Autzen Audibles

No downvote, but I couldn't disagree more.

Choosing your college is a huge life decision. It is made exponentially more difficult when many people have vested interest in your decision.

I am very empathetic toward shaq and all other PSA's, and I think it is unfair to make any sort of judgements on the kids during this trying time.

I hope he comes to UO, but if he thinks a different path is better for him, I wish him all the luck in the world.

Edit: after re-reading your post, I'm not sure my response is for you (that is, I don't disagree with you). Perhaps mine is a separate point, but one that (as you can tell) I feel pretty strongly about. Sorry, Cougs, if I came across rudely.

You mean the Jabari Brown that committed like 6 months before signing day? This is a big decision for Shaq and he deserves the respect to allow him to make his decision in his own manner.

If you think about it, in some ways we were also Armstead's 3rd or 4th choice. First it was USC, then it was Cal, then it was looking good for ND. This isn't speculation...it's all been reported. He would have been at USC if not for the fiasco with his brother. He would have been at Cal if not for Tosh's departure. He would have been at ND if the waiver paperwork and medical clearance had come through for his brother.

So, should we pull his scholarship? Hell no! Yes, we were clearly not Armstead's first choice but in the end, things worked out for our best interest and I think we are all grateful for it. Sometimes it just works out that other options need to fall through for the cream to rise to the top.

So, as far as Shaq is concerned...I think, as it's been pointed out by many sources, that he is simply having a difficult time choosing his best option. Give the guy a break...he's making a life altering decision and wants to be fully informed. I see that as a sign of maturity, and not some selfish drive. I don't think he's anything like Jabari or Seastrunk or whoever. He's simply trying to do the best thing for his future. If you can't see that, then you're the one I have concerns about...not him. If he decides to commit to us then I welcome him with open arms. If he decides to go elsewhere, then I wish him all the best (even if it is with the Fuskies) except of course when he plays against us.

You seriously never dated anyone else before you met your wife? We aren't the 3rd option, he was "dating" Cal and found out stuff he didn't like about them and broke it off. If he chooses us, I don't see an issue.

As I posted somewhere else... Shaq is a beast and if you watched the AA game or have seen any tape you would want him. Clearly the staff wants him given recent actions. As for being anyone's third choice... I think that says more about you than anything.

If I am 3rd, I want to be 1st. I started a company with 5 people 3 years ago and now have more than 45 people with offices in DC, NY and London. My business is competitive. If I or any of my employees had that mindset we wouldn't achieve success over any period of time. CK isn't backing off because it's not in his DNA. Shaq seems like a good kid whose services are coveted by some great schools and he's confused.

I would never want to see CK back off Shaq just as I would never want CK to do anything to compromise the integrity of our program. Thankfully I don't think either are going to happen.

I get what you're all saying. Yes, it would be great if he ended up at Oregon and turned out a success. I'm not questioning his character, I'm questioning his desire to play here.

Armstead always had a lot more interest in Oregon than Shaq did. I just don't see why people are pining over someone that has never shown a lot of interest in attending Oregon. I'm wondering if he is only considering Oregon after Tosh left because we are a great program and not because he actually wants to be here, attend school here, LIVE here. There's a difference between picking a place because it seems logical (Oregon is the best program) as opposed to picking where your heart wants you to go. I see no indication that he thinks of Oregon in the way that matters.

The staff is obviously making an exception for him because he's just that talented. But thank goodness the staff looks beyond physical measurables and rankings in their selection of most recruits.

There's a big difference between teams that have players that love where they play and love their school and a team that has guys that are playing on a team simply because it's the best team or gives him the most exposure.

I hope I'm wrong and he likes Oregon. We all have unpopular opinions at times and I realize a lot of you are caught up in someones stats and physical measurables, but sometimes the bigger picture is more important.

These are young kids making a life decision. It is ok for them waiver and change minds. Hopefully they are looking at more than just a football program when they commit and make their decision.

Couldnt agree more.
People who take time to decide and "mill" things over usually come to better decisions.
Cal was Shaq's choice but because of Tosh/close to home. Tosh moved to Huskies. Shaq didnt like the Huskies. Now that Tosh is there he wanted to see if there was a possible fit. Plain and simple.
UCLA is closer to home thats all.
Oregon is more intriguing now that he has meet with Chip and AA is commited.
In the end its a three horse race. I like Oregon's chances. In my mind we have been the constant one throughout.
Let Shaq make the right decision for him.
I hope its Oregon!

I don't mean to sound like he's not a good guy just because he's indecisive, it just sounds to me like he doesn't want to be here bad enough, and I don't believ ein taking in someone that feels that way. Obviously, he's one of those guys that is an exception. Perhaps I just think He's all about Udub and not us. We'll see.

I hope I'm wrong and you can rub it in my face. I'll gladly take that.

So I'm assuming then that when you were a 17/18 year old kid, you had everything figured out? Cut the kid some slack. If anything this shows that Shaq really is obsessing over trying to make the right decision. I would think that if he chooses Oregon, he did so because he was sure that he was making the right decision for himself. That to me speaks to his maturity considering he's a high school senior.

You can downvote me all you want. I know what's truly important in life and what's not. Some of you make this all way, way too big of a deal.

According to Colin Cowherd, those of us on these boards are all die hard fans that lack perception and are driven by emotion. He also said Rich/successful men's two biggest weakness/flaws are sports and women. I agree with him wholeheartedly on both counts.

I believe what a guy has inside and desires counts for a lot. That's all there is to it. You can spin it into beating up on a young kid, etc., etc. all you want. The coaching staff recruits with the same kind of values, not just based on measurables and rankings. He clearly goes by another set of rules because he's that good. Hopefully I'm wrong Wednesday, and ultimately down the road, about this guy.

And DC, you never answered my question about employees...

I just knew people on here were going to flip out lol.

Cougs, you're just trying to generalize a kid that you don't know. You say he doesn't want to be at Oregon . . . how do you know that? Because he preferred Cal more (before Tosh left)? Because he seems to like UW and UCLA? Because he has yet to commit to Oregon? Come on man . . .

Lots of kids ... and many at Oregon ... didn't necessarily have Oregon as their first choice. How about DAT? Josh Huff? Just a couple of example where they were committed to other schools before Oregon. And that's okay. There are plenty of other fantastic universities and football programs in the country.

If Shaq chooses Oregon, the likely assumption is that he did so because he wants to be here. Hopefully people like you with the opinion you've shared don't hold the recruiting process against him.