Few days ago we wrote about the depth and quality of our DL. Today in the the LA Times, Lonnie White confirms that depth and reports on how the defensive linemen are talking about stepping it up:
This year, UCLA's defensive front has more depth and quality with the return of injured regulars Kevin Brown and Nikola Dragovic, but the Bruins are still relatively small.
"We know that we're not as tall and big as some other lines, so we have to get it done with technique," said junior Brigham Harwell, who has switched from defensive end to tackle this season and now weighs closer to 300 pounds after playing under 270 as a freshman. "We know that everything we do counts."
UCLA has had only two defensive linemen earn All-Pacific 10 Conference honors since 1988 (Kenyon Coleman in 2001 and Ball in 2003). Harwell said after being on the wrong end of jokes the last two years, the Bruins are ready to turn things around.
"This is our time now," said Harwell, who has started 15 games in his career and finished second on the team in tackles for losses last season with 11.5. "We're a much older group and more experienced. We're also a lot stronger and a lot bigger. People are always talking about us, but that's OK. We're ready to make a difference."
Again let?s hope the training camp optimism matches the performance on the field. But its good to hear that DLinemen are healthy and ready to go."We know that we're not as tall and big as some other lines, so we have to get it done with technique," said junior Brigham Harwell, who has switched from defensive end to tackle this season and now weighs closer to 300 pounds after playing under 270 as a freshman. "We know that everything we do counts."
UCLA has had only two defensive linemen earn All-Pacific 10 Conference honors since 1988 (Kenyon Coleman in 2001 and Ball in 2003). Harwell said after being on the wrong end of jokes the last two years, the Bruins are ready to turn things around.
"This is our time now," said Harwell, who has started 15 games in his career and finished second on the team in tackles for losses last season with 11.5. "We're a much older group and more experienced. We're also a lot stronger and a lot bigger. People are always talking about us, but that's OK. We're ready to make a difference."
Also some more good news from the defensive front. OC Register's Kuwada reports safety Robert Kibble who missed spring ball due to multiple sclerosis is healthy and back in action:
In the spring, UCLA free safety Robert Kibble was dealing with an episode of multiple sclerosis. He got around with the help of a wheelchair, or a motorized scooter.
His movements were slow and strained. Participating in spring drills was impossible - and there had to be some thought that he might never again make it onto a football field.
But five months later he is back with the Bruins and, as one might imagine, ecstatic.
"I'm real excited. The team is excited. The coaches are excited," he said. "It took time to get back, but I worked hard at it and did the things I needed to do to get back where I am."
Surprisingly, he is back playing on special teams and in competition for time behind starter Chris Horton at free safety.
The sophomore from Houston, who along with Bret Lockett also could play strong safety this season, will get more opportunity to move forward today with the Bruins in full pads for the first time in fall camp.
If Kibble and Lockett can step up that would be huge and would add a lot of stability to our DB depth chart, which as we mentioned before is a little thin in terms of experience.His movements were slow and strained. Participating in spring drills was impossible - and there had to be some thought that he might never again make it onto a football field.
But five months later he is back with the Bruins and, as one might imagine, ecstatic.
"I'm real excited. The team is excited. The coaches are excited," he said. "It took time to get back, but I worked hard at it and did the things I needed to do to get back where I am."
Surprisingly, he is back playing on special teams and in competition for time behind starter Chris Horton at free safety.
The sophomore from Houston, who along with Bret Lockett also could play strong safety this season, will get more opportunity to move forward today with the Bruins in full pads for the first time in fall camp.
Meanwhile Brian Dohn focuses on our TEs and how their roles may change a little this year because of the departure of Marcedes:
UCLA's new offensive coordinator, Jim Svoboda, may be looking to add a different dimension to the tight end's role.
"I think we'll be able to stretch the field," Moya said. "Coach Svoboda brought in a lot of opportunities for us to be able to do that, so I'm excited about that. I need to be a reliable third-down threat, stretch the field, and I also need to be able to be a guy that the quarterbacks can dump it off to."
Lewis also left a lasting image with UCLA's younger tight ends with his blocking.
"Having him here and seeing his importance with blocking, I think really translated over to me, Ryan and Heater," Paulsen said.
We will have more on our TEs and receivers next week."I think we'll be able to stretch the field," Moya said. "Coach Svoboda brought in a lot of opportunities for us to be able to do that, so I'm excited about that. I need to be a reliable third-down threat, stretch the field, and I also need to be able to be a guy that the quarterbacks can dump it off to."
Lewis also left a lasting image with UCLA's younger tight ends with his blocking.
"Having him here and seeing his importance with blocking, I think really translated over to me, Ryan and Heater," Paulsen said.
Oh speaking of Dohn Bruin Roar already pointed out Dohn has launched his own blog covering UCLA. We already have it on the top of our blogroll. Make sure to book mark it. Now that Dohn has his UCLA blog up and running, I thought it'd be interesting to revisit this comment from College Football Resource, a USC alum about a month ago:
[I]t's also telling that the blog-crazy Daily News has a blog carved out for USC, but has yet to assemble its UCLA blog, allowing its beat guy to blog about his marathon training experience. Apparently that's more interesting and relevant to the Daily News' readers than UCLA football and basketball tidbits.
What does that say about UCLA's fan base, though?
ROFL. Yeap it's the same guy who thinks Pete Carroll is a "physical genius."What does that say about UCLA's fan base, though?
And you wonder why we think Trojan alums are morons.
Happy Friday everyone.
GO BRUINS.