Costa Comes Back to the Nest

Former Oregon Quarterback Nate Costa is returning to the U of O as a Graduate Assistant for Coach Mark Helfrich. He’ll be doing all the things Graduate Assitants love to do, and then some. 

Final Living Member of 1939 Championship Team Passes Away

Some sad news to report, on Friday the Ducks lost the final living member of the 1939 National Championship Oregon Ducks known as the Tall Firs. Ford Mullen died at 86. Larry Stone from the Seattle Times talked to Ford a few years back. It provides a nice retrospective.

Oct. 14, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA; Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Former Duck Sets the Bar in the NFL

Some NFL News, the Buffalo Bills have put their franchise tag on former Oregon Duck, Safety Jairus Byrd. It is set at $6.916 Million.

Did the Ducks Frustrate a Coach into Resigning?

ESPN has reported that Monte Kiffin, USC’s Defensive Coordinator this past season told his son Head Coach Lane Kiffin that he would resign at the end of the season. Why is that a big deal? He told the USC Head Coach following the Oregon game this past season. The Ducks beat the Trojans 62-51. Shortly after leaving USC he was hired back to the NFL as the Defensive Coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys.

2013 Soon to Be Household Names

Finally, if your looking ahead to the 2013 Season (the Oregon Spring game is just under two months away), then check out some of the players set to have a ‘Breakout’ Season. Some of the names on the list are known contributers from this past year, others are guys who have been with the program and for one reason or another haven’t had the chance to perform on the field…yet.

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Oregon Ducks This Week:

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Charles LeClaire-US PRESSWIRE

Adam Snyder is a starting guard for the Arizona Cardinals.  They lost on the road to the New York Jets yesterday by a score of 7-6.  The New England Patriots defeated the Miami Dolphins in Miami 23-16.  Josh Kaddu was inactive for the Dolphins while Patrick Chung did not record any statistics for the Patriots.

Will Tukuafu had two solo tackles in the San Francisco 49ers 16-13 overtime loss to St. Louis Rams.  LaMichael James was inactive for the 49ers.  Kellen Clemens did not get into the game for the Rams.  Jonathan Stewart was inactive for the Carolina Panthers in their 27-21 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Houston Texans beat the Tennessee Titans 24-10 in a game where no active Ducks played. Jeff Maehl and Eddie Pleasant are both on the practice squad of the Texans.  Geoff Schwartz was active while Mark Asper did not play in the Minnesota Vikings 23-14 loss to the Green Bay Packers.

Walter Thurmond was active for the Seattle Seahawks in their 23-17 overtime victory against the Chicago Bears on the road.  Thurmond did not register any stats.  Max Unger is the starting center for Seattle while Lavasier Tuinei is a member of the practice squad.  Matt Toeaina was inactive for the Bears.

The Buffalo Bills beat up on the Jacksonville Jaguars 34-18.  Jairus Byrd had one tackle, one pass defended, one quarterback hit and an interception.  Byrd returned his interception 45 yards.  LeGarrette Blount did not show up in the box score as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were defeated by the Denver Broncos 31-23.  Jeremiah Johnson and Darrion Weems are members of the practice squad for the Broncos.

Four former Ducks are on the rosters of the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers.  Haloti Ngata had one tackle and one quarterback hit in the Ravens 23-20 loss.  Ed Dickson was inactive while Dennis Dixon is a member of the practice squad.  David Paulson did not catch any passes for the Steelers.

Dante Rosario was inactive for the San Diego Chargers as they fell to the Cincinnati Bengals by a 20-13 score.  T.J. Ward had three tackles to lead the Cleveland Browns to a 20-17 victory in Oakland over the Raiders.  Brandon Bair is currently on the Raider’s practice squad.  Casey Matthews had one tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles as they dropped a 38-33 decision to the Dallas Cowboys.

Spencer Paysinger is active tonight for the New York Giants as they travel to Washington D.C. to take on the Redskins on Monday Night football.

Check out Raymond Mencke’s blog at www.sportissue.com. Also follow him on Twitter @RaymondMenckeJr,

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