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Aleman emerges as Duck weapon By RANDY HAMMERICKSEN Oregon wide receiver Cy Aleman knew he was close to losing his scholarship. Things were going that poorly for him in the Ducks' camp. Aleman, 19, a 6-foot-3, 200-pound sophomore receiver and flanker from Ashland High, arrived at Oregon with size, speed and plenty of big-play potential. But where had these elements disappeared to? What was wrong with the ex-Grizz star? His physical skills and his competitive attitude had seemingly disappeared. "I know I was about as close as you can come to losing my scholarship and being sent home," says Aleman, who admits he wasn't performing and playing with energy in practice. "I took some shots from the coaches about how I needed to step up and do better. I knew they were right." He acted on those "shots" Saturday, turning in the best individual performance of any Duck offensive player in the first scrimmage of spring drills at Autzen Stadium. Aleman caught four passes for 191 yards and one touchdown, a 95-yard strike from freshman quarterback Orlando Evans. He also had a 58-yard reception. "The corner had his hands wrapped around me after the catch, but I broke away," says Aleman, who ran a fade pattern to the right sideline to elude the defender. "I spun off the corner and he fell down after he tried to pull me down. I ran the rest of the way by myself. Nobody was going to catch me." Aleman, who says he has been plagued by minor injuries and his own listless approach in practices, showed Duck offensive coaches and head coach Mike Bellotti what they had been waiting to see. "It was good to have the feeling of making a big play again," says Aleman. "It had been over two years since I had it in high school. I was used to it being easy to make plays, and I found out here it isn't easy. I know I had to work hard and improve to play here." Aleman admits he was close to quitting the team as late as last fall as Oregon coaches pondered what to do with the underachieving receiver. "There were hints and warnings being tossed at me from the coaches," says Aleman. "I knew what they were saying, but I didn't care. I didn't want to be there." But Aleman's outlook changed at the end of last season, and Saturday's performance was evidence. "I popped my name out there for a second or two in the scrimmage," says Aleman. "Everybody sort of looked at me differently. "It was like they were saying, `Hey, you actually want to be here.' I know I have a lot more work to do," says Aleman. "I understand I have to go out and compete on every play." "I think I belong here, and I want to be here. I have the confidence that I can do it now." Aleman is competing with a large group of talented receivers for playing time in 2000. Bellotti calls those receivers potentially the best group of he's coached at Oregon. "I'm fast, but I'm not very fast compared to our receivers," says Aleman, referring to starting wide receivers Keenon Howry and Marshaun Tucker and fleet freshman Sammy Parker. Two other veteran receivers, Sonny Cook and Ray Brust, didn't play in the scrimmage. They are being held out of spring practices due to injuries. Bellotti seemed heartened by the performance of Aleman in the scrimmage. "Cy is playing with a renewed attitude about football," says Bellotti. "He's gotten stronger and healthier and looks to be ready to contribute. He believes in himself again." Oregon receiver coach Chris Petersen was pleased with what he saw from Aleman in the scrimmage. "Cy has one thing our other receivers don't have in size," says Petersen. "With his size, Cy should be a dominant receiver who can use his strength and speed to his advantage. "He needs to understand that when you are 6-3, 200 pounds, you should be able to go up and take the ball away from guys and make plays. That's where he should excel." Oregon's next scrimmage is today at Autzen Stadium. "I want to go out and do the same kinds of things again," says Aleman. "I'm excited about football again. I'm interested in competing and I have a desire to work real hard. "It feels good." Today's Edition : News | Sports | Business | Weather | Tempo | Classifieds Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA