By Jay Jones, August 16, 2008
Today’s scrimmage at Autzen Stadium was the last open scrimmage of Fall Camp.
Here are few photos from that scrimmage before my camera melted.
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By Jay Jones, August 11, 2008
If former Duck Josh Wilcox is emailing me his contributions this early in August without me asking for any (Josh has an open invitation to write about anything, anytime on DSN) , then it must be time for football.
Now, I have to apologize to Josh. He sent this to me early last week. But with everything going on, I kind of forgot to post it.
My bad.
But his words as true today as they were last week. Heck, it was only a week ago, right?
Sorry, Josh. And thank you.
Here’s Josh and his take on Fall Camp:
It’s about damn time. I have been anxiously waiting this day for over 7 months. Fall Camp is starting. Many will think this is the start of the season for the Ducks, but that actually started in January.
This is nothing like double days in High School. So, for all of you Uncle Rico’s out there who think you would have won State if you would have gotten more playing time, it’s just not the same.
The first couple of days fresh legs are abound. The energy level is at an all time high, as the excitement builds. Then the pads go on, and the only fresh legs are Kickers, and some of the QB’s.
As each morning passes and the bull horn in the hall way acts as the alarm clock, you awake from a deep sleep, or if you have a loud snoring roommate, no sleep. For about two to three seconds you forget the aches, pains, sprains, but then your body wakes up. You begin the day figuring out how to roll out of bed without banging something that is sore. The instant this occurs you are reminded of the long day ahead. But in some sort of sick sadistic way you love that feeling, you feed off that feeling. That proves to yourself that you are actually doing something right.
As football has evolved, training camp has gone away from the days of fourteen straight doubles with full pads, salt tablets, and no water. This is beneficial for the players as now they tend to have less hitting and provide better physical care to these highly trained athletes. But in someway, I think this has taken away from the overall toughness of players in the game. It’s a fine line. And if there were a magic formula, then everyone would do the same thing. All coaches have different styles, ideas, thoughts, and backgrounds which contribute to their formats.
Fall Camp is a time when players bond more with each other, because that is all you see. You get sick of seeing the same guy. You get in fights with your friends. But at the end of each day you find out something you did not know about a key member of your team. Not where they are from, or their favorite rock band, but you see if that guy will make a difference. When everyone is tired, who are the ones pushing it? Who are the ones making plays? Who is taking the easy way out? Who is really hurt? Who is taking the practice off because of jock itch (true story, not me)? Spring ball is for teaching, and evaluating. This is the time to show if you are going to make the traveling squad or not. It’s an attitude. Do you want it bad enough? How important is it to you to leave everything on the table? Are you going to be a legend in Oregon Duck football and help build the tradition? Or are you just there to be on the team? Get some bowl game rings you will never wear, and stock up on Oregon gear so you can show people you were part of the cool club?
And I have yet to talk about the meetings. There are meetings for all special teams, offense, defense, your specific position, and meetings just to meet. The fun is seeing who will fall asleep and who won’t. Standing up in meetings is a common occurrence; because you would much rather stand up than be called out for sleeping. You are so tired you almost need toothpicks to hold up your eye lids. And if you’re lucky, some of the coaches will cut you loose so you can get an extra 30 minutes of time to relax before bed check, or another practice. Some of the best all around funny moments occur during film study, not so much as what happens on the tape, but the comments made in meetings. Movie lines, bad jokes, and overall smart-ass comments are a staple in trying to bring some normalcy to your day. Nicknames like Loony, C-3P0, Francis Sawyer, Rusty, are a common staple. And most of the time you don’t get to pick yours. So if you got one that sucks, you’re screwed.
The smell of the locker room. Well, I really don’t think now they have that big of issue with the ventilation systems in the lockers. But when I was around, I can think of a few lockers that needed to be quarantined and required bio hazard suits. And for the most part it was usually the offensive and defensive line. Surprised? I know because aren’t these guys some of the cleanest, physical specimens you will ever run across.
Damn I miss it.
In fact I would like to address a rumor which has been tying up my phone and email in box. I did contact the University to see if any slow old out of shape players could get any more eligibility. I know I retired many moons ago, but in order to not create a fiasco like the one in Green Bay, I took the buy out. I settled for a tall call six pack of Meister Brau, a pound of Hooters Chicken wings, and the chance to watch games I will not attend on Dish Network. And just to think it did not cost Oregon a dime. I should have listened to my agent, as he wanted me to hold out for more. But who in the hell would turn down Meister Brau?
On another note, congratulations to Gary Zimmerman. It proves my point again that those guys are not only Hall of Fame players, but Hall of Fame people. He is a tremendous role model to up and coming players that you do not need to talk about your accomplishments (which is the norm today). Instead, if you are that good, you will be recognized. Some people have to wait longer than others. But if you play, and your play merits you being there, then you will get there.
So, now it begins. Bring on the Huskies.
Josh Wilcox, a Junction City, Oregon native was a four-year letterman with Ducks. In the Rose Bowl Season of 1994 against Arizona, Danny O’Neil threw 15 yards to Josh for the game’s only touchdown early in the fourth quarter as Oregon came from behind to win 10-9. Arizona was ranked No. 11 by The Associated Press and ranked 23d by The New York Times computer. Josh went on to catch 11 passes for 135 yards against Penn State in the 1995 Rose Bowl. After finishing his career at Oregon, Josh went on to play for the New Orleans Saints in the NFL.
Here are some photos from today’s practice in full pads.
Here are some bonus photos from yesterday’s afternoon practice.
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Here are some photographs from this Thursday morning’s practice.
And here are a few bonus photographs from Monday’s afternoon practice.
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(Turn up the volume.)
Get all your sports news on the Oregon Ducks at DuckSportsNews.com. Innappropriate comment? Let us know. Spam filters are set on high. Please be patient for your comments to be posted.
(Turn up the volume.)
Get all your sports news on the Oregon Ducks at DuckSportsNews.com. Innappropriate comment? Let us know. Spam filters are set on high. Please be patient for your comments to be posted.