The two quarterbacks were passing to each other in a drill.
Each took turns doing a three-step drop, rolling right and tossing a tight spiral in the direction of his counterparts chest.
While they did, they were being closely scrutinized by onlookers and coaches.
Throughout the first three weeks of practice, head coach Mike Bellotti has said that these two particular players would take part in “one of the primary battles to be decided this spring.”
Oh yeah, one other thing: Among the onlookers watching this drill were the other two quarterbacks, Joey Harrington and A.J. Feeley.
The proven Pacific-10 Conference winners are among many interested in seeing who Oregon’s third quarterback will be.
The candidates are redshirt freshmen Jason Fife and Orlando Evans.
“To me, it’s the most interesting battle and one that takes the most evaluation,” Bellotti said. “Because we need to really watch them and evaluate them in pressure situations.”
The average fan’s likely response to all of this is probably: “Pressure? How much pressure is it to just hold a clipboard on the sidelines?”
But real football people know the true importance of this position.
“The third string quarterback could become the first string in a heartbeat,” Bellotti said. “For us, it’s been a great breeding ground for good quarterbacks. A lot of guys have been there and there’s a certain learning process that takes place.”
The coach proceeds to rattle off the names of former third-stringers who have gone on to start and win games during the past few years. Names such as Jason Maas, Tony Graziani, Ryan Perry-Smith, Harrington and Feeley.
Now, Evans and Fife compete to become the next in line.
“They’re both great competitors and are very eager to learn,” Bellotti said. “I like the blend that we have with those two.”
Both definitely bring a wide variety to the table.
When viewing Fife, you can see how the Lake Elsinore, Calif., native guided his high school baseball team to success with his 92-mile per hour fastball. His 6-foot-4, 205 pound frame also helped him be included among SuperPrep’s list of top 181 football players in the Farwest.
“I feel pretty good out here,” Fife said. “I’m learning the offense pretty good right now and am getting more confidence in my strength and abilities.”
Evans, who also was included in SuperPrep’s listing, relies more on his quickness and agility. When watching the 6-foot Stockton, Calif., native participate in practice, it is easy to see how he was a honorable mention All-America prep basketball standout as a point guard. And also how he ran the third leg on his high school’s 4×100 meter relay team, which reached the state finals.
He is moving around well, but says he is still bothered at times by his back, which required surgery — and no exercise — for four months.
He chuckles when he is asked whether he may have been a victim to the infamous “Freshman 15” due to his surgery.
“Yeah, kinda,” said Evans, referring to the amount of pounds most freshmen supposedly gain. “Not doing anything really hit me. Just sitting on my butt. No running, no lifting, no nothing.
“But now I’m getting back in shape, and am getting a lot stronger.”
Evans, who wears No. 11, is compared at times with former speedy QB Akili Smith, who also wore No. 11. Evans denies such talk, saying, “Nah, Akili’s a lot stronger than me.”
Evans did, however, put up Akili-like numbers in helping the offense dominate Oregon’s first major scrimmage of the spring last weekend. Fighting initial butterflies, he completed five of nine passes for 189 yards. But Bellotti still considers Fife to have the upper hand.
“I just think at this point, Jason is ahead of him in terms of understanding the offense,” Bellotti said. “Orlando is playing catch-up because he missed some time, but he brings elusiveness and has a good football sense. Only time will tell.”
In the meantime, both players are just enjoying being a part of the team. They both get along great and respect one another.
The only thing that has been tough for Fife is that he always misses baseball in the spring.
“But that’s OK,” Fife said. “Because some of us on the team are doing intramural softball and having a good time.”