Dose of Reality: Personnel Deficiencies

by Nestor on Sep 20, 2008 3:21 PM PDT in Football

Another game, another week and once again Neuheisel's Bruins were out manned and outgunned, losing to a more talented team with explosive fire power.

Bruins gave it a good shot and they certainly gave a great effort:

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Gus Ruelas (via ESPN)

However, they had no answer for the explosive combination of Tutitama, Thomas, Gronkowski, and Grigsby. Bruins fall by a score of 10-31. Here is the box score and AP recap.

On the bad side our offensive continues to remain ineffective. Special teams was a nightmare and the defense still had issues with tackling at times.

On the positive side we saw some improved play from our OL. Coleman made a nice impression and Walker's defense gave a great effort despite having to deal with short field.

Right now, we have no choice but to remain patient. As Papadakis noted during the broadcast our biggest issue right now is "personel deficiencies" on both sides of the ball. And it will take Neuheisel and his coaches a while to turn this thing around as Papadakis put it, "Dorrell didn't leave Neuheisel a lot to work with."

We gave it a best effort, but we simply didn't have the ammo. For now though we have to stay patient, take these losses (just like we did during Howland's first two years ... and note it will take longer to turn around a football program), and take this game by game. We don't have a lot of other choice.

Chin up and hang in there. And of course use this thread to fire away with your post game thoughts.

GO BRUINS.

0 recs | Comment 58 comments

Read Related

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

How long?

How long do you think it will take before UCLA fields an average football team? good football team? great football team?

by Gary72 on Sep 20, 2008 3:23 PM PDT 0 recs

My projections

two years to get to an average team
thee-four years to get to a good football teams
five years to get to a level where we can have top-15 team year in and year out.

by Nestor on Sep 20, 2008 3:26 PM PDT up 0 recs

3+ years to be good

Unlike basketball, where one great player can control the floor and turn a program around quickly, football requires a wider variety of personnel. You can have a great QB, but with no line, he becomes a tackling dummy. Same for a great running back. But if you have a great line and no great skill players, you can’t be a great team. And this doesn’t address the other side of the ball. And you have to have teh right staff to recruit and teach these players.

We already have the right coaches in place. They will attract better and better players over the next 2-3 years, who will need 1-2 years to learn the system and begin to have an impact on the field.

But once it turns, it’s gonna turn bigtime. I hope everyone has the patience to handle days like today for another 2 seasons to start with.

greg in denver

by gbruin on Sep 20, 2008 3:30 PM PDT up 0 recs

We will be patient

We have known all along how much this program cratered given what we have discussed here in last three years. This rock bottom experience was not a surprise to us. We are glad at least have competent leadership now up top.

by Nestor on Sep 20, 2008 3:35 PM PDT up 0 recs

From My Experience....

I thnk by the 3rd/4th season, we’ll see our Bruins back to where they should be. You gotta let CRN get his kids into his system. I remember when Hayden Fry took over a moribund Iowa program and had the Hawks in the Rose Bowl in his 3rd season. I just think CRN, when he gets his recruits into his system, wil do just fine.

Los Angeles Rams and the UCLA Bruins!!!!!

by Minnesota Bruinfan on Sep 20, 2008 3:28 PM PDT 0 recs

"Dream Ticket"

If we’re thinking long term (5+ yrs) though how long do people think Neuheisel will be able to keep Chow and Walker? Or will it matter?

by irishbruin on Sep 20, 2008 3:29 PM PDT 0 recs

As long as Chow is around for 3 years

We are good.

by Nestor on Sep 20, 2008 3:33 PM PDT up 0 recs

Good question

I think it matters more to keep Chow than Walker. Fortunately, I think we’re more likely to keep Chow than Walker, too. I’ll be surprised if Walker is here in 5 years, as I expect he’ll take a head coaching position as soon as a decent one is offered.

greg in denver

by gbruin on Sep 20, 2008 3:33 PM PDT up 0 recs

Walker and Chow

I’ve said over and over this year that I’ll not criticize Walker, like I did last year, because he is CRN’s choice and if he is good enough for CRN he is more than good enough for me.

And, I realize that he is working with less experience and talent than he had last year.

But, I never bought into the Walker as head coach (either here or elsewhere) flurry last year. He didn’t get a real HC offer last year. And, if the D continues to be sloppy in its tackling (from the game day thread, today) or cannot stop an attack like the Utah schools have thrown at us for 2 years, I’m not sure a good HC job is in his immediate future.

I’m not saying this is DW’s fault, but the only place I know of where one can “fail upward” is in the Hollywood Studios and Networks.

I am very concerned that Chow won’t be here for the amount of time necessary to get us where we should be. Last year, it was said that he was not getting head coach offers because of his “communication skills”. He’s shown great skill this year, does well with the press, and the alums. It was a bad rap and his stay here will showcase that he is the real deal. If he wants to be a HC he will be. My only hope is that he wants to stay here with his family and won’t leave.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Sep 20, 2008 4:16 PM PDT up 0 recs

I wonder if he wants to be an HC at this point in his career

I’m more concerned that he just gets tired, not so much that another opportunity comes up. Of course, maybe he thrives on the challenge. He knew what he was getting into. Maybe knowing that the quality of players will be better in the next two years is enough to keep him.

I don’t make predictions anymore. They usually come back to bite me in the ass.

by bruinbabe2000 on Sep 20, 2008 4:40 PM PDT up 0 recs

N

I agree with your summation above. We put up a good fight, but were outmanned at most positions (OL, QB, TE, receivers, special teams). I think we saw some good signs in the running game, and I think the defense was better than the score indicates – against a pretty talented offense. You are right that we have to take this game by game. For now, we should focus on these little steps before we can look for bigger improvements on the scoreboard – gotta walk before you can run.

greg in denver

by gbruin on Sep 20, 2008 3:42 PM PDT 0 recs

QB Position

I’m a little surprised that CRN has given every snap to to Craft so far this year, even in the waning moments of a pair of blowout losses. I don’t know that any of the other guys (Prince, Forcier) would do any better, but you never really know if you’ve got a true gamer unless you try them out in a game. I give Craft lots of love for his heart but I really think we need to at least try something different – even just for a series!

by liggphys on Sep 20, 2008 3:45 PM PDT 0 recs

agree with you

by Nestor on Sep 20, 2008 3:49 PM PDT up 0 recs

My guess is that he's building his confidence

He stayed with him when he thew 4 INTs. Maybe down the line he will change his mind. Either way, I trust CRN to do the right thing.

I know this season is about rebuilding. I know we are going to get there. CRN and his staff have my full confidence. Having said all that, it doesn’t take away from the fact that losing sucks. But if this is the only bad season CRN has, then so be it. No matter how bad it gets, I don’t think CRN wants to be any other place.

by bruinbabe2000 on Sep 20, 2008 4:29 PM PDT up 0 recs

That Could Be

I’m not necessarily posing the question as a criticism of CRN. I just hope someone asks him about it at the press conference this week so I can hear his reasons.

by liggphys on Sep 20, 2008 4:40 PM PDT up 0 recs

I would be too

What I’m curious about is what happens when BO is good to go.

by bruinbabe2000 on Sep 20, 2008 4:41 PM PDT up 0 recs

I Think It's a No Brainer

I never liked BO running the WCO – even KD’s bastardized version of it. But give BO a nice, Norm Chow, 3-step-drop, quick-read-and-throw offense with the occasional play action deep ball and I think he’s a significant upgrade over what we have right now. When BO is healthy, he has to be the starter.

by liggphys on Sep 20, 2008 6:17 PM PDT up 0 recs

Isn't it supposed to be "personnel" and not "personal"?

by Bruin Roar on Sep 20, 2008 3:45 PM PDT 0 recs

My bad

Doh.

by Nestor on Sep 20, 2008 3:47 PM PDT up 0 recs

Another question

Do you believe with the awful performance on the field that CRN will have a more difficult time recruiting quality athletes?

by Gary72 on Sep 20, 2008 3:51 PM PDT 0 recs

Not necessarily

There are lot of good athletes in California. CRN and his staff needs to make sure they are spotting and locking in on quality athletes who will fit their schemes. I think recruiting will be all right … it will take time.

I have lot more confidence in this staff compared to what we have had in past.

by Nestor on Sep 20, 2008 3:54 PM PDT up 0 recs

Not to be sarcastic but...

Saying you have alot more confidence in this staff compared to what we have had in past is not very reassuring given the record of the predecessor…

by Gary72 on Sep 20, 2008 4:01 PM PDT up 0 recs

Yeah

I know what you mean.

How about if I amend my sentence to say “I have total confidence in this staff” unlike the previous one.

by Nestor on Sep 20, 2008 4:02 PM PDT up 0 recs

That's better...

by Gary72 on Sep 20, 2008 4:06 PM PDT up 0 recs

On the flip side

CRN can play it by saying, “You can be starting next year.” That’s how some guys make their decisions, how soon they can be starters.

by bruinbabe2000 on Sep 20, 2008 4:31 PM PDT up 0 recs

Our "Super" Recruiting Class of Last Year?

Last year it was argued that (1) KD should get to stay because we had a top rated class coming in, one that would help him “turn the corner” and/or (2) DW should be the head coach because if he were not, we would lose this super class.

Where are these kids?

I know that even super stars need red shirt years to get to size and learn the system.

Are any of them playing?

Were any of them O linemen?

When we say that it will take CRN 3 years to get the right players in the system — what are we saying about our super class?

I’m not trying to fan the “empty cupboard” flames. I’m truly curious as to where these kids are.

If they are not playing because it takes a year of not playing to develop, that means that even if CRN and staff get some great kids for next year, and I think they will, we are 3 years out.

Finally, any chance we lose our super star QB recruit because he realizes he will not have an O line to protect him or receivers to catch his passes? I guess the corollary to that is that he will attract great receivers.

Too much for my old mind to think about.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Sep 20, 2008 4:25 PM PDT 0 recs

Problem is not last year's recruits

The problem is KD’s recruits for the last 4 years…

by Gary72 on Sep 20, 2008 4:28 PM PDT up 0 recs

the problem is that the top recruits

are at positions where we either have some talent (WR, RB) or at a position where it takes time to become effective (DB). Rahim Moore has been the best true frosh so far, i would argue, but given time i believe that Hester and Dye will contribute. Dean was hurt on his only career carry, and Coleman showed flashes today. Knox just isn’t getting up the depth chart. Moutra, Rosario, and Johnson need time to crack the depth chart too. Harkey’s been solid. Crissman got injured and is redshirting.
The problem is that most freshmen can’t step in right away and contribute. What I’m disappointed in is that our class of 2 years ago, filled with OL’s hasn’t panned out with the exception of Kia. Sheller, obviously, we can’t be sure about. But the others have been disappointments.

by bucknellbruin on Sep 20, 2008 4:33 PM PDT up 0 recs

Some of them are injured

Moore, Moutra, Coleman and Harkey all played today. Dean and Rosario are both injured.

Only 2 in the class were Offensive linemen, and 2 were DEs.

by SuperBruinMan on Sep 20, 2008 6:45 PM PDT up 0 recs

also about Brehaut

he’s said his lifelong dream has been to play at UCLA. This won’t deter him; everyone knew our offense would struggle. Hopefully he can be a help in bringing in some linemen to protect him.

by bucknellbruin on Sep 20, 2008 4:33 PM PDT 0 recs

I have nothing but admiration and pride...

for the young men representing UCLA FB team this year.

GO BRUINS!!!

by GogetemBruins on Sep 20, 2008 5:04 PM PDT 0 recs

At the Game

I was at the game today and the rose bowl was empty. I’m not saying we have bad fans but come on, its UCLA. Not only that but it was quiet, a lot of people didnt stand up for 3rd down and by the end of 3rd quarter my section (1) was almost empty.

by ovillarr13 on Sep 20, 2008 6:07 PM PDT 0 recs

I was there too, in my usual spot over in Section 1....

I would say the Bowl wasn’t full, but it was a decent sized crowd. I don’t recall them ever giving the paid attendance, though.

We all got up and made noise on 3rd downs, as usual. We even got on some jerk in our section who booed the Bruins off the field at the end of the game.

I’m not disputing what you wrote. I’m just saying it wasn’t as bad as you implied.

I may work with the Waves, but I'm still a Bruin!

by HoozierDaddy on Sep 20, 2008 6:11 PM PDT up 0 recs

It was something like 65,000

I’m not sure if they counted the kids who presumably got free tickets.

by SuperBruinMan on Sep 20, 2008 6:46 PM PDT up 0 recs

EMPTY?

It definitley was not empty. The Rose Bowl holds over 90,000 so it’s not full but by no means was it empty. We will need all 90,000+ of those seats in the next 3-4 years!

GO BRUINS!!!

by uclafan11 on Sep 20, 2008 9:04 PM PDT up 0 recs

It was empty at the end of the game

After Arizona’s last TD with 6 minutes left people were filing out through every tunnel.

by SuperBruinMan on Sep 20, 2008 10:27 PM PDT up 0 recs

well true

People left when we had no chance of coming back. We stayed but I can understand people gettin frustrated and rolling out. Let’s hope our future home games are more exciting to the end…

by uclafan11 on Sep 20, 2008 11:12 PM PDT up 0 recs

Fire Drill for Bruin Blue

The Bruin fans started exiting en mass by early 4th quarter. It looked like a fire drill for fans dressed in blue. There was more Bruin movement in the stands than on the field.

by bruin75 on Sep 20, 2008 8:57 PM PDT up 0 recs

Disappointment

The student section was incredibly weak today. Half of the students left with 13 minutes left in the 4th quarter when we were only down by 2 touchdowns. As they left, we booed them and one responded with “when UCLA starts playing better, we will stay.” That’s ridiculous! There was very little passion and commitment coming from the student section today. And I am pretty sure most of the kids I’m talking about were not freshmen.

by UCLA07Law10 on Sep 20, 2008 9:30 PM PDT up 0 recs

Your Right

I think attendance was in the 60’s, maybe it just seemed bad/low because we were down. Anyway I still had fun and I guess thats what matters.

by ovillarr13 on Sep 20, 2008 6:33 PM PDT 0 recs

Keep in mind that school isn't in session yet

Attendance should be up next week when the kids are back.

by bruinbabe2000 on Sep 20, 2008 6:36 PM PDT up 0 recs

heat

Tt was also blazing hot so I am not surprised people started filing out a little early.

by ucsbbruinfan on Sep 20, 2008 10:31 PM PDT up 0 recs

I'm actually a bit more optomistic

I think the team will be average by next year and good by 2010. I think the good recruiting class coming in will help, plus our excellent coaching staff. This year will be tough, but we all should have been expecting that. That will make the good times even more sweet.

The stadium was fine, but until they stop putting Geoff Strand out there, and quit having Chris Roberts broadcast, you are not going to get an excited football fan base. YOu need to have the right people in the stadium and on the radio.

"when you've seen how big the world is, how can you make due with this?"

by silverlakebruin on Sep 20, 2008 6:40 PM PDT 0 recs

Fresno State is losing

21-20 in the 3rd.

by SuperBruinMan on Sep 20, 2008 7:36 PM PDT 0 recs

Now 27-24 FSU

by SuperBruinMan on Sep 20, 2008 7:46 PM PDT up 0 recs

Fresno State Wins

55-54 in double overtime, after Toledo missed on a 2 pt conversion.

by SuperBruinMan on Sep 20, 2008 10:29 PM PDT up 0 recs

WOW!!!!

Fresno State scored 18 more points today than we have scored ALL SEASON! I hope we get this ship righted a little before things snowball and the season gets completely out of hand. I will remain patient, but it would be nice to win a few games this year.

GO BRUINS!

by rgalloucla on Sep 20, 2008 11:03 PM PDT up 0 recs

The 2 most worrying things to me were

Special Teams were poor. Our returns weren’t remotely threatening, and the coverage was poor. If we’re going to win with field position, they need to improve.

The recruiting class this year has not been good. We’ve got Brehaut and a few other good recruits, but only one is an offensive lineman.

by SuperBruinMan on Sep 20, 2008 8:24 PM PDT 0 recs

Those Bruins

played hard today. No lack of effort. We lack experience and it showed again today.

I think that CRN will be a much better judge of talent than KD or any of his coaches. If you cannot get the very best athletes, then get players that can think and understand the game. And we may have to settle for more of those type of athletes to get momenteum (Taylor Embree comes to mind.) Except for the Freshman it seems like this team is not picking up the things that could make them better even though the coaches have simplified the system. It will begin to change when CRN gets his own recruits and starts them from scratch ( I would include this years Freshman.) In the meantime we are getting better. It just does not seem like it.

Go Bruinss !!

by northbaybruin on Sep 20, 2008 8:53 PM PDT 0 recs

C-Force instead of K-Craft

C-Force (Forcier) has been mysteriously absent since the season started. He’s got great running and scrambling ability and he might be able to jump start this stagnant offense. C-force reminds me a little of Mark Brunnell, the former UW qb. He’s no Jake the Snake Locker, but he should be able to keep a defense off balance. K-Craft has been given a fair shot and doesn’t have the gun or the feet to consistently move the chains. The offense cannot go another Saturday without a TD.

by bruin75 on Sep 20, 2008 9:06 PM PDT 0 recs

Forcier's been passed by Prince

on the depth chart. Apparently Forcier’s been really struggling to pick up the offense and hasn’t been improving at all, while prince has shown great promise. He’s known for pinpoint accuracy, and considering all of the short drops we’re doing it’d be nice to see him get a shot before Ben comes back.

Also I agree with what was said above about Ben thriving in our current offense. He’s a solidly accurate passer; he just as no mobility. If we do alot of quick passes he’s got the arm and talent to produce for Chow.

by bucknellbruin on Sep 20, 2008 11:42 PM PDT up 0 recs

Walk Down Memory Lane

Some of you have mentioned that it will be 3-4 years before we can put a good competitive team on the field. That has been historically accurate. For example, back in 1971 in Pepper Rodgers first year we were just horrible. The offense was horrible and we finished 2-7-1. Remember we had just finished the Tommy Prothro glory years. We were a little better but not good in 1972. We still managed to upset No. 1 ranked Nebraska. By 1973, the wishbone was in full throttle with the Blair Pair, Kermit Johnson and James McAlister setting all kinds of rushing records. Also, Mark Harmon (yes, the actor) was the QB running the ’bone and they finished with 9 wins. So, 3 years is a reasonable estimate. But I believe with our current coaching staff, we will be very good by 2010, especially if Norm Chow sticks around.

by bruin75 on Sep 20, 2008 9:40 PM PDT 0 recs

Where was Coach Kerzian?

I didn’t see him waving the big white towel on the sidelines. Is he ok?

I may work with the Waves, but I'm still a Bruin!

by HoozierDaddy on Sep 20, 2008 10:54 PM PDT 0 recs

He is no longer with the team :(

He was ah honorary guest for the TN game but he basically retired. I will miss him too!

by uclafan11 on Sep 20, 2008 11:14 PM PDT up 0 recs

typo

too many post game margaritas – he was AN honorary guest. :)

by uclafan11 on Sep 20, 2008 11:15 PM PDT 0 recs

Coach Kerzian

I’m very sorry to hear that. He will be missed on he Bruin sidelines. He seems like a great guy.

Coach: if you read this, have a great retirement and we hope to still see you around the Rose Bowl for a longtime to come.

I may work with the Waves, but I'm still a Bruin!

by HoozierDaddy on Sep 21, 2008 1:54 PM PDT 0 recs

I am wondering if

if ever in their esteemed careers Neuheisel, Chow, and Walker have had so little to work with. I believe it was sometime in the 3rd quarter it looked as if Arizona ran the same play on offense like 5 times in a row. Please correct me if any of my points are wrong (it was really hot in the stands) but it appeared to me that they were doubling up Harwell on the line and just going right through whomever it was lined up to Harwell’s right. When we finally brought up an extra line backer to stuff the run Arizona started destroying us with short routes up the middle. The fact that Arizona could defeat us with such an unimaginative offense really hit home to me that we just don’t have the talent to compete at this level. I will continue to go to games this year and watching on television, but this is going to be a tough season to get through.

by bruin8uclap on Sep 22, 2008 5:52 AM PDT 0 recs

Yes, right.....

I don’t know if it was five plays in a row, but there were a bunch of consecutive runs to the left side at one point. They all gained yardage for U of A. It was right in front of us in Section 1.

I may work with the Waves, but I'm still a Bruin!

by HoozierDaddy on Sep 22, 2008 10:07 AM PDT up 0 recs