Oregon Football Practice Report: Oct. 16
By Rob Moseley
Editor, GoDucks.com
Venue: Moshofsky Center
Format: Walk-through
A week after Oregon successfully stormed Los Angeles, this weekend Philadelphia will storm Eugene.
The Philadelphia Eagles have a bye this weekend, and so several of the no less than 15 team personnel with UO ties will be at Autzen Stadium on Saturday when the No. 9 Ducks host Washington (5 p.m. PT, Fox Sports 1). They’ve already begun trickling into town, with former UO linebacker Michael Clay and defensive tackle Wade Keliikipi attending Thursday’s walk-through.
For those “Oreagles,” shuttling between the two programs oozes familiarity. Keliikipi took his best shot at trying to come up with differences between the two. “Honestly …. besides … nothing, really,” he said. “Everything’s still the same.
“It’s the same culture, the same schemes. With a lot of the Oregon staff and Oregon players there, it feels like you never left here.”
The Eagles’ active roster includes six former Ducks: defensive linemen Brandon Bair and Taylor Hart, receivers Josh Huff and Jeff Maehl, and linebacker Casey Matthews. Keliikipi is on the practice squad along with receiver Will Murphy. Along with Clay and Keliikipi, those expected on hand Saturday include Maehl, Murphy and Matthews; the others will take a chance to visit family during the bye week.
Clay is one of no less than eight Eagles coaches with UO ties. He works as a defensive quality control coach under inside linebackers coach Rick Minter. Along with head coach Chip Kelly, the staff also includes former UO tight end Justin Peelle, former UO defensive line coach Jerry Azzinaro and former UO quarterback Bill Musgrave, scheduled to be an honorary captain at Auzten on Saturday with the rest of Oregon’s 1989 Independence Bowl team.
“I’ve learned a lot,” Clay said. “All these guys have so much experience, from the coordinators to Chip to the position coaches. I’m just a sponge, trying to absorb everything they’re saying and build my own template.”
Saturday is a work day for NFL teams, but Clay said he tries to watch Oregon games in the office when he can. He also likes to dial up film cutups afterward, and watch the work the UO defense is doing under his old position coach, new coordinator Don Pellum.
Clay said the UO guys in Philly will socialize when they can, but now that several have families, it’s not as often as one might think. “We somewhat hang out with each other,” Keliikipi added. “At breakfast, Casey will come over, or Jeff, Will Murphy. But we mingle with the other groups, try to spread the culture as well.”
Observations: Since the Ducks were running through the plays they’ll employ Saturday vs. Washington at walk-through speed, there are no highlights to report. … Mark Helfrich told the team afterward he thought the defense and special teams were particularly sharp. “Fast Friday” is another chance for the offense to get up to their level. … Jake Pisarcik and Doug Brenner continue to rotate between center and right guard with the No. 2 offense. Brenner played at guard at UCLA last week.
