UCLA Quarterback Thoughts: Positive Vibes from Brehaut, Rooting for Prince & Meaningful Action for Hundley
by Nestor on Oct 11, 2011 4:01 AM PDT
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So by now everyone knows that Brett Hundley is slotted in as the number 2 QB in the program. I think it's worth noting how all the parties involved in the latest installment of our QB drama, have handled the situation since Richard Brehaut went down with his unfortunate injury. Brehaut to his credit has been positive:
"It's tough, establishing myself as the quarterback and then for something like this to happen," said Brehaut, who was named starting quarterback before Week 4 after relieving junior Kevin Prince in the second quarter of a Week 3 loss to Texas. "But everything happens or a reason, and hopefully I can be back in time for the season."
In addition Brehaut was very gracious towards Kevin Prince:
"It's not as bad when Kevin steps up like he did and plays the way he did and led those guys. I'm proud as hell of him. Coming from his situation, what he's been through this year, that says all about his character, and I believed in him and in this team."
For number of valid reasons Coach Rick Neuheisel has taken a lot of heat here and all over the internets this season. The reasons include his handling of the QBs in game situation early in the season. Yet I have to give him a lot of credit for the way he has been able to manage our student athletes into having a positive mindset in public despite the adversity on many friends. I do think these kinds of comments from Bre help the team. They help the chemistry around it.
As concerned I am about the overall aspect of the program, I did take note how the players fought back and showed resiliency against Washington State. Lot of that has to do with the amazing attitude from guys like Brehaut and others who have hung in there despite the tough times in Westwood.
Of course the fact that we had to be "resilient" at home against Washington State is something that we are rightfully concerned about. At the same time, I give our players a lot of credit for hanging in there and battling despite all the criticisms, coming at the program from all kinds of different angles.
Now in terms of how the rotation will work, let's delve into some of Neuheisel's comments after the jump.
Per Peter Yoon it appears that Neuheisel is not thinking about waiting around for an emergency situation to work in Hundley:
[S]eeing Hundley in a package at some point this season is all but a certainty.
"I've toyed with that idea to date, but I just haven't felt that it was worth throwing a year away for him," Neuheisel said. "But now we've got a situation where he may very well have to play and rather than wait for that time when he has to, we might get him involved."
But Neuheisel doesn't want to give up any information on exactly how Hundley will get involved.
"I'm going to keep my cards close to my vest on this one," he said. "I don't know when and what situation will prompt me to put him in the game, but I'm going to have him ready. That I need to do."
I am pretty conflicted on how I feel about all this.
I am not sure I can fault Neuheisel if he works Hundley in game situations with special packages that could give the Bruins an advantage and get Hundley a "feel" for game speed. That sounds fun but given what we have seen this year, it's tough to have the confidence that this coaching staff can pull it off. I think I have written this before but it's worth writing it again. I can just see a nightmarish scenario unfolding where the coaches decide to run a "Hundley package" only to realize Hundley is not lined up in formation. The Bruins then frantically take a TO to get the right package in the formation only to discover Hundley didn't make it into the lineup. I know this sounds extreme but can you blame yours truly for having this kind of nightmare after what we have seen this year or in recent past?
The best case scenario here is a rejuvenated and re-inspired Prince taking total command of this team so that there is no need for Hundley. I doubt Bruins will have the luxury for using a QB in "mop up" duty in the remaining games. However, if they do, I hope coaches go with Nick Crissman. This also goes for if the Bruins find themselves in "garbage time" on the wrong side of scoreboard.
All I ask for Neuheisel at this point wrt to Hundley is to ensure that if he uses him in game situations this year - they are meaningful ones. I don't want to see the repeat of Brehaut freshman year, when his redshirt was burned during garbage time against San Diego State. He wasn't ready and his shirt was burned when Bruins had a good enough backup like Kevin Craft in place.
Anyway, good luck to Prince, Hundley and Crissman. I still think this team has a chance to make a run to get to the Pac-12 championship game. I really do given how the conference has shaped up to date this season. The team is set up perfectly with what I believe is a very winnable road game against Arizona. This is a game that has given us lot of trouble over the years. The crowd in Tucson will also be charged up for an ESPN nationally televised Thursday night game. Yet if the Bruins play up to their potential and get this win, they will be well set up to make run. Let's get this done.
GO BRUINS.
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Good Read
I hate as well the thought of having to burn Hundley’s potential red-shirt year but with what happened to Brehaut this last Saturday night I have to think RN simply has no other choice but to have Hundley ready to go just in case; given that KP has gone down with injuries more than once.
Los Angeles Rams and the UCLA Bruins!!!!!
by Minnesota Bruinfan on Oct 11, 2011 4:36 AM PDT reply actions
That I need to do? sounds like conviction?
Yup, Nestor, I can totally see the Hundley package hiccups as you’ve eluded to. At this point in the RN era, we can only hope the highly recruited QB doesn’t get scarred by the residual of coaching ineptitude.
wanting to be able we certainly wished,
... but being allowed to try we didn`t dare
Bad Situation for Hundley
84 has it right. I too hope that Hundley doesn’t get " scarred by the residual of coaching ineptitude".
First, by all accounts he’s “not ready” to play. I’m not sure what that means, but we’ve seen our QB’s have difficulty mastering our O and playbook — most likely because our coaches have admittedly not mastered it. Is the “pistol” an offense or a formation? We were told it was a formation but I don’t think we’ve seen other formations especially in situations in which going under center would have made a lot of sense. We’ve been told there is a spin out “package” for Hundley. They can’t package our current O and all of the talent on that side of the ball (where is the Faruia package?), can we trust them to hand craft one for Hundley? I don’t think so.
Second, whatever we are running, we’ve seen too many QB injuries — partially because of O line deficiencies and partially because we really expose our QB’s in our O (although I do think Brehaut’s injury was more freak than result.)
Third, I do not think that RN is the QB coach he once was or was reputed to be. We don’t see the growth in QB’s that a good coach helps bring about. Much is made of his “yelling”. I don’t think that is, in itself, a big deal; but when you look at the end result — the lack of positive impact on his players — I think he has substituted volume for teaching.
Finally, I acknowledge that Hundley may play because our coaches don’t have confidence in our other QB’s. That is damning in itself. I know that Chrissman has been hurt his entire time here; is he not capable of playing? At least he knows the playbook. And, what about Bell? Is he the victim of one bad outing? Was he damaged that much by that one portion of one game? If so, I worry that Hundley faces the same risk if asked to carry the water for a bunch of coaches who will hand him leaky buckets.
I respect RN for trying to preserve Hundley’s red-shirt year and for not just rushing him in out of desperation.
And, I understand that it may be “necessary” to do so should Prince get hurt.
My preference: Go to the single wing. We have great running backs. Save Hundley for a staff and time when he can really shine.
sjh
You make some good points but there are other factors, too
I agree our QB development has not been very good over these four seasons but it picked up this summer (I watched a few practices). Brehaut made some serious improvement and Prince got better, too. I’m wondering if much of the poor development of QB’s in previous seasons was due to too many chefs in the kitchen.
As of now, I want Hundley to see some game time – he is the “Heir Apparent” and if he sits out this whole season and we lose games with a different backup QB, he may decide to go elsewhere (and I wouldn’t blame him).
Play with so much passion nothing else matters
by KnudsenRockne on Oct 11, 2011 10:50 AM PDT up reply actions
Saving the Redshirt...too late for that.
Like many here on BN I wish the decision to burn Hundley’s RS could be an active, pro-active, tactical decision and not one RN is "forced" backwards into making due to his own failures.
I don’t really understand the situation with Crissman. He was a 4 star coming out of Edison but like Bre is I guess more a drop-back pro-style QB , just how sound his shoulder is after a couple of surgeries??? Don’t know.
It’s difficult to understand why in three years he hasn’t been "developed" by the program. Three years in the system and two years in this offense and he can’t get a drink of water with the starting offense? Even with the surgery it looks like another example of a fine prospect coming into UCLA and being allowed to wither and die on the vine….in a long string of these.
Sad truth, considering the fragile physical nature of Prince I expect RN will have his hand forced and will play Hundley sometime soon. When the staff’s failure (again) to develop the talent base in Crissman etal…will come back to bite.
The question then…regardless, does Hundley become the de-facto starter for the remainder of the year? I don’t believe Rick wants to make that decision at all…at least it sure seems like he’d rather have fate force his hand which then gives him a convenient excuse for things if they implode.
Rick is clearly a great car salesman…but to me he should not be in charge of the factory and he apparently doesn’t want the responsibility of product development.
In Spring & Fall games Crissman's arm has never looked very good.
Play with so much passion nothing else matters
by KnudsenRockne on Oct 11, 2011 2:20 PM PDT up reply actions
Excellent read, you have a pulse on what us fans actually care about
I was getting tired of all the negative feel of the posts lately even after a win. The real worst case scenarios are if Hundley comes in and plays horribly and it kills his confidence. That would be even worse for next year than if he came in this year and got hurt. It’s just unrealistic to expect much out of a kid who’s never played a down at the college level. I hope RN saves his redshirt.
Gotta admit I’m excited to see what he can do though.
by Tustin Bruin PK on Oct 11, 2011 8:59 AM PDT reply actions
So-called negativity is disconnected from wins and losses
Were you personally satisfied with the way we played this past weekend? Do you believe that this team played up to its potential? If the answer to that is no, then that’s the reason why so-called negativity is warranted. If yes, well, then you’re beyond help.
Satisfied, yes.
I WAS personally satisfied. I think this team DID play to it’s potential. For a team without a solid QB, banged up secondary, poor kicking game, a one handed LB, and a terrible leaping call from the ref, I thought the boys did great to get the W. I was proud of the way they bounced back after the Stanford beating.
and yes you are right, I AM beyond help, I’m a hopelessly optimistic Bruin fan but will make no apologies to you for that.
by Tustin Bruin PK on Oct 11, 2011 11:24 AM PDT up reply actions
Way to go TB PK!!
I don’t share your satisfaction (my passion bucket has a hole in it) but I see your point – and more importantly, I am glad that there are fans like you out there. Your ‘hopeless optimism’ gives me hope.
Play with so much passion nothing else matters
by KnudsenRockne on Oct 11, 2011 11:35 AM PDT up reply actions
That's fine so long as
the hope and passion don’t translate into another year for RN under the rhetoric “… this is the year my hope and passion make me believe we will turn the corner, reach the other end of he tunnel, have fixed all the things that needed to be fixed (add all other generic excuses we’ve heard)”.
sjh
by Class of 66 on Oct 11, 2011 12:02 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm not glad for that
Because these arguments sound an awful lot like the anything goes and everything’s okay call of the Dorrellista. There are certain people who will lie down and take whatever punishment comes their way, never demanding accountability or dreaming of anything beyond the status quo.
The main problem I have is with the mischaracterization of reality as negativity. When the team and coaching staff give me a logical reason to be optimistic, I will be, but frankly, anyone who is “hopelessly optimistic” at this point is not positive, but delusional.
True but
I guess I admire the ability to sing “Dont’ worry be happy” when life is slapping you
in the face – especially since there isn’t a GD thing we can do about it. Besides, I’ve been told I get grumpy in the Fall (well, more grumpy than usual) – if I were more delusional maybe the innocent wouldn’t have to suffer for CRN’s sins
Play with so much passion nothing else matters
by KnudsenRockne on Oct 11, 2011 2:15 PM PDT up reply actions
It is at this point that I remind you that whining about tone will have us showing you the door
We are not as “negative” here as you are delusional for being hopelessly optimistic based on what we’ve seen to date from this team. There’s no need to apologize for being delusional, but don’t expect the rest of us to drink the Kool Aid, that’s all.
Jeez Tydides... get a grip
people can’t make comments and opinions on this site that disagree with your opinions without being attacked and threatened? You don’t have to “show me the door”, as a dedicated visitor and first time commenter I was just giving Kudos to Nestor for a good post. Being called delusional and being bashed by my own fellow Bruins is not what I expected. Sad to say I’ll show myself “the door”.
Class of 2003 lives on.
by Tustin Bruin PK on Oct 11, 2011 1:29 PM PDT up reply actions
LOL another internet goodbye
Clearly you don’t understand the point Tydides is trying to make.
If everyone had the same “optimistic” view as you do, then Karl Dorrell would still be coaching. No matter who the coach, you can always say “I’m optimistic, next year will be better”. But at some point, you have enough history and facts to go by to make a reasoned decision.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with cheering for the team and hoping for the best. But that’s only when you have your fan hat on. For this exercise, you need to put your AD hat on and think without the emotion.
We ALL hope for the best, we all think that the team could play great. That’s what makes us Bruins. But that is also why this site is different from the usual drivel on the web, the rah rah go team BS that you find on message boards. A lot of people spend a lot of time to dissect and analyze a lot of information. And I hate to tell you without sounding like a blowhard, but we’ve been right far more often than we’ve been wrong.
We’ll never tell you to not have hope and cheer for the team. But that is completely different from the analysis of the program and how it should be run.
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
Tustin
I hope you understand Tydides point. He is not saying that you cannot offer differing POVs. Looks at the fanpost section right now and see the post on Sean Westgate. What he is saying is he doesn’t appreciate folks looking down upon reasonable negativity on the football program, which has been underachieving for more than a decade now.
UCLA football program has a lot of issues. Discussing those issues with relentless and intense focus is not being “negative.” It’s being persistent and passionate. At the same time, I understand people maintaining some sliver of hope as the football season is not completely down in the toilet.
Bye
You aren’t being “threatened” for having a different viewpoint. You are being warned that whines about tone and backhanded non-compliments/shots at our frontpagers aren’t allowed. Don’t think that your little “What us fans ACTUALLY care about” comment didn’t go unnoticed by me. You could have posted all that you did regarding Hundley and I wouldn’t have thought twice about it, but you decided to take some not-so-subtle shots at our frontpage and the overall tone, so now you’re in my crosshairs.
The larger point also stands. The label you put on us as “negative” is not nearly as apt as the label of delusional that I’m putting on you. The difference is that the facts to date back up a more negative outlook on the program. Reading between the lines, the only news you seem to care to read about the team are those blowing sunshine and rainbows up everyone’s asses, and sorry to say, but there’s little there to justify that viewpoint. I’m confident that my takes and the reflections on the frontpage are grounded firmly in reality and fact, and so it’s funny that you’d tell someone else to “get a grip” when such advice should be given to someone of a more delusional disposition (you).
Pardon me for piling on, Tustin, but I'm going to pile on just a little
But I’m a geezer, so you get a litttle story first. I was working on a big, complicated case with a former Cal. Supreme Court Justice as our disco referee. In a motion I was arguing, he told the other side that they were “ignoring objective reality” with one of their points.
So that’s where my phrase “ignoring objective reality” comes from. In the last six weeks there have probably been at least a hundred posts laying out many different kinds of numbers in many different kinds of ways. The numbers aren’t pretty. You can find one or two stats, maybe, in which we are in the top quarter of all teams in the NCAA. I think maybe we’re 29th in rushing per game. In all of the other categories (not an exaggeration – check for yourself), we are in the bottom half of all NCAA schools. We’re 118th out of 120 in something having to do with punt returns. Those numbers are the objective reality that many people seem to overlook.
I would like to be optimistic. I have asked many times for people to demonstrate some evidence that there is something to be optimistic about. I haven’t been shown anything. It’s not enough just to say, “Well, we’ve got to root for our coaches and our players because they’re our Bruin family.” And that, Bruin Brother, is the real difficulty. Do we hope that the team loses horribly so that the objective reality will no longer be overlooked and the head coach gets fired? You might say that’s impossible for a real Bruin to do. Many parents have had to face something like that, with children who are hurting themselves with drugs or alcohol or something like that. That’s the “tough love” that you read about and hope that you never have to parcipate in.
The objective reality, though, just can’t be ignored. Take a stroll through the ncaa stats website. It’s a real wake up call. It’s not being negative to report what the numbers show. It’s just recognizing objective reality.
We can cheer for and celebrate wins and still replace RN
Because, as you have aptly pointed out, the objective reality is that even if he wins all of his remaining games this season, and goes undefeated next, he will have a worse record than CTS — and CTS was rightfully fired.
His record is not a magic slate or etch a sketch — it doesn’t disappear. It is bad. Very bad.
So, I’m cheering for victory. I want RN to go out at the end of this year on a winning streak.
But, I will still want him gone.
sjh
That is an extreme position
and I really don’t see how you can justify that.
You are saying that if the team starts playing really well, and even has an undefeated record next year, you would still fire Neuheisel afterwards? Pardon me but that is quite extreme. And I am surprised that it comes from you, an ardent John Wooden adept. I really do not think you would find many supporters behind you in that case.
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
Coach Wooden Did Not Measure Success With the Win/Loss Column -- And, Neither Do I
I measure things by Coach’s definition of Success:
“Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming.”
And, to make clear why wins and losses are not the key, Coach said:
“Don’t measure yourself by what you have accomplished, but by what you should have accomplished with your ability.”
My point is simple. I do not care about wins like SJSU, OSU and WSU — in my eyes we flunked both of Coach’s standards.
So, if we win out, this year, and next — and play as ugly and poorly as we have during all of RN’s body of work — I would get rid of him.
It is not an extreme position, at all. I think the extreme position is to simply count wins and assume that winning, in itself, is the goal. It is not — especially at the college level where we are supposed to be teaching our student athletes both in the classroom and on the playing field. Focusing on wins and tournaments/bowl games is what kept Sweet Sixteen/Lavin and CTS employed too long.
Does anyone really think we are remotely close to playing to the standards set by the greatest coach to ever live? If not, why not bring in people who can get us there?
sjh
In case it wasn't clear
we are the ones who came up with the eye test, so you don’t have to lecture me or anyone else about Coach’s teachings.
Not many college football teams living up to Coach’s standards at the moment.
I don’t disagree with you that our team has looked ugly and won ugly. But they can’t do that the rest of the way. Hence I believe that winning out excludes winning ugly.
And if you think you can sell the case that winning a lot of games in an ugly fashion is cause enough to get someone fired, please walk into DG’s office and do so. The only team I have seen do that, excluding scandals, is Auburn with Tommy Tuberville. We are not in the SEC.
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
You asked me to justify my position and I did
So, don’t be offended that I did.
And, I’ve been using this same “grading scale” here for years (before there was an “eye test” which I fully support) — including some very early posts where I lamented that, as a teacher, I could not grade effort instead of accomplishment.
Can we continue to win ugly? I think the posts this week that point out that the path to victories is not all that steep, leads me to believe that we can. ASU will probably require a better game than we’ve yet played. But, I can see beating the others in the same way we beat SJSU, OSU and WSU.
In my book a winning season with ugly wins does not get it done. And, if we win out, I will not forget that had we played any D, and played better on all fronts, we would likely have but one loss, at this point — Stanford, and that would have been a much closer game.
Can I sell this?
Probably not to people who worship wins and will support RN in the same way that Steve Sixteen was supported. But, that won’t stop me from trying.
sjh
I get your point
I really do.
I didn’t expect that our defense would suddenly be All-American under a new DC, but I didn’t expect them to look this awful either.
I think the discussion revolves around whether we think the team can be consistently successful going forward, this season and beyond. You clearly do not think so. I am not yet sure, and next Thursday will provide a big clue.
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
The Failure of the Defense
is, in my mind, the bad dream of the year (amongst several other contenders). I, too, did not expect a suddenly All-American D, but I did expect the aggressive, fast scheme we’d been promised since Tresey was hired. The truth is that we are slow both in execution and in understanding what we are facing. We are not aggressive — we hand cushions out like a madam in a high priced joint — we don’t tackle and we still make stupid penalties.
But, to me, the worst thing is that we have made NO significant adjustments to the scheme, even after it has been torched, game after game. You’d think we would have learned that we are making ordinary QB’s great, and good QB’s Heisman contenders.
All of this comes back on RN. We can blame Walker on DG. I’m not sure about Bullough. But the Seto/Tresey decisions appear to be RN’s.
I totally respect that you and the front pagers are more patient than I, and that I might be proven wrong — but, I’ve seen enough ugly football to want a complete clean sweep, no matter how we finish the season.
sjh
Don't want his RS burned
I chuckled a bit when Neu said he’s playing it close to the vest. This is the same guy that has zero clue on how to fully utilize a 6’8 TE, 6’5 WR, a world class sprinter, a RB that breaks ankles or a WR who at his prior school was running back KO’s for TD’s. His continual failure to maximize the talent on the roster tells me that he has zero clue as to how to use Hundley.
All I see is Hundley running the same plays that KP/RB have been running. There isn’t going to be any “special plays/packages”. Even if Neu used him, I doubt he is involved in more than 3 plays per game. Thus, save him for someone that knows how to coach and knows how to take advantage of the talent on his roster.
I think is going to work out ok.
A few thoughts in response to the post and comments:
1) Crissman has been completely disrupted by injuries. That is not on him or on the coaches, it’s bad luck. Bell was a nice story coming in but was never a highly touted recruit. It makes perfect sense that Hundley is our next best option to start if Prince goes down.
2) I agree that Hundley shouldn’t give up his redshirt for garbage time minutes, and by all accounts he isn’t ready right now to be the starter. However, to this point in the season Brehaut and Prince have (rightly) taken the bulk of the practice snaps; with Hundley #2 on the depth chart he will have a chance to accelerate his development and grasp of the 1st team offense.
3) if I were CRN, I’d try to get Hundley one meaningful first half series per game, and other time depending on the situation. I would work on grooving a limited set of plays in practice, and script his first 3 plays from scrimmage. I would change his plays each week, so later in the season he would have a bigger set to play with. I’d put him on the field with a specific personnel set to allow him to build chemistry (it seems Brehaut and Prince both have favored targets; maybe Hundley can get someone else involved in the receiving game, or allow Jordon James some run plays that aren’t end arounds…). Later in the season I might try to get him more time. Also, having Prince sit and watch the defense for a series could pay dividends, and keep him fresher / less injured.
4) I do NOT want to start with a Hundley goalline package – it undermines the starting QB when you tell him he can’t get it done in the redzone, and also maximizes the potential impact of any freshman mistakes. The Tebow goalline package for Florida was different because they were swapping a pocket passer for a running QB; for us, Prince is sufficiently dual threat in the same style (more experienced, less gifted) as Hundley. Also, a goalline package is not necessarily good practice for running the offense.
If Hundley isn't game-ready
and yet he’s no. 2 on the depth chart, then the decision has been made. In the likely event that Kevin Prince does not take all the remaining snaps this year, one red shirt will be burned.
So, Hundley isn’t ready for mental reasons (playbook, reads, etc.); I assume that Crissman isn’t ready for physical reasons; and, I guess Bell isn’t ready because he’s not good enough to be no. 2.
Still, if Hundley HAS to play, we’re in salvage mode. Given their comparative familiarity with the system, I’d sooner see Bell and Crissman share backup duties, let Hundley continue to learn, and save him for next year and beyond.
by GoodTimesBruin on Oct 11, 2011 10:51 AM PDT up reply actions
What if getting passed over this season causes Hundley to not return for next year?
Play with so much passion nothing else matters
by KnudsenRockne on Oct 11, 2011 10:52 AM PDT up reply actions
Well, that's different, then.
Given that Hundley has said he doesn’t want to waste a year mopping up, and given that he’d have to sit out a year if he transferred, do you think this is a real possibility?
by GoodTimesBruin on Oct 11, 2011 10:55 AM PDT up reply actions
Yes, I do.
If both Prince & Bre are out for some games (what are the odds?) it won’t just be mopping up – it’ll be starting at QB. But to be able to start, he will need to see some game time first.
If our coaches go with someone else – someone who is a downgrade in skill and athleticism – and lose, then he’d have to question UCLA’s commitment to winning. And if we’re not committed to winning he should find someplace that is.
Play with so much passion nothing else matters
by KnudsenRockne on Oct 11, 2011 11:10 AM PDT up reply actions
You make some good points
And, I guess taking the covers off our new sports car and giving fans a glimpse of what could be wouldn’t hurt, either.
by GoodTimesBruin on Oct 11, 2011 11:16 AM PDT up reply actions
LOL. And maybe seeing that new sports car
will fire up everyone else on the team.
Play with so much passion nothing else matters
by KnudsenRockne on Oct 11, 2011 11:18 AM PDT up reply actions
I think the worst reason to bring in Hundley
would be if it were a play for CRN to say ‘look, we’ll be good next year with this guy… just give me a chance!‘. There are plenty of good reasons to get Hundley involved, but saving CRN’s skin by showing a mirage of future glory shouldn’t be one of them.
by VeniceBruin on Oct 11, 2011 11:20 AM PDT up reply actions
Agreed.
In fact, if he did something like that I’d lose all respect for CRN.
He should save his job by doing it well – and he has six more games
to show us that.
Play with so much passion nothing else matters
by KnudsenRockne on Oct 11, 2011 11:32 AM PDT up reply actions
right
and, given the situation, I think using Hundley can be part of that – and would be a sensible hedge against further injuries.
by VeniceBruin on Oct 11, 2011 11:38 AM PDT up reply actions
So far RN has been honorable about not wasting the RS year.
I do not think he will move him into the line up for selfish reasons.
Hundley is probably the best back up available.
sjh
by Class of 66 on Oct 11, 2011 12:08 PM PDT up reply actions
I don't think he will leave
especially if we get a coach like Leach or someone else who can develop and feature talent.
Will he want to sit out another year after a transfer. (Do redshirts have to sit out? They were enrolled and practiced with a team.)
He’s not grumbled once about leaving. He seems to be a very smart kid and should see that the current situation is not the best and next year’s should be better.
sjh
by Class of 66 on Oct 11, 2011 12:06 PM PDT up reply actions
Yah. I'd like to see Leach coach Hundley
But I’d have to be delusional to believe UCLA would hire a non-conformist like him. For a University with the history of UCLA the admin is astonishingly conservative.
Play with so much passion nothing else matters
by KnudsenRockne on Oct 11, 2011 2:18 PM PDT up reply actions
Leach is actually conservative in many ways
and far more intellectual than many coaches. He has an academics mind, is well read and understands a lot about things other than football.
But, I know what you are saying — he is very principled and I’m not sure this administration would tolerate dissent. Although, it does in the academic departments.
I know we like to blame Block, but I wonder, sometimes, if DG isn’t the problem. And, if the problem is that he is afraid to hire stars because he does not understand that a rising tide raises all boats.
sjh
The question remains
Would he be as much of a pirate in the eyes of UCLA? Or is the Texas Tech admin somewhat more conservative? Sometimes the “rebel” label is a little overstated…
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
Wealthy Alum/Regents Were Pulling the Strings At Tech
and manipulating the Chancellor and AD.
I don’t see that happening here. Our Regents don’t micro manage sports and have far more to do than a group in Lubbock.
sjh
Exactly
That’s why I don’t think his personality will be a big deal or an impediment, as many suggest. In fact, they might appreciate his intellect instead.
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
someone remind me again
why it is such a great plan to bring in an Air-Raid coach (who is used to relying on 5th-year-senior accurate shotgun passers throwing to multiple receiver sets protected by excellent pass-blocking O-linemen with an empty backfield) to coach a dual-threat QB whose most talented/touted teammates on the skill side are running backs and whose linemen excel in run blocking and struggle in pass blocking?
Sounds like the sort of match RichRod and HS#2 QB Ryan Mallet had.
by VeniceBruin on Oct 12, 2011 11:04 AM PDT up reply actions
You gotta think
a little more long term than just the next season VB!
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
with Hundley the potential starter for the next 4?
moving to Leach’s offense would entail another rebuilding job just in time to let the Trogans off sanctions. But maybe Hundley transfers like Mallett did, arguing that he came to play for a certain coach in a certain system and the Air-Raid isn’t it; and after three inauspicious years and some minor kerfuffles, we can be ready to fire Leach too – and someone can come in and switch out the Air Raid for something else over some number of years.
We should be rooting for CRN to win 8 games this year and lead a real contender next year, not rooting for him to be run out of town regardless of his results. I’ll accept that if Urban Meyer tells us he wants the job, CRN should probably be ushered out of the door (or promoted to AD!); but personally I don’t think Leach is such a clear home run hire.
I'm not worried either way
As far as I remember, Hundley played a lot out of the shotgun in high school, but maybe I’m mistaken. But Leach could do wonders with Brehaut. If Hundley transfers then we might have to have a freshman QB step in in 2013. That might be tough, but it’s not a dire situation either. Maybe Chris Bono or Jerry Neuheisel could step up!
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
Just started reading his book
so far its a pretty good read. Just past the point where he talks about attending BYU as an under grad and how he did appreciate the structure the institution provided him and how this base was a good counterweight to balance out his own rebel tendencies.
Oh UCLA you sweet bitch, you've BRUINed me for anything else.
by bruin8uclap on Oct 11, 2011 10:02 PM PDT up reply actions
I wondered if redshirt-then-transfer would mean sitting out...
so, as I often do, I dug into some research. The NCAA Division I Manual, a 439-page pdf full of exciting reading, only states that redshirts do use up one of their five calendar years in which to finish their four years of competition, but says nothing about redshirts transferring. Finally I found this article about QB Tyler Gabbert leaving Missouri this spring, in which it states
Gabbert will have to sit out the 2011 season at his next FBS school because of NCAA transfer rules — the second straight year he won’t see action after redshirting as a true freshman in 2010. However, he will have three years of eligibility remaining starting in 2012.So, if he stays and plays this year, Hundley gets this half a season, and then has four years in which to complete three more seasons of play. If he didn’t play at all this year and transferred because of it, he’d have to sit out next season as well, and he’d have three seasons of college play after two complete years out of competition.
Roses are red, violets are blue...f*** $C.
Yep
Hundley is less likely to transfer if he redshirts this year.
If he redshirts this year: 4 years of eligibility left at UCLA, 3 years left at any other Div I school (after sitting one year).
If he plays this year: 3 years left at UCLA, 3 years left at any other Div I school (after sitting one year).
by truebluebruin on Oct 11, 2011 8:26 PM PDT up reply actions
Mopping up
is different from having to play when the starter is injured.
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
That has always been my number one fear
I don’t blame anyone for trying to get into a lifeboat when the ship is sinking.
Don't play the kid!
IMO our offense isn’t predicated on the arm of the qb and neither of the 2 that have played are that elusive or threatening to run that would indicate the qb has to be a deamon on wheels to be effective. Play Chrisman if it comes to that point. He’s a smart kid with a good enough arm and understanding of this offense and won’t be a noticeable dropoff from KP or RB. Let BH mature and come in with a solid foundation under him and the program will be better off.
It’s not so much the offense IMO that has us in this position anyway. If the defense could stop someone we would be 4-2 or better. That interior D-Line, particularly Marsh, Chandler, and Edison have been getting pushed all over the place which is throwing the whole defense off. With no pressure and the DB’s playing 8 yards back opposing offenses are just eating clock and scoring at will. No offense can score a touchdown every time they touch the ball unless your playing our Bruins. Play Epanessa and Carter in the middle and Owa and Coleman on the ends more often, PLEASE!
If we win in Arizona.... we can do something interesting this year yet
I think it would be ok to play Hundley. Life is short… if he really is as good as we think, he might well go out early anyway. He might get injured later (hard to believe a UCLA QB getting injured)… sometimes you just need to go with the opportunity that presents itself.
AND… I think I’ve seen some heart, some quality of character in this team. Yes, clearly the coaching staff is horribly disorganized and ineffective for the most part. But my gut yearns for THIS team to win the south (humiliating SUC in the process) and getting to the Pac 12 Championship and then a quality bowl game.
PLAY HUNDLEY?
Face it – there is NO tomorrow for UCLA. We have to play to win each and every game. I bet most of us would be thrilled to have a (partially) seasoned Hundley playing and beating sc in the south central pit next month if it comes down to that. ANYTHING to beat sc. If we play games trying to save an RS for Hundley who knows what may happen next year or the following year. Play to win now and figure that if we have a winning and exciting program that we’ll have a shot for the next Hundley coming out in 2013 or the following year. Better we play him now than to hope he’ll hang around for future years. I’m sure he wants to play NOW!
This is not Pravda
Has someone developed thin skin, here? You writers with Greek names bristle at the mere mention of “negativity.” When you reject conflicting points of view, however, you weaken the community. If it’s his opinion, you should respect it. Hell. embrace it.
Would your writing be as passionate if we were winning?
It's embarrassing for your profession
That you decided to ad hom this community and its contributors by not addressing the illegitimate basis for this particular “conflicting point of view”. I don’t have to respect anything that’s not based on fact or reason. That you think that you do just shows why journalism has devolved into the garbage that it currently is. It’s hilarious that you think that introducing fact-free noise into the discussion strengthens a community, but then again, you’re a journalist, and based on what we’ve seen so far, it’s clear that that’s the MO for most of you lazy hacks.
You two fit Isaac Asimov’s quote about anti-intellectualism and democracy pretty well.
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