First practice report from Scout (Free)
Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 11:17 pm
http://oregon.scout.com/2/885966.html
The most impressive players of the first day of fall camp were a couple freshmen: LaMichael James and Diante Jackson. James, who redshirted last season, was the team's most explosive and consistent offensive threat today. He had a handful of carries this afternoon which he busted for big yards and displayed very good hands in receiving drills, with his overall play today drawing lofty praise from Oregon head coach, Chip Kelly. "LaMichael's in the same category with Willie (Glasper) and Talmadge (Jackson) and some of those guys that you didn't get a chance to see in the spring time," said Kelly, "He didn't do anything today that we haven't seen. He ripped our defense all last fall because he's just such a talented kid. It's exciting to get him back because we really need to find quality depth at the running back spot after losing Jeremiah (Johnson)." Jackson was another player who made an immediate impact during today's initial practice session. In fact, the true freshman from Walnut Creek, California, was the receiver that junior quarterback, Jeremiah Masoli, was most impressed with on Friday. "He has some great hands," said Masoli of Jackson, "he needs to work on his footwork a little bit, but his hands look really good." A dynamic athlete, who has a bevy of natural receiving ability, Jackson was seen making great plays in the short, intermediate, and deep passing game. Though it's early, Jackson's overall performance today could mark the beginning of the true freshman's quest for substantial playing time this upcoming season.
The Duck defense appeared to play with great energy today in a carry over from their performance in the spring. The pursuit of the defensive line, linebackers, and secondary to the football was encouraging and was one of the biggest things that caught Coach Kelly's attention today.
The performance from the quarterbacks and the receivers as whole today was relatively up and down.
Redshirt freshman Kenjon Barner was seen working exclusively with the running backs today.
Odds and Ends: In his first practice as a collegian, true freshman punter, Jackson Rice, also displayed some inconsistency. Despite having a tremendous leg, Rice seemed to have difficulty finding a rhythm as he fumbled a few of the long snaps before getting the ball off. Junior wide receivers Jeff Maehl and Tyrece Gaines and senior running back LeGarrette Blount all practiced today, but were limited in their work due to some unidentified nicks and bumps. None of the setbacks appear to be anything serious and Coach Kelly didn't express much concern about any of the players following practice Friday, saying all three were "day-to-day".
The most impressive players of the first day of fall camp were a couple freshmen: LaMichael James and Diante Jackson. James, who redshirted last season, was the team's most explosive and consistent offensive threat today. He had a handful of carries this afternoon which he busted for big yards and displayed very good hands in receiving drills, with his overall play today drawing lofty praise from Oregon head coach, Chip Kelly. "LaMichael's in the same category with Willie (Glasper) and Talmadge (Jackson) and some of those guys that you didn't get a chance to see in the spring time," said Kelly, "He didn't do anything today that we haven't seen. He ripped our defense all last fall because he's just such a talented kid. It's exciting to get him back because we really need to find quality depth at the running back spot after losing Jeremiah (Johnson)." Jackson was another player who made an immediate impact during today's initial practice session. In fact, the true freshman from Walnut Creek, California, was the receiver that junior quarterback, Jeremiah Masoli, was most impressed with on Friday. "He has some great hands," said Masoli of Jackson, "he needs to work on his footwork a little bit, but his hands look really good." A dynamic athlete, who has a bevy of natural receiving ability, Jackson was seen making great plays in the short, intermediate, and deep passing game. Though it's early, Jackson's overall performance today could mark the beginning of the true freshman's quest for substantial playing time this upcoming season.
The Duck defense appeared to play with great energy today in a carry over from their performance in the spring. The pursuit of the defensive line, linebackers, and secondary to the football was encouraging and was one of the biggest things that caught Coach Kelly's attention today.
The performance from the quarterbacks and the receivers as whole today was relatively up and down.
Redshirt freshman Kenjon Barner was seen working exclusively with the running backs today.
Odds and Ends: In his first practice as a collegian, true freshman punter, Jackson Rice, also displayed some inconsistency. Despite having a tremendous leg, Rice seemed to have difficulty finding a rhythm as he fumbled a few of the long snaps before getting the ball off. Junior wide receivers Jeff Maehl and Tyrece Gaines and senior running back LeGarrette Blount all practiced today, but were limited in their work due to some unidentified nicks and bumps. None of the setbacks appear to be anything serious and Coach Kelly didn't express much concern about any of the players following practice Friday, saying all three were "day-to-day".
