Oregon Football: 5 players to watch in 2017 spring game

Nov 19, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Justin Herbert (10) gets a pass off before being hit by Utah Utes defensive tackle Pasoni Tasini (59) during the second half at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Oregon won 30-28. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Justin Herbert (10) gets a pass off before being hit by Utah Utes defensive tackle Pasoni Tasini (59) during the second half at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Oregon won 30-28. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 7, 2015; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks offensive lineman Tyrell Crosby (73) blocks California Golden Bears defensive end Cameron Saffle (51) as Oregon Ducks quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. (3) throws an interception in the first quarter at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2015; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks offensive lineman Tyrell Crosby (73) blocks California Golden Bears defensive end Cameron Saffle (51) as Oregon Ducks quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. (3) throws an interception in the first quarter at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports /

Freeman certainly couldn’t be blamed for all of his woes as Oregon’s streak of 1000-yard rushers ended. Tyrell Crosby was supposed to man the left side of the Oregon offensive line in 2016.

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Instead, he missed nine games as he fought through nagging foot injuries that had first materialized in the summer. Losing the left tackle had a snowball effect, as the running game was unable to capture its usual effectiveness and the Duck quarterbacks were sacked more than twice per game.

Crosby’s return will help anchor an offensive line that has a lot more depth after the injuries of 2016. It will be interesting to see how much Taggart and the Ducks staff play Crosby throughout spring practices and especially during the spring game.

The key is striking a balance between gaining reps in a new scheme and preventing a recurrence of the injury that sidelined one of Oregon’s key linemen. If Crosby can stay healthy, the Ducks should immediately improve their line play.