SB Nation User Blog: godblesstyus95

Neuheisel in San Diego last night

godblesstyus95 — Thu, 01 May 2008 16:54:41 -0000

Bumped. GO BRUINS. -N

I attended a UCLA Alumni Event held at the San Diego Hall of Champions at Balboa park last night. CRN was the featured speaker and I wanted to share some interesting observations from the event.

First of all, CRN is every bit as personable, engaging, and charismatic in person as he is on television. He is a captivating and motivating speaker and had several standing ovations from the audience during his roughly 30 minute speech. He is articulate with a witty sense of humor. He will more than hold his own and will be a huge presence during media days.

I can also tell you that CRN has the exact frame of mind that we want in our football coach. He said several times that we're going "toe to toe" with "that team across town" and nothing short of Pac-10 championships and Rose bowl appearances will be acceptable at UCLA. There will be "no rebuilding period"; he expects to win and win right away. He is very mindful of the history and legacy of the many prominent athletes that have graced UCLA, the 100 National Championships, and he intends on using every bit of that as both a recruiting tool and mantra for the football program.

Some specific questions answered:

On the QB situation: He said the injuries to Cowan and Olson, literally less than 5 minutes from each other, were the "most bizarre thing he's ever seen in his years of coaching". As we already knew, he stated Cowan was out for 2008 and Olson would be out for approximately 8 weeks. He gave very luke warm praise for both Craft and Forcier, intimating that they have a ways to go in their development. Of all the topics, the QB situation seemed to concern him the most.

On the Offensive Line situation: He was surprisingly upbeat and optimistic when discussing the OL situation. He gave a lot of praise to coach Palcic and the job he was doing with the kids. He was especially complimentary of Darius Savage, stating unequivically that he would be in the NFL one day as an offensive lineman. He indicated that the starters were essentially set and said that guys like Sheller "need to bulk up a bit".

On his offensive philosophy Someone had asked if his offense would be more open, dynamic, with more "trick plays" than the past few years. He responding to this by stating that the running game would be a heavy emphasis of his. His analogy was the 3 yard run would be the boxing equivalent of body blows early in the fight, eventually beating down a weary opponent so as to open up "the knock out punch". I think this gives us a pretty good perspective of CRNs offensive strategy, which is one where I think maximizes the current personnel's talents and gives us the best chance of winning. In short, I wouldn't expect a lot of fireworks from this offense right away; more of a solid, ball-control, field-positioning, mistake-free unit built to wear down opposing defenses. I think we should be patient with this philosophy and be more satisfied with the 'W' than anything else.

On recruiting Using the real estate analogy "location, location, location" CRN said that college football was about "recruiting, recruiting, recruiting" He mentioned that 9 out of his 10 coaches have NFL coaching experience, which along with the UCLA legacy, he will use to his advantage with recruits. My favorite part of this topic was when he mentioned that when recruits come to campus and see the view from Janss steps, if that isn't enough to convince them, then they "are too dumb to be here." lol

On the "Senior Ditch" Day I personally brought this up with CRN after his speech and asked him if he plans on abolishing it. Somewhat to my surprise, he said he didn't plan on doing away with it, but is somehow going to try to change it into a more positive, constructive event. I told him "Good luck with that."

Anyways, just wanted to share a little bit of a very entertaining and insightful evening with our new football coach. I left the event feeling very good about the direction of the program and optimistic about our prospects next year and beyond.

Love and Collison gone: LA Times

godblesstyus95 — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 03:07:56 -0000

I know this isn't exactly a surprise to anyone, but just came across this in the LA Times

Kevin Love and Darren Collison have probably played their last games for UCLA and will make themselves available for the NBA draft, sources close to the players said today.

Both players confirmed their decisions in separate meetings with UCLA Coach Ben Howland on Monday. The sources spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to make an announcement until after Howland holds a season-ending news conference on Wednesday afternoon.

Love, a 6-foot-10, 270-pound center, led the Bruins with averages of 17.5 points and 10.6 rebounds. The freshman was Pacific 10 Conference player of the year, a first-team All-American and most outstanding player of the NCAA regional at Anaheim. Collison, a junior point guard, was a third-team All-American.

Love and Collison are expected to hire agents, which would mean they could not return to UCLA next season.

While I am obviously disappointed, best of luck to these 2 great athletes.

The same article also speculates that Westbrook is likely to go as well:

The Bruins are also expected to lose guard Russell Westbrook, a sophomore. He played opposite Collison but moved to the point when Collison was injured early this season.

One scout projected Westbrook as a possible lottery pick, and the guard's family has indicated that he would probably leave school if expectations were that he would go early. He had a career-high 22 points against Memphis and, at 6-3, 190 pounds, was clearly the one UCLA player physically suited to run and jump and bump with the Tigers.

The end of the same article also seems to suggest that Nestor's nuclear scenario (losing up to 7 of the current players) is a distinct possiblity. Let's hope Howland has some contingency plans in place. Go Bruins.

Rick's debut now v. Tenn. on ESPN prime time

godblesstyus95 — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 11:02:49 -0000

Bumped. As indicated in the comment thread great move by CRN as he kills two birds with one stone in this strategic scheduling move. GO BRUINS. -N

I already posted this under Nestor's Spring football diary, but thought this was big enough news to put in it's own diary.

From the LA Times:

UCLA altered its football schedule and will open at home against Tennessee at the Rose Bowl on Monday, Sept. 1, to accommodate television.

The game was originally scheduled for Sept. 6, but will now be ESPN's Labor Day game at 5 p.m. The Bruins' season opener against Fresno State, originally scheduled for Aug. 30, was moved to Sept. 27.

"We're excited because this puts UCLA football in a Monday night football setting," Coach Rick Neuheisel said.

The move also eases the Bruins' burden some. Instead of opening the season with Fresno State, Tennessee and Brigham Young -- all teams that won bowl games last season -- the Bruins will now have a bye week before the BYU game on Sept. 13.

So Neu's debut will be nationally televised, on primetime, on a Monday night? Think the Rose Bowl is going to be rockin'? I know our minds are elsewhere right now, but I think this is a huge development, will give the program great exposure, and is reflection of how CRN already has our program back into the national spotlight.

I know it's still April, and we still have a little basketball left, BUT I CANNOT WAIT FOR FOOTBALL SEASON!!

GO BRUINS!!

Another day, another trOJan arrested

godblesstyus95 — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 14:58:40 -0000

College football offseason is in full swing, and our semi-pro, thug neighbors from South Central are busy filling the police blotters.

Just a day after SUC recruit Maurice Simmons was arrested for (allegedly) committing felony robbery and assault with a firearm, defensive tackle Fili Moala was arrested for (allegedly) obstructing justice at a bar fight in Newport Beach. From the LAT:

USC defensive tackle Fili Moala was arrested this week in Newport Beach for obstructing and delaying an officer after police responded to a fight at a bar, a police official confirmed today.

Moala, 22, was not cited for being part of the fight, which occurred March 2 at Hoagie Barmichaels in Newport Beach, said Sgt. Evan Sailor of the Newport Beach Police Dept.

Officers from the Newport Beach and Irvine police departments and the Orange County Sheriff's Dept. responded to the scene and ordered those outside the bar to the ground as they attempted to sort out what happened, Sailor said.

"He got down on the ground and complied with orders but as they gave more orders he went back into the bar," Sailor said. "He apologized, but was arrested."

Moala posted $500 bail and was released, Sailor said.

Moala could not be reached for comment. An athletic department spokesman said the school was aware of the arrest.

In other legal matters, there was this from the San Diego Union tribune yesterday:

Lloyd Lake's pretrial deposition scheduled for Monday in San Diego in his lawsuit against Reggie Bush is on hold for now, possibly until at least May, according to Lake's attorney Brian Watkins.
The judge in the case issued a stay on discovery in the case until she can hear motions made by attorneys in the case in May. Watkins filed a motion to compel Bush's deposition. Bush's attorneys have filed a motion for a protective order preventing Lake from sharing discovery materials with the NCAA and the media.

Oh, and how can we forget about this:

LAS VEGAS - A judge agreed Friday to delay the armed robbery and kidnapping trial for O.J. Simpson and two co-defendants until September to give the defense more time to prepare.

Clark County District Judge Jackie Glass also refused throw out the charges against the former football star, and refused to separate his trial from co-defendants Charles Ehrlich and Clarence "C.J." Stewart.

As they say, it's like shooting fish in a barrel, folks.

DG going for the big name. Big deal.

godblesstyus95 — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 05:36:08 -0000

Bumped. I agree that DG deserves credit showing that he is going after a big fish like Bellotti (and the fact that this didn't get out until after they met is impressive), however that said I agree with this post that DG still has to close the deal on a named coach with credible head coaching experience, who will get us excited about UCLA Football. GO BRUINS. -N

So you're praising Guerrero for simply having the guts to publicly pursue Mike Bellotti?

How far have we fallen?

So Guerrero goes out and makes a run at Mike Bellotti, a proven, experienced, successful head coach that, unlike other candidates he has reportedly interviewed, would actually meet the standards that he himself more or less laid out as a prerequisite for the job after firing Dorrell.

And Bellotti, rather smugly, said "No thanks"

And now many of us are praising Guerrero simply for making the effort. For not being afraid of rejection, not being afraid of failure. Never mind the fact that Guerrero wasn't persuasive enough to lure a coach from Eugene, Oregon to Westwood.

How far have we fallen?

I've got news for you guys: UCLA is a big time program, playing in a big time stadium, which sits in a big time city. Going after a big name coach shouldn't be applauded, it should be EXPECTED.

I am happy we went after Bellotti. I am disappointed Bellotti turned us down. Maybe he likes the cold, dreary, wet weather up there. Maybe he actually digs those butt-ugly uniforms. Maybe he doesn't really have the stomach of going toe to toe with PC in his own backyard. Maybe he hates the limelight. Whatever the reason, he basically told us to "Duck Off". Whatever. Let's move on.

We shouldn't be praising Guerrero for having the guts for going after someone like Bellotti. Going after a guy like Bellotti should be a given at UCLA. At this point, we should be asking about other big names, and we should expect Guerrero to make an honest run for them.

If Bellotti is the one and only "big name" that Guerrero has truly made a run at, and we end up with Neuheisel, I would say this search process was a joke.

If Neuheisel was our man, Guerrero should have hired him 2 weeks ago. If he isn't, then this process should be just getting started. I won't accept the fact that Neuheisel is hired over a willing pool that includes Walker, Chow, Harbaugh and Golden. That would be a joke.

If Neuheisel is a second-tier candidate, there should be other Bellotti-caliber names coming into the mix in the near future. Maybe more rejections, so be it.

But I will withhold my praise for Guerrero if and when he hires that big name. When and if he hires that experienced, successful, proven head coach that a big time program like UCLA deserves.

What Dorrell can do to earn our forgiveness

godblesstyus95 — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 17:08:48 -0000

Bumped from the diaries. GO BRUINS. -N

I hate what you've done to this football program, Karl Dorrell. But there's one thing you can do. One thing, and we may forgive you.

End this misery now, Karl. Make an announcement. Do it before the Southern Cal game. Make the announcement that you will resign after the Southern Cal game. Win or lose, you will resign. Spare us any uncertainty that, win or lose, you will be gone come next Monday. It's clear Guerrero won't fire you until after the Southern Cal game. Let all of us root for the Bruins without the fear that victory may mean you will be back.

Five years ago, UCLA gave you the opportunity of a lifetime. Now it's time to give back. Tell everyone that you were "thankful for the opportunity" (don't get me started about that one), but in the best interest of the program, you will coach your last game next Saturday and then tender your resignation. Tell us you tried your best, but you just weren't up to it. Go out with dignity, Karl. Put your alma mater before yourself. Do it for players. Do it for the fans. It would be an honorable thing to do.

You've ripped us apart, Karl. We are tormented. We are apathetic. We bicker amongst ourselves. Our hatred for our cross-town rivals now equals (or maybe has even been surpassed by) the hatred for what you've done to our program. Some of us even hate you, Karl. One of the best rivalries in all of sports is happening next Saturday, and many die-hard Bruin fans can hardly care less of the outcome. Many of us care more about the following Monday and who will be your successor. This is what you've done to us.

Of course, we've given it right back to you: Duhrell. Dullard. Doofus. The Thinker. The Sleeper. Dorvell. Dorrellian. Lavinesque. CTS. Toast. All these names are well known and widely spoken by us, Karl. You may not even know what some of them mean, but ask any one of us, and we'll tell you. They are borne from the angst and frustration of the last 5 years. Fellow Bruins calling each other names. This is what you've done to us.

Did you know there's a countdown to "End of KD Hell" Karl? It's set to go off Monday, December 3rd. That's when we expect, EXPECT, not necessarily PREDICT (that's a whole other story about you Karl, I won't get into that) that Mr. Guerrero fires you. If he doesn't, then there's another fellow Bruin who will get our wrath. But you can wrest that decision from him Karl, spare him our wrath, and do what's right for the program.

And hey, beat Southern Cal, go out with pride, there may be another coaching gig waiting for you. Somewhere, but not here.

You've thrown players and assistant coaches under the bus. You and Mr. Streeter then threw UCLA under the bus. You've given us 5 years of clichés, here's one for you: it's time to right the ship. It's not about winning or losing anymore. It's about saving our football program. It's time to give back, Karl. The time is now.

Make the announcement that you will resign after the Southern Cal game. Tell your players to play their hearts out; that what you've done is in their best interest, what's best for the program. Tell Bruin Nation that UCLA means more to you than your livlihood. The entire Bruin Nation can then unite, and root harder for you this Saturday than they ever have. And maybe some of us..after everything you've done to us..just maybe... we can forgive you.

Help Wanted: College Football Head Coach

godblesstyus95 — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 17:53:08 -0000

Come to one of the finest universities in the world, all the while enjoying great weather, beautiful beaches, and bountiful dining and entertainment options galore!

Come be head coach at the University of California, at Los Angeles!

Your team will play in one of the most beautiful and historical football stadiums in the country: the Rose Bowl, recently voted one of the top 20 sports venues of the 20th century by CNN/SI!

Los Angeles is a dynamic, diverse city in southern California, a major media market and in the backdrop of the entertainment capital of the world!

Recruit in one of the deepest and best talent pools in the country, where recruits will literally line up for letters of intent! Despite all the recruiting advantages, expectations are quite low: 6 win seasons and lower tier bowls are the standard! No pressure!

Here's the best part: NO HEAD COACHING EXPERIENCE REQUIRED! Sound too good to be true? It isn't!!

We're looking for a handsome, fit, nice man who will run a clean program. Thoughtfulness, as demonstrated by remembering birthdays of various office staff, are a plus. Weight will be given towards former UCLA graduates.

Minority applicants are encouraged to apply, and will be given special considerations and allowances during times of poor job performance!

We offer a competitive salary of just under one million dollars per year, plus lucrative incentives!

High energy and motivating applicants need not apply. We prefer a low key, "statuesque" demeanor on the sidelines. We feel 18-21 year-olds respond better to a calm, soothing influence in the locker room, not to the fiery and intense types.

Being articulate with the media is not required. Must be very familiar with cliches and have an uncanny ability to come up with nonsensical phrases.

We also have a bevy of journalists ready to defend you at all costs against those unruly alumni, many of whom harbor unrealistic expectations of Pac-10 championships and regular victories over our cross-town rival. We don't worry about them!

Great university, dynamic city, beautiful weather, top venue, recruiting advantages, low expectations, seven figure salary, no experience required......what more can you ask for??

Apply today!!!!

Ad paid for by UCLA Administrators and the Morgan Center.

SUC will be rooting for Bruins over Ducks

godblesstyus95 — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 01:40:52 -0000

With Arizona's victory over the Ducks last night, giving Oregon their 2nd loss in conference, UCLA will have an unexpected supporter next week: the SUCsters of South Central.

And with Dennis Dixon out for the year with a torn ACL, this game is gift wrapped for Dorrell and co.

A UCLA win over Oregon, coupled with a SUC win over Arizona St., puts the SUCsters in the driver's seat for the Rose Bowl.

And of course, there's always the slightest chance that a W may give the few Dorrell supporters out there (cough...Dohn....cough)just enough momentum in their feeble attempts at saving his job (at least that's what the SUCsters are hoping).

Hey, they may even congratulate us for being "bowl eligible"!

SUC in the Rose Bowl, a crappy bowl game, and more momentum for Dorrell supporters? I may be just an "alleged supporter", but this one is a no-brainer for me:

Go Ducks. Go Ducks. Go Ducks. Go Ducks. Go Ducks. Go Ducks. Go Ducks. Go Ducks. Go Ducks. Go Ducks. Go Ducks. Go Ducks. Go Ducks. Go Ducks. Go Ducks. Go Ducks. Go Ducks. Go Ducks. Go Ducks. Go Ducks. Go Ducks. Go Ducks. Go Ducks. Go Ducks. Go Ducks. Go Ducks. Go Ducks. 200 words yet?

Firing Dorrell: Magic number down to 2

godblesstyus95 — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 17:15:44 -0000

Bumped from the diaries. GO BRUINS. -N

We're getting close Bruins Nation, but there is still work to do.

That's the way I see it anyway. But I am a pessimist by nature.

Many of you think it's already a done deal: Dorrell is toast. Win or lose the rest of the way, he is gone. Nothing can save him now. I agree that's the way it should be. If I were Dan Guerrero (and obviously I'm not), Dorrell would be watching the UCLA-ASU game from his own television. As a matter of fact, if I were Guerrero, Dorrell would be watching EVERY game this season from his own television.

It's almost inconceivable right now to even entertain the notion that the Bruins can still win the conference and go to the Rose bowl. It is laughable to state the fact that these Bruins still control their own destiny with three games to play. Beat Arizona St. at home, beat Oregon at home, and then beat Southern Cal 14 miles from home; that leaves everyone with at least 2 losses and UCLA wins the tiebreaker. Okay, you can stop laughing now.

Like I said, I am a pessimist when it comes to sports. I consider the worst case scenario not only possible, but even sometimes probable. Keeping that in mind, I believe Dorrell still needs 2 more losses to clinch his firing. And one of those losses won't be coming next weekend.

That being said, if Dorrell wins 2 out of the last 3, I won't be feeling very comfortable on December 3rd waiting for the ax to fall on Dorrell. Like myself, I'm sure many of you are very skeptical leaving matters such as these up to our administration. As has been written here many times before: we are mediocre for a reason, and that reason starts at the very top. You almost get the feeling that our administration needs to be hit with a sledgehammer to finally wake up and do the right thing.

Two more losses and Dorrell is gone. I am confident of that. Of course, three more is icing on the cake. That's like 20 wins in college basketball: you know you're probably in, but win your conference tournament, and there's something fulfilling in knowing you're a LOCK. If firing Dorrell is getting into the Big Dance, then Guerrero and the UCLA administration are the NCAA selection committee, and Bruin fans are that 20+ win team from the Missouri Valley conference: we deserve to be in, but we want there to be no doubt in the minds of those who decide.

But we're not losing next weekend. Not going to happen. No way. Once beaten Arizona St., a tad bit overrated, a lot demoralized, comes to the Rose Bowl. It is so Dorrellian, so Lavinesque, isn't it? Home underdogs, coming off a couple of embarrassing defeats, against an opponenent JUST RIPE to be "Dorrelled".

You can just imagine the quotes in the news the following day: "We can still win the conference" ....."It's a three game season"...."Bring on the Ducks"...... "Dorrell saves his job,for now". And of course, a phrase that would be deserving of a kick in the teeth of any Bruin fan that uttered it: "We are bowl eligible"

Then the magic number is still 2, with two to play (I am not considering the bowl game; yes it's possible Dorrell survives the regular season but not a crappy bowl loss).

But there's no way we beat Oregon. I'm pretty confident of that, pretty much.

Then there's SUC. Magic number is one, one to play. Then there's the ultimate conflict that will rage through the hearts of Bruin fans: knowing a loss here means our misery is over, but a win may, just may, keep Dorrell around a little longer. But there's no way Dorrell wins THIS game, right? There's no way Dorrell coaches this team in 2008, RIGHT?

Remember, I am a pessimist.

How Dorrell Can Save Hs Job: The Doomsday Scenario

godblesstyus95 — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 17:26:49 -0000

Bumped from the diaries. Ladies and gentleman godblesstyus95 points us to the elephant in the room. GO BRUINS. -N

Go Bears?

A win over Cal this weekend sets into motion what I have been fearing for the last couple of weeks: a "Doomsday Scenario" where, by sure luck and happenstance, a season full of unexpected mishaps and upsets produces a Pac 10 Champion (and hence BCS participant) with 2 conference losses. A scenario where, at 8-4 or better, the Bruins, losers to pathetic Utah and Notre Dame, would likely find themselves giddy at the top of the Pac 10. And let's face it Bruins Nation: if Dorrell wins the Pac 10 and goes to a BCS bowl game, the chances he gets fired are, well, fairly hopeless.

It certainly has happened before. 1993 comes to mind, when the Bruins finished 8-4, with 2 Pac 10 losses to Cal and Arizona St., and wound up playing in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1st, 1994.

This season, unlike those of recent years, have 5 teams (UCLA, USC, Cal, Arizona St. and Oregon) that all have a legitimate shot at winning the conference title. Three of them (Cal, Oregon, and USC) already have one loss. Remarkably, of those 5 teams, only Cal and Oregon have played each other already(!). Assuming one team doesn't run the table on the others (unlikely given how this year has unfolded), a season of unprecedented parity will leave each one of these teams with at least 2 or 3 losses before it's all said and done.

Of the 5 teams, UCLA by far has the easiest road, so to speak. They will play all 4 of the other contenders without ever having to leave Los Angeles.

While Dorrell and his minions will certainly spin doctor a successful conference finish, it won't be so much what the Bruins do, but what the other contenders are up against.

A win over injury-riddled Cal would be a good start, getting them to 4-0 in conference, 2 games clear of the Bears with a tie-breaker, with Cal then having to travel to ASU the next weekend.

USC, still the most feared but appearing more and more mediocre each week, arguably has the most difficult task, having to play Cal, Oregon, and ASU all on the road.

ASU, currently leading the Pac 10 at 4-0, would be a close second, having to play Cal, at Oregon, at UCLA, and USC all in succession.

And then there's Oregon, who right now appears to be the best Pac 10 team, but already saddled with a home loss to Cal, having to play USC and ASU back to back, followed by Arizona and UCLA on the road. Oh, and don't forget they'll have to do that without 2 of their top receivers (Paysinger and Colvin, lost for the year to injury).

Protect their home turf against their Pac 10 foes, one feat that Dorrell has actually accomplished with a modicum of success, and beat a couple of 2-5 teams on the road, momentum on their side, and the Doomsday Scenario is complete.

So it's all really set up nice for Dorrell and his Bruins. A season of unprecedented parity, unexpected defeats of preseason favorites Cal and USC, a "what better can you ask for" home schedule, devastating injuries to other contenders, has paved the road for a very Lavinesque finish. Really, it doesn't even seem an idiot like Dorrell could screw this up, can he?

I know, I know, the way they looked against Utah and Notre Dame, and you're thinking "no way" they'll win the Pac 10. For sure, even with the season setting up so nicely for Dorrell, I still expect at least a couple of ugly losses in store for this team. 4 of the last 6: that's all it will take. Doomsday.