Oregon Football: Spring Practice in Symmetry for Helfrich and Ducks as the NCAA Pops Up Again(Quotes)

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.

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