[Updated] Coach Neuheisel Officially Names Kevin Prince as UCLA’s Starting Quarterback
by Nestor on Aug 30, 2011 6:15 PM PDT
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Just a little while ago Coach Rick Neuheisel officially named Kevin Prince his starting quarterbackk for the Houston game today. From UCLA Athletics Twitter feed:
Kevin Prince to start against Houston, but Bruins will use both QBs during the game
We have had extensive discussions on the QB competition that took place out at Spaulding this pre-season. If you have been under a rock last few weeks you can catch up with all the background on this by going here, here, and here. You can actually see the stream of our posts (stories, fanposts, and fanshots) by going through "UCLA quarterbacks" tag here.
Basically while some media hacks with agendas (cough***Adam Maya***) incessantly concern trolled about a "QB controversy" in recent weeks, the competition IMO has nothing but a healthy but welcome development for the Bruin program. To their credit both QBs - Kevin Prince and Richard Brehaut - embraced the competition.
Brehaut gets lots of ups for coming to the camp fully prepared and giving Prince a serious run for the starting spot, making the coaches think about the decision. Meanwhile, Prince to his credit, instead of whining like an entitled starter, took the challenge in stride and worked harder for the starting slot. As a result, the Bruins appear to have (hopefully) two prepared QBs and rising freshman heading into the Houston game. No wonder Peter Yoon noted earlier today that the way QB competition shaped up, "served it's purpose" during the pre-season camp. Bruins now have options:
"I've got a lot of options," Neuheisel said.
And for that, he said, he can thank the camp-long competiton.
"There is nothing like competition to force the hand," he said. "As long as you are fighting and scratching and clawing to earn something, you’re going to do everything. You’re going to turn over every stone. We’re not there yet. We’re not perfect yet and I don’t know if we’ll ever be perfect, but we’re going to strive for that. We’re going to look for that perfect day."
As mentioned before, Coach Neuheisel had number of good arguments to go with Prince against Houston. One of the main ones was Prince's experience on the road, which includes big wins in front of huge crowds at daunting venues in Knoxville and Austin. Now, the cool thing for UCLA is given Brehaut's preparation and better focus this fall, Coach Neuheisel will most likely not hesitate to go insert the true junior into the game, if he feels like he needs to go with a different look or bring a different dimension to our offense.
There was another tactical advantage to UCLA naming its starter around middle of game week. Let me get into that after the jump.
For those regularly following our Bruins the starter's name was not much of a surprise. However, there was another tactical benefit for Neuheisel naming the starter this late. Basically the Cougars have been somewhat in the dark about UCLA's offensive game plan for this upcoming Saturday. Last year's Rose Bowl game film is not going to be all that helpful, as Neuheisel has been working with a brand new OC - Mike Johnson - and his RB coach Jim Mastro to put in plans for what we are hoping to be revamped offense.
Add into this uncertainty around UCLA's offense, there is a little gamesmanship going on here from Coach Neuheisel in an effort to keep the Cougars guessing. Of course he downplayed it in his public comments after practice today. However, I think there is a good reason for him to keep Houston guessing about who is going to be our QB. Houston like all other NCAA teams is limited to 20 hours of practice for every game week under NCAA rules. The longer UCLA went without announcing a starting QB, the longer it cut into Cougars' day to day game planning and practice this week. So while reporters have been whining and obsessing about who is going to be our QB, Neuheisel's roster management here at least on paper could give the Bruins a tactical upper hand.
Now whether or not this advantage will show up on game day is another story. :-) I cannot wait to find out the answer. Is it Saturday yet?
GO BRUINS.
UPDATE (N): The official site has comments from Coach Neuheisel:
"I wanted to create competition during camp and I wanted to give both kids an ample opportunity to win the job," said coach Neuheisel. "Having done that, it was too close to call and I believe that both deserve to play; Kevin will start."
"Both quarterbacks have experience and I feel that both have the team's confidence. The competition will continue though. Having been in this position myself, I will not ask anyone to diminish their goals to be the one and only quarterback at UCLA. Until one separates from the other, both deserve the chance to play. I feel they each bring something valuable to the table for this team."
"I want to compliment both of these young men on how they have handled this situation. They have each continued to support the other throughout and I believe that will continue."
Prince:
" ... like coach has said, Richard has done a great job in camp and deserves a chance. Both of us have split reps during most of camp. It is a decision we both knew was possible. We are in this for the team and coach feels this gives the team the best chance for success .
And Brehaut:
"Both of us have competed for the job and have played well. We both have experience and have played in big games. As long as this helps the team to win, I am all for it."
Big ups again to both Prince and Brehaut for showing so much class through all this. Full release here.
GO BRUINS.
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And don't rule out Brett Hundley for a cameo
There are packages designed for him and if the moment is right. Look out.
by peggysue69 on Aug 30, 2011 6:32 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Meant to mention him too
That could really be something!
Disapointed
Well I must admit I’m a little disappointed but not surprised. I was hoping Brehaut would be the starter because I feel he has the potential to be a good quarterback. I also thought naming him the starter would really send a message that this is a new team with a new offense. I have nothing against Kevin and will be rooting for him…….but please Kevin SLIDE
by Bruin_Al on Aug 30, 2011 6:24 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
We are now officially strapped in.
Get ready for the roller coaster ride!
The best thing you can do for your children is to love their mother. John Wooden
I mean "gosh"
I’m so excited I forgot how to spell gosh.
Prince
I just hope he slides with his feet first instead of leading with his head!!! Other wise we’ll get to see Brehaut a lot more than we think.
If he is in the lineup soon, hopefully its not that way
This is only the beginning of the QB battle. He’s planning on giving time to both, so Brehaut still has time to make his case. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
formerly Westwood78
by PhoenixBruin on Aug 30, 2011 6:45 PM PDT up reply actions
Personally, I am a bit disappointed that CRN picked Prince
First of all, Kevin Prince IS injury prone, brittle as a quarterback. On top of it, he does not have superior skills either. CRN recruited Brehaut himself. But then the latter has not entirely lived up to the potentials we think he has either. Having juggled the combinations last year, CRN ought to know, by now, that neither player could set things on fire, carry the team well the way we expect strong, capable quarterbacks to do.
This brings Hundley into the picture.
Wasn’t this blue chipped prospect supposedly CRN’s key to unlocking the Bruin offense ? A high profile, star quarterback every coach covets, Hundley is now relegated to third string perhaps becauseCRN is bidding time for his skills to blossom and take over when the time comes. But if he truly is as good as advertised, bring him on and see how he fares. Across town, Cheaty Pete started his star freshman too. That Mater Dei kid proved himself well. Why can’t CRN trust his own judgement about Hundley, and make a similar statement in letting Hundley start.
The Prince / Brehaut musical chair only serves to buy time, not that CRN is letting competition on the field to sort things out.
Not a fan of the two QB system
Go with the guy who gives us the best chance to win and stick with him!
"Success is never final, Failure is never fatal. It's Courage that counts" - John Wooden.
Re: trogan hack adam maya...any doubt why he trolls?
Here is the bio for trogan who is the UCLA football beat “reporter”:
I grew up a USC kid by virtue of my grandfather being a former season-ticket holder and working at the Coliseum for 20 years. I was devastated by Rob Johnson’s interception in the UCLA game in 1993, but Keyshawn Johnson helped make for a happy childhood. … I arrived at USC when Pete Carroll did and graduated in 2005, just in time to see three Heisman winners, two national championships and one dunk from Mike Williams after he threw an alley-oop to himself off a wall behind the backboard in an on-campus gym. I also lobbed an alley-oop to Errick Craven in a pickup game. Or was it Derrick? … When I met Carroll for the first time I was wearing a Keyshawn Jets jersey, only to be told later it was a bad idea since Carroll had been fired by that team. Carroll laughed when he saw it. … I began working for the Register one month after finishing college, starting out in preps (i.e. covering football, basketball, baseball, soccer, volleyball, tennis, water polo, track and field, wrestling, badminton and lacrosse). If I ruled the world I’d wear just a plain white T-shirt every day.
E-mail me at amaya@ocregister.com.
Read my USC blogs here.
http:// usc.ocregister.com/adam-maya/ (url, no link)
this is pretty ridiculous
"The entire world that bleeds blue and gold ... they have been dying for this." - Coach Rick Neuheisel
I volunteer to be the trogan reporter for the fishwrap.
My stories would be fair and unbiased.
Just like this guy’s.
And, DG gives him a press pass because?
Time to say, “No soup for you.”
I don’t care who the register sends to cover the game so long as the person buys his or her own ticket.
sjh
Yep
Totally agree. He’s shown his true colors consistently for long enough. Same goes for Foster, Plaschke et al. at the times.
by truebluebruin on Aug 31, 2011 10:14 AM PDT up reply actions
noticed screenshot is quite small
here is link for bigger version:
http://img828.imageshack.us/img828/8744/ocregisteradammayabio.jpg
by truebluebruin on Aug 31, 2011 10:15 AM PDT up reply actions
I think Plaschke is just not very sharp & a lazy writer
Same goes for Foster, who just seems to hate his job.
Maya on the other hand I find to be mean-spirited and I get the sense based on all the stuff we have read from him over the years that he is out there specifically pushing out an anti-UCLA agenda, smearing the Bruins every opportunity he gets.
I've never been one to judge a book by its cover
But if I would have only seen this pic without having been told anything about him, you could have told me he graduated from USC and I’d have nodded and muttered,“Yep”.
Oh UCLA you sweet bitch, you've BRUINed me for anything else.
by bruin8uclap on Aug 31, 2011 12:13 AM PDT up reply actions
what a joke!
looks like a typical toejam.
"Success is never final, Failure is never fatal. It's Courage that counts" - John Wooden.
Personally was hoping for Bre
because I believe he is the superior passer and has some of that “it” factor that we’ve been missing at the QB position for way too long. He may be a bit behind KP in executing our run game but I think the difference is minimal. I’m more of a risk taker and I think we all agree that we haven’t suffered this long to go .500.
Having said that, CRN made the right call. The reasoning behind CRN’s decision is well laid out in this post. As fans we also need to consider that this game demands that we pound the hell out of Houston and their porous D with our run game. Until they prove that they can stop our run game, we should just pound them into submission. This is our strength and it’d be stupid for CRN or CMJ to get “cute” because of fan pressure/desire to see a more explosive offense. I believe it’ll come as the season progresses.
By utilizing our run game, we are the puppet masters and get to dictate how this game unfolds. The Houston offense will be left on the sidelines and if they do get on the field, they’ll be facing a well rested defense. Don’t forget that we’re a bit thin at CB at the moment and I’m not sure Price/Hester is equipped to chasing around such small & quick receivers.
Don’t forget that if we get the W against Houston predominately via the run and….not intentionally looking past Houston….beat a SJ State team that we should beat handily, Texas will be coming to the Rose Bowl with minimal Intel on what teh 2011 UCLA Bruins will look offensively. If so, I have a sneaky suspicion that WR toss by J. Smith might make an appearance.
By no means am I Pro-Bre….I’m Pro UCLA and if KP is the right choice for us to secure the W, I’m 100% behind CRN. Hopefully KP finds some of the magic he showed at the end of his RS FR year.
by BlueReign on Aug 30, 2011 7:04 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Good points
Especially keeping something back for the Tx game.
If we see hundley this season I’d like it to be later when we really need it. We have a bunch of ‘secret weapons’ this season. No sense tipping our hand prematurely.
by KnudsenRockne on Aug 30, 2011 7:13 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
secret weapons like receivers and tight ends catching the ball?
that alone should make our offense harder for teams to handle
Now that you mention it
Harkey looked much better in practice. He was doing more than blocking. If we don’t need him vs Houston I don’t mind letting him just block until conference play.
Plus our guys have gotten more versatile. No sense in showing all in week 1. Right?
by KnudsenRockne on Aug 30, 2011 7:35 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
< 90 hrs
I like that Coach Rick is being slick with the qbs. Houston won’t know how to plan Sat morning!
I. Cannot. Wait.
by KnudsenRockne on Aug 30, 2011 7:06 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
+1 with bluereign
it will be interesting to see, if this houston game is close, who finishes up the game. if anything this qb competition should put whoever is starting on notice that the guy that’s taking the snaps during the week at practice will play. all of last year prince sat out the week of practice only to start on saturday and was totally out of sync. but if he’s healthy and practiced all week i’m more than confident that kp will do a fine job.
Across The Face
am I the only one who thinks this is still just gamesmanship?
I don’t expect CRN to mix and match at all while the game is competitive, but his comment here tries to get Houston to continue splitting their mental reps between facing Prince and facing Brehaut.
Given that we are still a work in progress on offense, it would be strange to split our own practice reps much across our two QBs when we should probably be focusing; and then it would be strange if we gave Brehaut many live snaps in the game if he hadn’t taken so many reps with the 1s at the end of the week.
My fearless prediction for the week – the starting QB will play all the meaningful snaps.
Saturday cannot come faster
Please God, do not let this season opener be a repeat of last year’s Kansas State game.
Change of pace
CRN is going to make Houston gameplan for both QBs…even if Prince is running the offense well it wouldn’t surprise me if CRN put Brehaut in just to change the pace of the game. I never thought I’d say it, but I think a 2 QB system might work with this team. I guess we’ll find out soon enough!
The hot, humid WEATHER in Houston will mean we need two QB's.
I see the weather predicted for Houston on saturday is 91 degrees with a 40% chance of rain. WeI don’t know at game time what the weather will be exactly (i.e. 2:30 pm Houston time), however, it is a certainty it will really start out humid and hot. I am thinking and OK, guessing, that when the Houston defense gets tired by the 4th quarter Prince may run more. One way to keep Prince fresh is to let Brehaut play a quarter or more. Maybe even have Hundley come in and run in the fourth quarter.
hicaliber stated, “. . .it wouldn’t surprise me if CRN put Brehaut in just to change the pace of the game.” As I said above CRN may do so because of the weather.
2 QB system ? I doubt it
But I am willing to give it time to work. After all, this is do or die season opener for the team, high noon for the coach to show their stuffs. I’d fire up all cylinders, turn on the back burner and throw everything we got at those Cougars.
I am SO pumped
I can hardly stand it! Hurry up, Saturday!!!
GO BRUINS!!!
"The entire world that bleeds blue and gold ... they have been dying for this." - Coach Rick Neuheisel
It all makes sense
Yes, Brehaut throws a better ball but Prince definitely is more deceptive with his play fakes, runs the ball better, and is more gritty. With that said I was hoping that Brehaut would play well enough to win the job outright because that would have meant he had proven to be the overall better QB. With that said, I like where we are right now. We have 2 QB’s with experience and the supposed #2 QB has had a chance to develop more than a # 2 would during any other year. This only makes us stronger and will give the entire offense more confidence with whomever is in the game. KP will do a good job controlling things with the run game and who knows might even become a more efficient of a passer. I think CRN did a great job of getting everyone ready. I especially like the fact he paid attention to conditioning towards the end of camp which means he is comfortable where they are at comparative to recent years to focus on the finer details. This is going to be a wild season and I can’t wait to get it rolling.
Fox's Prime channel.
The game is on cable. I was hoping it would have been on ABC in Los Angeles. Where I am in the San Fernando Valley the game is on channel 42. I found the game listed on the TV Guide’s website.
Now with our QB play "decided" for Saturday,
I’m ready to see how the previously banged-up QB who had offseason surgery bounces back to lead the team….and I’m ready to see Datone Jones sack him into the ground a couple of times.
Keenum has put up incredible numbers for his college career, all before that terrible season-ending injury. We are the first real-game snaps he’ll see since that happened. He may have some rust as well and I doubt the transition from him to his replacement is as smooth as it would be from Prince to Brehaut.
C’mon defense! Let’s put some pressure on their QB all day Saturday!
Dreaming of Westwood while in permanent exile in Virginia
According to Houston Papers
Keenum has looked very good in practice. Houston’s running game is much improved, too.
Key — can they stop our running game which they could not do last year. Papers, here, say they are much improved.
I think it will be a great game — and one we win.
sjh
Like the call
CRN structured a good competition and hopefully the team will be better for it. And as CRN has said before he alone owns this call. Also like KP and RB’s comments on the announcement – very mature.
I will be in the Sierras this weekend – gotta find a TV with the game in Bishop, CA somehow!
by 281bruins on Aug 30, 2011 9:23 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
Charles Darwin's Ghost Came to CRN in the Form of an Apparition
He told unto CRN in no uncertain terms to let nature determine UCLA’s QB-1 . . . and so it shall come to pass.
I don't care and neither should you.
I’m rooting for my team to win their games. I don’t care who is QB, who is playing wide receiver, or who is returning punts. We need to come together as fans and root/support our great team and great coaches for their hard work during this off season. I don’t agree with all the decisions coach neu has made but I trust him with his decision and support him fully. GO UCLA!
by BrockD on Aug 30, 2011 9:39 PM PDT via iPhone app reply actions
If you don't care about any of the details surrounding the team or the games
Then perhaps blogs are not the medium you’re looking for. May I suggest the scores page of ESPN.com? That way all you’ll get are the wins and losses without bothering with all of these clearly minor details.
Absolute nightmare for...
Absolute nightmare for… the Houston defensive coordinator!
They now have to prepare for:
1. New offensive coordinator’s schemes,
2. New QB coach’s schemes,
3. New running game coach,
4. AND 2 (possibly 3) QBs.
A nearly impossible task to do well, with tons of guessing involved.
After reading this post . . .
I am equal parts excited and terrified! But I can’t wait for Saturday.
It's like looking directly at the sun
This is one of those unnecessarily bad stores that gets played out year after year, in a bad way. Like looking that the sun directly with your bare eyes and being unable to look away, or seeing a half naked morbidly obese man run in a speedo at the beach. Both burn and hurt your vision; it leaves mental and physical scars after it occurs, but for some reason, you just can’t look away from the shear horror of it all. We all know how it will end, but no one has the balls to say something else, and no one’s willing to say, “Hey! We’ve done this 4 times already, and it’s all ended the same way.”
They always say, we’re going to have them compete to be the QB, and every year someone or someones get injured, leading to instability in the QB position all year. Sadly Prince will probably be trained, and prepped very well for a game this year, and at the 11th hour, he’ll do something stupid and get injured during practice. Then Bre will have to scramble and replace him, and we would lose a winnable game because of confusion on the field. Things may have changed with the coaches, but in the end we’ve had the same drama and story for 4 years, when other programs figured it out their 2nd. A lot of it is just not the fault of the players or the coaches, but it just sadly feels like a scenario that’s playing out again.
Hey wingsabre, that's what I thought so too in my above comments
But let’s not be pessimistic ahead of time. Let the game itself decides.
Not surprising, but not last year, right?
1. Feels like deja vu, hopefully not. We’ve seen this picture before, but the ending does not have to be the same, right?
2. This is KP’s third year. He’s had a full camp. He is a better runner for the Revolver. Let’s hope it adds up to the confidence and passing he showed as a freshman and not the struggles of his sophomore run.
3. The competition gave RB plenty of reps and rhythm, a 1A if not a 1. This gives us much better options than last year where the drop-off to the backup was like a cliff. No doubt RB will have his chances, too, against Houston.
4. BH will probably get a shot also. If so, I like this much better than before when one QB was anointed come hell or high water and no one else ever played barring injury or late mop-up. Let the kids play. Let them all show what they can do in a game under the right circumstances since, so far, no one QB has separated himself significantly.
Here’s a thought. Maybe all of our QBs flourish under this new system/attitude. I think they will.
GO BRUINS!
Off the board
This guy appears to me to be a very classy. He isn’t afraid of taking on a challenge and he believes in himself. CRN is going to get him into games and he will be given the opportunity to excel. He is a Bruin through and through and if I’m not wrong, he will be pulling for Prince to be successful. He will continue to work to move to number one through his own excellence and not due to thenfailure of his competition. I remember back to the year he was recruited and how he announced early and then worked hard to enlist other top H.S. Seniors to join him to build a successful program. Nothing about this kid has ever indicated that he would bail in the face of a challenge. You can be sure that he wants a successful season
for the Bruins more than anyone that weighs in on this blog, and that is saying a mouthful
Agreed
In everything I’ve read from him, Brehaut has always appeared to be a great teammate, whether he was behind an injured Prince or stepping into the starting job or competing to be #1 this preseason. His quote above backs it up.
Besides, what other school would be crazy enough to let a top QB play catcher, too? ;-)
greg in denver, U.C.L.A. guy for life - BruinsNation.com
absolutely...
I hope so to, I really like that dude. I feel like he’s got tons of potential as a solid passer and would love to see him get to show it on the field.
Tydides… nothing “divisive” here. Transfers are pretty common now so it’s no so far fetched. I was just throwing out a possibility to see if anyone else had thought about it. As it turns out, I’m not “allowed” to be “divisive” on here (aka voice opinion) since I received a “warning” and had my post deleted haha. Props to you for remembering my quotes though!
Of course it's divisive
In exactly the same way your previous whine about content was divisive. You were bitching about people exploring a certain hypothetical possibility which would be detrimental the program, which is what you’re doing here. The point is that your double standard hasn’t gone unnoticed by me.
If you don’t want me throwing your quotes back in your face, you should try applying your logic more consistently. Also, bitching and whining about frontpage content is not acceptable here and never has been, which is the reasoning behind the deletion and warning. Don’t do it again.
in response...
look, Bellerophon’s point to me was well taken and it’s been squashed. Therefore I have no interest in turning this into an argument. But since you’ve misunderstood, this is the las time I will bring it up…
The term “concern trolling” is used rather frequently on here. Now, since you take issue with my pondering of a potential transfer by a talented QB who has been beat out of the starting roll for the 3rd straight time behind another talented QB who is ALSO a Junior, here is my question to you…
Is my transfer question some how MORE “concern trolling” than a moderator of the site exploring the possibilities of this program’s “next coaching prospects” DURING the reign of a sitting football coach before the season has even started?? Are certain individuals opinions exempt from concern trolling where others are not? I really have no problem with you bringing back my quotes because I completely stand by them. I just understand that in the future I’m not really allowed to voice them here… and I’m fine with it.
by dantana on Aug 31, 2011 10:39 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I actually don't take issue with it
I take issue with your inconsistency in labeling someone else as being “disrespectful” when you did the same thing just now. Furthermore, while both were hypothetical scenarios, at least B’s post made very clear in the very beginning that exploring the possibilities meant that a non-ideal outcome has occurred. No such context exists for your post. Therefore, your post is more concern trolling.
I agree with you
some people treat schools as a place to play a sport and little else. UCLA clearly means more to Brehaut than just football – including his opportunities to indulge his enjoyment of baseball.
I’d actually be less surprised if Brehaut redshirts next year to space him and Prince out, and give himself 5 years of UCLA academics (though I don’t know how eligibility works for dual sport athletes – does he only get to compete for UCLA in 4 calendar years, or is it sport-specific?) . I would be more surprised about a transfer.
by VeniceBruin on Aug 31, 2011 11:23 AM PDT up reply actions
Thanks and Good Question
I feel like the pro-Brehaut point of my comment was hijacked for a few posts, and appreciate your getting it back to that discussion. We do often see players that get beat out for their coveted position and move on to another school for whatever reason. I suspect that often times when that happens the head coach has given up on the player and wants the scholie back so he does not give the player the necessary hope for the future. I don’t see CRN to be that kind of coach. Other times, the player just isn’t a top level D-1 candidate and if he wants to play a sport that he loves, he is best served by moving somewhere where he will be a starter, thrive and have fun. A transfer isn’t always a bad sign. In this case, I firmly believe that Brehaut will be here until his playing days are finished. I think UCLA will have an affiliation with him for years to come.
The redshirt option doesn’t seem to me to be too likely, since we have Hundley in the wings and we are all chomping at the bit to see what he can do. Brehaut’s time is now, and the fact that we have both Prince and Brehaut ready to play is a bonus in my view.
It is my understanding that an undergrad has four years to complete his competition even if he/she is multi sport, but that is an old understanding from the time my daughter was a college athlete. Perhaps someone knows the answer.
So I guess it's okay for you to be "divisive" and otherwise concern troll
But if others bring up topics you don’t like, it’s considered “disrespectful”. Gotcha.
validation of my point...
Had I the clairvoyance to foresee the possibility of these recent transfers due to deep talent at certain positions :
Andre Dean RB, Milton Knox RB, Morrell Presley TE, Courtney Viney, E.J. Woods, “The Brandon Willis Saga”, etc, etc, etc…
Would that have been concern trolling??? It’s not a far fetched possibility given the recent number of transfers based on crowded depth charts. If you’re going to take issue with me, make sure you have a good reason. I just gave you 6 names that have bounced from this team in the last 2yrs and there might be more that I’m forgetting.
oops… did I just “apply my logic”???
See my post above, because you are missing the point
And I suspect deliberately so, so you don’t have to address your double standards. The next time you respond to me with that snarky tone when you’re clearly in the wrong will be your last. Thanks.
Too much on qb
I think personally, because of the hyped “qb controversy” we are over-emphasizing the QB’s and forgetting what our bread and butter is. I don’t really care who the qb is as long as they can make the correct reads and hit that 5-yard slant, that dump pass to the TE. We’re not asking for 350 yrds passing a game.
What I REALLY want to see is Jet Ski take a hand-off 30yrds TO THE HOUSE! To see DC SMASH some Houston LB in the mouth while getting the first down! And watch Datone Jones have Keenum eating some grass!
Go Bruins! Fight Fight Fight!
There can never be too much on the QB
You are of course correct in pointing out that the run game is critical to our success. However, the run game can be shut down without a quality QB who can both direct the run and serve as a downfield passing threat. I like 350 yards a game passing from time to time. I like seeing the wide receivers connect for the breakaway.
funny, this reminds me strongly of our basketball team
Good to pound the ball inside but struggling with the outside shooting.
Need to have complete offenses in both sports for success.
I think we may have an outside game in FB
Toward the end of last year, RB was showing signs that he could lead a passing attack, despite very conservative play calling. At the scrimmage this year, both quarterbacks exhibited the ability to throw downfield to both TE and WR candidates. Prince actually the best pinpoint long range throw to the sidelines into double coverage. With a new offensive coordinator (even if we have play calling by committee) we may see a regular inclusion of a new downfield passing attack in the game plan. I certainly hope so.
Great, three years at this school with a Kevin as the starting QB...
Just start Hundley, he can’t be much worse.
QB by committee never works, but I guess it’s good that one is a pocket passer and the other is a scrambler. Might throw off weaker teams.
Ugh. I really hope this is better than I expect. I’m tired of hoping.
WHAT!??!?!?!?!?!?!
Good Choice, IMHO
I think CRN had to go with KP given his experience. But what I really like is that it sounds like Brehaut will be getting a good share of playing time as well. This could be very, very interesting!
Los Angeles Rams and the UCLA Bruins!!!!!
by Minnesota Bruinfan on Aug 31, 2011 4:31 AM PDT reply actions
Conventional Wisdom, Past Track Record, Hope Springs Eternal
I have mixed feelings. I think there’s some weight to argument that a 2-QB system doesn’t work. It means that one QB doesn’t have the skills, the confidence of the coaches and players, to be the standout leader. It means that the “starter” may nervously fear the hook if a pass goes awry, a snap is fumbled, or if the game plan can’t get a first down. Such is conventional wisdom. Is KP the kind of guy who will function with “fear of the hook?” Not sure, we’ll see. I was hoping that RB would excel in practice to win the job outright. Seeing last year’s games I saw someone who wanted to throw downfield, who has some skills that could develop into a dangerous QB. I thought he was emerging in practice and scrimmages. And I thought starting him would signal “this year is different”, we are going for it with new coaches, new plans, new resolve, and a new QB. There is something disquietingly familiar about starting KP. But having said that, i get the logic of the above arguments… running, ball control, control the game.. on the road against a great passing team. And that’s life in the real world: Neu wins Houstons and SJ State and goes into the Texas game 2-0, I’ll breather easier and acknowledge that KP was the right call. Hell, I’ll believe that right now. KP is a strong Bruin with the heart of a winner. Although I like RB and his arm, I hope that KP dominates and runs a an offense that puts up 300 yards rushing and we win by 10 points. I love UCLA, I love our history and our tradition, and I love our chances as we enter the 2011 season. Go Bruins! Win 8 games. Make me a happy old man.
Prince has that Aikman look
Maybe it was just one of my 80’s flashbacks but the headline photo has a Troy Aikman verve. Hang in there Prince! In the heat & humidity we’ll be well served with alternating fresh hydrated QBs. Here’s to 1-0 starts!
wanting to be able we certainly wished,
... but being allowed to try we didn`t dare
Hoping for solid performance
James Washington alluded, gently, to the fact RB still has challenges translating what he sees developing in front of him on the field into crisp, disciplined decision making. The edge clearly went to KP but I am hoping that regardless of who the QB is the wins come.
by 281bruins on Aug 31, 2011 9:21 AM PDT via mobile reply actions
Decision Making v. Passing Ability
For the past two QB competitions, those two qualities have defined the battle. Prince has clearly been more decisive and a bit better in the run game/pistol. Brehaut throws a better ball.
This fall both have narrowed the gap on each variable.
My sense is that CRN chose the QB he thought would best start on the road, the one that would get the run game going and hope it stayed going so that we could keep Keenum off the field, and the one that would make fewer mental mistakes. However, if we need to open up, I’ll bet he turns to Brehaut to do it.
My sense is that Brehaut really closed the gap and made much more improvement than Prince — and I applaud that.
sjh
by Class of 66 on Aug 31, 2011 10:50 AM PDT up reply actions
Texas & Tennessee
Is why Prince get’s the nod in a very close & heated QB battle. When you have PROVEN yourself in the most hostile of road game situations, against major non-con opponents, and come out victorious…you deserve your starting job back after losing it to injury. Especially if your replacement is not above and beyond the skill level of the incumbent. I think a lot of the people who want Brehaut just want to erase the memories of the past 3 seasons and move on. I respect that too but I’ve always thought a healthy Prince gives us the best change to win. He has shown flashes of brilliance and I would not be surprised to see him blossom into a 22 TD 8 INT QB this season. Cade McNown started off a similarly underwhelming talent and by his junior year, he was kicking ass and taking names as we all know. At least most of Prince’s injuries came in the heat of battle, and not because of a misplaced blade of grass cough cough Ben Olson.
Also, doesn’t this QB situation eerily remind anyone of Matt Moore/Drew Olson…and look how that turned out after 1 game into the season.. History always repeats…
And finally, I had a nightmare last night. McLeoud Bethel-Thompson was my tormentor on the 8th plane of hell as I had to watch him officiate an endless loop of UCLA-MIAMI 98. Strange stuff…CRN- please win a lot this year for me and make the demons go away!
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