A Sense of Urgency

by Nestor on Apr 5, 2007 4:47 AM PDT in Football Comment 62 comments

Spring practices starts today and there is a sense of urgency of around UCLA. I like it. Dorrell is feeling the heat. Dohn was there to check in as he found KD stammering his clichés on the eve of spring practice.

UCLA coach Karl Dorrell is hopeful of a naming a starting quarterback by the end of spring practice, but the fifth-year coach had bigger things on his mind Wednesday.

Dorrell kicked off an informal media gathering on the eve of spring practice by suggesting another trip to the Las Vegas or Emerald bowls is not acceptable.

"We have to make a move this year," Dorrell said. "I just feel we have to make a move. We have a good deal of experience back, a lot of guys that have played a lot of football, and now it's time to make a move. And we understand that. It's about getting it done now, realizing our potential and meeting our potential."

Dorrell is 29-21 since being hired to rebuild the program, and has lost three of four bowl games. UCLA's best finish under Dorrell is third in the Pacific-10 Conference, which led to a spot in the 2005 Sun Bowl.

With 20 starters returning and a favorable conference schedule (UCLA's road games will be against Stanford, Oregon State, Washington State, Arizona and USC), Dorrell is expecting to contend for the school's first Rose Bowl since the 1998 season.

"We've been fighting for the last two years (to be) in contention in the top of the conference," Dorrell said. "This is something, with our experience coming back, we need to be right there. We need to be right there."

Like I have said here before and I will keep repeating over and over and over again until its drilled into everyone’s head going into the Stanford game, nothing short of a Pac-10 title will be acceptable this season.

The big story of this spring practice is going to QB competition between St. Patrick and Southpaw Jesus. KD wants to resolve the issue by the end of spring:

"The way that we're trying to orchestrate this, we would like to get that resolved by the end of spring," the coach said. "I don't want to bring it into the (fall) camp, what we've done the last couple of years. Both of them are very talented, both of them are very skilled at what they do. It would just be a great situation for us to get it resolved as early as possible. Does that mean the end of spring? We'll see."

Olson was the starter a year ago before suffering a left knee injury against Arizona in the fifth game of the season. He completed 63.7 percent of his passes for 822 yards and five touchdowns with five interceptions. Cowan hit only 52.5 percent of his passes for 1,782 yards with 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions, but started the victory over USC at the Rose Bowl that snapped a seven-game losing streak in the series.

Again I have compiled some notes on this issue and will try to share them by the end of next week. But if you all want to beat me to punch and share your own thoughts on this developing story in the comment threads or diaries, please feel free.

Besides the competition at QB positions there are some other notes. LA Times sent in a new beat reporter (?) Chris Foster to cover the media gathering on the eve of spring practice. He filed the following notes on some position shifts around the offensive line and KD challenging some the younger players on D to step up:

Having 80% of your offensive line back would seem to make this a spot devoid of questions. But Dorrell has played musical linemen since the end of last season, moving Chris Joseph from guard to center and Noah Sutherland from tackle to guard. The moves were designed to "put our best five on the field," Dorrell said. But adjustments will have to be made. Tackle Micah Kia, a sophomore, is the newcomer. He might have been pushed more, but Tony Lee has inflammation in his surgically repaired knee and will be limited during spring practice.

The defense is virtually intact, but it lacks depth. Dorrell called out a handful of players to "make a move" this spring, including linebacker Kyle Bosworth and safeties Bret Lockett and Aaron Ware. "They have gone from sophomores to juniors and need to impress the coaches," Dorrell said. "They need to take the next step."

And once again we will make it clear when Dorrell is talking about the "next step," it’s not making an appearance in the Holiday Bowl. Going to Holiday Bowl may work for programs like Cal but UCLA. Holiday Bowl appearances are all right when a team is going through a rebuilding/reloading season. It will not be enough when a coach is in his fifth year and was brought into beat Southern Cal and go to the Rose Bowls. Anyways, it is awesome to see the sense of urgency seeping through all levels of our program. About time they feel the pressure.

GO BRUINS.

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Re: Stammering cliches

There is a pattern. Those with nothing meaningful to say HAVE to resort to cliches. Think back to Lavin. Same thing. After hearing a 5-minute interview with Lavin, you would come away scratching you head...like, did he really saying anything of substance? Listen to a Howland interview by comparison. There is insight, information, clarification, content. Some are loathe to compare KD to Lavin, but all I know is that after hearing a KD interview I come away with no more information than before. As far as cliches go, KD and Lavin come from the same mold.

by bluegold on Apr 5, 2007 7:18 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

the comparison is spot on

the only thing i get from the interview with Dorrell is that he is stammering. Nothing more. But that does say a lot, not exactly what Dorrell intended to say, and that is .. that he is feeling the pressure. The expectations this year are real and maybe too high for him to reach.

by DumpDorrell on Apr 5, 2007 9:07 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Schedule

Here is the schedule for next year:

Sept. 1...at Stanford
Sept. 8...Brigham Young
Sept. 15...at Utah
Sept. 22...Washington
Sept. 29...at Oregon State
Oct. 6...Notre Dame
Oct. 20...California
Oct. 27...at Washington State
Nov. 3...at Arizona
Nov. 10...Arizona State
Nov. 24...Oregon
Dec. 1...at USC

Is it too soon to start guessing what our record will be? I know what I have in mind, but I'd like to hear more about how spring practice turns out.

And just to be clear, I am not talking about expectations here. I am talking about what we think our record will be.

by tasser10 on Apr 5, 2007 7:22 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Good suggestion

I'll start the bidding at an optimistic 8-4, although I would not be suprised to see 7-5. I wish I could be more optimistic, but this road feels very familiar to me.

by Barnes2JJ on Apr 5, 2007 8:05 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Would one of the W's be over SC?

Somehow I doubt we could beat a Pete Carroll team two years in a row. And the road to the Pac 10 title will probably go through SC.

by bluegold on Apr 5, 2007 8:13 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

No

One of the wins will not be over justsc.

All of the stars were in allignment last year against them and we still almost lost. I just don't see us going into the Mausoleum and pulling it out. I don't think we are there yet.

But I will be there to see it live and suffer through all the verbal abuse from their classy fans, all the same.

by Barnes2JJ on Apr 5, 2007 8:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

THAT'S the spirit!! Doubt OUR boys because you

dislike/disagree with the Head Coach before THIS season even begins: "Rah, rah, rah, siss, boom bah!!!..." Hmm, with fans like you, who needs rivals?

Not to interrupt the dialogue (hey, I like character assassination as much as the next guy), but like others have previously stated, there's nothing we can do about it (re: giving Dorrell the pink slip) at this point in the game. ALL we can do/should do (short of speaking with our pocketbooks) is root our fellas on!! We have a new OC who has yet to call a single play, some 20 starters back, yet we've already conceded victory to the "almighty 'SC" this year? "Bluegold" thinks it's doubtful, so we should just throw in the f'n towel! Joke! (SCDad is that you?)

Look, the wheels are already set in motion and any KD firing and subsequent re-hiring would have happened by now (we are ALL painfully aware of this). So, umm, get over it!

The DumpDorrell campaign is moot (for now). For all the chatter and speculation over who we could have/should have had as our new HC this year, it IS what it IS! This is our TEAM, these are our GUYS, and whether you like it or not, this is OUR COACH!

I have tremendous faith in this team (as a proverbial optimist, can ya tell?) and I'll be with our players from the beginning of Spring Practice to that last game at that joke of a venue, the Coliseum/Mausoleum (and HOPEFULLY beyond) Will you?

"Talent is god - given. Be humble. Fame is man - given. Be grateful. Conceit is self - given. Be careful." -- John Wooden

by ChampsMadeHere on Apr 5, 2007 10:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm entitled to be doubtful

For example, Howland just took our bball team to its second final four, and I doubt our team will not make another deep tournament run next time. Reasonable, right?

Meanwhile, KD took our fball team to the Nuts Bowl and totally humiliated UCLA. So, I say I doubt he could beat SC twice in a row. Reasonable?

Sorry, but KD hardly inspires confidence, but that's just me.

by bluegold on Apr 5, 2007 10:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Nuts Bowl

Something on BN is guaranteed to make me laugh out loud every day.

This was the one that got me today. Hilarious.

by Barnes2JJ on Apr 5, 2007 12:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why question my patriotism?

Here's my predictions, FWIW

Sept. 1...at Stanford (W)
Sept. 8...Brigham Young (W)
Sept. 15...at Utah (W)
Sept. 22...Washington (W)
Sept. 29...at Oregon State (W)
Oct. 6...Notre Dame (W)
Oct. 20...California (W)
Oct. 27...at Washington State (L)
Nov. 3...at Arizona (L)
Nov. 10...Arizona State (W)
Nov. 24...Oregon (W)
Dec. 1...at USC (L)

Belive me, I sure hope I am wrong and we win in Pullman and at Arizona, and of course I would love to see us beat USC. We certainly have the talent to go win them all, although beating USC at the Coliseum where they haven't lost in forever will be very, very tough. And preseason predictions are so speculative as to be practically worthless-injuries, academic ineligibility, suspensions, etc. all can change things so quickly.

But why try to draw some equivalence beween less optimistic predictions and abandoning the Bruins? I will be cheering the Bruins on in every game we play. When we play WSU, Arizona and USC, I will be cheering, and screaming for UCLA to hammer them. I'm not conceding a loss to anyone, least of all USC. But believing that UCLA probably loses a few games this year, based on what I know now, does not mean I am conceding losses, or failing to support the team. Predictions are opinions, and unless they are totally unfounded, it is silly to bash fellow Bruins who aren't of the "rah-rah" variety for not expressing total faith that we can win them all.

UCLA has good talent, but not as much or as good as USC. Some might argue, with some justification, that our talent level is not much, if at all, better than Cal or Oregon. Given that we do not have overwhelming talent, given that we have a coach who has been consistently mediocre and who has underperformed in the Pac-10 and in bowl games, and given that even with all the returning starters we still have question marks, particularly on offense, why do you feel it necessary to essentially "question a poster's patriotism" because they won't uncategorically assert that UCLA football 2007 is OMG the best team EVER, UCLA roolz, we will win the Pac-10, beat USC and play in a BCS bowl?

UCLA could win the Pac-10, beat USC and play in a BCS game. UCLA could also lose 4-5 games, finish 3rd or 4th in the Pac-10, play in another third-rate bowl game and get embarrassed (again) by losing to some underachieving high-profile team or some hungry overachiever from some lame-ass conference. And it's not "failing to support" UCLA by pointing out the possibility of a few losses.

by ucladj89 on Apr 5, 2007 7:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry, Barnes

but I'll have to double. And I'll double either bid. (I hope you're a bridge player - I don't want to have to explain.)

by Fox 71 on Apr 5, 2007 8:16 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I admit defeat

I never learned bridge. I take it you are more optimistic than I am.

by Barnes2JJ on Apr 5, 2007 8:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not exactly -

A double in bridge can mean many things depending on the situation, but often it means what I meant - I don't think you will make your bid (of 7 or 8 wins).

by Fox 71 on Apr 5, 2007 10:05 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ouch

I was trying to be somewhat positive with 8. I actually think 7 is more realistic.

Less than 7...oy.

by Barnes2JJ on Apr 5, 2007 10:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Consider the source

I thought we were good for maybe four wins last season. I was pleasantly surprised.

Wouldn't it be nice if all of us who wanted Coach Dorrell to be ousted had to eat crow when his team went undefeated, beat justsc by more than the demanded 20 points, and helped him earn Coach of the Year honors? I would certainly take that scenario.

So HEY COACH DORRELL! Get to work. Get that strategy muscle some exercise. Demand a lot from your players and your assistants. Instill a winning attitude. And prove all of your detractors are no better than a bunch of ... well, I guess a bunch of trOJans. (That's the worst insult I can think of.)

by Fox 71 on Apr 5, 2007 10:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'll gladly eat the crow and make apologies

where they are necessary if KD fulfills the expectations of BN, no, of the SID and Morgan Center.

All of the people that just assume we WANT KD to fail are completely off base. And as a reminder, we don't set the bar for what success and failure is for this season. We merely ask for accountability. The bar was set when KD was hired, and was apparently confirmed again when the line out of Morgan Center was "beat SUC by 20 and win the Pac 10". I'd say BN is being mighty generous in dropping the "by 20" part. I'll settle for a 1 point win over SUC and winning the Pac 10.

by Tydides on Apr 5, 2007 10:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ditto to all of the above

I will eat crow until it comes out of my ears if we have a great season. I certainly do not want to see KD fail--not at all. I hope he wins every game he coaches (at UCLA) for the rest of his life.

I, and others, have simply looked at our realistic chances this year and offered up a guesstimate. I hope I am wrong and we go undefeated and beat SuC by 50 points.

If trying to offer up a guess as to how we will do, IN REALITY, is being "down" on our team, I think that label is BS.

by Barnes2JJ on Apr 5, 2007 11:12 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think we are all on the same page

and have been for the entire Dorrell era.

You hope we will win, but that little bit of reality in your psyche says we won't win. Contrast this with basketball, where we hoped we would win, and that little bit of reality said that we have a darn good chance to win.

You hope the team will at least do well, and be able to hold their heads up if they happen to lose. The little bit of reality says that no adjustments will be made at half time. It says that we will have trouble getting plays into the huddle. It says we will have procedure penalties on 4th and a half at a critical stage of the game. That little bit of reality says that our team will consistently try the run up the middle against a defense with 8 or 9 guys stacked in the box. It says we will run two yard out patterns to our slowest receiver on third and ten. In other words, reality says it will be business as usual.

One suggestion for Coach Dorrell. You have had at best limited success with doing things the conventional way. Try going against the conventional way once in a while. Way, way back, Coach Prothro used to put Beban in a slightly deeper shotgun and punt on third down. He would use that same formation and do a fake punt on third down. He would do the same thing on fourth down. After two or three games, that punt formation became an offensive weapon. And there were no blocks, because defenses had no clue as to what we were going to do. And neither did the fans.

But we went to the Rose Bowl and beat justsc doing it that way.

Look at it this way, Coach Dorrell. Your SID just painted a huge target on your chest. You will be out unless you deliver all the things you were supposed to have delivered in the past. So why not throw caution to the winds just a little? For example, on fourth down, try a hook and lateral to come within one with no time on the clock against a heavily favored opponent, then instead of going for a tie and overtime why not try a statue of liberty play for the win.

But I suppose that would never work. Forget it, Coach. I lost my head there for a second.

by Fox 71 on Apr 5, 2007 11:44 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Double in bridge

A double is OK as long as you are not doubling someone into game!!! :>)

BillSouthBay

by Mensgym on Apr 5, 2007 11:48 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hope my penalty double of

Barnes' six gets redoubled and they make it. That would be a nice season.

by Fox 71 on Apr 5, 2007 1:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agree!

This is what I've been saying for months and all the spring training double-speak isn't going to change the facts from the last four years.

by greatgymnasticsschool on Apr 5, 2007 4:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

With our returning talent

The only team on that schedule against whom we shouldn't be favored is SC. And considering that's the rivalry game, we have no excuse not to beat every single team on the schedule. Whether we will is an entirely different question though.

by bruinmike88 on Apr 5, 2007 9:43 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not talking about expectations

Again, take the word "should" out of the discussion, and think about what you really think will happen. I will probably put up a diary at some point with my thoughts on the games, but I look at that schedule and it doesn't look as favorable to me as people think, so I don't foresee a fantastic season (though I expect one).

by tasser10 on Apr 5, 2007 10:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think that's true

looking at each game:

Sept. 1...at Stanford: It's Stanford... (W)
Sept. 8...Brigham Young: They were pretty good last year but it's a home game (W)
Sept. 15...at Utah: Eric Weddle is gone, but their offense will probably be better. (W)
Sept. 22...Washington: Stanback is gone and they weren't even any good last year (and yet we still lost). (W)
Sept. 29...at Oregon State: No Matt Moore, but it's not fun to play in Corvallis (ask SC). (W)
Oct. 6...Notre Dame: At home, and they lost everything. (W)
Oct. 20...California: No Marshawn Lynch and it's at home. (W)
Oct. 27...at Washington State: Never great to play in Pullman, but they lost their QB. (W)
Nov. 3...at Arizona: A return to Tucson... Wouldn't it be funny if we were undefeated a this point with only ASU to go before USC? (W)
Nov. 10...Arizona State: I don't know much about them, but it's at home. (W)
Nov. 24...Oregon: I don't know who's back, but it's at home. (W)
Dec. 1...at USC: I'll probably feel differently on Nov 30, but let's be realistic... (L).

Apart from USC, I think our most dangerous games are OSU, WSU, Arizona, and Oregon. If we do any worse than 7-5 I would suspect some sort of nosedive like Lavin's last year. Cal may be dangerous but when was the last time we lost to them at home.

by SuperBruinMan on Apr 5, 2007 11:33 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

BYU lost a ton of seniors

that game is an easy win.

by DumpDorrell on Apr 5, 2007 12:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Who knows how Olson will play

If he grew up a BYU fan, playing Utah last year was like playing his rival, which may account for having such a good game. This year it's hard to guess how he'd play against Utah and BYU.

by SuperBruinMan on Apr 5, 2007 2:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Record...

Sept. 1...at Stanford (W)
Sept. 8...Brigham Young (W)
Sept. 15...at Utah (W)
Sept. 22...Washington (W)
Sept. 29...at Oregon State (W)
Oct. 6...Notre Dame (W)
Oct. 20...California (W)
Oct. 27...at Washington State (W)
Nov. 3...at Arizona (W)
Nov. 10...Arizona State (W)
Nov. 24...Oregon (W)
Dec. 1...at USC (L)

Best case scenario...11-1. $C has 2 losses going into the last game (@ Oregon and @ Cal) > UCLA to the Rose Bowl. Woohoo...

Worst Case scenario...9-3. UCLA starts 6-0, only to close out the season 3-3. Another Sun Bowl and another stupid picture of Dorrell wearing a big sombrero...

by norcalbruin95 on Apr 5, 2007 12:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

BCS

"Best case scenario...11-1. $C has 2 losses going into the last game (@ Oregon and @ Cal) > UCLA to the Rose Bowl. Woohoo..."

If we go 11-1 we are going to the BCS. Here are a few scenarios:

Our loss was in a non-conference game. Since we were undefeated in the Pac-10 we are definetly going to the Rose Bowl, possibly the National Champioship game.
We lost a conference game, but we beat USC. In this case we could be second behind the team we lost to, tied for first with that team and USC, tied for first only with USC, or outright first. The only way way we could be in danger of not going to the some BCS game is the three-way tie. If we finished second to th team we lost to we probably end up with an at-large bid.
We lost to USC. In this case we could be outright first (if USC lost to a couple other teams), tied for first with USC, second behind USC, tied for first with a team that beat USC, or in a three-way tie for first with a team that beat USC and with USC. Again the only way we don't get into a BCS game is if there is a three-way tie.

This isn't a prediction. I'm just exploring the options if we get what seems to be accepted as our best-case scenario.

by SuperBruinMan on Apr 5, 2007 12:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think we should win them all

But the reality is...

We'll lose at least one of the first 4.

Lose at least two of the next 5. (ND, Cal, Arizona...)

And we'll lose to Oregon and USC.

Oh... and the icing on the cake will be getting DESTROYED in yet another joke bowl game.

by greatgymnasticsschool on Apr 5, 2007 5:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Home field

Am I right in saying we've only lost one game at the Rose Bowl since the 29-24 game to USC two years ago (which we did not lose)? I just don't think we are going to lose to ND at home, no matter how bad Dorrell is.

by SuperBruinMan on Apr 5, 2007 5:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Interesting note on the line

As surprised as I am to see that the Times assigned a reported who noted something interesting, I'm nevertheless pleased to learn about Joseph's move to center. Though Chai was a good kid, he was a lousy center, and I suspect this will help our running game, and help eliminate the instances of getting stuffed in 4th and short situations.

by Menelaus on Apr 5, 2007 7:42 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Chai

Wasn't Chai really undersized for a Center??

by artybruin on Apr 5, 2007 8:45 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm glad to see KD knows the bar is raised.

I'm excited to see what the team does this year and am optomistic for great things.

I don't read too much into press interviews, as 99% of them are coach speak and nonsense anyway. "the other team played great, really proud of our guys, our conference is tougher than people think, blah, blah blah"

However, I don't see how there is a real qb competition. If BO is healthy, he's the man. Love P Cowan (almost said PC), he's a gamer and fighter, but he just doesn't have the tools. I know you give everyone a shot in spring, but I just don't see a way BO is not the starter next year, barring injury.

"when you've seen how big the world is, how can you make due with this?"

by silverlakebruin on Apr 5, 2007 9:42 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

schedule

Figure Stanford, BYU, Utah, Washington, Arizona and ASU as wins = 7

All the rest (ND, Cal, WSU, O & USC) are at best toss-ups, but if we win half of those, we have a 9 or 10 win season.

Actually, Koach Karl may be smarter than his is given credit. With 9 or 10 wins -- with maybe a win or two over a high profile team -- we could get a bowl bid to something other than Las Vegas or the Emerald Bowl.

He may have actually set the bar at a realistic height. Whether that really represents a high level of achievement is another question.

by uclagradscdad on Apr 5, 2007 11:24 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I disagree

there is no excuse for losing to Notre Dame this year, and you don't have OSU up there (though I guess you have them in the win column since you only list six there). I would also flip Cal and Arizona; our home field advantage deserves much more credit than it gets.

by SuperBruinMan on Apr 5, 2007 11:38 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

you have it as a 10 & 1 season ...

I note your predictions for each game (further above). If what you say comes about (although you note here that Az is a probable loss and Cal a probable win), we would be exactly in the position that Koach Karl predicts.

It all comes down to SC. I could live with 9-2 or 10-1 season with a win over SC, but without that, the season would still be a bust.

by uclagradscdad on Apr 5, 2007 11:48 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Anything is possible

I didn't say Arizona is a probable loss, I said it is a dangerous game. Not only did they beat us two years ago, they beat Cal at home last year and cost them the conference championship. We should be able to beat them, but my worry is Dorrell could try to make the team want revenge but instead heap extra pressure on them.

Also, we play a 12 game season, so I would be very surprised if we are 9-2 or 10-1. Including the bowl game, I wouldn't be shocked by 13-0, and I wouldn't be shocked by 7-6.

by SuperBruinMan on Apr 5, 2007 11:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

ND

I expect us to handle Notre Dame this year, not just beat them.

by Nestor on Apr 5, 2007 11:50 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

opps

Figure Stanford, BYU, Utah, Washington, Arizona and ASU is 6 wins, not 7, but the same math and logic still applies.

by uclagradscdad on Apr 5, 2007 11:26 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

You guys are pretty optimistic

That's great! I think a foul taste from the Nut Bowl still lingers with me so perhaps I am still skeptical. I like to read the spring football magazines to get a better idea about the upcoming season. But I still have tons of questions about our team:

1. Has our team learned to come out focused on offense and to execute without being too conservative?

2. Has our defense learned to close out EVERY game?

3. Has our DC learned how to handle college-type offensive schemes (Oregon, FSU, etc.)? If you've noticed, we do pretty well against teams with pro-type schemes (OSU, ND, U$C...once)

4. Has our QB learned to be consistent?

5. Will a go-to WR step up? Will ANY WR step up?

6. How reliable will our new kicker be?

7. And finally, will KD coach to SAVE his job or to EARN it? In other words, coaching to win as opposed to coaching not to lose

With these in mind, it makes it very hard for me to make predictions. I know what my expectations are, we should only lose one game next year. But right now I see us with 4 losses...more later.

by tasser10 on Apr 5, 2007 12:51 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't think we'll be fantastic

But USC's recruiting has pretty much destroyed the Pac-10. We could easily be 8-0 in conference play before we meet SC.

by SuperBruinMan on Apr 5, 2007 1:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

interesting point

by DumpDorrell on Apr 5, 2007 3:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thank you Tasser

Can any of the people predicting 11-1 please explain what is different about the core processes of this program? And are the 20 players we have back going to learn how to run faster? Are they going to learn how to run up the middle better? Are they going to learn how to win? Is the offense going to be any less predictable? Is the D going to be able to keep up? Are they going to play to win, or try to run out the clock five minutes into the 3rd quarter up by 3?

A KD coached team should be assumed to be 7-5 until proven otherwise. I don't see anything that will change that... and certainly not the same rhetoric wafting out of the program.

by greatgymnasticsschool on Apr 5, 2007 5:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not predicting 11-1

I'm just saying our team should (in theory) be good enough to run through a weak Pac-10. I'm not saying we'll be good; I'm saying the other teams will be bad.

by SuperBruinMan on Apr 5, 2007 5:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hate to say it

I want to be confident. I want to find a way to explain why we should be undefeated (or real close to it) going into the game against justsc.

But Greatgymnastics raises some very valid points. What he says doesn't temper our enthusiasm or expectations, but it is a bucketful of ice-cold realism right in the face.

by Fox 71 on Apr 5, 2007 7:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I want to win, too

But I don't want to fantasize about something that hasn't happened for UCLA in a LONG time.

I've wanted the Bruins to be a National Power for close to 30 years... And as much as it might seem like I enjoy being negative, I would much more enjoy UCLA being great. I'm a realist. And I think it's important for fans to keep things in perspective and be understanding of the reality of the program in hopes to make a positive change.

Nestor, how on earth can you say we'll handle ND? We're the same team they are... Running a crappy pro style offense with slow receivers and a defense featuring arm tacklers and slow defensive backs. Sure they have a new freshman quarterback but he's really good. And sure it's at the Rose Bowl but we're also mentally fighting the memory of the meltdown in South Bend last year. Oh, I'm sorry, the "Thank you ND for the moral victory that is actually a crushing loss" game in South Bend last year.

And SBM, it doesn't matter how bad teams are that we're playing, if they're competent, KD will assure we'll play down to their level, keep them in it, and have a chance to lose.

And for those who say "this is our coach so root for him!" ugh... I'm tired of having to explain it.

by greatgymnasticsschool on Apr 5, 2007 8:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why we'll beat ND

We came pretty close to beating them last year- with Cowan at QB.
They lost their entire offense. We kept our entire offense.
Their defense is terrible. Our defense is pretty good.
We're playing at home. I've said this before and I'll say it again: we win almost every game at the Rose Bowl.

by SuperBruinMan on Apr 6, 2007 12:27 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agree

I think we'll beat them but I reserve my prediction until I see how this team plays. Isn't it crazy that we have NO IDEA what kind of team we are going to have? Most other good programs have a pretty good idea of what to expect, but all we are left with is uncertainty. I was so excited after the Utah game last year...and that excitement quickly vanished.

by tasser10 on Apr 6, 2007 8:25 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I remember Utah as well

I thought DD would be short-lived ... we'd be shutting it down and putting up a championship site. Believe me when I say that we would have preferred that more for not having to keep the site up than the championship! But yeah, what a let down.

by DumpDorrell on Apr 6, 2007 11:26 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If you think ND has a great new freshman QB ...

I have some swamp land in Florida I'd like to sell you. I assume you mean Oaks Christian's Jimmy Clausen. For what it's worth, I predict he will be a gigantic bust.

If you saw him in the state championship game, he was not impressive, and I saw him a couple of times during the regular season. He had all the advantages of an army of highly recruited players around him (Oaks Christian brings them in, not only from around So Cal, but from No Cal and out of state), a small army of coaches including his own private QB coach, a system set up to make him the star, etc., and I was not impressed. He is a good high school QB, but whether he can handle the complexity and demands of next step is an open question.

Moreover, when you take this kid who has been lead to believe that the world revolves around him, and put him in an environment like ND (about 1700 miles from his family and hangers on) where there are other kids with equal skill, and a demanding coach like Charlie Weiss, I just have the feeling that it's a disaster that's about to happen.

by uclagradscdad on Apr 6, 2007 8:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think he'll be "great"

as all Notre Dame players are

by SuperBruinMan on Apr 6, 2007 12:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

PAC-10 recruiting

On balance, we have been recruiting behind Oregon, Cal, and SC, at least for 4 years or so. If I am at any of those schools, I would have to believe new talent will step up and make a contribution. Of course, coaching excellence is always a compelling advantage, and we have it only on the D side and against pro offenses. Let's see, that could give us up to 4 losses, not counting on UA, who will be much better than people are counting on. So 4 losses, no PAC-10 title, another nuts bowl.... and does KD get his much sought after contract extension to continue to run his coaching churn mill and mediocre recruiting classes forever?
Bill

BillSouthBay

by Mensgym on Apr 5, 2007 2:00 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Funny thing about our schedule

We play against six pairs of rivals

Stanford, Cal
Utah, BYU
Washington, Wash St.
Oregon St, Oregon
Arizona, Arizona St
USC, Notre Dame

by SuperBruinMan on Apr 5, 2007 2:23 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

which means

that every week, one of those teams will be rooting for us!

by tasser10 on Apr 5, 2007 2:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

We'll be the most popular team in the Pac 10

by SuperBruinMan on Apr 5, 2007 4:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

We already are ...

Teams are rooting for us to hang on to Dorrell just like back in the days hoops fan around Pac-10 rooted on Steve Lavin.

by Nestor on Apr 5, 2007 4:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dang

I got in late on this thread. It's still living, right?

I see a decent season as going 11-1. Since USC will be the most loaded team in the country, I'm guessing that a close loss to the #1 team will put us in a BCS Bowl situation, regardless of USC's Pac-10 record. A few of you might see my expectations as a little hight year but consider the following scenario:

Just like '05, KD rides a very talented team (ESPECIALLY our defense. Best-in-the-country caliber group we've got.) to an 8 or 9 win season, with a schedule that makes Notre Dame's last year look like an insane gauntlet. We lose to either Cal, OSU, Wazzu, or UO as well as getting crushed by SC. Since we beat them last year, losing to the Trojans is no longer something the Morgan Center can put emphasis on. Due to benevolent alumni and a disturbing acceptance of mediocrity in our program, Dorrell gets to stay another year, in which our Bruins get trashed by a tough schedule, strong conference, and the loss of a steller senior class which makes up most of our starting roster.

Of course, the Pac-10 is wicked-strong this year, despite the best player-mongering efforts of Cheatey Petey. So the Bruins might get trashed this year and lose KD sooner. I believe, as some others do, that UCLA football will never be strong with KD coaching us. His firing and our boys are the only reasons this program still interests me.
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Oh, yeah, and the Powder-Keg Blue and Gold running through my veins. Forgot to mention that.

Duke and North Carolina called: They want Steve Lavin back. GO BRUINS!!

by Allofmybros on Apr 5, 2007 3:17 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't think the Pac 10 is that good

Cheatey Petey's player-mongering efforts have been fairly successful

by SuperBruinMan on Apr 5, 2007 4:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

This Has GOT To Be THE YEAR..........

11-1 or at LEAST 10-2. I can't help but think we'll be much better; more importantly, more CONSISTENT on both sides of the ball this year. Still, I think those damn Trojans will probably get their revenge on us in South Central this year. But hopefully a New Year's Day and/or B.C.S. bowl for us.

by Minnesota Bruinfan on Apr 5, 2007 8:23 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

One other thing

Those of you trying to figure out how many wins we will get next year need to remember Coach Dorrell has to play within the rules. Not all the other programs that we play seem to have that particular constraint. Frankly, I am glad he does not act like certain other coaches in the City of the Angels.

I'm not saying that if the playing field were actually level that Coach Dorrell would have a better record than he has shown so far. I'm just saying that it won't be easy posting the lofty numbers that some are predicting when Coach Dorrell and his staff run a clean program and many others are free to cheat as much as they can get away with.

Now, having said all that, the criticisms of his performance remain valid. He can have a clean program and not be such a lousy coach.

by Fox 71 on Apr 5, 2007 10:10 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

My rough guess...

Sept. 1...at Stanford
WIN -- Opener, plus we still have more talent.

Sept. 8...Brigham Young
WIN -- Don't know much re BYU, but I'll go with it.

Sept. 15...at Utah
LOSS -- Seriously. Spread offense and we're playing them at home.

Sept. 22...Washington
WIN -- Players will want this one back.

Sept. 29...at Oregon State
WIN -- We just act like Matt Moore's there, and we're fine.

Oct. 6...Notre Dame
WIN -- Charlie Weis barely got us last year WITH Quinn. Now he breaks in a new QB?

Oct. 20...California
WIN -- No Lynch, and we're here. Payback's a (bleep).

Oct. 27...at Washington State
WIN -- Too much experience to NOT be able to play well up there.

Nov. 3...at Arizona
LOSS -- Tell me the Stoops brothers aren't swapping notes re: Norvell's offense.

Nov. 10...Arizona State
WIN -- Just because I like beating ASU here in November.

Nov. 24...Oregon
WIN -- After they crushed us like a bunch of grapes last year under an eighteen-wheeler, we NEED this one to get our swagger on.

Dec. 1...at USC
WIN -- Because it's my birthday, gosh darn it.

10-2, with a possible BCS if we win the Pac-10 outright with an 8-1 conference record.

Could happen.

MIM

And we will have our vengeance, in this game and the next.

by Meriones on Apr 6, 2007 12:14 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

is anyone going to Fan Appreciation Day today?

Look for a heavy (used to wear Husky pants as a kid) brown guy with a blue bandana, goatee and Adidas shoes with a cute girl (warning...she's my daughter!) with ponytails and red and black Katella lettermans jacket.

If it is warm she will have a UCLA tee. Step on up...say Hi! I'm a nicer guy than I look.

by pocho on Apr 7, 2007 1:04 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs