By Josh Wilcox
DSN Contributor
I was going to write a wrap of the season, but why look back? Let’s look forward.
2008
We have plenty of good players coming back, and we have good coaches. So what does all of this mean? Will we have a season like last year, or will this be like a Seattle Bowl year, or Las Vegas Bowl year, when people forgot what it takes to win, and be effective? I sure would like to think that some of the players now who will be leaders will not let that happen, and will stand up when things are wrong and challenge each other. But in this day and age, I know better.
The days of calling out your teammates, only if you can back it up, is over. Now you have to worry about feelings, and how they will take it, and not to disrupt the team. And even though it was a major factor in helping the players and coaches come together, you have to make trips to Camp Harlow to iron out issues. When I first heard that I thought it was a positive step and I am glad they did that, but I can tell you that the game has passed me by when you have to do that at the University of Oregon.
Recruiting
Looking into the future also means recruiting which now is almost a bigger business than the 70’s icon the pet rock. What I find amazing is how recruiting has evolved. Instead of a player and his parents feeling lucky to have the opportunity for a full scholarship to a PAC-10 school, they are worried about the NFL and playing time. Well lots of these kids will never play in the NFL, and for the most part the parents will never understand that. And so instead of selling what is good about your team, university, and why a player would be a good fit, you have to worry about that. It’s sad.
Also when did ranking recruiting classes become a science? And who determines if he is the best in the land? I have met more 4 star and 5 star recruits who are tapped out on potential, and never get better. Those are the facts. It is almost like the 1st round of the NFL draft. It’s a crap shoot. I mean if a player wants to be a Duck great, if not, go somewhere else. In the past Oregon has built its program with a sprinkling of 4 and 5 star guys, but with more guys that are 2 stars with 6 star hearts. When people judge the athletes or programs simply by their recruiting stars, or class ranking, then it really becomes unfair to both.
So next year, what do I want? I just want them to play hard, not make excuses, and everything will fall into place. The most important thing of all is to get to the Rose Bowl, and we certainly have the talent to do it, because if a bunch of 2 and 3 star guys can do it, I see no reason why we can not all have a good time in Pasadena on New Year’s!
Jonathan Stewart
Here is my take on the whole Jonathan Stewart debate. Was he the best Oregon running back ever? What is your definition of best? He came in with tons of hype, and he lived up to many of the expectations. So that argument can be made. But in my own opinion, the best three running backs Oregon has had since I have been going to games from the 80’s to the present are (in no particular order): Loville, Ruben, and Morris. Why? I just think those three brought the most to the teams they played on. And I asked my self, who would I have block for? Hey they were all good, and everyone has different tastes, so let the debate go on.
The “Pit Crew”
Finally I would like for anyone in the “Pit Crew” to realize how stupid they made the school look last week. I was in college and by no means was I an angel. But since when did acting like a jerk get you a free beer at Taylor’s? I would imagine that most of the people responsible would have some remorse, but deep down I think a lot of that is out of jealousy. Not one person in the stands could hang with Kevin Love for 30 seconds. Heck we had a hard enough time as a team doing it to a great player.
Just remember how lucky you are to have your “Pit Crew” and how some of you got free shirts from Nike, and how the new AD got a bus, and tickets to NCAA games last year. Don’t spoil something good, and stop acting like a bunch of idiots. However, you are not alone in the blame.
So taking a card board sign is a freedom of speech issue? Wow. Are you serious? Oregon, it was your responsibility to make sure this was a good environment for basketball to be played. This was not a Supreme Court case or a Presidential Debate. This was a public basketball game at your arena, where you are responsible for security as well. And the best thing you can think of is Freedom of Speech. Well, that is bull @#*@!
Man, I love freedom of speech!
Josh Wilcox, a Junction City, Oregon native was a four-year letterman with Ducks. In the Rose Bowl Season of 1994 against Arizona, Danny O’Neil threw 15 yards to Josh for the game’s only touchdown early in the fourth quarter as Oregon came from behind to win 10-9. Arizona was ranked No. 11 by The Associated Press and ranked 23d by The New York Times computer. Josh went on to catch 11 passes for 135 yards against Penn State in the 1995 Rose Bowl. After finishing his career at Oregon, Josh went on to play for the New Orleans Saints in the NFL.
Tags: Basketball, Ducks, Football, Josh Wilcox, oregon
A duck... Says:
January 29th, 2008 at 11:02 am
a slight correction. T-Mac was in the stands. I have a feeling like he might contest your allegation that he couldn’t hang for 30 seconds.
A duck... Says:
January 29th, 2008 at 11:07 am
Oh, and since when is freedom of expression bulls***? I believe the memo was specifically targeting signs, and I don’t see how a cardboard sign is going to compromise anyones safety at the pit.
The chants were certainly in bad taste. However, all you sportswriters need to quit whining. What happened at Mac court was a once in a generation type of activity. Kevin Love will never be back again, it was all directed and the anger the student body/state feels towards him and his father’s arrogance. It is over now. And frankly, its not that big of a deal. GET OVER IT.
Jay Says:
January 29th, 2008 at 11:38 am
Your right. I should have said everyone in Mac Court who is not a current professional All-Star in the sport he or she was watching could hang with Kevin Love.
I appreciate you pointing that out to me.
Josh Wilcox
James B. Says:
January 29th, 2008 at 11:59 am
T-mac probably had enough class to not call Love a F*****. It doesn’t matter if you think it is a once in a lifetime thing. It embarassed me to be an Oregon fan. EK runs a good classy program that everyone should be proud of. That night will overshadow alot of that for a little while. Hopefully not too long.
Let’s try and be good sports with all of our competition. It’s not personal when someone chooses to go to another school. He’s got to do what he thinks is best for him, period.
It’s our job as fans to support who does come play for us, not degrade who doesn’t with personally derogatory remarks.
I’m sure he feels very comfortable in his decision now. He’s not going to tell ANYONE “gee, maybe I should have gone to Oregon”, or “man what a great environment up there, just think of the support I would have had”.
Nope. What you’ll hear is “Thank God I didn’t pick Oregon”.
ChuckyDuck Says:
January 29th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Josh - spot on Re the Pit Crew & UCLA game. I’m a UO grad and I was disgusted and ashamed for the university at the Pit Crew’s performance. Universities are centers of “higher education” and can & should also be centers of higher behavior.
When I was a kid my dad & granddad took me to college sporting events and I loved it. Can you in your wildest imagingings consider taking a kid to Mac Court these days?
Just because you see behaviors on Jerry Springer or some trashy reality show doesn’t mean they’re acceptable. It’s not clever, edgy or hip. It’s common, vulgar, classless behavior that has been around forever. Apparently a minority of students in the Pit Crew hasn’t figured this out. Kevin goes to UCLA with dad’s blessing and that justifies this kind of behavior? Oh, boo hoo; wait til you get a taste of real life!
Kilkenney has at least admitted that the administration fell down on their job at the UCLA game, so for that reason one may hope that it won’t be repeated. The U of O family deserves no less.
Mike Says:
January 29th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Oregon fans (real fans, not Joey Harrington era) have to realize how far the program has come, some good and some bad. I remember watching the Ducks teams of the 80’s and how hard they used to play for Coach Brooks. The sad realization is that today’s program is based around a bunch of prima donna NFL hopefuls, flashing their Nike equipment on national telvision and waving at the camera as they are getting their ass handed to them by a mediocre (at best) UCLA program. The Rich Brooks era was recruiting boys who worked all summer on a farm, dreamt big and played every game as if it was their last. The Mike Belotti era has recruited players that have fallen in love with the locker room, the highly ranked cheerleading squad, and Phil Night’s high-tech designed uniforms. The only reason Oregon fans should be upset about losing a Kevin Love is that we are starting to lose our own kids in the battle over what college program is flashy enough to get the letter of intent. What used to get the kid to sign with Oregon was the fact that they wanted to be a Duck. Unfortunately, those days are over. Thanks for the three year ride and the national championship Stewy. A trip to Pasadena would have been just fine, but there is always the Super Bowl.
Marko Says:
January 29th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Oregon fans have always been an embarrassment. It starts with how delusional they are. News flash: As much as you people think otherwise, Autzen and Mac Court has been a cesspool of drunken idiots for far too long. I get so sick of Oregon fans talking about how special they are. The “Power of Autzen” and the “Magic” of Mac Court is all BS. If anything, its the largest gathering of losers in a sports venue. You can’t even go to a Blazer game anymore without being embarrassed by a fellow duck fan, wearing Oregon gear head to toe, making a complete jackass out of himself. Its time to drain the pool. If there is anything positive about losing - its shedding the lowlife fans that have seemed to adopted our program this decade.
California Duck Says:
January 29th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Right on Josh, James B. and ChuckyDuck. The Pit Crew yahoos put an ugly stain on the university, aren’t half as creative as they seem to believe, and only confirmed that the Love’s made a good choice in picking another program.
Treston Says:
January 29th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
I’m with Josh on this one. Every year, people ask me how I think the ducks will finish. I’m not going to say I don’t care, because I love it when the record is great. However, record is secondary in my opinion. I don’t seeing a loss when I can see everyone is busting their a$$is. When they are fun to watch, which outside of a couple of Ludwig years, they were very fun to watch. These last few years under the spread have been great fun, and these are good years to be a fan. So were the 90’s and so were the 80’s. As far as recruiting players, I’d much rather have a 2 star prospect playing at a 4 star level, because he has heart than a 5 star prospect playing at a 4 star level, because he doesn’t. This is how the ducks proved their salt in the 80’s and 90’s. Making great players out of “lessor” prospects.
duckduck Says:
January 29th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Many good points, but id still rather take my chances with 4star kids than hoping we can always find the 2 star kids with heart. Many 4 star kids have heart too. Coaches are responsible for getting the most out of the kids they recruit. USC finds a way to coach 4star and 5star kids to their potential. We are better off starting with raw talent in my opinion
Dee Says:
January 29th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Wow, it sounds like the majority of you guys either a) don’t enjoy being an Oregon fan or b) aren’t an Oregon fan in the first place
In either case, keep it moving. We don’t need your energy. Go do something constructive.
James B. Says:
January 29th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Actually, we are definitely OREGON fans. Just not other team bashers. go figure out the difference.
sunriver-duck Says:
January 29th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Changing the subject just a bit, Josh, I love your line “2 star guys with 6-star hearts.” That’s what we need at Oregon. No more 4-star “me” guys with 1-star hearts. It’s too bad you can’t find that “heart” ranking anywhere on Rivals.com.
Question Josh: were there star-ranking when you came out of hs? If so, how many “stars” were you? My guess is you proved everyone wrong if they ranked you anything less than a 4-star.
bestofbest Says:
January 29th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
wow, ANOTHER person ripping on the pit crew. whoo hooo, lets get the same old response and same old head shaking that 100 other writers have been saying. we get it, pit crew was bad, they wont do it again, its over and done with. how bout talking bout something important, like the fact that porter is hoisting up the most shots on a senior laden team??? oh wait, that is actual writing and skills to talk about that.
TheMikeBellottis Says:
January 29th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
The PitCrew went over the top on Thurday. No question about it. It is still a great environment with great fans. They simply need to realize that innuendo, some priceless information, and a little wit go a hell of a lot farther than the high school locker room banter on display last week. Learn the virtue of restraint.
To the poster that referred to Real Oregon Fans (not Joey Harrington Era): You are a donkey!! Just because you happened to endure some tough seasons in the stands because we were short talent, does not mean you have the market cornered on pain and suffering. You cant fault somebody for the fact that their parents got busy after yours did. Whatever.
Lastly, coaches try to recruit the best athletes that fit their system. If its a 5* kid or a 2* kid, you do what you can to make the university appealing to him. You sell the school and the program. You give him the benefit of the doubt when it comes to immesurable intangibles such as heart. And remember, their are plenty of 2* recruits with no drive or ambition as well, who would rather hit the bong and video games than the weight room. Im sick of posters on every blog and forum saying that the UO would be a better program with a bunch of no name, no star recruits with “heart”. You know what? That makes for a fine Disney Movie, but a lousy football team. You get the best athletes available and hope the fit the bill and deliver.
And Josh, you were a Duck when I was a Duck. It was a pleasure to watch you and your teammates play ball. Some of the best Duck years ever.
GO D U C K S!!
Mike Says:
January 29th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
Although I agree that what the Pit Crew did most did step over the line of good taste, it is not out of jealousy, because Kyle Singler would not be greeted the same way. The fact is that people were upset over Stan and Kevin throwing Ernie under the bus, when Stan couldn’t play at UCLA in the 70’s and is living through his kid (so Oregon never had a chance). There were several things said that were not ok, but his own coach called him overweight and if you and your family is in the public eye you have to deal with issues such as drug abuse in the public eye (although I tend not to have a lot of sympathy for these people. Again its not a jealousy issue its more the students misguided attempt at defending their University and coach.
surfduck Says:
January 29th, 2008 at 11:48 pm
A duck, apologies for the late post but…
Wrong..poor sportsmanship is a sickness that haunts Mac Court. Last week is not an isolated case. We treated the ’60s and ’70s UCLA teams worse than the recent UCLA game. I still remember people throwing soft drinks on Sidney Wick as he left the floor. Jabar and Walton experienced the same abuse. We need to learn how to win gracefully and loose with dignity.