Spaulding Roundup: Uninspired Effort Plus Injury News
by Patroclus on Aug 11, 2011 5:02 AM PDT
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PrintYesterday afternoon saw the third day of Fall practices for the Bruins, and while this was again a full-padless affair, the inability to go at each other full-bore does not excuse the reports of lax effort on the part of the players and the slipping of fundamental play. Jon Gold with his thoughts from the practice field:
Not a very sharp practice on Wednesday, and the coaching staff has to be concerned by some of last season's bad habits creeping in.
Not only were the quarterbacks consistently indecisive and inaccurate, but UCLA wideouts weren't a help with several just crushing drops... Rick Neuheisel specifically mentioned the quarterback-center exchange as being a disappointment on Wednesday, as the Bruins constantly fumbled the snap
Adam Maya noted the lack of separation between Prince and Brehaut as discussed by Coach Neuheisel - though Prince has consistently worked with the first-team offense this week, and Brehaut with the second team. There certainly is time for those practice roles to flip.
While the team did struggle through the afternoon, there were some bright spots carrying through the day, and the week so far. Both the Daily News and LA Times noted Greg Capella move to Guard and his chance at earning a starting spot at the position; Chris Foster framed the positional battle in terms of the Bruins thin depth on the Offensive Line, while Jon Gold wrote a story looking at the changes that Capella made to his personal habits in the offseason, which included an ever-increasing workout schedule with Mike Linn and giving up his favorite Westwood sandwich spot. In his post-practice notes, Gold also mentioned that Malcolm Jones is looking much improved in every facet of his game.
It really could not be a UCLA practice report without some injury news, right? There's some good to go with the bad today. Good news first, Anthony Jefferson told the OC Register that after undergoing surgery for a bulging disk last week, he expects to miss six weeks - leaving the door open for him to possibly return for the opening game of Pac-12 play, September 24 against Oregon State. The early concerns that he would miss the whole season had already been pushed aside, but good to hear from the man himself.
With the good, of course comes the bad. Damien Thigpen suffered a strained hamstring during the practice. No word yet on how long Damien will be out of action, though Neuheisel said later in the afternoon that Thigpen will be sidelined indefinitely, but that he does not expect him to be out very long.
After practice, Jon Gold got in a few minutes with one of the newest Bruins, Albert Cid (video available here), while Coach Neuheisel talked with the assembled media (video via the official site). Per the LA Times, Shaq Goodwin was back at practice today, this time bringing along a couple of his friends that you might have heard of: Shabazz Muhammad and Kyle Anderson.
The Bruins will be returning to Spaulding Field this afternoon for open practice, at 3pm.
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Our QBs indecisive?
You’re kidding!
PICK A GUY AND LET IT FLY!
Grrrrr!!!
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
Nevermind the Pistol
Let’s run the Waffle.
by GoodTimesBruin on Aug 11, 2011 7:52 AM PDT up reply actions
Didn't we just talk about this yesterday?
I went on a rant about our QBs pussyfooting around, and sure enough, that’s exactly what they do the next day.
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
Lack of attention in passing game
Thanks for posting Patroclus. It’s interesting to read Gold’s notes on the day especially his take on our “lack of attention” on specific pass plays. Granted it’s only Day 3 of practice, but that statement makes me a little concerned. I would think that passing would be a huge priority given our inability to throw the ball last year. WRT the dropped passes from our wideouts, that’s a downer. I won’t call out Lucien because he’s new, but drops from Carroll and Marvray just hurts. That’s just fundamentals right there.
Again, it’s only Day 3, but I think this coaching staff needs to infuse some sense of urgency in this bunch to get better fast.
I don't really see what Gold's gripe is.
We haven’t even got a frontrunner quarterback. In order to drill particular plays, the most important part is developing timing with the quarterback and receivers. You can’t drill the 1s at WR with both quarterbacks… it just doesn’t work.
"Every day was a good day at UCLA." -Coach John Wooden
by OswegoBruin on Aug 11, 2011 11:45 AM PDT up reply actions
I thought
KP had been getting most of the reps with the 1s…but just can’t put any distance between himself and Brehaut.
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
If I were a betting man, I place a large sum on KP winning the job.
by AllHailMightyBruins on Aug 11, 2011 1:04 PM PDT up reply actions
That's just it though
Win by default, or win outright? He’s gotta step up.
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
Agreed, but he hasn't played in a while.
I think he’ll win going away before it’s all said and done.
by AllHailMightyBruins on Aug 11, 2011 1:08 PM PDT up reply actions
I have hope
but, once bitten twice shy. Or as W said, “you can’t get fooled again”.
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
He needs to stay healthy, no doubt.
I think he’s a better letter, the guys respond to him better, and he’s a better fit for our offense.
by AllHailMightyBruins on Aug 11, 2011 1:18 PM PDT up reply actions
What do you mean?
Is K better than R? P better than B? You’re an alphabetist!
:)
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
KP has not gotten most of the reps with the ones.
They’ve both been taking reps with the ones. KP has been getting a few more simply because they’re trying to see what sort of shape he’s in, and if he can start.
"Every day was a good day at UCLA." -Coach John Wooden
I don't bet on baseball (unlike Pete Rose) or anything else
But if AllHail puts some dollars on Prince, double down with him (whatever that means—he’s right).
I can deal with dropped passes, early season mistakes, etc.
Lack of effort is inexcusable. Effort corrects mistakes. Lack of effort multiplies them.
by AllHailMightyBruins on Aug 11, 2011 7:31 AM PDT reply actions
Exactly
Los Angeles Rams and the UCLA Bruins!!!!!
by Minnesota Bruinfan on Aug 11, 2011 10:52 AM PDT up reply actions
It is disheartening when highlight of our football practice is a a couple of basketball recruits showing up. Still how amazing would it be if we landed all three of those guys!
Goodwin is deciding soon
according to his twitter.
"Every day was a good day at UCLA." -Coach John Wooden
by OswegoBruin on Aug 11, 2011 11:46 AM PDT up reply actions
The timing may be coincidental
but it does bode well for us, IMO.
"Every day was a good day at UCLA." -Coach John Wooden
Disheartening
I was at Tuesday’s practice for about an hour and one-half. My takeaway was that the only athlete I saw walking around who had achieved a modicum of success at UCLA or had beaten southern cal was Zeke Jones.
Breaks any True Blue heart.
Practice
does anyone know what day they are in pads? I couldn’t seem to find the information
An alternative to AD Dan?
Boise State has terminated Eugene Bleymaier, the 30-year Athletic Director at Boise State, purportedly due to a list of “Secondary violations” for the football program in 2003-2005 range, according to Yahoo. Despite these issues – one of which involves making low cost meals available to players on campus for summer workouts (about $5,000.00 soaking wet), the 57-year old Bleymaier is a Bruin – played TE for Pepper Rodgers’ Wishbone teams IIRC, and deserves much of the credit for boosting BSU into a powerful program. His departure looks pretty scapegoatish based on the earlier reports, and with his background and pedigree, perhaps he’d be a nice antidote to the Guerrero malaise plaguing the football program, and to a lesser extent the basketball program as well?
Just sayin’
The Mad Bruin
As much as I have pride in being a Bruin
I’m not sure our athletic department needs to be hiring Bruins right now.
Roses are red, violets are blue...f*** $C.
Gene's different though
He’s actually had massive success at other programs. Not another lame retread
"A legend is an old man with a cane known for what he used to do. I'm still doing it." Miles Davis
by milesdavis93 on Aug 11, 2011 2:27 PM PDT up reply actions
How can anyone in this program be "uninspired" or "inattentive"?
And, why do we hear this every fall?
We will not be a winning program until we get fall reports that mention enthusiasm, intensity, focus — and the other qualities that lead to success.
I know, it’s easy to say, “It’s only the third day.” But, where does it say it’s ok to waste the first few days?
Coach didn’t.
Talent is not the issue on this team. Intensity, focus, drive, desire — have been, and appear to be.
A lot has been written in this pre-season about applying an “eye test”. That test is rooted in judging effort as well as accomplishment. Let me throw in the “smell test”. Right now, things stink.
I’m really pleased Gold is straight forward and direct in his comments. I trust his a lot more than I’m trusting CRN’s interviews which sound like clone’s of the last few years.
To make matters worse, for me, I’m following Mike Sherman at Texas A&M. He and CRN both took over teams in similar circumstances — depleted talent, difficulty recruiting against an arch rival, and some rigorous scheduling. To make matters worse for Sherman, he’s got a far more fanatic and unforgiving alumni watching his every move. The Aggies are pre-season #9. His kids have bought in and are going all out. I had hoped that both Sherman and CRN would return their programs to greatness. Looks like one of them will.
sjh
It sickens me that you're absolutely right about everything you just said.
Good coaching staffs are able to quickly and ruthlessly eliminate any lackluster attitude when they take over. I really, truly, honestly want Coach Neuheisel to succeed and rip off a 10 win season this year. Unfortunately, the biggest things lacking since he took over (similar to his predecessor) is that coaching environment.
Effort is everything in college football, as a Boise State can take recruits none of the big programs wanted and mold their minds and bodies into proficient football machines. You rarely hear of powerhouses like Alabama having a lack of effort in practice. Neuheisel must reform the team’s mentality unlike anything he’s done before, but I’m concerned the window of opportunity for that has already passed. These reports of remotely lackluster practices aren’t comforting.
Sorry guys
but where do you you see that the first 3 practices were wasted? Yes effort was an issue in this practice, but the first two, according to several sources were all upbeat and special mention was made of the impact of the new coaches. Sorry but effort, by in large, is not our issue right now.
"Every day was a good day at UCLA." -Coach John Wooden
by OswegoBruin on Aug 11, 2011 11:48 AM PDT up reply actions
It's the "bad habits creeping in" line.
Honestly, it worries the shit out of me.
by AllHailMightyBruins on Aug 11, 2011 1:00 PM PDT up reply actions
I understand your trepidation.
I feel it too. But it’s practice number 3. Let’s wait and see. If this sort of thing happens with more frequency than once, then we can begin freaking out. But lets let Rick, CMJ, Tresey and the crew do their work, and see if things don’t change.
"Every day was a good day at UCLA." -Coach John Wooden
Sorry, O, Can't Buy It
I have a friend whose sensei taught “Practice makes permanent. Perfect practice makes perfect”.
Last year, we played like we practiced. There is no reason to expect that this year will be anything different.
Coach said: Make every day your masterpiece. I take that to mean that we should go all out, every day — to the best of our ability.
It seems that in adopting the “eye test”, BN has made that the standard, too. That’s why it is so distressing to have reports of a sloppy practice.
It’s practice number 3 with most of the players being veterans who have played together for a year or two and who worked out together for part of the summer.
With one exception, all of the receivers who dropped balls have been around the two QB’s who have been throwing them. Last year’s excuses, different spirals, etc. don’t go very far this year.
As to the fact that our players were “upbeat” a couple of days ago — Coach said: Don’t mistake activity for achievement.
Over the past few years, we have become all too accustomed to reports of sloppiness, diminished effort, and a lack of intensity. Play back CRN’s comments after any of these 3 days and play them back for last year. We know what happened last season. We practiced poorly and we played poorly.
BN has been on the forefront in noting that we need a culture change, at all levels, before we will be a successful program.
The culture surrounding our fall practices seems to be in need of a change. And, it’s up to CRN and his staff to bring it about.
It’s been over a 100 degrees and humid in Texas, all summer. Our high school kids are in two a days. I’m pretty sure Houston and UT will be, soon. I watched some of the local kids practicing. They are bringing it. Passing the eye test.
I think they understand that it takes perfect practice to be perfect.
I hope our kids and coaches do too.
sjh
I don't think it's that simple
there were plenty of times where Gold thought intensity levels were high in practice last year, and that sure didn’t translate on Saturdays. Why does his report now get so much weight?
Since most of us are not out at practice and are going largely off of reports from Jon Gold and others, looking at Gold’s report for yesterday, there is actually no mention of practice lacking effort or intensity. Obviously hearing about unnecessary drops from our WRs is soul crushing for most of us, that doesn’t mean they aren’t working hard. In this same report which did not mention lacking effort, Gold does mention how Capella has been coming on strong after putting in an impressive amount of work in the offseason to reshape his body, that Malcolm Jones looks much improved, and that the WRs look more aggressive in their downfield blocking on run plays.
For day 3, I don’t think it’s all bad. I hope Thigpen heals up quick and that Prince/Brehaut/CRN don’t drag out this QB competition for too long. We need some synergy between that position and the WRs.
A Jon Gold article...
sure has a lot of influence around here. Not with me…
by GogetemBruins on Aug 11, 2011 2:53 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
It is not just Gold with these sort of concerns
Though to be fair, it is not necessarily a team-wide phenomena.
formerly bruinhoo
I sure hope this group doesn't even think about going over the wall.
They will need every nanosecond of practice that they can get. And from this point forward it should all be with great effort.
Over at Bro
one of the posters on the premium board brought up a lot of positive things about yesterdays practice. He specifically mentioned that our execution of the Pistol looks a lot more natural and that our O-line looks like it can be solid (they had a good day and weren’t getting dominated by the D-line as often). He seems to think our running game will be even better than last year. He was also impressed with the size of our defensive tackles and the ability of our younger tight ends.
I'm always wary of those o-line/d-line reports
because that could mean inadequate pass rush.
"Every day was a good day at UCLA." -Coach John Wooden
by OswegoBruin on Aug 11, 2011 11:48 AM PDT up reply actions
No pads yet. Might as well be 7 on 7.
by AllHailMightyBruins on Aug 11, 2011 12:56 PM PDT up reply actions
eh true
still you can get a feel for size and quickness. They do have helmets on… I just wanted to point out that not everything about practice 3 sucked. There were bright spots.
On a positive note...Great video of Albert Cid.
Dude looks confident and ready!
by GogetemBruins on Aug 11, 2011 3:02 PM PDT up reply actions
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