With the first game of the season exactly two weeks away, Oregon football’s focus at practice is transitioning from installing its overall system to evaluating potential starters.
“We’re done installing, for the most part, in every phase,” head coach Mark Helfrich said after the final practice of the week on Saturday. “Now those guys can take a really quick breath and try to truly digest it.”
While they take a breath, the coaching staff will work on fine-tuning the team’s depth chart. Helfrich said he hopes to narrow down the depth chart within the next three to four days.
The battle between Vernon Adams and Jeff Lockie at quarterback is most notable. Helfrich gave no indication as to which way the team was leaning, but did offer a broad timetable for when a decision will be made.
“They’ve both had their moments where one has been better than the other,” Helfrich said. “In the next few days, or this next week, I anticipate that shaking itself out.”
Helfrich reaffirmed the possibility of Adams and Lockie splitting snaps during games is “not off the table,” and said it may work considering the differences between the two players. Although he did not say exactly how playing time would be divided in those games — snaps-by-snap, series-by-series, or quarter-by-quarter —, Helfrich did say that the decisions would be made during games based on “success.”
Adams is apparently acquiring a tighter grasp of Oregon’s offense after his first full week of practice.
“You could literally see him those first couple of days trying to just translate,” Helfrich said. “Whatever (EWU) called it, red, and whatever we call it, black, that takes a couple of seconds to process as it does with all of those newcomers. That process is taking less and less time.”
In the competition for the starting center position, Helfrich hinted that Matt Hegarty has separated himself.
“You can tell (Hegarty) is a veteran guy just with his presence and how he communicates with confidence,” Helfrich said.
With Thomas Tyner out for the season, there is still no indication as to who will take over as the second-string running back. Junior Byron Marshall has practiced at running back on a limited basis and has mentored freshman Taj Griffin, Helfrich said.
Along with the depth chart choices will come decisions about which players will redshirt for the upcoming season. Helfrich said he expects that to be finalized some time in the next five days after the team’s second practice scrimmage.
Oregon will take the day off on Sunday before beginning another six-day stretch of practices on Monday.
Watch the practice recap video here.
Follow Jack Heffernan on Twitter @JackTHeffernan