SB Nation User Blog: jlegs

UCLA - Cal Baptist Photos

jlegs — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 02:30:21 -0000

I have a new camera and here are a couple of photos taken in-game from the exhibition game this past Monday.

Drew Gordon attacking the basket - via i288.photobucket.com

Keefe on the defensive switch- -via i288.photobucket.com

From what I saw, the team looked fairly solid but I did notice some confusion on the floor from Jrue when Howland or DC would call a set play. He would either start his part late, set a screen in the wrong position, or just be out of position on a small amount of set plays. The same can be said for the other freshmen while they were on the floor, but that's why the exhibition games are there: to offer our players some game action and to work out the kinks going into the season opener against Prarie View A&M. Anyways, I'll put up more game photos after each game, starting with next Wednesday.

On another note, I've also updated my football photos, which includes my weekend trip back home to the Bay Area to catch the game against Cal.

Kevin Riley being sacked - via i288.photobucket.com

Forcier on the QB Draw - via i288.photobucket.com

Another Great Article on President Aboya

jlegs — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 23:25:39 -0000

Another Great Article on President Aboya

After a long absence due to work, class, and a general lack of time...I'm back to posting. Anyways, a great story on WWL by Katz on Aboya's current graduate courseload and how he's been balancing it with Ben Ball. I didn't know that the political landscape in Cameroon looked grim right now, though.

A BYU Gameplan (Through NCAA Football 09)

jlegs — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 17:38:15 -0000

Bumped. GO BRUINS. - N

I apologize for the long delay in putting up this post, but you just don't have to time to put in a couple of games on the video game console when six weeks of summer classes all come crashing down in three days of finals and papers...but I was able to get around to putting in another game against BYU, which just reinforced my gameplan for them.

First, some details on both team's ratings in game:

UCLA:
Overall- 81
Offense- 83
Defense- 82

BYU:
Overall- 79
Offense- 88
Defense- 73

I've gone over how I feel about UCLA's team ratings in the past, so let's focus on our opponent. The offense rating is pretty high, and that's supplemented by the fact that Max Hall and Harvey Unga are near the top of player ratings for the team. This is a seasoned offense, designed to operate out of the shotgun, and can be explosive on the aerial front just like in real-life. The defense, on the other hand, and it's low rating reflects the lack of returning starters.

Again, a lot of what I say here (and what I will be in other gameplans) will echo a lot of the sentiments heard on TV and radio and read on newspapers, websites, and blogs. Running a virtual offense and defense, IMO, is not that different to actual game planning for a real football game; this is why the stuff I'll be pointing out will be pretty obvious to all of us. I also left out some obvious stuff, such as which Craft we will see on Saturday...because honestly, I make Craft look Brady-esque with how I run my offense. =)

1) Exploit BYU's 3-4 defensive scheme.

The 3-4, IMO, needs three things: familiarity, a strong nose tackle, and linebackers. Quality linebackers. The players should be familiar how their defense operates (obviously) but again, a majority of this group didn't start last year and this will be their third game in for them. The front seven can be exploited, because the starting NT in game did not command the attention of two offensive linemen that goes along with the 3-4, while the LBs were not as quick in rushing or stopping the run as, for example, Cal's LB operating in the 3-4. I think we can run up the middle and run outside better compared to Tennessee.

2) Keep our TEs in the game plan.

PA Rollout led Moya on the TD grab in the flats. Unnecessary ball protection, though.- via videocdn.easw.easports.com

I always do it when I run my video game offense, and we did on Monday night. With Paulsen out, Moya will be the go-to guy. He's more of a receiver, with better speed and hands in-game compared to Paulsen. Play action rollouts (again, another thing I like doing that was utilized during the actual game against Tennessee) can open up the passing game, especially for our TEs. Plus everyone loves athletic TEs that present another threat to worry about!

Check out rest of the gameplan after the jump.

3) Spread the field with our athletic players and create mismatches.

BYU's secondary in the game, and even their linebackers, can be exploited due to their lack of athleticism. It showed against Washington and the media has noticed that. I've turned short crossing routes with Austin and Johnson into big gains with huge YAC, and I've had a step or two ahead of their corners in running streaks or posts in man coverage. It's definitely something we can use to our advantage at the right time.

4) Zone, corner, and safety blitzes!

The Cougars in game run their offense probably 70-80% out of shotgun...a handful of times they went under center. That created a problem with whoever was rushing the QB out of my front seven because it did put pressure and caused some incomplete throws, but Hall would often get the ball off just in time.

I did pick him off with man coverage on a OLB blitz.- via videocdn.easw.easports.com

That's when I turned to corner and safety blitzes and found more success. Hall is a good QB in the game, so I had zone coverage instead of man when blitzing out of a nickel and dime package in hopes of throwing him off. It led to a pick six:

Notice Lockett lurking in the back, waiting to lay down the law.- via videocdn.easw.easports.com

...and it also led to a huge sack on third down from Lockett:

Yay! 4th and 20!- via videocdn.easw.easports.com

5) Put the pressure on BYU to win the game.

Yeah, yeah, we beat Tennessee, Neuhesiel starts his reign in Westwood with a bang...it gives our program hope but we can't get overboard with one win. We've had a tendency to have blah performances after a big win...I'm sure that with a new coach comes a new mentality. Actually, I'm pretty sure it won't be a lackluster effort and Neuheisel will have our guys deliver come Saturday. Anyways, we need to put pressure on BYU on both sides of the ball and on special teams. We need three and outs, turnovers (all on their side of the ball) and to take away the threats of Hall, Unga, and Collie. We need solid special teams play through Forbath and Perez, as well as solid kick and punt returns. I mention punt returns because I broke one open for a TD with Austin to make the game 21-0 in the second quarter, effectively silencing the crowd and putitng the game away. I'm pretty sure we won't be up by a margin like that, but we need pressure to create a game-changing moment.

Yup...pressure. Makes you feel helpless at times.- via videocdn.easw.easports.com

And that has been my BYU gameplan...simple and full of pictures. Stay tuned for next week's installment against Arizona (hopefully delievered earlier now that I have free time...yeah).

One final note: all these pictures are screenshots taken from in-game, uploaded to EA Sports World from my PS3, and you can check out some of the videos I've uploaded on the profile there.

UCLA #4 on Top 10 "Gutsiest" BCS Teams

jlegs — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 20:28:19 -0000

Bumped. GO BRUINS. - N

Over on WWL's Page 2, they complied a list of BCS scheduling stats...and we are fourth when it comes to scheduling non-conference BCS opponents. What does that mean? For better or for worse, we stray away from cupcakes out of the cellar in non-BCS schools or FCS/D-IAA schools (except for the occassional game against San Diego State):

UCLA hasn't enjoyed the same success in recent years as its crosstown rival, but the team from Westwood shares USC's willingness to schedule tough opponents. The Bruins played an extraordinary nonconference game to cap the 1998 regular season, losing 49-45 at Miami in a game rescheduled from earlier in the season because of Hurricane Georges. UCLA saw a 20-game winning streak and its national championship hopes end as Miami's Edgerrin James ran for 299 yards and three scores. The Bruins' only loss to a non-BCS foe was a 44-6 blowout at Utah in 2007.

And some interesting statistics:

No. of nonconf. gms. Rec. vs. BCS Rec. vs. I-A non-BCS Rec. vs. I-AA Pct. of gms. vs. BCS

32 10-8 (.556) 13-1 (.929) 0-0 .563

I read this on Wikipedia, but apparently we have not scheduled a game against a FCS/D-IAA team...ever. Anyone care to go in-depth with that?

This year's schedule is more of the same, with a quality BCS foe in Tennessee (I don't know if they factored in that recent win into the stats), and two non-BCS WAC opponents who are not to be taken lightly in BYU and Fresno State. The upcoming years add more to this "gutsiness", with future BCS opponents in Kansas State, Texas, and Nebraska (even though SDSU and Rice are also scheduled in the future). What is different, IMO, is that we'll have a fighting chance in these games, as proven with Neuheisel's first win, in comparison to the Toldedo and Dorell years (and the win against Oklahoma is the only one that sticks in my mind during that 2005 season).

A Tennessee Gameplan (through NCAA Football 09)

jlegs — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 03:43:33 -0000

Bumped. GO BRUINS. - N

I've been playing NCAA Football 09 on my Playstation 3 for a good month and a half now, and I've come across a handful of video game matchups with Tennessee against human opponents through the internet and some against the CPU. I feel that the ratings that the game gave Tennesse (I believe in the high 80s, low 90s) compared to our team ratings (low 80s) was fair and reasonable in assessing the talent (and only talent) of the team. However, I've walked away victorious because a) the ratings, talent, etc. can only go so far and b) it also comes down to the plays called and decisions made within the game. I've had a gameplan that, oddly enough, has echoed of the same principles I've seen on other posts on the internets that discuss how we may or may not beat the Vols. And so I've decided to share that video game strategy with you fellow BNers, young and old, gamers or not...and come on, the fellows on NFL Live and College Gameday Live use video game sims!

I've thrown in pictures.

I'll go one better and actually discuss strategy! Join me after the jump ..

1) A running game that can move the ball 3-5 yards on most occasions.

Why 3-5 yards? On first downs that I ran the ball on, a short-to-medium gain set up what I think is key to sustaining a drive (video game or real life): manageable second and/or third down situations. Second and six, etc. can set up another run, a quick slant, curl routes, or play action. When I passed on first down (whether a short pass or play action), the first down could be easily converted on second and short. What is key here is how our real offensive line blocks on Monday night...though the video game O-line frustrated me as well (getting 3-5 yards consistently may be nice, but it leaves one wishing you could break a huge gain every once in a while... =/ )

2) Making short/medium, smart passes to different receivers, including tight ends.

I used a lot of quick slants, curl routes, crossing routes, and short in routes as well as out routes. Again, this sets up favorable situations to convert a first down. Short passes can also build up Craft's confidence early in the game. Involving the tight ends is key; I believe we've underutilized our TEs a LOT last year, which was unforutnate. I also think that smart throws into the flats allows our backs to make some plays in the open field; hopefully Craft will be mindful of his checkdowns and realize when to dump the ball and when not to.

3) Throw the deep ball.

Simple as that. Short, consistent gains will shift the focus to stopping that, whether through different blitzing schems, more men in the box, or bringing the safeties in. In some way, that should free up Dominique Johnson or Terrence Austin (and our other passing options on the field). Whether they can make the big play or if our o-line can provide the necessary pass protection...we'll see. I also say that it's obvious because Chow should have some plays that could free up a deep pass.

4) Utilize varied blitz schemes, as well as zone blitzes.

Yes, it ended in a pick six, thanks to some solid pressure from the front four. -via videocdn.easw.easports.com

Our defense needs to find a way to get Crompton on the ground early and (preferably) often. Throwing blitzes also allows us to show blitz but drop back in coverage, which could be favorable if the offense audibles to the wrong play. Again, all hypothetical, but it could work.

5) Find a way to keep the game close into crunch time in the fourth quarter.

I've seen articles on the internets saying we'll squeak by with a win or get utterly blown out. The defense will keep us in the game, but we will probably need a way to keep the game close. In all the games that I've played on NCAA 09 against Tennessee, it has come down to a very late score (in one instance, a game-winning FG as time expired). My gut feeling says that if we are to win, it will be something late and clutch.

Another pick six, this time on the Vols' late fourth quarter drive; this put the game away. -via videocdn.easw.easports.com

Again, the same way I approached the video game version of Tennessee seems to echo sentiments I've found on the intenet. Feel free to throw in your two cents...I'm just throwing ideas out there and I'd love to hear how others would gameplan for Tennessee. On a final note, I'll be taking pictures at the game on Monday night and I'll be posting them for BN, so look out for a post sometime next week.

Craft Receives Starting Nod Against Tennessee

jlegs — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 06:40:58 -0000

And here we go:

UCLA head coach Rick Neuheisel announced today that Kevin Craft will be the starting quarterback for the season-opening September 1 game against Tennessee in the Rose Bowl.

"We've decided to name Kevin Craft our starting quarterback," said coach Neuheisel following the second of two practice sessions on Monday. "He's earned it with his consistent play and he has the best mastery of the offense at this point."

With practices closed to the public starting on Wednesday, the only way we will find out what Kraft and the offense can do through their week and a half preparation will be the season-opener. Finally, an interesting tidbit:

Craft would become the first Bruin quarterback to start a season-opening contest in his initial season following a transfer since Troy Aikman, who came to UCLA from Oklahoma, took the first snap in the 1987 opener against San Diego State (Aikman redshirted in 1986). He is also the first junior college transfer to start a season-opening game in his initial season since Mark Harmon in 1972.

So there's a chance he'll be a great collegiate and NFL quarterback, a great actor (Harmon is on the CBS show NCIS), neither, or both...haha.

Brady to Matt Slater: An Update

jlegs — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 04:26:51 -0000

As NFL teams trudge along the training camp/preseason months, impressions are made and jobs are to be won or lost. For my now second favorite Patriot, it looks like the impressions he's making in Foxborough are along the lines of a "poor man's Troy Brown". I honest like what I've heard and read about what Slater has been doing for the Pats; when he's not returning kickoffs and punts, he's taking passes from Brady or lining up in the secondary against fellow wideouts:

Slater is the definition of a project. He will get every opportunity to return punts and kickoffs while expanding his talents at wide receiver and in the secondary. Some days Slater wears a white jersey and tries to catch Tom Brady [stats]’s passes. During yesterday’s single session at the Patriots’ indoor facility adjacent to Gillette Stadium, Slater wore defensive blue and was shadowing split ends on their prescribed routes.

Slater's versatility, IMO, makes it easier for him to establish a position on the team and, perhaps, a starting nod on ST (maybe third, fourth-string on offense and defense); as a close Patriots fan, he could very well be a difference maker and return a kick or two like he did at the Rose Bowl. The Patriots really haven't had a decent return game the last handful of years, relying on running backs (Lawrence Maroney) and corners (Ellis Hobbs), but not a true return speclaist per se. Anyways, it looks like Slater is indeed establishing himself, drawing some special attention from the ST coach:

Patriots special teams coach Brad Seely has taken an interest in Slater’s development. At the conclusion of every session, Slater performs an unusual drill. He stands on the goal line holding a football while Stephen Gostkowski has another teed up 60 yards away.

As Gostkowski’s kick closes in, Slater throws up the ball he’s holding and catches the return football before retrieving his own pass.

"It’s just a little concentration drill to make sure I’m looking at it all the way in," said Slater. "When you have the other ball in the air, you have to concentrate so much harder to ensure the catch."

Football season, both college and pro, can't come soon enough.

via graphics.boston.com

via d.yimg.com

A final note: Patriots/Ravens preseason game is tonight ; I would presume Mr. Slater would get some decent playing time, perhaps more than decent.

NCAA Considering Addition of Sand/Beach Volleyball

jlegs — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:54:28 -0000

From WWL's site:

An NCAA committee voted this month to add sand volleyball to a list of women's sports being considered for intercollegiate competition. The sport, known on the professional and Olympic levels as beach volleyball, could be under NCAA auspices as soon as 2009-10.

"It's a very exciting development, and it's certainly an acknowledgment that there's substantial growth in popularity in beach volleyball," said Leonard Armato, the commissioner of the domestic pro tour. "I think it's going to be an easy transition for the schools, and there's going to be lots of girls that want to play."

I'd imagine that it would be an easy transition here at a traditional volleyball school, especially in Southern California. We've also produced our fair share of AVP pros and Olympic legends (Mr. Kiraly, anyone?)...if this does go through, I wonder where they'd setup a sandy surface to play on. Perhaps in or around Sunset Rec or the in-progress Speiker Aquatic Center?

Uni Watch on Coach Sanders' Cleverness

jlegs — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 08:13:19 -0000

Bumped. Cool find. GO BRUINS. -N

Came across this on one of my favorite blogs on the internets:

Two interesting tidbits from Jim Parker, beginning with a UCLA tale: “In the mid- to late 1950s, UCLA’s legendary head football coach Henry ‘Red’ Sanders would purchase the team’s home powder blue jerseys in a lighter shade of blue each successive season, until they were almost as pale as the visiting teams white jerseys (although the jerseys were still blue enough for players and fans to tell the two teams apart). Several years later, UCLA’s longtime equipment manager revealed why: Players and fans could tell the two teams apart, but it was virtually impossible to make the same distinction on the black-and-white game or ’scout’ films. In these films of the UCLA games, the offense and defense immediately blended into one indistinguishable group after every hike of the ball.”

Pretty clever, especially by taking advantage of new technology (well, their apparent setbacks as well). It's obviously tame in an age of recorded coach signals, sign stealing, and videotaped walkthroughs, but I think it's just sheer genius to take advantage of still and motion camera technology at the time due to the lack of color presented by pictures/film. You can't blame Coach Sanders if a camera at the time can't distinguish between our blue and another team's white, can you?

3. Logan Paulsen, Sr., UCLA: The Bruins team captain hasn't put up huge numbers but he's a capable...

jlegs — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:11:33 -0000

3. Logan Paulsen, Sr., UCLA: The Bruins team captain hasn't put up huge numbers but he's a capable blocker and receiver who's got a chance to play on Sundays.

From Ted Miller's WWL Blog

No. of nonconf. gms.	Rec. vs. BCS	Rec. vs. I-A non-BCS	Rec. vs. I-AA	Pct. of gms. vs. BCS
32	10-8 (.556)	13-1 (.929)	0-0	.563