Mobile, Alabama. Last season, Jeff Bassa led Oregon’s defense as field general, and he will get the opportunity to do so again at the Senior Bowl.
During practice this week, the Ducks’ inside linebacker has become the green dot for coach-to-player communication on the field for the defense of the national team. Jacques Cesaire, the defensive line coach for the Browns, has been calling plays to Bassa, who has promptly made good use of his abilities as the defensive leader on the field.
“I’m really proud of it,” Bassa remarked. Because of my performance at Oregon, I was able to gain the coaches’ trust. This is especially important now as there are many excellent linebackers and many players who could have worn the green dot first. It means a great deal to them that they can trust me. That demonstrates my ability to coordinate, assign, and ensure that everyone is on our side. ensuring that the front is set, that my defensive backs on the back end are aware of what is happening, and that I can communicate to them what I expect from the offensive based on my film analysis.
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Bassa weighed 226 pounds, down from his listed 235 at UO, and finished the previous season with 54 tackles (2.5 for loss), 1.5 sacks, two pass breakups, and two forced fumbles. According to him, the decline was inevitable throughout the season, and throughout the selection process, they want to be above 225 and between 230 and 233.
On the first practice day, he made the most of his lighter frame by reaching the highest speed of any linebacker, 20.36 mph. Bassa shown that speed on a number of special teams and defense units, and he is aware of how crucial such units are to an NFL team’s overall value.
Bassa stated, “I’m a guy who wants to be on special teams.” If I’m not on special teams, I can become irritated at times. I take great pride in the fact that I can play kickoff, punt, and punt return at Oregon, as well as kickoff return at times.
Bassa has clearly improved over his career, particularly in the last two seasons, but as he prepares in Southern California for the draft, he is concentrating on pass rushing off the edge.
“The league has some amazing tackles, and sometimes I might be asked to be a blitzer and get off the edge,” he remarked. Without a doubt, that is what I will be working on.
–The Oregon Ducks and Big Ten are covered by James Crepea. Get the Ducks Roundup email or listen to the Ducks Confidential podcast.
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