JJ, here.

There’s a big, bad monster coming to town named Kevin Love. And the Pit Crew has had this date circled on the calendar for a long time.

Make no mistake about it: Thursday’s game against UCLA is the Pit Crew’s “Cloverfield”.

But unlike “Cloverfield”, Duck Sports News has been given a sneak peak as to the verbal artillery the Pit Crew is going to unleash on UCLA’s freshman center, Kevin Love.

[Editor's note: Is this a bit sophomoric? Probably. However, from a practical point of view, sometimes I can't make out what the Pit Crew is chanting. Knowing ahead of time what I should be listening for will help.]

Here are some of the highlights from the “Pit Crew Post” (the Pit Crew’s publication):

- “Oregon In The News”

ESPN Bracketolgist Joe Lunardi has Oregon as a 9 seed in the South Region, playing Texas A&M in the first round, with Memphis in the second round game.

ESPN.com’s Andy Katz mentioned in his weekly preview “Kevin Love knows he’s going to be vilified by the McArthur Court crowd. The question is can he withstand the verbal assaults” and “Oregon can establish itself with a home sweep of the L.A. schools.” Let’s not disappoint Mr. Katz.

- “UCLA Dirt”

[Stan Love] flipped off high school students during Kevin’s junior year before a game.

Boo [Kevin Love] every time he touches the ball and beep like a truck when he backs down in the paint.

[Editor's note: Well, it's probably not good when there are multiple editor's notes. But here's another one about the notes in this section.

It appears that the Pit Crew has Kevin Love's cell phone number. Are we going to reprint it here? No. Although, it's not much different than the ESPN College GameDay signs featuring Nate Longshore's cell phone number. But I do have Mr. Underhill's Visa number, if you want that.

Expect the Crew to make fun of Kevin's father & ex-Duck Stan Love. And it looks like they will be targeting Lorenza Mata-Real, as well (if he plays).]

- “Chants”

For Kevin Love: Fatt-y, Lake-O Hates You, U-O Hates You, Tread-mill, Sing-ler’s Bet-ter

For Stan Love: Burn-out, Psy-cho par-ent, Beach Boy Beat-er

For UCLA: Ni-ke re-jects, Ni-ke’s bet-ter. UCLA is an adidas school

- “Notable”

Wear yellow to EVERY game. If you see someone not wearing yellow at a game, encourage them to wear yellow for the next game.

To round out their publication, the Pit Crew was kind enough to publish the lyrics to “DuckTales”:

Life is like a hurricane here in Duckburg
Race cars, lasers, aeroplanes - it’s a duck blur
You might solve a mystery or rewrite history

Duck Tales, Oo-oo
Tales of derring-do, bad and good luck tales, oo-oo

D-d-d-danger, watch behind you - there’s a stranger out to find you
What to do? Just grab onto some Duck Tales, oo-oo!
Not pony tails or cotton tails but Duck Tales, oo-oo!

Duck Tales, Oo-oo
Tales of derring-do, bad and good luck tales, oo-oo
Not pony tails or cotton tails but Duck Tales, oo-oo!

And “Mighty Oregon”:

Oregon, our Alma Mater
We will guard thee on and on
Fellows gather round and cheer her
Chant her glory Oregon
Roar the praises of her warriors
Sing the story Oregon
On to victory urge the heroes
Of our mighty Oregon!

[Editor's note: One of the Pit Crew's admins has informed me that there will be inflatables at this game.  Hopefully, parents won't have to cover up their kid's eyes at this game.  Although, this might be a case for "ear muffs".]

High road? What high road is this you speak of?

As much as I agree with Bob Rickert’s suggested anti-Nike approach to Kevin Love, “Just Don’t Do It” sentiment, I don’t think that’s an option. Although, I think a version of that approach would be interesting, unnerving, and doable. What if the Pit Crew (and the fans) simply turned their back on Kevin Love in complete silence? I’m talking “pin drop” silence. Now, that would make a statement because sometimes silence can be deafening. And I know that’s probably something he’s never heard before.

But I don’t expect that to happen. Instead, I’m anticipating one of the best home theater, surround sound performances ever from the Pit Crew, Duck fans, and Mac Court. Probably a performance worthy of Monster cables.

JJ, here.

So, how will the Pit Crew express their affection Thursday night for the Oregon-raised-Lake-Oswego-graduate-Beach Boy-related-Son of Stan-UCLA-freshman-center-Kevin Love? They did a pretty good job of keeping things in the pink with their message to one of the Lopez twins.

Trying to keep things from getting too blue, do you have any Pit Crew sign suggestions for Mr. Love?

JJ, here.

Herb emailed us his impression of the Geoff Schwartz’s contribution to the win.

West wins the East-West game with considerable play making on part of  “May the Schwartz be with you” #79. He cleared the way up the center for the first 4+ yard run for the West. Go Geoff!  Just a fan impression.

Thanks, Herb.

JJ, here. (Not to be confused with “Cloverfield”’s producer, J.J. Abrams.)

1-18-08.

Movie fans have been waiting for this date for almost a year. They’ve been talking about it on message boards. They’ve been chatting about on fan sites. They’ve even started up their own sites in attempt to unravel the mystery that is “Cloverfield”.

What does that remind you of? Or WHO does that remind you of?

Kind of sounds like college football recruiting fans in hot pursuit of one Mr. Terrelle Pryor, the nation’s #1 college football recruit.

Over the last month, I can’t think of two things that have been hyped more in the their respective parts of pop culture: “Cloverfield” and Terrelle Pryor.

So, it got me to thinking…could Terrelle Pryor be the Cloverfield monster?

See for yourself…if you dare.

Cloverfield: The monster can’t live up to expectations.
Terrelle Pryor: The player that can live up to the hype?

Cloverfield: A horror movie.
Terrelle Pryor: A horror for defenses.

Cloverfield: The monster spawns little monsters.
Terrelle Pryor: Sustains the cottage industry of college football recruiting.

Cloverfield: The monster destroys New York.
Terrelle Pryor: Crushes the spirits of the fans of the schools he doesn’t choose.

Cloverfield: Filmed with a shaky, hand-held, amateur digital camcorder style.
Terrelle Pryor: Game highlights filmed with a shaky, hand-held digital camcorder by an amateur.

Cloverfield: Expected to redefine the monster movie genre.
Terrelle Pryor: Expected to redefine the dual-threat quarterback position.

Cloverfield: 1-18-08
Terrelle Pryor: 2-02-08

Cloverfield: “Something has found us.”
Terrelle Pryor: “Someone will sign him.”

Cloverfield: The advertising buzz started last summer.
Terrelle Pryor: Message boards have been buzzing since last summer.

Cloverfield: Targeted at the YouTube generation.
Terrelle Pryor: A YouTube star.

Cloverfield: May cause nauseousness.
Terrelle Pryor: May cause defensive headaches.

Cloverfield: The monster causes damage by sea, land, and air.
Terrelle Pryor: A threat by air and by land.

Cloverfield: A superb, hard-to-miss online marketing campaign.
Terrelle Pryor: A superb, hard-to-miss online presence.

Cloverfield: The monster fights the U.S. Army and is “winning” (according to the trailers).
Terrelle Pryor: Played in the U.S. All-American Army Bowl and won.

Is he the “Cloverfield” monster? Or is he just a monster on the field?

I don’t know. But I’m looking forward to seeing both of them in action.

- JJ

Highlights of Oregon newest commit, Lamichael James.

Athletic Department
University of Oregon
January 17, 2008

EUGENE, Ore. – Oregon junior rover Patrick Chung has withdrawn his name from NFL draft consideration, opting to return for his senior season.

Chung, a second-team All-America and the Ducks’ leading tackler in 2007, had filed paperwork earlier this week with the NFL as a precautionary measure before arriving at his final decision. He had until Friday to opt out.

“I love our fans, I love our coaches, and I love the atmosphere here,” Chung said. “How could I leave? Once I have earned my degree, I will pursue my dream of playing in the NFL. I would like to thank our fans for their support.”

Chung would have become the second UO underclassman from the 2007 squad to enter the NFL draft, joining teammate Jonathan Stewart, who declared last week. He is one of two current juniors, along with offensive lineman Max Unger, to start all 38 games Oregon has played since 2005.

The Ducks begin spring practice April 2.

JJ, here.

Yes, I watch “American Idol”. This year, however, I’m only doing it because its of interest to me as a Duck fan.

Right.

OK. So, how is “American Idol” connected to Oregon football?

Here it goes.

Up until this past season, there was only one occasion I could think of where one, single play changed the course of an entire season and cost the Ducks a Rose Bowl.

I’ll give you some hints.

1999.

At Washington.

Figured it out, yet?

Punt return.

An unsportsman-like conduct penalty.

Does this name sound familiar?

Sonny Cook.

Now, I want you to know that I’ve met Sonny (1999-2000) on several occasions. And he is a really nice guy. But Sonny’s penalty on a punt return single-handedly cost Oregon that game, the Pac-10 Conference Championship, and the Rose Bowl (For clarification, Sonny absolutely blew up the kick returner.). Stanford, with a 7-1 conference record, ended up winning the conference and going to the Rose Bowl. Oregon, with a 6-2 conference record, headed to El Paso. If Oregon and Stanford had had the same record, Oregon would have gone to the Rose Bowl based on the tie-breakers.

Sonny, if you’re reading this, sorry about this. But it’s true.

So, what’s the “American Idol” connection?

Sonny’s sister, Kristy Lee Cook, was on “American Idol” last night and made it Hollywood.

Now, I’m a bit conflicted. Kristy Lee clearly has the look, the talent, and the catchy name to go far in “American Idol”.

But should I hold what her brother did against her? Is that an even exchange? Oregon in the Rose Bowl for a chance to be the “American Idol”?

If I did, that would probably be an unsportsman-like penalty on me.

Jones, out.

It’s OK to admit it.  Everyone has one.

You know.  That so-called “friend”.  That University of Washington Husky you “associate” with.

Well, now they have a version of what you’ve been experiencing for the last five months: HuskySportsNews.com.

So, let that Husky fan in your life who you might have occasional communication with know about Husky Sports News.

Be kind.  Throw them a bone.

One Click Sports News

This report states that Terrelle Pryor will be making a visit to Oregon the weekend of February 2-3.

This found about 2/3 down the page at PittsburghLive.com:

“Jeannette quarterback Terrelle Pryor, the nation’s No. 1 recruit, continues to play switcheroo with his list of schools. Pryor is now interested in LSU, along with his original top five of Florida, Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon and Penn State. Jeannette football coach Ray Reitz confirmed that Pryor will take an official visit to Michigan this weekend and Oregon on Feb. 2-3.”

JJ, here.

Throughout the Men’s Pac-10 Basketball Season, DSN visitors will have the chance to ask former Duck A.D. Smith questions about Duck basketball.

Click here to ask AD a question. Or you can leave a question right here in the comments section.

Here’s the first edition of “Up-N-Under with AD”:

kmilk: Who on this year’s hoops squad will be the one to really step up and be a vocal leader? I see 4 guys who are more action oriented, which is good, but you need that guy who will lead verbally and then back it up. Marty, Malik, Bryce, and Porter all seem like reserved personalities. Last year you had Brooks who kind of led them. Who is, or could be that guy this year?

AD: Thanks everyone for the questions. I appreciate the opportunity to put in my two cents and look forward to hearing more and more from Duck fans. Let me first say that this is probably the first Duck team since I played where I really don’t know the guys very well. I don’t go to practices and I haven’t played pick up with this group in well over a year. That said I may have some insight into how Coach Kent runs his program….and….sometimes I hear things:) Anyway…on to question # 1 as to who may be the Ducks vocal leader..

From my vantage point it’s obviously Malik Hairston. He may not be a rah rah in your face vocal leader…but his experience and leadership demands respect from his teammates and he has obviously stepped up his game with the confidence of a 4 year starter. While the Ducks struggled early in the year Malik was always solid and did what he could to carry the Ducks to victory.

Duckman411: Do you think Dorsanvil is another one of UO’s “project” big men or do you think he has the potential to be somewhat of a force down there?

AD: I wouldn’t call any of the recent big men projects. To be a project I’d say they would actually have to play. I think Mitch Platt and Ray Schaeffer are actually both good players. Mitch is an exceptional passer and solid defender. He looks to have zero confidence offensively, but that’s not to say he’s incapable. Remember him as a freshman, Coach Kent used to feed him the ball steadily. To this day….I think if Ray Schaeffer puts on 20 pounds and goes and plays in the D-League for a year or two–he could be on an NBA roster in 2010. I spoke with another former Duck, now in the NBA, who thinks the same thing on Schaeffer.

All of that said I think Dorsanvil can be effective. For whatever reason he reminds me a bit of Flo Hartenstein– although probably a bit better offensively. He goes strong to the basket, seems to know what he’s doing on defense, and plays hard. I’d like to see him make a free throw and perhaps be a better passer out of the post but there’s no question he gives them something that the Ducks didn’t have before. I think he can give them a solid 15 minutes a game and as much as anything he allows the Duck seniors to play their natural positions….Maarty, Malik, and Bryce at the 4, 3, and 2 respectively.

Duckdude: It seems to me, that Ernie’s teams require that one of the five on the floor be a leader, i.e. the “glue” that holds the team together. Brooks did it last year, and Taylor (early) and Malik (later) did it in the Arizona game. In fact, YOU did it for your Duck team, more so as a senior (but, wasn’t Jerry Green your coach?). What do you think? Without that able leader to get this team through the “doldrums” periods, they’re not gonna go anywhere. Agree? Disagree? Somewhere in between?

AD: I played for Coach Green my first 2 seasons and then 3 for Coach Kent.

I think any team, not just EK’s, needs to have a floor leader. I’d distinguish that from a “glue” guy because I think you can be one or the other and not necessarily both. I’d say unquestionably that Maarty is the glue guy. A guy that does all of the dirty work- gets the big rebounds, plays great individual and team defense, dives for the ball etc….. While I’m sure he has leadership skills I just don’t think of him as the floor leader.

Plus, ideally you’d like your floor leader to be a guard who has the ball in his hands a lot. For my team that was Darius Wright—an unselfish, vocal, game tested player who had the ball in his hands at all the tough moments.

Kamyron Brown might eventually be that guy. But with this senior-led team I’d be surprised if any freshman point guard would fit the bill.

While not a guard, I think Malik is the closest thing to a floor leader the Ducks have. He hasn’t been afraid to take the big shots and has delivered over and over. (see question #1) It would be great if Brown, Porter, or even Bryce Taylor had that same leadership quality but I just haven’t seen it consistently.

Will the lack of a solid floor leader hurt the Ducks when they need it most? I think it could.  That said, the outstanding and consistent play of Hairston and Leunen will camouflage a lot of weaknesses.

[JJ: Dan, we missed your question this week. But we're going to shoot for it next week. Thanks for asking.]

A.D. Smith
Smith began his playing career at Churchill High and led the Lancers to their first state championship in 1995. A two time All-State selection and 1995 State Player of the Year, Smith stepped up to the Pac-10 as an All-conference player for the Ducks. In four years he was voted three times as a team captain, three times as a 1st team Academic All conference selection and twice as an Academic All American. In his final two years AD led the Ducks to the NIT Final Four and the NCAA Tournament.

In June of 2000, he finished his playing career and graduated with an MBA. After leaving the Ducks in 2000, AD played 6 years in Europe and Australia and won a National Championship and playoff MVP in Copenhagen Denmark.

AD is currently a Real Estate Broker for Keller Williams Realty in Eugene. He specializes in Residential Real Estate- working with both buyers and sellers.

He and his wife, Kelly, have two daughters, Abigail and Isabelle.