Dan Lanning explains what linebacker Jeffrey Bassa provides in the Dime role

When Oregon has gone to Dime looks on defense this season — basically meaning there are six defensive backs on the field — head coach Dan Lanning has deployed linebacker Jeffrey Bassa in a deep coverage position, where a safety would normally patrol.

This works, in part, because Bassa came to Oregon as a safety. The 6-foot-2, 212 pounder has natural speed and range but added weight to his frame since coming to Oregon. Now, as a sophomore, the linebacker is getting some looks in the dime package.

“Jeff’s a versatile player,” Lanning said. “And obviously coming here as a safety and then growing and moving into a linebacker position, I think he provides the ability to cover and he has some speed that translates to the game and allows us to use him in a couple different ways on third down.”

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The undersized linebacker-oversized safety has become a hot commodity for defenses trying to attack offenses in multiple ways while not sacrificing being sound in defending the run and pass. They bring the speed, length and spatial ability to cover tight ends and receivers while bringing enough heft to get into the box and plug up run plays.

While he’s no Derwin James or Kyle Hamilton, Bassa gives Oregon that sort of versatility and it’s something Lanning is exploring further with the sophomore.

Lanning also discussed expectations for the Oregon pass rush

Through two weeks of the season, Oregon has had its issues under Lanning. While the Ducks easily beat Eastern Washington out of the FCS, their trip to Atlanta to play Georgia was a disaster. They were blown out and have been largely discredited ever since. Part of the issue was their defensive struggles, in particular, when it came to rushing the passer.

While speaking to the media, Lanning was asked to assess Oregon’s pass rush through two weeks of the season.

“It’s twofold, right?” Lanning said. “We’d obviously love to be in the backfield a little bit more, but if the ball’s getting out quick you’re not going to have 15 sacks.”

For Lanning, there are a couple of things that you need to look at. First, do you have the opportunity to make sacks? Second, did you take advantage of those opportunities?

“To me, it’s about winning the game. So, I’m not a stat counter. I don’t care how many sacks we have. I care how many wins we have, right? Certain times, you play teams they’re going to allow you to get those when the ball is put on the perimeter a little bit more, you’re not going to get those opportunities,” Lanning said.

“But what we can’t do is miss sack opportunities when we have them. So, if we have a guy wrapped up and we don’t finish on him, that’s on us. Right, and there’s a couple of those moments we’ve seen in the first two games.”

Through two weeks, Oregon has recorded just two sacks. That’s tied for 110th in the country, with plenty of time for those numbers to improve.