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Bruin Bites and Day 7 UCLA Fall Football Thread: R&R, Former Bruins Impressing On and Off the Field

Current Bruins had some fun in the lake yesterday, but it's back to work today as week two of fall camp begins in San Bernardino. We take a look at the various bits and pieces of news from around the UCLA-iverse as we get ready for today's practice. This is also your day 7 thread.

By uclaluv
The defensive backs are ready for action!
The defensive backs are ready for action!
uclaluv

Today, the second week of camp begins and our Bruin football team got some much needed R&R yesterday at Bruin Woods in Lake Arrowhead and it looks like they had a great time:

The team will hold their second two-a-day in San Bernardino today. The first practice begins at 8:30 a.m., the second at 5:45 p.m. (not 7 p.m. as previously scheduled). So far camp has inspired a lot of changes and given us a great deal of insight into the Bruins strengths going forward. The best news continues to be the depth and skill at the DB position. It wasn't so long ago that this might have been the Bruins' weakest position. But now the talent and strength of this group is getting rave reviews.

Below UCLA beat writers Edward Lewis (BSR) and Ryan Kartje (OC Register) give a great overview of camp so far, and highlight DB's Fabien Moreau, who has been exceptional from all accounts, and Priest Willis, who has found his rhythm.

While the Bruins were practicing, some former Bruins got to play against each other in the NFL.

#43 Brendon Sermons, #70 Xavier Su'a Filo, #42 Damien Thigpen

Huge thanks to Bruins#1 for posting this in the open thread.  #BruinsInTheNFL seem to be having tremendous success. "Wild horse rider" Cassius Marsh had 4 tackles and 1 sack in the Seahawks pre-season game (how I wish he and Derrick Coleman played for someone else!).  Patroclus has more about Marsh's NFL preview here, but I thought you might also enjoy watching Marsh take down Osweiler.   Not to be outdone, Anthony Barr also got a sack in his first start as a Minnesota Viking, (video here, HT Go Bruins).  Barr is #1 on the depth chart and Coach Zimmer has been seeing great things in Barr (well who wouldn't?).

"Anthony has so many good things going for him," Zimmer said Saturday, via Fox Sports North. "He's extremely smart. He hardly ever makes the same mistake twice. He takes unbelievable notes and he's a great athlete. He's got great size, great speed, great acceleration.

Coach Mora has been emphasizing how difficult it is going to be to replicate the pressure Marsh and Barr created on opposing quarterbacks (you might want to click that link :) ), but with Deon Hollins amazing quickness off the line along with Eric Kendricks, Myles Jack, Kenny Young, and the other outstanding linebackers, who knows?  You can see a complete list of how Bruins in the NFL did this week at the official site.  (HT LA Bruin).

Speaking of Eric Kendricks, ESPN is giving him some love:

Unfortunately, the list is behind tWWL's firewall so you will need an ESPN account to read the article.  Personally, I think Kendricks already "broke out", but I am glad he is getting the national attention he deserves.

The official site has been running a nice series called The Desert. I am especially impressed by the interview with Jake Brendal on playing offensive line. "Normal people cross their feet, normal people don't lead with their front feet,... you got to learn the technique". This young man has tremendous wisdom and is taking between 100-200 snaps a day "to keep that muscle memory". He is also taking an interest in all his fellow linemen. "I just want to see what everyone's true potential is." I really admire the leadership on this team.

DeShaun Foster held his 4th annual challenger camp for athletes with disabilities last week. There is a wonderful article in the OC Register about it. DeShaun put the pictures up for all to see. And they are beautiful! Alterraun Verner has also launched a virtual book drive for schools in Tampa Bay and Los Angeles. For every dollar given, he will match it, and a new book will be purchased and delivered. ATV also has some cool incentives, including "Every night I will tweet everyone that donates to my Book Drive." Who knows? Those books just might help another young person get a degree in math from the greatest University in the world.

UCLA has rescheduled it's evening practices on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to 5:45 p.m.  Here is the full practice schedule for this week:

Monday, August 11 – 8:30 a.m. and 5:45 p.m.
Tuesday, August 12 – 3 p.m.
Wednesday, August 13 – 8:30 a.m. and 5:45 p.m.
Thursday, August 14 – 11:15 a.m.
Friday, August 15 – 8:30 a.m. and 5:45 p.m.
Saturday, August 16 – 10:45 a.m.

So on to today's practice. For those of you going to San Bernardino, or thinking about it, there is good news. The public area has been vastly improved and there are many excellent viewing places. Once again we so appreciate the tweets Bruinette88 and Bruins#1 have been sharing. It gives us a great sense of what is going on at camp. So, if you are out there or are seeing things on the internets, we would love for you to add them to the thread. You can share video and photos with us by tweeting them to @BruinNation. If you have extended thoughts about practice, we encourage you to write a fanpost. Have a great week and ...

Go Bruins!

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