Mandel on SI.com: 2011 is Neuheisel’s "Make-or-Break" Season
by Bellerophon on Feb 22, 2011 11:45 AM PST
in Football
Email
Print
KSBruin fanshotted Stewart Mandel’s SI.com piece on Rick Neuheisel’s "make or break" forth season. It is a good read which includes balanced perspective from all parties involved. The article provides Rick’s thoughts on running a "hybrid" offense:
Neuheisel's new course of action is a hybrid attack. Offensive coordinator Mike Johnson, another former Ravens colleague who spent the past two seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, is charged with resuscitating the passing game, but Neuheisel also hired Nevada running backs coach Jim Mastro -- one of the co-creators of the Pistol -- to help bolster that effort.
"I don't want to throw the baby out with the bathwater; I just want to make sure we're more balanced," said Neuheisel. "Mike Johnson and I are going to put ourselves to the task of building a pass offense, and Jim has the keys to the castle in making that Pistol go."
And how Tresey could turn out to be "worth the wait":
As for Tresey, he'll be inheriting a defense that slipped from 32nd to 94th nationally last season and must replace its two best players, linebacker Akeem Ayers and safety Rahim Moore. There's reason to believe Tresey was worth the wait. At Cincinnati and USF, Tresey produced aggressive defenses (his 2007 Bearcats squad led the nation in turnovers gained) using a base 4-3. He wound up in Omaha when USF fired head coach Jim Leavitt in 2009 and successor Skip Holtz brought in his own staff.
That all sounds good but as Mandel points out, Rick most likely has "one shot" to get it right:
"Rick knows there is maybe one shot to straighten this thing out,'' Guerrero told the Los Angeles Times last month. Citing that quote, the Bruins Nation guys wrote: "We are willing to give him 'one shot' for 2011. If Rick doesn't get the job done by the end of next season [which should be somewhere around the range of 8-9 regular season wins and a victory against Southern Cal], UCLA will need to look in another direction."
Next season cannot come soon enough.
GO BRUINS
47 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Mandel captured the sentiment of most around here well.
He seems to have had an inside source.
by AllHailMightyBruins on Feb 22, 2011 11:54 AM PST reply actions
CRN Will Get At Least 2 Years
Not because he deserves them but because the changes he is making will “justify” an extension so long as we don’t completely implode. I think 500% will save his job.
I don’t think we could have rebuilt the staff on 1 year promises. And, I don’t think any of those coaches think we are 1 year away from where we should be.
If there was a serious probability that we would be changing coaches by the end of next year, this would have been the year to clean house.
We’ve chosen another path.
As pissed as I am about the process, and as upset as I am with crn, the process, the delays, and the Seto offer — I can fully understand giving him two years to get the job done. (I say “understand” not want.)
As much as he has screwed things up, it appears that some of the mess was created by forcing him to take Chow and keep Walker. As much as I like Chow and think he got the raw deal here, crn should have had more control over his staff. However, arguing against myself — what was he thinking when he hired Bullough and Moore?
I think crn is on the warm seat. Any appearance of progress will save his job.
sjh
Yes, .500 will probably save his job, but I am optimistic the year will go better than that.
CRN will get the job done.
Here is why:
Offensive line – this is probably the most talented and experienced starting offensive line we’ve had in a while. Depth is a concern though. I shudder to think what will happen if we lose Maiava again. Look for Paclic to continue to improve these guys.
QB- Either we’ll have a 5 star freshman all world QB who beats 2 QBs with 3-4 years in the system, or we’ll have a choice of QBs with 3 years in the system. Not bad.
WR- This talented group underperformed, drastically, in 2010. The talent is there, the speed is there, the size is there. They need 1 more piece, and that is discipline. My initial reading of coach Johnson is that he is perfect guy to deliver that.
F-Back/TE – This groups is also very talented and yet did not deliver results. Included in this group is Presley, a former 4-5 star prospect, Barr, a 4 star prospect, and the ridiculously fast Thigpen who has been timed at 4.28 in the 40. Harkey and Fauria have the tools to succeed as well. Look for Mastro to get this bunch straightened out. Presley needs to quit smoking pot.
RB – This is the only skill group that did relatively well last year and we get them all back. Jordon James will be taking off the red shirt :)
Schematically, we will have our 2nd year running the Pistol offense (at least partly). That experience should help our guys.
We have new coaches at the positions that underperformed the most in 2010. If you like the new staff, you gotta like our chances for offense in 2011.
On defense we lose three key players – Akeem Ayers, Rahim Moore, and David Carter. That means we are returning 8 starters!
Our defensive line should be a heck of a lot better in 2011. We are returning Datone Jones, who figures to be our top defensive lineman in 2011. David Carter is a loss, but Cassius Marsh played well in 2010, and Brandon Willis looks promising along with a couple other young guys. Owa will probably start opposite of Jones. This group got manhandled last season, but I think that will change with return of Jones and the maturation of our extremely talented young guys. I like the prospect of coach Breckterfield working with this crew.
At linebacker we lose the most talented guy on the 2010 roster, Akeem Ayers. Ayers played half the season injured and was not near the contributor he was in the first part of 2010. Our replacment for him, probably Zumwalt, showed great things as a true freshman. I don’t think he is Ayers caliber talent, but he’s got lots of heart and good size and speed. Larimore should have the middle locked up. Last year’s undersized starter Westgate is going to have to battle to hold off Love and Olaniyan.
At DB we lose Rahim Moore, who was unreal in 2009, but didn’t come close to that in 2010. I actually think Riley will easily outdo Moore’s 2010 effort. It seemed like Moore was checked out for the pros. Dye will be a 3 year starter as will Sheldon Price. Hester will be in his second year.
With all the experience coming in at every level of the defense, a new blue collar type coach to teach fundamentals, I just don’t see how this group does worse than even our 2009 group, let alone 2010.
In summary:
Oline- better
QB – better
WR – better
Fback – better
TE – better
RB – better
Dline – better
LB – hard to say
DB – better
Not only are we more experienced and talented at the bulk of our positions, we have a much, much easier schedule. Honestly, if we can’t win 8 this year, something went really, really wrong. Consider me optimistic.
Agree with pretty much everything
except Rahim checking out for the pros. He had a phenominal, probably over-achieving, 2009 season because when teams got passes off with BP in their face, while making sure to avoid ATV, Moore was there. Our secondary last year was hung out to dry by the non-existant pass rush and ATV wasn’t there to draw QBs attention away from Rahim.
There was also the bullough-factor
I never met Rahim, but based on everything I’ve read I think questioning his heart is way off-base.
+1 have
Bullough. Need to line your players up in positions to make plays. On top of that, D-line needs to place pressure, didn’t have Brian Price either.
D-backs seemed to be play "prevent" defense for whole games.
It seems as if 70% of opposition passes were underneath corners on 5-8 yard slants that would go for another 5.
BTW – I’ve always hated the “prevent defense” since all it dose is prevent the defensive team from defending as they did for half of the previous 58 to 59 minutes!
by C.T. in Boston on Feb 22, 2011 7:04 PM PST up reply actions
you're probably right
That was harsh of me. I shouldn’t be trying to guess why he didn’t perform as well. His tackling didn’t seem as solid in 2010 either though.
Understated truth
ATV’s role in Rahim’s success is rarely noted. And ATV’s absence this year is a material factor in the disastrous results. This isn’t a put down of Price or Rahim. Without ATV, we could not get the job done.
by peggysue69 on Feb 22, 2011 5:33 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Reactions
If the Oline isn’t better, we are in deep trouble. My hope is that last year’s freshman will be ready to step in and play after another year in the weight room.
QB should be better, as stated.
WR unless someone new steps in, this will be a major weakness. Carroll has to mature into a threat or we’re dead.
FB unknown.
TE we will be ok there.
RB are decent. How they perform depends on the OLine and the passing game.
Dline I don’t remember Datone being anywhere near Price in ability. Hopefully, the sophomores will be better.
LB If we stay the same here, losing Ayers, that’s the best we can hope for. Someone has to beat out Westgate, who is obviously undersized.
DB Moore had a good year. Using interceptions as a measure of performance is a silly measure. In 2009 he caught three or four overthrows that were like punts. Riley is a great athlete, so I expect we will not lose anything there.
Solid recruiting in 2008 and 2009 should bear fruit this year. That is my reason for optimism. Learning whole a whole new scheme on defense is a minus. Playing a more aggressive scheme will be a plus.
Huh.
You’re responses are sometimes pretty mystifying. Here would be an example. How, exactly, could the O-line be much worse? We return more starting experience than we did last year, including several seniors and a very talented Hasiak, and the depth, if untested (so was last years’) is much better.
Secondly, how exactly is WR a weakness? Really? Embree and Rosario, if nothing else, are seniors, and Josh Smith and Carroll have another year to mature, plus the addition of Shaq Evans. Sorry, but you’re just wrong.
FB? We don’t have a fullback any more.
TE will still be a weak spot imo, but I guess this is a wash.
How is a returning 1,000 yard rusher, plus a Gatorade POY, Senior Derrick Coleman, and highly touted Jordon James decent?
Datone plays a different position from Price, and had an excellent campaign in 2009. We are also adding in Brandon Willis. I’m not sure where the Price comparisons are going.
Agree on Westgate, and I feel like another year for Zumie, Larimore, and the addition of Olaniyan, Kendricks, and Bowens will really up our athleticism.
Moore had a decent year, but was really exposed as someone who took the benefit of Brian price and ran with it. Riley will step in well, but bring the youngster mistakes too.
By the end, i’m agreeing on some, confused by your points on others. Such is life.
"Every day was a good day at UCLA." -Coach John Wooden
Oswego, I read everything you say, and everything everyone else says, and despite the optimism,
I still see an iceberg dead ahead.
I have been hearing the same sort of talk for many years. The guys all have another year of maturity and strength. They have another year in the system. They should be past the nagging injuries that slowed them down. But you know what? We don’t seem to get any better. Somehow, some way, the other teams guys get a little more maturity and strength than our guys. They get better in their system than we do in ours.
I won’t tell you about the old days, except to say that I always had hope. In fact, I have had hope every year. But not now. Even going into last year, I thought “Why can’t we go undefeated?” All we have to do is win one game a week. Just focus for 60 minutes each week. Just outscore the other guys by one stinking point. I would rail against guys who would talk about the games we wouldn’t win. I was offended by that.
Now, it’s different. I honestly think we will be lucky to win even one game. It depends on when Wazzou peaks. If they’re up for the game, we could seriously go 0 for 2011.
That’s really a lousy mindset to have going into a season. And add to that, only one win over just$c* since Cade left. I have zero confidence in our guys or our coaching staff, despite what I know will be a major effort by all concerned.
I hope I"m wrong. Why can’t we go undefeated? We don’t have to win all our games at once, just one at a time.
Wow...I'm glad it's sunny today in Boston...
…otherwise Foxy, you’re comments would drive me to the building’s ledge.
But then with all the freakin’ snow, I still couldn’t kill myself (metaphorically speaking - no need for 911 seaches)
That said, if we use last season as the benchmark of the trough’s bottom for the team, we can only hope that captainqtp’s projections above are correct (I see them as reasonable), and then we should be able to come in off the metaphoric ledge.
by C.T. in Boston on Feb 23, 2011 7:25 AM PST up reply actions
Fox
i’m not saying your negativity is uncalled for. I’ve been a UCLA fan for a good while and I’ve seen a lot of bad days, and talk every offseason about “how we’re getting better ,making the right adjustments, etc etc” ad nauseum. Am I being overly optimistic? Probably. We likely will not improve in as many spots as I’ve mentioned, and could regress in several. But look at my predictions:
-O-line: Could go either way
-WR: How could it get any worse?
-TE: Wasn’t really optimistic
-RB: We’re stocked, returning a 1,000 yard rusher. Hard not to be optimistic
-D-line: Datone will be back, again hard not to be optimistic, at least about that
-LB: could go either way
-DB: either way
So we’ll see. I have no control over anything, much less your opinions. We just have to watch.
"Every day was a good day at UCLA." -Coach John Wooden
Oswego, you North Campus optimist!
I agree with you because my gut tells me that the Numero Uno problem is finally going to be addressed.
I think that what has been killing us for too many seasons is the coaches have not been consciously and methodically working toward making the players better. They’ve been scheming, strategizing and all that cool stuff (which gets you noticed) but not doing the inglorious nuts and bolts work. Maybe in past seasons the players were able to coach themselves in technique (and the seniors taught the under-classmen) but clearly no one picked up any fundamentals throughout last season.
by KnudsenRockne on Feb 23, 2011 1:15 PM PST up reply actions
It must be all that plant life and beautiful architecture
getting to my head. What can I say, I have nothing but hope/frustration for UCLA football. We’re fighting a Sisyphusian battle against an administration that could be charitably described as “unconcerned” with football. I believe we can do it. We just need luck. Yes, luck.
Our oline needs to stay healthy. Injuries will come, but they must be minor. No academic suspensions. Our QB must be improved, or named Brett Hundley. Our Wide receivers must stop living up to their prima donna stereotype. Our running backs must improve on success, and hold on to the ball. Our Tight Ends must remove their hands, and replace them with new ones.
Our defensive line must be bigger, stronger, faster than they were before. No major injuries there either. Our linebackers must stop being named Sean Westgate. Our cornerbacks must stop living up to their prima donna stereotype. Our safeties must stand on the shoulders of their predecessors.
Our coaches must not play predictable. Our coaches must not go solely with experience over talent.
Many variables, all must gel. Such is the dao of UCLA football.
"Every day was a good day at UCLA." -Coach John Wooden
I'm an optimistic guy in the broad stroke...
…but starting to lose my usual postive vibe.
Therefore, there are players that I’d like to see step up and show us something:
1) Any QB…PLEASE
2) Sir Malcolm – let’s see why he was granted POY in ’09
3) Anthony Barr – just seems to be an amazing physical specimen, who could be one of those dangerous players off the corner, sneaking off after slowing down bull rushing DEs and LBs.
4) Joseph Fauria – size and hands, if he could be half as clutch as his uncle Christian, we’re talkin’ some red zone TDs
5) Embree and Rosario – will the real WRs stand up…those of 2009 or 2010. If it’s the latter, step aside and give others a chance.
6) Dietrich Riley – make us forget about the 2009 Rahim.
7) Dalton Hilliard – has to be one of the coolest names on the team with the potential to match.
Now, via my darker side. Can the following players prove why they (and their fans) believe the hype:
1) Morrell Presely
2) Josh Smith
3) Randall Carroll
4) Stan Hasiak
If these players (and those under the radar) can challenge themselves to learn how to excel at playing their position…who knows?
by C.T. in Boston on Feb 23, 2011 1:49 PM PST up reply actions
.500 probably will buy CRN another season,
but a .500 or worse season could be disastrous for the long term of the program regardless of who the coach is.
I agree CRN gets two seasons, if nothing else, just by virtue of projecting out the depth chart. We could have a very good defense next season, and that defense will only lose Tony Dye going into the 2012 season. Possibly Datone, too, if he has a strong comeback and decides to leave early for the NFL. You don’t see too many coaches let go before what should be their best season yet, talent-wise.
However, a .500 or worse season will be terrible for recruiting. Not even CRN will be able to sell recruits on our program. This last season was always going to be a small class for us, but if we have two consecutive off years in recruiting, it could be devastating down the line. We’ve seen what happens when you only play freshman and sophomores. Just imagine the last 3 seasons if we didn’t have ATV, Rahim Moore, and Brian Price sprinkled in among the young’ens. We could be looking at that type of situation 2 or 3 years from now if we aren’t able to recruit well next year.
We're havin' too much fun today. We ain't thinkin' 'bout tomorrow.
A < .500 season next year _should_ scare off recruits!
CRN has put together some respectable recruiting classes – except for 2010
and those guys won’t see much playing time in 2011. Our recruiting classes
(if you believe the rankings) give us a talent edge over most of the pac-12.
Our schedule in 2011 is not nearly as tough as it was last season (in which we
managed .333 ) so if we cannot pull off 6 wins our coaches are failing miserably.
I wouldn’t recommend any kid play for coaches who consistently lose to less
talented teams.
by KnudsenRockne on Feb 22, 2011 1:24 PM PST up reply actions
If we go sub 500,
we’re getting a new coach, and that excitement will entice some recruits. It always does. We’re in LA, and we’re in a good conference, and that is enough to entice some kids.
"Every day was a good day at UCLA." -Coach John Wooden
Yep
This is why a .500 season could actually be the worst case scenario. It might not be enough momentum to convince recruits to come, but enough to give the admin pause about letting CRN go before the 2012 season.
We're havin' too much fun today. We ain't thinkin' 'bout tomorrow.
I agree.
It’s really that sort of football purgatory we’ve occupied for the last 10 years. I wonder who we would hire if Rick was gone, and my best idea is always Belotti. Yes he built a program at Oregon on Phil Knight’s dime, but I just wonder if he could accomplish it here. I believe Phil would likely be pissed since we just signed another damn contract with Adidas.
"Every day was a good day at UCLA." -Coach John Wooden
Next year record
I am saddened by any attempts at reality record checks here. To think that UCLA would tolerate an AD (and Chancellor at the top) who is responsible for fielding a football team (this is DG’s baby all the way) that would accept in 2011 less than 8 wins plus beating SC, is outside of my realm of sensibilities. If UCLA lets RN continue with a .500 team (and that team assuredly would be a high risk of losing to SC), then any hope I might have that the school gives a sxxx about football is out of the window.
Years ago we lived in Menlo Park and I attended the Stanford games with season tickets for two years. Maybe they deserve another look. At least we all know that today Stanford wants to win from the top of the administration all the way down… :-
Mensgym
What indication do you have
that the Administration CURRENTLY gives a damn about football, or has for last decade or more? I certainly have none.
"Every day was a good day at UCLA." -Coach John Wooden
I think it is pretty clear that the Chancellor doesn't value athletics
And based on the donations streaming into UCLA despite having an embarrassing football team, I don’t see him readjusting his priorities.
UCLA Football (including coaches, staff and players) needs to find its own identity – it cannot count on the establishment.
by KnudsenRockne on Feb 22, 2011 3:44 PM PST up reply actions
Sortta like a 'club' team!
When the school can pull in chunks of dough, like the recent $200 million, for yet another building…why the fud would the powers that be give a damn about giving rank and file alumni sports teams (or other extracurricular programs) that bring pride to those who hold the school dear.
Kinda reminds me of the senior managers of the companies I’ve been at that talk up unity and love of the firm after they’ve just taken the meat ax to the staff. Yeah, I’m really excited…about getting my resume tuned up!
For the foreseeable future, we should be realistic about the lack of support embraced by the current administration.
by C.T. in Boston on Feb 22, 2011 7:16 PM PST up reply actions
UCLA's Admin has Schizophrenia
Let’s check off the symptoms:
disintegration of thought processes and of emotional responsiveness [X]
delusional [X]
disorganized speech and thinking [X]
social or occupational dysfunction [X,X]
by KnudsenRockne on Feb 23, 2011 1:22 PM PST up reply actions
Knud...hopefully the DSM or ICD...
…are not on your night tie reading list.
I would concur on your prognosis, although I’m not a therapist, not play one anywhere.
My wife trained at UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute (NPI)…so I’m familiar with the terms.
by C.T. in Boston on Feb 23, 2011 1:54 PM PST up reply actions
Hybrid Offense?
So is it going to like a Prius?
Efficient, reliable, not much to look at, and don’t expect any high performance.
Orrrr
Maybe the offense will be slow to get going, but we won’t be able to put on the brakes!
Or...
It it’s like my hybrid, I only pull it out of the bag after I’ve already driven it into the thick stuff and have a long ways to go.
by AllHailMightyBruins on Feb 22, 2011 3:11 PM PST up reply actions
2011 Season
I’m sick of this back-and-forth before Spring Practice, even. Let’s jus see how it plays out. 39 years season ticket holder talking here.
Go Bruins,
Class of ’55
In Tampa, we get to talk about baseball, and the most offensive phrase in the history of mankind - "That's just Manny being Manny."
I despise that phrase more than I despise the guy. And I despise the guy a lot.
Big grins in Boston...
…I hated to have to say “I told you so,” when Manny was cheered by Dodger fans after shooting his way out of Boston. Only the die-hard Sox-Suckers still defend him here in Beantown.
When “Manny-wood” was created at Dodger Stadium, I thought…just wait, it won’t be too long before the selfish punk deficates on the team and fans.
A total sack!!
Enjoy, Foxy!
by C.T. in Boston on Feb 23, 2011 7:09 AM PST up reply actions
I thought about saying something like this
last night, but I knew you’d take care of it.
Roses are red, violets are blue...f*** $C.
No better way to burn credibility...
…than to come here, dictate what we should post, how we should run this community, and promptly tell us how important you are because of how long you’ve been a season ticket holder.
Here’s a hint: no one gives a shit how long you’ve had season tickets.
by Bellerophon on Feb 22, 2011 11:16 PM PST up reply actions
B-b-b-but watching and talking is all there _is_
As spectators all we can do is watch and talk.
Anyone who could stomach watching all last season
has earned theright to talk all this off-season!
by KnudsenRockne on Feb 23, 2011 1:30 PM PST up reply actions
You're too much! And I accept my compensation to bitch and moan
by C.T. in Boston on Feb 23, 2011 1:55 PM PST up reply actions
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.
