Honest Question...

[Targus]

A selling point of Kelly's offense (besides being the #1 scoring offense in the nation) is that it moves quickly and wears defenses down. Yes, we saw that in a serious way last season....

Three quick questions:

1. Have you observed it yet? I haven't. We've played an elite LSU defense, a very good Nevada defense and a subpar MSU defense, and I haven't observed that "wearing down" yet.

2. Isn't the quick strike just that...quick strike? Yes, the pace is fast, but when the majority of the scores take place within 3 min or less, isn't it our own defense that actually becomes worn down?

3. Last year we noticed a lot of dives/flops/injuries/cramps by players. Some claimed this was to "catch a breath" but isn't it reasonable to conclude this was to sub/rotate the correct players based on formation, because what Oregon really does is quick organization and quick substitutions - with the next play being called prior to the previous play even concluding?

Just thinkin' out loud and hoping for some insight...

 

[MickZagger]

We havent really played in any competitive games to see it wear them down. Nevada and Misery State games were blowouts by halftime and 2nd units were brought in. Some of these Pac-10 games we'll probably see some long sustained drives early in the 2nd half that wears teams down.

 

[Wheels]

I kind of saw LSU wearing down a little bit on that 8 Minute drive by us. Although ironically that was more Oregon imposing its will than quick striking. Yet they did no huddle then Audible at scrimmage a bunch that drive iirc. So maybe they are getting worn down by rushing into position?

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

I think we're playing slower due to breaking in a new o-line and having so many freshmen.

 

[Natebishop3]

I agree to a certain extent. We haven't really seen defenses wearing down like we did last season, but like Zags pointed out, we haven't really had to play starters past the second or third quarter.

Another possibility is that teams are catching up in conditioning and endurance.

 

[Targus]

Thanks...solid and reasonable input from everyone.

Right now I'm feeling like there is the chance our offense may lose that edge fans love. More teams are duplicating the Oregon playbook (AZ) and attempting to run a faster offense. With this comes defenses that are better prepared to defend against the "blur". I'm also feeling like the offense is no longer extra unique because teams have seem most of it before (successful defense would be another thing). We have not been successful "blurring" against ranked teams who have time to prepare for our O.

I still think Chip is creative and an amazing coach. Just thinin' out loud here...

 

[Natebishop3]

Thanks...solid and reasonable input from everyone.

Right now I'm feeling like there is the chance our offense may lose that edge fans love. More teams are duplicating the Oregon playbook (AZ) and attempting to run a faster offense. With this comes defenses that are better prepared to defend against the "blur". I'm also feeling like the offense is no longer extra unique because teams have seem most of it before (successful defense would be another thing). We have not been successful "blurring" against ranked teams who have time to prepare for our O.

I still think Chip is creative and an amazing coach. Just thinin' out loud here...

While I love the Blur, I was always a fan of the west coast offense. I think our option would be more effective if Thomas was a better runner. Bennett might actually be a better option at QB for the offense that we run. Don't get me wrong, I love Thomas, but I'm beginning to wonder if Bennett might end up the better player in the long run.

 

[Targus]

I hear ya. Nothing like having a Masoli type runner who had the ability to run over LB's, or a Dixon who left players holding their jocks.

I have a hunch that Thomas has been coached to run less and take fewer hits. We really don't need him to take the kind of risks that ended Dixon's season and watching Thomas get hurt at WSU was a scary moment.