Training camps are opening, and the NFL is back! It’s been 25 weeks since the Broncos beat the Panthers in Santa Clara in Super Bowl 50 and we’re now 6 days from the first pre-season game of 2016 happening.
So why not use this time to check in on some of the former Ducks that were recently drafted and how they’re doing at the next level?
Starting off first with undrafted wide receiver Byron Marshall (2012-15), now with the Philadelphia Eagles. Marshall reported early to the Eagles camp, and is already getting a lot of attention from the Philly press. Jimmy Kempski writes that Marshall is a good fit for the new Eagles offense under Head Coach Doug Pederson as a valued pass catcher and blocker. More on Marshall HERE.
Former Ducks head coach Chip Kelly (2007-11) is off to a strong start in San Francisco as the 49ers have opened their camp up over the weekend. Kevin Jones of KNBR in San Francisco wrote about Kelly being a “quarterback whisperer” while with the Eagles, and says that if Kaepernick hadn’t shown his worth to Kelly, he would have already been traded. Possibly cementing Kaepernick as the 49ers week 1 starter. More on that HERE.
Arik Armstead, Duck (2012-14), was drafted in the 2015 NFL Draft by the 49ers and then Head Coach Jim Tomsula, is also having a strong start to his 2nd NFL camp.
DL Arik Armstead just clobbered Carlos Hyde in backfield, throwing him to the ground with one arm. He’s been all over the place
— Kevin Jones (@Mr_KevinJones) August 1, 2016
Armstead played in all 16 games last season, never starting, and had two sacks and 14 tackles according to his pro-football-reference.com page. Armstead will look to improve his roll on the defensive line for his former Coach at Oregon, as well as playing with former Duck teammate DeFrorest Buckner.
Speaking of Buckner (2012-15)- the #7 overall pick from last May’s draft in Chicago, is already getting first team reps after only a couple days in camp. Chris Biderman of USA Today covers the 49ers and had this to say about the pair of former Ducks:
#49ers second practice in the books. Arik Armstead was awfully tough to block. DeForest Buckner got his first reps with the starters.
— Chris Biderman (@ChrisBiderman) August 1, 2016
Buckner spoke with the media Sunday and explained some of the advice he got going into training camp, and how excited he was to be in an NFL camp. His Q&A with the Bay Area media can be watched HERE.
Two former Ducks are also working with the Miami Dolphins. Last week Dion Jordan (2011-15), #3 pick in 2014, was reinstated after violating the Leagues NFL drug policy and missed the entire 2015 season. However, the Dolphins were surprised to learn that before being reinstated, Jordan had knee surgery and will start the season on the non-injury list. Geoffrey Arnold wrote more about the Dolphins reaction to this news HERE.
The other Duck that is with the Dolphins is Ifo-Ekpre-Olomu (2011-15). Back in May we wrote about Ifo and his journey from injured, to the Browns then the Dolphins. The cornerback hasn’t played any competitive football since his knee injury in 2015. Now with the Dolphins, Ekpre-Olomu is hoping to secure any spot on an NFL roster. Omar Kelly of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel has been covering the Dolphins training camp. This injury to another Dolphin hopeful at CB does slightly open the door for Ekpre-Olomu to securing a roster spot.
Bobby McCain being sidelined is huge for Ifo Ekpre-Olomu and Jordan Lucas, the backup nickel candidates. Play well and job is yours.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) July 29, 2016
However, Kelly also makes it sound like Ekpre-Olomu hasn’t exactly caught up to NFL speed, and looks to be a little rusty.
If you make Ifo Ekpre-Olomu flip his hips, change directions, his receiver is generally open. That’s not good!
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) August 1, 2016
Here’s to hoping Ifo can get his NFL “sea legs” back underneath him in time to impress the coaches in Miami.
Heisman winner and #2 overall pick in 2015 Marcus Mariota (2011-2014) continues to show what a great person he in. Jim Wyatt tweeted this picture of Mariota signing autographs in the hot Tennessee sun.
.@Titans QB Marcus Mariota signing autographs for fans. Said he plans to sign for everyone in this line pic.twitter.com/QaqVHSazig
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) August 1, 2016
Mariota stayed true to his word and signed something for everyone in that line. The Titans also have a gallery of pics of Mariota signing Titans and Oregon Duck gear HERE. It’s pretty clear that Mariota will be the starter for the Titans, it’s just a matter of how the team will come together around him. Andre Johnson was recently signed to bolster the WR’s the Titans have, as well as free agency signings of DeMarco Muray, and another former Heisman winner Derrick Henry as a running back duo.
That’s going to do it for this week’s roundup. Tweet us at the station’s twitter page @953TheScore, or myself @rickngogers for any other pro-Ducks you would like us to keep some tabs on.
