Viewer - Live chat: Join Aaron Fentress to discuss Oregon football signings at noon

Live chat: Join Aaron Fentress to discuss Oregon football signings at noon

Thursday February 7, 2013

11:57

You get to rate the Ducks signing class of 2013
GREAT!

( 33% )

Pretty good

( 50% )

Good

( 11% )

( 6% )

Meh

( 0% )

Not so much

( 0% )

Thursday February 7, 2013 11:57

11:58

The Oregonian:

Hi, everyone. Welcome. We're waiting for THE Aaron Fentress. ...

Thursday February 7, 2013 11:58 The Oregonian

12:01

The Oregonian:

Sorry, folks. Still waiting for Aaron.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:01 The Oregonian

12:02

[Comment From MDFMDF: ]

Come on Aaron!

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:02 MDF

12:02

The Oregonian:

He's close. ...

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:02 The Oregonian

12:03

The Oregonian:

I think he's lurking, so here's the first question. Yes, MDF, it's yours. ...

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:03 The Oregonian

12:03

[Comment From MDFMDF: ]

Except for Dontre Wilson, is there really any other recruit that Oregon wanted who did not formally commit to play

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:03 MDF

12:03

[Comment From MDFMDF: ]

I'll try again. Other than Dontre Wilson, is there any other recruit that Oregon targeted and did not sign?

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:03 MDF

12:03

Aaron Fentress:

I'm here. sorry

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:03 Aaron Fentress

12:04

Aaron Fentress:

Reading some insane emails from the ignorant.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:04 Aaron Fentress

12:04

The Oregonian:

Welcome. Your first question is on the board.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:04 The Oregonian

12:04

Aaron Fentress:

I'm sure there are 200 players they wanted and didn't get but Wilson was the only player who committed early and then flipped.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:04 Aaron Fentress

12:04

[Comment From BudDuckBudDuck: ]

Do you anticipate any late signees? If so, to fill which needs?

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:04 BudDuck

12:05

Aaron Fentress:

Helfrich said he didn't expect to sign anyone else but instead held on to a couple of scholarships for next year.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:05 Aaron Fentress

12:06

The Oregonian:

All right, everyone. We've waited for Aaron and now the questions dry up. You have 'em. Ask 'em.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:06 The Oregonian

12:06

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

How would you rate this year's class? I am excited for the quality of recruits we signed.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:06 Guest

12:09

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

Is the system down?

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:09 Guest

12:09

Aaron Fentress:

It's an interesting class with so many athletes without positions. But let's be honest, they could sign a bag of potatoes and you would be excited, no? lol

But seriously...I like them getting Walker for instant LB help. Tyner should be a monster. Getting a top-flight kicker was huge. Other than that, we have to wait and see how the rest shake out. But it is indeed a very athletic and speedy group.

Then again....we've seen that go sideways before, too.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:09 Aaron Fentress

12:09

Aaron Fentress:

What system?

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:09 Aaron Fentress

12:09

The Oregonian:

The interwebs.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:09 The Oregonian

12:09

[Comment From BudDuckBudDuck: ]

Helfrich seems like a warm, fuzzy coach, in contrast to Chip. What is the buzz on how that plays with recruits and their families?

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:09 BudDuck

12:10

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

How does Helfrich differ from Kelly when it comes to recruiting?

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:10 Guest

12:10

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

It took 3 minutes to answer that question, so I thought the chat system might have crashed or something.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:10 Guest

12:10

The Oregonian:

Give Aaron a chance to give you thoughtful answers.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:10 The Oregonian

12:10

Aaron Fentress:

All of the recruits I spoke with like Helfrich a ton. He does have a different demeanor with the public and the media. But since they close practices, I've never seen him on the field.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:10 Aaron Fentress

12:11

The Oregonian:

Now, on whether the signees will get much playing time. ...

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:11 The Oregonian

12:11

[Comment From MDFMDF: ]

Why was O-line a priority when three of the starters will be back next year? Will Cameron Hunt be likely to start?

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:11 MDF

12:11

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

Of the recruits that signed, who do you expect to contribute right away and why?

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:11 Guest

12:11

[Comment From GregGreg: ]

Do you think the Twins have a legitimate shot at getting some playing time this year, or are they a year away and will be redshirted?

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:11 Greg

12:11

Aaron Fentress:

Guest .... not sure yet.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:11 Aaron Fentress

12:11

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

You'd be excited if they signed a potato is not a thoughtful answer. It's an insult.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:11 Guest

12:11

Aaron Fentress:

MDF ... Oline was a priority for the future, not for 2013. They didn't sign any H.S. Olinemen last year.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:11 Aaron Fentress

12:12

Aaron Fentress:

I can't imagine C.Hunt starting but he could be another Jake Fisher, I guess.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:12 Aaron Fentress

12:12

Aaron Fentress:

Remember this....

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:12 Aaron Fentress

12:12

Aaron Fentress:

If true freshmen start then that either means they are amazing or that recruits from previous years didn't pan out. ...

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:12 Aaron Fentress

12:12

The Oregonian:

And this, about the New Zealand guy. ...

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:12 The Oregonian

12:12

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

Any news on Nic Purcell, the 6-6, 300 lb juco OG? Oregon has been assisting him with NCAA to resolve questions about his social club FB team in New Zealand.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:12 Guest

12:13

[Comment From RgylesoxRgylesox: ]

Asked this already but notseeing it. Any info on the 6-6, 300 lb juco OG Nic Purcell from New Zealand?

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:13 Rgylesox

12:13

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

Agreed...that was an insult

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:13 Guest

12:13

Aaron Fentress:

You can't have it both ways. You can't get all jacked up over instant impact of a class and then expect the next class to beat all of the guys out from the previous classes.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:13 Aaron Fentress

12:13

Aaron Fentress:

Greg ... they don't even have positions, yet, so I can't answer that. Again...if they play in front of guys from the 2012 and 2011 classes then what does that tell you about those players.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:13 Aaron Fentress

12:14

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

who do you think has the biggest upside in this class besides Tyner?

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:14 Guest

12:14

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

how much of an impact will tyner have in his freshman year? or do you see him redshirting? curious how much work he will get compared to byron marshall

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:14 Guest

12:14

The Oregonian:

These, about Aloha's Thomas Tyner. ...

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:14 The Oregonian

12:14

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

Good Point. But I am excited about quality of athlete we signed.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:14 Guest

12:14

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

Everyone

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:14 Guest

12:14

Aaron Fentress:

Fans get excited over whatever players come to a team and those players become the greatest ever. Oregon could swap classes with UW tomorrow and you guys would love those kids.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:14 Aaron Fentress

12:15

Aaron Fentress:

Guest .. good question. that didn't come up yesterday, that I remember. I don't know.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:15 Aaron Fentress

12:15

[Comment From BudDuckBudDuck: ]

Do you anticipate some open practices this spring and fall?

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:15 BudDuck

12:17

[Comment From RgylesoxRgylesox: ]

Too many 'guests' (including me the first time). Please sign a name, any name, so we know whose question is being answered. Thanks!

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:17 Rgylesox

12:17

Aaron Fentress:

I remember Tacoi Sumler, Tra Carson, Lache Seastrunk and Devon Blackmon being hailed as being some of the greatest future players in Oregon history at one point.

All are gone.

Everyone is excited over their recruits. But it's that they have convinced themselves of their future greatness. The names are largely irrelevant.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:17 Aaron Fentress

12:18

[Comment From inadvertent_whistleinadvertent_whistle: ]

Lache Seastrunk is going to be a great player for Baylor. Let it go, Aaron.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:18 inadvertent_whistle

12:19

The Oregonian:

Aaaaand, he's not at Oregon.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:19 The Oregonian

12:19

The Oregonian:

Now, about those open practices. ...

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:19 The Oregonian

12:19

Aaron Fentress:

Guest .... Prevot, Hunt and the twins, I guess. Hard to say.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:19 Aaron Fentress

12:20

Aaron Fentress:

Tyner, if he is as good as advertised, could start right away. But he at least will play a ton, if he remains healthy.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:20 Aaron Fentress

12:20

Aaron Fentress:

They got a lot of good athletes, for sure.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:20 Aaron Fentress

12:20

[Comment From inadvertent_whistleinadvertent_whistle: ]

Answer the questions, dude. This isn't an article.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:20 inadvertent_whistle

12:20

Aaron Fentress:

BudDuck ..... 50/50 on that.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:20 Aaron Fentress

12:21

The Oregonian:

It's a chat. Tone it down, please.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:21 The Oregonian

12:21

[Comment From inadvertent_whistleinadvertent_whistle: ]

Aaron, I always felt that Chip Kelly never developed his kicking game enough during blowouts so that it would be there during the big games. Can you comment on the new kick recruit and if you think Helfrich will be more likely to let the kicker get some practice in blowouts with field goals?

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:21 inadvertent_whistle

12:21

Aaron Fentress:

inadvertent_whistle .. he might be but that wasn't my point.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:21 Aaron Fentress

12:21

[Comment From ChewbaccaChewbacca: ]

inadvertent_whistle ... you are correct about Lache but Aarons point is that big names don't always pan out. We recruit guys who fit our culture and system. stop trolling :)

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:21 Chewbacca

12:21

[Comment From Fiscal CliffFiscal Cliff: ]

I agree. As a fan, I am excited for what could be. Yes, on paper, we signed a great class, considering the circumstances. What I am excited for to see how the staff develops them.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:21 Fiscal Cliff

12:22

Aaron Fentress:

inadvertent_whistle .... I think chip didn't kick because he didn't have much confidence in his kickers. Make the darn kicks. A kicker shouldn't need 20 kicks to learn how to make a kick., Either you have the nerves to get it done in the clutch or you don't.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:22 Aaron Fentress

12:22

[Comment From DanDan: ]

Any updates on the potential NCAA sanctions and whether that had any impact on recruiting?

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:22 Dan

12:23

Aaron Fentress:

Dan .. recruits signed said they weren't worried, but then again, they signed. Hard to say how many guys were not interested at all because of the investigation. I'd have to assume there were a lot.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:23 Aaron Fentress

12:24

[Comment From ChewbaccaChewbacca: ]

Do you think Urban Meyer will ever be allowed in the Moshofsky center agian?

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:24 Chewbacca

12:25

Aaron Fentress:

Chewbacca .... lol. ...why, because of Dontre Wilson?

Unless Meyer told Wilson not to go to UO because Helfrich would steal his Ipod, then I don't think coaches take those things too personally.

UO stole two recruits, as well.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:25 Aaron Fentress

12:25

[Comment From tomtom: ]

If you were Ducks DC, what would your 2 deep at LB this year look like? Particularly in the middle...

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:25 tom

12:26

Aaron Fentress:

Tough question, man. ... Malone and Walker might be the starters.

Tyson Coleman has great potential. Might see something form Blayne Bafaro.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:26 Aaron Fentress

12:26

[Comment From Fiscal CliffFiscal Cliff: ]

Is the athletic department going to offer tours of the new football ops center?

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:26 Fiscal Cliff

12:26

Aaron Fentress:

Sorry, Brett...Blayne is his dad.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:26 Aaron Fentress

12:27

Aaron Fentress:

Fiscal Cliff .. I would imagine.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:27 Aaron Fentress

12:27

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

Who do you see starting and who do you see redshirting next year?

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:27 Guest

12:28

Aaron Fentress:

from the freshman class?? the only guys I see starting, maybe, are Tyner and Wogan.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:28 Aaron Fentress

12:28

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

Fentress this started out bad and had gotten slightly worse - what is the point in doing this when you are clearly clueless?

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:28 Guest

12:28

Aaron Fentress:

And Joe Walker.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:28 Aaron Fentress

12:28

Aaron Fentress:

hard to say on redshirting but figure at least half will redshirt.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:28 Aaron Fentress

12:28

The Oregonian:

You are free to go. At any time. Like, now, if that works for you.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:28 The Oregonian

12:28

[Comment From BudDuckBudDuck: ]

I didn't follow the televised NLI announcements on ESPN, etc., but it seems this group is rather low-key, rather than seeking the spotlight. Accurate?

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:28 BudDuck

12:29

Aaron Fentress:

Oregon's 2010, 2011 and 2012 classes were LOADED!! All of you were excited about them, correct.

So if those guys aren't playing ahead of these guys then that would mean all of your excitement about those past classes was a waste of time.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:29 Aaron Fentress

12:30

Aaron Fentress:

BudDuck .... I watched some and they all seemed uncomfortable with trying to make it more than it really is.

Didn't see much originality either. But didn't watch all of them. Seinfeld re-runs were on.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:30 Aaron Fentress

12:30

The Oregonian:

More questions?

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:30 The Oregonian

12:30

[Comment From tomtom: ]

any scuttlebutt on which recruits are headed to Eugene for spring term?

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:30 tom

12:31

Aaron Fentress:

B.J. Kelley and B.Addision played a lot last year at WR. They are young. So, are any of these frosh WRs really going to beat them out? Maybe...heck, Addison beat out several previous recruits. It's all on a wait and see basis.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:31 Aaron Fentress

12:31

Aaron Fentress:

tom ... Tom Walker is enrolled. Helfrich said there might be an early entry, or two.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:31 Aaron Fentress

12:32

[Comment From lennys nosh barlennys nosh bar: ]

Aaron, have you got any G-2 on the robinson twins? They seemed to be waivering toward the end.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:32 lennys nosh bar

12:32

Aaron Fentress:

G-2?

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:32 Aaron Fentress

12:32

[Comment From lennys nosh b arlennys nosh b ar: ]

sorry, military talk for info aka specs

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:32 lennys nosh b ar

12:33

Aaron Fentress:

Helfrich made it sound like they weren't too worried about those two. That the mom wanted Oregon, etc.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:33 Aaron Fentress

12:33

The Oregonian:

And, more on the tone of this chat. Are we really discussing the "It's not what you say, it's how you say it?" part of this chat?

And then, a questio.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:33 The Oregonian

12:33

[Comment From duckfanduckfan: ]

Thank you for your professional reports, but are the snarky comments really needed.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:33 duckfan

12:33

[Comment From ChewbaccaChewbacca: ]

Hey trolls, aren't there some billy goats on a bridge that need eating?

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:33 Chewbacca

12:33

[Comment From salemDucksalemDuck: ]

Aaron, i really like Tyner a lot but in your opinions is he really that good or the oppositions was bad?

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:33 salemDuck

12:34

Aaron Fentress:

man, the potatoes reference was a joke. lighten up.

I get excited every NFL draft about the Bears class and yes, they could draft a sack of potatoes in the third round and I'll convince myself that guy is going to the Hall of Fame.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:34 Aaron Fentress

12:35

[Comment From duckfanduckfan: ]

Snarky is more about recent stories not this chat

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:35 duckfan

12:35

Aaron Fentress:

salemDuck ... well, rushing for 600 yards and 10 TDs in a game probably means the other team is pretty bad. But that doesn't mean Tyner isn't fast and elusive and has good size.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:35 Aaron Fentress

12:35

[Comment From track townertrack towner: ]

My son knows brenner and he is on record saying they he liked kelly a lot, but Helfrich was awesome

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:35 track towner

12:35

[Comment From tomtom: ]

agreed no one can predict the future of college football, none of us here can do it, and its ridiculous to expect Aaron to do it. So we've probably all been following the press conference concerning the signings. Who have you been talking with off camera? Anything interesting? How about the new coaches - have you had interviews with them that we can look forward to?

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:35 tom

12:38

Aaron Fentress:

We have not talked to new coaches, yet, but plan to.

The class is solid...there's no reason to be down on it. It's better, in theory, than Kelly's first class. But it's all a crapshoot. It's tough for me to look at these guys and say who is going to be a star and who isn't beyond the obvious freak of a prospect, such as Tyner, and even that's not a given.

The guys I talked to seemed like good kids. Helfrich likes the character of the class. I'm sure there will be a couple of NFL dudes come out of it. But probably 4 won't finish at UO. Another 5 will never become full-time starters. It's just how it is.

So, on paper, it looks like an athletic class with some promise but let history be your guide and show you that it will be hit or miss on every one of these guys.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:38 Aaron Fentress

12:38

[Comment From PenguinPenguin: ]

Do you think they held back several scholarships in anticipation of recruiting sanctions?

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:38 Penguin

12:39

Aaron Fentress:

It would make more sense to unload on all scholarships and sign all you can now if they fear they will lose some down the road.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:39 Aaron Fentress

12:39

[Comment From track townertrack towner: ]

sorry, I jumped in late and maybe missed it, but do you know how many of the new players that committed to oregon will enroll and be available for spring practice??

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:39 track towner

12:39

Aaron Fentress:

LB Joe Walker, the JC kid, is already on campus.
Helfrich said there might be 1 or 2 others.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:39 Aaron Fentress

12:39

[Comment From DanDan: ]

Have the two new assistant coaches been involved in recruiting this class at all? I've heard that the new WR coach is an excellent recruiter, what about the new DL coach?

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:39 Dan

12:40

[Comment From PenguinPenguin: ]

Do you think bringing in Coach Aiken will have an impact on landing an impact DT? Seems like that will be a critical need in the next recruiting cycle.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:40 Penguin

12:40

Aaron Fentress:

When was I snarky in an article?

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:40 Aaron Fentress

12:40

The Oregonian:

Yep, I don't get that little digression either.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:40 The Oregonian

12:40

Aaron Fentress:

Dan... the came on board pretty late but probably helped here and there, I'm sure.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:40 Aaron Fentress

12:41

Aaron Fentress:

Penguin ... Aiken can sell his NFL experience and ability to help future DL's develop into NFL players, so that should help.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:41 Aaron Fentress

12:41

[Comment From salemDucksalemDuck: ]

do you think helfrich will be a gambler like kelly in that he will go on 4th downs more or because we have a kicker now so he can afford to kick more and play the field game?

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:41 salemDuck

12:42

The Oregonian:

We will be letting Aaron go back to all his other work here, shortly, so I'll put in a few questions, and we'll be done.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:42 The Oregonian

12:42

Aaron Fentress:

salemDuck ...... tough call. Oregon's offense lends itself to being a good 4th down offense because defenses can't get set. If you average 6 yards a carry you have to figure you will get 4th and 3.

But, if 3 points is a lock we might see more kicks. Tough to tell.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:42 Aaron Fentress

12:43

[Comment From Buddy GarrityBuddy Garrity: ]

I love the world tour of Helfrich and the team. The question I have is that to fly around the country with multiple coaches to visit recruits after kelly announced he was leaving. Flying commerical airlines isn't practical. Ducks definetly have the cash. do they have thier own jet or do they lease time on net jet. OR does nike let them use a few of thier many jets... seriously question

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:43 Buddy Garrity

12:44

Aaron Fentress:

Garrity .... I can't imagine a private jet for such a tour. commercial is easier and cheaper.

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:44 Aaron Fentress

12:44

The Oregonian:

And this, at the last. ...

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:44 The Oregonian

12:44

[Comment From Buddy GarrityBuddy Garrity: ]

I am personally stoked. we got everybody we wanted except for Dontre wilson who was stolen by urban"the snake" meyers. To Aaron's point, you never know. look at lache seastrunk. A 5 star recruit that after his red shirt year he still was slow at picking u the plays and was 5th on the depth chart so he started missing his grammy and transferred. you never know

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:44 Buddy Garrity

12:44

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

Do you think it will rain at Autzen this year?

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:44 Guest

12:44

The Oregonian:

Never does, right?

Thursday February 7, 2013 12:44 The Oregonian

12:44

Aaron Fentress:

They got everyone who committed, other than Wilson. No way they got everyone they wanted. Big difference.