‘It’s on’: Oregon Ducks open spring football practice with specific improvements in mind for 2020 - OregonLive

EUGENE — With exactly six months to kickoff of the 2020 football season, Oregon opened spring practice and effectively its new year on the field.

Though the weather was pleasant enough outside, the Ducks held their first of 15 spring practices inside the Moshofsky Center to dial up the heat and create a game-like climate on Day 1.

“It’s on,” Oregon coach Mario Cristobal said. "The 2020 Ducks. First impression: The physicality of our football team, which is always going to be a point of emphasis, showed. Their conditioning showed up. We look faster.

“Certainly on defense we look like a veteran defense in the way that we run around, the way we get our communication established. Offensively, these guys have really taken to a new system very quickly and saw a lot of really good things Day 1.”

RELATED: Oregon Ducks spring football practice observations: Defensive lineman moves to linebacker, offensive lineman seeking another year and the No. 1 center is ...

The reigning Pac-12 and Rose Bowl champions are undergoing significant changes this offseason, particularly on offense. New offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead’s scheme was on display with some forthcoming changes already evident, particularly in the run-pass option game.

Day 1 of the quarterback competition began, though hardly in earnest since players won’t be in pads until next week, and Tyler Shough worked extensively with the starters while walk-on Bradley Yaffe got second-team work, since redshirt-freshman Cale Millen didn’t get much time last season due to injury, and true freshman Jay Butterfield got in the mix as well.

“I see guys that have been working and it’s their time,” Cristobal said. “I know that Coach Moorhead seemed really pleased with the guys Day 1. They can sling it. They’re smart. They have a good command. Even though we’re new in this system, they have a great presence about them, the way that they handle themselves and carry themselves amongst their teammates and at the line of scrimmage. Expect these guys to get better exponentially as spring goes on.”

The most widespread changes in terms of personnel are coming on the offensive line and the biggest question for that group was who would be at center. That honor went to Alex Forsyth on Thursday, with Sam Poutasi at left guard, Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu at right guard and Steven Jones at right tackle as the new starters.

“There’s some guys that waited their turn and there’s some young talented guys that, now they’re going to be put in a situation where they’re going to have an opportunity,” Cristobal said. “We’re going to let those guys play hard against a veteran defense and see how it shakes out.”

Ryan Walk, who was the second-team center in practice all of last season, was among a group of players absent due to illness. True freshman early enrollee Jonathan Denis played center for the second team as Dawson Jaramillo was among the limited group as he has been recovering from the same illness.

“We got everybody snapping," Cristobal said. "Because although other guys have played inside, not a ton of guys have gotten reps at center.”

Oregon returns nine starters on defense and there were some personnel changes and experiments being explored on that side of the ball.

Andrew Faoliu dropped 10 pounds and moved from defensive tackle to outside linebacker, where the Ducks are thin in terms of experience.

RELATED: Oregon Ducks update 2020 roster with notable weight gains, losses

Field cornerback Thomas Graham Jr. took reps at nickel, though that is not indicative of a position change, Cristobal said, but rather a contingency and long-term planning for four- and five-wide sets Oregon will face during the season.

Oregon’s program culture will always be a part of the developmental periods of the year under Cristobal, who stressed that winning the Rose Bowl was a great accomplishment, but the work necessary to reach that point starts in the winter and spring.

“Everything we do now will have a direct reflection on how we show up against North Dakota State on opening day and the rest of the season,” he said.

The Ducks have a lot to address and many questions to answer over the next six weeks, but they’re looking to elevate the standard the 2019 team, led by Justin Herbert, Troy Dye and a veteran offensive line, set in winning the Pac-12 and Rose Bowl.

“The way we cover on special teams has got to get better,” Cristobal said. "The way we throw and catch, particularly third down, has got to improve. We want to improve our protection, not just the O-line but the tight ends, the running backs, as we learn a new system and establish our identity. The defense having so many veterans, them, it’s now chasing a new standard that they have set. It was impressive to watch. I feel good talking about it that way because I think they can handle it.

“I think you’re going to be really pleased when you come out and watch these guys play. We all feel that we’re just getting started and our best football is in the coming years ahead of us and it starts with the 2020 season.”

Let's block ads! (Why?)

"football" - Google News
March 06, 2020 at 06:49AM
https://ift.tt/32V07Tv

‘It’s on’: Oregon Ducks open spring football practice with specific improvements in mind for 2020 - OregonLive
"football" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2ST7s35
Shoes Man Tutorial
Pos News Update
Meme Update
Korean Entertainment News
Japan News Update

Bagikan Berita Ini