Spring Break
Jacquizz Rodgers returns to gridiron
Week two of spring practice brings progression for young wide-outs on Oregon State roster; defense looks strong early in spring workouts
Terry Horstman
Issue date: 4/13/09 Section: Sports
The second of week of spring practice for the Oregon State football team went very well as the Beavers took another big couple of steps toward the annual spring game in preparation for the 2009 season.
Jacquizz Rodgers returned to the field, participating in non-contact drills and taking reps with the first-team offense, just one of many high points in another productive week of practice for the Beavers.
"I'm really happy with the progress," said Oregon State head coach Mike Riley. "We've done a lot of football. Already we've worked the red zone, short yardage, third down and two minute. We've done it all in two weeks so I feel good about that; I feel good about the work and the work ethic."
Progress was definitely seen on the field as the young corps of wide receivers have been stepping it up every day, though it will certainly take several steps to replace the receivers who just departed.
"I see ability and I see still a lot to learn," Riley said, regarding his young wide-outs. "There's one thing about running a route and making a play and that's good, but then being able to adjust and do it the next time against a different coverage. They have a long way to go but there's been some great flashes of brilliance."
The only group on the team with more youth than the receivers is their counterparts in the secondary. However, the defensive backs have also left their stamp on the first two weeks of spring ball and are looking to rise to the occasion of being faced with the tough task of replacing the great group of play-makers from 2008.
"There isn't anything overly apparent to me as something missing," Riley said. "It's not unlike the receivers - there's flashes, there's good play and it looks pretty consistent, but there's a long way to go to get to the games."
Where there are holes in the secondary in the cornerback spot, there's a slew of potential starters at safety for the Beavers that could carry the load for the defense come fall.
Jacquizz Rodgers returned to the field, participating in non-contact drills and taking reps with the first-team offense, just one of many high points in another productive week of practice for the Beavers.
"I'm really happy with the progress," said Oregon State head coach Mike Riley. "We've done a lot of football. Already we've worked the red zone, short yardage, third down and two minute. We've done it all in two weeks so I feel good about that; I feel good about the work and the work ethic."
Progress was definitely seen on the field as the young corps of wide receivers have been stepping it up every day, though it will certainly take several steps to replace the receivers who just departed.
"I see ability and I see still a lot to learn," Riley said, regarding his young wide-outs. "There's one thing about running a route and making a play and that's good, but then being able to adjust and do it the next time against a different coverage. They have a long way to go but there's been some great flashes of brilliance."
The only group on the team with more youth than the receivers is their counterparts in the secondary. However, the defensive backs have also left their stamp on the first two weeks of spring ball and are looking to rise to the occasion of being faced with the tough task of replacing the great group of play-makers from 2008.
"There isn't anything overly apparent to me as something missing," Riley said. "It's not unlike the receivers - there's flashes, there's good play and it looks pretty consistent, but there's a long way to go to get to the games."
Where there are holes in the secondary in the cornerback spot, there's a slew of potential starters at safety for the Beavers that could carry the load for the defense come fall.
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