If Armstead misses some spring practices, the football team won’t be complaining

If Armstead misses some spThat headline is just a hunch of course. But I feel pretty safe saying that.

Sophomore defensive end Arik Armstead said yesterday he intends to see through the NCAA tournament run with the UO basketball team, despite the looming start of spring football practice April 2. For Armstead to miss the first week, the hoops team would have to upset No. 1 seed Louisville on Friday and also win Sunday in the Elite Eight, thus reaching the Final Four ... and in that case I don't see Mark Helfrich complaining about Armstead missing four of the 15 spring football workouts.

Helfrich has been very vocal about his support for football players competing in other sports, such as De'Anthony Thomas and others with the track team. And a Final Four run would be huge for the athletic department.

Now, that's not to say Armstead wouldn't be missed. He's still very much developing as a star defensive lineman, but he's not there yet. He's got a new position coach to adjust to, Ron Aiken. And there's a difference between football shape and basketball shape, although Armstead said in the story linked above he'll be ready to go whenever he hits the football field.

When he does report for his first football workout, “I’m going to be ready,” Armstead said. “I think basketball got me in good shape and I’ll be ready for spring ball.”

The elephant in the room, I suppose, is that Armstead isn't actually playing basketball, he's redshirting. But if this amazing run by the basketball team somehow lasts another week, I don't see this being an issue.ring practices, the football team won’t be complaining