Oregon
Ducks

Wins.

Kelly, named the successor to Mike Bellotti before it was even known when Bellotti was stepping up to become Oregon's athletic director, found out the future was now and is the new head man. The school didn't want him going somewhere else to coach and did what it had to do to keep him in Eugene.

Kelly has to continue Bellotti's winning ways, with Bellotti moving to the "front office" to serve the athletic department.

But this Oregon team has talent, led by a star quarterback (Jeremiah Masoli) and ace runner (LeGarrette Blount), and also has four straight home games on the schedule after opening at Boise State.

Kelly was pleased with the early spring work of his defense, which tends to be overshadowed and at times gave up a lot last year, and then lost a lot to graduation.

--The Ducks tied a school record by having six players taken in the NFL draft, a school-record three going in the second round. Safety (rover) Patrick Chung went to New England with the 34th pick, cornerback Jairus Byrd to Buffalo at No. 42 and center Max Unger to Seattle at 49. Offensive tackle Fenuki Tupou was taken by Philadelphia in the fifth round, defensive tackle Ra'Shon Harris by Pittsburgh in the sixth and defensive end Nick Reed by Seattle in the seventh. Said Chung, on the Patriots: "The team is full of great players. I'm just happy to be around all of these great players and be a part of a football program with good coaches, good players and a good fan base." Running back Jeremiah Johnson was not drafted.

--After the draft ended, RB Jeremiah Johnson (Houston), WR Jaison Williams (Washington) and OG Mark Lewis (Miami) all signed as free agent.

--UO opens its season with a tough game at Boise State but then play four straight home games, with Purdue, Utah, California and Washington State coming to Eugene. The last two of those, of course, are Pac-10 games.

SPRING MOVERS:

QB Jeremiah Masoli -- He picked up where he left off last season and remains a serious dual-threat running this offense. A full season could lead to Masoli producing 3,000 yards from scrimmage.

RB LeGarrett Blount -- He was reinstated from suspension for spring camp and wasn't as his sharpest while battling a weight issue and foot injury, yet was still showing how talented he is. "I'm still not where I want to be, but I'm getting there," he said. "I'm getting there quickly, and dropping weight as I move along."

CB Walter Thurmond III -- He dominated in spring ball.

S T.J. Ward -- One of the key components on the defense, he ran up 10 tackles in the first spring scrimmage.

LB Bryson Littlejohn -- The junior college transfer was opening eyes through the first half of spring camp.

WR Jamere Holland -- Quickly rising through the ranks, he was emerging as the No. 1 receiver.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "I feel very comfortable turning the program over to Chip Kelly. Chip has earned my respect and the admiration of our coaches and players in his short time here." -- Oregon athletic director Mike Bellotti after turning over the coaching reigns to his offensive coordinator.

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: The Ducks had the two-headed monster, Jeremiah Johnson and LeGarrette Blount, as deadly a 1-2 punch as there was anywhere in the country last season. Then, quarterback Jeremiah Masoli emerged as a dual threat and defenses were really in trouble. Only Johnson is missing from the picture and let's not forget Oregon has an all-league type tight end in Ed Dickson. The problem is the line is young and needs some time to grow blocking for a group that has the fewest returning starters in the conference. But Kelly is still calling the shots and that should mean fireworks.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: Kelly, who ran the impressive offense last year, loved the work of his defense early in the spring.

"I haven't seen that many three-and-outs since, uh ... Pedro pitched in the All-Star game in '99," he said after a spring scrimmage.

The Ducks were blasted on the defensive side of the ball, with tackle Will Tukuafu the only returnee up front. That defense wasn't the '85 Bears to begin with, so a little rebuilding probably can't hurt. The coaches are getting two players ready at each position because of the number of plays this defense has to be on the field because of the quick-striking offense.

SCOUTING THE SPECIAL TEAMS: The Ducks spent so much time scoring touchdowns last year the kicking and punting games almost didn't matter. But the kicker and punter are gone and have to be replaced. The return game is intact.

ROSTER REPORT:

--TE Mychal Rivera asked for and received his releases and was transferring. "Mychal is a hard worker and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors," said Oregon coach Chip Kelly. ""His future here wasn't going to be as a tight end and he asked for his release."

--CB Cliff Harris, a top recruit, spent two nights in jail in Fresno after an altercation with police. He was reportedly coming to the aid of his brother and felony and misdemeanor charges were reduced to just misdemeanor offense.

--RB Terrance Pritchett was reinstated from suspension but was battling injury through spring camp.

--OTs C.E. Kaiser and Bo Thran were both out with injuries.

--RB LaMichael James, a a redshirt freshman, was rehabbing an injury and not taking part in spring camp.

--TE Dion Jordan, who worked as a WR during an injury plagued redshirt year, was back at his high school position.