In my mind, before the Dixon injury the Ducks were arguably the best team in the nation. I think we would have taken 7 out of 10 against Ohio State or LSU or any other top 10 team at that point. And that was with a bunch of injuries at skill positions before Dixon got hurt. What a wasted opportunity. But… whatever, this is a new season, a new team, and a new opportunity.

Due to some scheduling genious, we actually get to start off the season by beating the hell out of Washington. This one will be a laugher folks. The Dawgs just don’t have the guns to compete with their big brother. Amazing how that’s changed over the years too as Oregon is now clearly the superior football program. I think the Ducks defense is going to be too fast and talented for the Huskies. Oregon will probably sputter a bit on offense as they break in a new quarterback, but the run game will wear down and ultimately overwhelm the Huskies undersized and outmanned front seven.

In the weeks to come, I’ll be reviewing each of the positions on the Ducks both offensively and defensively. Should be a fun season. I can hardly contain myself. 27 days until we bury our bone in the Dawgs.

Steve wrote a guest post regarding his prediction that the Giants will upset the Patriots in the big game, but he bleeds blue if you know what I mean so I’ll do my best to locate and dispose of the airplane model glue he’s apparently been sniffing. To be honest, I’m really jealous that the Giants made it to the Super Bowl, but hats off to them… they’ve been playing some pretty good ball since their loss to the Patriots in week 16. You never know I guess, but I seriously doubt that the mighty Pats are going to let this opportunity to make history slip through their grasp. But hey, that’s why they play the games.

In their last meeting the Giants led the Pats 28-16 early in the third quarter, but the persistent Patriots squeaked by in the final minutes to edge NY by 3 points. Fast forward to the present, the Giants are on a 10-0 record setting road streak and even though the Giants weren’t victorious last time you better believe they’re hungry now. At this time of the year it doesn’t matter if you’re 18-0 or 13-6; if you’re hot you’re hot – and the Giants are hot. The often questionable leader Eli Manning has clearly proven himself over these last few weeks as he’s really stepped up to the challenge. How about Plaxico Burress, can you say stud?? The Green Bay Packers, who supposedly had the most physical defensive backs in the league couldn’t handle him, how do the Patriots expect to handle him? The Pats have to be concerned with the Giants defense as well. You know you better double-team Strahan, but now Umenyiora’s back from his injury. Forget about it, the Patriots will fall and Tommy Coughlin and his underdog Giants will be Super Bowl Champs.

The Ducks are also thought to be leading for blue chip Safety Vaughn Telemaqua from Long Beach Poly in Socal. He’s apparently narrowed his list to Oregon and USC. With the potential departure of Junior All-American Patrick Chung, Telemaque could see the field early at Oregon. This seems to be contributing to his Oregon lean.

There are also several other high-profile recruits that the Ducks are in the mix for. Check back later for more news and rumors as signing day approaches.

In the end, it wouldn’t have mattered anyway… noone’s beating New England. I wish it weren’t the case, but who’s gonna beat them? San Diego’s won eight straight, but let’s be serious… Green Bay? NYGiants?! I’m starting to feel the same way about the Patriots as I already do the Cowboys. So I guess it’s one down and one to go.

I’ll go out on a limb right now and say that Stewart is going to turn some heads at the combine. Dude’s a freak in the weight room and on the track. Look for him to run sub 4.4, put up 225 more than 40 times, and jump 40+ inches in the vertical. At 5-10 and 235 lbs those are pretty impressive numbers. The Ducks would obviously loved to have Snoop back for another go, but they’ll be alright at running back next year. Jeremiah Johnson returns for his senior and Andre Crenshaw put up respectable numbers when JJ went down. The Ducks also picked up a verbal from one of the top JC running backs in teh country.

Congrats Jonathan! And thanks for the memories!

This will go down as the year that could have been for the Ducks. Having watched the National Championship game tonight, I’m convinced that neither LSU or Ohio State could have beaten a healthy Duck squad. I honestly don’t think it would have even been close. To give you an idea of the magnitude of the Ducks injury situation… suppose the LSU offense was without their starting quarterback (oh and his backup, and their backup’s backup too), their number two running back (who’s arguably as good as Jonathan Stewart), and two of their top three wideouts. And these aren’t your run of the mill players either. All four of these players will likely be playing on Sunday’s in the future.

I think alot of people think the Ducks were all about Dennis Dixon and that’s why they tanked. The fact is, all of the aforementioned players had their season ending injuries after Dixon got injured. A true testament to just how good Dennis Dixon was this year. The Ducks finished the year 9-4 having lost their last 3 games prior to the Sun Bowl. Many people think the Joey Harrington led 2001 team that finished #2 in the country after trouncing Colorado in the Fiesta Bowl was the best Ducks team of all time. I think this team would have eaten their lunch and stole their girlfriends.

Great year Ducks! Looking forward to next season already!

On the college side, I’m an Oregon Duck! My passion for Duck’s football rivals that of the Eagles, but I guess in true Philly fan speak… it depends on how the season is going. In the end, neither can go wrong. I love them both dearly and will defend them passionately regardless of how ridiculous the argument!

So anyway, I had to start somewhere and this was as good as any place to start… so welcome to my sports blog people. Hope you enjoy it! I know I will.