Chris Seisay

Oregon defensive back Chris Seisay is expected to start at one corner position this season in his sophomore season. But around him, there is still much work to be done in UO's rebuilding secondary.

(Mark J. Terrill/The Associated Press)

EUGENE -- Even Oregon's secondary isn't immune to watching the Ducks' much-discussed quarterback battle during spring practices.



At least one commonality to emerge among Oregon's defensive backs in the first two weeks was this: Rather than focusing on their assignment, the DBs often were caught "peeking" into the backfield, watching the post-snap mannerisms of the five quarterbacks competing for the starting job.



It's why secondary coach John Neal's goal for the unit this week is as much about focus as football.



"Quit looking at the quarterback," he said. "Quit looking to see where the ball is than where you're supposed to be.



"That's overwhelmingly what I've been talking about, and then you add the tackling and the communication assignments and stuff like that. Some of those things you have to change your habits and habits that have been years and years and years developed in the wrong way."



Entering his 13th season at Oregon, Neal has overseen both minor renovations and major rebuilds of his secondary before. His task this spring is closer to the latter after two starting corners -- one an All-American in Ifo Ekpre-Olomu -- and a starting safety graduated. He also replaced three starters in the 2014 offseason, too, though those holes were filled by experienced role players.



This spring, the unit isn't devoid of experience. Yet a stark contrast remains, nonetheless, between the options Neal had last season and the youth he will consider for major playing time in 2015. Candidates to replace Ekpre-Olomu and corner Troy Hill include a true freshman (Ugo Amadi) and a converted receiver and special teams star (Charles Nelson). At safety, a possible backup is Austin Daich, a junior who has experience in the secondary but played receiver last season.



Neal, who has likened his job to putting together a new puzzle every year, has to break it down to its individual pieces before seeing the entire picture. Versatility in the secondary is highly valued by the Ducks and some can glide between positions without a hitch -- Reggie Daniels and Tyree Robinson each can play both free and strong safety. But for younger players, the first step is learning whether he can master his primary position.



Neal uses sophomore corner Arrion Springs -- "probably overwhelmingly my most improved player in every way" this spring -- as an example of the method. Last July, he arrived with a four-star recruiting rating but in need of refinement.



Before he could flourish, he was broken down and rebuilt, the same process his younger teammates are now experiencing as they break bad habits such as peeking into the backfield, the kind of tendencies a physically overpowering high school star could once get away with.



"I made a mistake years ago with Jairus Byrd and his redshirt freshman year," Neal said. "He's such a good player but one play he's playing this position, the next he's in that position, the next one. ... I had him moving all over the place and it kind of hit me that, 'He's not very good.' I go, it's because I'm doing it, I'm putting him in too many positions.



"... Then I narrowed that down to a couple of things for him and he could start to be the kind of player Jairus was and is at that next level."



Nelson, who became a team-favorite because of his all-out play on special teams as a true freshman a season ago before moving to receiver, is one such player talented enough to play multiple spots in the secondary.



"But I don't want to do it to him yet," Neal said.



For now Nelson, who once dabbled at safety in high school, is like the rest of the novices taking College Defensive Back 101. Big things are expected of him in the future. But first, Nelson and the rest must master the little details.



"In time I'm going to move him around," Neal said, "and he's going to play all over the place."



OK, onto the links:

Kicker Matt Wogan called his sophomore season "confusing."

After working out Marcus Mariota, the NFL's Chargers moved onto Brett Hundley.

The Pac-12 blog at ESPN examines several conference QB battles.

Morgan Mahalak is more focused after a redshirt season.

At least one Duck will be attending the NFL draft.

Former UO hoops player Damyean Dotson has found his "second chance."



-- Andrew Greif

agreif@oregonian.com

503-221-8100

@andrewgreif