Defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt answers questions from the media with speed and efficiency. He stands in the scrum looking ancy, clearly wanting to be on the field. He even ends media himself by announcing he only has time for one more question. Then he runs to the practice field.
I guess if you had to fix Oregon’s defense you’d want to spend all hours of the day working on it.
Brady Hoke couldn’t do it. The defense regressed in his one season as defensive coordinator. Leavitt brings a familiar 3-4 scheme, a similar one to which Oregon played with under longtime coordinator Nick Aliotti.
Defensive players have their third defensive coordinator in a four year span, but this time, players feel they understand the system and feel more comfortable, especially compared to last season. If the defense is to reach respectable levels, that’s a good place to start.
“The way we’re communicating, and on the same page — it’s a lot better,” senior safety Khalil Oliver said. “More talking after the play. More talking on the sidelines. … More accountability in [the secondary] as far the ones and twos go. If something happens we’re all communicating.”
The defense returns almost all the starters from a season ago. The secondary, once a young starting group, is now the veteran strength of the team. Safeties Tyree Robinson, Khalil Oliver are both entering their fourth years with the program. They have significant playing time under their belts. Senior cornerback Arrion Springs is entering his third year starting.
There is possibly new blood on the other cornerback position with Thomas Graham Jr. making plays since he stepped on campus. He is competing with junior Ugochukwu Amadi, who started last season, for the final spot.
Talent and experience lines the secondary, so the Ducks new defense will take advantage.
“Our defense now puts more pressure on the quarterback; we’re sending people,” Amadi said.
Granted, if the Ducks want to blitz often, they give something up, and that’s numbers in pass coverage. The strategy relies on corners to win 1-on-1 battles. It’s a departure from the zone defenses played before.
“Because it’s a passing conference, you don’t want corners who are scared and not confident,” Amadi said. “You want to have that ‘it’ factor. … It’s a lot better because you don’t have to worry about anything. You don’t have to make the play confusing out there. It’s just, ‘hey, you just got him. Do it.’”
The “do it” part is easier said than done. For Amadi, at least, he’s been doing it most of his football life.
“You grew up playing 1-on-1,” he said. “Flag football, anything, let’s go outside and go 1-on-1. You’ve been raised to do that.”
The secondary has their business, but if left on an island for too long, they will get exposed. Before that, the Ducks hope they’ll have the quarterback sacked or pressured into a foolish turnover, which the Ducks desperately missed last season.
“There’s no question it’s not luck,” Leavitt said. “It’s a conscious effort.”
So who is going to be the guy to effectively chase the quarterback?
Justin Hollins is a name that is thrown around, but at the moment, a couple guys are in play.
“He’s pushing for a starting spot,” linebackers coach Raymond Woodie said. “Right now we’re teaching him to play the run. We know he has pass rushing ability, but if he gets [run defense] down, he’s going to be a force.”
A force the Ducks and Leavitt desperately need to revive a defense.
Follow Jack Butler on Twitter @Butler917