Residual Concerns

by Nestor on Sep 11, 2006 6:02 AM PDT in Football Comment 16 comments

So some Dorrell fans are not happy about the criticisms directed towards the team's underachieving performance from Saturday. Some folks will always have that - you are either with us or against us - juvenile, childish mentality. That is fine with me. If you don't like what you are reading here then don't. No one is forcing you to read what bunch of die hard Bruin alums are writing up day after day following a football program, which currently is - no matter much you want to be in denial about it - sort of an after thought not just in the country, but in its own city. And do yourself a favor. If you are going to whine about the posts here, dont embarrass yourself in the process by mentioning Dorrell in the same breath with Coach Ben Howland. One guy has vanquished his chief conference rival (Arizona, not USC), has won the conference regular season, conference tourney, took the team to a brink of its 12th championship, and now pretty much "selecting" not recruitng elite Southern California athletes (after taking over a team posting its worst record in 4 decades), while the other still hasn't sniffed the second spot of the Pac-10. You lose your credibility as a serious college sports fan by making that kind of asinine comparison.

Anyways, we will pivot this week and start focusing on Washington. But there are lot of residual concerns from Saturday's game, which as the poll indicates, majority of the Bruins Nation is not willing to put it in backburner as just another "win."

Dohn gets right to the heart of Bruin concerns, pointing to two serious issues emerging after the first two games:

There was a litany of issues UCLA must correct in the wake of Saturday's uninspiring 26-16 victory against national doormat Rice, but two alarming trends moved to the forefront.

First, UCLA must stop the revolving punt-returner fiasco and find someone who can catch the ball.

Second, the Bruins coaching staff must do a better job of putting the offense, particularly the line, in position to be successful. Based on comments made by players and coaches following each of UCLA's first two wins, being out-schemed by the defense was a problem.

I don't think we need to expand on what a fiasco the special teams situation has become after the first two games. We can only hope the coaches will be able to address this situation before our first road again against Washington, where situation will not get any easy for punt returners at a loud/raucous Husky Stadium.

So let's look more at the issue of getting out-schemed on offense. This was especially glaring in the Red Zone. Bruins were not very good in taking advantage in the Red Zone. From the OC Register:

UCLA went 5 for 5 on its trips inside the Rice 20-yard line in its 26-16 victory over the Owls on Saturday at the Rose Bowl.

But the Bruins were not particularly happy with their production in the red zone after having to settle for field goals all three times.

Whether a missed block, a breakdown in protection, the Bruins simply struggled.

Svoboda tried to explain the problem to Lonnie White of LA Times:

"We were running the ball pretty well, but once we got down to the red zone, we had a couple of protection breakdowns," UCLA offensive coordinator Jim Svoboda said. "All you needed against a defense like that is one breakdown and you get stuck in third-and-long situations."

And why we were having such "breakdowns"? Svoboda points the finger to his first year quarterback (emphasis mine):

"We got down into the red zone, and we had a couple of protection breakdowns and ended up getting some negative yards there, which you never want to do," offensive coordinator Jim Svoboda said. "It was a combination of things. We missed a couple of things in terms of our targeting with our protections, Ben missed a couple of things, and that's all it takes with that defense.

The question I have is really simple. Chris Markey rushed for 208 yards in 23 carries (an astounding 9.04 avg), and Bell rushed for 102 yards in 19 carries (5.37 avg) [From CFBStats.com]. So when your starting TB is averaging almost 10 yards per carry against a defense which was putting all its energy behind stopping and confusing the first year quarterback, WTF Svoboda was doing having his QB attempt passes in the red zone? Instead there is Svoboda publicly calling out his first QB. Whatever.

BO of course made a number of mistakes showing his inexperience. We can only hope the coaches are working on him to point out how he can manage the game better in certain situations, such as learning to throw the ball away (instead of trying to make plays and lose yardage), and also sliding. Those are habits that coaches should totally be able to correct and point out to a young QB. Ben will need to make better decisions as we head into conference play.

The Rice game gave lot of Bruin fans a dose of reality. From DumpDorrell.com:

Yes, it is time. KD and everyone at Morgan Center and Spaulding Field need to take this dose of reality seriously. The Rice game put our Utah win under the microscope and calls into question its credibility. Utah came in wanting to stop the rush, since our OL is formidable and our "rookie" QB was untested. That plan backfired when BO lit up the Utah secondary and the Utah coaching staff failed to adjust.

With a week's preparation and game film in hand, the Rice coaching staff did the opposite. They planned to stop the pass and have our rushers beat them. Even as we racked up nearly 300 yards on the ground, the Rice game plan nearly won out. And KD looked outcoached, again. The obvious question is: what will other, and better, coaches and teams do with now two weeks or more of game film? KD and Co should be worried. Hopefully, they've stopped drinking the cool-aid, stopped with the Happy Thoughts game planning, and stopped with the fly-by-night play calling.

KD has a lot of work to do just to take a step forward again.

And before you get all up in arms dismissing DD's observations as takes from bunch of haters, here are highlights from Dohn's Rice report card:

Special teams
Yes, PK Justin Medlock matched a career-high with four field goals, but that is overshadowed by UCLA?s inability to catch a punt with regularity. The problem surfaced again when Marcus Everett muffed a punt and Rice recovered two yards from the end zone. Two games, two muffed punts, and countless head shakes. This will crush the Bruins against a good team
Grade: C-

Coaching
Let?s be honest; overall it was a very lackluster, uninspired effort. Give credit to defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker for keeping pressure on Rice. But the offense?s job is to score, and in five trips into the red-zone, the Bruins scored two TDs. There was also curiously play calls. And why did Chris Markey (208 rushing yards), sit most of the third quarter?
Grade: D

The full report card is just as ugly. Why is Dohn such a hater?!

Next up is Washington. Huskies are going to be charged trying to end their own losing streak against the Bruins. We will focus on the Huskies who are getting ready this week to take on Fresno State.

BTW we also played Washington after a bye week last season. And we all know what happened. Let's hope Dorrell doesn't embarrass the program again.

GO BRUINS.

0 recs | Comment 16 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Thank you!

Well, if you are calling me names and flagging my first post, at least I got your attention. That is great, thank you!!! Your analysis is top flight and your website is very entertaining, and I understand the hard work that goes into it. You are providing a great service in a lot of ways, but I cannot figure out what it is that makes a Bruins fan these days -- in your lexicon. What is the essence of this "fanship." I remember Baseball in the 60's when the Mets were in the cellar year after year and their motto was "9th place or bust." They were one of the best loved teams in the League. I see no love for the Bruin team itself in your column. What is it that makes you a die hard fan if there is nothing you seem to like about them? These young men work their tails off -- 8 hours a day plus classes -- where is the support for them? There is always a lot to criticize with any team, but what is the objective of this website, ultimately, in terms of the team?

GO BRUINS! THROUGH GOOD WINS, BAD WINS AND EVEN THROUGH NO WINS AT ALL!!!

by converso on Sep 11, 2006 7:30 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Dude ..

stop this bullshit about playing the loyalty card. It looks like you just registered your account and haven't been around.

I don't think the bloggers on BN need to answer to you about their loyalty to UCLA.

And this is a freaking blog, not some kind of full service subscription based website. People are writing here because they love writing and talking about UCLA, not to make a living out of it.

So why not just follow the posts. If you have something constructive, fact based arguments to offer put it up in the diaries. Otherwise, as a newbie you ought to be a little careful before calling out the moderators loyalty to UCLA.

by bluestreet on Sep 11, 2006 7:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

ps

Thank you for flagging Dohn's report card which is well done and on point. Dohn does not engage in name calling, personal attacks or destructive comments. That is a fan, in my humble opinion.

GO BRUINS, THROUGH GOOD WINS, BAD WINS AND EVEN THROUGH NO WINS AT ALL!

by converso on Sep 11, 2006 7:53 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Where did N called Dorrell a name?

Can you point it out?

by bluestreet on Sep 11, 2006 7:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Converso

you raise a good point, and that is the love for the players. Where is the love for the team and the players?? I cant speak for Nestor, nor am I here to defend him, but I can tell you that if you spent the off-season and even as recent as last week, you would see how much space Nestor gives to the players. Sometimes Ive even thought he risked losing readers by the depth of coverage he gives to even third stringers at times. I think the love is there no question.

The postgame analysis isnt a shot at the players. Its a shot at what the game itself made obvious, we have coaching issues. He is pointing these issues out, as other posters do, as the beat reporters he quotes do. I think any rational person can see that.

Its no secret that Nestor started the firedorrell site. But its also clear with every post that he builds his arguments with facts and evidence, and adds the anaylsis of others, including professional beat writers. Note that Nestor did not go out and criticize any player individually, other than maybe point out that BO had a lackluster peformance and that we have issues in certain areas. But I dont see the evidence that you say he attacks players and that he doesnt love what they do.

I think this site respects the program and holds it accountable. And this year, more than any other (at least in my opinion), the coaching staff has to prove that it deserves to coach these great players and run this great program.

I personally dont buy the "lovable losers" bit. Never will. We can love this team and be critical of the program, these are not mutually exclusive things. Look at what love and criticism brought us in basketball. Its about always striving for being the best we can be, changing when we need to, holding to that which got us there when we need to. Its about being honest. Its the most honorable way to live.

I truly hope for a great season, but if we dont have one we must dumpdorrell.com

by DumpDorrell on Sep 11, 2006 7:57 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Huh

Bluestreet, you know I didnt check this guys membership, but you have a point. This guy just signs up and comes here and questions Nestors loyalty?? Thanks for pointing that out!

I truly hope for a great season, but if we dont have one we must dumpdorrell.com

by DumpDorrell on Sep 11, 2006 8:07 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Wow!

I am just a parent with a kid on the scout team, so I guess that I am in the wrong place. What do I know? I did not know that it was wrong to fight for the morale of the team, but apparently a "newbie" is not supposed to do that. Or to counter what I feel is destructive to the team as a team, as that is "the bullsh*t loyalty card." I am proud of the work that my son is doing every day and of the staff that is helping him to become a man. That does not count for much, I guess.

I am certainly in the wrong place. Carry on with the campaign....

by converso on Sep 11, 2006 8:39 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Stop playing the poor victim card

Again exactly where N and other BN moderators called Coach Dorrell name or bad mouthed the players? Exactly how are they being disloyal to UCLA?

If you are going to say something back it up with facts, otherwise you will lose all your credibility here real fast.

Another thing. If you want to participate in a community, general rule of thumb would include not insulting the people who run the community.

by bluestreet on Sep 11, 2006 8:45 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

oh come now

converso, please, this site is a fan site. It is not charged with "building a man" or "fighting for the morale" of the team. All of us here, not just the administrators of the site, are here because we love UCLA. We are proud of the institution and its programs and we want them to continue to thrive. We have a vested interest in the success of the institution. You have a vested interest in the success of your son's coach. Who stands on higher moral ground??

But this discussion is more simple than that, its about change. At some point, Lavin, Toledo, Harrick, et al, had to be be fired. Was the discussion prior to their firing as hurtful to the program, to the team, to the players as you suggest this discussion is? Hey man life is change ... and change isnt always pretty, or universally liked, but its necessary and will happen no matter how hard one may fight against it. Change is usually good when its well discussed and understood. Maybe your son needs to learn that .. invite him to read this site!!

I truly hope for a great season, but if we dont have one we must dumpdorrell.com

by DumpDorrell on Sep 11, 2006 9:00 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

to clarify

just to clarify, Im not saying that anyone here, other than me, is advocating for change in the coaching staff.

I truly hope for a great season, but if we dont have one we must dumpdorrell.com

by DumpDorrell on Sep 11, 2006 9:02 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

apologies

I apologize for any offense given. What I said was from the heart, for love of the team, and I know we all share that.... This will be my last post and I thank you for letting me speak my mind. Best of luck with the site, and that is that....

by converso on Sep 11, 2006 9:12 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

no offense taken

at least not by me. I, for one, can appreciate your enthusiasm and care for the players. You just found out quickly how the debate is larger than just that.

I truly hope for a great season, but if we dont have one we must dumpdorrell.com

by DumpDorrell on Sep 11, 2006 9:23 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Two steps forward, one step back

This is the running theme of the Karl Dorrell era. There has been progress, but Saturday illustrates that the team just isn't ready to be a national program, and for the forseeable future, I see us being also rans, even in the Pac 10. When it comes time to compete against national programs like, unfortunately, U$C and, this season, Notre Dame, I don't see us having it in us to even make it competitive. This is what was so frustrating about last year. Unless significant progress is made, we may win 8 or 9 games, but we won't be in the hunt for even the Pac 10 championship.

by Odysseus on Sep 11, 2006 9:21 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Hatchet Job

Well, you guys have now lost me. The attacks mounted against Converso were reprehensible. You "regulars" can cling to your rights to criticize the UCLA coaching staff as long as you want, but why go after someone who's son is toiling on the scout team? There are some angry folks here, and I'm hoping they don't sit close to me (or Converso) at the home games.

Reply to this if you want, but I won't read the responses. You can stew in your own juices as long as you want, and if UCLA compensates for the lackluster (admittedly) performance against Rice by winning a few games they're supposed to lose, I hope you remember the hatchet job you did on Converso--but I feel quite confident you won't. Count me GONE.

by MacBruin on Sep 11, 2006 2:23 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

stop being so dramatic dude ..

Converso didn't identify himself as player's day until very late in the thread. Up until then he was questioning everyones loyalty associated with this blog.

And lol at the I am "GONE" posts. God knows we these "Goodbye" posts all over the internet messageboards/blogs.

Bunch of drama queens.

by bluestreet on Sep 11, 2006 2:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good riddance

Tell me where guys like bluestreet and dumpdorrell abandoned the realm of facts and observations? As far as I'm concerned, that's where the truth lies, and if some people are not ready to handle the cold hard facts, then maybe they aren't ready to be a responsible fan. I will not let things like unconditional school spirit blind me to the things that I can see right in front of my eyes. I find it ironic that those that accuse BN of having a "party line" so to speak are the same ones advocating blind faith in the program. Is that not a "party line"?

It's great that his son is on the scout team, and if you like KD, that's your perogative and I like him too, but if KD doesn't meet the minimum expectations, then many of us will be wondering if we can't look for someone who can. If we do meet the expectations, I hope you remember how you blew up over nothing, how you overreacted to simple observations that almost anyone could make on Saturday's game.

by scittles on Sep 11, 2006 2:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs