Tag: ProDucks

A showdown of Oregon QB legends is coming in Week 9 of the NFL season

Oregon Duck legends Marcus Mariota and Justin Herbert will battle each other as the Falcons and Chargers meet in Week 9.

It’s not often you get to see a matchup of two Oregon Duck football legends like this.

The Los Angeles Chargers travel to Atlanta to take on the Falcons in Week 9 (Nov. 6) of the NFL schedule that was announced today. That means Duck fans will receive a treat to watch Charger quarterback Justin Herbert go up against Atlanta’s Marcus Mariota.

These two teams are on different trajectories as Los Angeles will be a playoff contender while the Falcons are rebuilding. Mariota signed with Atlanta as a free agent after seemingly wasting his time as a backup for the Las Vegas Raiders.

Now with the Falcons, the former Heisman winner will be the starting QB and hopefully resurrect his, what was at least, a very promising career. It won’t be easy as Atlanta is starting over after trading their franchise Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts.

As for Herbert, he’s making great strides in becoming the next great Charger, following in the footsteps of Phillip Rivers and another Oregon Duck legend and NFL Hall of Famer Dan Fouts.

Oregon fans will have to eat breakfast while watching their two favorite quarterbacks go at it as the game will be on FOX for a 10 a.m. PST kickoff.

Oregon’s rich football history will be front-and-center for Ducks’ spring game

“This program was built on players like those guys,” Lanning said. “We want to do everything we can to reconnect those people with our program.”

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Embracing Oregon Ducks football history hasn’t really been a feature in the last two coaching regimes in Eugene. That’s not to say that coaches like Mario Cristobal or Willie Taggart showed any disregard for Oregon legends of the past, but rather that they didn’t make an openly concerted effort to celebrate the Oregon lore.

Dan Lanning is actively changing that.

On Tuesday night, it was announced that he has invited Duck legends Alex Molden and Walter Thurmond III to come back to campus and watch the Spring Game. On Wednesday, TE Ed Dickson was added to that list as well. Lanning is also having De’Anthony Thomas, Arik Armstead, LaMichael James, and Haloti Ngata on the field as honorary coaches during the game.

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According to the first-year head coach, it’s all about recognizing what came before and celebrating those who took the Ducks to new heights.

“I know this program was built on players like those guys,” Lanning said on Tuesday. “Legends, they’ve really put in blood, sweat, and tears for Duck football and we want to do everything we can to reconnect those people with our program.”

I asked Lanning if this was a new wrinkle in the spring game that he expects to continue years down the road, assuming that it will be a success.

“I don’t completely know that answer,” Lanning said. “Obviously, they’ve gone on to have great careers and we’re gonna have a lot of players in the future that go on to do the same thing. And we want them back around our program as much as possible.”

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The Oregon Spring Game on April 23 will be just one of many athletic events on campus throughout what is being called “Duck Day.” Track and Field will host the Oregon Relays throughout the day at Hayward Field with the first event set for 10 a.m., and fans can watch the soccer team’s 11 a.m. spring exhibition vs. Seattle U at Papé Field before walking over to Autzen Stadium.

Fans can then stroll on over to PK Park following football for the Oregon baseball team’s game against Washington State at 3 p.m., and then over to Jane Sanders Stadium to watch the Ducks’ softball program take on Washington at 5 p.m.

For his first official event as the Ducks’ head coach, Dan Lanning and the Oregon program are going all out. A host of the top recruits in the nation will be on the sideline for the game to soak in the Autzen Stadium atmosphere, and while there is an emphasis on getting the young guys to fall in love with the program, the old guard will be in attendance as well, watching on and hopefully appreciating a bit of what they helped to build in Eugene.

Contact/Follow us @Ducks_Wire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinion.

Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.

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Philadelphia Eagles sign Devon Allen after impressive Pro Day

The Philadelphia Eagles liked what they saw from Devon Allen at the Pro Day and signed him to a contract for the 2022 season.

That Pro Day really paid off, quite literally.

Devon Allen, who hasn’t played football in six years because of injury and that little event called the Olympics, has been signed by the Philadelphia Eagles.

Several Pro Ducks and possible draft selections worked out at the Moshofsky Center April 1 in hopes of catching the eye of NFL scouts with the hopes of being signed for the 2022 season.

It’s not a sure thing, but it worked out for Allen. He battled leg injuries in the past, but after medaling in the Olympics and Track World Championships, Allen proved he is completely healthy and ready to move on to a football career as either a wide receiver or kick specialist or a combination of both.

The Eagles have a history of dealing with Oregon personnel as they once hired Chip Kelly and have had Kiko Alonzo and Kenyon Barner on their roster.

Watch: Former Duck Devon Allen runs blazing 40-yard dash at Oregon Pro Day

Track speed on the football field. Devon Allen impressed some pro scouts with his 40-yard dash at Oregon’s Pro Day.

He’s still got it.

Former wide receiver and track star Devon Allen participated at Oregon’s Pro Day inside the Moshofsky Center in the hopes of catching the eyes of some NFL scouts.

Hopefully, they didn’t blink.

We don’t have an official time for Allen’s 40-yard dash just yet, but those in attendance could hear the scouts’ approval as Allen crossed the finish line. He hasn’t played a down of football since 2016 when he was injured. From that point on, Allen concentrated on the Olympics and World Track Championships where medaled in several events.

 

But with track now behind him, Allen is looking forward to putting on the pads once again and playing in the NFL for the first time. It was thought former teammate De’Anthony Thomas would also show the scouts his talents, but those plans were put on hold. He is currently under contract with the BC Lions of the CFL.

Contact/Follow us @Ducks_Wire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinion.

Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.

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De’Anthony Thomas set to make an NFL comeback bid with Pro Day workout

De’Anthony Thomas will participate in Oregon’s Pro Day in hopes of landing an NFL contract.

A talent like De’Anthony Thomas needs to be in the NFL.

The former Oregon Duck receiver/kick return specialist will be participating in Oregon Pro Day on April 1 in hopes of catching footballs and the attention of some NFL teams.

Thomas has spent six seasons in the NFL, five with the Chiefs, where he was used primarily a kick returner. He was with the Baltimore Ravens for one season, sat out 2020 due to COVID. Although he just signed with the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League, Thomas is shooting for a return to the NFL.

Whoever Thomas signs with, hopefully, that team can figure out how to use his unique set of skills as he was the first hybrid player to play for the Ducks. At Oregon, Thomas scored 45 touchdowns in his three seasons.

Thomas also be at the Oregon spring game April 23 where he will be the offensive coordinator for one of the teams.

Marcus Mariota signs a two-year deal with Atlanta Falcons

Marcus Mariota will call Atlanta home for the next two years as he has signed on to play for the Falcons.

As soon as quarterback Matt Ryan was traded to Indianapolis, the Falcons needed his replacement and needed it quickly.

It appears Atlanta found the perfect guy in Oregon’s own and former Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota.

It’s being reported that Mariota has signed on for two years, which should give him a little stability and hopefully more playing time than he received in Las Vegas as a Raider. In his two seasons in Sin City, Mariota played in just 11 games and threw 30 passes. Before that as Tennessee’s QB1, Mariota put up good numbers, including throwing for over 3,400 yards and 26 touchdowns in 2016.

Mariota becomes the second athlete in just a week to replace an iconic sports figure in the ATL. Braves first baseman Matt Olson is about to replace Freddie Freeman, a World Series winner. Ryan played 14 seasons with the Falcons and led them to one Super Bowl.

Kayvon Thibodeaux leads six Ducks to be invited to the NFL combine

Six former Oregon football players have been invited to participate in the NFL combine event in Indianapolis March 1-7.

The Oregon Ducks football program has been through a lot over the course of the last two or three months, so a little bit of normalcy is welcomed.

It’s that time for the NFL combine and six Ducks have been invited to participate in the event that will be held in Indianapolis March 1-7. Led by defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux, the Ducks have a nice group of offensive and defensive stars hoping to improve their draft stock.

Among those looking to show what he can do is running back CJ Verdell. The all-conference performer was most likely a second-round draft pick before he injured his knee. Now with the combine, Verdell can show scouts that he is fully recovered and able to help a team win immediately.

Justin Herbert leads the AFC and earns his first Pro Bowl MVP

Former Oregon Duck quarterback Justin Herbert led the AFC to a Pro Bowl victory and earned the offensive MVP award.

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It’s most likely the first of many Most Valuable Player awards for former Oregon Duck quarterback Justin Herbert.

Although it wasn’t the league MVP, which is likely in his future, Herbert was more than happy to take home this honor.

Herbert was 7-of-11 for 98 yards and two touchdowns to lead the AFC to a 41-34 victory over the NFC in the Pro Bowl. He threw a pair of scoring passes to Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews, both coming in the first half.

This is what NFL.com writer Grant Gordan had to say about Herbert’s performance in Sin City.

It’s been five weeks since Herbert and the Chargers’ season came to a bitter end in Las Vegas and he returned to the scene of the crime Sunday and looked like his sensational self, earning Pro Bowl Offensive MVP in the process. Maybe he wasn’t as dazzling as he was back in defeat back in Week 18, but he was certainly a highlight in the AFC’s win.

The Pro Bowl capped off what was an incredible second season for Herbert. He threw for 5,014 yards and 38 touchdowns for a 9-8 Los Angeles Chargers team that just missed the postseason.

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Shane Lemieux goes down with a knee injury in Giants camp

Former Oregon Duck offensive lineman Shane Lemieux went down with an apparent knee injury in New York Giants pre-season camp.

You never want to see anybody go down on the football field. In the NFL, especially during pre-season camp. But that’s what happened with former Oregon Ducks offensive lineman Shane Lemieux Thursday morning in New York Giants camp.

The Giants drafted Lemieux in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL draft after a stellar career at Oregon. He worked his way into the New York starting lineup and was expected to be their regular left guard entering the 2021 campaign.

At first, it was reported he was carted off the practice field because of an apparent elbow injury. But later, it was confirmed to be a knee. New York probably wishes it was the elbow. A knee injury to an offensive lineman can be devastating.

Lemieux doesn’t have a history of any kind where injuries are concerned. He started 52 straight games for the Ducks at left guard and played 3,611 snaps at left guard over his career, including over 900 each of the last three seasons. He was named a first-team All-American as a junior and a second-team All-American as a senior.

New York finished 6-10 last season and was looking for an improvement in 2021 and hopefully making a run at the playoffs. But if Lemieux’s knee injury is significant, those plans might have to be adjusted.

Changing coordinators isn’t anything new for Justin Herbert

Justin Herbert is looking to avoid the fate of Tim Couch, who had a tough time with the neverending carousel of offensive coordinators.

Justin Herbert has seen this movie before.

In his second season as a Los Angeles Charger and as a professional football player, the former Oregon quarterback is going to have to learn an entirely new system.

Usually, this means bad news for young signal-callers in the NFL. It’s difficult enough to come in from college and learn a playbook that’s probably three times as big. But then to have to learn yet another playbook so quickly in one’s career sometimes means the end of that career.

NFL.com columnist Jim Trotter used former Cleveland Browns head coach Bruce Arians and his new quarterback Tim Couch as an example of how is can all go wrong.

Arians had spent the previous three seasons as quarterbacks coach in Indianapolis, where he helped Peyton Manning develop into one of the game’s top young stars. There was no expectation he would make Couch the next Manning, but there was hope he would transform the former University of Kentucky star into an efficient performer who, at times, could lift those around him.

Problem was, the damage had already been done. There had been too many failures, too many absorbed hits on sacks and pressures and too many voices in Couch’s ears.

Arians was Couch’s third offensive coordinator in three seasons and the former Kentucky superstar didn’t last long after that.

Herbert’s career trajectory most likely will not end up like Couch’s because changing coordinators should be old hat for him. He went from Matt Lubick as a freshman to Marcus Arroyo and Mario Cristobal as a sophomore to just Arroyo as a junior and senior. That’s three coordinators in four seasons and it worked out.

So going from Shane Steichen to Joe Lombardi in Los Angeles shouldn’t be that big of a deal. What will be a bigger deal is that the Chargers find some protection for Herbert up front, which to their credit, it seems like finding offensive linemen is a priority with draft picks Rashawn Slater from Northwestern and Nebraska’s Brendan Jaimes.

Only if Tim Couch had been so lucky.