Learning from Spring Games Past

Madmike 1951 brings us eight minutes of highlights from last year's Spring Game, which included:


Terrance Mitchell snatching a pass Darron Thomas threw into double coverage, Mitchell taking it back for the first touchdown of the game. Thomas didn't throw a pick six all season, and rarely threw into double coverage. Mitchell has a bright future, but he redshirted in 2010.

Thomas taking a flea-flicker from LaMichael James, tosses a 64-yard scoring bomb to D.J. Davis. The Ducks never ran that play once during the regular season, and Thomas-to-Davis' longest completion of the season would be 38 yards.




As always, the defense is hamstrung during the Spring Game. It's an offensive show, with no blitzes or twists, and no hitting the quarterback.

What the game does do is give the young players the opportunity to run around in a game-like environment and show a little of what they can do. It motivates the team for off season workouts, and gets the fans a little more familiar with the new faces.Astute fans will be looking beyond the box score and the big offensive plays to see how the lines are meshing.

The biggest concern going into the game is the lack of rhythm and consistency in the Oregon passing game. It would be good to see Thomas and Bennett make some connections with Tuinei, Hoffman, Dungy, Williams, Paulson and Lyerla. Huff should not be a go unless he's absolutely 100%.

On the defense, the retooled defensive line has been the star of camp, and you'd like to see Hart, Jordan, Heimuli and company make some plays. Wade Keliikipi and Jared Ebert have shown progress, (although Ebert has been held out the last few days for precautionary reasons after a minor head trauma. The Oregon coaching staff wisely defers to the trainers and doctors in medical issues, particularly head and knee injuries. The caution has paid dividends in the overall health of the squad. It's a long-term, forward-looking view that makes sense.)

Fans also want to see the depth in the linebacker rotation, that Stuckey, Alonso, Clay, Kaddu and Lokombo are ready to replace three-year tackle machines Paysinger and Matthews. These guys have to show themselves as mobile, aware, and wrap 'em up tacklers.

Which of Oregon's young cornerbacks shows up in a game situation? Troy Hill has made some noise in practice, with an eagerness to hit. Mitchell has a world of talent. Live before a crowd the first time, will they remember their assignments, read their keys, and make plays?

Spring games give us a feel for the coming season, but they don't predict it. If you'd watched last year's Spring Game you'd have made some wild conclusions about the future stars and stats of the Oregon offense. It's always a little that way.

Here's another video, Madmike 1951's highlights from the 2009 Spring Game.  One of the stars of that one was Aaron Pflugrad.  Remember him?  A few weeks later he'd be working out in a different-colored jersey.