Oregon Football Spring Practice Begins For Second Year Coach Mark Helfrich

Oregon Head Coach Mark Helfrich on Day 1 of Spring Practice//KPNWSports

On a cool an sunny day in Eugene the Oregon Football team started Spring Practice on April 1st.The work was hard on day one as several players could be seen walking lightly from practice, one was on crutches. However in the second year under Head Coach Mark Helfrich the basic rules remain the same.

"We Want to Compete, We Want to Get Better, and We Want to Play Better As a TeamOregon Head Coach Mark Helfrich on Day 1 of Spring Practice"

There are, of course, plenty of questions entering this season. One being a question at Wide Receiver and who will replace Josh Huff. The Ducks have options, including returning Wideout Bralon Addison, along with  B.J. Kelly, Chance Allen, Keanon Lowe and Freshman Jalen Brown and Darren Carrington. The Offensive Line is in decent shape with Hroniss Grasu and Cameron Hunt returning and of course Quarterback Marcus Mariota is back for his Senior season with the team.

Oregon Quarterback Marcus Mariota Following Day 1 of Spring Practice//KPNWSports

The bigger area of focus is the Defense with new Defensive Coordinator Don Pellum, replacing Nick Aliotti who retired at the end of last season. We already know much will stay the same in practice, but who will stand up in key spots. Cornerback Ifo Ekpre Omolu returns along with Cornerback Dior Mathis and Linebacker Derrick Malone Jr. Tyree and Tyrell Robinson could find themselves on the field more in 2014.

The coming weeks of work will go a long way in establishing the key players for the 2014 season. Unlike the last few seasons Oregon will not have the luxury of having a cupcake game or two before starting the ‘real’ season. The Ducks must be ready out of the gate with South Dakota on August 30th. The following week is a Big 10 Showdown with Michigan State.

The preparation started today. We will find out over the next month what this team will look like heading into the 2014 season. Oregon Football will have their Spring Game on May 3rd(11am, Pac-12 Networks)

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