Oregon fall camp (all days): tidbits you should know (long)

I thought I'd update the LSU faithful on relevant tidbits coming from the "other" camp. I can see your fanbase salivating on every little morsel that's available from your own. Anyway, here are the things I've picked up perusing every article available to me.

1) The biggest news is De'Anthony Thomas. He is 5'9" 173 per the new media guide that is not posted online yet (showing 160 on scout, rivals and goducks). He has been gushed over by everyone during voluntary workouts and the same thread continued today. Everyone that watched today said he was arguably the most noticable player. He is a true frosh that was rated 5* at four different positions by scount (cb, s, rb, wr). Chip said today that he was working with the rb coach exclusively. I was surprised by this since the players were saying he'd play in the slot, which is open due to Huff playing out wide and Lavasier Tuinei as well. The slot is open. CK has repeatedly said he is concerned about the #3 rb spot. With Lache sitting at that spot, read into it what you will.

2) LMJ and Barner look abolutely yoked. Both of them are listed on every roster around 180-185. LMJ said today that he added 15 pounds and Barner told KVAL, local ABC affiliate, that he is 195. That is considerable weight for both of them (barner was 180). LMJ says he is about 200. I say this because rb was thin last year and LMJ needs this weight to sustain a high level.

3) Darron Thomas is the leader of this team. This has been a soundbite thoughout summer and has continued into today. With a team that lost a ton of seniors, leadership was a void. DT seems to be stepping in well. A lot of people see similiarities between this offense and the one that went to Boise in '09. That offense returned no regular starter on the oline, had Maehl in the receiving corp going from slot to the outside, a TE and Masoli. The correlation is minimal at best.

4) The oline will continue to be the most talked about unit going into a game against LSU. The media is following the same mantra as on this board: the battle will be in trenches. Our interior oline will be a big focus needless to say. Today Grasu started with the ones and not Armstrong, our 260 pound center. Grasu is a redshirt frosh that played in the same system in high school in California's toughest league. He is our most athletic option and is a technician. This is not that surprising to me. However, watch for the two deep to be somewhat fluid for another week and half until they settle. Armstrong was with the twos along side Stevens, the 315 pound center prospect returning from his mission, at right guard, which is another spot open. Also of note, Jake Fisher was in the two deep as a true frosh. He is a massive human being that was pulled from Big 10 country and a late surprising signee.

5) ILB is going to be an interesting spot. Alonso, charged with criminal mischief, played with the twos. His status is unknown for LSU because CK left it open ended. Stuckey got time with the ones. Alonso is clearly the best ILB and it showed today in practice. His inclusion in the second unit is telling. Also of note, he split some snaps with true frosh Anthony Wallace. It's looking like Alonso misses the LSU game, as he probably should.

Anyway, this is from a compilation of several articles that you can find on www.ducksportsnow.com. Feel free to ask questions or to tell me to frick myself.