It's the day of the big scrimmage, and since I'm not much of an expert on the team yet, here's what others are saying:
Beaver Offense Comes into Focus
by Kerry Eggers, the Portland Tribune
Junior Lyle Moevao has firmed up his role as No. 1 quarterback while the other contender, Sean Canfield, has missed practice following shoulder surgery. "Lyle has had a good spring," Riley says. "He's made some good throws. He's been consistent with his reads."
Canfield, who started nine games as a sophomore last season, continues to improve physically and expects to be full strength for camp in August. "I've been impressed that Sean has stayed very engaged" through spring practice, Riley says. "Guys in his situation tend to step back and disappear a little bit, but he's been great."
A year ago, Canfield and Moevao battled through camp for the starting job. "It will be a competition again," Riley says, "but the difference this time is it's a little more defined as far as who goes in as No. 1."
Redshirt freshman Ryan McCants continues to run No. 1 at tailback, but junior college transfer Jeremy Francis - who soon will undergo minor knee surgery - is in the picture. "Jeremy is versatile - a good runner and receiver, smart and tough," Riley says. "He made good progress before he got hurt. There's a place for him on this team."
Rebild? No, Reload.
by Kye Johnson, the Daily Barometer
t's one of those years, where it seems like all of the defense leaves, but the next year rolls around and the unit doesn't miss a beat. Derrick Doggett, Joey LaRocque and Alan Darlin, all of whom were in the top four tacklers the Beavers had last year, are gone. Dorian Smith, Jeff Van Orsow and Curtis Coker, all of whom anchored a Beaver defensive line that was among the nation's best in rush defense, are gone. But watch, the Oregon State defense will be dominant again this season and will be one of the best in the Pac-10.
How? Oh yeah, Mark Banker.
It is completely beyond me why this man isn't a great head coach somewhere else in the country by now. All he does is churn out great defense, after great defense, year after year - regardless of how many players were lost the year before.
Banker had a short stint at OSU in 1997-98 with Riley his first time around and served as the secondary coach, in which he arguably put out his best work. In just two years as coach of the defensive backs, Banker had four different Beavers playing at an All-Pac-10 level. Then, he followed Riley to San Diego and the NFL and eventually made the full-circle trip back to Corvallis in 2003.
Since taking over as defensive coordinator, Banker's defenses have been relentless.
Will the real Beavers stand, if able?
by Paul Buker, the Oregonian
The "real" Beavers still are under construction. And many of them are limping.
"One of my big hopes is that we get through the day without another injury," Riley said. "I don't want to lose anybody else."
Ten notable players will sit out because of injuries or other issues, and two more are questionable.
The offensive line is disjointed, with starters Jeremy Perry (knee) and Adam Speer (chest bruise) out with injuries.
The running backs took a jolt when junior college transfer Jeremy Francis suffered knee and ankle injuries in the first scrimmage.
Quarterback Sean Canfield missed spring practice while recovering from surgery to repair a torn labrum, and in his absence, Lyle Moevao took a firmer grip on the No. 1 job.
Other Stores:
by Paul Buker, the Oregonian
Strougher ready to resume battle
by Kerry Horowitz, the Statesman Journal
Wide receiver back after year hampered by injury and grief...
GO BEAVERS!
--JB--