Duck Feed: Just Like Riding a Bike - University of Oregon Athletics

Just Like Riding a Bike
Tuesday, March 30, 5:00 p.m. PDT

If your hot tub time machine randomly dropped you off at Tuesday’s football practice, you may have been surprised to see Jeremiah Masoli lining up in the slot and catching passes from Nate Costa and Darron Thomas, but other than that, it just as easily could have been the middle of the season, a bowl practice or a workout late in fall camp.

Despite an 87-day layoff, the Ducks’ first spring practice was just like any other practice since Chip Kelly became head coach a year ago: Fast-paced and up tempo with a focus on execution and squeezing every ounce of football preparation out of two-plus hours in the Moshofsky Center.

Per usual, the first period of the day was “Fuji,” a no-huddle, 11-on-11 drill that leaves linemen sweaty and short of breath. No easing back into the swing of things for this football program. And it was fitting that the first pass of the 2010 preseason was a completion from Costa to D.J. Davis, the same duo that was limited due to injury rehab this time last year and teammates who threw countless balls back and forth to one another on the sideline in 2008 after dueling knee surgeries.

The remainder of the session seemed to go off without a hitch. Newcomers were worked into drills right away and a handful of others were limited due to injury or excused to take care of obligations on campus.

The first of 15 official spring workouts wrapped up with a group huddle and more than half the players sprinting off to make a 12 p.m. class.

NOTES

Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Mark Helfrich is taking part in his first spring practice at Oregon. Mike Bellotti was Kelly’s QB coach during last year’s spring drills.
SR CB Talmadge Jackson III wasn’t a full participant during Tuesday’s practice as he recovers from injury, but he spent a good deal of time tutoring true freshman Terrance Mitchell. Terrance’s mom Kepta was in attendance for her son’s first collegiate practice.
JR TE David Paulson showed no willingness to relinquish his unofficial “best hands on the team” title, hauling in a bullet from Thomas down by his ankles without breaking stride.
JR DB Anthony Gildon looked physically impressive, appearing to have added some bulk to his upper body. Not always the first name to come up when UO defensive backs are discussed, Gildon started three games last season, including the Rose Bowl, and should be considered firmly in the mix at corner in 2010.
Costa and Thomas took the bulk of the quarterback snaps during 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills with FR Daryle Hawkins working in as well.
Masoli threw some during position drills, but didn’t take any meaningful snaps away from the other QBs. He ran several routes as a slot receiver and was impressive in his ability to get separation against defenders.
SO RB Kenjon Barner saw lots of action as SO RB LaMichael James did not practice due to a prior obligation. Barner is going through his first full spring strictly on the offensive side of the ball.
It’s going to be fun to watch the development of SO Dion Jordan as he makes the adjustment from tight end to defensive end. His length and speed are going to create matchup challenges and he can get to the backfield in a hurry.

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