Football Practice Report: Aug. 5
08/05/17 | Football, @GoDucksMoseley
The Ducks capped the first week of camp by putting on full pads for the first time, and the defense capped an impressive week with an impressive day.
Venue: Outdoor practice fields
Format: Full pads
Early in the first 11-on-11 period in Saturday's Oregon football practice – the Ducks' first of this preseason in full pads – the offense had driven into the red zone and faced third down.
Justin Herbert dropped back to pass, but seeing no open receivers he tucked the ball and ran. A linebacker touched him up to give the defense a stop in the red zone, and the Duck defenders came charging off the field to their sideline, whooping it up.
It was that kind of day for Oregon's defense Saturday, capping a solid first week of camp for new coordinator Jim Leavitt's unit. With the team in pads, Willie Taggart scripted several scrimmage periods, and the defense generally got the better of things.
A couple plays after the third-down stop, the offense took a rep backed up to its own goal line, and Troy Dye tackled a running back at the line, barely missing out on a safety. Earlier in the period, Herbert capped another extended drive with what looked like a touchdown pass to Malik Lovette, but Khalil Oliver ripped the ball out for an apparent turnover – until one member of the officiating crew on hand for Saturday's practice ruled him out of bounds.
Later in the day, in the last extended 11-on-11 period, the outside linebackers really stood out. On one rep, Gus Cumberlander forced Tony Brooks-James to bounce a run play outside, where bookend Justin Hollins wrangled him out of bounds. Later, in the drill, Hollins snagged Herbert near the line to stop a run play, and on the next rep Jonah Moi recorded a sack.
It's still early, and it's still the point in camp when the defense generally has an edge, while the offense is working on its timing. But there was a lot to like for Leavitt and his defense from the first week of 2017 preseason camp, and conversely some things for the offense to work on when camp resumes with Week 2.
Other highlights: That's not to say the offense didn't have some highlights Saturday. Braxton Burmeister broke off a couple long runs in the early 11-on-11 periods, and Royce Freeman provided a touchdown behind a punishing block from Shane Lemieux. Demetri Burch scrambled for another touchdown, and Brooks-James broke off a run of about 70 yards for a touchdown. …
But the defense bounced back from those plays and really controlled the last team period. Oliver nearly had another interception, but couldn't corral it. Brenden Schooler got a step on Ty Griffin deep, but Mike Irwin's pass hung up just a hair, and Griffin broke up the play as the ball arrived. Just before practice ended, Freeman pounded away at the defense on a couple runs to get the ball back into the red zone. But Arrion Springs broke up a pass to Jacob Breeland on third down, and the offense settled for an Aidan Schneider field goal. …
Pass-rush drills were fun to watch with the guys in full pads. Cumberlander, Jalen Jelks and Bryson Young all used their quickness to win reps against offensive tackles, and Jordon Scott got very impressive push on a young center. Offensively, Alex Forsythe did a nice job holding his ground a couple times against veteran Drayton Carlberg, and Evan Voeller did the same when matched up with Hunter Kampmoyer.
Other observations: Burch, who has been playing quarterback since the start of camp, was in a red non-contact jersey for the first time today. He had been tabbed to possibly play receiver but has looked increasingly comfortable at QB throughout this week. The group was without Taylor Alie today as he was celebrating his wedding day. … Inconsistent snaps continue to be an issue for the No. 2 offense at times. For segments of Saturday's practice, redshirt freshman walk-on Charlie Landgraf appeared to provide some stability in that role. …
Among the freshmen who got reps with the No. 2 defense over the course of practice were Nick Pickett, Sampson Niu, Isaac Slade-Matautia and Billy Gibson. … Jaylon Redd took some reps in the slot with the first team, and looks like he's developing a rapport with Herbert. … Returning starters Brady Aiello and Calvin Throckmorton took time after practice to work with transfer George Moore, who really looks the part at 6-foot-6 and 328 pounds and is working hard to get up to speed on the playbook. During the split-squad days Monday and Tuesday, Moore came out both days to watch the veterans and digest whatever he could. … The Ducks will be off Sunday before resuming practice early next week.
