As problems go, which would you rather have-a freshman with a can of Four Loko, or a senior with a 350Z? Neither is good, but still.

Don't care about the new PAC-12 Championship logo; only care about the location of the title game

Fans voted over the Memorial Day weekend on the new PAC-12 Championship logo.  The winning selection, number 2, reportedly won over selection 3 by just 1.88 per cent, making it the most hotly-contested fan balloting since Rueben and Clay.

Don't care about any of that.  It's an okay logo, but what Duck fans really want to know is that the game will be held on Friday night December 2nd  (just one day shy of three months after the Ducks' season opener), televised on Fox (channel 12 in Portland).

Home field advantage belongs to the team with the best record in conference play.  The opponent will be the winner of the new South division, and USC is not eligible, making Utah and Arizona State the early favorites.

The fact that it is a Friday night game makes home field advantage even more critical.  This is a break in the game-week routine, and the familiarity of playing at home before your own fans becomes an even larger advantage.  The elements will be a factor also.  Oregon can have some pretty nasty weather conditions by December 2nd.

Don't let this Buckner dribble under the glove: Ducks pursue tall, talented defensive lineman

Relentless, unblockable and fierce, DeForest Buckner is a 6-7, 230-lb. linebacker/defensive end from Punahou High in Honolulu. He already has offers from eight PAC-12 schools, and he's getting interest from USC, LSU, Texas A&M and Notre Dame.

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(links to our new url, duckstopshere.com after the jump)

The Synergy of Success

Another benefit of the great quarterback recruiting Chip Kelly has done over the last three years at Oregon:  in Bennett, Mariota and now Rodrigues he has recruited three good ones who love competing as all great athletes do. 

When the spirals start flying in practice, they'll want to outdo each other and show they're the best.  Every rep, every day, they'll make each other better.

And the pressure of winning this competition will prepare them for facing the Huskies and Trojans and Bavers.

NCAA needs to clean house at Ohio State.  They can use the broom the Ducks used to sweep the Beavers in baseball this weekend.

George Horton's team underachieved a little this season, but they can use the strong ending to build on for next year.

Hope Chip Kelly can use the troubles in Columbus as a teachable moment as summer session begins for the Ducks.

Pryor filmed driving away from a workout yesterday in a sleek black 350Z. He's done,  won't take another snap at The Horseshoe.

Already tired of the Miami Heat. They have a USC/NY Yankees feel. Rooting for Dirk Nowitzski to validate a great career. He's the redemption story in this one.

Great talent, but so glad Pryor didn't become a Duck. Character issues would follow that guy. Erodes a team.

ESPN has more on the scandal at tOSU. 28 players sold memorabilia. Pryor got a series of loaner cars. When is the NFL supplemental draft? He's gone.

Will have a recruiting profile later this morning at our new url, duckstopshere.com. Absolute beast at linebacker/defensive end, a key Duck target.

If you don't make a holiday a good day, you are just wasting them. Grilled brats and homemade potato salad for supper. Then some Umpqua chocolate ice cream.

It was a lovely day out there, calm and peaceful, utterly lovely. A mostly cloudy day in Oregon can be just perfect. Plus Marie has a beautiful waggle.

Played golf with my wife at the par 3 today. Started out awful spraying the ball everywhere, but stayed carefree and focused on the next shot. Finished 3-3-4-4.

ESPN's Mark May calls Ohio State "a culture of corruption." Not convinced tOSU is alone, Alabama's Mark ingram drove a pretty sweet ride. So did his mother.

Bear Bryant and Darrell Royal had it easy. Impossible to keep things out of the public eye in the age of internet and 24-hr sports news. No secret arrangements.

One trend I hope ends soon: the media habit of naming every scandal large and small with the suffix "gate," i.e. Tattoogate. It's not clever or useful.

There's a fine line between a whistle blower and a weasel, and often no line at all.

Nothing noble about Ray Smalls coming forward. Then as now, an opportunist. This time for attention.

Unfortunately, the players are creating their own stipends.

Many of the reported violations at OSU and elsewhere involve selling memorabilia or taking pocket money from an agent-a fistful of dollars.

The prospect of Ohio State and USC in semi-darkness is grim news for college football. Nothing to celebrate.

Colin Cowherd interviewing Robert Smith. Defensive coordinator Fickell named interim coach. Two or three years probation likely for the Buckeyes.

Whoa! Jim Tressel just resigned. The walls of the bunker had collapsed.

Expectations are very high for Alabama this year. Odd, because they lost far more than Oregon: WR Jones, QB McElroy, RB Ingram. Cupboard not bare, but still.

Really surprised the latest story was broken by the OSU student newspaper. Campus reporters normally observe a code of silence and a silent loyalty oath.

Star college football players have been getting sweetheart deals and inducements since the 1920s. It happens everywhere.

Mildly amusing to hear former Ohio State running back and current ESPN analyst Robert Smith express shock and outrage about the latest revelations.

ESPN's College Football Live notes that the complete denial of USC's appeal is bad news for the Buckeyes. Also for other teams under the investigatory cloud.

Jim Tressel is on the Richard Nixon impeachment watch. He's probably praying on the office carpet with Gordon Gee right now.

ESPN bombshell on Friday. Former Ohio State WR Ray Small tells the school newspaper he received extra benefits at OSU, including $ and merchandise. OSU denies.

Spilled a glass of lemonade on my modem. Will be an internet-free day on The Duck Stops Here. Wife will be happy.

A Day for true heroes

On this day, Oregon fans will want to remember Ducks who served in the American military, which include Phil Knight (one year active duty, seven years in the reserve) and J.W. Beckett, a standout halfback on the 1916 Rose Bowl Champion team, who went on to become a brigadier general. Chip Kelly has made honoring the sacrifices made by our armed forces an important part of the culture at Oregon, never more important than on Memorial Day, set aside for those who have fallen protecting our freedom.

The Duck baseball team swept the Beavers this weekend to finish their regular season 35-26-1 and keep alive hopes of earning regional play in the NCAA tournament.  Always good to beat the Beavers, no what matter the sport or the other news of the day.

Coleman arrested; Ducks need a buddy system and a double shot of accountability

Rob Moseley reports freshman LB Tyson Coleman arrested, running from police, Minor In Possession. R-G blog faithful are quick to apply the "I did the same thing when I was in college" defense, but the news is disturbing and appalling.  Coupled with the recent lukewarm APR (Academic Progress Rate)  results, you have to wonder if "Winning the Day" really means anything to this group.

College kids drink, often excessively, often without regard to consequences.  But if the Ducks don't get a disciplinary handle on this soon, they'll be out of linebackers.  And excuses.

Tales from the stat sheet: Jake Rodrigues

From maxpreps.com, Jake Rodrigues's junior year stats at Whitney High School, game by game. Rodrigues' Whitney Wildcats achieved a mark of 7-5, 4-1 in league, losing to CIF Dvision III Sectional Champ Del Oro in the quarterfinals. Video highlights from all twelve of his games are available at hudl.com.

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(links to our new url, duckstopshere.com after the jump)

Is LaMichael James the greatest Oregon running back of all time?

J-Stew was great, but LMJ gives a Jeremiah Johnson Stiff Arm to all the rest.

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(links to our new url, duckstopshere.com after the jump)

Studying up on new quarterback recruit Jake Rodrigues. Tremendous prospect. Has one thing he needs to improve. Will have a profile today @ new url - duckstopshere.com

Darron Thomas has work to do at this level, but don't bet against him being ready for the next one

Darron Thomas is draft eligible after the 2011 season, but not likely to declare early.  He doesn't show up on most projections; as a 2013 senior most sites have him 3rd-5th round, approximately the 10th quarterback selected.

Have to think, though, if he finishes his Oregon career healthy and continues his hard work, he'll better that assessment by a wide margin.  Say he builds himself up to 220-225 lbs., continues the work on his mechanics, and leaves the Ducks with 90+ touchdown passes and 30+ career wins.  He'd have to get some more careful consideration.  Bill Parcells used to love to draft long-term starters from successful programs that completed four full seasons of college eligibility.

Thomas outplayed number one draft pick Cam Newton in the national championship game, and he may have a better pro career as well.  He's more of a team guy, has a stronger work ethic and he's a better student of the game.  Thomas is not a one-year wonder, and doesn't call attention to himself.

By the time he's done at Oregon he should leave those highly-touted recruits some impressive marks to shoot for.

In Bennett, Mariota and now Rodrigues Kelly has recruited 3 quarterbacks who are great fits for the Oregon offense. Be fun to see which one emerges and when.

Rodrigues commitment a linchpin for the 2012 class

First look at Jake Rodrigues' highlight film.  Stands very tall in the pocket, in command.   Great release, big arm.  Can deliver a 30 yard clothesline throw down the middle, a 25-yard out route with authority. Trent Dilfer called him "an alpha male among alpha males."

The quarterback competition in 2013 between Bennett, Mariota and Rodrigues will be something to see.  Imagine the winner with Josh Huff, BJ Kelley, Tacoi Sumler and Devon Blackmon running four verticals off the zone read.  Can't imagine the Cover Zero that would contain them.

Jake Rodrigues - Highlight Videos & Athlete Profile - Hudl

Eye-opening to consider Kelly has had just two full recruiting classes as head coach . For Duck fans, the future is an awesome place, provided he stays.

The Pratt Whitney engine just landed a new contract that will create  1000 new, skilled, high-paying jobs here in the United States. Innovation pays dividends. For the Ducks, also.

Put another way, the Ducks are handcrafted like a good beer. If they WERE a beer, Cliff Harris would be the hops. Or cheese on the nachos to go with the beer.

Ducks are getting leaders, winners, athletes. New qb commit Rodrigues fits that profile perfectly. Think Daryle Hawkins, John Boyette, LaMichael James.

Blackmon, Dunmore, spread qbs in high school. Dunmore a future world class decathlete. Prospects Tyner a sprint champ, DJ Foster a prep qb/wr/db. Competitors.

Note also how the current and future roster is dotted with players who were dual-threat qbs or dual sport stars in high school. Smart, versatile athletes.