Football Practice Report: Sept. 13
09/13/17 | Football, @GoDucksMoseley
The Ducks were in full pads for the final time this week Wednesday, when it looked like the depth at the skill positions could soon get a boost.
Venue: Outdoor practice fields
Format: Full pads
The play was vintage Taj Griffin, the UO junior whose dynamic change-of-direction ability rivals just about anyone in recent program history this side of De'Anthony Thomas.
In 1-on-1 passing drills during the Ducks' practice Wednesday, Griffin caught a short pass and hit top speed within a couple strides. Then, out of nowhere, he put his foot in the ground and changed direction so explosively that the safety in coverage had no chance. Griffin was all alone and off to the races for a "touchdown."
Whether he was catching passes or returning kicks Wednesday, Griffin looked like a guy who was tired of watching his teammates play football, and ready to join them. The converted running back, who suffered a major knee injury late last season, has been in pads but hasn't left the sidelines through two games this season, which he hopes will change Saturday at Wyoming (4 p.m. PT, CBS Sports Network).
"During fall camp I couldn't do everything I wanted to; I was pretty limited," Griffin said. "As soon as I got the OK and felt good, I've been giving it my all in practice. The hard work should show up later in the week. I'll just be ready to be the next guy up."
Griffin was Oregon's second-leading rusher as a freshman in 2015, with 570 yards. That was despite entering school needing to rehabilitate a high school injury, unfortunate but perhaps valuable experience for bouncing back from last year's misfortune.
With Royce Freeman, Kani Benoit and Tony Brooks-James all back at running back this season, Griffin shifted to slot receiver for training camp. The combination of coming back from injury and learning a new position hampered his development over the past six weeks.
"It slowed me down a little bit, just because it was new – new coaches, new offense, new everything," Griffin said. "But like anything else, putting in the time, in the film room and on the field, it doesn't take too long for me to catch on to things. As I keep doing reps, the more comfortable I'm getting with it."
That was clear Wednesday, as Griffin looked like a player ready to make his presence felt in games soon. And perhaps even as soon as Saturday.
"I'm looking forward to seeing what happens later on this week," he said.
Other highlights: The secondary shined during the practice-opening "Insanity" tempo drill. With the twos on the field, Deommodore Lenoir sniffed out a screen and tackled Darrian McNeal as the ball arrived. On the next play, Benoit ripped off a long gain, but Lenoir tracked him down and kept it from being a touchdown. That paid off a couple reps later when Taylor Alie took a shot at the end zone, and Ty Griffin picked it off. … Wednesday had none of the scout-team highlights that jumped out Tuesday. Freeman looked dominant for the offense against scouts, and Thomas Graham Jr. must have broken up at least a half-dozen passes across various team periods. …
In pass-rush drills, Cody Shear had his fellow offensive linemen crowing when the true freshman more than held his own against starting outside linebacker Justin Hollins, putting the defender on the turf. George Moore and Brady Aiello also had pancakes during the period. … Graham wasn't the only starter in the secondary to make life rough on the scouts. During the last team period, Arrion Springs and Tyree Robinson had interceptions. … Bryson Young knocked down a Justin Herbert screen pass near the line in 7-on-7, and just moments later in 11-on-11 jumped a route and intercepted a Herbert pass for a pick-six.
Other observations: The Ducks originally planned to practice in the late afternoon for the second day in a row, but moved it up to just after lunch so that the equipment truck to Wyoming could hit the road on time. … Credit to linebacker Blake Rugraff for filling in as a scout-team fullback; that's obviously not a position played by anyone on the current UO roster. Jimmie Swain and La'Mar Winston Jr. also took some reps on the scout team at tight end, where the Ducks aren't real deep right now. .. Like Griffin, Alex Ofodile had some highlights today that made it took like he could provide depth if needed. Ditto Malik Young and Gary Baker on the defensive line; those are two positions where guys could get gassed in the thin Wyoming air, so more depth at each would be welcome.
Pre-practice interviews:
Defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt
Senior cornerback Arrion Springs
Sophomore linebacker Troy Dye
