Ducks Open Spring Football Drills Today

Seniors Patrick Chung, Nick Reed and Max Unger head the contingent of returnees after claiming first-team Pacific-10 all-conference accolades in 2007.

Defensive end Nick Reed will be among the leaders as the Ducks begin their quest towards the 2008 season Tuesday. Photo courtesy: goducks.com

EUGENE, Ore. - The University of Oregon kicks off its 14th spring under the direction of Mike Bellotti when it holds its first of 15 practices Tuesday.

Fifty-one returning lettermen and 25 players (including kickers) who started at lest one game last year will be among more than 100 players expected to be on hand as the Ducks look to build on last year's 9-4 record that ended with an impressive 56-21 victory over South Florida in the Brut Sun Bowl.

Spring workouts are scheduled for every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday throughout April, as well as alternating Fridays and Saturdays to end each of the four weeks of workouts. Spring drills will culminate with the annual Spring Game on Saturday, April 26, beginning at 2 p.m. in Autzen Stadium.

With so much of Oregon's success reliant on its quarterback and running back last year, potential replacements for the departed Dennis Dixon and Jonathan Stewart promises to draw much of the attention.

All six quarterback candidates vying for the opportunity to replace the Pacific-10 Conference's unanimous offensive player of the year will be in spring camp, as will four running backs who hope to inherit Stewart's role as the league's leading rusher.

MORE AREAS OF INTEREST:

Who steps up to bolster the Ducks’ defense up the middle at defensive tackle and linebacker? How does Oregon compensate for the relative inexperience at wide receiver that features Jaison Williams as one of few players with more than one Division I season under their belt? Which hopefuls along the offensive line are ready to join three returning starters and how does that impact what position first-team Pac-10 all-conference standout Max Unger plays? What effect will the absence of free safety Matthew Harper have on a secondary where the three remaining starters return intact for the second year ina row?

HONORS CANDIDATES:

Seniors Patrick Chung (ROV), Nick Reed (DE) and Max Unger (OL) head the contingent of returnees after claiming first-team Pacific-10 all-conference accolades in 2007, while Fenuki Tupou (OT) was a second-team all-league choice in 2007. Chung was a second-team All-America pick by Associated Press, while Unger gained a first-team All-America nod and Reed a second-team national honoree from SI.com. Tupou was named the game’s most outstanding lineman in Oregon’s Brut Sun Bowl win over South Florida. Returning honorable mention all-conference selections are Jerome Boyd (OLB), Jairus Byrd (CB), Josh Syria (P), Walter Thurmond (CB), Will Tukuafu (DE) and Jaison Williams (WR).

STACKING UP:

In 2007, Oregon’s offense led the league in rushing offense(6th nationally, 251.7 avg.), total offense (10th, 467.5) and scoring offense (12th, 38.2). Defensively, the Ducks were third in the Pac-10 in pass efficiency defense (29th nationally), as well as fifth in rushing defense (38th, 132.8 avg.) and fifth in scoring defense (40th, 23.6).

STAFF CONTINUITY:

For the first season in four years, Mike Bellotti’s entire coaching staff remains intact. That includes graduate assistant coaches Matt Dawson and Eddy Morrissey. Offensive line coach Steve Greatwood doubles as the Ducks’ associate head coach, offensive coordinator Chip Kelly also tutors the quarterbacks, Tom Osborne coaches the tight ends in addition to coordinating the special teams, and defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti returns for his 10th consecutive season and 19th overall at Oregon. Running backs coach Gary Campbell is the longest-tenure member of the staff, who will be entering his 26th season with the Ducks this fall. Four of Oregon’s 10 football coaches have actually returned to the staff after briefly coaching elsewhere, while three of them are graduates of the University of Oregon.

NATIONAL LEADERS:

Junior cornerback Jairus Byrd returns after tying for ninth in the country (1st in the Pac-10) in interceptions with .54 per game (7 total). Senior defensive end Nick Reed finished 2007 fifth in the country (1st in the Pac-10) in tackles for loss (1.73 avg.) and and tied for ninth in quarterback sacks (t1st in Pac-10). Senior punter Josh Syria was ranked 35th nationally in punts (3rd in Pac-10, 41.72 avg.), while rover Patrick Chung was tied for 52nd in the country (3rd in the league) in tackles (9.0 avg.).

SPRING ADDITIONS:

Three scholarship players have joined the Ducks in time for the start of the spring academic term and will be benefit from taking part in spring drills. They will join three others who began school in January and will taking part in practices for the first time Tuesday. The recent additions are running back LeGarrette Blount (Perry, FL), defensive lineman Blake Ferras (San Jose, CA) and quarterback Chris Harper (Wichita, KS). Those players who have been in school since winter term include defensive back John Boyett (Napa, CA), quarterback Darron Thomas (Houston, TX) and offensive lineman Carson York (Coeur d’Alene, ID).

Source: goducks.com

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