Spring Practice: Day 3

[dthomas=ddixon]

http://oregon.scout.com/2/853375.html

Big plays through the air on offense and stingy play against the run on defense was the cornerstone of a spirited practice that concluded the first week of Spring Camp 2009.

1. Senior running back, LeGarrette Blount, was seen once again today at practice wearing a walking boot on his injured right foot. Unlike Wednesday, Blount didn't have any crutches with him Friday. Oregon head coach, Chip Kelly didn't give a timetable for Blount's return, but it's not completely unreasonable to think that Blount could make his 2009 Spring camp debut when practices resume next week. In other injury news, junior linebacker, Spencer Paysinger, went down with an apparent foot injury. Though, like Blount, Kelly gave no indication one way or the other as to the nature of Paysinger's injury.

2. The defensive line -- and defense in general -- was stout against the run once again on Friday. Players such as senior defensive tackles, Blake Ferras and Simi Toeaina really stood out and provided inspired play that the rest of the defense seemed to feed off of. In fact, Kelly singled out Toeaina, saying, "My favorite play was Simi Toeaina being six yards deep in the backfield and snuffing a run. That was the one that just flashed for me." Kelly also lauded the solid play of defensive ends, Will Tukuafu and Kenny Rowe. Defensive line coach, Jerry Azzinaro, credited the defensive line's solid play thus far in the spring to UO Strength and Conditioning Coach, Jim Radcliffe. "They run hard," said Azzinaro, "that has nothing do with me, that's all Coach Rad getting them to this point, which is pretty amazing." Azzinaro went on to say that he has been thoroughly pleased with the defensive line's work ethic and attention to detail, thus far.

3. Junior quarterback, Jeremiah Masoli, had arguably his best practice of the spring this morning, executing big plays downfield to players such as junior wide receiver, Jamere Holland, and sophomore wide receiver Chris Harper. Masoli's downfield passing appears to have markedly improved from last season, as he is providing much more loft on deep passing routes to his receivers, though Masoli admitted he still has much to improve upon. "I think my whole game needs overall work," Masoli confessed, "besides downfield passing, there's always room for improvement [in all areas]." Masoli continued, saying that getting on the same page with players like Holland and Harper is a big part of the success of the downfield passing game. "Chris has made some great catches over the past couple practices," stated Masoli, "and Jamere's just made strides, big strides, in the playbook and just his knowledge of our offense."

4. If the Oregon coaching staff gave out MVP awards at the conclusion of each week of practice, the MVP after week one would undoubtedly be, Walter Thurmond III. Thurmond continued his tremendous play this morning breaking up a handful passes thrown his direction during 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills. Appearing primed and ready to earn First-Team All-Pac-10 honors, Kelly is unabashed in already anointing Thurmond as the team's top player. "He's probably the best kid on the field," said Kelly, "He just sticks out in everything he does right now...Walter is really, really consistent right now."

5. Opposite Thurmond at cornerback, an intriguing battle is brewing between redshirt freshmen, Kenjon Barner and Scott Grady, and sophomore, Anthony Gildon. All week it has appeared that Barner and Grady, in particular, have been dueling for the honor of being Thurmond's sidekick, with projected starting corners, Talmadge Jackson and Willie Glasper being sidelined this spring. "Kenjon's shown some things," said Kelly, "and Scott actually had a pretty good practice today, in drills and things like that...but I think Kenjon is a little bit ahead right now, he's shown some flashes, and that's what happens. When someone goes down, someone else gets an opportunity, and they've taken advantage of the snaps they're getting."

6. Lastly, linebackers Eddie Pleasant and Casey Matthews shined today, as both players were in the middle of the action on a number of different plays, including two turnovers that would have went for scores in game situations. Pleasant's moment came during 11-on-11's when he darted in to the backfield to scoop up an errant pitch by quarterback Justin Roper, while Matthews' highlight moment came during 7-on-7's, when he intercepted a tipped pass that was returned to the endzone.

[echo31]

... linebackers Eddie Pleasant and Casey Matthews shined today, as both players were in the middle of the action on a number of different plays, including two turnovers that would have went for scores in game situations. Pleasant's moment came during 11-on-11's when he darted in to the backfield to scoop up an errant pitch by quarterback Justin Roper, while Matthews' highlight moment came during 7-on-7's, when he intercepted a tipped pass that was returned to the endzone.

This is the best part to me. I want our linebackers to lead the team in tackles this year so that the corners and safeties can do what they are supposed to be doing out there. I loved Chung, but he should never have lead our team for tackles. Good linebacker play could really strengthen our entire defense.

[briarduck]

Sounds like the kind of practices we want to hear...both sides sounded like they did well today!

Great stuff!

GO DUCKS!!

[BisonDucks]

The best part is hearing about Simi being in the backfield. I would really like SIMI and Blake to be our number one guys with the two JC guys rotating. Use BAIR in an emergency scenario.

[VinnyKnuckles]

Any encouraging news regarding the defensive line is music to my ears. I just hope any positive play displayed by the defensive line is not an indication that the young offensive line is not performing well. Hopefully this is not a case of one bad unit going against another bad unit. I guess we won't find out until they start playing against other teams.

[Tray Dub]

The problem with practices is that usually it's a zero-sum game; when one person performs well, it usually means his opponent is not performing so well. So like Vinny said, yeah it's great Azzinaro is such an intense coach and is getting our d-line to perform, but at the same time it's a little disconcerting that our o-line isn't doing so great. And/or that we haven't found a great backup (or 1b) RB.

But things like Masoli improving the deep ball or Holland learning the playbook is GREAT news, because nobody is performing badly to let those things happen.

[nogerO]

http://oregon.scout.com/2/853375.html

Big plays through the air on offense and stingy play against the run on defense was the cornerstone of a spirited practice that concluded the first week of Spring Camp 2009.

1. Senior running back, LeGarrette Blount, was seen once again today at practice wearing a walking boot on his injured right foot. Unlike Wednesday, Blount didn't have any crutches with him Friday. Oregon head coach, Chip Kelly didn't give a timetable for Blount's return, but it's not completely unreasonable to think that Blount could make his 2009 Spring camp debut when practices resume next week. In other injury news, junior linebacker, Spencer Paysinger, went down with an apparent foot injury. Though, like Blount, Kelly gave no indication one way or the other as to the nature of Paysinger's injury.

2. The defensive line -- and defense in general -- was stout against the run once again on Friday. Players such as senior defensive tackles, Blake Ferras and Simi Toeaina really stood out and provided inspired play that the rest of the defense seemed to feed off of. In fact, Kelly singled out Toeaina, saying, "My favorite play was Simi Toeaina being six yards deep in the backfield and snuffing a run. That was the one that just flashed for me." Kelly also lauded the solid play of defensive ends, Will Tukuafu and Kenny Rowe. Defensive line coach, Jerry Azzinaro, credited the defensive line's solid play thus far in the spring to UO Strength and Conditioning Coach, Jim Radcliffe. "They run hard," said Azzinaro, "that has nothing do with me, that's all Coach Rad getting them to this point, which is pretty amazing." Azzinaro went on to say that he has been thoroughly pleased with the defensive line's work ethic and attention to detail, thus far.

3. Junior quarterback, Jeremiah Masoli, had arguably his best practice of the spring this morning, executing big plays downfield to players such as junior wide receiver, Jamere Holland, and sophomore wide receiver Chris Harper. Masoli's downfield passing appears to have markedly improved from last season, as he is providing much more loft on deep passing routes to his receivers, though Masoli admitted he still has much to improve upon. "I think my whole game needs overall work," Masoli confessed, "besides downfield passing, there's always room for improvement [in all areas]." Masoli continued, saying that getting on the same page with players like Holland and Harper is a big part of the success of the downfield passing game. "Chris has made some great catches over the past couple practices," stated Masoli, "and Jamere's just made strides, big strides, in the playbook and just his knowledge of our offense."

4. If the Oregon coaching staff gave out MVP awards at the conclusion of each week of practice, the MVP after week one would undoubtedly be, Walter Thurmond III. Thurmond continued his tremendous play this morning breaking up a handful passes thrown his direction during 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills. Appearing primed and ready to earn First-Team All-Pac-10 honors, Kelly is unabashed in already anointing Thurmond as the team's top player. "He's probably the best kid on the field," said Kelly, "He just sticks out in everything he does right now...Walter is really, really consistent right now."

5. Opposite Thurmond at cornerback, an intriguing battle is brewing between redshirt freshmen, Kenjon Barner and Scott Grady, and sophomore, Anthony Gildon. All week it has appeared that Barner and Grady, in particular, have been dueling for the honor of being Thurmond's sidekick, with projected starting corners, Talmadge Jackson and Willie Glasper being sidelined this spring. "Kenjon's shown some things," said Kelly, "and Scott actually had a pretty good practice today, in drills and things like that...but I think Kenjon is a little bit ahead right now, he's shown some flashes, and that's what happens. When someone goes down, someone else gets an opportunity, and they've taken advantage of the snaps they're getting."

6. Lastly, linebackers Eddie Pleasant and Casey Matthews shined today, as both players were in the middle of the action on a number of different plays, including two turnovers that would have went for scores in game situations. Pleasant's moment came during 11-on-11's when he darted in to the backfield to scoop up an errant pitch by quarterback Justin Roper, while Matthews' highlight moment came during 7-on-7's, when he intercepted a tipped pass that was returned to the endzone.

Thanks D=D! Nice job, keep up the good work buddy!

Us folks living and working so far away just live and die on every word you guys provide for us. thanks again.

[dthomas=ddixon]

Thanks D=D! Nice job, keep up the good work buddy!

Us folks living and working so far away just live and die on every word you guys provide for us. thanks again.

No problem. I'm working part time right now so on my days of I spend a lot of time on the net just finding good articles for this site. It's the least I could do for this board since I get so much of info from it myself.

[ducksin2010]

For those of you that go to the practices, is there a lot of room for the public to stand and watch practice? I want to go to practice but I don't handle unfamiliar situations very well thanks.

[dthomas=ddixon]

For those of you that go to the practices, is there a lot of room for the public to stand and watch practice? I want to go to practice but I don't handle unfamiliar situations very well thanks.

Me & my dad used to go to fall practice about twice a week in the early 2000's & practice is really laid back. We would watch the whole thing & after I would go get autographs from all the guys. We actually got to know a lot of the players & the main security guy (he would always let us into the "closed to the public" practices )

There is usually a group of bystander that watch made up of media & fans. When it's indoors there's plenty of room against the near wall where everyone stands & watches. When it's outside everyone pretty much stands along the sidelines & watches. It might have changed since then but I would definitely recommend going. It's a really laid back & fun experience.

[ducksin2010]

I've been to a lot of fall out door practices but i was wondering about inside. Thanks for the help DT=DD

[dthomas=ddixon]

I've been to a lot of fall out door practices but i was wondering about inside. Thanks for the help DT=DD

No problem. Inside practices aren't that much different than the outdoors ones. If you were cool with the outdoor practices you'd be fine at the indoor ones.