1. What do you think has really happened to Alexei Lanis to now put him behind Kia at that spot? Work ethic, conditioning, Kia's sheer domination of the position, the injury, a "lessson" being taught...........none of the above?
2.I went to a number of fall practices last year and saw the shotgun being used quite effectively (especially with shovel passes to the RB's) and fairly frequently. However, it never showed up in the games so what gives for THIS season.........can you guesstimate how much shotgun formation will actually be used in games this year? If you don't really know can I ask you to ask Norvell about it?
First, I think Aleksey is being sent a message. He was out of shape in the spring, partly because his workout regimen wasn’t complete due to injuries. If he comes into camp and is lights out, he’ll be a starter. Don't forget, he competed at right tackle in the spring, and was moved behind Kia at left tackle afterward.
Second, with how messed up the offense was last season, shotgun was the last thing on then-offensive coordinator Jim Svoboda’s mind. As for how much they will use it next season, they believe that gets into game-planning issues and would not tell me. However, during training camp I’m sure someone will let it slip.

How secure is Dorrell's job? I hope he succeeds this year, but do you think there is a minimum number of wins he needs to garner to sustain his job into 2008?
I think eight wins would make things very interesting, but it is contingent on injuries and the happenstances of a season. One thing I do know is the administration is pleased he has cleaned up the off-the-field image of the program, and there is a belief that the academics make it a challenge to win 10 games consistently.

You placed Arizona #8 in your Pac Ten predictions. What's your thoughts on the job Mike Stoops has done at UofA? Stoops is entering his fourth season (?) at Zona. Where do you see their program going?
I’m not impressed at all with what Stoops has done. He is a tremendous defensive coach, but overall the team is up-and-down too much. I think this is a big season for him because that school wants to get back to a bowl game, and if it doesn’t do that this season there could be a change.

Do you think that Jay Norvell will turn around the offense? How do you think he's doing so far? What are your impressions of him?
I think it’s going well from the standpoint of how detailed he is, and his knowledge of the offense. He is a pass-first guy, and I know the players have tremendous confidence in him, which I don’t think was the case with last season’s offensive coordinator. However, Norvell didn’t call the plays at Nebraska, and so until I see him do it for a month, I don’t know if he can turn the defense around.

I'm pumped up for this coming season - do you think Chance "the train" Moline will lead the team with touchdowns? as i think he'll get a lot of playing time this year. Do you think he'll get a lot more playing time?
I think he’ll play more, but I don’t see at this time him being the TD leader. My gut feeling is the coaching staff would rather have Chris Markey trying to score from near the goal line than Moline.

So often when there is a coaching change, the top verbally committed high school prospects de-committ and sign elsewhere. With Dorrell and his staff getting off to an excellent start in recruiting the 2008 class, and considering the fact that this talented class will take the place of all of the skillful seniors on the roster, does it make much sense to fire him even if the team does not live up to expectations this season?
I’ll answer it this way: even with a stellar recruiting class, those kids, on a whole, won’t be ready to make big-time contributions until 2009, at the earliest. Plus, keeping coaches based on a recruiting class is dangerous to me, because new coaches always seem to have strong recruiting classes for a year or two because of good will, and promises of a turnaround.

In the year that 350 lbs Bennett and Tevaga were signed, the coaches also got a lot of 270 lbs OL that fit the bill of more athletic types. Is this more perception or who is available?
I think it is more perception. Most offensive lineman need at least two years to work their bodies into college shape. The coaching staff is looking for footwork and frames when scouting offensive linemen.

Do you believe UCLA will ever win a concensus national championship in football given the academic restrictions and financial obstacles with regards to the hiring of big-name coaches? Be honest!
I can’t predict where college football will be in 50 years, but UCLA has never won a consensus national title, so my answers is no. And, by the way, I'm always honest. That's what this Q&A is for.

Can you tell us what the "director of operations" does for the basketball team?
Works close with the head coach to keep straight appointments, monitors the players in the classroom, serves as a liaison to the media, and basically keeps the day-to-day operations of the basketball program running smoothly.

Has the success of Coach Howland allowed Karl Dorrell to keep his head coaching position?
I would like to know if you sense a "halo effect" from basketball?
No, I get no sense of basketball’s success having anything to do with Dorrell keeping his job. Dorrell inherited a mess, and the first two years were spent cleaning that up. In his third year he was 10-2, and then last year lost his starting quarterback and finished 7-6. Yes, there have been some bad losses, but I think this is a watershed year.

Can you update us on Chris Markey again, I know around a month ago you reported he was close to being cleared for workouts, can you tell us where he stands now?
He is supposed to be cleared for start of training camp.