Highlights from the Practice Reports, with links

Ken Goe has a report from first spring practice. Lache Seastrunk shows acceleration and focus. Good signs.  Here's Adam Jude's from the Register-Guard, including these highlights:

On the offensive line, Nick Cody, Karrington Armstrong, Ramsen Golpashin worked mostly with the first unit.



Brandon Hanna, Taylor Hart and Ricky Heimuli joined returning starter Terrell Turner on the first wave of the defensive line.


At linebacker, Michael Clay and Dewitt Stuckey worked with the ones in the middle, with Kiko Alonso working mostly with the twos in his return from a season-long suspension (and a knee injury).

Both writers agree Seastrunk looked explosive.  Of course, shorts and helmets isn't football.  It's P.E. class.

Chris Courtney of educk.com also has a good update.

Courtney has this quote from Kelly:

"The biggest thing for us is the tape," Kelly said of his and his staff's evaluation. "We want our kids to practice at a certain tempo and a certain manner. The great things about the spring is that we never practice two days in a row, so we have a lot of time as a staff to go in and really dissect and watch everything."


Darron Thomas is now wearing number five and Josh Huff, number one.  That seems appropriate because five plus one equals six.

Anthony Gildon, Taylor Hart and Ricky Heimuli are working out with the ones.

Courtney called Thomas "the obvious and undeniable leader of this offensive group" but noted that Bryan Bennett looked sharper in drills today.
Hated to hear that Colt Lyerla was lining up at tight end.  As FishDuck pointed out, the Ducks are doing more with the tight ends and h-backs now, but it seems Lyerla's athleticism could be put to better use at wide receiver, linebacker or defensive end.  Of course the staff gets paid good money to make these decisions.  Seems like there's a chance he could get lost for a while behind Paulson, Williams and White.

Ken Goe had a great quote from Steve Greatwood:

“I’m excited,” Greatwood said. “I’ve got some talented young guys. Now it’s just a matter of sanding down the rough edges. Athletically, I think we’re as good as we’ve been in a while.”


Goe also spoke with line coach Jerry Azzinaro, who had strong praise for Brandon Hanna, the likely replacement for Kenny Rowe at drop end.  “He just runs to the ball,” Azzinaro said. “It’s purely effort for him. If you can start with effort, other things will come.”



By all accounts they looked focused and had a good tempo, undistracted by the off-season stuff.  It was a good start.