LA Duck, thanks but I think you just called me an 'old guy'. Sadly, I do resemble that remark. Brands matter when it comes to cars, shoes and soft drinks. When a football program identifies itself as a 'brand' it means it's 'selling a hopeful dream' rather than a glorious present or past. We do agree that W's matter more than anything. And during the past few years, Oregon has had the edge. I am not smug about the current state of USC football. But I and other Trojans know finally, that hope has returned and our future is brighter without the burden of Helton, Swann, Sark and Haden. 🏈
Great! Welcome officially to the mosh pit. (This cesspool of Java's here, not the Moshofsky Center!) 😉
For so many years on this board, you Trojans talked about Ws and what was done on the field as being all that mattered. I think your fans, of all fanbases, should understand best of all that "the tides will shift" if/when USC starts winning again. Until then you've got a lot of great hope and anticipation with Riley...but please don't forget the past.
Fact: You Trojans recruited 18 5-star players--eighteen!--between 2013 and 2018...an average of 3 a season. What did USC do with all those 5-star recruits? One Rose Bowl win, no playoff or national championship wins (or even appearances).
Somehow I think if I were a Trojan, I'd wait a few seasons before getting too smug. Even with Riley onboard. But maybe that's just me?
BTW the Oregon "brand" is alive and well in the minds of so many shoe/fashion-conscious teenagers--so why not play to that?.....this ain't JR's era. I know it's difficult for older fans to understand that, so I get it.
And good luck to you Trojans--as you know, I hope for a stronger USC going forward. Riley should theoretically have you guys back on track in the win column in no time. And that will be GREAT for the p12 as a whole. Can't wait!!
Yes, I've followed conversations going back to the green board. But now I'm retired after a long Nike career and have more time to contribute. I thought Dye was amazing so I am very happy with his addition to the Trojan roster. My Trojan nephew just shared that Riley has picked up more 5 star commitments for SC than Mario did in his entire 4 years in Eugene. And as you've stated yourself, Mario was a far better recruiter than coach. So even though the Ducks finished strong today, it's apparent that the tides are shifting back toward University Ave.
By the way, Lanning looked silly today heralding the Oregon 'brand' again and saying that the only West Coast school kids thought about was Oregon. Really? Yes, I know that 'speak' comes via the Nike connection. That sounded interesting and maybe even cool 10 to 15 years ago. But there is not a college athlete alive today who talks about 'brand'. Yes, the NIL world clearly will factor into the final calls by recruits.
I am no Duck hater. And I wish your guys the best. Cheers.
Thanks, PDX--well aware of the dig Java was putting out there. So just figured some digging back would be appropriate. 🙂 But it is sort of a funny concept....thinking a Trojan is looking to lil ol' Oregon for recruiting help.... 🤣
With the loss of Trey Benson to the portal and with CJ Verdell entering the league, I think Lanning and Dilly figured it would be good to have another RB for depth--whether Travis left or not.
BTW welcome to the board! Not sure if you were on with us over on the old green board or not, but for years we used to have a terrific Trojan poster there name toner -- he was a pleasure to spar with as he lived in Portland and knew Oregon duck sports almost as well as I did. So it helped to cut out a lot of the BS and misinformation that other fans "think" about Oregon and its athletics that a local understands from a much more informed perspective. I hope that can be you, too!
LA Duck, I think Java's comment speaks more to the fact that we just took your best back, Travis Dye. My hunch is that portal move helped James to fly west. No need to thank us Trojans though.
LA Duck, thanks but I think you just called me an 'old guy'. Sadly, I do resemble that remark. Brands matter when it comes to cars, shoes and soft drinks. When a football program identifies itself as a 'brand' it means it's 'selling a hopeful dream' rather than a glorious present or past. We do agree that W's matter more than anything. And during the past few years, Oregon has had the edge. I am not smug about the current state of USC football. But I and other Trojans know finally, that hope has returned and our future is brighter without the burden of Helton, Swann, Sark and Haden. 🏈
Great! Welcome officially to the mosh pit. (This cesspool of Java's here, not the Moshofsky Center!) 😉
For so many years on this board, you Trojans talked about Ws and what was done on the field as being all that mattered. I think your fans, of all fanbases, should understand best of all that "the tides will shift" if/when USC starts winning again. Until then you've got a lot of great hope and anticipation with Riley...but please don't forget the past.
Fact: You Trojans recruited 18 5-star players--eighteen!--between 2013 and 2018...an average of 3 a season. What did USC do with all those 5-star recruits? One Rose Bowl win, no playoff or national championship wins (or even appearances).
Somehow I think if I were a Trojan, I'd wait a few seasons before getting too smug. Even with Riley onboard. But maybe that's just me?
BTW the Oregon "brand" is alive and well in the minds of so many shoe/fashion-conscious teenagers--so why not play to that?.....this ain't JR's era. I know it's difficult for older fans to understand that, so I get it.
And good luck to you Trojans--as you know, I hope for a stronger USC going forward. Riley should theoretically have you guys back on track in the win column in no time. And that will be GREAT for the p12 as a whole. Can't wait!!
Yes, I've followed conversations going back to the green board. But now I'm retired after a long Nike career and have more time to contribute. I thought Dye was amazing so I am very happy with his addition to the Trojan roster. My Trojan nephew just shared that Riley has picked up more 5 star commitments for SC than Mario did in his entire 4 years in Eugene. And as you've stated yourself, Mario was a far better recruiter than coach. So even though the Ducks finished strong today, it's apparent that the tides are shifting back toward University Ave.
By the way, Lanning looked silly today heralding the Oregon 'brand' again and saying that the only West Coast school kids thought about was Oregon. Really? Yes, I know that 'speak' comes via the Nike connection. That sounded interesting and maybe even cool 10 to 15 years ago. But there is not a college athlete alive today who talks about 'brand'. Yes, the NIL world clearly will factor into the final calls by recruits.
I am no Duck hater. And I wish your guys the best. Cheers.
Thanks, PDX--well aware of the dig Java was putting out there. So just figured some digging back would be appropriate. 🙂 But it is sort of a funny concept....thinking a Trojan is looking to lil ol' Oregon for recruiting help.... 🤣
With the loss of Trey Benson to the portal and with CJ Verdell entering the league, I think Lanning and Dilly figured it would be good to have another RB for depth--whether Travis left or not.
BTW welcome to the board! Not sure if you were on with us over on the old green board or not, but for years we used to have a terrific Trojan poster there name toner -- he was a pleasure to spar with as he lived in Portland and knew Oregon duck sports almost as well as I did. So it helped to cut out a lot of the BS and misinformation that other fans "think" about Oregon and its athletics that a local understands from a much more informed perspective. I hope that can be you, too!
Fight on, PDXtrojan
LA Duck, I think Java's comment speaks more to the fact that we just took your best back, Travis Dye. My hunch is that portal move helped James to fly west. No need to thank us Trojans though.
cool. A 2025 Trojan. Definitely want that Usc feeder school to recruit well.