Oregon St. Wednesday Practice Update

Oregon St. has started the second half of their spring football practice schedule, with sessions every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning at 10 AM during April (and Mar. 31), and things have settled into almost a routine practice flow, though there continue to be things appear in the course of the day's drills. Today suggested, for example, there could be some pistol-esque ness to the offense this season.

The offense was as close to back to full strength as could be expected at this point, with JC transfer OLT Bobby Keenen, who was banged up last Friday, and though in pads, saw little activity on Monday, back in action today with the first string, and showing no lingering affects.

TE Connor Hamlett, who watched Monday's drills with his left knee wrapped, was also back to work today, which made for a longer, tougher day for the secondary.

With the strength and depth of the tight end group, don't be surprised to see some 2 tight end sets in apparent passing situations, as getting both Hamlett and Kellen Clute, who continues to have a solid spring, into pass routes gives quarterback Sean Mannion not only some of his biggest targets, it can mean looks for some of his best ones.

The secondary has its hands full when a TE takes a route across the middle and drives it deep, as will most opposing ones the Beavers will face.

Today, the secondary was even more strained, with both projected starting corner backs out. Larry Scott continues to grip a ball all day, while his hamstring recovers, and Steven Nelson was also spectating without pads, except for some walk/sprint throughs both he and Scott did do.

Reserve LB Michael Greer, who could figure into the rotation behind the starters, also sat out practice today.

Generally though, health hasn't been a major problem yet this spring, and coach Mike Riley has been able to solidify various groups pretty well, and that's allowing a "mid-season" look to practices, all of which are open to everyone.

The Spring Football Showcase concludes spring football, Sat., May 3 at 1 PM.

Andy_Wooldridge@yahoo.com