In Seattle, Los Angeles and Columbus, Ohio they'll write it off as coach speak, but A'lique Terry has track record to back it up.
Saturday after Oregon's first scrimmage of spring practice, he expressed confidence in his group and their progress toward becoming a cohesive and efficient offensive line in 2025.
Much of that confidence stems from working every day against Matayo Uiagalelei, Teitum Tuioti, A'Mauri Washington, Bear Alexander and the rest of the Oregon defensive front, which he calls the best in college football.
Since Terry took over in 2023, the Ducks in the trenches have powered an offense that's been a finalist for the Joe Moore Award twice, giving up the fewest sacks in the NCAA in his first year, winning a Big Ten title with a 13-0 regular season record in his second.
Yet it has to be said that the Oregon team as a whole and the offensive line in particular are coming off their worst performance of the last two years in the 41-21 loss to Ohio State in the Rose Bowl, a beatdown of epic proportions in which the o-line coughed up eight sacks and -23 yards rushing.
When a game goes that badly all a team can do is flush it and move forward. That's Terry's approach, understandably.
He seems undaunted by the challenge of replacing four starters on the offensive line with Josh Conerly, Ajani Cornelius, Marcus Harper II and Nishad Strother all graduating.
Saturday he spoke glowingly about Iapani Laloulu's growth and maturity at center. He called new transfer left tackle Isaiah World "one of those game changers" and said USC transfer guard could be "on a future freaks list." Texas State right tackle Alex Harkey has awed the unit with his size and strength.
"I'm glad he's a Duck. He's going to be a game-changer for us." --A'lique Terry on Isaiah World
The optimism doesn't stop there. Versatile Matthew Bedford (starts at Indiana at right and left guard, right and left tackle) has attacked his rehab and will challenge for a starting job. Dave Iuli capably replaced Harper late last season, and he looks like a potential starter. Gernorris Wilson has matured physically and developed into a key contributor.
Trent Ferguson, Bryce Boulton, Devin Brooks and Demetri Manning have attacked the weight room with Wilson Love. Terry feels confident the Ducks can develop from within going forward.
Oregon utilizes a team approach to coaching on the offensive line with Cutter Leftwich and Dallas Warmack working with the group on pad level and technique, three sets of eyes on every aspect of their drill work. The goal is a "five as one" mentality.
You'd write it off as so much spring fluff or coaching balderdash, but Terry's provided the drive train for one of college football's most potent offenses over the last two seasons. He speaks from conviction, not Leibnizian optimism.