Oregon Ducks Football: Reviewing the 2011 Two-Deep Coming into the Spring Game

This Saturday, the Ducks will take the field in their annual spring game. For the second straight year, the Ducks will be honoring the troops and playing on ESPN2. For those who tune into the game, you will see many familiar faces but also some rising stars in the Oregon football program.  

With the Ducks being split up into two squads, here is a closer look at the Oregon two deep at every position.

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

Starter

Darron Thomas

Backup

Bryan Bennett    

Overall the Ducks have great top end talent at this position, but should something happen to second-year starter Darron Thomas, this could get really interesting really fast for the Ducks. 

Running Back

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EUGENE, OR - NOVEMBER 26: LaMichael James #21 of the Oregon Ducks celebrates a touchdown run against the Arizona Wildcats on November 26, 2010 at the Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

Starter

LaMichael James

Backup

Kenjon Barner  

This is the deepest position for the Ducks. The benefit to being deep at running back is due to Chip Kelly's offense. Most of the players on the three or even four deep will receive opportunities to step on the field and make plays.

Look for LaMichael James to make another Heisman trophy run.

Wide Receiver

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CORVALLIS, OR - DECEMBER 04: Josh Huff #4 of the Oregon Ducks runs te ball against Keith Pankey #35 of 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 Ima

Starters

Josh Huff, Lavasier Tuinei

Backups

Justin Hoffman, Keanon Lowe  

While the Ducks may have lost a couple of great wideouts in D.J. Davis and Jeff Maehl, the tank is not empty on talent. The Ducks appear to have dodged a spring practice injury to Josh Huff, who appears to be making a speedy recovery.  

The Ducks will look for Huff and Tuinei to step up their game and get some help from some of the incoming JUCO players.

Tight End

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EUGENE, OR - NOVEMBER 26: Tight end David Paulson #42 of the Oregon Ducks heads to the end zone and a touchdown in the first quarter of the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Autzen Stadium on November 26, 2010 in Eugene, Oregon. The Ducks won the game

Starter

David Paulson

Backup

Brandon Williams    

Another position of extreme depth is tight end. While the Ducks may lack great depth at receiver, tight end could be a position that will help the passing game. Both David Paulson and Brandon Williams have the ability to stretch a defensive vertically, while also being tremendous blockers in the running game. 

Offensive Line

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SEATTLE - OCTOBER 24: Wide receiver D.J. Davis #10 of the Oregon Ducks celebrates with Mark Asper #79 after scoring a touchdown against the Washington Huskies on October 24, 2009 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. The Ducks defeated the Huskies 43-

Starters

Nick Cody, Mark Asper, Ryan Clanton, Carson York, Darrion Weems

Backups

Everett Benyard, Ramsen Golpashin, Karrington Armstrong, Mana Greig, Jamaal Burrell  

If the Ducks can find the right combination on the front five, this Ducks team will continue to be as explosive as ever. After losing three starters from last year, the Ducks will turn to players who were backups last year but also realize that some of these players did see game action last year.

Defensive Line

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EUGENE, OR - NOVEMBER 26: Running back Nic Grigsby #5 of the Arizona Wildcats is tackled by defensive end Terrell Turner #45 and defensive tackle Zac Clark #99 of the Oregon Ducks in the fourth quarter of the game at Autzen Stadium on November 26, 2010 in

Starters

Terrell Turner, Taylor Hart, Ricky Heimuli, Dion Jordan

Backups

Anthony Anderson, Isaac Remington, Wade Keliikipi, Brandon Hanna    

One thing that everyone was been saying after each and every spring practice for the Ducks is the overall depth and speed is at a new level this year. The Ducks will need that to stay true on the defensive line as they replace Brandon Bair and Kenny Rowe.  

Keep your eyes on Ricky Heimuli to step in and turn this defensive line into a strength.   

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

Starters

Michael Clay, Kiko Alonso, Josh Kaddu

Backups

Blake Thompson, Dewitt Stuckey, Boseko Lokombo  

Another benefit the Oregon defense will have from last year is the constant rotation in and out of players regardless of being defined as a starter or not. The Ducks will miss the leadership of Casey Matthews in the middle but will rely on the young talent they were able to rotate in throughout the 2010 season.

Cornerbacks

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Cliff Harris #13 of the Oregon Ducks reacts during their game 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 Jo

Starters

Cliff Harris, Anthony Gildon

 Backups

Terrance Mitchell, Troy Hill  

The secondary will be the true strength of this defense. Oregon may be home to the biggest dual threat corner in the nation with Cliff Harris. Harris will have the ability to shut half the field down and allow the Oregon secondary to rotate support over to the other side of the field.

Safeties

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EUGENE, OR - NOVEMBER 26: Free safety John Boyett #20 of the Oregon Ducks celebrates an interception in the first quarter of the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Autzen Stadium on November 26, 2010 in Eugene, Oregon. The Ducks won the game 48-29. (Ph

Starters

John Boyett, Eddie Pleasant

Backups

Brian Jackson, Erick Dargan 

To go along with the corners, Oregon returns both starters at the safety spots. Both John Boyett and Eddie Pleasant will continue to be ball hawks in the secondary and allow the team to develop Brian Jackson and Marcus Davis. 

Kicker/Punter

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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

Starters

Rob Beard, Jackson Rice

Backups

Eric Solis, Alejandro Maldonado  

The Ducks should remain strong in the kicking game as well. Both Rob Beard returns for placekicking duties and Jackson Rice will be back to take care of punting.   Last year, the Ducks often had a advantage in special teams and that should extend into the 2011 season.