Spaulding Roundup: Football News & Notes
by Nestor on May 5, 2009 5:03 AM PDT
in Football
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PrintLet's start the day with some good news. A number of Bruins were able to sign free agent K with NFL teams last couple of teams. Per the Pasadena Star News Pat Cowan was officially added to the New Orleans Saints roster on Monday. Congrats to Pat.
Also per UCLA Athletics' tweeter feed Aaron Perez signed a free agent K with the New England Patriots and Bret Lockett signed his K with Cleveland Browns following their mini camp. Congrats to both of those guys. Brigham Harwell didn't make it with the Washington Redskins. Hope Harwell can sign on with another team.
Meanwhile, for the kids who are on campus a group of UCLA football freshmen are taking part in the AD's "Community of Learner's" program this week. From the official site:
The 24 football freshmen will be visiting Ralph Waldo Emerson Middle School (1650 Selby Avenue in West Los Angeles). They will conduct brief presentations (likely split into four groups) on the student-athlete experience, being a Bruin, the importance of staying in school, staying away from drugs, etc. The presentations will be followed by some type of a 'play time' or low-key athletic competition on the playground.
Not sure right now whether Aundre Dean will be part of that group. Per Tracy Pierson from Bruin Report Online Dean is exploring options re. transferring:
UCLA has signed paperwork that will allow Aundre Dean, the sophomore tailback, to look into transferring.
It doesn't mean, necessarily, that he will transfer, but that he's exploring options.
Dean is currently still in school at UCLA, and intends to finish out the school year.
There has been rampant speculation that Dean could transfer after he came to UCLA as a highly-touted prospect from Katy (Tex.) High but didn't crack the rotation last season as a freshman.
Well, I hope Aundre explores all his options and settle on a situation that works out for him the best (and perhaps that will be UCLA). I wonder what schools he might look at? Oklahoma? Arkansas?
I think many of us here were really pulling hard for Dean. I know for me when I first started reading about a Texas prep star RB coming to play at UCLA, I started having visions of Skip Hicks. I was always rooting for him and from what we have read about him here on BN, he is a great kid.
However, college football is tough. In front Dean there are 5 other UCLA running backs who also have been clawing and scraping in practices. In Norm Chow's scheme if a RB wants to get substantial PT, he needs to master blocking (especially in our situation where the OL and QB's health have been so fragile). From what I have heard from practice observers, Dean wasn't able to distinguish himself from other backs from his class such as Franklin, Coleman, and Knox. Meanwhile, Carter is getting healthier from his knee injury and there is Christian Ramirez, plus we have couple of backs coming in this year's class and lot of promising RBs in this year's Southern California's high school prep scene who UCLA are pursuing.
So it is understandable why Dean would be exploring other options for the time being. Whatever happens again I hope it all works out for the kid. I will be rooting for him.
GO BRUINS.
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it's a contract.
Am I the only one shaking his head at how quickly kids are willing to pick up and go somewhere else when things don’t work out as well as they would have liked in college? I thought Aundre had a great Spring Game and clearly has a future in our backfield. I sincerely hope he will be back in the fall.
A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment. John Wooden
I agree
This is unfortunate news considering AD’s skillset. He’s completely different than the other backs currently on the roster, and probably the best “pure runner” on the team. But, like Nestor pointed out, Chow’s system requires intimate knowledge of the blocking schemes. His system is very balanced and requires the threat of pass/run on every play, and he also tends to send the tight end out on routes. I really do hope AD sticks with the playbook and decides to stay, but he won’t see the field much if he doesn’t learn the blocking schemes.
by AllHailMightyBruins on May 5, 2009 8:06 AM PDT up reply actions
K
Also hadn’t come across this terminology before. Why is “contract” abbreviated with “K”?
by Westwood Wizard on May 5, 2009 10:38 AM PDT up reply actions
Yeah
Just the shorthand we all learned while taking copious amounts of notes in class.
by AllHailMightyBruins on May 5, 2009 11:39 AM PDT up reply actions
I understand but am not happy ...
Aundre Dean is from 10 miles up the road in Katy, Texas.
He is a young man of incredible character — the type of kid who will do UCLA proud no matter what his accomplishments on the field.
He was recruited very heavily by perennial powerhouse teams and I was thrilled that he chose UCLA over all of them.
All that said, if it does not look like he will get playing time and he wants to play, I can understand why he would transfer.
He was raised in a strong family and I am sure that they will make an honorable and appropriate decision. (I wish I knew them - I’d love to tell them what my UCLA degree has done for me.)
sjh
Rebounding Depth
I take it as a good sign that a back as talented as Dean is thinking of transfering. Two seasons ago we were so thin at running back we had to start walk ons. Now after some strong recruiting we are deep enough that a highly recruited back sees a log jam ahead of him.
I hope Dean reconsiders and competes for playing time here but I would wish him the best if he does move on. Nonetheless, its exciting and refreshing to see such an abundance of talent in the backfield
Personally, I think this is horrible news.
When I heard Dean was coming to UCLA I thought it was fantastic that UCLA was actually able to get a player outside of California, especially from a state like Texas. Overall, I think Dean has what it takes to become an agile runner with vision on the field. Its unfortunate that our OL is such a problem we have to seriously consider blocking options for our QB on the field and can’t have the backs focus primarily on running (Though obviously blocking is important for any team). However, I was never a fan of Chris Markey taking the majority of the reps, mostly because every time he ran he never found other options to make significant yardage. I hope we don’t run into a similar pattern with a back that can block, but can’t figure out where to run when the play chosen may not have been the best option. I loved the way Jones-Drew was able to not only break tackles, but if there wasn’t a hole created by the O-Line, he didn’t run straight into it trying to drill his own hole.
Overall, I like Knox’s vision and athleticism on the field, and I’d like to see Dean work a littler harder to move up the depth chart.
So why is Aundre Dean looking to transfer?
Is it because of the amazing depth at RB or because the academics were too hard for him?
In other words, Go Bears!
Upon What Factual Basis Are You Challenging Dean's Academic Standing?
Aundre Dean had a very strong academic record at a very good Texas high school. One of the things he liked best when choosing UCLA was that he would be getting a good education.
One would expect him to be doing very well at UCLA.
What reason do you have to raise the possibility that he cannot handle his class work?
Down here in Texas we don’t cotton to this back stabbing rumor mongering.
If you have proof, bring it on. If not, shut the fuck up.
Why the strong response? I so tired of good kids having to endure unsupported rumors and attacks propounded by anonymous ‘net posters. His real name is here. Yours isn’t. You can say whatever you want and slink away. If not challenged, your little poisoned seed gets spread all over the ‘net. Some will believe it to be true. If it’s true, go for it. If it isn’t, shame on you.
sjh
Thanks for the Support "Class of 66"
Thank you. You have said it all.
BigDean
It seems that you are either Aundre or close to him.
Either way, it sounds like the decision to leave UCLA has already been made.
If you are leaving, I am truly sorry to see you go.
My daughter goes to Memorial. She’s in the band and the Guard so I’ve learned to love Texas high school football. When I heard you were considering UCLA, I started following your career. I was thrilled that you chose my alma mater.
What impressed me most? Who you were — not how well you moved the football. Your integrity, strength of character and your unique and strong family were the things that stood out.
I love and miss California and will move back. Jen’s first choice for a college? UCLA.
I know you’ve been over the variables and will make a wise choice. But, if there is anything I can say to you or your family — as one who has graduated from UCLA and remained a committed Bruin for more than 40 years, I would love to do so. My email address is listed in my profile.
Whatever your decision, I wish you (or Aundre if you are not Aundre) the very best. I will be your fan wherever you play.
sjh
yo royrules...
given cal’s graduation rates for football and basketball, maybe you ought to check the silly talk. roll over, you bears
Across The Face
My family had the pleasure of meeting Aundre Dean at one of the practices
And in that brief interaction, I came away really impressed with the kid. (Man, I can’t believe I’ve gotten old enough to refer to college students as kids.) Just a really good guy with a lot of energy and one of those contagious smiles. Wherever he ends up, I’ll be rooting for him.
by insomniacslounge on May 7, 2009 12:32 AM PDT reply actions
AD to Transfer
Hey Guys…. Making the decision to transfer from a "UCLA" is one of the hardest decisions that this young man has ever made… right there next to choosing UCLA. He is comfortable and confident that he has performed, on and off the field, as a true champion. He has done everything that was asked and expected and in many instances surpassed expectations. So, please keep in mind that this decision was not made without a lot of advice and true soul searching. He has ALWAYS been and continues to be absolutely positive about the school, program, coaching staff and teammates. Aundre competed. He was a true Bruin and believed in the system. But….. he HAS the skill set to become a dominating RB. If the opportunity does not exist at UCLA (for whatever reason) it would be silly not look else ware, especially since so many other top programs are looking for a Student Athlete, just like him, to fill the roll. I know he will truly miss his teammates, coaches, fans and friends at UCLA.
I hope he stays
And kicks serious butt for the Bruins.
by AllHailMightyBruins on May 7, 2009 1:41 PM PDT up reply actions
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