BURBANK, Calif. -- A month ago everyone (including Oregon coach Mark Helfrich) probably anticipated discussing the quarterback competition between Vernon Adams and Jeff Lockie while at the Pac-12 media days -- it was, and still is, the biggest storyline for the Ducks entering the 2015 season.

But when Helfrich took the stage on Friday, even before it got to that line of questioning, he addressed the fact that he wouldn’t be addressing Adams, who has yet to officially enroll at Oregon.

“I know everybody will want to address the quarterback position,” Helfrich said. “And the only thing we're going to talk about are the people that are here and involved in the program.”

Adams, though in Eugene, isn’t involved with the program yet because he has unfinished coursework from Eastern Washington. Based on the latest reports about Adams’ eligibility, he'll likely miss the first few practices in August.

So that left reporters and Helfrich in a dance of sorts, discussing hypothetical situations about a player who couldn’t be named.

It went something like this:

Question: Philosophically, how do you feel about two quarterbacks? Translation: Would you play both Adams and Lockie?

Helfrich: “We've played two quarterbacks before in various ways. I think especially if two guys are different, it's better than if they're very similar or you do things one way."

Question: In terms of picking up the verbiage and playbook, how often does that tend to take guys at the quarterback spot? Translation: How long will it take Adams to come up to speed once he can join the team?

Helfrich: “It’s 100 percent unique to each individual. Some guys can come in and know kind of the scheme and maneuver of things within days. Some guys it's never."

Question: Jeff wouldn't be the first guy that's put in the work, been loyal, stayed for a bunch of years and had the chance to be unseated as a starter. How are you dealing with that if and when it comes about? Translation: How are you and Lockie dealing with the fact that Adams could show up midway through fall camp and steal Lockie’s starting spot, which he has waited for patiently?

Helfrich: “The players do, too, and that is probably the more important part. We're going to compete every day at every single position. Our guys know that. We tell them in recruiting."

And they all understand the possibility of Adams coming in and taking the starting job, just as they understand discussing that fact without saying Adams’ name publicly.

“It’s better to have more [competition],” Oregon running back Royce Freeman said. “We’re glad that we have people wanting to come in. We're just focused on who we have now, though. We’re not trying to focus on who’s not here.”

But it leaves the Ducks in a haphazard situation with a very tight timeline.

Adams have several things going for him -- the Ducks’ first opponent is his old team. His athleticism seems perfectly suited for the Oregon offense. He has the most game experience of any quarterback on Oregon’s roster, even against Pac-12 opponents.

During the 2013 and 2014 seasons at Eastern Washington, he faced Oregon State and Washington and finished 1-1 in those games.

Against the Beavers and Huskies defense, he threw for 886 yards, 11 touchdowns and no interceptions. He also added 107 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns against Oregon State in 2013.

The 2014 performance against Washington left a strong impression on Huskies coach Chris Petersen, who said he’s sure Adams will fit in well at Oregon.

“He can do some good things,” Petersen said. “We saw that up close and personal. He's a good player and a heck of a competitor and can throw that ball. He's an accurate thrower. He had a heck of a day against us, so I'm sure he'll do some good things.”

So even if he has already proved himself on the Pac-12 level, he must prove himself on the Oregon level. And that’s a question that Helfrich isn’t going to answer.