We certainly don't want to subscribe to any kind of consipiracy theory when it comes to injury. However, this morning's Southern California papers make the point that the minor injury to BO will give Dorrell a nice out from having to make a tough decision on who to start for our season opener. Here is Kuwada from Register:
LOS ANGELES - Coach Karl Dorrell has yet to announce who will start at quarterback for the Bruins on Sept. 3 at San Diego State - the incumbent senior Drew Olson or redshirt freshman transfer Ben Olson.
But he almost had the decision made for him Tuesday when Ben Olson smacked his throwing hand on a helmet when throwing a pass late in the morning practice. The left-handed Olson left the practice field with his wrist and hand wrapped and elevated at his side and was taken for precautionary X-rays, which turned out to be normal.
He has been diagnosed with a bruise on the back of his hand and will be re-evaluated today, before the Bruins' final double-day practices of training camp.
But Dorrell admitted that the injury, no matter how tame, could be a factor when selecting a starting quarterback for the opener against the Aztecs.
If Ben Olson is unable to take part in individual or team drills for a day or two, it is unlikely he will be able to make the gains needed to unseat senior Drew Olson.
Dorrell sounds almost relieved about this whole thing. Dohn from the DN:
But he almost had the decision made for him Tuesday when Ben Olson smacked his throwing hand on a helmet when throwing a pass late in the morning practice. The left-handed Olson left the practice field with his wrist and hand wrapped and elevated at his side and was taken for precautionary X-rays, which turned out to be normal.
He has been diagnosed with a bruise on the back of his hand and will be re-evaluated today, before the Bruins' final double-day practices of training camp.
But Dorrell admitted that the injury, no matter how tame, could be a factor when selecting a starting quarterback for the opener against the Aztecs.
If Ben Olson is unable to take part in individual or team drills for a day or two, it is unlikely he will be able to make the gains needed to unseat senior Drew Olson.
Olson remains in competition with incumbent Drew Olson for the starting quarterback spot, although Drew Olson appears to be the favorite as two-a-days conclude today.
"This (injury) is a factor now," Dorrell said. "We're trying to get this done this week."
Yes, we are holding our breath for KD to make a dramatic decision and to "get this done." Anyways, some more interesting news from Dohn concerning our FS/SS situation. Coaches are moving All World Page to FS because Keyes has not been very impressive:
"This (injury) is a factor now," Dorrell said. "We're trying to get this done this week."
Not thrilled with its choices at free safety, UCLA will experiment by moving veteran strong safety Jarrad Page to the position, as the coaching staff looks to find the two best players to fill both safety spots.
Bruins defensive coordinator Larry Kerr said Page - a three-year starter - will begin practicing at free safety, as will backup strong safety Eric McNeal.
"We're cross-training those two guys so they know what's going on," Kerr said. "McNeal could play free or strong (safety). Page could play free or strong (safety). It gives us flexibility."
The move shows UCLA isn't enamored with the play of Birmingham High of Lake Balboa product Dennis Keyes. He is filling in for the injured Chris Horton, who is expected to miss at least the first month of the season with a wrist injury.
"It's really going to come down to Page, McNeal, Keyes and (Robert) Kibble being the four guys," Kerr said. "Page could move over in a heartbeat, and so could McNeal. We're going to use whatever combination allows us to get the best players on the field."
That sounds pretty good. I want to see more of McNeal on the field. The kid is a gifted athlete and a ferocious hitter. It probably would have been interesting, if the coaches had got him on a program to put on 10-15 more and move him over to the LB corps, but if he is staying in the backfield, he seems like he would be a natural fit at SS - taking on those athletic TEs in the PAC-10. Let's see what happens. I really like the talent in our defensive backfield, one of many key reasons, why I am expecting a 9 win season from this Dorrell squad.Bruins defensive coordinator Larry Kerr said Page - a three-year starter - will begin practicing at free safety, as will backup strong safety Eric McNeal.
"We're cross-training those two guys so they know what's going on," Kerr said. "McNeal could play free or strong (safety). Page could play free or strong (safety). It gives us flexibility."
The move shows UCLA isn't enamored with the play of Birmingham High of Lake Balboa product Dennis Keyes. He is filling in for the injured Chris Horton, who is expected to miss at least the first month of the season with a wrist injury.
"It's really going to come down to Page, McNeal, Keyes and (Robert) Kibble being the four guys," Kerr said. "Page could move over in a heartbeat, and so could McNeal. We're going to use whatever combination allows us to get the best players on the field."
GO BRUINS.