The Ducks are still in shorts and helmets, with shells tomorrow. It’s impossible to make any conclusions about play on the offensive and defensive lines, other than rotations and conditioning, and any observations about skill position players have to be tempered. Lache Seastrunk was blowing it up in Spring the first two days, but when the pads came on, he started dancing. Young players do that. The get juke-itis and want to bounce everything outside. Fortunately he has a patient and thorough coach with a tremendous teaching style in Gary Campbell. Lache will be just fine. He’ll start the foghorns a few times this fall, probably no later than SW Missouri State. And fans will be happy for him.
But there are few trends and patterns emerging from the practice reports, several of which should prove reliable:
Terrance Mitchell looks looks very solid at defensive back
He wins battles, and competes every snap. Mitchell has a knack for coming up with the football. Chris Courtney reports he’s had a pick almost every day during seven-on-seven or team periods. It’s the kind of stuff we kept hearing about Cliff Harris when he was working his way up the depth chart. At 6-0, 189, he’s big enough to play physical and make tackles, and he drives through the ball carrier. He likes to initiate contact, and the Ducks will need that against LSU, who wants to win games with defense and hard-running tailback Spencer Ware. Mitchell plays in a very confident and aggressive style, and that’s perfect for cornerback in the Oregon system. Nick Aliotti depends on his corners to match up and be tough out on the island sometimes, while the rest of the defense goes crazy with blitzes and stunts.
Significantly, Mitchell is working against a very fast group of receivers, and he’s being tested every day. It’s very good to hear how he’s asserted himself for one of the cornerback spots with Cliff Harris out for at least the LSU game. Troy Hill is also getting some time with the first team defense, and standing his ground. Hill’s small at 5-11, 165, Cliff Harris-sized, but he’s a hitter. Some of the loudest pad-popping collisions of last spring involved Hill sticking his nose in there against the first team offense last spring. He’s the kind of player who gets the coaches’ attention with his effort and results. These two will push each other, and expect Dior Mathis to be heard from also as Fall Camp wears on.
Josh Huff is stepping up to a leading receiver role
On Media Day Darron Thomas said he’d be looking for Josh, and the quarterbacks are finding him in the first days of camp. Thomas and Huff had a long completion today down the sideline and over the defense. Not many defenders are going to catch Huff, an open-field wonder with power and speed. Huff has a quiet confidence. He’s 5-11 207, a high school tailback, receiver and quarterback who runs a 4.65 electronically timed 40. Huff’s dangerous in the slot, where Chip Kelly can get him the ball in a variety of ways. As a true freshmen he was second on the team with 1,086 all-purpose yards, and that total could rocket upward this season. Huff could be one of the breakout players in the PAC-12 this season, and he’s done all the work necessary to get there.
Four of the newcomers look like a cinch to contribute in the offense
De’Anthony Thomas is fluid and dangerous, with acceleration and moves like few backs you’ve ever seen. He’s the player who has had the most “ooh” and “aah” moments thus far in fall camp, and he’s made a strong impression on his teammates with a rapid adjustment to the next level of football. Colt Lyerla has already made several big-time catches, ranging high and snagging balls out of the air. Being here for spring ball has sped his progress, and the Ducks need him with Brandon Williams retiring and Curtis White in a red jersey again today. Among the new receivers, Devon Blackmon and Rahsaan Vaughn have made the strongest impression. Vaughn can really catch the football and he has the jets to be a genuine home run threat.
Darron Thomas is sharp, in charge, and ready for a memorable second season
At Media Day they asked him about the National Championship Game and he said, “It was my first loss as a starter.” You got the feeling he was thinking, and I want it to be my last. Thomas’ greatest asset as a quarterback is his toughness and competitive fire. Ken Goe had these comments from offensive lineman Carson York in a story on Monday:
“Dude would stand in the pocket until the last second to get the ball where it needed to go,” York said. “He would take insane shots and get up.
“There was one play against Stanford where the Stanford guy hits him, and is on top of him. Darron rolls him over, like flips him over, and pins him on the ground. The ref had to pull Darron off the defensive guy.”
Moments like that resonate. York watched it on video again recently.
“As O-Line guys, we’re in there, grinding it all day, when we have a quarterback like that, it endears him to us,” York said. “It’s easy to follow a guy like that.”
Thomas has been crisp throwing the football over the first three days, hitting a variety of targets at all depths. His confidence and recognition have improved. He’s worked on his delivery and mechanics and gained weight, now listed at 215. It’s his team now, and more and more the coaches will put the game in his hands, relying on him to find the simplest and most effective options in Oregon’s mult-read offense. Though he’s the third-quickest of Oregon’s three quarterbacks, he’s the among the most effective quarterbacks in the country because of his toughness and decision-making. DT is poised for a marvelous year.
LaMichael James is right on schedule
Late to practice the first three days due to summer school academic obligations, James busted off a long run on his first carry from scrimmage today. Fit and even stronger at 195 this season, James told the media he came back for his teammates and running backs coach Campbell. With Thomas and his new receivers stretching the field vertically, James will have some wide-open lanes to run in this season, provided the offensive line jells on schedule. Good chance of that, because many feel Steve Greatwood is the best assistant coach in the conference.
Chip Kelly has no fear of adversity
Talking with the press after Tuesday’s practice he made the point that in 2009 the Ducks lost Willie Glasper and Walter Thurmond III at cornerback to ACL injuries. That team won the conference by two games and went to the Rose Bowl. These guys are trained to accept challenges. The next guy steps in.
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