By Rob Moseley

Editor, GoDucks.com

Venue: Outdoor practice fields

Format: Shells

The Ducks were in shells for the second straight day of preseason camp Thursday, another chance for the new-look offensive line and young quarterbacks to contend with a UO defensive line that has really looked good this week.

Junior quarterback Jeff Lockie showed some veteran savvy as he continues to make a bid to replace Marcus Mariota as the starter. In the first team period of the day, he walked back up to the line to make an adjustment, which ended up leading to a completion to Johnny Mundt on a really nice touch pass over the middle. Late in the day, Lockie was under fire and looking to throw out to his right, pumped but pulled it down and then fired a completion to his left, where Kani Benoit hauled it in for a nice gain.

“Jeff's done a good job so far in camp,” UO offensive coordinator Scott Frost said following practice. “He's just the most comfortable in there. He's taken the most reps; he's an older kid, has a lot of confidence. I think he's throwing the ball real well and managing the team well.”

Still to be determined as of Thursday afternoon was the status of potential transfer Vernon Adams, who would presumably compete with Lockie for the starting job. There was no word on his status as of the end of practice (Adams was cleared to join the team later Thursday evening).

“I'm working with the guys I have on the field right now,” Frost said. “I love the guys on the field right now, have a great relationship with them. I'd love to add one more, but that's kind of out of our hands.”

Frost said all five quarterbacks currently on the roster have showed improvement since the spring, noting in particular how well freshman Travis Jonsen has handled the adjustment to college.

Jonsen had a long completion to Dwayne Stanford on the penultimate play of practice, and Tony Brooks-James capped it with a long run. Those were nice finishing “counterpunches” to what overall was a good day for the defense, UO coach Mark Helfrich told the Ducks after practice.

Just four days in, Frost wasn't overly concerned with any issues he's seen so far offensively.

“We love mistakes,” he said. “As long as they're going full-speed, we can fix the mistakes before the first game comes around. I think everything's pretty positive so far.”

Other highlights: A team period late in practice was conducted with the offense backed up to its goal line, where Joe Walker and Tyson Coleman teamed up for a safety. … During the first 11-on-11 period, T.J. Daniel tipped a pass at the line that Glen Ihenacho picked off. Later in 7-on-7, Ihenacho added two more interceptions. … Matt McGraw had an interception in 1-on-1 drills, and Coleman grabbed a deflected pass in 7-on. In the final team period, Tyler Reid came up with both an interception and a fumble recovery …

Lockie was locked in with Charles Nelson in one stretch of 7-on-7 reps, with the two connecting three times in four plays. … Tyrell Crosby pancaked two different guys during 1-on-1 pass-rush drills. There were some great stalemates involving Doug Brenner vs. Austin Maloata, and Jake Pisarcik vs. both Rex Manu and Gary Baker.

Other observations: Speaking of Maloata, he looks a lot more effective having slimmed down to about 300 pounds. Quicker feet while battling at the line of scrimmage, and more effective pursuing ballcarriers past the line. … Nelson, Taj Griffin, Malik Lovette, Kirk Merritt, Ugo Amadi, Brooks-James and Darren Carrington fielded kickoffs. Carrington joined Byron Marshall, Bralon Addison and Chris Tewhill when it was time to field punts. …

Matt Wogan and Aidan Schneider each made a field goal to save the team from extra conditioning, for the third day in a row. … Matt Hegarty worked at center with the first-string for the first time that I've noticed. Doug Brenner moved to guard for those reps. … Coleman joined Johnny Ragin III to work on pass coverage with the receivers and defensive backs in 1-on-1 passing drills. ... After practice, Helfrich brought up the first episode of HBO's “Hard Knocks,” specifically the way it showcased J.J. Watt's work ethic and attention to detail in practice, and the fact he's maybe “the best defensive player on the planet. … Those things are related. There's a reason for that. Have a sense of urgency.”