Oregon Football: Analyzing the Depth Chart Halfway Through Spring Ball

With the weather starting to turn from Winter to Spring, the minds of college football fans begin to kick back into high gear as the excitement for spring practice begins.  

Coming off of an impressive 2010 season, Oregon will take aim at another run to the national championship. While most of the talent on Oregon's offense returns, spring practice has seen a shake up on the depth chart.  

With spring practices and the spring game still to come, here is a best guess look at the depth chart you may end up seeing the Ducks go with throughout the season.

1. Quarterback

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Darron Thomas #1 of the Oregon Ducks scrambles against the Auburn Tigers during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/G

Darron Thomas, Bryan Bennett, Daryle Hawkins, Dustin Haines

Comments: Coming into the 2011 season, it is a forgone conclusion that Darron Thomas will be the starting quarterback for Oregon.  

Last year, Oregon enjoyed the comfort of knowing that, should anything happen to Thomas, redshirt senior Nate Costa would be ready to take over. When Costa was injured and out for the year, the Oregon offense was very protective of Thomas and started to lower the risk level on Thomas running the ball.  

Coming into 2011, it appears the Ducks will be able to get back to letting Thomas run, if the play calls for it, knowing that Bryan Bennett has picked up the offense quickly and will be ready to help the Ducks should the situation call for it.

2. Running Back

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: LaMichael James #21 of the Oregon Ducks runs down field against the Auburn Tigers during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jonathan

LaMichael James, Kenjon Barner, Lache Seastrunk, Kenny Bassett    

Comments: After leading the nation in rushing, despite missing a game, LaMichael James returns to an Oregon backfield that is quickly becoming crowded with talent.  

Last year, James was leaned on heavily to carry the load due to an injury to Kenjon Barner and the restrictions put on Thomas. James was able to carry the load but as the year closed to an end, James became banged up and was not as explosive as Duck fans are used to seeing.   

With a new season approaching, James will not have to shoulder the load alone this year. Barner is back and healthy, and redshirt freshman, Lache Seastrunk, has wowed people throughout the start of spring practice with his speed and play reading ability.  

3. Wide Receiver

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CORVALLIS, OR - DECEMBER 04: Josh Huff #4 of the Oregon Ducks runs the ball against the Oregon State Beavers during the 114th Civil War on December 4, 2010 at the Reser Stadium in Corvallis, Oregon. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

Lavasier Tuinei, Josh Huff, David Paulson, Will Murphy, Blake Cantu    

Comments: The loss of D.J. Davis and Jeff Maehl to graduation will be a big hit for the Ducks receiving corp. Maehl, who led the Ducks in touchdown receptions, had developed a chemistry with Darron Thomas that will be hard to replace.   

Lavasier Tuinei and Josh Huff will be the big targets coming into 2011. If the Ducks receivers are able to step up and force opponents to respect the pass, the Ducks will be nearly impossible to stop on offense once again.

4. Offensive Line

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LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 30: LaMichael James #21 of the Oregon Ducks celebrates his touchdown with Mark Asper #79 and Ramsen Golpashin #70 for a 43-32 lead over the USC Trojans during the fourth quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 30, 20

Darrion Weems, Carson York, Karrington Armstrong, Ramsen Golpashin, Mark Asper

Brenton Spickerman, Ryan Clanton, Hroniss Grasu, Mana Greig, Nick Cody

Comments: The Ducks will look to replace three starters from last years line but luckily for the Ducks, they are used to rotating in players. This rotation has allowed former backups to see playing time, which will be useful this year.  

The major area of concern will be center as Karrington Armstrong will become the new starter. In the Oregon offense, it is imperative that Armstrong is able to grasp the offense and provide a stability to Darron Thomas.

5. Defensive Line

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EUGENE, OR - SEPTEMBER 04: Defensive end Dion Jordan #96 of the Oregon Ducks gets set at the line of scrimmage in the second quarter of the game against the New Mexico Lobos at Autzen Stadium on September 4, 2010 in Eugene, Oregon. Oregon won the game 72

Terrell Turner, Dion Jordan, Ricky Heimuli, Taylor Hart, Brandon Hanna    

Comments: Much like last year, an area of concern for the Ducks will be their defensive line. Senior starters Kenny Rowe and Brandon Bair have graduated and have left some huge holes for the Ducks to fill.  

Oregon will lean on Terrell Turner and Dion Jordan and hope that Ricky Heimuli is able to develop into a disruptive force on the line.

6. Linebackers

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EUGENE, OR - OCTOBER 2: Linebacker Josh Kaddu #56 and safety Javes Lewis #14 of the Oregon Ducks team up to tackle running back Stepfan Taylor #33 of the Stanford Cardinal in the second quarter of the game at Autzen Stadium on October 2, 2010 in Eugene, O

Michael Clay, Josh Kaddu, Dewitt Stuckey, Bo Lokombo    

Comments: Much like the offensive line, Oregon may end up benefiting from their high tempo and player rotating style. Maybe more then any other position, Oregon takes a huge blow here losing the leader of their defense in Casey Matthews. Not only do they lose Matthews but they also need to replace Spencer Paysinger.  

With the questions the Ducks have up front on their defense, they are going to need the linebackers to come up and help in the run game and also provide pressure on the quarterback.  

This compensation will put the strength of the Oregon defense, the secondary, under a lot of pressure.

7. Cornerbacks

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Cliff Harris #13 of the Oregon Ducks celebrates his first quarter interception with teammates Drew Howell #50 and Talmadge Jackson III #37 against the Auburn Tigers during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at Universi

Cliff Harris, Anthony Gildon, Dior Mathis, Scott Grady    

Comments: When analyzing the defensive side of the ball, Oregon's strength is its secondary. Cliff Harris returns and is already finding himself on publications All-American lists.  

The Ducks should also start to see the rapid development of Dior Mathis. Mathis was a highly sought after recruit that red-shirted last year, and he should be a contributor in the 2011 season.

8. Safety

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BOISE, ID - SEPTEMBER 3: Linebacker Eddie Pleasant #11 of the Oregon Ducks gets set for play in the first quarter of the game on September 3, 2009 at Bronco Stadium in Boise, Idaho. Boise State won the game 19-8. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)

Eddie Pleasant, John Boyett, Brian Jackson, Erick Dargan    

Comments: The strength of this defense doesn't stop at the corners. The safety position on the field is another strength for Oregon as both starters return.  

Both Eddie Pleasant and John Boyett provide a hard hitting presence while at the same time, Boyett is a ball hawk that is capable of going up and making a play.

9. Kicking Game

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EUGENE, OR - OCTOBER 2: Kicker Rob Beard #93 of the Oregon Ducks kicks a kickoff in the first quarter of he game against the Stanford Cardinal at Autzen Stadium on October 2, 2010 in Eugene, Oregon. Oregon won the game 52-31. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty I

Rob Beard, Jackson Rice, Alejandro Maldonado    

Comments: The Ducks return both starters from their kicking game last year. Rob Beard will continue to serve as the Ducks placekicker, and Jackson Rice will continue with his punting duties.  

One thing to keep in mind is the Ducks have Alejandro Maldonado, a highly rated recruit, waiting for his opportunity to kick for the Ducks.

10. Kick Returners

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Kenjon Barner #24 of the Oregon Ducks runs down field against the Auburn Tigers during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jonathan F

Kenjon Barner, Cliff Harris, Lache Seastrunk    

Comments: The special teams return game remains strong as both starting return men are back in 2011.   Along with becoming one of the nations elite covermen, Cliff Harris is an electrifying punt returner that will help the Oregon offense maintain field position.  

On kickoffs, Kenjon Barner will continue to provide stability to that position as the Ducks will begin to break Lache Seastrunk into both his role as a running back, but also a kick returner.