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The Show Me Season: Scrimmage Day Open Thread

Are you ready for some football?

I am sure many of you are heading down (or up) to Westwood this afternoon for the much anticipated scrimmage. If you still haven't made up your mind and are looking for last minute details here is the info. And if you are too lazy to scroll down here are todays scrimmage related news and notes.

SPJ has been rounding into shape and will try to maintain his recent good form at practice:


Photo Credit: Bruinslowflrezcmalcolm37

The scrimmage begins approx around 11 am PST. Also in case you haven't had a chance to go through it yet, here is the online version of 2007 media guide. Lots of goodies in there that you an over while sipping coffee on a Sat. morning.

If  are checking in after coming back from the scrimmage  please post your notes in the comment thread. Of course if you took pictures and have uploaded them on flickr, share the links here, or feel free to email them to us bruinsnation@gmail.com.

In just two weeks the Show Me Season gets started for real.

We are getting antsy.

GO BRUINS.

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Washingt Post will rank UCLA 11th
It has a feature on Georgia at number 12. Its ranking UCLA at 11 and should have a feature on us tomorrow.

by Nestor on Aug 18, 2007 11:39 AM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Washington Post feature on the Bruins
link.

The article discusses the high expectations for the team, both from the outside as well as from the players, though the piece focuses on 2 things: 1) the win over SC, and 2) DeWayne Walker, especially his having coached a year at SC under Carroll.

by bruinhoo on Aug 19, 2007 7:32 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Emphasis on Walker makes sense
given his prior stint with the Deadskins.

by Nestor on Aug 19, 2007 9:38 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

additionally
from the Post feature, as Nestor stated yesterday, UCLA is at #11. Other Pac-10 teams featured to date are: Cal, at #18, and Oregon St, at #20.

by bruinhoo on Aug 19, 2007 7:38 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

not that much Pac-10 love by the AP
Though seeing UCLA in the top-15 is not a bad thing.

by bruinhoo on Aug 18, 2007 1:47 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Just got back from scrimmage
just some very quick notes ... it went on for 2 hours almost. Very hot sun.  Announced attendance 6,700 + (not sure if it was that much).  Numbers here are either announced or we tabulated them (so they could be off a little):

QB

  1. Olson 7/10 61 yards .. looked average, but did was more secure with the ball.
  2. Cowen 6/10 51 yards ... looked better than Olson at times due to scrambling but almost picked off 3 or 4 times and was hurried more often.
  3. Bethel-Thompson 5/11 46 yards ... looked good
Receiving
  1. Rasshan 3/37 - looked real good, missed easy pass for TD (right through his hands)
  2. Everett 2/30
  3. Ketchum 2/27
  4. Johnson - not tallied yet ... had a great catch  at the sidelines near end zone over a defender. Looked real good.
Rushing
  1. Sheppard 12/46 - few great tough runs
  2. Bell 7/40 - a couple good break out runs
  3. Carew 17/38 3 TDs (1, 2, 2 yds - lots of fakes and tricks)
  4. Markey 1 TD (3 yd ... not tallied yet but some good some horrible. Caught from behind from a lineman, caught backfield a few times)
  • 115 plays from scrimmage
  • 25 drives
  • 13 total first downs
  • 4 TDs Offense (1, 3, 2, 2 yrds all rushing) all during Red Zone only drives
  • 1 TD Defense (fumble recovery 30+ yards)
  • 3 FGs (43, 48, 32)
  • 3 missed FGs (29, 42, 45 blocked by Verner)
  • 5 Punts (33/7 yr return Graves; 45/0 down at 3; 42 [Rees]1 Austin; 57 3 Graves; 27/0) - many other stalled drives with no punts or FG attempts
  •  37 1st Down plays, 11 passing
Other stats
  • 7 Penalties
  • 12 shot gun formations (could have been more)
  • 6 fumbles (many by QBs Cowan/Forcier on hikes)
  • 6 sacks (3 Cowen)
  • 4 batted passes
  • 5 near interceptions (mostly Cowen)
  • many hurries
Defense
- hard to keep stats, but these names kept coming up on tackes: Slater, Bosworth, Verner, Hale, Horton, Schmidt, Meadows, Brown)

Las bit - a big scare for a family member of DT Jerry Siewierski, looked like his grandfather. The heat got to him and as the scrimmage ended he needed emergency medical attention, which came slowly. He stopped breathing, went blue, the shock paddles came out and they shocked him back to life. Incredible to see. He was breathing again as he was loaded into the ambulance.  Jerry was visibly upset, but looked much better when he saw that his grandfather (?) was breathing again.

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

by BruinCore on Aug 18, 2007 2:58 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

thanks
great job I am fired up for football season

by bruinmikeh on Aug 18, 2007 3:16 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Overall - not inspiring
Overall, my impression was that the offense was not inspiring. As we predicted in our Training Camp report, Kai Forbath is going to be Dorrell's 2nd All-America place kicker.  Perez, if he can be consistent may challenge for All-America Punter.  The offense just is not moving the chains, having stalled in every long field series. They only scored TDs on 4 of 12 Red zone series. Kickers and punters that want to make it to the NFL will simply follow Dorrell around.

Defensively we looked good, but top 10 in the nation ... we'll have to see. The secondary is still our weak spot, but our RBs did break through the line quite a few times. Can't tell you who was on the field then (1st or 2nd team) but this was not a dominating rush defense. I would not put too much on their performance however. I see them being good ... they have to show me more for me to say they are great.

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

by BruinCore on Aug 18, 2007 3:23 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

More clarification
Forbath will be good but he will miss this year. The offense also opened up a lot from last year, at least today and during the day we went to Training Camp.  There is a sense that the pass will come on the first or second down, not just third and long.  and in the Red Zone we did go after the flags in the air with Rasshan and Johnson.  So, that was good to see. Rasshan and Johnson both have the potential to be break out players ... but will it be this year is the question.  Carew is small and that will be a factor.  Markey just doesn't look inspired at all. Bell has some bust out runs, surprisingly, but he has to be more consistent.

That is the word, this offense is in no single place  consisten .. not one position, not one player.

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

by BruinCore on Aug 18, 2007 3:29 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Just posted my thoughts a bit after yours.
It took me a while to complete my lengthy post, and I have to first give you props for all the numbers and stats...as well as the update that Siewirski's relative was breathing again.  Overall, it looks like we were watching the same game...I wonder if you are as badly sunburned as I am?

by meow meow on Aug 18, 2007 4:29 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

yep
my arms are burnt!  You brought up a good point about the OL ... I forgot to mention probably because I did not think about them (which is good). They pushed off the ball well ... for the run they looked good. I talked to Chris Joseph and Micah Reed after and asked them about the philosophy this year ... it seemed like they were pushing off the line well I told them. They said that was the difference from last year. They are more aggressive off the snap.  So they looked better. But in pass protection there were too many disruptions, along with the draw.  Still, much better than I had anticipated.
editor, DumpDorrell.com ... formerly posted as DumpDorrell

by BruinCore on Aug 18, 2007 7:01 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

micah reed?
are you referring to the big soph. tackle Micah Kia?

by hawk on Aug 19, 2007 8:18 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

yes
good catch
editor, DumpDorrell.com ... formerly posted as DumpDorrell

by BruinCore on Aug 19, 2007 9:07 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

thanks for the nice post
short note: It's Jerzy Siewierski.  Hope his grandfather is ok.  He's a tough guy: former national judo champion.

by hawk on Aug 19, 2007 8:22 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

good stuff
great stats.

* i never was a fan of Cowan. Ben should have a ton of success early in the season.

by uclabruins05 on Aug 18, 2007 3:11 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Lots of thoughts and lots of emotions, so I hope..
.it all makes sense.  Just got back from the scrimmage and I want to send my thoughts and prayers out to the elderly gentleman, who it seemed succumbed to the heat while sitting in the stands.  A very scary sight out there at Drake (due to extreme temperatures) and it appeared that he was a relative of one of the players, I believe number 90 in blue(sorry, I lost my roster, don't know the players name), so again I hope that everything turns out on a positive note, because it was a horrible thing to see a fellow Bruin, or a human being for that matter, suffering from such an unfortunate event.  One minute I'm cheering for the team, the next, Dorrell is pissing me off, and then finally everything is put back into perspective as ambulance crews rush to save someone's life.  My prayers go out to the elderly individual, the player and his family.

Now onto my observations, starting with the breakfast festivities...
First, the burritos were pretty good at the breakfast, although the lines were long and stalled, since it only looked like one guy was making burritos for a thousand people.  Second, I couldn't hear what Guerrero, Geoff the cheerleader guy (who is an awesome man!), or Dorrell were saying during their breakfast speeches since the sound system that was set up was shitty...again, just like the spring scrimmage, it seems that planning and logistics for football events is a bit lacking...yet, our school is committed to football...yeah, ok.  Keywords or phrases that I did catch during Dorrell's speech were as follows: "This is the most talented team we have had", "these guys have given 110%", "we are making progress and are coming together", "I have high expectations"...I think it was the same speech he gave at last year's breakfast.  He also introduced the coaches, including Eric Scott, who received a loud cheer from the many Dorrellistas at the function...myself not included.  

Now from the scrimmage...
I will start with the positive.  I thought that the o-line looked much, much, much improved from what I saw at the spring scrimmage.  The first team actually looked like they were getting a push at the line of scrimmage against our first team d-line.  I only counted about three false start penalties throughout the entire scrimmage, and it looked overall like they were giving Olson and Cowan enough time to throw for the majority of the scrimmage...and I felt good about that, given the defense that they were lining up against.  Further, Bell, Carew and Sheppard had some nice runs as a result of the blocking up front, and Bell actually manufactured some yards, given his tough running style.  Markey, well, he looked good at times but let's just say I'm not too impressed...and I doubt any of our opponents will be either.  Raymond Carter could have helped and I spotted Milton Knox at the scrimmage...too bad he can't suit up now!

Some nice catches from Dominique Johnson, Gavin Ketchum and Osaar Rashaan.  Osaar dropped a t.d. pass, and did push-ups on the field as a result, however overall, he is a playmaker and could do some exciting things given his size and speed.  His speed alone is a plus...since, he blew by the DB on a few plays, causing the DB to just hold him on one play and get flagged for P.I.  

I don't recall Joe Cowan, Breazell, Austin or Everett doing much, nor was the tight end position utilized much in the passing game which are all concerns to me.  One of the previously mentioned WR's made a nice 25 yard catch from Olson in the beginning of the scrimmage...a beautifully thrown ball...which also happened to be Olson's only highlight.

I am one of the biggest Olson supporters out there, but he does not look comfortable in game situations.  Watching him throw the ball in warm-ups is a thing of beauty, but once there is a defense putting pressure on him, he looks indecisive.  Dear SPJ, it is ok to throw the ball out of bounds rather than hold onto it for 5 seconds...it is better than a sack.  In his defense, he was playing against our defense and I did not see much separation from our first team receivers against our starting DB's...that defense is STINGY and when they wanted to stop our offense, they did just that.  Olson had the time to throw, he just either can't make a decision, doesn't have the speed at the receiver position to create separation and a window to throw the ball, or a combination of all of both...including a shitload of "installations" that have him confused.  Again, in his defense, he didn't throw an INT since he wasn't forcing the ball...but he wasn't throwing much either.

Pat Cowan, bless his soul.  He can create with his feet, as he was able to escape the rush and made a couple of nice throws, but he is not bigtime D-1 program material (I know, who am I to make such an assertion?, but he is tough to watch at times).  His inaccuracy throwing the ball is still obvious, not as bad as the Nutbowl performance, but it is still an issue.  I just hope that Olson improves in the next two weeks because our WCO is in trouble if Cowan is the starter for the entire season.  

Not many downfield throws by Olson and Cowan, some shotgun formations, but largely inneffective and none of the excitement promised by Dorrell and Norvell.  I only hope that they were hiding the passing plays that will be used throughout the season and that our defense really is THIS GOOD.  

Oh, I almost forgot.  Dorrell has continued his love affair with field goal kickers.  Kai Forbath has a strong leg and looked for the most part accurate during his NINE or TEN field goal attempts.  Instead of utilizing many of those fourth down situations for offensive growth and development, he decided to bring in the field goal kicker.  I made my disgust for this typical Dorrell tactic known during the scrimmage, and a Dorrell supporter opened his mouth.  

What a wuss, first of the all the guy looked as though he never played a down of football in his life, therefore he can't comprehend the importance of scoring TOUCHDOWNS, but I bet he tears it up in his fantasy league...he had the nerve to tell me that the scrimmage was not in any way geared for spectator entertainment but for the players, including the kicker, to get as much game time experience as possible.  I agreed that the scrimmage is first and foremost for player development of course, but it also a way to get the fans excited about the upcoming season...why else would the Alumni Band be there, as well as Geoff and other cheerleaders leading eight claps? Did I, (a) come out on my Saturday to sit in near 100 degree sun with no shade to watch field goal after field goal or perhaps, (b)witness some sort of progress offensively and perhaps maybe some excitement that was missing offensively last year to get me all fired up for the upcoming season?  

Football is largely entertainment and it is the biggest moneymaker for the university...a university that I care deeply for...and I want to see the Rose Bowl packed and I want to go to a BCS game, which all bring money to our university...but that won't happen if our field goal kicker is our best weapon (Refer to last season...in particular just before the half of the Nut Bowl, when the life could have possibly been sucked out of FSU with a TOUCHDOWN, but instead we kicked a field goal on a fourth and goal, giving them an ounce of life, which turned into an ass-kicking by the eighth ranked team in the ACC.)

Overall, the scrimmage left me a bit confused, yet optimistic due to our o-line play and of course that defense.  Most of the attendees that I spoke with seemed to be of a similar mindset, the "if not now, then when" one.  There seemed to be more fellow Bruins who are fed up with the Dorrell regime, but the supporters of mediocrity were in full swing at the breakfast, as well as the scrimmage.  I hope to see the team and Dorrell succeed, and of course it would be a great thing for all of us who care about the program and our university.  But nothing today made me even slightly glad or thankful that he is our head football coach for yet another season.  

Again these are just my observations and my opinion...and before you bash me, please say a prayer for the elderly man that was struggling for his life in the stands at the end of the scrimmage.  Regardless of your take, or on whatever side of the fence that you are on (Pro-Dorrell or Dump-Dorrell), we are all Bruins.  

by meow meow on Aug 18, 2007 4:23 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

9 or 10 field goal attempts????
Considering how important it is to get some reps under the pressure of 4th down situations, did we go for it at all on 4th down or just always kick the field goal?

by bornagainbruin on Aug 18, 2007 8:51 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It was field goal day I guess...
I can't remember the team going for it on fourth down...but Forbath looked good...Dorrell is again up to his same old tricks.  According to BruinCore, there were only six field goal attempts, so I could be wrong...but to me that is still too much...2 or 3 ok.  The problem is, Forbath could be getting his reps in game time situations while kicking extra points, but again we must score TD's first before he can do that.  You gotta work on scoring touchdowns to actually get into the endzone...that time doing field goals could have been better spent with the ball in Olson's hands I think.    

by meow meow on Aug 18, 2007 8:59 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That is so disappointing.....but
I guess there is no reason to practice going for it on 4th downs when in game situations you punt the ball of 4th and 6, down by 10, with 3 and a half minutes to go.  

by bornagainbruin on Aug 18, 2007 9:08 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

meow, core, Pops
Put your post in the diary section as well guys ... so more folks can read them.

by Nestor on Aug 19, 2007 9:43 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

THANKS
to those who updated us on the scrimmage. it was tough not being there for the first time in 14 years but i got the major points i love the news regarding our o-line because they are my biggest concern. i think our recievers and back will be alright and olson will be too if he gets time but the o-line scares me.

by ryebreadraz on Aug 18, 2007 6:53 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

My version on the good, the bad, and the ugly...
Lets start low and work our way up.

The Bad:

-Offensive Line (in my view): Though the line did do better than expected, without a serious face lift on it I think that it is inevitable that Ben Olson will be hurt, along with the more versatile Cowan succeeding more.  There is definetly room for improvement and with some more practice perhaps the line could be fixed up.

-Passing game: Not as accurate as I had hoped.  Even though there were a few nice catches, there were far more opportunities for nice throws.

The Eh: (the majority of what I saw before me)

-Running game: Though there were some excellent runs, they were not by the starters and supposed lead running backs (e.g. Sheppard and Carew played great, while Bell and Markey were disappointing)

-Penalties: I guess they are unavoidable, and all teams make mistakes, but wouldn't it be nice to have a sound team that did not have to commit penalties?  Maybe I'm dreaming but that would be an immense improvement if penalties don't pop up so often as in previous years.

-Carrying/Handing (fumbles):  I had expected a few dropped plays because of the perhaps lack of familiarity so I put this under the Eh column.  I believe we had 6 or 7 fumbles or close calls.

-Karl Dorrel:  Play calling was disappointing, including all the field goals attempted.  How does the team grow from that?

-WEATHER:  I got pretty badly sunburned and you know its bad outside when people bring umbrellas to a football game.....

-The water:  Wasn't cold enough :P

-In-n-out being replaced by Carls Jr. truck: L

The Good:

-Defensive line:  Lots of hurries, a sack or two and two fumble recoveries (might have been 1?)  Overall I was impressed and glad, in my view, we can rely on SOMETHING to be consistant.

-Defensive backs:  Either it was bad throws or good pressure/guarding and I'd like to give the benefit of the doubt to the latter.

-Special Teams:  Karl Dorrell must really like this Kai Forbath and the special teams for doing so many field goal attempts.

The Most Excellent (Ref.: Bill+Ted):

-The post practice autograph session:  Never have I seen college players sign so many posters and books.  Big props to whoever came up with that.  I must have come home with 40 autographs including Bruce Davis, Ben Olson and Chris Markey, so that made the weather worth it.

-The presence of recruits:  I spotted 5 recruits at the game including Milton Kno, Donovan Carter and Aaron Hester, indicating that they are trying to raise excitement with incoming recruits, which excited me as well! (And I got there autographs)

I am sure I missed something but this is my version of our UCLA scrimmage's The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.

If you read all of this I love you lol.

This is what's pop'n

by PopnFried on Aug 18, 2007 7:03 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I just read all of it
Great effort Pop and everyone else. This stuff is gold for rest of us who are not living in Southland.

Thank you so much guys.

GO BRUINS.

by Nestor on Aug 19, 2007 9:40 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Also:
Being taller than the majority of the players rocked :D (I'm 6'2½'')
This is what's pop'n

by PopnFried on Aug 18, 2007 7:05 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Uh, I'm 6'3"...
and there were a lot of big dudes out there.  We are not the biggest team in the world but the players to me seemed quite large especially at important positions...including the entire o-line and d-line, Olson, both Cowans, Dominique, Osaar, Breazell, TE's including Chandler the freshman, Raymond Carter is suprisingly tall, and of course, who would want to cross the paths of Horton and Keyes...my God Horton looks like a beast in pads...but, like you said there are quite a few shorter players, but most are fast as hell.

Also, I gotta disagree with you on the o-line as a negative...they have made tremendous strides as a unit since what they showed at the spring game.  I happen to feel quite optimistic about their play...I think the inconsistency comes from the receivers inability to get open, Olson's and Cowan's inability to make the proper reads, and our lack of a true stud at running back.  It seems to me that most of our playmakers are still being rotated with the second and third strings too (see Osaar Rashaan and Dominigue Johnson).

by meow meow on Aug 18, 2007 8:55 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Wow, you really are optimistic.
I know you said you're optimistic about the O-line, but it looks at first glance that you're optimistic despite "the receivers' inability to get open, Olson's and Cowan's inability to make the proper reads, and our lack of a true stud at running back."  That would be 6 of the 11 offensive players not doing too well.  I wouldn't be optimistic at that point.

Maybe they haven't all had their installations yet.  Installations are the key, as you know.

by Fox 71 on Aug 18, 2007 9:32 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Optimistic only based on the o-line play.
I am hoping that everything else comes together, but again as both you and I know, with Dorrell as coach, that is probably just wishful thinking.  Again, based on the o-line debacle that I witnessed at the spring scrimmage, as well as the fact that they were going up against our defense, I was happy with the improvement.  I think that once Dominique and Osaar get a few more reps with the first team, then we will have a legit receiving corp...and once Carter, Knox and Dean are able to play (someday), then we will possibly have playmakers at running back.  It is just sad that not everything can come together all at one time.  

I remain optimistic to justify the money I spent for the breakfast, the money I spent for my season tickets, as well as the painful sunburn that I obtained while sitting at Drake in that sun.  But based on my original post, Karl is still our coach, he still loves field goals, he still believes in his WCAO (which appears to be a problem area for Olson) and this season, I will still most likely ask myself why I dedicate my Saturdays in fall to this madness.

by meow meow on Aug 19, 2007 8:45 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The Madness
...of the Karl Dorell Experience makes you go crazy.

The question is...can we ever return to a sane and prominent football team.  I say yes!...I hope

This is what's pop'n

by PopnFried on Aug 19, 2007 1:43 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Well Obviously..
The positions that should have been tall were tall.  But I was just saying, lol.
This is what's pop'n

by PopnFried on Aug 19, 2007 1:40 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

UCLA Stat Man has all the stats!
Perelman of LAT at Whats Bruin blog has all the >"official team stats."
editor, DumpDorrell.com ... formerly posted as DumpDorrell

by BruinCore on Aug 18, 2007 7:30 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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