Football Practice Report: Aug. 25
By Rob Moseley
Editor, GoDucks.com
Venue: Outdoor practice fields
Format: Full pads
Mark Helfrich was generally pleased with Tuesday’s practice, but afterward his message to the Ducks was forward-thinking.
Thursday will bring the final scrimmage of preseason camp, the finish line for three weeks of intense preparations for the 2015 season. After that the staff will make depth chart and redshirt decisions, before the start of practice for the Sept. 5 opener against Eastern Washington.
Thus, time is short for players looking to make a good impression this month. For a bunch of guys, though, the next two days will be about finishing off what has already been an encouraging camp.
Newcomers like Kirk Merritt, Taj Griffin, Ugo Amadi and Canton Kaumatule have made strong bids for playing time as freshmen. An outstanding sophomore class, including the likes of Henry Mondeaux, Austin Maloata, Jimmie Swain and Arrion Springs, is poised to have a major presence on defense.
Not to be overlooked are some seniors who showed flashes this August of taking the next step from dependable regulars to high-impact veterans. Guys like Joe Walker, Christian French and Alex Balducci have played a lot of football for the Ducks the last few years, but perhaps not at the level they’ve displayed over the last three weeks in camp.
Walker has participated in a daily mano y mano with Royce Freeman, the proverbial immovable object and unstoppable force engaging in collision after collision in team drills. After breaking into the starting lineup midway through last season, Walker is poised to be among Oregon’s most productive defenders in 2015, perhaps the preseason favorite to lead the team in tackles.
Balducci was a reliable space filler as a junior last fall, playing at times on a gimpy ankle. This preseason he’s looked more nimble – he bested center Matt Hegarty a couple of times in pass-rush drills Tuesday, showing off agility to complement his impressive strength. Balducci stands to be more of a playmaker as a senior in 2015, should he remain healthy.
And French, along with Torrodney Prevot, has provided hints of blossoming from athletic pass-rusher to well-rounded outside linebacker. On Tuesday in position drills, French ran step for step down the sideline with a running back, forcing the quarterback to look elsewhere.
“You’re gonna make yourself a lot of money if you keep doing that stuff right there,” a member of the staff told French as he jogged back to the sideline.
First, though, French has one more chance to be an impact player for the Oregon defense this fall.
Other highlights: After his timing with receivers seemed a little off in drills, Vernon Adams closed practice with some strong work in team periods. The first came with the chance to drive the offense 80 yards down the field. Working with both Kani Benoit and Tony Brooks-James, Adams and the offense twice converted on third down, before Brooks-James scored on a fourth-down play. Then, in “clutch” with the offense needing a field goal to win, Adams managed the clock and led a possession that ended with a catch-and-run by Dwayne Stanford. (There was some confusion as to whether Stanford crossed the goal line or was stopped short as time expired; looked like a TD to me, FWIW). …
Taylor Alie also directed an 80-yard touchdown drive during that team period, capped by a TD pass to Jake McCreath. … Possessions directed by Jeff Lockie in both periods were spoiled by negative plays – a couple sacks, by Tui Talia and Eddie Heard, and runs for lost yardage. … Alie was also sharp in 7-on-7, spreading the ball around to Byron Marshall, Johnny Mundt, Brooks-James and Bralon Addison. … Adams and Marshall had a nice connection in position drills, for a couple long completions behind the secondary. That’s when Adams seemed to find his rhythm. … Tyson Coleman leaped at the line and came down with an interception in 7-on-7, and Arrion Springs had notable pass breakups in both position drills and 7-on-7.
Other observations: Zach Schuller continues to stand out this week for his physical blocking and sure hands. Just one more weapon in an already crowded wide receiver group. … The inside linebackers did pass-rush work against both the offensive line and running backs during drills. … The quarterbacks again stayed late to work on accuracy, in this case throwing at large plastic barrels, and again Charles Nelson joined them to make a few throws.
