The biggest news that came out of the Oregon’s spring football practice ( 13th overall ) on Monday was running back Kenjon Barner admitting he’s paired with sophomore QB Bryan Bennett for Saturday’s annual spring football game.   Big news considering the media and fans haven’t been allowed to watch one snap of practice since drills began 3 weeks ago.

With Barners revelation, it can only be surmised freshman QB Marcus Mariota and speedster De’Anthony Thomas will play together on the opposite team.   Now, if that doesn’t get your spring football blood moving, I don’t know what will.  Of course, the official rosters of the green and white teams won’t be announced until after Wednesday’s final spring practice, that announcement coming from head coach Chip Kelly after Monday’s workout.

Now just five days away from the annual Oregon spring football game, Duck head coach Chip Kelly praised his teams progress heading into the last week of practice, however his praise seemed tempered with cautious optimism.  “I’m pleased” said Kelly after Monday’s practice outside of Autzen Stadium.   ”We’re never satisfied.  You always have to get better.  Their attention to detail and what we’ve asked them to do is where it needs to be for us to be successful.  It can always be better and everyone understands that.”

After Monday’s practice, ( the Ducks 13th overall of the spring ), Kelly told reporters the green and white teams for Saturdays spring game have been selected and did manage to get in a little work on their individual teams.   Although Kelly wouldn’t elaborate on the specific players of each team, he did say the rosters would be officially set on Wednesday once the coaches determined which players were completely healthy and could play without injury.

“Incomplete” said offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich on Friday when asked to provide a grade for competing quarterbacks Bryan Bennett and Marcus Mariota.  “They’re doing some really good things” said Helfrich outside of Autzen Stadium after Friday’s practice.   “In general, very happy with the direction they’re headed,..but they’re headed.”

Now, 12 practices into spring drills, Helfrich seems pleased with the offenses progression.   The primary focus from the media and fans perspective over the last three weeks is the competition that’s going on between Bennett and Mariota.   Because of the closed practice sessions, it’s certainly difficult to discern how much the two QB’s have honestly improved.  Helfrich does his best though, to verbally paint a portrait of his two young signal callers.   ”We’re always chasing perfection” say’s Helfrich.   ”Those guys have been really solid decision wise….we need to take care of the ball a bit better here and there.”

Once a year the annual NFL draft is held in New York City at Radio City Music Hall.   This year, former Duck players LaMichael James, David Paulson, Darron Thomas, Mark Asper, Josh Kaddu and Eddie Pleasant hope their names will be part of the ceremonies in the Big Apple.

In Eugene though, the Oregon Ducks are having draft ceremonies of their own.   That’s right, a mock draft to choose teams for the upcoming annual spring football game.   To choose both the Green and White teams, Oregon’s assistant coaches will barricade themselves in the draft war room over the weekend to officially and evenly select their teams.   Of course I’m kidding about the war room, but you get the point.   Head coach Chip Kelly told reporters after Friday’s practice that he’s not involved in the draft process and allows his coaching staff to select players.   “It’s always interesting cause I’m not involved” said Kelly.   “I think each year whichever staff thought they did a better job drafting didn’t end up winning the game so we’ll see how it goes.”