Jan 3, 2013; Glendale, AZ, USA; General view of Oregon Ducks helmets during the 2013 Fiesta Bowl against the Kansas State Wildcats in the 2013 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

First off, in case you missed it, Wednesday there was some news regarding the Recruiting violations committed by Oregon. A Sports Illustrated report said the Ducks met last week with the NCAA Infractions Committee with former coach Chip Kelly in attendance. Word of any potential sacntions will come within the next 60 to 90 days.

Oregon’s athletic department released a statement after the SI report.

“Regardless of when or where the hearing occurs, review is ongoing until the NCAA Committee in Infractions issues its final report,” it said. “The integrity of the process and our continued full cooperation with the NCAA prohibits us from publicly discussing the specifics of this matter.”

Of course, as a friendly reminder, there is no comment on the ongoing investigation, but here’s a glance at what we will see on Saturday at Autzen Stadium for the Spring Game

Oregon Head Football Coach Mark Helfrich met with the media on Wednesday afternoon and talked about the Spring Game, who may(or may not) be participating and the scoring system they will use. With injuries there will not be two teams facing off. Coach Helfrich with more on the game format:

(We’re) Going to go offense vs defense in as much as possible real situations. As much situation correct as possible.

Will he(Helfrich) be ‘coaching?’

I will be (an) observer,  I’m not gonna coach, just make sure everyone knows what’s going on.

This is Hefrich’s first Spring Game as Oregon’s Head Coach. How does he feel, any jitters?

Not any jitters, we want to get our work in, I don’t care who wins or won in the past. I want to compete and stay healthy.

Who will(and won’t) play on Saturday? Helfrich says we will know at gametime.

You will see on Saturday, Some guys could go(who are injured).

Is Helfrich able to know anymore about who the backup quarterback will be in 2013 after Spring Practice?

There’s no way we decide that this Spring, There is no separation between them.

Finally,  the scoring system for the Scrimmage on Saturday at Autzen Stadium.

Offense, going to  have to score, (6 points), Defense (3 points for turnover) or 4^th down stop, almost 1 point for every other stop.

The full Mark Helfrich interview from Wednesday(audio)

Oregon’s Spring Game is Saturday at 11am at Autzen Stadium. Admission is free, but your asked to bring three canned goods for local food bank, Food For Lane County. Last year they brought in over 70,000 pounds of food and hope to top that number this year. The Game(Scrimmage) will also be broadcast on the Pac 12 Network.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for Live Updates from the Game and Recaps from both the first and second half.

Oregon Ducks This Week:

Dec 29, 2011; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich at press conference for the 2012 Rose Bowl at the Marriott Los Angeles Downtown. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

It started out a regular ‘Week 2′ of Spring ball for the Ducks, by Tuesday the tone was altered a bit as a 515 page document citing Oregon’s non compliance with recruiting reared its ugly head. Nothing new on the investigation. It’s what we’ve known for nine months, but now it’s available in paper form for all to read. (more on that later in this report)

On Monday, the midway point of Spring Practice, Head Coach Mark Helfrich said there was a good symmetry going on.

When he was asked about the Spring game:

Were not gonna have a come down to the wire decision. I saw a few Spring games. I tried to figure out what the scoring system was. some were offense vs defense. its’ always tough, you want it to be as gamelike as possible.

As far as what is standing out midway through Spring Practice:

Practice has been great. Resilience of younger guys to have some adversity and bounce back from it. Even in a practice format that will carry over. Ifo, Tony Washington has done a really nice job. Avery Patterson has stepped up and done a god job.

When it comes to improvement, first year Defensive player is looking to make a mark.

 I think across the board we’ve improved. Marcus is better. Our offensive line is better. On defense, Joe Walker is a guy who is really close to breaking through and getting it.

Supposedly, the Oregon Coach as joined Twitter.  His comment:

(laughs)That’s good to have that kind of anonymity. I don’t know who that is

Throughout the season depth can become an issue. Helfrich said he is happy with Oregon’s position:

That’s why we compete. I don’t know what those percentages will be.  The guys coming in you anticipate to be great and push it because you don’t know what their ceiling is. That shakes itself out.

Of course, last night there was some news pertaining to the NCAA’s continued look into Oregon’s Recruiting Practices, as a 515 page document was released by the U of O.  The news is nothing new, it’s the same that we all knew 7 months ago concerning potential recruiting violations. As far as commenting, Helfrich was pleasant with ‘next question’ numerous times. 

We in the media have to ask the questions, and we know that, as Head Coach, Helfrich cannot comment on an ongoing investigation, but…we ask anyway.

He did comment on the Second Spring Scrimmage that happened today in Autzen Stadium:

 Scrimmage was up and down, Defense got upper hand on offense early a bunch, sloppy early. In the end the offense got a little  of the defense. It was productive.

He talked about Colt Lyerla and his progress during Spring Practice:

He’s a dynamic guy with a ton of tools. We’re going to try and use him in every aspect. We’ve used him in different ways. This time of year your trying to expand those guys.

Finally on compliance:

We’re going to do our best to follow the rules 100 percent and that’s it.

Spring Practice wraps up for Oregon next week at the Ducks Spring Game at Autzen Stadium on Saturday April 27th.

For more on the Ducks you can follow AutzenZoo on Facebook and Twitter

KATU TV Receives New Documents from the U of O Dealing with Potential Recruiting Violations

From Spring Practice and the sunshine, to the clouds that are potentially in the distance for the Oregon Football Program. KATU TV has received new documents from the University of Oregon give the best view to date of the recruiting violations the football program faces from the NCAA.  Much of this is already known, but here’s a quick refresher. The short of it, there are potentially seven major findings, including making 730 impermissable phone calls(quite the phone bill there).

Former Oregon Head Coach made a short comment on Monday concerning the latest documentation on potential recruiting violations

Remember, the school and NCAA tried to work out a plea deal with the summary disposition process, but it apparently fell through, according to a report from Yahoo Sports in December. The school will argue its case to the NCAA Committee on Infractions. That hearing is expected to take place this spring.

Oregon Football is Half Way Through Spring Practice and Helfrich is Feeling In Sync.

Duck Football, at least on the field, is not too far away, 11 days on the calendar left. What will we see? How will the scoring be run? Will there be a memorable moment(see Marshawn Lynch running a TD at Cal and the Nebraska TD that touched our hearts). Oregon Head Coach Mark Helfrich is happy about how his coaches seem to be in symmetry as they head into the last half Spring Practice. He also said players are learing and stepping into new roles and are being challenged to play their best.

Dec 28, 2011; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti at press conference for the 2012 Rose Bowl at the Marriott Los Angeles Downtown. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

Oregon Defense Has No Time for Patience

Another coach who spoke late last week about practice was the man who rarely has a voice (literally), Oregon Defensive Coordinator Nick Aliotti who has an interesting take on an old saying:

“Unfortunately, one of my virtues is not patience.  They say patience is a virtue.  I think there is another virtue –  hurry them up is a virtue.  That’s the virtue I like.” -

Oregon Defensive Coordinator Nick Aliotti

The Oregon D has eight returning starters and Aliotti spoke about the routine and why he enjoys Spring Football. Aliotti is headed into his 14th season leading the Oregon Defense.

Mar 29, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA;  Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

Still Feeling Sweet, An Opportunity Opens Up For Oregon Duck Basketball

Finally, coming off a Sweet 16 performance, the Oregon Basketball team isn’t getting much love in the early polls heading into next season. Earlier this month Five Star recruit Aaron Gordon, who had the Ducks on his radar committed to Arizona. Oregon has some holes to fill with three senior starters graduating. Addicted to Quack has more on an open scholarship, a well as the signing possibilites to fill the spot.

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