SB Nation - David Carter

Early Defensive Reflections On 2009 Regular Season

Nestor — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 13:58:27 -0000

Shifting attention back to football, I want to pick up our discussion from the team's performance in the last game. We talked about offense earlier in the week, let's focus a little on our defense. I went ahead and looked up the numbers of our defense from 2009 season and compared it numbers from 2008 when Dewayne Walker was in charge. Here is how they shape up:

Got the numbers from NCAA's website (2009 and 2008).

When you look at those numbers keep few factors in mind:

We faced an Oregon team that came into Rose Bowl without Masoli (Ugh).
The game against Stanford our defense at least on scoreboard looked all right, but if you delve into boxscore a bit and watched the game, you will remember Stanford dominated the time of possession the entire game. Our defense got thoroughly manhandled in the first half and they looked a little better in the second due to a combination of Stanford letting off the gas pedal a bit and also due to some adjustments on our part
On the positive side this year the defense didn't have annual Dewayne Walker special meltdowns like the 0-59 disaster we had in Provo.

Still looking at those numbers, it appears Chuck Bullough despite all the criticisms (and I believe many of them are on point) did a servicable job of replacing Dewayne Walker. He can actually make credible arguments that his defense actually performed better under him this year than it did under Walker the previous year. Given those numbers, I would have to think he will come back for next season, when he will truly have to prove his coaching mettle without veterans such as ATV, Price, Jerzy, and Reggie Carter. That said, despite the solid performance against Southern Cal, I have some lingering concerns about our defense. More after the jump.

The performance against Southern Cal to me was essentially a replay of the performance against Oregon State. Remember we actually played pretty solid defense against an explosive Beavers offense up in Corvallis. Except for the TD we gave up in Wild-Beaver formation (which I don't understand why we weren't prepared for), our D had the Rodgers brothers bottled up for most of the day. It just all fell apart in that last drive. Yes, if ATV had executed that pick-6, the season would turn out to be even better. However, what happened to our defense after that dropped interception is disconcerting to me.

Same thing happened to our defense during that last TD drive (of course I am not referring to the cheap shot) Trojans put together a 9 play drive, when they sliced and diced right through our secondary in 4:11 long minutes, marching 73 yards for the game clinching TD. What was the common theme here which we saw in the Oregon State (and few other games this season)? It was the cushion our DBs were giving to opponent WRs. Matt Barkley had no problem completing those short, medium range passes, carving up our secondary. It's the same thing Sean Canfield did to our guys in that last drive. We saw in horror Kevin Riley beating ATV number of times at the Rose Bowl, when he was giving up 8-9 yard cushion to Cal receivers.

I didn't get what Bullough was thinking in all those instances. Particularly against the Trojans and Beavers, when our defense had solid outing through most of the game, bringing in pressure from different directions, and generally stuffing the run. I didn't understand the urge to play vanilla, conservative defensive schemes with games on the line, going away from strategy that had been working all day. I am assuming that's a question Bullough and our coaches including CRN have been reflecting on during these past few days.

Watching our defense this season, I also got the sense that Bullough's scheme as heavily crticized as they were by us and others throughout the season, could turn out to be more effective if he gets few more explosive athletes in his disposal in next couple of years, and get the current corp of underclassmen to physically develop in next two years. Sheldon Price had a rough first year (although he showed some signs of improvement). He needs to get stronger so he can provide better run support. Hopefully we will get a healthy year out of Aaron Hester next season. I think our secondary under Moore and Dye's leadership is going to be all right.

The real question right now is at our front-7. Coaches are going to count on Datone Jones to anchor a line that will deeply miss the presence of Price and Jerzy. Joining Jones will be David Carter, Luta Tepa, and Keenan Graham. Those who have been going to practices this year are very high on Graham. Coaches are also hitting the recruiting trail hard to pick up few more DLs as observers are speculating Bruins can bring in as many as 8 DLs in this LBs. As for LB, anxious to see what kids like Isiah Bowens and Todd Golper can bring to the table next year. In terms of experience, I think it will be players like Westgate and Sloane joining Ayers in the front-7, but no doubt the recruits from this past two years are going to get their shots.

My main wish next year though is for Bullough to grow some more confidence so that he has the courage to try out different things in different games. I was encoraged towards the end of the season when the tried different looks with Akeem Ayers in Washington and Arizona State games, discovering how effective he can be as a hybrid DE/LB. He needs to experiment like that a little more, doing his best to make sure we get the best possible combination of force/athleticism on the field.

Anyway, we will have more to discuss on this topic in both short and long term here on BN after we figure out our bowl prospects. If we have a bowl game that will give us an opportunity to discuss it in the context of preparation for next opponent. If not then focus will shift towards recruiting. I really hope we get to see these guys one more time on the field this year though. I get the sense that our defense is itching to get out there for one more game this season to close it out on even better note.

GO BRUINS.

Spaulding Roundup: Keeping The Faith

Nestor — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:09:19 -0000

We will start with the story of Rahim Moore firing up the team during practices this game week. From the OC Register:

There was a brief moment during Wednesday's practice when some of UCLA's defensive players were standing around.

A play had just been completed and everyone was in the process of regrouping for the next one. They obviously weren't doing it fast enough, or with enough enthusiasm, for one teammate.

"It's too quiet out there," yelled one player from the sideline. "This isn't a funeral."

The player lighting the fire underneath his teammates was sophomore safety Rahim Moore.

Moore is one of the few players on the UCLA squad whose actions on the field have met with positive results. His seven interceptions perhaps give him the right to speak out at practice when he doesn't see something to his liking.

In actuality, Moore is the type of player who will speak up regardless of how many interceptions he has. He's the type of player who will do his best to set something straight no matter how many victories and losses his team has.

If there is anyone in this program right now that reminds me of the kind of energy and passion AA brought during Howland's rebuilding years it's Rahim. We have heard countless about the "it" factor this season (when talking about our QBs). Well Rahim is definitely has "it" and its encouraging to hear him gettin vocal and taking leadership responsibilities of this team. I think next season he will be the clear cut leader of this defense if not the entire football team. It is telling to see him fight so hard to keep the spirits up of a struggling football team because it is going to be that much sweeter when UCLA puts it together in his senior year in Westwood. More after the jump.

We are going to need our defense to feed of Rahim's enthusiasm through tomorrow. Looks like they will have to battle through more injuries as Jerzy is now out indefinitely with plantar fasciitis (same injury that hurt Michael Roll two years ago). Per the Daily News Neuehisel and Bullough will work in a combination of senior Jess Ward, junior David Carter and sophomore Justin Edison to replace Jerzy:

"Jess Ward has got to become a big-time guy in there, as well as Justin Edison and David Carter, obviously," Neuheisel said. "All I know is it's a day-to-day thing for Jerzy, but it can be anywhere from days to weeks."

The loss of Siewierski adds insult to the various nicks and bruises the UCLA defense feels all over the field. Senior cornerback Alterraun Verner dislocated a toe against Arizona last week in a 27-13 loss, senior linebacker Reggie Carter still is limping around with a sprained knee and senior defense end Korey Bosworth is hampered by sore ribs.

Neuheisel said the Bruins have to push all that to the side and lead with their hearts against an Oregon State ffense led by Jacquizz Rodgers at running back and steady Sean Canfield at quarterback.

"They have to be willing to risk," Neuheisel said. "There has to be some risk before you're able to achieve. Risk means you put it all out there that this can happen, rather than get yourself in a cocoon so you don't get hurt emotionally.

"You have to be able to let it all go and go out there and play free."

Well it is going to be interesting to see whether the defense plays "free" against Oregon State tomorrow afternoon at Reser. We all know what we want our guys to do. Play aggressive and play with nothing to lose early on and put pressure on the Oregon passing game. It would mean the coaches (Bullough) will have to let the reigns loose a bit and get out of their base defense to take chances.

We all have to brace for a tough Saturday in Corvallis tomorrow. Last time UCLA lost 5 games in a row was to the end the 2003 season under CTS. It just might be the worst moment in the history of UCLA football in last 50 years as the team will be coming with a 0-5 record and last place in the Pac-10 conference (kind of like what we experienced in Lavin's last season and Howland's first season). Add to those potential gloomy numbers we are heading into Corvallis with an offense that has scored as many TDs (2) as our defense in last 3 games. And at this point no one out there is picking us to sneak out with a victory.

So things are not looking up to say the least. Yet none of us are planning to go anywhere. I know I will be here reading up on my Bruins, writing up game day roundups, and then checking the game threads to read updates from those who will be listening to the radio telecast or be at the game. I have seen enough sports in my life time to observe how sweet victory tastes for those who stay with it through the lowest of lows. Just think back to Howland's first season in Westwood when we ended the season losing 14 out of our last 16 games. If you were following the team back then on a game to game basis you know exactly how you felt inside while watching this:

UCLA Comeback Against Gonzaga From The Band Section (via BBRVideos)

That is exactly how we all are going to feel when we will experience more moments like this.

Keep the faith.

GO BRUINS.

Spaulding Roundup: Predictable Bruin Defense, Injury Note & Staring At A 5 Game Losing Streak

Nestor — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:34:46 -0000

Let's get back to football and look ahead (if that is possible) to this weekend's game against Arizona. I still haven't figure whether UCLA has a shot to win this game. I guess most of us around here have been long enough to know why we can't never count any team out. However, the more I think about this game the more I see a total match up nightmare against Arizona's explosive offense.

From what I have seen from Arizona this year they are the kind of offense that carves up an opposing defense with screen passes and getting their receivers into open spaces (something our guys seem incapable of doing for some reason). That's the kind of offense we have seen in recent years slicing through a Walker/Bullough offense like a hot knife through butter. If anyone here feels differently and thinks that our defense can actually scheme and stop these guys on Saturday, I would love to hear and read your thoughts because right now I am not seeing it.

As for our defense it is becoming pretty easy to scheme around it. As Jon Gold from the Daily News reports this am, the Pac-10 coaches are just keying on our DL rotation and waiting to strike when Price leaves the game:

In football, now there is the Brian Price playbook.

It seems UCLA's opponents have one set of offense for when the Bruins' mammoth defensive tackle is in the game and one for when he is out.

"Yeah, it's respect, but it's irritating because they just wait until I get off the field to run the good stuff," Price said. "I want to stop some good stuff. But I stay on the field longer and they've changed up my rotation. It's not a fact that I'm tired, but coach wants us at 100 percent."
Unfortunately for the Bruins, their opponents might have caught on to the rotation.

Never was it so glaring then against Stanford in Week 4, when head coach Jim Harbaugh said the team used a designed flea flicker on the exact play that Price went to the sidelines and David Carter came in.

The play's timing was not a coincidence.

We saw that pattern play out early on against Cal this past weekend. I think it was late in the first quarter or second quarter when ABC flashed an on screen graphic showing how Cal offense had piled up something ridiculous around 150 yards during Brian Price was off the field. It was pretty embarrassing. The last time I recall our defense making a big play while Price was off the field was during that goal line stance against Tennessee. Well that was ages ago. More after the jump.

Sticking with the defensive notes it looks like while Hester may be physically cleared to practice, the coaches are still holding him out. From the OC Register:

Hester, who was cleared to practice this week, was stuck on the sidelines and didn't get the chance of working his way back into the starting lineup.

"I didn't get any reps (Tuesday)," he said after practice. "I don't know what that's about." [...]

"I thought I was going to come in and have a chance to compete again but I guess not," he added. "I guess the coaches have their minds set on something else for this week. I just have to take it and go with it."

Hester like rest of us sounds frustrated:

"It's frustrating because I feel that I can help," he said. "I'm ready to go. I'm healthy. I'm probably faster than I was before I got hurt because I was doing so much speed work and cardio work. I'm ready. I'm physically ready." [...]

"I feel I'm ready, I just need the reps," Hester said. "How can I get back ready to compete if I don't get any reps at practice? I don't understand that.

"I'm not saying that I should just walk back in and be the starter right away. I think it should still be a competition. I can't do no worse than anybody else has been doing."

It's weird that the coaches didn't work him in at least for few reps. Here is the explanation from Bullough in the LA Times:

Defensive coordinator Chuck Bullough said Hester would be worked back in slowly because "we installed a lot of stuff since he's been out. He'll gradually work in." But the job that Hester won hands down in spring practice would be open for "competition, probably. We're always going to play the best," Bullough said.

Hmm. Not sure if that explanation makes any sense given what we have seen from Bullough's defense last few weeks. Installing a "lot of stuff"? That sounds pretty Dorrellian to me, particulary given the results we have seen from our defense in our last three games. And whatever "stuff" he has been installing, it's clear that it has been overwhelming Sheldon Price. So may be it makes sense to simplify it a bit or get in someone (I don't know someone like Viney perhaps) who seemed to be getting it done on the field when he was in the game.

I don't mean to pick on Sheldon. He is a true freshman. He is giving his best. However, from what I am seeing it seems to make sense to get someone like Viney in there who is more physically ready for Pac-10/D-1 competition than Price. Anyway, we will see how it works out against Arizona. I am not hopeful at all after what we have seen from Arizona in recent weeks and the shoddy performance of our defense in last three games.

Speaking of shoddy, Arizona's own defense embarrassed itself against Stanford. It gave up 584 total yards and 6 passing plays over 30 yards to Luck and co last Saturday. Here is the Tuscon Citizen on an embarrassed Mark Stoops (Arizona's DC and little brother of head coach Mike Stoops):

Arizona defensive coordinator Mark Stoops walked into the postgame interview room. He probably didn’t want to be there. He didn’t want to sit at the big table, just find a little corner of the room. Maybe no one would notice him.

"I’m not happy," he started, surrounded by a semi-circle of seven or eight media members with cameras and reporters.

"Let me rephrase that," he said. "I’m ecstatic we won. But I’m embarrassed."

Coaching defensive football is his livelihood, so a 43-38 victory in which his unit gives up a staggering 584 yards and six passing plays of at least 30 yards is going to create all kinds of conflicting emotions … which eventually gave way to a smile.

Well that goes back to our point from yesterday about the need for UCLA offense to take charge and strike early.

Can we get it done? I am not seeing any reasons for hope. If anyone has thoughts on how we should think differently let us know. We can use the pick me up (it has to be based on reality though) in the next two weeks because right now we are staring at a dreary 5 game losing streak.

GO BRUINS..

Three Keys to UCLA-Stanford

Ryan Rosenblatt — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 19:00:20 -0000

In past seasons, a game coming off of a bye week would lead to ecstatic claims like, "UCLA was undefeated last weekend!" Well, guess what, even though we're a full three weeks into the season, we can actually still say "UCLA is undefeated this season!" At the same time though, the Bruins have yet to win a game in conference play. While a 3-0 start is outstanding, a tough slate of games lays ahead for the Bruins and UCLA can ill afford to rest upon their laurels. That tough slate begins this weekend with a trip to Palo Alto to take on a surging Stanford team, so what are the three keys to the Bruins' tilt with the Cardinal this Saturday?

1) Defensive Line Depth- Shutting down the Stanford running game is out of the question. You don't shut down Toby Gerhart and Co. You can slow them down, but that's all you're looking for. Even if you slow the run game down though, Stanford is going to have the ball for a solid amount of time and they're going to play a physical style that wears down your defensive front. You also take into that it's a 12:30 start time and the boys will be playing in the heat.

All those factors are going to force UCLA to rotate their defensive lineman regularly and count upon the two's to perform. David Carter, Jess Ward, Damien Holmes and the rest of the backups will get their share of snaps and if they don't come to play, by the time the one's get back on the field, the Stanford offense will have found a rhythm. With a power offense like Stanford's you cannot take snaps off and give the offense anything. That means that in a game where the depth will be called upon, the depth will have to respond.

2) Don't Lose Special Teams- Usually, the goal is to win special teams, but you're usually not going up against a team with special teams as good as Stanford's. Chris Owusu has three kickoffs returned for touchdowns already this season, meanwhile Richard Sherman has a punt return of his own, while averaging 20 yards a return. As you can see, the Cardinal are dangerous in the return game and when you add in the Bruins' lack of excellence in coverage, special teams could win Stanford the game.

The key for UCLA will be to play special teams to a draw. That may be by kicking away from the Stanford returners or some other tactic. The key will be to try and give themselves a chance to win the game elsewhere. The one place the Bruins have a special teams advantage is with their kicker, where Kai Forbath has emerged as one of the nation's top kickers, but Stanford's kicker can get the job done too. He has two misses this year, but both from over 40 yards and he is perfect on extra points, while also having a season long field of 54 yards.

3) Keep Pressure Off The Edge At Bay- The Cardinal aren't overly big at defensive tackle, but they are very good at defensive end. Tom Keiser is the guy to keep an eye on. The sophomore end already had four sacks and seven tackles for a loss so to say he's a playmaker is an understatement. Toss in Erik Lorig and Chase Thomas and you have yourself a dangerous trio of pass rushers off the end.

While much improved, the offensive line will need help to keep the Stanford ends from putting Kevin Craft on his back all game. Logan Paulsen has done a great job blocking, but will need to chip the ends even when he is going out for passes. Jonathan Franklin and the rest of the UCLA running backs will be asked to stay in a pass protect more often than usual too. We spent all of last season watching Craft be knocked to the turf snap after snap. If it happens again on Saturday, which is a definitely possibility because of the Cardinal's pass rushers, we'll also see results similar to those last season and because Stanford is a much improved squad, we won't be able to eek out a win with that type of play this year.

This Feels A Little Different

Nestor — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 18:47:43 -0000

I am still having a hard time setting aside my emotions after last night. Thanks to wsmontano1994 and others for helping to maintain all of our perspectives and keeping our collective eyes on the big picture after one of the more stirring wins in UCLA’s recent football history (which has been dotted with one heart break after another).

Montano and others are right. In the big picture last night represents nothing more than a building block. Yes, it was something special because time after time, in situations like that on national stage our guys have come short even with legends such as _____ Aikman and Cade McNown. I didn’t expect the Bruins to win last night (and yeah the CROW was the most delicious meal I have ever had) and was fully embracing a funky and somber Saturday of reflections after another hard loss. I was mentally ready for heart break when Tennessee was driving in for what looked like the go ahead TD and then going for it on the FG. I wrote last night how I was having visions of Brady Quinn and Dewayne Walker’s prevent defense when Tennessee went on that last drive. When we made the goal line stop and then Viney rushed from the Corner to once again rattle Crompton, it felt like something changed in the collective Bruin psyche. Something feels different today about UCLA football.

I don’t what is that "difference" yet but we will know next week when we see how our coaches and players prepare for Kansas State and in the following weeks against one tough Pac-10 team after another. We still have a long way to go. Our offense is a work in progress with a young (but fearless) leader and skill players, and our defense still needs to figure out a way how they can show that ferocity and aggression (with discipline) right from the first drive. We have played two games and there is a lot of room for improvement.

That is I guess what is so fun (I told everyone this year was going to be fun even if it will a roller coaster ride) about this team right now. These are young kids playing their heart out and giving everything they have to represent those magical four letters on those gold helmets. It is fun to see them play with so much fire, aggression. It is fun to see a coaching staff operating in a way they know what they are doing and then have it reflected in their game plans. It is a fun feeling to have a sense of growing confidence that our guys are going to come in and fight with everything they have. We were getting the same feeling with those Ben Ball warriors in Coach Howland’s second season when they were going into Arizona and giving the Wildcats everything they can handle. We are now seeing it on football. Now the trick is for these guys to do it every game and bring it in every play. With those macro thoughts out of the way let me share some of my game notes and interesting reads from today’s paper.

I will start with Kevin Prince. Kurt Streeter of all people encapsulates it perfectly:

UCLA learned much in this game. It now knows, for certain, that its defense can apply the brakes, which is what happened during a goal-line stand late in what became a 19-15 win. And it now unquestionably also knows that at quarterback, the most important player on the field because the ball is in his hands so often, UCLA is manned by a kid who has something special burning inside.

"Guts," said teammate Terrence Austin in the locker room when the game was done.

"Heart," said another teammate, Rahim Moore.

"Composure," added offensive coordinator Norm Chow, who compared his 19-year-old pupil to one he coached at Brigham Young many years back: Ty Detmer. "Kevin discovered he can control a game today. Stats don't mean everything and this game was proof. It wasn't always pretty, but he showed through his body language he will to do what it takes."

No, it wasn't pretty. Prince had one touchdown. He had 11 completions in 23 attempts. He threw for 101 yards. Maybe his greatest statistical contribution was that, facing a team with a Heisman candidate at safety, he did something that last year would have been unthinkable: There were no interceptions, no picks for 70-yard returns. This from a UCLA quarterback -- yes, you read that right.

The stats weren't great but what Prince did do, with a calm look that belied his admitted case of nerves, was help stare down a team bent on revenge for last year's loss in Pasadena. And help silence more than 100,000 fans whose lives clearly hang on the fate of Tennessee football. And help wipe the perma-smirk from new Volunteers Coach Lane Kiffin.

"I just tried to hang in there and keep us in the game," said Prince when it was done. Blood dripped from his lips. There were cuts and scrapes and cherry-colored welts on his chin, neck, arms and legs. "I struggled as far as passing, but I just wanted to do what it would take to win this game. . . . I just wanted to protect the ball and give us a chance because they were coming. I've never heard it so loud, never been hit this hard."

You have to read the whole piece here.

Not sure what else I can add to that in terms of admiring what this kid did yesterday. Again, he pulled out a win at a place where Maddox and McNown melted. Now to keep it in perspective I think both Maddox and McNown went against much better and more importantly better coached Tennessee Volunteers. So we have to be again – keep it all in perspective – in terms of getting carried away with Kevin’s performance. But Kevin is showing us something. He is showing us promises and he is built on last week’s performance.

He still made some mistakes. He and Kai need to put in some extra time on communications and exchange of snaps, because we have had three of them in two weeks. Also, he needs to learn to slide. At this point I think he has showed us and his team-mates enough on how tough he is when he is on the run. But no need to get into those brutal collisions (and I am not talking about the play in the end zone) when he is running out on the open field. Slide Kevin, slide! It will be very interesting to see how he comes out against Kansas State.

Just like Kevin, our young OL had their moments. I think they really helped to set the tone in that first drive when they helped take advantage of good field position, by opening up some running lanes, get some first downs, and get us three to start the game. That was huge. However, then we saw the kids make freshman mistakes when they were getting overwhelmed by the Tennessee rush. Especially, in the second series (I believe it was the second series after Tennessee scored three), Hasiak and XSF absolutely got blown up on the left side which led to the Prince sack and fumble (and subsequent TD, the only one of the game for the Volunteers).

That said, they did all right. I am not going to complain too much about the OL, given the coaches kept the game plan conservative. From Jon Gold in the Daily News:

The two-face UCLA offensive line seemed to alternate between perfect protection - as when redshirt freshman quarterback Kevin Prince found senior tight end Logan Paulsen with a pristine, 14-yard pass near the beginning of the third quarter - and awful blocking, as when Prince found himself on his back more often than a tomato-can boxer.

But the Bruins did enough.

In the third quarter, with the score tied at 10, Forbath rang off field goals on three consecutive drives, providing a little cushion for the young Bruins offense. On the three drives, Prince attempted just six passes, while UCLA ran the ball 11 times.

"The second kick gave us a six-point lead; the third one gave us a nine-point lead, which means two scores," UCLA head coach Rick Neuheisel said. "With a freshman quarterback and a hostile environment, we don't need to do that to him. We can keep pounding and take care of the ball."

Instead of passing, UCLA handed it off - not to its running game, but to its defense.

And I was OK with that. Also, it was clear that coaches went into conservative mode of play calling in second half particularly after the picks. Tracy Pierson from Bruin Report Online, in his post game reflections (which is not behind a subscription firewall) explained the reasoning behind it:

There are surely some UCLA fans out there who weren’t pleased with the play-calling. It was a very conservative game plan, with very few running plays going outside the tackles, and very few throws going beyond 10 yards or in between the hashes. But what the critical UCLA fans aren’t getting is that the game plan isn’t a result of short-sightedness by the UCLA coaches, but vision. Or self-awareness, more accurately. The coaches quite soberly realized what UCLA had on offense, and what it could do, and what it would take offensively to win this game. Last year, they attempted the same approach, but with a game plan that only intended to minimize mistakes and turnovers, last season’s offense couldn’t pull it off. This year, at least, in this game, it did. Also, the play-calling in this game changed in a couple of ways. In terms of the running game, UCLA ran tackle-to-tackle for most of the first half, and that set up some of the off-tackle runs in the second half that were key in sustaining some drives and retaining the ball. Also, early on, with Tennessee blitzing and pressuring Prince on just about every play, UCLA wasn’t utilizing any screens to offset the pressure. In the second half, it did, to relative effectiveness.

It will be interesting to see, as the season progresses, if the coaches attempt more offensively, as Prince settles in more and the offensive line grows and matures. You can see maturity from the first to the second game, especially in Prince. Heck, you could see development in this game between the first and second halves; the UCLA offensive line was far more effective in pass protection as the game wore on.

It makes sense to me. Now shifting our attention, let’s talk about our D. Tracy called our defense a "revelation":

It held Tennessee to 208 yards, 115 rushing and 93 yards passing -- a team that gained 657 yards and 380 rushing last week. Yeah, it was against Western Kentucky, but the one thing we thought we could actually take from the Volunteers’ performance against WKU was that they were going to have a good running game. They averaged just 2.6 yards per rush. Their bull of a tailback, Montario Hardesty, gained 89 yards and averaged 3.4 per carry.

We said before the game that whoever won the battle between Tennessee’s running game and UCLA’s rushing defense would probably win the game. UCLA won the battle, and won the game.

But the UCLA passing defense was also superb. Crompton was 13 of 26 for 93 yards, with three interceptions. His longest completion from scrimmage was 26 yards, which occurred when a UCLA defensive back fell down. Tennessee receivers were blanketed, and couldn’t get behind UCLA’s coverage.

Tracy went on to single out Reggie Carter, Rahim Moore (more on him below), Brian Price, Alterreaun Verner, Courtney Viney, Tony Dye, David Carter for their incredible play. He also specifically mentioned the solid defensive game plan of Coach Bullough:

Defensive Coordinator Chuck Bullough put in a very effective game plan, and called a very good and creative game. UCLA blitzed far more against Tennessee than it did against San Diego State, and far more imaginatively. Blitzes came from different parts of the field, from different positions. A big element to UCLA shutting down Tennessee’s offense was, after Crompton had thrown the three interceptions, Bullough went after him. You would think Tennessee would go to the ground, since Crompton was throwing the game away, and instead of sitting back, Bullough got aggressive and run blitzed. It was key to Tennessee going three-and-out on its next two possessions.

Yep. Probably the biggest satisfaction from watching our defense was how Bullough didn’t sit back. He unleashed our guys after our secondary set the tone. Not a lot of DCs have the courage to send in corner blitzes on last drives when they revert back to prevent defense. Bullough went for it and I am going to think this is something recruits will take note from all over Southern California and beyond. I still want to see better results from the first drive though in terms of setting the tone and I think Akeem Ayers can play lot better than he has in last two games to complement the efforts of Bosworth and Carter. But then again these are correctable issues, which give me more hope for the coming weeks.
As for Rahim Moore, here again is Jon Gold from the Daily News:

Forget the picks, because Moore made his presence known beyond the takeaways.

Moore had six tackles, two coming on UCLA's game-defining, goal-line stand with less than two minutes remaining. With Volunteers tailbacks Montario Hardesty and Bryce Brown running the ball up the gut on four consecutive plays, Moore stepped up and filled the gap.

Even as a noisy Neyland Stadium crowd tried to mess with the Bruins' heads, Moore kept his in the game.
"The fans can't do anything for us," Moore said. "They can't make a tackle. All they can do is be loud. We came here, we came prepared, and it paid off. I told the defense, 'We have to win this field position.' We knew coming in, it would be a defensive game."

And it was, as both teams had less than 210 yards of total offense, combining for just 194 passing yards. Each lost opportunity was more important than the next, each turnover leading to heartbreak. That is where Moore led the way.

He is a freak of nature. There is no other way to put it and I am going to just enjoy him play because I am guessing that if he keeps this up, he will be gone after next season. Question for the geezers here on BN. Can you remember the last time UCLA had this kind of powerful combination (ATV/Moore/Dye and even Vinney is holding his own) in the defensive backfield? The only comparison I can think of is going back to early 90s when we had Carlton Gray and Marvin Goodwin in the backfield. IIRC Darby and Turner also played together (but I could be wrong on that). However, what we have here is something special, and these guys are now creating all kinds of options for Coach Bullough. It’s freaking delicious.
Some other notes from yesterday:

Blocks from TEs: I saw some great blocks from our TEs – Harkey and Paulsen – early on opening up room for our RBs.
Knox's Big Play: Speaking of our RBs, Knox I thought had the best run of the game on that screen pass when he just faked out a Vol for chunks of yardage and first down. The guy also has a motor. He is just fun to watch.
Kicking Weapons: How about our kickers? Again they are weapons. Kai is the best kicker in college football. Locke for the first time gives us a kicker with ability to boom kicks into the endzone and get our specials teams enough time to run down with hang time on his punts. Except for that goal line start (resulting from Tennessee’s failure to convert), our team had an average starting position at 36 yard line.
Oh Lane! Lane made a bone head move deciding to burn his TO by challenging the fumble at the endzone when it was clear Franklin had recovered it. Then again he probably thought he would get yet another favorable call from the homerific refs, who had pining me for some SPTRS.
Neuheisel's Questionable Call: I also didn’t like our coach’s move to have Prince roll out on 3rd down from the end zone. I am still not sure why we did that instead of having Coleman rumble for a year and then burn up the clock to take the safety on 4th. Oh well. It worked out.
The Joke That Is ESPN: The game was broadcast on WWL. However, after the game was over, there was no sign from the blowhards from College Game Day (perhaps the most overhyped, worthless sports show on television) or the idiots on the set, that UCLA-Tennessee had played a football game. Why do I get the feeling that if Tennessee had won, we wouldn’t hear the end of Lane building a clone of Pete Carroll dynasty in Knoxville. Whatever who cares about those jackholes from Bristol. I don’t and it’s a good reason why I don’t waste my time watching those shows except when I have to after or right before UCLA games broadcast on that worthless east coast pimping, Big-12/ACC/Big-10/SEC hyping and U$C* worshipping network.

Before I go to my last note, once again I want to tip my hat to our friends at Rocky Top Talk. Pretty clear that the class and passion they showed online is reflective of one of the best fanbases in the country offline. Let’s wish them luck. I still don’t know about their head coach (I think they have the wrong guy) but it’s their business, their program. Let them figure it all out. For our part, it’s been fun talking football with some of the best fans in college football.

I will end with this. If you wanted to get a sense of CRN’s infectious enthusiasm all you had to do was watch the funny exchange between Andrews and him during the half time. It couldn’t be more clear from that exchange how he was soaking it all in and relishing the effort and passion of his players. In turn, it was clear from his players they were ready to go through a brick wall for their head coach. We are so used to it from Ben Ball. Again, it’s weird to see this happening in football.

I am liking it. This is fun. Let’s have some more of it next Saturday.

GO BRUINS.

2009 UCLA Football Post-Camp Grades: DL

Ryan Rosenblatt — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 20:38:15 -0000

The entire offense has been graded and it doesn't look so bad. The results won't lead you to believe that we'll have an explosive offense and that's because we won't, but you can see mediocrity across the board for the most part and after last season, I'll take mediocrity. The quarterbacks got a C+, the receivers and tight ends an A, the running backs and fullbacks a B+ and the offensive line a C-. Not so bad. Now we go to to the defensive side where there is elite talent at the top in some spots, but little to no depth in just as many spots.

Defensive Line

Any defensive line that has Brian Price in the middle is going to make its fair share of plays, but one player alone cannot make every play and its the play of the other three along the defensive line that brings a shred of doubt into the mind of UCLA fans. You know what you're going to get from Price. The massive, agile, strong and tough junior defensive tackle from Crenshaw High School will be double teamed, but hold at the point of contact, shed his man and get on the ball carrier against the run. Against the pass, he will command double teams, but will be able to create a push up the middle to create an uncomfortable situation for the opposing quarterback as his pocket collapses. If they're double teaming Price though, opposing teams clearly respect him enough to avoid running at him regularly and will assign as many necessary to block him in the passing game. That means the other three guys along the front four will have to make plays because the opportunities will be there.

As we head into the season, the other starting defensive tackle position is held by Jerzy Siewierski, a senior who has played better than expected this camp and has given the coaching staff some comfort in the level of play next to Price. Siewierski has shown improved strength that has allowed him to hold the point much better and create problems for the offense. In the passing game, he hasn't quite gotten to the level where he's bringing down the quarterback, but he's moving the pocket and causing confusion in the backfield so the opposing quarterbacks are often moving into the path of other defensive players. The top two of the UCLA defensive tackles looks strong, but behind them there are serious questions.

Jess Ward was having a good camp, but his knee injury leaves his play in doubt for 2009. Whether he can regain the form he showed in camp before his injury will be one of UCLA's biggest questions heading into the season. Reggie Stokes is another guy who was having a good camp, especially with his intensity and motor before falling victim to injury. His injury is more serious than Ward and he may be back by midseason, but only in a best-case scneario. If Ward and Stokes are still injured or does not regain his form, the even more responsibility will fall to David Carter, who had a sensational camp to go from near afterthought to trust member of the defensive tackle rotation. Carter showed a better motor than he had before and was able to establish leverage on a more regular basis despite being 6'5''. Carter should be a force in the running game with his size and improved handwork that allows him to shed blocks well, but the next step for him will be to pressure the quarterback.

The depth at defensive tackle is so poor right now that a pair of offensive linemen, Sean Sheller and Connor Bradford were moved to the position to give the Bruins some depth in camp. Andy Keane and Justin Mann are ahead of the two converted offensive linemen on the depth chart, but are closer to those two converts than they are to the rest of the tackles. Both really struggled in camp and will be called upon this season so they have limited time to make vast improvements.

The end position is another position that is rather strong at the top, although not as strong as at tackle, but with little depth, although a little better than tackle. Starting at ends is one guy with plenty of experience and another with plenty of talent. The one with plenty of experience, Korey Bosworth, is a redshirt senior and does have some talent to go with that experience. He led the Bruins in sacks last year and was second in tackles for loss so much is expected of him in his final year at UCLA. He will provide the Bruins an outstanding end and after a strong camp in which he was often on the quarterback off the edge, the only concern is when teams choose to run right at him. The super talented end is Datone Jones. What he lacks in experience (he's a sophomore), he makes up for in athletic ability, which he has in spades.The question for Jones is how he handles himself not in one-on-one situations, but when he's asked to twist or stunt. In one-on-one situations in camp, Jones was a terror as he used his speed to get off the edge and while he wasn't great against the run, he was able to get into the backfield with some regularity. When asked to work more within the team structure, he often got lost and dominated. When backs picked him out of the backfield, he was often slow to react and taken out. When tight ends rubbed him on the line, he was knocked backwards. He'll need to deal with those if he's to be a trusted every down end, but that could come with experience.

Damien Holmes will also be used off the end and while he doesn't have great physical tools, he has a never ending motor. Time and time again, Holmes would be originally outplayed by an offensive lineman, but would eventually make his way downfield, across field or into the backfield late in a play to make a tackle. Against the run, Holmes was often outmatched in the strength department, but used great handwork to shed blocks and get in position to make a tackle. He's a crafty guy with a great attitude that allows him to play above his tools. With so little depth, Stokes could slide over to end when he returns from injury and little talked about Ian Davis could get time, Davis doesn't quite have the strength to play on the defensive lins o he would be vulnerable against the run, but he has some wheels so if he were to be used only in passing downs, the Bruins might be able to get away with it. Otherwise Iuta Tepa, a freshman who would probably be best served redshirting, may be forced into action.

Grade: B- The starters on this defensive line would be worthy of a B+ or even A- with the quality all the way across and player who can dominate a game like Brian Price, but the depth is a major concern. If the defensive line can all stay healthy, this unit can be close to an A, but this is D-1 football, no unit stays healthy for an entire year and the depth on this unit will be tested, unfortunately.

Poll

What would you grade the UCLA defensive line?

A

94 votes

B

148 votes

C

24 votes

D

5 votes

F

2 votes

273 votes | Poll has closed

Spaulding Roundup: Neuheisel's Team Taking Shape

Nestor — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 12:39:13 -0000

So the two-a-days ended yesterday with news of tailback depth chart getting shaken up due to Christian Ramirez's latest injury. As a result of the depth chart shake up it looks like we will probably have Johnathan Franklin getting as much time as Coleman. There is also a good chance now we are going to see Damien Thigpen and also Milton Knox. No doubt I am sure this news has many over here eager with anticipation because finally we are going to see recruits who have been brought in following the departure of Karl Dorrell. Reading through the news reports this am, it is starting to become clear that Neuheisel's (and his coaching staff's) imprint is now all over the football team.

Let's start with the offensive line. UCLA confirmed it's starters yesterday:

Left Tackle: Freshman Xavier Su'a-Filo
Left Guard: Freshman Stanley Hasiak
Center: Sophomore Kai Maiava
Right Guard: Junior Eddie Williams
Right Tackle: Sophomore Jeff Baca

Obviously the first thing that stands out is how we have two true freshman, a JC tansfer and a Colorado transfer who have not taken single snap as a Bruin. Notice another common thread. Not a single one of them have played under Karl Dorrell. It kind of reminds me of how Howland's first class - JF, AA, JS and LMR - didn't waste any time in asserting themselves into the starting rotation of the basketball time. It's kind of startling to see after just two years the entire OL, QB, and majority of the backs are players recruited by the new staff. The only holdovers from previous regime right now are Austin, Paulsen, and to a certain extent Taylor Embree. More after the jump.

The OL might be green when it comes to game experience but they are not lacking when it comes to showing intensity and competing against the veterans in the defense. Apparently Hasek mixed it up with Reggie Carter right after practice yesterday. CRN was amused:

Neuheisel on the post-practice skirmish between Stanley Hasiak and Reggie Carter:
"We have a bunch of guys who are willing to stand up. Now it's just, stand up at the appropriate times. I'm enthused by the fight in our team, now it just has to be harnessed."

Al Balderas from the OC Register referred to Hasek's tenacity as the "kind of determination" that lead to Coach Palcic starting true freshman in his OL lineup for the first time in his 30 year career. Reggie Carter is not the only skirmish Hasek was involved in yesterday. Per the LA Times he also got into it with David Carter.

Again, don't remember hearing about this kind of heated practices from the previous years when the Defense would come in and exert their will every day. The offensive line is so young right now Joe Baca, who himself is still in the process of developing in his sophmore season has taken up the mentor role:

"Kai and I, we feel that since we're the only guys with college-game experience, we are looked up to," Baca said. "We've been there already. We know what it's like."

Baca and Maiava spent the better part of fall camp learning and teaching. The newcomers were eager to learn, which made it a perfect fit.

"They're really responsive because they know that we've been here," Baca added. "They're good learners and they're going to be good football players."

Well it will take a total team effort. It's not just the OL who will go through the development process. The whole offense will have to step for the offense to take shap. Bob Palcic talked about this with Jon Gold from the Daily News:

On the whole offense:
"Everybody's in this together. Kevin can make the line look good by getting the ball off on time. The receivers can help the line by running the routes at the proper depth. The running backs can help by blocking the proper linebackers. It isn't just the line. Everybody has to work together on this side. Its 11 guys all doing their jobs that will create success.

Makese sense to me. Also, it helps that UCLA will finally have some speed to work with this coming season:

UCLA defensive tackle Brian Price was frustrated, hollering from the sidelines, "Get that little . . ." Freshman running back Damien Thigpen dipped and cut, squeezing through a small hole for a decent gain.

Offensive coordinator Norm Chow smiled at the thought.

"People can't load up in the box and expect to play man to man outside," Chow said. "They are going to have to play off coverage, which will give us a chance to run the ball."

In short, speed thrills, and the Bruins actually have some and are now exploring how to use it.

Tailback Johnathan Franklin, wide receiver Randall Carroll, Thigpen and receiver Morrell Presley all appear to have roles in the offense this season. It's a just-add-water solution, as Carroll, Thigpen and Presley were in high school a year ago. Even Franklin is a mere redshirt freshman. But all four possess something that can't be taught.

"Speed can create some big-play opportunities, and that was sorely missing in this offense last season," Coach Rick Neuheisel said.

We just have to go through one more weekend and then we finally get to see all of these guys in action for the first time.

I know we have been relentlessly discussing how we need to keep our expectations and optimism in check and for good reasons. I still think with the inexperience at the OL, TB and QB positions, it is going to be a challenge to get to 6 wins. However, there is no reason to keep our excitement in check. We haven't had this kind of speed and athleticism around Spaulding for a long time. It has all of our mouths watering.

It is going to be fun to watch these kids develop in this season. No doubt they are going to have their ups and downs. However, based on what we have read and heard about them so far it looks like they are going to come out fighting every play and perhaps along the get our hearts pumping about Bruin football for the first time in a long time.

GO BRUINS.

Defensive Line Reset: Coaches Dealing With Depth Concerns

Nestor — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 12:06:09 -0000

Now that we have gone through the LBing position let’s shift our attention to the defensive frontline. Before we even get through the depth chart we have got some brand new shift in personnel in light of injuries to back up tackles Reggie Stokes and Jess Ward. If you didn't read through the injury post, Reggie Stokes is out indefinitely because of a torn cartilage while Jess Ward is probably going to be out 2-3 weeks with a sprained MCL. As a result coaches made some immediate changes yesterday moving OL Sean Sheller and Connor Bradford to defense. Here is the reset from the LA Times:

"Part of it was in the event of an emergency, and part of it was we have the luxury of time to take a look," UCLA Coach Rick Neuheisel said about the Sheller and Bradford moves.

Ward, who has played in 24 games, was expected to be the team's No. 3 defensive tackle. Sheller will play defensive tackle.

"Hopefully, we can bring him up to speed so he can play 15, 20 snaps for us," defensive line coach Todd Howard said.

Will be interested from hearing from the practice goers in the coming days how Sheller and Bradford are performing with their new unit. So basically, just like the situation at LB the same themes are also in play on the defensive frontline where we have solid talent at the starting positions, but have depth related concerns that will stretch beyond this season.

Obviously, the guy who will be anchoring this unit will be superstar Junior Brian Price (6-2, 300). We don’t need to go through what Brian can do over here at BN. He is on pretty much every pre season award watch list. If the kid can stay healthy (knocking on wood) through his junior year and continue to develop the way he has first two years, he would have a strong shot at that award along with having the opportunity to be a first round NFL pick next season. Yeah, I know. We would all like for him to come back for one more year after this season. But I am not going to hold my breath and instead am planning to enjoy watching number 92’s every snap his junior year in Westwood. As Reggie Carter noted to the LA Times there are not many OLs in the country, who has the ability to block Brian:

"I would like to see someone block Brian Price for a while," Carter said at the Pacific 10 Conference’s media day. "I have never seen that."

Ted Miller from ESPN's Pac-10 blog wrote how Brian is on a mission in 2009:

"Every player thinks about one day playing there (NFL) but I'm just thinking about this season," he said.

In a revelation that will surprise no one, Price said he and his teammates are not big fans of last season, when the Bruins went 4-8. The defense was generally good, but the numbers were hardly spectacular because the woeful offense provided little help.

"That's all we talked about this summer -- 4-8," he said. "We've got to get UCLA back."

Now Brian should be able to wreak havoc in the opponent’s backfield if he gets some help from his team-mates on the frontline. And right now the way that line is shaping up, it has the look of emerging as a solid one at least among the starting group. More on them after the jump.

Last year Brian had a great partner in senior Brigham Harwell who had a solid career at UCLA. Now that Harwell is gone it will be Jerzy Siewierski’s - 6-2/296 monster’s – turn to step up. Jerzy has all the potential in the world. Both Foster in his writeup and captainqtp in his upgrade-downgrade series mentioned Coach Howard’s reference to his athletic prowess of having the ability to dunk a basketball. That seems like a fairly scary proposition. If he can exert his own version of pressure down in the trenches, it will be incredibly helpful to Brian Price, who I am sure might be drawing double teams if he develops along his projected potential. So Jerzy’s contribution this year will be key. More on Brian and Jerzy’s team-mates on the defensive frontline after the jump.

Price and Jerzy will be flanked by two solid athletes in Korey Bosworth and Datone Jones. Coach Howard in his pre camp interview with Bruin Report Online (BRO) sounded excited about both of these youngsters:

On what he saw in Bosworth that translated to the d-line, to end:

"He just could run, and he was flexible. When you get guys like that, that’s your recipe. How do you not play guys like that? How do you not play guys like that? You don’t want guys that you look at on film who aren’t hustling, don’t look like they love football, they aren’t hustling, they’re walking. And then you’ve got a guy like Boz? This is all you need. You don’t talk about what he can’t do. This is all you need to do. If he can run, and his aggression and his attitude are like this on the football field, you let those guys play. They’re going to win more than they lose. I just like guys that like to fly around. You may not know what to do, but you can at least chase the ball like it’s a piece of meat and you haven’t had anything to eat."

On Jones and his future at UCLA:

"He’s hungry. He does what you ask him to do. If I were to tell Datone, ‘Hey, man, when you get up in the morning do 10 jumping jacks,’ he would get up and do 10 jumping jacks. That’s the kind of guy that he is. He’s a hungry player and I think he has a chance to be better than any end I’ve coached since I’ve been here. That kind of lets you know what I think of him."

On what Jones has to do to become that dominant player:

"Just get the experience. We’ll see this year what he’s going to be. I mean, you can talk about potential all you want. Until we see this year how he approaches the games and how he produces, that’s going to tell you. Damien Holmes is not far behind. He might not be as gifted as Datone is, but he listens. He studies. He understands what’s going on."

So after the starting lineup up Bosworth, Price, Siewierski, and Jones, depth becomes a question mark for the Bruins. Few weeks ago the LA Times noted how the coaches were going to look to Jess Ward and little used David Carter for depth. Obviously now David Carter is going to be a key figure in this depth chart. From the LA Times:

[T]he weight of the defensive tackle depth falls mainly on David Carter, a 6-foot-5, 290-pound junior.

Carter was converted from defensive end during the off-season with UCLA needing more bodies inside. That concern was heightened when Brandon Warner, a transfer from Compton College, didn't get into UCLA because of transcript issues. The move required Carter to gain 30 pounds.

"When you're on edge, a lot time you're the contain guy, you have to be athletic," Howard said. "Inside, you're going against more beef."

Carter was more than willing and began to rework his game.

"It definitely involves different techniques," Carter said. "You have to move your feet differently and learn how to play with the big boys."

Bradford will play defensive end, which is also down in numbers.

Per Coach Howard few weeks ago Holmes "made big strides since last fall." So he is going to be counted on to back up the DE position.

Coach Howard in his BRO interview also indicated he was going to closely monitor how incoming freshman Keenan Graham (who ran a 4.56) performs in the special teams. His plan was also to keep an eye on Iuta Tepa.

Our main hope right now is for these kids to stay healthy because we don’t have a lot of depth. If they can stay healthy, I feel good about these guys feeding off the drive and hunger of Brian Price, who has certainly proved himself both on and off the field in his total dedication of being a Bruin.

I also think the first game of the season is going to be telling (I am not going to look ahead to the Tennessee game … no way). We will have to see how this unit comes out and sets the tone on against the Aztec rushing attack and the pressure they are able to generate on the QB from the get go. If they come out and make a statement in that very first game, I think it will serve as a building block for rest of the season.

These guys will have their hands full all year long going up against lightning quick, game breakers in a number of Pac-10 squads. While the line has been steady last few years under Walker, they have had rough times against teams with quick backs and receivers. Moreover, they haven’t been able to generate the kind of pressure on QBs Davis and Hickman were able to do couple of years ago. So it will be up to Jerzy, Bosworth and Jones and rest of the guys in the depth chart to rise to Price’s level at least in terms of effort and determination, so that we can see the kind of intensity we experienced during 13-9, not just for big games but for every game through the coming season. We are going to need that if the team wants to take the next step by going bowling this season

We will wrap our look through the defense by going over the defensive backs rosters in the next few days.

GO BRUINS.