Football Practice Report: April 13
by Rob Moseley
Editor, GoDucks.com
Venue: Outdoor practice fields
Format: Full pads
In Friday's scrimmage, Oregon's defensive coaches were disappointed not to see their unit force more turnovers, a hallmark of the UO defense in recent years.
A bright spot, though, was the Ducks' pass rush. Justin Hollins and Eddie Heard each had a couple sacks, Tyson Coleman and Christian French teamed up to stop a run play at the goal line, and Coleman hurried a quarterback into an incompletion to end a red-zone drill.
The common denominator? All four are outside linebackers. One of Oregon's goals this season is to pressure the quarterback more effectively, and the UO outside linebackers seem to be showing this spring that they're poised to do so in 2015.
That continued Monday morning, the first practice since the scrimmage. Practice concluded with an overtime drill, the first period of which ended with Hollins and French converging on the quarterback to end a possession. Jeff Lockie and the No. 1 offense then took the field, and finished the drill by setting up a "game-winning" field goal by Matt Wogan.
"I think we're understanding how to rush the passer better," UO outside linebackers coach Erik Chinander said. "I felt like we left a lot of sacks on the table last year, just by running past and not understanding how to pin the pocket. I think guys have a much better understanding of that now."
French led the Ducks last season with 6.5 sacks, and 2014 senior Tony Washington added six. Torrodney Prevot, who is also back this season, sacked the QB four times, helping Oregon average 2.47 sacks per game, 37th in the country last fall.
Washington has graduated, but French and Prevot are back. And the other guys currently in the regular rotation — Hollins, Heard and Coleman — all appear to have progressed as pass rushers.
"I feel like everybody's growing up a little bit, which is good," Chinander said. "Eddie Heard especially; I don't know what he's going to do, but he's going to be able to help us, and that's huge."
Highlights: During the team period that opened practice, Heard tipped away a pass, and Mattrell McGraw came off the edge to stop a run play. Tyree Robinson intercepted a Morgan Mahalak pass. … In 3-on-2 drills, Chris Seisay had a nice breakup deep down the field, Ty Griffin showed off his much improved touch on a deep ball and Bralon Addison had a leaping, one-handed catch. … Mark Helfrich was pleased with the job Seisay and Robinson did covering a screen pass in team drills. During the same period, Evan Baylis and Cameron Hunt got upfield to clear a lane for Alex Ofodile to get yards after the catch. … Johnny Ragin III knocked down a pass and picked off another during 7-on-7.
Other observations: This was Oregon's first practice since Friday's scrimmage, and it took a couple periods to dial back the intensity. Coaches had to get on a few guys in the first 11-on-11 period for tackling rather than "thudding up" ballcarriers. … A couple guys did some cross training today. Glen Ihenacho has played a bunch of corner this spring, but he took reps at safety today. Jordan Kurahara looked like he took a snap or two as an outside linebacker, and Jarret LaCoste lined up in the slot at one point. … During punt drills, Bralon Addison, Darren Carrington, Byron Marshall, Charles Nelson, Chris Tewhill and Casey Eugenio fielded kicks.
Editor, GoDucks.com
Venue: Outdoor practice fields
Format: Full pads
In Friday's scrimmage, Oregon's defensive coaches were disappointed not to see their unit force more turnovers, a hallmark of the UO defense in recent years.
A bright spot, though, was the Ducks' pass rush. Justin Hollins and Eddie Heard each had a couple sacks, Tyson Coleman and Christian French teamed up to stop a run play at the goal line, and Coleman hurried a quarterback into an incompletion to end a red-zone drill.
The common denominator? All four are outside linebackers. One of Oregon's goals this season is to pressure the quarterback more effectively, and the UO outside linebackers seem to be showing this spring that they're poised to do so in 2015.
That continued Monday morning, the first practice since the scrimmage. Practice concluded with an overtime drill, the first period of which ended with Hollins and French converging on the quarterback to end a possession. Jeff Lockie and the No. 1 offense then took the field, and finished the drill by setting up a "game-winning" field goal by Matt Wogan.
"I think we're understanding how to rush the passer better," UO outside linebackers coach Erik Chinander said. "I felt like we left a lot of sacks on the table last year, just by running past and not understanding how to pin the pocket. I think guys have a much better understanding of that now."
French led the Ducks last season with 6.5 sacks, and 2014 senior Tony Washington added six. Torrodney Prevot, who is also back this season, sacked the QB four times, helping Oregon average 2.47 sacks per game, 37th in the country last fall.
Washington has graduated, but French and Prevot are back. And the other guys currently in the regular rotation — Hollins, Heard and Coleman — all appear to have progressed as pass rushers.
"I feel like everybody's growing up a little bit, which is good," Chinander said. "Eddie Heard especially; I don't know what he's going to do, but he's going to be able to help us, and that's huge."
Highlights: During the team period that opened practice, Heard tipped away a pass, and Mattrell McGraw came off the edge to stop a run play. Tyree Robinson intercepted a Morgan Mahalak pass. … In 3-on-2 drills, Chris Seisay had a nice breakup deep down the field, Ty Griffin showed off his much improved touch on a deep ball and Bralon Addison had a leaping, one-handed catch. … Mark Helfrich was pleased with the job Seisay and Robinson did covering a screen pass in team drills. During the same period, Evan Baylis and Cameron Hunt got upfield to clear a lane for Alex Ofodile to get yards after the catch. … Johnny Ragin III knocked down a pass and picked off another during 7-on-7.
Other observations: This was Oregon's first practice since Friday's scrimmage, and it took a couple periods to dial back the intensity. Coaches had to get on a few guys in the first 11-on-11 period for tackling rather than "thudding up" ballcarriers. … A couple guys did some cross training today. Glen Ihenacho has played a bunch of corner this spring, but he took reps at safety today. Jordan Kurahara looked like he took a snap or two as an outside linebacker, and Jarret LaCoste lined up in the slot at one point. … During punt drills, Bralon Addison, Darren Carrington, Byron Marshall, Charles Nelson, Chris Tewhill and Casey Eugenio fielded kicks.
