Oregon HC Dan Lanning Wants to See Improvement at Training Camp

During the Big Ten Media Days in July, Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning said what separates this team from talented squads in the past is the experience his roster has to add to that talent.

Training camp this summer will give his experienced players another opportunity to hone in on their skillset before a promising regular season. Oregon is expected to make the College Football Playoff and should have a roster worthy of playing for the national championship.

When speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Lanning said that he loves training camp because he gets the opportunity to see his players and coaches working to get better. The summer is a chance for his players to make big-time growth before the season.

"I love being on the grass, man," Lanning said, via the Ducks' website. "I love seeing guys that make a mistake one day and they come out and fix a mistake the next day. A guy that pushes a little bit harder and fights his way through practice because it's taxing; you know, the growth moments. 

"I love watching our coaches coach. This part of the season, I get to get into a lot of different meeting rooms and see our coaches coach. We have some really good teachers. That's great to show up and to see." 

Lanning and his players have been able to take advantage of new tools provided by Oregon to improve their skills at training camp. The school has two new turf fields next to the indoor practice facility. 

Lanning noted that the extra space has allowed the Ducks to have more "big-field drills" in camp. The team had been more limited in the past.

 "It's been great to have the field space," Lanning said. "I think it's allowed us to do some more big-field drills, where you're a little more limited when you have just one field that you're operating on with 100 yards. 

"But that piece has been really nice. Turf's in great shape."

Those extra reps could be crucial for the Ducks this season and will be helpful when the team practices for the postseason.