So, I just learned I've got a ticket for the civil war, but I've never been to Reeser before.  Does anyone have a suggestion on where should I tailgate?  Are there a group of duck fans tailgating?  Also, when should I try to get there?  Will fans be tailgating in the morning like at Autzen or is it a late arriving crowd?

Let me know!!!!

Go Ducks.  It's a Jolly Holliday with you, Ducks!

So the police presence at the game last week seemed oppressive.  My dad and I walked around the outside ring near the entrances and we both noted how many cops, sheriffs, etc. there were and how it made us feel a bit uncomfortable.  (Keep in mind I'm an attorney and have never been in trouble with the law and my dad hasn't been arrested to my knowledge, and we both still felt uncomfortable.)  Anyone else notice this?

So, 95.5 just reported that Batum has signed a contract with the Blazers.  The terms were not disclosed.  This goes with Wheels thoughts.  Is there anyway for the Blazers to get involved in negotiations with a Euro team so that they pay a Euro team to offer a multi-year deal with a player opt out option so we can bring him back here when he's ready?

Wheels thinks Batum in, Kap out

I know that a lot of us here are glad we didn't draft the 'stache,  but what about trading to get the 'stache (and the number 9 pick)? 

In reviewing Ford's Mock Draft, he indicated that the Bobcats are looking for a big man who can play some center.  I know Frye played the 5 for some periods during the summer.  What if we did this:

Traded to the Bobcats:  Jack, Frye, and #13 pick.

Traded to Blazers:  Morrison and #9 pick.

It seems like a lot to give up to move up four spots and makes us a bit heavy on the SF (wiithout really establishing a dominant player - just a lot of potential).  If we drafted a PG, we would have 4 on the roster so another move would need to be made. 

That might allow a secondary trade of say Jack or Sergio for Seattle's second first round pick and a trade exception (they have several).   Thoughts?

We all know that Green and McRoberts were going to go to the 'D' League this week.  But now they are not both going.  Only McRoberts is going.  Below is a quote from the end of the Quick story on Aldridge.  (see prior diary)

Blazers guard Brandon Roy said he expects to play tonight after testing his bruised tailbone in Tuesday's practice. "It's still a little sore, but it wasn't as bad as before," said Roy, who was limited to nine minutes in Saturday's game against Utah because of the injury. "I think I will be able to play." . . . The Blazers will send rookie forward Josh McRoberts to the Idaho Stampede of the Development League this week, but rookie guard Taurean Green will remain with the Blazers and accompany them on their seven-game trip that starts Sunday.

My Thought: There is a reason Green is staying with the team and that is because they expect Roy to miss a couple games due to the injury, and they want to be able to run the three guard sets like they have been doing.  Thus Green will be the emergency guard in case JJ or Blake or even Serg can't play because they won't be able to turn to Roy and there will be more minutes to spread to the guards.  

Agree?  Disagree?

I'm sure this has been commented on already today, but I was heralding Jack's play during the second half while at the game and thought I would do it here.  Early in the game, the pace of the game was slow and we struggled to get into the key with the ball.  But in the second half, I noticed that with Jack at the point, he really pushed the ball which opened up our passing lanes and allowed us to drive to the hoop much easier.  While his scoring was padded after it was over, his impact was a lot bigger than the line will ever tell.

So, whenever Webster knocks down a three, they play a half-second sound clip of a female singing "ooh".  Does anyone know what this clip is from?  Nothing on the big screen has given me a clue.  Is there any relevance of this song to Martell?  

I am sure I don't have 300 words yet, so I will just say it's been fun seeing the Blazers reel off these wins.  I was sure that they had given the game away last Sunday, but was pleasantly surprised when they didn't.  

One final note, on Wednesday, I will be playing dodgeball during halftime, so, yeah.  

With all the delirium of the announcement yesterday, one question has still stuck out for me:  What the heck do you do with four second-round picks?  
That is right, four second round picks.  We DON'T need to get younger, we need to get better.  Barring picking gold out of pile of fool's gold, you aren't going to get better with a second round pick.  So, does anyone NEED four second round picks?  I can see a team wanting 1-2 of them, but that still leaves us with two late second round picks.  Are the picks trade fodder?  Will be be as active as we were last year with us moving up to have a #1 overall and a #10 overall (Do the Kings have anything we want other than the pick?) or will it be a realively quiet day with us drafting an endless list of players we've never heard of?  
That, to me, is as intruiging a question as who we should take with the first pick.  
Quick, name 4 second round draft picks that have played more than one season for the Blazers..... Go ahead and look it up.  I'll give you time.