When Ryan Katz
replaced Sean Canfield late in Oregon State's loss to BYU in
the Las Vegas Bowl, it was a sign of change coming for the Beavers. When the
NCAA turned down Lyle Moevao's appeal to be rewarded another year of eligibility
because he missed last season with two injuries, it meant there was no question
OSU was searching for a new starting quarterback for 2010.
Canfield and Moevao had
shared the starting position for the previous three seasons, one taking over
when the other was injured in two of those years. Now, the battle is between
Katz, a sophomore who played in four games last season, and junior transfer
Peter Lalich, who hasn't played since 2008 when he was dismissed
from the team at Virginia after two games.
Changing
quarterbacks is "always a big issue," as OSU coach Mike
Riley noted. It's even more so with the Beavers, who seem set at
virtually every other offensive position, save one starting spot in the line.
Defensively, the Beavers
could put 10 returning starters on the field for the opener Sept. 4 against
TCU, but again, it's a key spot that needs to be filled, at middle linebacker.
The candidates there are all sophomores, Tony Wilson, Rueben Robinson and Feti Unga.
That opening was the most
unexpected as returning starter David Pa'aluhi decided to forego
his final two seasons of eligibility to enlist in the military.
"We think we have ability
there and we will get a good (starter)," Riley said. "That group will
be pretty good athletically."
Riley is also optimistic
that ability will overcome the lack of experience at quarterback. Lalich did
start two games in his two seasons at Virginia, and Katz will be in his third
season with the Beavers.
"We've got two guys
who are a little bit older and have been in the program," Riley said. "I
like the talent there and now we'll see who emerges as the quarterback."
It will help that the offense
still has the Rodgers brothers, Quizz to run the ball and James to run or catch
passes. The Beavers are deep in receivers, though the starters besides James Rodgers need to be decided. And it will help the quarterback to have four of
five offensive lineman back in 2010.
"The returning part
is good," Riley said. "We can talk about a lot of things but whenever
there's a changing of the guard at quarterback, that'll be big news."
SPRING OBJECTIVES:
The Beavers need to find their quarterback and middle linebacker, or at least
move in that direction, during their 15 spring workouts from March 29 and the
conclusion of sessions with the spring game May 2.
There are options at each
spot, and OSU coach Mike Riley said the Beavers may spend more
of their spring in full team workouts to give an accurate picture of progress,
particularly for the quarterbacks.
It's one thing to be an
accurate passer in a seven-on-seven drill; it all changes with linemen rushing
the quarterback into quicker decisions.
Ditto the defense, where
the Beavers need to see how those young middle linebackers handle making decisions
when linemen are blocking them, and they aren't sure if it's a run or pass play.
BUILDING BLOCKS:
The Beavers should be strong up front defensively, with all-American candidate
Stephen Paea back for his senior season.
Paea explored leaving for
the NFL with a season of eligibility left but eventually decided he liked college
football, and could use another season of experience.
"I was worried because
he was going through the evaluation process," Riley said. "I guess
I felt OK because Stephen went into it wanting to come back."
Offensively, the change
at quarterback will be greatly aided by Quizz Rodgers being
around to head up the running game, behind a veteran offensive line. The Beavers
faltered on their rushing offense late in the season, and will look at some
alterations to their blocking schemes in the spring.
QUOTE TO NOTE:
"We'll just let 'em play. We'll probably come out of it with maybe some
determination but maybe the final determination could carry into fall camp."
-- OSU coach Mike Riley, on settling on a starting quarterback
in spring drills.
2010 OUTLOOK:
The Beavers have gone down to the final game of the regular season in each of
the previous two years with the Rose Bowl within their reach. This year, much
will be known about OSU before the Beavers ever play a Pac-10 game with a nonleague
schedule that puts them up against TCU and Boise State on the road and Louisville
at home.
WR Darrell Catchings
-- The expected starter at split end last season, Catchings played in only two
games and was granted a medical redshirt year. He first had a wrist injury,
then a severe ankle sprain. The split end is the featured receiver in OSU's
offense.
LB Michael Doctor
-- He was expected to be the most likely of the true freshmen linebackers
to play in 2009, but academics delayed his enrollment until this winter. His
speed and natural tackling ability make him a prime candidate for special teams,
and he could earn a backup role as an outside linebacker with a strong spring.
RG Burke Ellis
-- The one spot to fill on the offensive line is where all-leaguer Gregg Peat
had started for three seasons. The Beavers like the work of Ellis, a former
walk-on who earned letters his first two seasons in a reserve role.
- The Beavers are going
to be careful with their specialists in the spring after the backups to punter
Johnny Hekker and kicker Justin Kahut both
decided in the winter to transfer elsewhere to find possible playing time.
There are reserves expected for fall workouts, but for the spring, the Beavers
may be using machines in some of their kicking drills.
- Seeking more depth at
defensive tackle, end Kevin Frahm
was moved to the inside. That could put the two strongest Beavers, Frahm and
Stephen Paea, playing next to each other as the tackles.
OSU also has brought offensive linemen Ben
Motter, John Braun
and Nathan Hannah over to
defense in a quest for more depth.
- Jordan
Poyer
was so impressive on special teams as a true freshman that the Beavers want
him on the field more. Thus, rather than being the fourth or fifth safety,
he'll get a look in the spring as a possible third cornerback. He's also be
the likely nickel back for next season.
- Among the Beavers being
held out of spring drills is starting left guard Grant
Johnson, who is recovering from shoulder surgery. The Beavers
are also unsure of the status of Wilder
McAndrews, long considered a potential contributor on the offensive
line but who has been hampered by injuries. Starting outside linebacker
Keith Pankey will miss the spring
after Achilles tendon surgery this winter, but he is expected to be full-go
by July.
- OSU resurrected its men's
track program in the winter, allowing a handful of football players to compete
in indoor meets. It's likely that receivers Jordan
Bishop and Obum Gwacham
will both compete in the Pac-10 championships as 7-foot high-jumpers, and
the Beavers could put together a competitive 4-by-100 relay team. Riley said,
however, that none of them will be allowed to compete in track meets until
the conclusion of spring drills.