First Practice Report

[dthomas=ddixon]

http://oregon.scout.com/2/852333.html

First year Oregon Head Coach Chip Kelly made no bones about getting in some of his player's faces Tuesday, as the first of fifteen spring practices officially began for the Duck football team. Veterans and newcomers alike, got the opportunity to not only shake off the rust from a long offseason, but also experience practice with Coach Kelly calling the shots.

Precision, hustle, and fervor was the hallmark of Oregon's first spring practice early Tuesday morning, as the Ducks took the field at the Moshofsky Center under the watchful eye of new Oregon Head Coach, Chip Kelly. "Coach's intensity keep us up so practice went fast today," said senior free safety, T.J. Ward. "Chip's all over the place during practice. Usually you see Coach [Mike] Bellotti here and there, but Chip's on both sides of the ball, encouraging both sides, keeping everybody fired up, keeping the pace of practice and momentum up." The infusion of earnestness and attention to detail was apparent early on in practice and continued throughout, as Kelly made a point of telling the team to "stay off the jersey" during 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills. Those who didn't heed Kelly's warning, were sent off the field. Senior defensive end, Mike DiVincenzo and sophomore wide receiver, Mike Mackie, drew the ire of Kelly and hence, were victim to the temporary punishment.

"We all want to practice the right way," said Kelly, "and I want our guys to know that we shouldn't have to punish you to put you in pads. You need to learn how to practice in shorts...we've lost some players in the last two years in practice and I blame us (the coaches) more than I blame our players...there's a fine line of getting your work in, practicing at the right tempo and doing all those other things, and there's a fine line where, I know you can make the play. He's on your team, you don't have to light him up and prove to me how tough you are."

Aside from the different energy that was palpable during Kelly's first practice as head coach, there were some things that remained constant. For one, former Oregon Head Coach was on-hand -- and will continue to be on-hand throughout the spring -- serving as the acting quarterbacks coach until Kelly finds a desirable replacement. As strange as it was to see Bellotti in a more hands-on role, the former coach appeared seamless in his transition to this impermanent new position.

"The opportunity to still be out here with the team is sort of fun," said Bellotti, "in a role that is not as stressful, not as taxing and it's something I'm pretty comfortable about [as far as] quarterback technique, working with these young men and it's sort of fun and exciting. They're all veterans. They know as much as I do, in that regard."

[whosyourwally]

costa.....

this will be an interesting off season. i really really hope the guy can stay healthy. even if he never starts a game at qb he will leave his mark on this program one way or another. gotta love his determination.