Spring Game: Positions To Watch

Going into spring practice Oregon coaches were hoping to shore up the questions around the quarterbacks, wide receivers, defensive tackles, and Free Safety along with finding depth at other areas.

So if Oregon fans are going to the spring game or will be watching it on Comcast Sports Net at 2 pm Saturday afternoon, here are the position battles and players to keep an eye on:

Quarter Backs-

Sophomore Nate Costa appears to be the leading candidate for the role of replacing departed Dennis Dixon. However, with Costa still taking precautions about his ACL Duck fans wont see Costa play. All spring long Bellotti has said that Sophomore Justin Roper has had an up and down spring and needs to perform better. Junior Cade Cooper has shown flashes of greatness but needs to put everything together. Freshmen Chris Harper and Darron Thomas have practiced at times much older than they are and at other times have played like high school seniors. Harper looks to be a tad ahead of Thomas as of right now but both players have improved drastically since arriving in Eugene early.

Watch: Roper, Harper, and Thomas. Will one of them land the second spot behind Costa? Or even pass Costa?

Sleeper: Harper, he has quietly been improving each week and his running ability is a killer on defenses.


Running Backs-

Senior Jeremiah Johnson is the clear number one in the offense but after that everything is up for grabs. Juniors Andre Crenshaw and LeGarrette Blount continue to rotate as the second back on the depth chart with each bringing something different to the table. Crenshaw has the experience of two years knowing the offense and runs like Johnson, shifty and fast. Blount is the bruiser of the bunch and quickly caught the eye of fans and coaches at practice with his hard running style. Blount however has had some adjusting to do when matched up with the number one defense. How well he will do in the spring game against the ones full time will shed a light on what Blount will provide next season. Sophomore Remene Alston has been silently getting his work in and improving each and every week with little attention going his way. Alston has improved his body strength and weight and appears to be much like Johnson's running style, slashy, quick, and agile, yet Alston also is a human bowling ball where he adds a surprise thunder to his lightning.

Watch: Will Blount beat out Crenshaw?

Sleeper: Alston, can he steal the show and climb the depth chart heading into summer?


Wide Recievers-

This time last spring Oregon coaches were beaming with smiles about the depth and talent. This spring, its worries about depth and production. Senior Jaison Williams returns as "Mr. 50/50" to Duck fans as most likely one of the greatest players to play wide receiver ever for Oregon. Outside of Williams question marks loom. Sophomore Jamere Holland has been a pleasant surprise with his speed and build. Holland has been working with the first team for the past two weeks and looks to have a tight hold on a starting spot. The slot position is Sophomore Jeff Maehl's to lose and there isn't any reason why he should lose it. Maehl has had a relative quiet spring not making any big fancy plays in practice but instead getting his job done and gradually improving each week. Sophomores Drew Davis and Aaron Plfugrad will most likely be the first ones used when Oregon goes more than three wide as both have improved drastically from last season as Experience is the only thing holding them back. Pflugrad has been hit with the drop bug the past few practices but before that dropped nothing. Overall the group has been solid but nowhere near special or where they were last year. Lots of new blood and these four weeks have been crucial to develop chemistry between the group. With three incoming freshmen summer workouts will be equally as important for this group.

Watch: Davis vs Holland for starting spot, Williams ability to shed the drops, and Will another player raise his game?

Sleeper: RSFR Elvis Akpla. Akpla passes the eyeball test and has the speed to do dangerous things. This walk on might be someone down the road to earn a scholarship.


Defensive Tackle-

The same question from last year hovers over this group. Are there players to step up and stop the run and fill holes for the linebackers to crash? Or will they get pushed around and fail to stop the run? Last season Oregon got great production from Seniors Jeremy Gibbs and David Faaeteete. With both gone Oregon will look to fellow Seniors Cole Linehan and Sonny Harris. Linehan started as a sophomore but was limited last year with injuries as a junior. Harris has the body to be great but has failed to live up to the billing. Both have locked down the two starting spots all spring and have been a solid foundation for the defense. Sophomore Tonio Celotto played great as a true freshman last season until injuries and lack of production hit at the end of the season. Junior Simi Toenia oozes of potential yet can't give a consistent production at the tackle spot on a regular basis. Toenia has improved the last few "hitting" practices and might be improving. Walk-On Mike Bellagamba starred in the second scrimmage and has had a very impressive spring that might warrant a move in the depth chart if players above don't perform.

Watch: Will Harris keep Celotto from starting?

Sleeper: Toenia, has come on strong recently and coaches are really pushing him for a breakout period. Spring game is perfect timing.


Free Safety-

Going into the spring it wasn't clear who would replace departed Senior Matthew Harper. The coaches had a few ideas on whom, but what one was unclear. The first choice was Junior TJ Ward, and Ward hasn't let the starting spot go since day one. The move from corner to free was simple for Ward and the big hitting gunner on special teams is now the big hitting free safety roving the middle. Sophomore Marvin Johnson, like Ward, was a gunner that made big hits on special teams last year and was expected to challenge Ward for the starting spot. In most years Johnson would be the starter after spring the way he has performed, however that’s a testament to how well Ward is playing. Either player will star at this position if they should start. This is the lone question mark that was answered fully going into the spring game. Freshman Todd Doxey also gave a good run for his money earlier on and gained impressive praise from Bellotti for it.

Watch: Will Johnson uproot Ward?

Sleeper: Doxey and Freshman William Wallace. Doxey has had a great spring and Wallace has improved over the period to be included as a guy that could make plays if given a chance.