Here’s another sneak preview to the training camp preview stuff on the Oregon State football team that’s running over the weekend in the GT.
This is a chart pointing out the five keys, or areas of concentration, to a successful training camp.
1. Prepare Katz: Nine starting offense players and key reserves return, but historically the offense goes when the QB plays well. Ryan Katz needs to distribute the ball to the right person quickly.
2. Prepare Vaz: Katz shows the signs of a winner, but he’s only a sophomore. Redshirt freshman Cody Vaz is the backup, and he needs to be ready just in case of injury or if Katz can’t get it done.
3. Solidify the line: Starting OG Grant Johnson missed the spring recovering from shoulder surgery. He has to get back into shape. And who will be the other guard?
4. Fine-tune linebackers: OLB Keith Pankey must get back up to speed after a ruptured Achilles’ tendon in February. And potentially new starting MLB Tony Wilson must continue his development. MLB is still officially undecided
5. Ready the defensive line: DEs Gabe Miller and Taylor Henry look ready, and DT Stephen Paea is a standout. The backups are used a lot in rotation. The Beavers have success when the right group is found.
Also, if you get The Score radio show in Roseburg, you will be able to hear me break down the Beavers going into camp in the 4 p.m. hour today. Here’s a link to the podcast.
USA Today released its poll today here. The Beavers check in at No. 22. At first that surprised me, but then you look at the surging hype of Quizz for Heisman and Stephen Paea coming back impressed the voters.
The AP Poll, which papers use, comes out Aug. 21, I heard.
8 comments
ean says:
May 18, 2012
I believe The Score is out of Eugene if you are talking about the radio station 95.3 The Score. I get it in Corvallis when driving around though prefer 1240.
ckirkpatrick says:
May 18, 2012
It's the BP&J Show. It's out of Roseburg, but does the Eugene market. Here's the website: http://www.541radio.com/pages/6299459.php
ean says:
May 18, 2012
Oh okay… my mistake. Thanks for the correction.
rooruns says:
May 18, 2012
Cliff,
As we get into training camp can you explore Riley's thoughts on using Ryan McCants. I really think he has some good potential, but he never seems to get enough opportunities. Oregon made good use of big back and quick back, but Riley always seems to stick with one back regardless of how the game is going. Quizz is great, but I think he would do even more after McCants smacked a few defensive backs. This year might be his year–he looked good in the spring.
ckirkpatrick says:
May 18, 2012
I always bug him about that. His feeling is that Quizz, Yvenson before him, are so trustworthy he goes with them. He's nervous about backups. They are backups for a reason. If the starter can go, he goes with him.
Riley also always says he would love to get a backup in more, but when crunch times comes he does what he does.
beavfan05 says:
May 18, 2012
McCants has a case of fumblitis he hasn't gotten over……I hope he figures that out because he could be awesome.
angrybeaver says:
May 18, 2012
Exactly. McCants can't hold on to the ball, holds it out while running, etc. Wasn't the first carry of his career (@ penn state) a fumble? The next series Quizz came into the game and has been entrenched ever since. McCants should be moved to LB. He'd be Doggett part 2 there.
http://angrybeavs.com
osbeavs says:
May 18, 2012
Does anyone else think that McCants runs pretty soft? I thought he looked tougher at times in the spring but unfortunately he still tries to juke too much. The worst part is he often makes his first before even reaching the LOS. I think if he holds the ball more as has been noted and runs downhill more (one move and go) he will be worthy of increased touches.