Oregon Football: 5 Areas the Ducks Must Improve on in Spring Practice

As we approach the month of April, college football players are beginning to refocus and spring practices are starting to gear up. For the Ducks, they are beginning to prepare for life without LaMichael James and Darron Thomas this fall. 

While the Ducks certainly have the talent to make a seamless transition, replacing players of that caliber is always difficult, and it is hard to expect the Ducks to be better without them. 

When all is said and done and the final snap of the spring game has been taken, here is what Oregon fans are hoping to see from their team. 

Marcus Mariotti Is for Real

During the 2011 season, fans were able to get a glimpse of the feature and see what it would be like to have Bryan Bennett as their starter. The answer was that the future was bright, but that is not stopping Marcus Mariotti from making a push for the starting job. 

What Duck fans hope to see is that Mariotti is as good as advertised. If Mariotti does live up to the hype, then Duck fans can sleep easy knowing that whoever wins the quarterback competition will be a great replacement.

Wide Receiver Help

No matter which quarterback does get the start, they will need help from their wide receivers. 

Last year the Ducks got average play from this group but really have lacked a serious passing threat that can complement their running game. If the Ducks can develop some of their young talent and make teams respect the pass, then the Ducks will be on the right path. 

Leave Healthy

Most notably Josh Huff suffered a knee injury during spring practice, and it seemed to linger the entire year. While injuries are bound to occur during the spring drills and game, the hope is that they will be minor and nothing will have an impact on the start of the 2012 season. 

Increased Role for De'Anthony Thomas

With the departure of both LaMichael James and Tra Carson, the Ducks have gone having an abundance of depth at running back to a bit thin. 

During the 2012 season, the Ducks will be leaning on Kenjon Barner to carry most of the load. While it is still a question if he can do that, it is more important than ever that the role for De'Anthony Thomas be increased.

Last year, Thomas saw action in the return, passing and run game and this year those touches will be increased. During this season, look for Thomas to get a lot more action and be even more valuable in the passing game.

Chip Does His Magic

Seems like since Chip Kelly came on board in 2007, he has helped the Ducks transition on the offensive side of the ball without missing a beat. This year, the Ducks are going through transition again, and with transition comes an uncomfortable feeling for Duck fans. 

Fans of the Ducks have seen them transition from Dennis Dixon to Jeremiah Masoli to Darron Thomas and now to a new quarterback, and have moved from Jonathan Stewart to Jeremiah Johnson to LeGarrette Blount to LaMichael James and now Kenjon Barner.

Despite the great track record, fans will still be anxious and nervous until they see what this new team is like.