EUGENE, Ore. -- This much is clear: Oregons slide this season can no longer be looked at as a mere stumble.With a four-game losing streak, the Ducks are in a hole that has put an 11-year run in the postseason in distinct jeopardy. The Ducks are 2-4 overall and sit at the bottom of the Pac-12 North.Some fans are calling for head coach Mark Helfrich to be fired. Others are questioning the wisdom of new assistant Brady Hokes defensive changes, and even the use of graduate transfers at quarterback for the past two seasons rather than fostering long-term player development.Whatever the reason, Oregons slide is a reminder of how hard it is to get good. And stay good.When Helfrich took the job at the start of 2013, he had the daunting job of replacing coach Chip Kelly, who orchestrated Oregons hyperdrive spread-option offense and led the Ducks to their first national championship game.Then he had the daunting task of replacing Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Marcus Mariota. Oregon lured a pair of graduate transfers, first Vernon Adams and then this year Dakota Prukop. Adams struggled with injury his lone season with the Ducks, and Prukop lost the starting job after five starts this season to freshman Justin Herbert.Helfrich led the Ducks to the first College Football Playoff championship game just two seasons ago. But the cracks started showing last year when the Ducks went 9-4, their first season with fewer than 10 wins since 2007. Losses to Michigan State, then at home to Utah and Washington State pushed Oregon out of the AP Top 25 for the first time since 2009.The ultimate embarrassment came in the Alamo Bowl, when the Ducks surrendered a 31-0 lead and TCU staged the biggest comeback in bowl history to win 47-41 in triple overtime.This season the shortfalls have been amplified. Heres a look at whats going on for Oregon on both sides of the ball:OFFENSE: As demonstrated by the Ducks 70-21 loss to No. 5 Washington last weekend, Oregons once-dominant high-speed offense appears to have lost a step.The Ducks led the Pac-12 in total offense last season with an average of 538.2 yards a game. They also led the league in rushing offense with an average of 279.9 yards a game. They averaged a conference-best 43 points a game.Oregon still leads the league in rushing with an average of 257.8 yards a game, but in scoring theyve dropped to sixth with an average of 36.8 points per game. Total offense has dropped to 494.8 yards a game, fourth in the league.Oregon made a big change last weeked at quarterback, replacing Prukop with Herbert. The first true freshman to start for the Ducks since 1983, Herbert threw for 179 yards and two touchdowns in the loss to the Huskies.Helfrich said after the game that the Ducks would be staying with Herbert.Another issue to consider: Running back Royce Freeman was absent for half of the game against Washington, and the reason is unclear because Oregon doesnt discuss injuries. He also missed part of Oregons loss at Nebraska and the loss to Colorado the following week.DEFENSE: The struggles of last season have been amplified as Hoke has tried to install a new defensive scheme -- no easy task.Oregon ranked last in scoring defense last season, allowing 37.5 points a game, and in total defense, with 485.5 yards allowed a game. The Ducks hired Hoke, the former Michigan coach, as defensive coordinator. Hes tried to transition the defense from a 3-4 to a 4-3 scheme.The results so far have been pretty dismal. Oregon is ranked 126th out of 128 FBS schools in total defense, allowing just over 522 yards a game. The Ducks are 125th in scoring defense, allowing 41.8 points.Athletic director Rob Mullens spoke this week to Duck Insider, a sports radio show produced in part by Oregon, and said hes standing by the coaches.Were six games into the season and not where anyone wants to be, but there still is an opportunity to turn this a little bit and start to see some positive results, Mullens said. As I talk to Mark, they go back to work and get back in it. We have a wonderful group of student-athletes and we need to do everything we can to support the coaches and the student-athletes, especially the seniors as they go this last go-round.Oregon has a bye this week to work through some of its issues.Custom Mariners T-shirts .com) - The Calgary Flames aim to bounce back from their first regulation home loss of the campaign on Friday night when they host a Detroit Red Wings club that they swept in three meetings a season ago. Custom Mariners Jerseys . Giroud, who wasnt in the starting lineup for two matches after allegations about his private life and a decline in form, scored twice in the first half. Tomas Rosickys chip made it 3-0 before half time at Emirates Stadium, while defender Laurent Koscielny scored an unmarked header in the second half. http://www.custommarinersjersey.com/custom-edgar-martinez-jersey-large-70p.html . The Vikings announced Thursday that Priefer will be one of seven holdovers from the previous staff, along with offensive line coach Jeff Davidson, wide receivers coach George Stewart and others. Norv Turner will mark his 30th year of coaching in the NFL as the offensive co-ordinator, as widely reported for weeks, and George Edwards will be the defensive co-ordinator. Custom Edgar Martinez Jersey .B. - Sebastien Auger made 44 saves as the Saint John Sea Dogs edged the visiting Acadie-Bathurst Titan 2-1 on Saturday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. Mariners Jerseys China . The 28-year-old from Calgary matched his career best after missing just one shot in his two rounds of shooting in the mens 10-kilometre sprint competition. Smith finished in 23 minutes 15.Tony Pulis was full of praise for the performance of 17-year-old Jonathan Leko on his first Premier League start but was critical of U21 football following his sides 3-0 defeat to West Ham.Leko became the first player born in 1999 to make a Premier League start and he put in an impressive display despite seeing his side well beaten by an in-form West Ham team.But despite his impressive showing, Pulis warned of the challenge facing Leko and other academy prospects trying to make the breakthrough from the U21s to senior football. Tony Pulis praised the performance of 17-year-old Jonathan Leko Weve got a lot of talent in the academy and Johns got raw talent, Pulis told Sky Sports.What they need is they need to be out playing against men, learning their trade.Ive watched a lot of it and U21s football is no preparation for players, who are then going to make that step to league or Premier League football, he added. Leko made his first Premier League start in West Broms 3-0 defeat to West Ham We have to get these kids with raw talent out playing against men and playing in front of supporters are paying to see their team win.Theyll be hardened by it and work with professional people who know the game. You get taught doing it not talking about it. Phil Thompson gives his reaction to West Hams 3-0 away victory against West Brom Despite the defeat, Lekos emergence was a real positive for West Brom and Pulis was full of praise for his performance, comparing him to Crystal Palace wideman Yannick Bolasie.ddddddddddddHes got unbelievable talent Pulis said.I worked with Bolasie at Crystal Palace and he could do things that you thought were just natural.Johns the same. His balance and his change of pace are superb and hell score goals.Hes a very good talent as long as he keeps his feet on the ground.Also See:Hammers stay in Euro huntMatch in a minutePulis: We didnt take chancesTable ' ' '