Football News & Notes

by Nestor on Jan 8, 2008 4:54 AM PST in Football

As expected, the Palcic hiring is the lead story today. From the OC Register:

"I'm excited about returning to UCLA and I am looking forward to working for Rich (Neuheisel)," Palcic said, in a statement through the athletic department.

The Bruins last season were ranked sixth in the Pac-10 and 57th among 119 bowl Division I-A teams in rushing offense, averaging 151 yards per game, and eighth in the conference in rushing touchdowns with 12. They also were tied for seventh in the Pac-10 and 102nd in the nation with Oregon State in sacks allowed with 36.

Wisconsin, meanwhile, was 22nd in the nation in rushing offense, churning out 201.5 yards per game. The Badgers did, however, allow 33 sacks and were 91st in the nation.

More from the Daily News and the LA Times. Again, as noted in the comment threads yesterday, I think it is worth mentioning how CRN was able to lure Palcic away from a solid program like Wisconsin with a pay raise. To me it shows some signs of commitment on the part of UCLA to having a serious football program.

Palcic’s arrival might mean the end of OL coach Bob Connelly. Another coach who is on the move is Jay Norvell, who is looking for jobs at places like Purdue and Oklahoma. But, as of right now, nothing is official yet. Per Jill Painter, we should probably know more by Friday.

Elsewhere, congrats to 34 members of the football team who made the UCLA Director’s Honor Roll. From Painter:

Thirty-four members of the 2007 UCLA football earned a spot on the UCLA Director’s Honor Roll for the Fall Quarter. Student-athletes with a grade-point average of 3.0 or higher and at least 12 graded units make the list. Eight of the 10 scholarship freshmen who entered school this past quarter made the Director’s Honor Roll.

The complete list includes: Luc Barbosa, Brandon Bennett, McLeod Bethel-Thompson, Ben Bruneau, Raymond Carter, Patrick Cowan, Matthew Culver, Justin Edison, Justin Fareed, Chris Forcier, Michael Harris, Brigham Harwell, Tyler Holland, Ryal Jagd, Aleksey Lanis, Kenneth Lombard, Glenn Love, Travis Martin, Shawn Oatis, Terry O’Neal, Logan Paulsen, Aaron Perez, Robert McCurdy, Brian Price, Danny Rees, Garrett Rubio, Michael Schmitt, Nathaniel Skaggs, Matthew Slater, Steve Sloan, William Snead, Trevor Theriot, Courtney Viney, Jordan Woolbright and undergraduate coach Steve Urrutia

Brian Price’s name stands out to me from that group. That is extremely impressive on BP’s part after getting a late start since he didn’t arrive on campus at the same time with the other freshmen as UCLA had issues clearing his papers with the NCAA. Congrats to Brian and everyone else.

One guy who is making the grade on the next level is MJD. And I had to share with you this article by Mark Reiss of the Boston Globe who took note of MJD’s spectacular night against the Steelers and compared his career to the overhyped one of you know who:

The triple-threat performance was nothing new for Jones-Drew, who has been electrifying since Jacksonville selected him in the second round of the 2006 draft out of UCLA, 60th overall.

While Reggie Bush got most of the hype out of the '06 running back class - he was the second overall pick, by New Orleans - Jones-Drew has proven to be equally deserving of the spotlight.

Bush has 1,146 rushing yards in his first two seasons. Jones-Drew has 1,709.

Bush has 161 receptions for 1,159 yards, while Jones-Drew has 86 catches for 943 yards.

Total touchdowns: Bush has 14, Jones-Drew 26.

Yet in the battle of playmaking running backs, Jones-Drew has been overshadowed, perhaps by playing in a smaller media market.

After last night, playing in front of a nationally televised audience in a high-stakes game, that should no longer be the case.

Now all we need is for ESPN and rest of the traditional media to take note.

GO BRUINS.

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Comments

MJD

MJD is absolutely the real deal and I love watching him shred up NFL defenses. The fact that he didn't go until the late 2nd round, coming off that great season, in favor of overhyped Bush, says a lot about scouting. It wasn't hard to see who had more potential in the NFL.

Also, its good to see inspiring hires this time around, it was just 2 weeks under a year ago that Norvell became a Bruin.

by njbruin on Jan 8, 2008 6:56 AM PST reply actions

MJD getting the hype

Even Keyshawn Johnson admitted on the post game show that he'd take MJD over Bush.

by godblesstyus95 on Jan 8, 2008 8:06 AM PST reply actions

Say it ain't so!

"Me"shawn throws a fellow TrOJie under the bus in favor of a BRUIN???

What is the world coming to?

by psyberchologist on Jan 8, 2008 10:07 AM PST up reply actions

BP made honor roll?

Good for him--amazing actually given the circumstances--and quite frankly, credit should also be extended to the academics advisors and coaches (although not an excuse for poor, "hard" coaching of the past years).

by bruinhopeful on Jan 8, 2008 8:27 AM PST reply actions

Bush will still make the headlines

especially when he will be asked to return the Heisman Trophy! Or when Kardashian divorces him and takes half of his loot.

MJD is just awesome. I hope they destroy the Patriots!

by tasser10 on Jan 8, 2008 9:00 AM PST reply actions

Ability to run!

I believe in CRN. CRN said that we need to run the ball better to survive in Pac-10 then he brought back coach Palcic a very good OL coach. Go Bruins!

adl

by AeroBruin on Jan 8, 2008 9:31 AM PST reply actions

One good thing from Dorrell

I am with most everyone here on how bad a coach Dorrell was, but I do have give credit for helping bring in quality student-athletes. A lot of those guys on that list were highly-regarded recruits, and for them to be doing well in the classroom is a testament to KD cleaning up shop after Toledo.

And now I'm super excited to see RN take us to the next level. When does football season start???

by uclaike on Jan 8, 2008 10:03 AM PST reply actions

Hey Ike

Are there any stats that show that CTS brought in more "quality student-athletes" than Coach Toledo? My guess, unfettered by anything like actual evidence, is that the guys recruited by CTS were probably no better and no worse than the guys recruited by Coach Toledo in terms of being a "quality student-athlete." And how are you defining "quality student-athlete?"

As you have undoubtedly perceived, I'm past the "all is forgiven, let's move on" stage following CTS's overdue termination. I'm not willing to concede that he did anything better than Coach Toledo. His on-the-field record speaks for itself. But I think he's getting undue credit for off-the-field things, and one way he is getting this is by taking shots at Coach Toledo. If the shots that many are taking against Coach Toledo are justified, then that justification ought to be demonstrated if for no other reason than to allow Coach Neuheisel to see the mistakes Coach Toledo made so that he can avoid repeating them.

by Fox 71 on Jan 8, 2008 10:52 AM PST up reply actions

Coach K

Isn't Coach K more directly responsible for the athletes performance in the classroom than CTS? Obviously, recognizing which athletes will be committed to the academic performance required at UCLA is important when they are recruited but once they are at the university - I was under the impression that Coach K. has just as much if not more impact on academic performance than the head coach. I agree with Fox -- I'd be surprised if Coach Toledo's did measurably better or worse than CTS. Although - if anyone has the data - lets see it!

by ucsbbruinfan on Jan 8, 2008 12:11 PM PST up reply actions

Yes, Coach K is pretty hands-on

With the academics. Coach K. was an assistant under Donahue, and I think became the academic liasion when Toledo took over.

The NCAA usually posts the athlete graduation rates, not sure about GPAs.

by bruinbabe2000 on Jan 8, 2008 2:46 PM PST up reply actions

coach k

coach k is the man and he has my vote for the new tight ends coach. :)

by hbruin84 on Jan 8, 2008 9:55 PM PST up reply actions

MJD was better than Bu$h last year

and he's better than him this year as well. The travesty is that it has taken this long for him to receive his due.

by Tydides on Jan 8, 2008 10:12 AM PST reply actions

Got his rookie card

Stopped collecting a looooong time ago but I pilfered MJD from a buddy of mine. The MJD/Bush comparison is the UCLA/USC comparison in a nutshell. On one side, you have a guy who carries himself with class and plays for something more than himself (team & grandfather). On the other hand, you have Bush who is all about "ME", dating/marrying? a -blank-, won't put his shoulder pads down to get the tough yards needed in the NFL, doing his stupid flips in the end zone, over-hyped and bust of a first round pick. We can go on & on.

Does anybody else feel like barfing when you see does United Way/NFL commercials depicting Bush as the philanthropist that he is? He'll get his due shortly. His pompous attitude towards the investigation will ultimately be his demise and the nation will truly be able to see what type of person Bush truly is.

by BlueReign on Jan 8, 2008 11:02 AM PST reply actions

PLUS

Remember, Bush had his chance to be the Saints' premier back when their main guy went down. To say he failed at his test would be an understatement.

If Fred Taylor went down, does anyone have any doubt MJD would step up and get the job done? Taylor is a tough, physical back and I think MJD has learned from him well.

by njbruin on Jan 8, 2008 12:06 PM PST reply actions

One more point

Doesn't appear that bu$h is fundamentally stupid? Someone convinced him that it was good PR to be the great humanitarian, single-handly rebuilding all of New Orleans. But then he throws away all that PR with a lot of stupid statements (his handling of bu$hgate) and re his choice of girlfriends (when Kim says "Ooh baby, ooh baby" she's thinking about what her bankroll is going to look like when she's finished with him). Maybe he should start dating Britney Spears.

And re bu$hgate - I don't think Clemens is coming across particularly well in the media, but he looks like Einstein compared to the way bu$h is treating his scandal.

by Fox 71 on Jan 8, 2008 12:38 PM PST up reply actions

bush

Reggie was too busy negotiating real estate deals in San Diego

by stuin bruin on Jan 8, 2008 1:19 PM PST reply actions

Ken Norton

Rumortastic rumors from Mr. Rumor:

A few sources today told me there is a good chance USC assistant coach Ken Norton Jr. could wind up on UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel's new staff.
In fact, if Norton Jr. does wind up at UCLA, I was told it could mean defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker would have to juggle his staff's assignments.

Take it for what it's worth (and you can fill in the punch line here).

by Menelaus on Jan 9, 2008 4:24 PM PST reply actions