The Daily 12-PAC: Washington Kickers, Dual-Sport Ducks, Leach Talks Spring Ball & Beavs Look For Motivation

Scott Enyeart — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 17:30:17 -0000

Welcome to another edition of The Daily 12-PAC. In today's DTP we take a look at the special teams unit at Washington, two-sport athletes at Oregon, preview spring practice at Wazzu, and find out what Oregon State "wants".

UW Special Teams Overview

Bob Condotta takes an in-depth look at Washington's special teams, and as he mentions it is a unit that will have a drastically different look this fall.

The Huskies lose their starting kicker and punter, as well as the backups at the positions. It appears as of now that the Dawgs will rely on a true freshman punter, and a JC transfer kicker to handle the duties once the season rolls around.

Condotta also takes a look at other aspects of the special teams, including long snappers and return men. Enjoy.

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WSU Set To Begin Spring Practices

Washington State will commence spring football practices this Thursday, and Christian Caple of the Spokesman-Review has this quasi-preview.

In it, you'll read some quotes from Mike Leach addressing, among other things, the QB competition in Pullman. Of note, Leach says even if there is a front-runner at the end of spring, the competition will extend into fall.

Also, while most teams have set scrimmage dates and "Spring Games", Leach does not. Instead he will play it by ear and hold scrimmages "whenever [he] needs to."

Leach has so much swag, it's awesome.

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Oregon Ducks Excelling In Football & Track

The Oregon Ducks have a pair of football players who will be running track this spring, and according to FishDuck, the school has a long history of grid-track athletes.

The two players running this year are Dior Mathis and B.J. Kelley, however, unless De'Anthony Thomas joins the track team, I probably wouldn't watch a single meet. I got to watch DAT run in high school, and we've all seen him on the field.

You've gotta admit he would definitely be a nice addition to the tradition-rich Oregon track program.

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Beavers In Search Of Inner Motivation

ESPN's PAC-12 Blog posted this interview with Oregon State's Sports Performance Center Director, Bryan Miller. The focus of the interview is about Miller trying to change the motivating factors of the Beavs.

Not just going through motions, but as he describes it, "increasing their 'want to' - their drive to work. I have always been a student of different coaches and philosophies, so I found this piece intriguing. I think you will as well.

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To join in on the discussion and find more great college football commentary and analysis, make sure you head to SB Nation's Pac-12 football blog, Pacific Takes.

SB Nation - B.J. Kelley

The Daily 12-PAC: Washington Kickers, Dual-Sport Ducks, Leach Talks Spring Ball & Beavs Look For Motivation

UW Special Teams Overview

WSU Set To Begin Spring Practices

Oregon Ducks Excelling In Football & Track

Beavers In Search Of Inner Motivation