Will Helfrich Be On The Hot Seat?

Discussion in 'Oregon Ducks' started by BLAZER PROPHET, Jul 27, 2014.

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  1. BLAZER PROPHET

    BLAZER PROPHET Well-Known Member

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    Last season the Ducks were unable to stop Stanford, AZ and OSU from running at will. Texas could have if they wanted to, but they opted not to. If this trend continues this season and we lose a couple of games, will Helfrich be on the hot seat? My thinking is probably not, but with the talent we have there is no excuse for how we played defense late last season.
     
  2. Natebishop3

    Natebishop3 Don't tread on me!

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    I think he could be. The expectation was that the team wouldn't miss a beat with Helfrich. That was the entire reason for promoting him. They wanted to use someone who already knew the system so they wouldn't lose a shot at a National Championship. It felt like the team took a step back last season, because we were on the verge of winning a NC with Chip. Last year we clearly weren't as prepared mentally. The team went to shit as soon as we lost one game.
     
  3. Wheels

    Wheels Is That A Challenge?!?!1! Staff Member Global Moderator

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    Not to go all homer, but imo the same thing wouldnt happen this year now that there is a playoff. Last year the National Title or bust went out the window with the 1 loss, and the team felt it.

    Now you can afford one mess up, and still have the chance for the Championship.
     
  4. 3RA1N1AC

    3RA1N1AC 00110110 00111001

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    i think that that is on the coaching, and leadership of the team. all the "disappointed to just be going to the rose bowl again" nonsense was ridiculous
     
  5. NewsSource

    NewsSource Banned User BANNED

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    This confuses me. Texas had one big run, and did run the ball 41 times for 180 yards. They only passed for 56 yards on 23 attempts. The defense was stout against Texas.
     
  6. STOMP

    STOMP mere fan

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    when Chip used to be asked questions about the Duck Defense, he'd invariably answer that he doesn't coach that side of the ball. Is it your impression that Helfrich does?

    as far as MH's job security/performance, I'd note that Oregon's offense was better statistically by many key measures last season then ever before.

    yes what a disappointment it was to finish as the top ranked team in the Pac 12 yet again... just awful

    STOMP
     
  7. oldmangrouch

    oldmangrouch persona non grata

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    If the sole problem was the run defense, then no - MH should not be on the hot seat. The new defensive staff deserves a chance.

    My beef with MH, is that the running game also went south at critical moments. When the QB is hurt, your running game should step UP, not back.

    As head coach, the buck stops with Helfrich for failings on both sides of the ball. As a practical matter, we all know he is much more involved on the offensive side of things. If the running game continues to founder at key moments, he deserves heat over that.
     
  8. Wheels

    Wheels Is That A Challenge?!?!1! Staff Member Global Moderator

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    it still happens though. Twice under Saban now, Bama has seemed pretty disappointed to be in a decently prestigious Sugar Bowl. And Saban's seat is probably the coldest in College Football.

    Not saying I agree with the lack of enthusiasm for a Rose Bowl btw
     
  9. Wheels

    Wheels Is That A Challenge?!?!1! Staff Member Global Moderator

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    Not to mention the Defense actually outscored the offense that game.
     
  10. oldmangrouch

    oldmangrouch persona non grata

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    Just to follow up on my earlier post.

    Over the first 8 games the Ducks averaged 331 yds rushing. Over the last 5 games they averaged 181. Take out the 283 yds against the Beavs, and it looks even worse. (155 yds) Ouch!

    It is easy to blame injuries - but I firmly believe there was more to it. Defenses were begining to adjust to the blocking schemes, and the Ducks didn't counter.
     
  11. STOMP

    STOMP mere fan

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    It wasn't Marcus's arm that was hurt. If the QB is a major threat with his legs like is the case with Mariota/Oregon, then it makes perfect sense that the run game steps back... because it isn't nearly as good.

    Oregon's running game isn't a smash mouth/we're bigger so we'll impose our will on the opponent like Bama's or Stanford's. Their lineman are mobile and in tremendous shape. They run simple plays to one side or another at rapid pace almost always reading one of the defenders who has to account for the QB. If that defender cheats and goes after the RB, the the QB tucks it and goes for a big gain in the opposite direction. When Mariota wasn't a threat with the counter, the D gained an extra tackler on the RB and the rushing attack isn't as effective as we saw in the last 4 games. Texas tried the same approach as those last 4 regular season opponents and didn't account for Marcus. Since he was again relatively healthy, Marcus took advantage and ran for well over 100 yards in the first half... game over

    Injuries happen. They aren't an excuse for the team giving less then 100% effort, but it's absolutely ridiculous for fans to expect a team to perform as well without their difference makers being capable of making a difference. The criticism that I have for Helfrich last season is why wasn't one of the backup QBs ready to go? Obviously the offense needs a dual threat QB for their schemes to be effective, so if Marcus can't run then next man up. If no one is ready for prime time, then thats on the guys that coach the Offense

    STOMP
     
  12. Natebishop3

    Natebishop3 Don't tread on me!

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    Do you think the Miami Heat were happy finishing as the best team in the east last season?
     
  13. NewsSource

    NewsSource Banned User BANNED

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    Probably not, since they were going for a three-peat. Oregon football is nowhere near the level in FBS football that the Heat have been over the last 4 seasons, though. One title game loss 4 years ago isn't the same as 4 straight appearances, and with two titles.

    When I was at UO, an 11-2 season was a pipe dream. Hell, a 10-win season had never happened prior to the 2000 season. Now a coach is on the hot seat because he went 11-2 in a season. I love Chip Kelly, but let's not pretend that the Pac-12 was at its peak during his 4-year run. USC was decimated by the NCAA, Stanford wasn't quite ready in 2010 or 2011, and coaches in the league included Paul Wulff/Rick Neuheisal/Lane Kiffin/Mike Stoops/Dennis Erickson/Steve Sarkisian/Jeff Tedford. Out of that group, only Sark is a head coach at a school that matters. These guys were fired, not hired away to better jobs. Those guys have been replaced by Mike Leach/Jim Mora Jr./Steve Sarkisian/Rich Rodriguez/Todd Graham/Chris Petersen/Sonny Dykes, respectively.

    The Pac 12 is a lot more difficult than 4 years ago, and is only going to get better now that pretty much every program is investing money in facilities and upgrading their coaching (USC aside, perhaps).
     
  14. STOMP

    STOMP mere fan

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    I see you're still trying to pass off wildly unrealistic personal expectations as something we all should share.

    I'll try it another way... why do you blame the coaches when the star player gets hurt?

    STOMP
     
  15. BLAZER PROPHET

    BLAZER PROPHET Well-Known Member

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    I get what you're saying, but when the defense leaks running yards like we did, loses are sure to follow. Helfrich darn well better be concerned about both sides of the ball.
     
  16. Natebishop3

    Natebishop3 Don't tread on me!

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    If you think the only reason why we slumped last season was because of an injury to Mariota, I think you are drastically underselling the obvious chemistry problem that occurred after the Stanford loss. It was obvious that the team was mailing it in. They put up a shit effort against Arizona, and a ho-hum outing against OSU. How is that not, at least partially, the fault of the coach?
     
  17. STOMP

    STOMP mere fan

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    while I'm sure he's concerned, does your boss let you do your job? Technically the Head Coach is responsible for everything that happens on his watch, but reality is that they have to delegate a lot of responsibility. From my understanding it's pretty common for Offensive and Defensive coaches at this level and above to operate pretty autonomously. My best guess as to why the D started leaking like a sieve was mostly from LBs being out of position. But with their no talking about injuries policy, who knows how guys were doing? It seemed like they were fine for the first half of the year and then something changed.

    STOMP
     
  18. oldmangrouch

    oldmangrouch persona non grata

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    At the risk of being Captain Obvious, none of us is enough of an expert to say we *know* what went wrong with the defense. I cheerfully admit my opinion is no more valid than any of the rest of you. They made some changes - and the new guys deserve a chance to prove themselves. All I ask of Helfrich is that he not blindly stay the course if there are problems.

    If the offense goes south - then I am more inclined to blame Helfrich.
     
  19. BLAZER PROPHET

    BLAZER PROPHET Well-Known Member

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    Very good. You made most my debate for me.
     
  20. Quack U!

    Quack U! Member

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    Mark's a quick learn and had a better season then Chip did year 1 as head coach. No one mentions that though! This year we have an offense that will be lethal and Pellum I think knows the implications if his D looks bend don't break! Win the Year!
     
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