Cliff Kirkpatrick

The Oregon State football team started training camp Friday afternoon with a three-hour workout. There were a lot of special teams drills at first and then it broke down into offensive and defensive drills. Coach Mike Riley limited the offense vs. defense stuff since there were no pads, just helmets.

Everyone who was expected to be there were there. Only DE Simi Kuli is missing, but he’s not expected until Sept. 1. And everyone on the active roster is healthy.

QB Brennan Sim had shoulder surgery. He’s a walk-on, who will suit up after Sept. 1 to give him extra time to heal. However, he was there holding a clipboard and helping out. Former players Daniel Drayton and Alan Darlin are also helping out as volunteers.

WR Sammie Stroughter was in top form, physically and mentally. He was ready for all the media that showed up, as opposed to last year.

It was a very uneventful day, which is a changed. Last year it seem like the drama never ended.

“It was fun and it was a good day,” Riley said. “Everything looked pretty good. We got a lot done today.”

Moevao ready

Junior QB Lyle Moevao opened training camp as the starter with last year’s starter Sean Canfield as his backup. For an update on Canfield and how his shoulder feels after surgery, read Saturday’s GT.

Moevao decided to get in shape in the offseason as mentioned in the blog before. After a closer look at him Friday, the loss of 18 pounds is noticeable. He tips the scales at light 217 pounds.

“I just had to run more than you eat,” Moevao said of his offseason. “I just cut down on fatty foods and late-night snacks. I wanted to feel more swift on the field, and be in shape and go more plays without taking a break. It’s a lot easier when you don’t have to worry about that part of the game.”

He did look smooth during the first day of camp. He was confident and threw many good balls. The only problem was they were mostly to Stroughter. Riley noted how more comfortable Moevao looks.

“It felt good (training) in the summer,” Moevao said. “I worked on my core, and that helped. I really felt it in my throwing. There was a lot more velocity coming out. I could keep my balance and also being accurate. A lot of people don’t think about that. A lot of people think I can use that in the scrambling game, but I look at it for throwing.”

As for holding down the No. 1 spot, he’s ready to defend. “I think it’s great for myself,” Moevao said. “Sean is right behind me. It’s going to go on with Sean and I. He’s a great competitor. He’s going to push me, like I’m going to push him. Sometimes it gets tiring hearing about (the QB competition). But sometimes it’s good about competition. It’s good for the team.”

It was brought up to him about what the public thinks of the QB battle. Just recently a debate broke out on my blog about this. And yes, he pays attention – a little.

“My family is really into it,” Moevao said. “I get a couple text messages a day about it (from friends and family) seeing me in articles. It’s exciting knowing people back at home are following. But I try to keep that out of my mind. Right now I’m building off of last season. (Training camp) was a lot tougher last year because you had to learn the basics. Now that I know the basics, it’s all about details.”

Perry on the mend

OG Jeremy Perry practiced, but eased into it. He said he’s not 100 percent, yet, after last season’s knee and ankle injuries. After each workout his knee is wrapped in ice as a precaution. He even iced it during practice. He’s always a good person to talk to because he tells the truth.

“I’m having a little swelling after working out,” Perry said. “I’m just trying to get out there and get my technique down and not go too fast. No, I’m not 100 percent at this point, but I’m working toward it. I’m confident the knee holding up.”

Are you taking it easy this month?
“The coaches don’t want me to go too hard right away,” Perry said. “I was told to take it easy, and get to the season. But the (formerly broken) ankle is all good.”

How far away are you from game shape?
“Game shape, I’m still working to that,” Perry said. “I couldn’t do all the training with the team in the summer. I did a lot of biking and a lot of rehab. I did as much as I can, without putting a pounding on my knee.”
NOTE: He weighted in at 332 Friday morning, but he says his playing weight is 310-315.

What about two-a-days next week?
“Two-a-days, I probably won’t,” Perry said. “I probably can, but I’ll take it safe.”

How’s the line going to be without you?
“We got guys who can step in right away,” Perry said. “Overall we are going to be good with, or without me. But I want to contribute the way I have been.”

Is there a doubt about your return?
“There’s no doubt,” Perry said. “I don’t like to put a specific time when I’ll be back. I’m shooting for the first game. If not that game, then the next game. And if not that one, then the next one.”

What about the Hawaii game?
“There’s no doubt I’m playing the Hawaii game, no matter what shape I’m in,” Perry said.

If Perry isn’t ready for the games, Adam Speer and Gregg Peat are the starting guards. On another OL note, Mike Remmers worked out as the starting RT with Brent McNeil as the backup. Wilder McAndrews backed up Andy Levitre at LT.

Here’s Riley’s take on Perry: “We’ll attack the symptoms as we go. There will be some good days, and some not so good.”

Funny stuff
Many of the offensive linemen showed up for the first day with new solidarity hairdos. Levitre, Speer, Remmers, Peat and newcomer McNeil had Moevao shave Mohawks into their heads. Marcus Henderson started to, but didn’t want to finish it. Here’s a side look of Peat when the linemen were stretching at the end of practice.

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3. Camp breakdown
4. Camp Day 8
5. Training camp schedule