Football Practice Report: Aug. 10

Photo by: Andy McNamara/GoDucks.com

08/10/17 | Football, @GoDucksMoseley

Willie Taggart intends to make Oregon a more physical football team in 2017, and practices like Thursday's are setting the tone.

By: Rob Moseley

Venue: Outdoor practice fields
Format: Full pads

The Ducks were back on the field Thursday for what was a very physical practice, during what's been a very physical preseason camp. The workout began with an Oklahoma-style drill and ended with extended work in team situations that at times didn't look much different from a full-contact scrimmage.

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Since he arrived, first-year coach Willie Taggart has been intent on changing Oregon's reputation as a finesse team. That desire is felt in practices.

"We hit almost every play," Taggart said, when asked his philosophy on how much contact is necessary in practices. "We don't tackle every play, but we hit. Guys feel it."

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As has been the case all month, the defense was the early aggressor Thursday. In the Oklahoma drill, Ugochukwu Amadi, Fotu T. Leiato II and Jihree Stewart all had reps on which they exploded past blockers and brought down ballcarriers near the line of scrimmage. Jalen Jelks beat his man to stop another run before it got started, while Cyrus Habibi-Likio (above) won a rep for the offense by slipping through the arms of a defensive lineman and then a linebacker, then shedding a defensive back.

The linemen faced off in a 7-on-7 style drill that emphasized the run game. Royce Freeman began the drill with two runs to the second level, and Darrian Felix put his foot in the ground and cut upfield for a long gain later in the period. But mostly the defense, able to load up against the run, had the edge, with Austin Faoliu bringing down Freeman on one rep, and Jimmie Swain forcing a fumble that Sean Killpatrick recovered.

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Coaches worked hard to communicate the amount of contact they wanted to see without crossing a line. In an early perimeter drill, freshman safety Nick Pickett essentially played a rep as if it were two-hand touch. Coaches reminded him the drill was at "thud" tempo, and on his next rep Pickett firmly wrapped up the receiver, without tackling him to the ground.

Taggart also blew the Oklahoma drill dead in the middle of a rep when a player's helmet popped off. Any time that happens, Taggart told the team, plays needs to come to a halt. He wants the Ducks to be physical, but player safety remains paramount.

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Other highlights: The defense carried over its momentum from the run-game drill into the first 11-on-11 period. Sampson Niu jumped over an offensive player who attempted a cut block and cleaned out a running back on the edge, then on the next rep made a tackle at the line of scrimmage. Kaulana Apelu and A.J. Hotchkins teamed up to bring down Freeman on consecutive reps, and Apelu assisted on a tackle of Kani Benoit with Drayton Carlberg later in the drill. … The next 11-on-11 period allowed the offense to vary its playcalling a little more, and the momentum shifted. Justin Herbert hit Dillon Mitchell for a long completion to open the drill, energizing the offensive sideline. Tony Brooks-James, who took exception to trash talk by the defense earlier in practice, answered with his legs, busting a long TD run to the outside. Sam Poutasi helped clear room for a long run by Felix, and Braxton Burmeister threw maybe his best ball of camp so far, a sideline route on which Brenden Schooler made a finger-tips grab. …

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After the mid-practice "Gatorade break" in the shade, the team moved into the red zone for 7-on-7 and the last team period. In 7-on, Daewood Davis juked a cornerback and crossed the goal line. But the defense had the edge, with Deommodore Lenoir breaking up a couple passes and Brady Breeze nearly intercepting an underthrown ball that hit him in the back and hung in the air momentarily. … The team red-zone drill was very even. Benoit (above) scored two touchdowns and Felix had another, thanks in part to a Jake Pisarcik block. But the defense also forced two three-and-outs, including one drive that netted negative yards thanks to tackles by Faoliu, Hotchkins and Ty Griffin.

Other observations: Griffin spent quite a bit of time with the first defense Thursday. The Ducks have to feel good about their depth at corner if he's challenging Amadi, Arrion Springs and Thomas Graham Jr. for a spot. … Habibi-Likio is just a tough guy to tackle. The other freshmen are smaller, quicker backs, and he presents a totally different look. … After wearing a red non-contact jersey at QB the last couple practices, Demetri Burch wore white and did receiver drills Thursday. "He's one of those guys that you could put at any position and he'll make plays," Taggart said. …

Schooler, Felix, Darrian McNeal, Taj Griffin, Casey Eugenio, Charles Nelson and Jaylon Redd were all back to field punts during special teams periods. … Taggart offered happy birthday wishes in the post-practice huddle to long-time football head athletic trainer Kevin Steil, and the players roundly joined in. Steil, known universally as "Chief" around the program, was then called upon to offer the daily "wise words" message.

Interviews:

Head coach Willie Taggart

Sophomore receiver Brenden Schooler

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