Football Practice Report: July 31
07/31/17 | Football, @GoDucksMoseley
The Ducks began their first preseason camp under Willie Taggart with a split-squad workout featuring freshmen to start with and then vets later in the morning.
Venue: Outdoor practice fields
Format: Helmets and shorts
The first preseason camp for the Oregon football team under first-year head coach Willie Taggart began Monday, on a brilliant summer morning in Eugene. Taggart said Sunday that Monday would be like "Christmas in July," and your reporter, for one, was guilty of waking up at 5 a.m. and being unable to get back to sleep.
The opening workout was a nearly five-hour extravaganza for the coaches and staff, owing to a format Taggart prefers when opening camp. The newcomers and some veteran scout-teamers comprised the bulk of the team for the opening two hours, and the "varsity" followed during a window from about 10:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in which fans were invited to watch.
Afterward, Taggart called the workout a "damn good day," and challenged the Ducks to follow it up with another Tuesday: "Now let's stack 'em."
The split-squad format allowed coaches to devote time to the incoming freshmen and other squad players, without having them overshadowed or intimidated by the presence of the vets. During that session, inside linebacker Isaac Slade-Matautia had two interceptions in 7-on-7, Deommodore Lenoir capped that period with another and running backs Darrian Felix, Cyrus Habibi-Likio and CJ Verdell all looked the part.
Taggart said the acumen demonstrated by the newcomers stood out. "You don't have to tell them twice," he said. "Those guys get it, and I was very impressed."
That said, play picked up when the veterans took the field. Justin Herbert zipped passes to Charles Nelson and Dillon Mitchell, the defensive backs made several plays on the ball in 7-on-7 and senior defensive lineman Henry Mondeaux capped the day by stopping run plays short of the goal line on consecutive snaps of 11-on-11.
A few more thoughts from Taggart after practice …
On getting his first look at the team following summer workouts: "Our guys are in shape, I can tell you that."
On the idea behind inviting fans to watch practice Monday and Tuesday: "I really feel, if we're going to be a successful football team, it's going to take all of us – fans included."
On wanting the team to "practice like pros," which includes limited contact: "It's important we go fast, be where we're supposed to be fundamentally, but then stay off the ground."
Highlights: Slade-Matautia picked off one pass each from morning session quarterbacks Mike Irwin, a walk-on from Lake Oswego, and Demetri Burch, a receiver who filled in at QB on some drills. Slade-Matautia was over the middle on the first, then jumped a route to the outside on the second. Lenoir read Burch's eyes on a checkdown and broke well on the ball for his pick to end the drill. …
Defensive backs also made several plays when the vets took over; it's not unusual for the defense to start fast in camp, while the offense is still honing its timing. Thomas Graham Jr. and Brady Breeze had athletic breakups during 1-on-1 drills, Ugochukwu Amadi ripped out a ball for a forced fumble in 3-on-2, and Amadi picked off a Herbert pass in 7-on-7. Also in 7-on-7, Brenden Schooler heard it from the sideline after having a potential interception slip through his hands, but made up for it on the next rep by intercepting a ball that was first deflected by a receiver.
Depth charts: The first offense was generally Herbert, Royce Freeman, Mitchell, Malik Lovette, Nelson, Tyrell Crosby, Shane Lemieux, Jake Hanson, Jake Pisarcik, Calvin Throckmorton and then either Jacob Breeland or Ryan Bay at tight end. Note that Crosby regained his spot at left tackle following a year of battling foot problems. … Defensively the first group was generally Mondeaux, Jordon Scott, Elijah George or Jalen Jelks, Jonah Moi, A.J. Hotchkins, Troy Dye, Arrion Springs, Amadi or Graham, Tyree Robinson, Khalil Oliver, and then either Fotu T. Leiato II or La'Mar Winston Jr. at the "Duck" position.
Other observations: Robinson played a lot of corner in the spring, after doing so quite a bit last season. But he's a safety now, presumably due in part to the emergence of Graham. … Taggart spent a few minutes during one period of drills working closely with the slot receivers: Nelson, Darrian McNeal and Casey Eugenio. … McNeal, by the way, is known throughout the team as "Pickles." I've yet to ascertain why. … QB Taylor Alie was out sick today. Receiver Alex Ofodile primarily did work on the side with a strength coach, and transfer Scott Pagano had a walking boot on his surgically repaired foot. …
During the morning session, the offensive line generally included transfer George Moore at left tackle, freshman Cody Shear at center and freshman Alex Forsythe at right guard. Ryan Walk, a freshman walk-on, rotated in at the interior spots, and Forsythe later got some reps at center. … Pou Peleti-Gore, who joined the Ducks last fall as a walk-on safety, practiced at outside linebacker in the early session. … Taj Griffin was with that group as well, and took some reps at slot receiver. …
The equipment staff and D line coach Joe Salave'a were wearing button-up, mechanic-style work shirts that Taggart issued to the entire team and staff for camp. He picked up the idea from mentor Jim Harbaugh, he said. … Among the spectators on the sideline was former UO linebacker Wesly Mallard, with his young son. Mallard still looks like he could suit up and get after it.
