Dorrell Decides to Ignore Osaar Rasshan Again

by bluestreet on Oct 10, 2007 1:59 PM PDT

Bumped from the diaries. So Dorrell is once again shelving Osaar Rasshan (who had two years of QB experience in HS and is reportedly a great athlete) and giving more time to a walkon QB (who did not have a single offer from another Pac-10 program) and true freshman who according to number of observers is not physically ready. As some of you have pointed out already in the threads, no one should have to play QB behind this Dorrellian O Line that "cannot block a soul." At least if OR got in, he would have the chance to scramble, bootleg, and inject some life into this deadbeat joke of an offense. But putting OR in will force the Fixer to abandon his joke WCO. So he is apparently deciding to risk injury and burn a red shirt year of a promising prospect. Only in the world of UCLA football, where the clueless Decider of the program can keep making asinine and reckless decisions that continue to expose him as an out of touch, stumbling, bumbling, selfish, and clueless tool. Yes, I am just talking about the ~~Orwellian~~ Dorrellian world of UCLA football. GO BRUINS. –N

From Dohn today:

My understanding is, as of right now, backup QB Patrick Cowan will try to practice next week, but as for now the idea is to get QBs McLeod Bethel-Thompson and Chris Forcier as many reps as possible.
"We're trying to speed train those guys, and get either one ready to go,'' UCLA coach Karl Dorrell said. "One of the goals of the week is to try and get a better feel of what we feel we're capable of." So the Sleeping Beauty decides to completely ignore a kid who publicly said earlier this week he wants to play and stay at QB: Rasshan is pleased to be back at quarterback. Asked which he liked better, throwing the ball or catching it, he replied, "Throwing it, for sure."

Rasshan moved to wide receiver this summer, but his heart, it seems, is at quarterback.

"I definitely would like to stay at quarterback, but I think that's the head man's decision," Rasshan said. "I believe ultimately it will come down to sitting down and talking to the coach."

I am all out of rage.

All I know is Dorrell is turning out to be worse scumbag than Lavin. I didn't know it was possible, but Dorrell is sure showing it is. He is "making a move" into the all time assh*le list in the world of UCLA athletics.

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You Know It's Sad...

The man is trying to do everything he can to save his own ass and in doing so he's digging himself a bigger hole. Its been shown time and time again that he can think on the fly and be creative and this is just another example of his inability to think outside the box is going to hurt the team.
Imagine how great it would be to have a coach who could actually utilize the talent on this roster. He could then alternate QB's ala Florida - allowing OR to run a spread package and alternate in MBT to run a traditional package.
No instead we have "The Thinker" who's looking to stick with a walk on and burn the red shirt year of a true freshman.

"Failing to Prepare is Preparing to Fail"

by Griffin1 on Oct 10, 2007 2:07 PM PDT 0 recs

Your tag line...

Isn't the quote "Failure to prepare is preparing to fail"?

Victory or until next year!

by ncrpz2 on Oct 10, 2007 2:52 PM PDT up 0 recs

I agree with you

what i'm wondering is what O. Rasshan is doing that is making the coaching staff look the other way. Maybe he's sooooo bad out there that even MBT looks better than him. I haven't seen him at a practice so I can't comment on it. Anyone else? Is he this bad that they won't give him a chance?

I agree with the two different packages, get both quarterbacks in there.

by TheStick on Oct 10, 2007 2:11 PM PDT 0 recs

If he is that bad ...

Let's say he is bad, then why did Dorrell offer him a scholie to play QB at UCLA? Why hasn't Dorrell made sure to make 4 scholarship caliber QBs at UCLA in his last 4 years?

by bluestreet on Oct 10, 2007 2:28 PM PDT up 0 recs

According to KD

the reason Rasshan moved to WR was because The Law Firm beat him out in practice for the 3rd string spot so they obviously think The Law Firm's better.

by ryebreadraz on Oct 10, 2007 2:35 PM PDT up 0 recs

Those clowns

have turned out be such great talent evaluators. So I have complete confidence in their evaluations on what they see in practice.

Yeah, I also believe Pom Pom whenever he says any SuC related scandals will be "handled internally."

Dorrell is a selfish scumbag.

by bluestreet on Oct 10, 2007 2:37 PM PDT up 0 recs

Talent

Eh, it seems to me like KD and friends are pretty good at getting talent on the field.

What they are bad at is nurturing that talent and coaching that talent.

by njbruin on Oct 10, 2007 3:12 PM PDT up 0 recs

Keep in mind

that Osaar was beat out by The Firm in running the crappy WCO. That says nothing about his ability as a QB. He ran the spread in high school and was good enough to get scholie offers from SDSU and Kansas State.

The problem with putting in Osaar is that KD will have to abandon much of his precious WCO. Instead of focusing on winning, he's focused on preserving his broken system.

by hspigskinfan on Oct 10, 2007 2:48 PM PDT up 0 recs

Good point

I've said this a couple times myself, but now it applies a little differently. OR may not be better than the Firm at the crappy WCO, but hell, people frickin LOVE Pat Cowan, and he sure as hell doesn't run the WCO. If Pat can abandon the offense right off of his 5 step drop and take off with his legs, then I'm pretty sure OR should be able to do the same with his athleticism. It's not like opposing teams are really respecting PC's arm either, yet he gets scrambling yards. Why can't OR do the same? In my mind, the LESS YOU KNOW of this do-nothing offense, the better off you are as a QB.

by Tydides on Oct 10, 2007 3:01 PM PDT up 0 recs

We're not going to do anything with the WCO

I'm just forwarding on the facts from fall practice: The coaches thought The Law Firm was better than OR.

by ryebreadraz on Oct 10, 2007 3:08 PM PDT up 0 recs

It's pretty sad

but if the coaches are endorsing the Firm over OR, that leads me to believe that OR is probably the better choice.

by Tydides on Oct 10, 2007 4:35 PM PDT up 0 recs

Point is...

neither of these guys are starting QB material. In this case, I would go with the best pure athlete, and Osaar appears to be that person. With the OL playing the way it is, what we need now is a mobile QB who can think on his feet and improvise when things break down. I don't see the Firm doing that.

At the very least, just give Osaar a series or two to see what he can do. What else does Karl have to lose right now?

by norcalbruin95 on Oct 10, 2007 3:48 PM PDT up 0 recs

He can't be worse

I'm pretty sure Rasshan could lead the team to zero points like the law firm did. Against the second worst defense in the nation. It was actually worse than zero points, since he fumbled away a touchdown, and had a four picks. One in the red zone that lead to TD. Rasshan can't be worse than that.

by wizardofoc on Oct 10, 2007 6:11 PM PDT up 0 recs

Bad means Good

SIMPLE: Rasshan gets no PT because he doesn't "fit in" to the 'W'orst 'C'ollege 'O'ffense in recent history. -- which translates to, "Good Job, Kid."

by theREAL_LOGAN5 on Oct 10, 2007 4:17 PM PDT up 0 recs

OR

Nobody seems to remember spring camp. We all saw Olson, Cowan and OR. Who was the most impressive QB? OR was. Quite a few fans were talking about who was this kid. So athletic, quick and a great arm. Was he the most accurate passer...of course not. He plays like Cowan but is by far more athletic. Let him play...another weapon is what we need right now, not another target.

by mjbruin on Oct 11, 2007 8:11 PM PDT up 0 recs

Target?

Any QB who stands behind this O line is a target.

But, I agree, OR should start.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Oct 12, 2007 5:47 AM PDT up 0 recs

Out of rage as well

But I still have something left to feel bad for Forcier. It's just terrible that KD is apparently planning to burn his redshirt even though that is 100% avoidable.

His treatment of these two guys has been abysmal.

by Menelaus on Oct 10, 2007 2:11 PM PDT 0 recs

Shameful treatment

Does Forcier have a say in the matter? Burning a year of eligibility for the dufus desperately trying to save his job is just shameful.

by SinnerBoy 99 on Oct 10, 2007 2:22 PM PDT up 0 recs

I agree

Forcier's parents should step in, if necessary.

I still say that BO and/or PC are going to be back this year. If we put Forcier in, are we going to start him for the rest of the year and let BO and PC ride the pine? I don't think so.

We have four QBs before we get to Forcier. It's Dorrell's fault if our depth at QB is lacking. Using Forcier for half a year--during the most difficult part of our schedule, and with an O-line like a sieve--does not sound like a very good situation for Forcier.

by Barnes2JJ on Oct 10, 2007 2:38 PM PDT up 0 recs

If

Forcier somehow is thrown into action and something happens to him, it would be an epic injustice to this freshman kid. It would be inexcusable.

by bluestreet on Oct 10, 2007 2:43 PM PDT up 0 recs

I thought the general consensus is that

Forcier is still too physically immature for college ball at this point in time.

If KD is trying to save his own behind, Forcier is not going to be the miracle worker against Cal.

by bluegold on Oct 10, 2007 2:54 PM PDT up 0 recs

what if Forcier is the second coming

of Cade McNown.. Thrown into the starting QB position as a freshman.

by stephons on Oct 10, 2007 3:21 PM PDT up 0 recs

McNown Was Tough and Strong

Apparently, CF is not.

IIRC, McNown was not redshirting that year and had practiced at QB that season.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Oct 10, 2007 3:40 PM PDT up 0 recs

Not only no. 18 was getting

lot of reps at practice, IIRC he was also second string.

He was the second string QB in the season opening game against Butch Davis' Miami Canes (sadly the last regular season home game I ever attended in person).

Ryan Fien was the starter. Fien went down with a collarbone injury I think. Cade came in, managed the game (I think he had something like 90-100 passing yards), got some key first downs, and relied on the D to get the win. He then subsequently started the next couple of games, and I believe he had a great breakout game against Fresno State. Fien saw the writing on wall and decided to transfer to Idaho State.

Cade was ready both physically and mentally. Haven't heard any such thing about Forcier.

Another thing to keep in mind Cade was also playing behind a fairly solid OL which could "block" a lot of "souls."

by Nestor on Oct 10, 2007 3:45 PM PDT up 0 recs

I've heard the same things about Forcier

What is most aggravating to me is the utter stupidity and reactive simplicity of KD's major coaching moves.

I hate to sound mean, but I am really starting to question the adequacy of his cognitive function to perform the job.

Before the ND game, KD thinks: "Nasty people say Karl just run, run, run, punt. Karl will pass ball." Olson goes down with injury; walk-on quarterback faces off against galaxy's worst rushing defense. Karl thinks: "Nasty people say Karl only run, run, run, punt. Karl will pass, pass, pass." MBT throws first interception. "Karl pass, pass, pass; WCO unstoppable."

After the ND game, KD thinks: "Karl in deep doo-doo." "Olson and Cowan hurty. McLeod not good play. Osaar been practicing catch football, not throw football. Put in scout team quarterback guy." KD smiles, "If scout kid saves Karl's bacon, that good; if scout kid play bad, Karl blamey blamey. Karl brilliant."

I'm joking, but sorta not. Just unbelievable.

by Menelaus on Oct 10, 2007 3:42 PM PDT up 0 recs

What is really sad

Karl already had the winning formula against ND. It was the one he used when PC went down against UDub, when he had his backs ramming it down the middle, calling just one pass play which came from his RB.

If Karl gave OR some minimum prep time, and had him in to strictly hand off the ball, and use his athletic ability to bootleg or scramble in desperate situations, he would have had the game won, and sitting (deceptively) pretty at 5-1 heading into next game. But he was just too dumb and end up shooting himself in the foot. Now for all intent and purposes he is close to being done.

by Nestor on Oct 10, 2007 3:48 PM PDT up 0 recs

KD is Desperate and Flailing About

I've been thinking the same thing.

We saw the PPP because we had been demanding the end to rrp.

He has no fucking clue about what to do so he just reacts, without any thought or purpose and goes the other way.

He reminds me of my Roomba floor vacuum. Straight ahead, hit a bump, and deviate in an unpredictable manner.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Oct 10, 2007 3:56 PM PDT up 0 recs

KD as a 'Roomba'

OMG ... That is funny. Its so perfect.

by Nestor on Oct 10, 2007 4:14 PM PDT up 0 recs

Another photoshop opportunity?

by Tydides on Oct 10, 2007 4:39 PM PDT up 0 recs

Go to town!

by Nestor on Oct 10, 2007 6:30 PM PDT up 0 recs

Also

they both suck.

by Class of 86 on Oct 10, 2007 4:25 PM PDT up 0 recs

KD is not a Roomba

A roomba changes direction, KD doesn't.

KD must be getting his advice from Bush. Stay the course despite all evidence that the plan is not working.

by Bruin77 on Oct 10, 2007 4:40 PM PDT up 0 recs

The school has to do the red-shirt paperwork

remember scholarships are technically a year to offer.

by cv on Oct 10, 2007 2:45 PM PDT up 0 recs

IF Forcier played this year...

couldn't he redshirt next year? No way Ben Olson is leaving early and PC is just a junior as well. I doubt he beats both out for a starting position next year... I would still save the eligibility and redshirt this year though...

Dorrell??? Really???

by BruinManDan97 on Oct 10, 2007 2:35 PM PDT 0 recs

Olson stays if KD is no longer coach

I cannot imagine him staying for one more year of WCO under the buffoon.

by bluegold on Oct 10, 2007 2:44 PM PDT up 0 recs

what is he going to transfer another time

then be 27 when he graduates? yeah right.. he's not going anywhere.

by stephons on Oct 10, 2007 3:20 PM PDT up 0 recs

Leave for the pros

either in the US or Canada.

by bluegold on Oct 10, 2007 3:31 PM PDT up 0 recs

No One Should Have to Play QB Behind this O Line

At least OR, like PC, can run when he has to.

Burning CF's year is a desperate act of a clueless, selfish man.

I'm beginning to lose my "like" for KD. I'm losing my respect for him as a man.

I'm also losing respect for DG. He has to step in and stop this string of stupid decisions that are ruining careers.

I don't know why, and there has been nothing in the press, but somehow I feel that the players will soon be fed up with KD and will make that known (unless they are suffering from the Stockholm Syndrome).

sjh

by Class of 66 on Oct 10, 2007 2:48 PM PDT 0 recs

W/L Doomsday Scenario

I think the players are fed up with Dorrell and they're letting it be known here and there.

We'll know for sure in a couple weeks. As for me, I'd bee suprised if we win another game. I truly believe the players are going to form a mutiny against KD. KD is finished.

by BruinFan1 on Oct 10, 2007 3:12 PM PDT up 0 recs

I bet they love those 6:00a practices!

I wonder if KD's infantile attempt to be "tough" and schedule practices at dawn will backfire and serve to get the team more disenchanted with him?

by SinnerBoy 99 on Oct 10, 2007 4:28 PM PDT up 0 recs

6:00 practices

Another thing that galls me, while I'm in the mood.

After a mindbogglingly bad loss (which followed shortly after an equally mindbogglingly bad loss), we -- as usual -- don't hear word one from the coaches (besides cliches and gibberish) about where the team has been, where it is, or where it is going. We don't hear anything even remotely close to high level discourse about game plans, personnel or anything of the like.

What do we get instead? Dr. Karl giving some of the most unintelligible injury reports ever. And Karl musing about the impact of -- OMG -- having the guys practice at 6:00 a.m. for one week. And whether they like it. Or if they still like it. Or... arrhhhh!!!!!!

Honestly, the Sunday after the Southern Cal game can't come soon enough.

by Menelaus on Oct 10, 2007 4:38 PM PDT up 0 recs

Who cares about the QB situation

It doesn't matter if John Elway Montana was in there -- the offense is broken by design. IT HAS NEVER WORKED. IT WILL NEVER WORK. AND KD ISN'T GOING TO CHANGE IT NOW!

Reading the reports and quotes from KD, players and surrounding the program, it's getting REALLY hard not to hate UCLA. How the hell did it end up like this? How do they (DG) not do something about it?

They need to either fire KD or start serving alcohol at the rose bowl again (not that anyone will be there). And since #2 won't happen (state law), just fire KD.

by greatgymnasticschool on Oct 10, 2007 4:06 PM PDT 0 recs

Yea

It seems to be reaching a zenith, similar to Lavin's last season... remember when they lost that preseason game to EA Sports or some shit? That was the 44-6 Utah loss.

by njbruin on Oct 10, 2007 5:36 PM PDT up 0 recs

progress with the students

dumpdorrell.com is one of the top-4 popular posted items/websites on Facebook/UCLA.

by bruinhoo on Oct 10, 2007 4:21 PM PDT 0 recs

Hoo

Can you take a screen shot of that? Splice in some choice blockquotes and it could be a very compelling diary well worth higlighting. Can you do it for your love of UCLA football? :-)

by Nestor on Oct 10, 2007 4:27 PM PDT up 0 recs

Sure

I have a screen shot from facebook ready to go, but no place to host the image. Should I just email it to the site (or someone else here)?

Also, a Facebook group that may interest some members of BN:
UCLA Vs. Notre Dame 2007: I want a refund!

by bruinhoo on Oct 10, 2007 6:01 PM PDT up 0 recs

You can do this ...

Email the screenshot to me and I will upload it to our server and throw you back the link and you can write up your post.

by Nestor on Oct 10, 2007 6:20 PM PDT up 0 recs

our email again

is bruinsnation@gmail.com

Again take your time. I would love it if you can feature some of the wall posts from the students (protecting their identity) and then heavy link back to all the relevant groups.

If you email it to me tonight, I should be able to email you back the link tomorrow am. If you put up a cool diary tomorrow afternoon or evening, I'd like to feature it as a primetime Thursday pm post. Thanks hoo.

by Nestor on Oct 10, 2007 6:33 PM PDT up 0 recs

tomorrow

today has been hectic - no out of class time to put anything together. should have something together Friday AM.

by bruinhoo on Oct 11, 2007 9:49 PM PDT up 0 recs

email it to us

at dumpXXdorrell AT gmail Dot com

take out the XX and you can figure out the rest. This is done to avoid spambots.

editor, DumpDorrell.com ... formerly posted as DumpDorrell

by BruinCore on Oct 10, 2007 6:22 PM PDT up 0 recs

sent to both of you

by bruinhoo on Oct 10, 2007 7:07 PM PDT up 0 recs

Saaweeeeeeeeeet!

Get a screenshot and we will put it on DD as well. By the way, here is a DumpDorrell facebook group that a student just started (dont know if there is another one yet). Join it and spread the word.

editor, DumpDorrell.com ... formerly posted as DumpDorrell

by BruinCore on Oct 10, 2007 5:57 PM PDT up 0 recs

Got a screenshot

the shot is from my "newsfeed" on the Facebook home page; anyone that is part of Facebook's UCLA network should have the same thing come up on their account. My computer does not have sufficient resolution to screen shot the actual page with the most popular items.

I've been a member of another Fire Karl Dorrell facebook gorup for nearly a year, but just added the group you linked as well.

by bruinhoo on Oct 10, 2007 6:20 PM PDT up 0 recs

actually we got it

thanks.

editor, DumpDorrell.com ... formerly posted as DumpDorrell

by BruinCore on Oct 10, 2007 6:27 PM PDT up 0 recs

Take that back please still send

our screenshot isnt working right for some reason

editor, DumpDorrell.com ... formerly posted as DumpDorrell

by BruinCore on Oct 10, 2007 6:33 PM PDT up 0 recs

Rasshan...

I got an assessment of Rasshan's abilities in the preseason from one of the healthy QB's on the depth chart who happens to be dating my cousin. While Rasshan does possess outstanding athleticism, he hasn't grasped the system enough to be efficient running it which could explain the logic in the position switch and continually being overlooked as the team struggles to find a QB. This could be true, or it could just be youthful exuberance (over-confidence) of my source caught up in the moment of competition. I don't attend practices so I don't know how far Rasshan has come along as a QB since he's been in the system. Personally, I think the "system" needs a massive overhaul considering the circumstances.

by ishXdavid on Oct 10, 2007 5:31 PM PDT 0 recs

It's Easier to Grasp Air

How can you grasp our "system" when there is nothing there?

You, and almost everyone else, know that a "system" change is needed to meet the skills of our personnel.

KD, and JN haven't figured that out.

DG should make the ultimate change, now.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Oct 10, 2007 6:34 PM PDT 0 recs

Does this not sound ominous?

Read Dorrell's comments about our QB situation and decide for yourself if Dorrell is going to play Forcier this year, maybe even in our next game. This is from Perelman's blog:

"We're getting guys some reps that they normally don't get, so they're learning on the go," Dorrell said. "Both those guys [Bethel-Thompson and Forcier] are getting principally all the reps now. We're trying to speed-train those guys, and get either one of them ready to go; you see Osaar in there too.

"We're really evaluating and seeing how much our quarterbacks can handle. We have a little bit of time to do that, and then we'll taper down to what we feel our guys can do and work from there. Both of those guys [Bethel-Thompson and Forcier] have been in all our meetings and stuff; they haven't had reps, so we're trying to see what they can actually do on the field. The one who's kind of catching up is Osaar because he hasn't been in the quarterback meetings up until this time. We have to see what our possibilities are and then have a plan for a third guy, which Osaar can be for us."

On Forcier, who was expected to redshirt this season, Dorrell noted, "He's doing really well; I'm impressed. He doesn't make a lot of the same mistakes twice. He's a good listener; he doesn't seem like he has to be a `rep guy,' where you need many, many reps to finally get it. He really gets it from the mental side and he just needs a few reps here and there so get himself caught up. I'm real impressed with what he's done the last couple of days."

Does this not sound like Dorrell is going to play Forcier? It does to me. It sounds like OR is 3rd on the depth chart. Forcier would not be getting so many reps unless Dorrell was serious about playing him this year.

Dorrell probably believes we can still win the Pac-10. Hypothetically, yes, it is possible, but it ain't gonna happen. This team, given all of its problems, and with the upcoming schedule, will be lucky to win 2 more games this year. I personally suspect morale is low and dissent is high and we could potentially lose all of our upcoming games.

If Forcier plays, it is only because Dorrell is desperate. Burning his redshirt half-way through the season, and allowing him to be a sack-dummy care of our O-Line, would be a real shame.

by Barnes2JJ on Oct 11, 2007 4:56 AM PDT 0 recs