Notable quotes from Dan Lanning after Oregon’s second spring scrimmage
A week ago, the Oregon Ducks went through their first spring scrimmage of the year, taking practice inside Autzen Stadium and putting four quarters up on the scoreboard, playing out what was more like a live-game scenario than we’ve seen in practices so far.
Media members were not allowed inside, but after talking to some people who were able to watch, it sounds like the offense looked good, the defense looked better, and some of the new guys on the roster showed why they were so highly coveted in the transfer portal.
Then, of course, you had the transfer portal activity that followed. Linebacker Keith Brown announced that he would be leaving Oregon, and that was followed by similar announcements from CB Jalil Tucker and DL Treven Ma’ae.
Will this Saturday be as eventful as a week ago as far as roster moves are concerned? It’s impossible to tell just yet, but we got a chance to speak to Lanning after the scrimmage and get his thoughts on the team a week out from the spring game. Here are some of the most notable quotes from that interview:
Opening Statement
Lanning: “All right, great competition today. A lot of good situational football. We started off tackle the beginning guys were able to stay relatively healthy, which is always good but you got to get that physical contact we all play ball. Really did a good job early with the offense moving the ball down the field and being able to punch it in and get some early scores. Kind of came back with the defense and third down and some of the situational football at the end. Different from the last scrimmage. We actually had more takeaways in this scrimmage. Got to do a better job of protecting the ball offensively and we’ve got to continue to do a good job of attacking defensively. So can’t get too excited or too upset either way there but obviously, some things to improve on. I saw a lot of young guys able to step up. I think we got a lot of good reps, probably our higher rep count scrimmages, but good for us to be able to see a lot of guys play.”
Tailback duo are impressive to watch
Question: What did you see from Bucky Irving and Noah Whittington today?
Lanning: “I just think it’s always fun for running backs, especially when it becomes tackle because you’re not going down on a thud anymore. And they’re able to break some tackles, create some positive plays. The other thing that we’ve been able to do with those guys is move them in and out of the backfield a little bit. They both catch the ball well, but seeing them line up in different positions and execute is good to see.”
Tempo, tempo, tempo
Question: With the high rep count, were you pleased with the tempo?
Lanning: “Probably just indicates that there weren’t as many stops on third down. I thought that we had some sustained drives and I wanted to let the series play out. So we had a little bit higher rep count a couple of times with the offense moving the ball early.”
New faces, new targets for Nix
Question: How have you seen the new receivers merge into the offense?
Lanning: “I think each day those newcomers are getting better and better and Traeshon (Holden) made some great catches today. He’s proven to do a good job of attacking the ball and playing strong and point of attack. And Tez (Johnson) continues to show up, his speed continues to show up. And certainly we got a dynamic room right now there with what we think we have coming in and with the combination guys that are here.”
Situations the offense still needs to work on?
Question: What are some of the situational spots you want to see your offense work on?
Lanning: “This week we worked some four-minute, two minutes scenarios. So you got the lead, you want to maintain the lead … you gotta get a first down. We worked some in-game scenarios today where you don’t have timeouts, you got to go score a touchdown. So just continue to work through the red area, whatever that might be. But we want to give a lot of variety and try to make sure we’re able to attack those situations.”
Punt consistency
Question: Did you see more consistency from the punters?
Lanning: “Yeah, overall, I thought we punted the ball pretty well today. I gotta go back and look to check that but they forced some fair catches with great hang time and better ball location.”
Addressing the fans to show out at Autzen for the Spring Game
Question: What would you say to the fans about showing up to the Spring Game and getting a bigger turnout?
Lanning: “I think that’s what makes Oregon great. Our fans have phenomenal fan support. I’m certainly counting on our fans being here turning out. It’s a great day not just for football. There are a lot of events around the day and other sporting events. I know we’ll have bounce houses, Military Appreciation, along with other games that are existing. So spring game in Oregon is supposed to be different than everybody else on the side of the world. And our fans have always done a great job of that and they’ve been continuing to do that and fill Autzen.”
Game format
Question: Have you figured out the game format yet?
Lanning: “We’re going to try and play a game. We’re trying to play as close as we can to a game. I think it’s always the fine line of trying to protect your team and make sure you’re being smart and safe but also create that game environment. And for us we’re gonna have a packed stadium, that’s the plan and we want to build and create that game environment like guys go compete.”
Manning's spring
Question: How has Dontae Manning approached this spring?
Lanning: “Everyone gets better with reps. Dontae had a big play today, where he’s able to take away the ball. You asked about who got a takeaway, Dontae is one of those guys, but he comes with the right approach every day. He has great energy and enthusiasm and was able to attack it.”
Focus for final practices
Question: What is your focus for the final two practices?
Lanning: “Our approach isn’t really about next Saturday. It’s gonna be about Tuesday first. How can we get better on Tuesday? And you don’t get enough of these days. So we want to utilize every one of them every minute we have to improve it as a team. Continue to become better tacklers, better blockers better at catching it, better knocking the ball down, better at throwing timing. There are so many things that you just don’t get enough opportunities to do and spring ball is critical for that.”
New clock rules
Question: What do you think of the new clock rules that just passed?
Lanning: “We’ve been using them. We’ve been anticipating the rule change based on what the feedback we’ve gotten for a little while now. That being said, I get it. It’s probably going to affect the scores of games a little bit, that’s something to be conscientious of, but it’s not overly different until you truly get down in those two minutes scenarios. I think teams that are way down, it’s gonna make it really challenging to get back into the game quick.”
Christian Gonzalez's journey
Question: How would you encapsulate Christian Gonzalez’s journey to get to a Day 1 draft pick?
Lanning: “Sky’s the limit for Christian. Whatever team gets Christian, I mean, they’re hitting a home run. He’s one of the best corners I’ve ever been around and a better human. I’m excited for every one of our guys that have an opportunity for this draft. There’s gonna be a lot of great Ducks that get an opportunity to make NFL teams better and Christian is certainly an example of that. Humble and hungry and I’m excited to see where he ends up.”
Jestin Jacobs' presence
Question: How has Jestin Jacobs improved your linebacker room?
Lanning: “Jestin had a great play today. It was great to see. I think we have great competition in that room with Scoob (Jamal Hill) and Bassa and Jestin, Connor Soelle. There’s just been a lot of guys that are able to compete there and create great depth. Devon Jackson’s had a really great spring. He’s always been a fast player. He’s playing faster and faster. So it’s fun to see from him but feel really good about having a guy like him here.”
