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Oregon departs spring drills with much confidence By RANDY HAMMERICKSEN A confident college football team, again brimming with high expectations, showed why hopes are high in Duck land. Oregon's 2000 spring football game was a mismatch since it featured the starters and top reserves against the redshirts and other reserves Saturday in the final scrimmage of spring drills at Autzen Stadium. For the record, the score was 31-0. But it could have been worse. Oregon flashed its quick-striking offense behind quarterbacks Joey Harrington and Jason Fife in bright sun and warm temperatures. Oregon's starters in green, particularly on offense, toyed with the overmatched White team, giving a crowd estimated at 10,000 plenty of reasons to cheer. "I saw a lot of good things," said Oregon coach Mike Bellotti. "I was pleased to see our quarterbacks step up, and I thought the receivers looked good." Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the scrimmage revolved around Oregon's passing game. Since the Ducks have no tailbacks that figure in their plans for 2000 involved in spring drills, the running game was used solely to keep the defense honest so that Harrington and Fife could crank up the passing game. Harrington, a 6-foot-4 junior, showed he's clearly the No. 1 quarterback. Senior A.J. Feeley remains No. 2, but the performance of Fife, a redshirt freshman from Lake Elsinore, Calif., had coaches and players buzzing. Fife completed 10 of 11 passes for 149 yards, while Harrington was 8-for-10 for 185 yards and one touchdown. Feeley (3-for-10 for 30 yards) threw the ball in pain because of a sore left elbow. But the quarterback who led the Pac-10 in passing five games into the 1999 season will still go into fall camp as the backup to Harrington, said Bellotti. Fife provides insurance should Harrington and Feeley both go down with injuries. Their targets will be what Bellotti thinks might be the best group of Duck receivers since he took over as head coach in 1996. Led by explosive Marshaun Tucker and Keenon Howry, Oregon showcased its passing game in the scrimmage. Freshman speedster Sammy Parker, who looks like a star of the future with Patrick Johnson-like speed but better moves and hands, caught three passes for 50 yards. Sophomore Jason Willis and former Ashland High star Cy Aleman established themselves as play-makers during spring drills, said Bellotti. Aleman led all Oregon receivers in catches during spring scrimmages with 11, but did not move up the depth chart. "I feel good about the spring I had, but I'm still No.5 on the depth chart," said Aleman, after catching three passes for 31 yards, all for the White team. Despite leading Oregon receivers in receptions in three scrimmages this spring, Aleman never got to play for the Green team. Playing with Harrington, who always gets the No. 1 offensive line in front of him, would have allowed Aleman even more opportunities to shine. "I wondered why I didn't get the chance to play for the Green, and I wanted to," said Aleman. "I guess I have to earn it." Harrington, who looks more comfortable running the Ducks' offense, said the Ducks need a healthy Feeley in 2000. "I don't look at this as me having the quarterback job," said Harrington. "I'll have to come back in the fall and earn the job. There will be good competition." "Our quarterbacks stepped up, and I'm happy with that position," said Bellotti. "And all the receivers we have available looked good. "Cy Aleman demonstrated he's ready to help us. His play this spring was one of the highlights." Aleman, 19, a former Ashland High sprinter, said he's improved his speed, while adding nearly 10 pounds to his 6-foot-3 frame. He weighs 190 pounds. "I've actually gotten faster from all the work I've done," said Aleman. "I feel stronger and I'm playing harder and my blocking has improved. "I knew I had to do that to play here," said Aleman. "The coaches challenged me to do it last year, and it finally happened." While Aleman is fast, he admits he may not be in the top three in terms of speed at the receiver position. "Cy Aleman has looked good this spring," said Harrington. "He has the size to go get the ball, and he's very fast. You have to be fast and good to play here." Randy Hammericksen is a Mail Tribune's sports columnist. He can be reached at 776-4499. Today's Edition : News | Sports | Business | Weather | Tempo | Classifieds Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA