Scout (Free) Day 4 Practice---From e-duck

[ducksrock]

Scout.com > Oregon
Notes from Fall Camp: Day 4
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Chris Courtney
eDuck.com Aug 10, 2009

The intensity on the practice fields this afternoon seemed to be at it's highest level since fall camp began. Oregon head coach, Chip Kelly, was particularly vocal today as the Ducks had a sharp practice as they worked through the blistering August heat.

1. Maybe the player that stood out the most today was Oregon offensive lineman, Mark Asper. Expected to start at guard the opening game at Boise State on September 3, Asper has performed admirably throughout fall camp to this point and had arguably his best day Monday. His steady play in team drills and his dominance of defensive linemen in one-on-ones today was comforting considering the question marks that riddle this unit going in to the season. "After the first few days," said Kelly, "[Asper's] been very consistent for us. He's a big athletic kid. He really, really runs very well for a big kid and we need him because we don't really have a lot of quality depth there just because we're young and he's got some experience. He did a nice job when he played in the Holiday Bowl for us, so he's kind of picked up where he left off and he's kind of one of the guys we can count on up front right now."

2. The defense as a whole has been playing with a ton of energy and has been rather impressive thus far this fall. A player who appears to have really stepped his game up since the spring is defensive end, Kenny Rowe. Today, Rowe was seen in the backfield on a number of different occasions putting pressure on the quarterback and running down running backs behind the line of scrimmage. Coach Kelly has been impressed with Rowe's progress, stating that he's had a "great camp". At this point, assuming Rowe continues along this positive trajectory, he appears primed to be the opposing bookend to Will Tukuafu up front when the season kickoffs.

Odds and Ends: Two other players who are quietly having nice fall campaigns are wide receiver Lavasier Tuinei and defensive end/defensive tackle Brandon Bair. Tuinei today has some nice grabs and has demonstrated very good ability running after the catch when given his opportunities. Bair, who was one of the pleasant surprises for the Ducks on defense in the spring, has continued his strong play this fall., playing great strength, quickness, and leverage despite being matched up against guys who outweight him substantially...Garrett Embry had a bit of a down practice today and has appeared rather inconsistent from practice to practice this fall. Though at times he shows good flashes of potential, he seems to lose concentration periodically, leading to inordinate amount of dropped passes. LeGarrette Blount ripped off a huge run today during 11-on-11's and has been running very hard since he was dismissed from practice on day one. Diante Jackson (knee), Javes Lewis (ankle), Mike Mackie (illness), Jeff Maehl (knee), Na Derris Ward (shoulder), Remene Alston (foot), and Tyrece Gaines were all limited once again in practice today. Jamere Holland and Willie Glasper were absent early on in practice due to illness, but both players were seen fully participating by the end.




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Story URL: http://oregon.scout.com/2/886967.html

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[AJ_U]

good to hear. I think the O-line will be solid come first game, but the defense is starting to come together and will have some big hitters this year.

[stewbertwilloughby]

To add what I saw, Rory Cavaille made two fantastic catches during the 7 on 7 portion. One was over the middle with a linebacker all over, basically mid tackle. The other he was fighting the DB all the way down field, and was still arm locked with him when Masoli (might have been Costa) threw it, and at the very last second got his hands free and caught the ball that was about to sail over his head, turned and ran in for the score. He has good hands.

Also, on the one run I could somewhat see from LaMichael James (rest of the team lined up strategically to block the view) on an option, he juked the guy on the outside right out of his shoes. Not sure if it was a linebacker or DB, but it was nasty.

[duckscribe]

I don't understand why they keep referring to Blount getting excused from practice when it came out that he misunderstood Kelly because he didn't hear the whistle. Why can't the media catch the players doing great things!

[Tray Dub]

I don't understand why they keep referring to Blount getting excused from practice when it came out that he misunderstood Kelly because he didn't hear the whistle. Why can't the media catch the players doing great things!

The line you're talking about was about how he ripped off a huge run... Which falls into the category "doing great things"

[VinnyKnuckles]

Maehl, Diante and Gaines continuing to miss practice is a real bummer. The new guys in particular need as many reps as they can get and the quarterbacks need to develop chemistry and timing with them. Hopefully all 3 of them get back out there ASAP.

[woundedknees]

I'm just glad Maehl and Gaines were here all summer, working out with the team.

Too bad DJ couldn't have done the same.

[UOducksTK1]

To add what I saw, Rory Cavaille made two fantastic catches during the 7 on 7 portion. One was over the middle with a linebacker all over, basically mid tackle. The other he was fighting the DB all the way down field, and was still arm locked with him when Masoli (might have been Costa) threw it, and at the very last second got his hands free and caught the ball that was about to sail over his head, turned and ran in for the score. He has good hands.

Also, on the one run I could somewhat see from LaMichael James (rest of the team lined up strategically to block the view) on an option, he juked the guy on the outside right out of his shoes. Not sure if it was a linebacker or DB, but it was nasty.

Cavaille is sounding like he's having a great fall camp. Definitely a possession receiver who will catch mostly anything.

[briarduck]

I don't understand why they keep referring to Blount getting excused from practice when it came out that he misunderstood Kelly because he didn't hear the whistle. Why can't the media catch the players doing great things!

Keep in mind the media struggle to find stories during the slow off season so they jumped on what ever they can (ie the Blount dismissal and made few stories) it normal and happens to every team. Its funny how false stories can make headlines and the retractions get buried in the back of the paper...media is media.

Other than that I think the stories have been positive now we just need a few more WRs to get healthy...damn I'm pumped for the season!

GO DUCKS!!