Spaulding Roundup: A "Classic" Oklahoma Drill, "Loud" Pops & Other Notes From First Day In Pads
by Nestor on Aug 14, 2010 1:28 AM PDT
in Football
Email
PrintBruins had their first practice in full pads yesterday. They started the practice with a "classic Oklahoma Drill." As described by What's Bruin Blog:
The tone for practice was instantly set as the Bruins started with the classic Oklahoma drill, squaring off a defender against an offensive lineman in a one v. one, sumo style match. There were some great match ups, particularly showcasing the new freshmen class. DE Owa Odighizuwa squared off against OL Chris Ward, initially it looked like a game of tug and war, trading off yardage but Owa made a final push and overpowered Ward.
Here is a little video to get you a sense of what took place:
If that doesn't get your blood pumping, not sure what to tell you. More notes after the jump.
Guess "loud" pops were audible all over Spaulding Field yesterday afternoon. From Blair Angulo:
-- True freshman Dietrich Riley impressed again, this time flattening fellow first-year Anthony Barr -- all 6 feet 5 of him -- with a vicious hit near the sideline. Barr caught a ball off the edge but gained minimal yardage after Riley met him and lowered his shoulder for the loud tackle.
-- The other loud hit came near the end of practice, when freshman linebacker Isaiah Bowens completely dropped ball carrier Tobi Umodu on his back. Defensive coordinator Chuck Bullough stormed toward Bowens yelling, "That's what I'm talking about!" Umodu was in good spirits, but appeared a bit shaken by the blow. When the team began its conditioning drills minutes later, Umodu got tangled up with Johnathan Franklin as both ran toward each other from opposite ends. The two laughed it off.
Gold adds more color in his post-practice notes on Inside UCLA:
* Hundley (DB coach Tim Hundley) on Riley: "No one here is ever going to let experience supersede ability; if he's ready to play, we're going to play him. There is no question he has some physical plusses. It's all about getting things figured out. But freshmen play these days, they really do, so if he's ready to go, we're going to play him."
* After the Riley hit, I heard a fan remark, "Wow, now that's a freshman there."
* Nick Crissman had a nice touch pass to Ricky Marvray for a touchdown over Damien Thigpen, but Thigpen has looked solid at cornerback.
* Sean Westgate and Steve Sloan worked with the first-team defense.
* Nate Chandler had an absolute beast of a bull-rush today, busting through the line for an easy sack. Chandler has really good hands, and I think his time on the OL might actually pay off for him on defense.
The official blog also has a pretty nice narrative of the action on Day 5:
The offensive line started the day looking crisp, making all of the correct calls, picking up blitzes and protecting the QB. We hope that the noticed improvement in the O-line's day to day performance translates into an impressive showing come game day. Aided by the offensive line's excellence, coupled with tremendous skill the run game really began to shine today. Veteran RB Johnathan Franklin demonstrated his abilities, particularly in the redzone, working hard to turn the corner on an outside run for several big gains.
The defensive backfield again reminded people why should be considered elite. They were shutdown from all angles. Aaron Hester had another great day, breaking up several passes.
Practice ended with a short 2 minute drill scenario. The offense was placed on their 40 yard line with a minute left and one time out needing a field goal. While they were able to get two first downs in the drive they were forced to attempt a 47 yard field goal after being stuffed by the defense and the clock winding down. Kai Forbath had the day off to allow freshmen kicker Kip Smith an opportunity to get some reps. Despite connecting on all his PATs and field goals during special teams period, Kip missed this attempt. Either way Bruins Win!
Kevin Prince sat out on Day 5. Guess he is scheduled to come back sometime on Sunday or Monday. I will try to do a standalone post compiling all the notes on nicks and bruises later on today.
Right now it sure sounds like a great time out in Spaulding. You can check out Day 6 - the first two a day practices - today. The first practice is going to be from 9 to 11 am. The second one from 4 to 6 pm. I wouldn't miss this kind of action if I were out living in LA.
GO BRUINS.
9 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
That Video
had two of my most favorite things… DAFT PUNK and UCLA Football ! haha I’m loving these vids more and more
There isn't a better way to kick off contact practice
than with the Oklahoma. I love that drill. I remember it as being done with a running back too, but that doesn’t change anything. It’s line ’em up and hit. A great way to start things off.
For everything UCLA baseball, visit my UCLA baseball twitter.
by Ryan Rosenblatt on Aug 14, 2010 2:29 AM PDT reply actions
i like the drill
Where you have a narrow box, a running back, olineman, dlineman and linebacker. Hits are phenomenal in that drill :)
Off the field was awesome too!
A couple notes of things happening not on the field.
Before practice began, Jerry Rice (the dad) pulled up to Spaulding. The construction workers working on Pauley recognized him and formed a long line outside his car, getting the hard hats signed. It was really neat to see him signing quite a large amount of helmets. And it felt especially nice that the men working on Pauley got to have that moment.
I also talked at length with a parent of one of our players. She went on and on about how wonderful our coaching staff was with her son and how warm and sincerely caring and concerned they were while recruiting him. She said that’s why he chose to come to UCLA. He really felt the openness and the warmth and the care. She also spoke about how hard they have to work academically, both before and during their stays at UCLA. But she says it’s important for them to work hard, it gets them ready for life. (I hope Chris Foster heard her!)
Danny Farmer was present and looked like he could still get out there and play!
I appreciated CRN after practice coming over and shaking our hands, totally unsolicited. We were just standing near the exit and he walked over to everyone who was around and asked how we were doing and thanked us for being there. And, as my mother noted, he shook the women’s hands firmly too, not just the men’s.
I remark on all of this, because it’s such a great spirit there and so warm and welcoming all around. It just seems to be an environment where good, positive, things happen and it is something that makes you feel good about rooting for this team. And I think on the field, you can really see the affects of the hard work, talent, and positive mentality.
Go Bruins!
One more thing.
They did the Oklahoma Drill right in front of the stands so we could watch and feel the energy. It was really great.
And Marvray had another remarkable catch. This time, he got smacked from all sides, hit hard to the ground, and came up dancing with the ball. I couldn’t believe he had hung on to it.
Go Bruins!
Why you gotta scare me N?
Maybe it’s the byproduct of a (somewhat justified) paranoia but when I read the phrase “loud pops” in the title, my mind immediately flashed on the Joe Theismann/Lawrence Taylor hit.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Bruins Nation
Related FanShots on Bruins Nation
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
