Fantastic.

DeWayne Walker: I think he gets way more criticism on this site than he should. You could say he struggles with the spread but I honestly think its less him and more the personel. I am smitten with this guy and I'll be happy to tell you why.

Our defense made unbelievable strides on the defense and I won't rehash the statistics because we know them all: they are fantastic. We almost went up 100 freakin spots for chrissakes.

It's the attitude on the defensive side that really matters though.  Many on this site (including myself) and others cast off Walker's talk of a revitalized defense last year as BS. "Yeah, we've heard this all before." I thought the excitement on the defensive side was palpable. You could tell how excited the players were.  And we saw the results.

Now we know how Walker struggles with the spread, but, again, I thought it was more an issue with personnel rather than coaching: I don't think there was sufficient depth in the defensive backfield to really challenge a good spread. Most of the damage in the spread was done in the air and not on the ground.  With Norris and Kibble hurt last year, there was a big hit.  I also don't think the depth at corner, especially, was good enough. WIth Norris coming back and Viney being as good (and disciplined) as he is, I expect to see better performance in the crucial one on one situations that ultimately make or break the success of a spread defense.

That being said, I'm sure you know how terrific of a recruiter Walker is.  Most of these defensive recruits for this year and last year are there because Walker knows how to bring them in.  There are three CB's already coming in for 2008, and all of them are blue chippers. Also, Moore is probably going to be a five-star while aaron hester is due to recieve an offer from 'SC. Just these two recruits are the best in the Dorrell era (and maybe a tiny bit before). Besides the CB's the other recruits are all fantastic too, many of them also holding offers from SC. Should Dorrell get the axe, I would LOVE to see Dewayne Walker be a head coach.  This guy has balls, is running a great defense, and can recruit.

Eric Scott is also an unbelievable pickup for UCLA.  I actually had a chance to talk with him on the phone and I insantly fell in love with this guy.  If you talk to any of the newer recruits, you'll hear how much they love both Scott and Walker.  Scott will motivate and teach our recievers this year, I guarantee it. He will rejuvenate an underachieving recieving group in the same way that Walker rejuvenated the defense. Scott is also primarily responsible for bringing in the WR's in the 2008 class. Kemonte Bateman is a fantastic pickup and Jerry Johnson, also being recruited from SC, should also be pretty sick.

I wouldn't call Norvell a retread: I think Nebraska did pretty well last year with a subpar QB. Sure Norevell didn't ever call plays, but neither did Walker. I'm not saying Norvell will be good or great or terrible. I'm just reserving my judgment.

Expecting some criticisms, so bring em on...

and GO BRUINS!