Oregon Football: Spring links

One of the more intriguing teams to follow heading into next season will be the Oregon Ducks.  They are loaded to make another run at a national championship, but how will they handle the transition from Chip Kelly to Mark Helfrich?

The quest for another national championship starts NOW, not in the summer.  

Here's what they're saying so far:

• Oregon is re-loading for next year reports fishduck
• Ducks picking up where they left off, writes Aaron Fentress of the Oregonian 
• Dr. Saturday examines why the Ducks are one of the most interesting teams to watch heading into spring football
• Marcus Mariota needs to become more of a leader writes Rant Sports   

Spring Game Links

As I've said before, I wasn't at the spring game this year, but the guys over at fishduck were, and they have you covered.  Here's a bunch of good links about the spring game:

http://fishduck.com/2012/05/oregon-ducks-football-spring-game-take-away-throw-away/ 

http://fishduck.com/2012/04/fishduck-and-keeerrrttt-examine-the-spring-game/ 

http://fishduck.com/2012/04/mariota-calm-cool-and-good/ 


 http://fishduck.com/2012/04/the-oregon-spring-game-7-ducks-you-need-to-watch/

Spring Game Recap

A Pac 12 conference record crowd of 44,129 showed up to Oregon's spring game this past weekend.  Sadly, I wasn't apart of that crowd, as I had an unexpected situation come up that I had to tend to, so I was eager to find out how the team looked.

I watched the replay (three times), scoured the web for articles, and talked to fans for their perspectives.  Here are my thoughts.

Upon arriving to their seats on a warm Saturday afternoon at Autzen stadium, Duck fans were greeted with this image on Duck Vision:

 That, and many other reasons are why Duck fever is at an all-time high.  There were a few important position battles going in, none more important than the competition at quarterback.  Long time Duck fan Jason Sherrill  was among many of them who wanted to get a glimpse into Oregon's future: "I've heard so many good things about both, I couldn't wait to see who had the edge," said Jason.

It was considered by a lot of people, including myself, that Bryan Bennett was the leading candidate to become the teams next starter at QB.  But the play of Marcus Mariota may have changed that.

Mariota could be the perfect quarterback to fit Chip Kelly's system.  He can throw AND run, and looked spectacular at times.  To barrow a phrase from Chip Kelly, Mariota "won the day."

He was 18 of 26, threw for 202 yards, with a touchdown and an interception.  On one player in particular, he flashed his speed on an 82-yard touchdown run, resembling another quarterback from the past that flourished in Chip Kelly's offense.

I'm talkin' about Dennis Dixon of course, and I'm not alone:  "I had flashbacks of Dixon," exclaimed Matt Shelton, student and Duck fan, "Mariota was calm and collective the whole game, and looked much better," he added.

Mariota's team, Mighty Oregon, defeated the Fighting Ducks, 41-14.

Other position battles of interest for me was at receiver, and a long both lines.  The Ducks should be pretty deep at receiver this year (a lot of potential talent, but unproven) and one guy who looked impressive Saturday was Daryle Hawkins.

The junior wide receiver accounted for 4 receptions for 55 yards, including a 35-yard touchdown reception from Mariota.

DE #9 Arik Armstead

Arik Armstead looks like he's gonna be a beast, and will pair well on the defensive line with Dion Jordan.  And overall, the Duck defense could be pretty good this year, with the return of such key players as John Boyett, Michael Clay, Kiko Alonso, Dion Jordan, and more.

Overall there are still many questions left to be answered.  The battle for starting quarterback is far from over, there are still questions a long the offensive line and the receiving corps, but the future looks very bright.  The Ducks clearly have reloaded and are gonna be right back in the national title race next year.

The countdown for September 1st is on!

Ducks Talkin' Spring Practice

QB Marcus Mariota:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeKzby8ZNvc&feature=g-all-u&context=G2ea9f68FAAAAAAAACAA


QB Bryan Bennett:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tB9a9yeKfXE&feature=related


WR Devon Blackmon:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvBXL4cpe0k&feature=related


WR Keanon Lowe:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNsGMn8Dkgo&feature=g-all-u&context=G2204059FAAAAAAAABAA 


LB Michael Clay:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJW28TSKrsE&feature=relmfu

Wanna Watch Oregon's Spring Practice? Forget About It!

OODA Loop isn't the only thing the Oregon Ducks share in common with the United States military:  both are secretive and don't allow a lot of behind-the-scenes access.


However, you can be sure that whats going on behind closed doors, is (like the picture above says) fully armed and operational.


The reason I bring this up is because, many people have asked me why that's been the case with Oregon for the last couple of years?  Oregon closes their practice to the media and public, and some aren't happy about it.


Fans think it's an arrogant move, and Oregon should be inviting.  The media doesn't like it because they can't get a good feel for the position battles going on, and how the team in general looks.


That part I get.  As for the fans, do you really need to know everything?  As Chip Kelly pointed out, it's not as if many were going anyways:

"It's not like we told thousands that they can't come to practice."

 

The fact is, Oregon is 34-6 and has played in three BCS bowl games under Kelly.  Are you gonna argue with the guy?  He knows what he's doing.  You want a warm, fuzzy, fam-friendly enviornment at an open practice, go be a fan of that little team up north just a big, with the cartoon beaver.  

 

How's that workin' out for them?

O TIME News and Links

O TIME crew

Just a reminder:  the filming of the new music video for Xile's new Duck anthem (O TIME II?) takes place on Sunday, April 29th, a day after the actual spring game itself.  


Most Duck fans remember last years song, O TIME, which in my opinion is thee "O"fficial anthem for the Oregon Ducks, and how popular it was.  Local radio stations were playing it, newspapers were talking about, I think it even got some love on espn's College Football GameDay. 


After leaving the fans speculating about whether or not Xile would go back into the studio to do another one, it was finally confirmed.  This years version will unquestionably be even better.  That's how Duck fans do it.  Like the program itself, they do things bigger, badder, and flashier than the last time!


What makes O TIME great, and everybody behind the scenes involved, is their vision and the fact that they make this song truly for the Duck fan.  In fact, you wanna be in the video?  You can!  Anybody's invited.  For more info on that, go here.


For on the field stuff about our Ducks, check these recent links:
http://www2.registerguard.com/cms/index.php/duck-football/comments/ducks-open-second-week-of-spring-will-scrimmage-tomorrow/




http://oregon.scout.com/2/1175634.html

Oregon QB Bryan Bennett Interview

Bryan Bennett discussing the first week of spring practice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhGqzQshFYo&feature=g-all-u&context=G2c96c56FAAAAAAAAAAA 

Spring Preview: Oregon Receivers

Oregon receiver Josh Huff

I'm not gonna do a position by position breakdown of the Oregon Ducks roster -  don't have the time for that - gonna leave that up to the pro's.  But I will do one for my favorite position battles; starting with receivers.

As a former receiver myself (albeit not at the D1 level) this position in particular means a lot to me.  I'm always intrigued by what Oregon's bringing to the table receiver wise.  I wanna see play-makers at that position getting some love!

Last year was a tough year for the Oregon receiver's.  True freshman De'Anthony Thomas led the team in receiving yards and had 9 receiving touchdowns.  But he was originally recruited as a RB, and with LaMichael James going pro, he will be featured primarily at that position next year.

Oregon also loses veteran receiver Lavasier Tuinei, who stepped up big in the Rose Bowl, earning offensive MVP, and they lose TE David Paulson, who was a big part of the offense and named co-most outstanding player.

But not to fear:  Oregon has a lot of talent coming up through the wings, guys that I've been excited about seeing for a while.

First are the returners:  starter Josh Huff and one guy to keep an eye on, Rahsaan Vaughn.  We all know what Huff can do.  Vaughn has shown glimpses of being special too, just needs to be more consistent.

Oregonian reporter Aaron Fentress said this about Vaughn: "Vaughn showed flashes but he never established himself as a top-flight receiver.  He will have another chance this year."

But he's not the only returner who will have a chance to compete for more playing time next year, so will Daryle Hawkins and Eric Dungy (son of Tony Dungy).

Challenging them for playing time is the talented bunch I talked about being excited to see.

Leading the way is a pair of 4 star receivers from the 2011 class in Devon Blackmon and Tacoi Sumler.  They join BJ Kelly who, like Blackmon and Sumler, redshirted last season.  All three of them have speed to burn.  Kelly is a track star and Sumler was plucked out of the state of Florida - and we all know how good those FL athletes are!

Oh and who replaces David Paulson at TE?  How 'bout 5 star recruit from 2011 Colt Lyerla!

The future is promising for Oregon's receivers.  On paper, it could develop into one of the most talented corps under Chip Kelly.