Bumped. GO BRUINS. -N

If relentless optimism was the dominant theme in 2008, are we up for a change in 2009? I've been noticing a trend in the articles on BN and also among other media outlets of a certain brash confidence among our players (offense and defense) and coaching staff. So far, I like it. It is fun to see, and I'm sure it will be even more fun to watch on the field. It isn't like we've never had confidence before, but this year it seems like everyone is bringing it up to another level.

When you have confidence like that it means the players and coaches know what they're about and believe in the system. It is the polar opposite of what Washington had in 2008. Our guys are going to be able to step onto to the field and make instant, unthinking decisions. It's exactly what this team needs.

Today, the sense of exuberant or brash confidence was evident  in yet another article about Rick Neuheisel's challenge to USC and Pete Carroll (Nestor quotes from it on the front page today, 8-5-2009). In the article, Neuheisel calls USC our prey. 

"It's like we're fishing," Neuheisel says. "We can feel them messing with the lure. We're trying to get them to bite."

Well, I'd say they bit in the offseason with the whole Ken Norton debacle. USC came out of that looking petty and UCLA smelling like roses (like we should!). He finishes the article with a reminder that UCLA isn't going to back down when it comes to getting the top LA recruits. Check out the Bruins Nation front page for more. More on the swagger after the jump.

8-10-2009 UPDATE Rick Neuheisel and swagger.

"You can't have any swagger around here unless you're playing for first place."

Reggie Carter calls this new attitude swagger. He showed some of that on the PAC-10 media day. He promised us a bowl game and had something to say about being placed 7th in the PAC-10 media poll.

(spt_usc_uc_06.713 (via Beretta627))

"They talked bad about Jesus too," Carter said...

"...We'll just show them. All bandwagon jumpers are welcome, once we start dominating. It's OK. I'll save you a seat, come on by."

I don't know about you, but that quote had me laughing. 

Yesterday, Kai Maiava's voice joined the chorus in an LA Times article featuring our offensive line. 

"It won't be like last year."

We're even getting some swagger from the freshmen!

Receivers coach Reggie Moore lauded Presley for always playing at the same speed, even when making mistakes. Moore said it is natural for true freshmen to be hesitant as they learn to get comfortable playing at a new level. Presley seemed to offset that youth with his confidence and determination to stand out. There was a noticeable swagger to his game, a sense of, I know what I'm doing.

I think this attitude is rubbing off on Bruins Nation as well. After all, Westwood78 says we're going to win the national championship this year! Bruin4ver says we're going to win 10 games. Heck, why not? Maybe some of this swagger has rubbed off on me too! 

What do you guys think? Is swagger going to supplant relentless optimism as the dominant theme in 2009? If it does, I don't think it's a bad thing. A sort brash and exuberant confidence seems like the next logical step up from relentless optimism.

One month till kickoff!!!!