An "Ad Visor"

Yesterday I was presented by the family of 

"Off The Pond" with 2 great gifts.   

Original t-shirts designed by Nick of OTP.  

Here is the logo from one of the shirts:

 Want one?  Go to his website at 

http://www.offthepond.net

and get 'em while they're hot!

And no, I do not get kick backs for this promotion.

NCAA Bad Mamma Jamma's

WOW did the NCAA hammer the Buckeyes!!!  

NCAA, "You boys have been bad!"  
Buckeyes, "Yes and we are soooo sorry, but can we play in the bowl game,
                  can we, can we?"  
NCAA, "OK, but you kids can't play for 5 games next season!"  

With 4 of the offenders juniors in elligibility, they will most likely jump to the NFL draft, avoiding any real punishment.  Sure, they have to repay the money they received, but an NFL agent will pick up the tab, considering it a drop in the bucket.

Way to show 'em, NCAA!

A Silent Award

     Coach Kelly has gotten his share of post-season accolades - and they're well deserved.   But, one that won't show up in the media is for a project he started September 5th, 2009.   When Coach Kelly refused to bow to the outcries of an angry public and retained LeGarrette Blount as a Duck, he showed the care he had for the individual as well as the team.

Blount agreed to and followed through with the outline that Kelly laid down.   He finished the season as a member of the 2009 Pac-10 Champs - something he could take pride in and feel positive about.   Left undrafted, Blount looked like he made his NFL dreams come true as a free agent with Tennessee, only to be let loose after the final cut.  Tampa Bay decided to take a chance and signed him, returning LeGerrette to his home state of Florida.   What has he done?   He leads the Bucs in rushing with 777 yards, carrying a 4.7 yard per carry average and has been nominated for NFL Rookie of the Week 4 times.

I would call that a success story and he owes it, in part, 

to the man who didn't throw him out the door. 

Winged Zed Civil War Edition

The Civil War Winged Zed is awarded to....

Michael Clay

His 64 yard rumble on a fake punt left the Beavers slapping their tails in pursuit

and shifted the momentum fully to the Ducks

And now for something I never thought I would live to say,

on to the BCS Championship!

And no, I am not sobbing like Jerry Allen.

Credit Where Credit Is Due

The announcement of LaMichael James as 

a first team All-American was amazing news.  

 

But as talented as LaMichael is, he owes much of his success to his  teammates.

First, the line, 

already recipients of a Winged Zed,

they're the reason for James getting 

to the second level so often.   

Second, the receivers and their blocking abilities, they're the reason James can get past the second level and waive "adios my friends" to the defense.

 To this, another Winged Zed is awarded to 

Receivers Coach,

Scott Frost

We turned a Husker into a Duck.   

An ex-QB into a receivers coach, and a damn fine one.  

Another great hire by Mike Bellotti.

In other developments,

in case you still don't know, this week is the

and I believe they play this Saturday.

WOW!!

Congratulations to 

LaMichael James

the U of O's youngest All-American!!  

Go to this link to see the rest of the team and to read the article:

http://www.afca.com

Some of you may have heard the Civil War is this week.

I have nothing but compliments for our northern neighbors

and

may the best team win (as long as they are quacking at the end).

We know who Corso will pick...

Winged Zed Week 12

There is no doubt in my mind who gets the WZ this week. 

It goes to ............

My Family, 

for waiting in line 4 hours in the freezing cold outside Target on Black Friday

so that we could be one of the chosen few to buy a 40" LCD 

for me to watch the Duck - Arizona game!  

Mounted on the wall just 10 minutes before game time, it's a sight to behold.   It wasn't with out its problems, I resembled Darren McGavin in A Christmas Story as he tried to fix the furnace,

 words flying from my mouth that I would never say in front of my Mother.

But, why, oh why, can't they include a full set of instructions - and would it hurt to have a few illustrations?  Anyway, with the help of my wife ("are you sure you have the right tool" - I didn't) and my daughter, we prevailed against that wonderful piece of viewing pleasure just in time.   A note here, this TV can take the screaming and yelling just as well as the old set.

And now for the Crybaby Award

 Stoops...

need I say more?

Winged Zed Week 11

The Cal game was a squeaker and I will say again, I hate late games.   Sure the money is good, but the waiting is killing me and, from the looks of things,

the Ducks Blur Offense, as well.

On to the awards!   

Two special teamers gain the award this week:

Jackson Rice

Although infrequently used 

(there was no picture available from the Cal game, this one is from 2009), 

he had 5 punts for a 42.5 yard average versus the Golden Bears.

&

Cliff Harris

 

His 64 yard punt return was definitely the scoring highlight of the night.

Honorable mention to Dion Jordan for 

his exhilarating 2 yard run for the extra point (his second this season).

&

HM to the WSU Cougs for finally winning a conference game, happy now GC?

Winged Zed Week 10

Sorry for the delay, as I am reminded, 

a serious blogger posts on time, all the time.

This week's Winged Zed is split between two special teamers:

Josh Huff 

3 kick off returns for 132 yards, with a long of 80 yards.
&  
Rob Beard

Onside kick recovery, extra point rushing, tacking on kick offs - a true football Renaissance Man.  Oh, and by the way, he is perfect this season on field goals
(8 of 8) and extra points (52 of 52).

And now for
The Crybaby Award

 This week it goes to
UW Athletic Director, Scott Woodward

 for calling the U of O an "embarrassment"!
Sounds like sour grapes.
Hey buddy, take a look at your football program
if you need the definition of embarrassment.

U of O, 9 - 0

Need I say more.....no, but I will.....

Reminiscing

Question:

Who holds the Canadian Football League post-season record for the longest interception return for a touchdown at 116 yards.

Give up??

None other than our own  

Kenny Wheaton!

 

As we get ready to play the once-dreaded Huskies this weekend, I can't help but re-live the most famous play in Oregon Football history.  We were seated in the opposite end zone when Wheaton jumped the out and intercepted Huard's pass. 

  

Some who were there may remember that players from the Oregon bench came on to the field as Kenny streaked to our end.   

I kept looking for flags that would call the play back, but they never flew.  

Odd, since Washington always seemed to catch 

a favorable decision from the stripes. 

  

But Don James was gone and so was the Huskie mystique.

On our way out of the stadium, a UW fan ran up to me and asked me if I knew the way to Pasadena, I replied I did not.  His reply was, "Figures, since the Ducks haven't been there in this century!"   Ah yes, bubba, but what have your beloved Huskies done since then?   How about these words; Lambright, Neuheisel, Gilbertson, Willingham, and now the savior of the program, Sarkisian?   

Seems like we are headed in different directions.   

Am I a hater, why yes......yes I am.

   

Winged Zed Week 9

Another of my favorites has come up strong enough to receive the Winged Zed:

Jeff Maehl

The go-to guy, tough as nails, with great hands, you gotta like him.   

His line score for The Demolition of USC Part II: 

8 catches for 145 yards and 3 tuds!

Not a bad night for a DB convert.

Another Winged Zed goes out to the Dumbledore of Ducks,

Chip Kelly

 

The Wizard of O's just keeps working his weekly magic.   

How smart was Mike Bellotti to hire this guy?

And finally a special and new award, 

The Crybaby Award

 (wow another thing to look forward to each week)

The initial award goes to:

Will Ferrell

 

Sorry Will, like your movies, hate your college!

Winged Zed Week 8

Christmas came early for me with a 60 - 13 pounding of the Bruins.  Hey  Coach Weasel, what goes around, comes around.  Nearly a perfect offensive display, the Ducks punted once in the entire game!    It is amazing that this team could be that efficient, but efficiency starts at the gut level and the guts of this team is the O Line.   Monsters on Thursday night, they made UCLA look like a scout squad D.   

Congratulations to 

Bo Thran, Carson York, Jordan Holmes, 

C.E. Kaiser and Mark Asper

for winning this week's Winged Zed. 

After this game I am reminded of lines from the classic movie,
The WaterBoy

Bobby Boucher: "So that's what a can of whoop-ass feels like."

Coach Klein: "Son, you just opened up a whole case of whoop-ass!!!"

UCLA, please return the empties for deposit....

#1

Yikes, here we are on top.   A bit of a curse according to the last two weeks, but we'll take it.  Any time at #1 is better than no time.   #2 in the BCS, but who cares, as long as you are in the top 2.  Now, down to the business of UCLA.   I really didn't have any strong feelings towards this team until the New Weasel took over.  If you think Duck fans hate him, we pale in comparison to Colorado and Washington fans.    One blogger blames the entire downfall of the Buffs football program on Slick Rick - no, really?

 Here's to hoping the Ducks hang a 50 point loss on the Bruins,

all with out a fake punt.  

Winged Zed Week 7

Thanks, Wisconsin, for the cheese, the Packers, and oh yes BEATING Ohio State!  This week's Winged Zed goes to the Badgers for bumping off the Buckeyes and moving the Ducks to #1!

From my expert analysis, I have determined the reason for the loss.   

OSU punter, Ben Buchanan, wears the wrong socks!

 C'mon, pal, at least look like a football player!

And finally, Coach Tressel was overheard uttering these words as the clock wound down,

So Long Malts

A retirement took place this week that will barely send a ripple though out the sporting world of the West Coast.






Kirk Maltby of the Red Wings called it a career after 14 seasons with Detroit.   You won't find his name on the ballot for the Hall of Fame, but Wing's fans will long remember his contributions on the "Grind Line" of the 90's.

 In his trophy case are four, count 'em, four Stanley Cup rings.   His significant contribution was his ability to find a role, accept it, and perfect it.   He wasn't a marquee player, but an athlete any real sports fan can look up to.   A blue collar player that took pride in working hard and making the most of his abilities, abilities that allowed him to play in over 1000 games as a Red Wing.    You look at a guy like Maltby and you can't help but remember all the jack ass players that had huge talent, but chose to allow ego and idiocy get in the way.

A name that comes to mind is Gary Templeton.   Who, you say?   Exactly!   A prized talent for the St. Louis baseball Cardinals, Gary Templeton had the tools to be one of the most memorable baseball players of all time.   Sadly, his true nature came out when he made obscene gestures to the crowd, not once, but twice on Ladie's Day at at Busch Stadium.   When selected as a reserve to the 1979 All Star Team, his response was, "If I ain't startin,' I ain't departin".   What a jerk!  What happen to him?  Well, the Cards had enough and traded him to the San Diego Padres for Ozzie Smith.   St. Louis got a future Hall of Famer and San Diego got an injury plagued .250 hitter, nice trade Pads.

The sports landscape is littered with far too many of the Gary Templetons who take up the media's time with their egotistical rants, self-promotion, and uncontrollable behaviors.  Unfortunately, the Kirk Maltby's of the world slip by with out their due accolades.   Thanks, Malts, we will miss you.