Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 28, 2003)
might occur in short-yardage orr red zone position, leaving a safety (usually a lesser man-to-man cover player) to defend a quicker wide receiver. College teams have learned a great deal from the pros in this area, where all offenses try to set up advantageous match ups, either by formation, shifting, motion or personnel substitution. An example: the offense puts in three tight ends in a short yardage situation, requiring the defense to get another run defender, a down lineman, into the game to defend the formation, and then passing. These are difficult situations for defenses to contend with. DIAGRAM D “We Must Distribute the Pressure” — Defensive Goal for 2003 Three-Deep Disguised Oregon defensive coaches spent long hours in the off season dissecting game films and kicking around ideas for change. “On defense we’ve looked at some things to take the pressure off the corners and distribute that pressure in a sense, to everybody,” says Bellotti. “I think our pass rush needs to be better… We spent some corner free safety strong safety corner On snap, free safety goes to the middle DIAGRAM C Two-Deep Disguised “jam receiver” “jam receiver” corner strong safety free safety corner On the snap, both safeties retreat quickly to the middle time with some professional and college teams looking at alternate schemes or adjustments to what we do. We tried to do some things before the season last year and then again at mid-season, and whether we did or didn’t make the necessary changes is still up for debate.” Just as the offense plans to disguise their intentions to the very snap of the ball, so too, does the defense. In fact, Defensive Coordinator Nick Aliotti said, “We have made many changes in our coverages, but the offense will not be able to tell until the snap of the ball. We have added some two deep coverages and some with a free safety in the middle of the field. We are going to try and move to those positions at the snap of the ball.” This type of coverage (see Diagrams C & D) can cause problems for receivers who might have to adjust their route by the coverage they see, or quarterbacks who have less time to recognize their initial targets. Anything a defense can do to delay or disrupt the timing of the offensive skill players in the passing game is a big help, and can often mean the difference in forcing a punt or allowing a third-down conversion. by Jerry Thompson Duck Recruiting Ducks Receive News some “BIG” Verbal Commitments Jacob Hucko: 6-8, 290 offensive tackle, Cerritos High School, Cerritos, California : Offensive line coach Neal Zoumboukos cannot comment on verbal commitments but he has told DI that he is O FF EN S IV E TA C K L E J AC OB HU C K O excited about recruiting. One big reason is Jacob Hucko (rhymes with Duck-O). Why Jacob chose to be a Duck: “The thing that sold me was the really intense community support as well as the very stable coaching staff.” He visited Eugene on Senior Day, August 2nd and was impressed with the billboards, posters, and even car dealerships with Oregon football prominently displayed. He ate at Track Town Pizza and remarked that Eugene has the kind of college atmosphere he is looking for. Jacob is an excellent student who already has a 1240 on his SAT with a 3.3 GPA. He excels in math and science and intends to major in physics. When asked for a self-evaluation Jacob said his lateral move- ment and quickness and the ability to move his body for a person his size is why he was highly sought after. He was undefeated in wrestling his junior year in the suburban league in the heavyweight class. His dad, Greg Hucko, said Jacob loves football and really wanted to be a Duck. When the offer came to their home Greg said Jacob leaped up and down. It looks like “Zoomer” isn’t the only one excited about recruiting! David Faaeteete: The 6-3, 275 defensive lineman was selected first team All-League and 3rd team All-State as a junior. He is one of only two players from the Northwest to make the Rivals.com top 100 high school players in the U.S. pre- descent on the season list, team. David’s rated #85 cousin, Sekeli overall. Faaeteete from San Leandro, California is The other was offensive lineman Aaron being recruited heavily by USC and Sekeli Klovas from Bethel High School in Graham, is trying to talk David into going south Washington who protected Oregon freshman with him while David is trying to con- quarterback Johnny DuRocher at Bethel last vince Sekeli to become a Duck. Coach year. The Ducks are also recruiting him. Beck said that although other schools con- North Medford head coach John Beck said tinue to heavily recruit David, he believes the following about his stellar player: “David Faaeteete’s commitment is firm as he has a great motor. He’s strong and a very, knows that Oregon will not just take very good athlete. He’s got great intensity care of him as a football player but as and willingness to learn the game of football, a student and person. not just be an athlete on the field but an all consuming football player. I think that’s *** Oregon has reportedly received two one of the things, being a student of the additional verbal commitments from two game, that helps him excel and will help more offensive linemen: Jeff Kendall from him achieve what he might some day at Colorado Springs, Colorado and Mark a higher level.” Lewis from Arroyo Grande, California. David has lived in Medford most of his More on them in an upcoming issue. life and started playing football in junior high. Beck cited the relationship he forged last summer at the Oregon camp with coach Greatwood and coach Zoumboukos as a major reason he decided to verbal early to Oregon. Oregon defensive lineman Seth McEwen from Medford was also a positive influence as he highly recommended the Ducks. Beck said he most will most likely play defensive tackle and that right now he runs the 40 in 4.9. “I wanted to pick a school right now and get it out of the way so I could focus on my team this year,” David said. David didn’t meet any current players, so that wasn’t a factor in his decision, but he said is he looking forward to meeting them. D E FE N SI V E LI N EM A N D A V I D F A AE TE E T E Faaeteete is a Samoan name and the Ducks have quite a contingent of players of Samoan Ducks I llustrated AUGUST 28, 2003 13
