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Just thought I give you all a little reminder how Walker’s defense looked like a joke against teams running college offenses last season.

Again it is nice to read all these fluff pre-season articles about how our players are feeling faster and quicker, but as you know none of it is going to matter if they again look like bunch of jokers under Dorrell’s leadership this coming season. I don’t really give a (deleted) about how these guys are feeling and looking at practice from Monday to Fridays, I care how they look on the field on Saturdays.

We are just tired of the same old song and dance year after year.

*This post was edited because of language

Brian:

Thanks for the information. A question about the DL while we are on the subject of defense. I have read some lament that Moline is in with the first unit while KB is on the mend. What is your (or perhaps DW's) take on him so far? Also, is he coming off an injury? I seem to recall he had back problems leading up to camp (or was that one of the other Molines?).

Thanks in advance.

Josh has some excellent UCLA bloodlines. Let's hope he can kick butt like his celebrated cousin.

Nestor's not content with his orgy of negativity on his own blog, he has to bring it to Dohn's blog. Need the clicks for ad revenue?

I enjoy these so-called "fluff" pre-season articles. The weeks going into any season (football/basketball/etc) can be very exciting.

I would think that someone who does not enjoy pre-season reports would opt not to read them. And if Saturdays are the only thing that counts, then obsessive hyper-criticism of this season's coach would only take during the season. Not during the neverending months between seasons.

"fluff" articles are ok ... but when year-in year-out we have quotes like "we are learning how to practice" why is it wrong to point out how ridiculous they are? At some point, "fluff" becomes fantasy and realism becomes, how did Dan above put it ... negative.

So was the defense not improved last year? Is that "fluff?"

Was it not Walker's first year as DC? Is that "fluff?"

Does UCLA have 10 senior starters back on D? Is that "fluff?"

Wasn't UCLA something like 114th against the run in 2005 and improved into the top 10 or 15 in 2006? Is that "fluff?"

Was Walker suppose to turn UCLA into the Steel Curtain all in one year? That is realism?

Is it okay for some of us to have some optimism for the upcoming season?

I believe most of us know what Dorrell's record is and the results of the past 4 years. I don't have some delusion that it's been gravy since 2003.

But I really don't need someone directing me to another website to get the lowdown. Most fans come here to get Brian's updates. If I wanted to read half baked, agenda driven analysis I would go to bruinsnations.

Walker's Defense was number 2 in the PAC-10 last year.

The previous year; Kerr's defense was dead last except for Standford.

Regardless of the negative/defeatist spin from armchair coaches like Nestor/Dumpy - the FACT is that we went from around last in CONFERENCE SCORING DEFENSE to being second only to USC in CONFERENCE SCORING DEFENSE. All of this with juniors and a first year DC.

If Nestor has any suggestions for a better DC then let him offer his solution. Otherwise his comments are nothing more then empty rhetoric.

Names of coaching candidates that Nestor will hire once he fires Dorrell/Walker? Waiting ...

So what if we were second in conference scoring defense? Who cares? We were 7-6, with a bunch of embarrassing losses. We looked completely lost at times, on both sides of the ball.

A fluff piece is one that give you nice warm fuzzy feelings but is short on analytical information. Why should we feel better about the defense this year? It is nearly exactly the same team. Until Walker and Dorrell start talking about FOOTBALL, schemes and technical improvements, then they are just blowing air. Otherwise, if we are so damn good, I will not expect anything less than a Pac-10 championship.

Better start backing up the pre-season window dressing because this pace of "learning and growing" is suited for people with a much longer lifespan than mine.

Trey - "Is it okay for some of us to have some optimism for the upcoming season?"

sure .. we all have optimism .. Is it ok for some of us to be skeptical of the warm and fuzzy happy talk that we've heard for years and are now hearing again??! 7-6 last season. Hurraaaaay! Defense lost 6 games. Hurraaaay!

That's why, when you hear stories like this about Ben Howland's teams, you pay attention. If he says "Collison will break out this year", you listen. If he says "we are going to play fast", you listen. Because HE has delivered and has one thing that Karl Dorrell has not yet earned: CREDIBILITY.

If "learning and growing" gives us this after 4 years, maybe we are not learning the right things. This is the year. If our football team does not do well this year, there will be no excuses. And by doing well I mean a BCS bowl.

Reid try the analysis you claim to use.

If Walker is 2nd in conference with juniors then that means the defense side is being taken care of.

Do you not realize that the injury to Ben Olson had a role in the overall W/L column.

If you can't figure that out then you need a new hobby.

The people that hate Dorrell will always hate him even if he wins a PAC-10 Championship (FLUKE !!! - FIRE DORRELL).

This fixation on Dorrell is obsessive and frankly, one has to wonder about the mental stability of Dumpy and Nestor.

anon

For the record, an editor of dumpdorrell has said in interviews on ESPN radio and FoxSports radio that we will shut down dumpdorrell.com if Dorrell wins the conference championship. I can't speak for Nestor, but if Im not mistaken Nestor has said he would praise Dorrell for doing the same thing. Also, no one has stated, to my knowledge, that they hate Dorrell.

And you really have to stop with the childish personal attacks and hyperbole.