Ben Olson

On SPJ ...

by Nestor on Sep 12, 2007 4:02 PM PDT in Ben Olson

I think it is hilarious to see a number of folks coming down so hard on Ben Olson. I know I have seen some comments here. But, I have also seen comments elsewhere, many of them coming from Dorrell supporters, who are already looking for a scapegoat in case this season doesn't work out like it has been hyped for the last four years. Pretty interesting that the same clowns who are willing to give a mediocre coach with no experience whatsoever 5+ years to prove himself, are coming down hard on a college quarterback who has only played 7 games and is on his 3rd offensive coordinator in his 4th year of a badly run football program.

So, what's the deal with Olson's so so performance last Saturday? CPB at Bruin Roar takes a crack at that question:

So what's the problem? Is Ben not getting enough time from his offensive line to make his reads? Are the receivers not getting enough separation? Is Ben just not finding the right receiver or is he just getting the ball to them too late? The answer might be a combination of the items above but the consensus seems to be that Olson just doesn't deliver the ball fast enough. He waits too long on quick, short passes (which are a staple of the west coast offense) and his passes arrive too long after the receiver has made his break. He needs to deliver the ball before the receiver breaks and that requires making good reads and an almost immediate decision on where the ball should go.

So are these problems fixable? Some of the pressure will fall on Jay Norvell to try and find plays where the Bruins can maximize Ben's strengths. I also think that Norvell can take some of the pressure off of Ben by utilizing the running game some more. Kalil Bell has the hot hand right now and he is running with power, strength, and a lot of anger. He's been a bull in the backfield and his consistent success carrying the ball will help develop some more play-action passing. Norvell also needs to call in some more deep passes. He only utilized a few last week and got more conservative as the game progressed. Stretch the field and put that big arm to work! The receiving corps also needs to step up as 5 dropped passes isn't going to get it done.

Ben may have some issues and he may never be able to regain that magic from his high school days, but he is the only man for the job at UCLA. Even if Pat Cowan were available (which he isn't) or if Mac Thompson were more experienced (which he isn't), Ben would still be the most gifted of the three. Nobody can deny that he can throw a nice ball and if he can work out his timing issues he could be special. Pat brings a scrambling element to the game that Ben doesn't posses, but his accuracy when throwing is really no better. Thompson might be able to step up in a pinch, but would you really put the offense in the hands of a red-shirt freshman walk-on? Hopefully, it doesn't come down to that and this offense irons out its problems. Otherwise, it could be a very long season.

I mostly agree with CPB, except for the part about pressure being on Norvell. The buck ultimately stops with Dorrell on this issue. Dorrell has banked on Olson for the last few years. It is his responsibility that we have a freshman walk-on backing him up, while the other option, were he to be healthy, is not exactly a BCS level QB.

I give Cowan a lot of credit for showing moxie at certain moments. However, I am just not sure if he is the answer based on what I saw last season. As CPB pointed out above, his accuracy is not all that much better and he simply doesn't have Olson's ability to throw the ball.

And, people who are making the absurd comparison between Paus and Olson should take a look at these clips again:

Can someone point to any game in which Paus showed that kind of touch and accuracy in his throws.

Moreover, I don't want to read gossips about Olson not being a team player and that his team-mates don't respect him based on info from practice groupies. If you have read this blog for a while, you know I don't care much about the information coming from practice groupies. That info is mostly worthless. I have been lurking on various UCLA message boards long enough to remember reading practice report posts from 2000, when people were saying Cory Paus was showing "Cade"-like leadership qualities at Spalding Field. So please don't bring that bullsh!t here.

And, also, about the assertion that Olson is afraid to take a hit, again we must have been watching different games last season. IIRC, there were moments when Olson showed no fear in getting out of the pocket and taking hits from the defense.

So put away the concern about Olson. If you are going to hyperventilate about his game without focusing on the sh!tty playcalling and pine for some dude who played huge roles in blowing games at Notre Dame and Florida State, please take that whine somewhere else. You are going to sound just like those clueless, blowhard losers during the Lavin era, who took their frustrations out on a wonderful kid like Cedric Bozeman, instead of focusing on the obvious culprit posing as a head coach on the UCLA sidelines. Ced turned out to be an amazing (legendary in my book) Bruin.

I believe Ben can have Ced's ending, if he is coached up, inspired just like Ced was under Ben Howland. And if he doesn't get that kind of coaching, it would be a travesty if UCLA continues to let a "head coach" like Karl Dorrell waste talents like him next year in Westwood.

GO BRUINS.

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SPJ Sounds Ready

by Nestor on Aug 5, 2007 12:29 PM PDT in Ben Olson

Practice starts tomorrow. Obviously Karl Dorrell is going to be under an intense microscope heading into the season opener on September 1. And one of the main subplots in the Dorrell drama is how he is going to be able to develop and take advantage of the best high school talent to come out of Southern California's high schools since the Great John Elway. All eyes are going to be on the Southpaw Jesus (SPJ)

Photo: Keith Birmingham, Daily News

Yes, we are going to start using the term SPJ all over again here on BN. We had a little drama last year. No one was paying attention when we were super excited over the most gifted UCLA QB (in terms of raw physical talent) since Aikman, who blew up in his first game. But then certain folks started whining about the usage of that name and we shied away from using it things got a little murky. SPJ got in a little funk (although most of it can be attributed to Dorrell's bonehead WCO and excruciately painful, horrible, cluelessly pathetic and predictable playcalls that shot his confidence). So this year we are not taking any chances. We are going to stick with SPJ no matter how much whining we read here or elsewhere on the internets.

Now that is all settled, SPJ is once again emerging as one of the centerpiece stories in what will probably be the deciding season in term of Dorrell's tenure at UCLA. And if you read today's profile in the LA Times, it sounds like SPJ is ready to go:

"The calm before the storm," Olson said. "I'm ready to get going."

Yes, the wait is over, or so reads the Bruins' powder blueprint.

The Olson legacy has gathered considerable dust in the five years since he was anointed the top recruit in the nation as a senior at Thousand Oaks High. Now 24, he stands closer to his 10-year reunion than his high school graduation day. There is still time to prevent the "whatever-happened-to . . ." conversations when his classmates gather.

Said Olson, "The way I look at it, the time is now."

I am glad SPJ is making those comments because it conveys he necessary sense or urgency we all have been feeling here for last few months.

Also if you didn't know Ben got married this summer. Here is another story on the SPJ via Scripps Howard News Services. Ben is confident having an ultimate partner is only going to have an positive impact on how he performs on the field:

It's a little bit more than having one more teammate.

"Being married is the best thing in the world because it's a partnership," said Olson. "We were just talking about this the other day. I'll never go through anything by myself again."

It's not a thinly veiled reference to last December, when Olson, despite being promised a return to his starting position upon his return from injury, was forced to watch Patrick Cowan play in both the Bruins' season-defining victory over USC and Emerald Bowl loss to Florida State.

"I didn't really feel alone in that sense, I had my immediate family," said Olson. "And (Andrea) was there with me through the whole season last year. She was a huge support for me during some of the difficult times that I went through."

Olson started the first five games of the season, before tearing the medial collateral ligament in his left knee in the first quarter against Arizona.

Olson had completed 64 percent of his passes for 822 yards and five touchdowns, all to different receivers.

From the same article:

"You can't dwell on the past," said Olson. "This is a new year and it's exciting."

Instead, Big Ben is excited about entering fall camp as the starter for the first time in his career.

He has the reins of a team that returns 20 starters -- 10 on both sides of the ball.

"We just want to win football games," said Olson. "We have a lot of experience now. We have the players we believe can do some big things, which is why the expectations are big this year. We just have to go out there and turn that potential into results."

His offensive line returns 13 of the 14 players listed on the Emerald Bowl depth chart, that combine for 90 starts, plus tight ends Ryan Moya and Logan Paulsen, who is on the Mackey Award watch list. His potential targets include seniors Marcus Everett, Brandon Breazell and Joe Cowan, plus budding youngsters Gavin Ketchum and Terrence Austin.

"We've got a lot of really talented receivers," said Olson. "We're expecting to make a lot of plays."

So are we Ben.

We are expecting Dorrell and his 4th OC in last 5 years, to make sure they put SPJ and all of our aformentioned talented athletes in position to make play after plays, and get us at least a Pac-10 championship. And if they don't UCLA should get SPJ and rest of our athletes a coaching staff who will be able to get that done. No excuses.

GO BRUINS.

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The Return of SPJ

by Nestor on Apr 27, 2007 4:47 AM PDT in Ben Olson

You think KD can hear the Bruins Nation? After saying for last few weeks that he may wait till end of spring (June) to name his starting quaterback, he finally saw the light (relenting to an overwhelming majority in BN?) and named the right guy as UCLA's starting QB:

AP Photo/Danny Moloshok

Jill Painter from the Daily News has the story on Dorrell's "audible":

UCLA coach Karl Dorrell called an audible Thursday and named Ben Olson the starting quarterback.

It was no surprise that Olson won the job, but an announcement wasn't expected until after tonight's spring game. Dorrell and his staff apparently had seen enough from Olson and Patrick Cowan.

"We felt it was a good time to do it," Dorrell said. "We found out all the information we needed. We're really fortunate to have two caliber guys in our program. Ben was more consistent. He had a higher completion percentage and was a little more productive. That's the difference. We're ready to move forward."

At least one player had no idea Dorrell named a starting quarterback, and he was in team meetings Thursday. It was unclear if the team was told of the decision but the quarterbacks found out Thursday.

Dorrell did not make either quarterback available to the media.

Dorrell said Olson's completion percentage — which he wouldn't reveal — was higher than Cowan's but he wouldn't say by how much. The difference is believed to be big, especially because the decision was made before the most important day of spring.

I found the comment about the player who was present in the team meeting not knowing about this decision kind of odd (then again I find lot of things Dorrell does to lead/manage his program odd).

For instance Dorrell wouldn't reveal the completion percentage of his QBs. That is again pretty remarkable contrast from Howland's comments to press, can just dish out whenever asked not only FG% of every one of his players, but any germane statistics to Ben Ball (such as the number of charges they take). Again can't help but notice presence of these two coaches when they talk to the media.

Anyways there are some numbers out there that allows us to discern the performances of SPJ and St. Patrick this spring. SPJ's numbers (the ones that are available) are better:

The Bruins, who will hold their spring game tonight at 7 at Spaulding Field, scrimmaged twice with Olson holding a significant statistical edge. The left-hander completed 6 of 11 passes for 100 yards with one interception in the first and 4 of 9 for 28 yards and two touchdowns in the second. Cowan hit just 2 of 8 passes for 7 yards in the first scrimmage and was 2 of 8 for 40 yards in the second. He did not throw a touchdown pass.

Olson held an edge in seven-on-seven and team periods during the week, as well.

"At this point he's been more accurate as a passer, he's done the things we've asked him to do to run the offense, he's moved the team in scrimmages,'' offensive coordinator Jay Norvell said.

Sounds good to me. Now Olson needs to get majority of reps during practices, stay focused through the summer, and make sure he is totally ready when the team comes back in August to make its expected run to the Pac-10 championship. SPJ can't get too comfortable though. Per LAT apparently KD is leaving himself room to flip flop on his "audible":

Dorrell avoided characterizing the decision as final. Asked whether he might change his mind if Cowan outplays Olson when fall practice begins, Dorrell said, "Let's get to the fall."

So there you have it. SPJ has returned as the starter of the UCLA football program. But it's not a permanent thing yet because KD may just switch his mind after fall practice. Thank goodness for decisive and strong leadership at the top of Bruin football program.

Anyways for now let's enjoy SPJ's return. If you guys are heading out to Spalding field tonight (7pm kickoff) take some pictures, give us some reports. Apparently Morgan Center is renting three additional sets of bleacher seats to accommodate a crowd of 2,000. Have fun guys.

GO BRUINS.

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The Quarterback

by Nestor on Sep 8, 2006 3:04 PM PDT in Ben Olson

A little note before we wrap up this Friday. So uh we had lot of spirited discussion over a nickname this week on BN. lol That's all right. As I said somewhere in the comments this is what makes college football (or college sports in general) so much fun. Here we are getting all passionate/worked up over a nick name we came up with few months ago. And after one big game - boom - it blows up all over online. For now though until we hear anything otherwise we are going to respect the wishes of the Olsons and refrain from mentioning SPJ here on BN. We have changed the "SPJ" section to simply "Ben Olson." It's more than all right with us.

But I think what last few days proved is just how much this kid has captivated the imagination of this blue and gold crazy nation. I wrote over the summer about the Montana Magic.

This is the guy so many of my generation worshipped including yours truly, when we were growing up:

No. 16 is The Quarterback.

No. 16 was one of those generational athletes that not only transformed an entire franchise, but changed a city, but the sport, leaving his mark in America's sports lexicon.

Right now we have no idea Ben Olson will get anywhere close to the legend of No. 16. And it is unfair to even heap that kind of expectation upon him.

But I have to tell you this kid has me dreaming. Big Ben projects that same aura of calm, cool, humble composure, we got from No. 16. It's something you can't quiet quantify or pinpoint. He just seems to have "it."

Karl Dorrell's reign at UCLA has been marked controversy over his record, his failure to win big games, his failure to win the conference, his failure to get the big bowl games, and most importantly his failure to beat USC.

Yet all those frustrations of last three years (or more like last fifty somewhat years) can be washed away, just like No. 16 wiped off all the dark memories of Niners fans prior to 1982.

After Saturday many of us are seeing things. I think many of us are visualizing what can happen if this kid (and at 23, no matter how "mature" he is, he is still a kid) can keep his poise, provide the steady leadership, maintaining his humility, while playing up to his potential through rest of his season.

We can kind of see it now:

Photo: Keith Birmingham, Daily News

We can visualize it. No. 7 just may be The Quarterback who leads UCLA to the promised land or clears up the road to it.

No we are not expecting him to bring us the NC this year. But he sure showed us his potential that has this nation dreaming that he will lead this program to what it needs to do this year to reestablish its proud tradition, setting up for big runs sometime in the near future.

Ben Olson could turn out to be The Quarterback, who may be able to permanently change the culture of UCLA football, and erase all the frustrations, agony, and heartbreaks of more than 50 yards.

Again we have only played one game.

I get it. We have long way to go. But this what college football is supposed to be all about. Last Saturday No. 7 had the kind of start that has all of us dreaming.

He just may turn out to be The Quarterback, who changed everything before he moves on from Westwood:

Don't lose your grip on the dreams of the past
You must fight just to keep them alive

Hey it is too easy to picture those guys from cross town in their commie red and gold playing the part of Ivan Drago.

Happy Friday everyone.

GO BRUINS.

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Big Ben Digs His Bruins Nation Nickname ...

by Nestor on Sep 4, 2006 4:27 PM PDT in Ben Olson

From our alcor805 (805 BTW for you non Californians is the area code for BO's hometown Thousand Oaks) on the Olsons digging BO's BN nickname:

I like it ("Southpaw Jesus") because Ben thinks it's funny, his parents think it's great. His pastor in Thousand Oaks said it promotes the merits of his Mormon mission and reminds his fans that here is a great quarterback who cast aside his greatest talent for 2 of his prime years in order to promote his beliefs.

Southpaw Jesus it is then:

Photo:Richard Hartog / LAT

Case closed.

Guys I think we have started something special here in the Nation. Now lets keep spreading the Bruin love.

GO BRUINS.

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Southpaw Jesus

by Nestor on Sep 2, 2006 7:40 PM PDT in Ben Olson

Good God. Southpaw Jesus completes 26 for 34 passes. Throws for 315 yards, completing 76.5 % of his passes. And those numbers would have been better if not for a dropped TD (and actually Taylor dropped another pass in the red zone, which put him in perfect position to catch it and run it into the endzone).

And Lindsey Soto just mentioned Southpaw Jesus (and it was our Home Bruin who came up with the nickname) in the Bruin post game show on FSN West.

Now you know why we have been hyping this guy ever since he stepped on campus.

AP Photo/Danny Moloshok

Home Bruin already has a post-game rapid analysis thread going. Here is the full box score and the AP recap.

Yes I am disappointed with some of the play calling (little bit too much of run, run, pass at one point of the game). But hell this is the first game. We can only improve from hereon out. And what about FREAKING Al Verner. What a first game. Great way to get the season started against a solid football team (really our friends from Block U should not be so despondent because they lost to a good football team led by a super freak er ... Southpaw Jesus.

Oh by the way I did call the Cal loss against Tennessee and the motherf*cking Toejams are struggling a bit. Let's get this party started.

Oh and meessing with sasquatch is probably one of the most hillarious ads. I have seen in a while.

This is your post-game thread.

GO BRUINS.

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It's Southpaw Jesus Time ...

by Nestor on Sep 2, 2006 8:25 AM PDT in Ben Olson

Game day is here. With less than 8 hours left in the game WHO do you think is THE storyline for today's season opener?

Photo: Myung J. Chun / LAT

Here is our first game day roundup for the 2006-07 school season:

Lonnie White on Big Ben's much anticipated debut:

"I've waited a long time for this," said Olson, whose last start came in 2001 when he was ranked the best high school player in the nation as a senior at Thousand Oaks High. "I'm really ready for this opportunity. I'm just excited. This couldn't be any better." [...]

"It's always interesting whenever a guy has to take charge of the whole team for the first time," said Jim Colletto, UCLA's veteran offensive line coach. "It's important for us to help him by not overloading the guy in his first game. I don't care who it is, a season opener is always a lot different for the guy playing in his first game of college football than for someone who has played for a while."

At 6 feet 5, 227 pounds, Olson has all the tools of a star-in-the-making. He has size, a strong left arm, plus the humbleness of a walk-on.

And we have been waiting for this moment ever since the season ended last year. Again as rest of the article notes, UCLA will not ask Big Ben to do everything today. All Ben will need to do is manage the game and let all his team-mates in skill positions help him out. As I said yesterday, I am not all that worried about the Utah's relentless blitzing D. Ben has the athleticism and the calm to handle whatever Whittingham will be throwing against him.

You think Big Ben is ready for today? Well check this out from the Salt Lake Tribune:

[O]lson sounds supremely confident about his Bruins, saying "we believe we have an opportunity to do some special things. . . . We're going to throw the ball a little more this year. The West Coast offense has a lot of possibilities. And there are other things we can do to take advantage of some of the things I can do."

UCLA likely will roll Olson out of the pocket to avoid a Utah pass rush that Ute coach Kyle Whittingham says is a key to "making the quarterback uncomfortable." Bolstering the run game is thought to be a priority for the Bruins, in order to take pressure off their old, but inexperienced QB. Still, Olson says, throwing the ball remains his "biggest strength."

Informed that Whittingham has indicated some uncertainty as to what Olson will bring toward his defense, Olson laughs, and then says, "That's the way I like it. The world will soon know."

In the hours leading up to his long-delayed starting debut, he acts more excited, lifted, he says, by his preparation, than nervous. As he looks back at the extended delay, one that has caused already high expectations to swell further, Olson insists he's glad he went on a mission, and that he wanted to return to BYU, "but, at the end of the day, I knew I couldn't." Delayed or otherwise, the whole thing at UCLA, he says, has worked out for the best.

If that doesn't get you fired up about the South Paw Jesus's debut, not sure what will.

Brian Dohn has more on the Southpaw Jesus's first start for the Bruins.

Meanwhile, other big story line for the day is the new DC DeWayne Walker's defense. From OC Register's Robert Kuwada:

So what separates this defense from the one from a year ago that was ranked 113th of 117 Division I teams in total defense?
The schemes that new defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker brings to UCLA, for one.

"We're going to fly around and make plays, that's all I can say," defensive end Justin Hickman said. "People are just going to have to see, come (today)."

The attitude instilled since before spring practices by Walker and the new additions to the Bruins' defensive staff, for another.

"He's been talking about just letting loose, letting loose, attacking, and making plays," Hickman said.

Added Lombard: "This year it's been about starting fast, everybody doing their job and being in their gap, making a play when it's their turn to make a play."

It is going to be very interesting to see how the new, healthy, deep DL performs today. As mentioned before UCLA will probably rotating 7-8 players today in the DL to keep players fresh in the 95 degrees heat, and keep constant pressure on Ratliff. If the DL steps up it will take some pressure of the LBs who are a little young and inexperienced, and DBs who have to deal with some depth issues (although some great news this week as CB Matthew Slater returned to practice and will be backing up Trey Brown.

More on keys to today's game from Lonnie Whites' game notes:

1 Pressure Ratliff: UCLA's defense has to get a consistent pass rush on Utah quarterback Brett Ratliff, who has a strong arm and moves well in the pocket. The Bruins know the best way to shut down the Utes' air game is to not give Ratliff time to throw, and if the UCLA defensive line is ineffective, first-year coordinator DeWayne Walker may have to use more blitzes, thereby exposing the secondary to man-to-man coverage.

2 Test Taylor: Utah's spread offense is known for its passing, but expect the Utes to run at UCLA middle linebacker Christian Taylor, a junior making his second college start. Two former Orange County high school stars, running backs Mike Liti (Santa Ana Foothill) and USC transfer Darryl Poston (Huntington Beach Edison), should get plenty of early work against the Bruins' run defense, which ranked among the nation's worst last season. An interesting matchup to watch will be whenever Utah's 311-pound tackle, Tavo Tupola, a four-year starter, goes against UCLA's 237-pound right defensive end, Bruce Davis.

3 Earn field position: UCLA's kicking game is better than average because of senior Justin Medlock, one of the best in the nation. Medlock gives the Bruins a chance to score every time they cross midfield, but they'll also need a strong effort from sophomore punter Aaron Perez, who struggled at times last season. Sophomore Louie Sakoda will handle both punts and field-goal attempts for Utah. One of UCLA's return men -- Chris Markey, Alterraun Verner or Jeremy McGee -- could be a difference-maker.

So there you have it. Of course there are lot of other great games on today. We got Cal at Tennessee, ND at Georgia Tech, and then SuC at Arkansas.

We will have a game thread up later this afternoon for those who will be following the game both via the tube and online. Again, if you are headed towards the Rose Bowl you know what to do.

Here is to a perfect Saturday.

GO BRUINS.

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Southpaw Jesus

by Nestor on Aug 28, 2006 5:43 PM PDT in Ben Olson

The Daily Bruin profiles the new Olson on Campus:

DHARMISHTA ROOD/daily bruin senior staff

Here are the money grafs on how Olson has taken charge of the team:

As one of Olson's closest friends and truest confidantes on the team, redshirt senior wide receiver Junior Taylor was having dinner with the quarterback soon after the close of spring practice at the end of last season. Olson asked Taylor how he fared in the spring session. Taylor didn't hold back. He didn't give Olson encouragement, but blunt criticism.

"I just told him straight out that he needs to be the guy who everything works around," Taylor said at practice on Friday. "He was making the plays, but he has to do more, he has to lead. We need the guys on the team to all look at Ben whenever the game is on the line."

Olson took the words to heart. He started to handle the business of the team, particularly away from the field. He organized training sessions for his teammates in the summer. He made sure that when the guys would socialize, even just for an afternoon, everyone was welcomed, and that all of his teammates had a closer relationship with him.

So when Olson's second training camp with UCLA rolled around, he had an entirely different feeling about his status on the field.

Dorrell hadn't officially named the starting quarterback at the start of camp, repeatedly saying that Olson "had to earn the job" against backup Pat Cowan. Yet it was obvious who had become the leader of the team, with or without the official word from Dorrell.

"I am preparing to be starter, and I expect to be the starter," Olson said after the first day of camp

And then his expectations as the starting QB for UCLA Bruins:

As he changes his jersey from No. 3 to No. 7 this year, Olson is poised for a breakout season. With all the different lofty hypotheticals that are tossed around, Olson is shying away from being yet another prognosticator. His predictions might be more scrutinized than his play on the field.

The perception might be that UCLA's 2006 season is the year of Ben Olson's emergence, but the reality is that there are still many questions looming for a team returning only 12 starters.

What's being asked of Olson is to become the face of the program, and he might ultimately be held responsible for any success or failure the Bruins endures whether the credit or blame is his or not.

However, to think that Olson is a young man who loses composure or even starts to believe all the hype, is to not have listened to him talk about football in relation to life.

"I have big aspirations with football," he said. "I want to take UCLA to a national title. I want to play in the NFL. But to think about what other people say, I can't. I have to be stronger than that."

(emphasis mine) I don't recall ever being so fired up for a UCLA quarterback's debut at the Rose Bowl. Last time I was this excited about a player getting his first substative shot in a game was probably Foster's first game in 1998. But certain have never been this fired up for quarterback. I wasn't really following the Bruins when Aikman got in his first game. Perhaps those here who have been around longer can tell us whether they were this excited about Troy Aikman as we are about Southpaw Jesus.

Could be a special day this Saturday. I cannot wait.

GO BRUINS.

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Starter ...

by Nestor on Aug 21, 2006 11:01 AM PDT in Ben Olson

UPDATED:Thanks to Drumfool. It's official. Southpaw Jesus is your next starting UCLA QB. Congrats to Big Ben. GO BRUINS. - N

Yet another article on the South Paw Jesus possibly nailing down the starting QB spot this past weekend.

For those of you tuning in today, Big Ben outperformed Pat Cowan during the scrimmage. Here he is off a (much hyped) shot gun formation on Saturday:

Photo courtesy from Adak Bruin (click here for more of his great scrimmage pics)

When should KD make this official: today, tomorrow or does it matter whether or not Olson is named the stater this week?

I think sooner he does it the better so that Big Ben can get all the time he needs to get used the OL and prep. for our first opponent in just about 12 days.

GO BRUINS.

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Cutting through the non-sense

by Nestor on Aug 20, 2006 6:38 PM PDT in Ben Olson

Didn't see the Simers column this morning while browsing through the Times sports section. Simers got to the point on the so called QB competition at the fall training camp:

He's (Southpaw Jesus - ed.) not only a football player, he's UCLA's great hope to put the Bruins atop the Pac-10 standings again, although Coach Karl Dorrell has some explaining to do.

For the last few weeks he has maintained the starting quarterback position is up for grabs between Olson and Patrick Cowan. It makes you wonder if Dorrell has his eyes open while watching practice.

Cowan might be a wonderful young man, maybe a Rhodes scholar or future contestant on "Big Brother," but you put him on the same football field as Olson, and it's a mismatch.

Cowan labors when he throws, and that's when he takes the time to throw instead of scrambling for the sideline. He also throws a pretty good knuckler, which is all right if you're pitching, but not always effective when throwing to a group of inexperienced receivers, as he did in Saturday's scrimmage.

Olson is left-handed, the first obvious difference, and wears No. 7, the number bringing to mind John Elway, and the not-so modest admission by Olson that a top recruiting service referred to him as "the left-handed John Elway" when he was rated the No. 1 recruit in the nation coming out of Thousand Oaks High.

Like Elway, Olson has the ability to sidestep the rush and deliver a deep ball. He might not be as fast as Elway -- "You'll see," disagreed Olson -- and he certainly doesn't have the weight-room-carved body yet to survive the beating Elway took, but he's just beginning his collegiate career. At age 23.

"I'm not as mature as everyone thinks," he joked, but he already carries himself like a team leader and greets everyone as if he's running for office.

Now maybe it's only rust, but if there's a flaw, it appeared Olson was a little slow in his downfield decisions, making him a sack waiting to happen, but then most of the time the Bruins had him firing short, quick, crisp passes against an improved-looking defense.

Sounds pretty on point to me. I know lot of people get annoyed with Simers digs. I don't really care. He takes swipes at every one who deserves it. And he is blunt. For i.e. he went on to call out Dorrell on his PR BS on so-called "quarterback controversy":

I asked about the so-called quarterback controversy, and he explained he has been looking for separation, and finally got it for the first time in the scrimmage.

It was just a lot of blah, blah, blah to disguise the fact Dorrell wanted to keep Olson competitively challenged, stealing a page out of Pete Carroll's coaching manual.

Now that's what I call a columnist cutting through the nonsense and calling it as it is. This is why I was lol when earlier in the week posters from the message boards were freaking out about BO having a rusty start to the week. I never really had any doubt No. 7 was going to be the starter against Utah:

Big Ben Fires A Bullet at Scrimmage Yesterday
Photo from Powederkeg Blue

The only thing I was concerned about ealier in the week was Dorrell blowing another PR move when it comes to handling internal QB issues out in public press. He is just not very good at it. As Simers point outs Big Ben still has some kinks to work out on his game. So it makes that much more sense to name him the starter now the scrimmage is done and over with, and get him ready and focused for the Utah game in less than 2 weeks.

GO BRUINS.

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