

Chung, a three-year starting rover, was the Ducks' leading tackler in 2007 and earned second-team All-America honors along with first team All-Pac-10. His 117 tackles were the most by a UO defensive back.

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Oregon Ducks: QB Bonanza

Michael Wines — Fri, 02 May 2008 14:39:00 -0400

Prize JC quarterback Jeremiah Masoli was snagged by the Ducks yesterday. He played for City College of San Francisco last year and led them to the junior college national title.

In his one year with the Rams he amassed over 4,000 yards of total offense. He completed more than 60% of his passes, 31 for touchdowns and ran for another 10 td's.

It will be interesting to see how fall practice sorts itself out now that Oregon has a total of 7 QB's. Masoli won't join the Ducks until June when he will begin the optional summer workouts.

My QB poll has been updated with the latest addition.

GO DUCKS!

Good Article on LeGarrette Blount

Michael Wines — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 18:08:00 -0400

I wasn't the only one that was impressed with Blount's performance on Saturday. ESPN has a very nice write up on him over at their website. Here is a sample:

"Watching LeGarrette Blount run over and around flailing Oregon defenders during spring practices -- thereby easing concerns over the departure of first-round NFL draft pick Jonathan Stewart -- it's impossible not to wonder how this elusive, 6-foot-2, 230-pound running back got away from the southern regional powers that coveted him, such as Alabama and Florida State, which were far closer to his hometown of Perry, Fla."

Check out the complete story at ESPN.

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