Weis ad nauseum
Here's how much fun a Charlie Weis press conference can be. He had one this morning, and went through every position for UCLA. And I mean every position, including the long snapper.
So for those of you with great patience, the following is the opening statement from his press conference.
COACH WEIS: UCLA has 10 starters back on offense and defense, and one of the specialists. They're outscoring their opponents in every quarter. It's interesting, Notre Dame has only been to the Rose Bowl two times. I guess the last time was in 1925. Karl Dorrell, I have a lot of respect for him as a head coach; I like him as a person as well. Fifth year there at his alma mater, but there are two telling stats.
When they score 30 points, he's 20-1. They've won 15 straight when they've scored 30 or more. They're 19-2 when they hold teams under 20 points, so those are glaring statistics. Jay Norvell came to UCLA this year from Nebraska, where he had been the offensive coordinator and coach to take over that position here at UCLA. Their offense has firepower; they're averaging over 32 points a game, rushing for a couple hundred yards a game.
They're averaging, I think, a little over 4 1/2 yards a carry. They're throwing for another 2 1/4 a game. That's 4 1/4 total. They were giving up 12 sacks so far this year. Last week stays right in tune with those statistics, because they rushed for 3 touchdowns and threw for 220 with two passing touchdowns.
The quarterback situation, (Pat) Cowan, partially tore his ACL with Washington. Some have him out for three to four weeks, some not that long. Ben Olson will be the starter; he's a lefty. He went for two touchdowns last week. We got ready for him last year because we were going through a similar situation with the two of them last year, not knowing for sure who we're going to end up seeing, so we had some familiarity researchwise on both guys.
They list two guys as their starting running backs, (Chris) Markey, who -- both of these guys have been banged up, Markey and (Kahlil) Bell, but they're listed as key starters, and they're both good running backs, and (Trevor) Theriot as a full back. They use a lot of 21 people, so he shows up a lot. They also have, you know, (Michael) Pitre, who has been out since training camp, who is supposed to be a big factor in this position.
I think last week was the first time I think I saw him in some limited action. Last week is the first time I have seen him get back on the field. Tight end, (Logan) Paulsen, he started every game this year at tight end, and when they go to their two tight end sets, which they utilize, we'll see them both out there.
The receivers, it all starts with (Brandon) Breazell. He's the starting -- he's their big playmaker. He catches the ball with his hands well. He's got some wiggle, he can make you miss, he's dangerous, good acceleration.
And then you've got the bigger guy, (Joe) Cowan, who is the brother of the quarterback, 6 4, 220, so he uses his size to his advantage. Several other receivers see the field, 19, (Dominique) Johnson, he's showed up. (Marcus) Everett has been banged up. (Terrence) Austin, I did a lot of work on him; he's the punt returner, but I did work on him coming out of Poly. He shows up, too, so there is a lot of guys they use at wide receiver. So they have versatility.
Offensive line, (Micah) Kia and (P.J.) Irvin, they handle left tackle, left guard, (Shannon) Tevaga partially tore his ACL in the Utah game, and I think he might be out. (Chris) Joseph is at center, (Noah) Sutherland is the right guard, (Brian) Abraham is the right tackle.
Defensive coordinator, DeWayne Walker, he's a friend of mine, did a very good job against us. They're allowing 2.8 yards per carry, 16th in the country on defense, and they have 16 sacks. I'll give you an example of how they're playing.
Last week they gave up 248 yards; they only gave up one third down conversation in 14 attempts. They held Oregon State to one score in the red zone, had three sacks, and in the final three quarters they only allowed 101 yards in six first downs, and Oregon State gained more than 7 yards just three times in the final 12 possessions.
So obviously they D'd up pretty good in the Oregon State game after the first quarter, where they trailed 14-0, only to go on to win 40-14. They have a lot of speed at defense.
As we go to the line, they have a lot of speed at the defensive end position. When they have (Korey) Bosworth, when they use him and (Bruce) Davis -- Davis was a second-team all-Pac 10. He's that disruptive edge rusher who gave us headaches last year. Bosworth is starting at end, (Nikola) Dragovic is the other guy who has played end. He's been banged up some, so we haven't seen him as much. Of course, inside they have (Kevin) Brown and (Jess) Ward at the 1-3 technique.
At linebacker, strong side they are going to have (Aaron) Whittington or (Kyle) Bosworth, (Christian) Taylor mans the middle and (Reggie) Carter is the -- one thing about all these linebackers and defensive ends, all three linebackers and defensive ends, they can all run and run fast! It provides quite a challenge of speed because speed is the name of their game.
Now in the secondary, you know, Trey Brown is turning the right corner, he's got a bunch of picks, solid corner, returning starter. Their safety -- they have strong safety with (Chris) Horton and free safety with (Dennis) Keyes, both returning starters, and left corner, I've seen (Rodney) Van and (Alterraun) Verner in there.
So they've -- I don't know if they've alternated them or how it's gone, but I've seen both of them over there at the left corner. They don't list the special teams coordinator, but they are very explosive in the return game.
They're averaging 25 -- just under 26 yards a kickoff return, and you really have to be concerned with those returners, especially (Terrence) Austin on punt return and (Matthew) Slater/(Kahlil) Bell on kickoff return. (Aaron) Perez, he is in his third year as a punter, and (Kai) Forbath is doing a nice job in his first year place kicking, and (Jimmy) Rotstein is their kickoff guy, so Kai just has to kick field goals, (Christian) Yount is the long snapper.
Comments
Nice summary by Coach Weis. Very thorough. Interesting stats about Dorrell's record when scoring 30 or not allowing 20. Probably good goals for the O and D to strive for. Some thoughts.
1. Weis used the same language as Dewayne Walker in reference to sets with the runningbacks. Probably common terms in footballspeak but the only other time I ever heard/read anyone referring to it that way was by Walker in your article after the BYU game. Maybe something shared form their Patriot days?
2. I'm sure Trevor Theriot and Christian Yount's parents are happy that Weis took the time to name their children in his presser.
3. With such thorough research, you think Weis knows the the offensive and defensive signals UCLA uses? Since he is a member of the New England Film Society...
4. I'm surprised Weis didn't mention Sean Astin who played Rudy in the movie, went to UCLA.
I can't wait for Saturday. Should be quite fun and the RB packed.
Posted by: Trey![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.insidesocal.com/ucla/nav-commenters.gif)
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October 2, 2007 09:48 PM
Maybe we might be in good shape. He's been fooled to think our offense has firepower :) We know he hasn't been watching film. Haha this will be a fun game, I hope.
Posted by: Drodri18 | October 2, 2007 10:44 PM
Mr. Front&Back-Butt has confused reciting stats with the actual of practice of coaching, evidence of which is woefully lacking this year without Ty's players. Genius he is not. 0-5 he is!
Posted by: AlwaysBeatND | October 3, 2007 12:30 AM
Our coach just does his homework. (know your enemy)We are having troubles with the young guys since Ty left the cubbard bare. I feel the Butt joke or any weight joke is uncalled for in meaningful football discussion. What is is and that's our record to date and sort of expected with the tough schedule we have.
Posted by: Sir John | October 3, 2007 07:56 AM
Reading that from weis made me car sick and I was at my desk....
Posted by: Tony | October 3, 2007 08:14 AM
Sir John, wasn't Weis' celebrated success the last two years in part a result of the skill players Ty recruited?
Getting punked on a weekly basis, in and out of your own house, and a record of 0-5 was expected?
The Domer spin never ceases to amaze...
Posted by: Zippy | October 3, 2007 09:39 AM
ND's sucess with Ty Guys, I have to remind you over all they were mediocre when Weis came in. Weis trained them up. His constant yellat Quinn his first year was "Brady that's why you will always be a 50 % passer." Have it your way Ty had a 50% passer as talent. He was golfing not recruiting. We have about 11 of his guys left on the team Jr's and Sr's. Only about 9 see the field at all. The beating we are taking was really 'sort of expected' given our front loaded awful schedule
We are playing with true Freshmen and Sophs.. Which ought to make your UCLA happy. You want revenge for last year and we know it will be rough. You play GT,Penn State,Michigan, Michigan State,(You) Boston College and then USC in a row.
But you have your own built in Spin on ND and those Ty guys and Weis.
Posted by: Sir John | October 3, 2007 10:12 AM
the difference between these Weis and KD is amazing. You listen to KD, and he says nothing meaningful about football. He is like Lavin talking about basketball: Cliches without any real understanding.
If you were to ask KD the same questions about NDs players, he wouldn't know a thing about them. How sad for us.
Posted by: silverlake bruin | October 3, 2007 11:45 AM
Sir John - Actually I'm indifferent about Ty and Weis. I simply disagree that ND's ineptness this year all falls on a coach who was fired nearly 3 years ago. Is Ty the reason you have no tailback, no blocking, no speed?
Oh well, agree to disagree.
As for revenge, with the team ND brings in this year, revenge for last year is not possible. And besides, Dorrell and Co. may once again find a way to hand ND the "W"...
Posted by: Zippy | October 3, 2007 01:22 PM
National Championship football teams of the last 25 seasons, listed with head coach and in what year of his tenure at the school the championship occurred:
2006 Florida Urban Meyer (2nd)
2005 Texas Mack Brown (8th)
2004 USC Pete Carroll (4th)
2003 LSU (BCS) Nick Saban (4th)
USC (AP) Pete Carroll (3rd)
2002 Ohio State Jim Tressel (2nd)
2001 Miami Larry Coker (1st)
2000 Oklahoma Bob Stoops (2nd)
1999 Florida State Bobby Bowden (24th)
1998 Tennessee Phillip Fulmer (7th)
1997 Nebraska (USA Today#) Tom Osborne (25th)
Michigan (AP) Lloyd Carr (3rd)
1996 Florida Steve Spurrier (7th)
1995 Nebraska Tom Osborne (23rd)
1994 Nebraska Tom Osborne (22nd)
1993 Florida State Bobby Bowden (18th)
1992 Alabama Gene Stallings (3rd)
1991 Washington* Don James (17th)
Miami** Dennis Erickson (3rd)
1990 Ga. Tech* Bobby Ross (4th)
Colorado**) Bill McCartney (9th)
1989 Miami Dennis Erickson (1st)
1988 Notre Dame Lou Holtz (3rd)
1987 Miami Jimmy Johnson (4th)
1986 Penn State Joe Paterno (21st)
1985 Oklahoma Barry Switzer (13th)
1984 BYU LaVell Edwards (13th)
1983 Miami Howard Schnellenberger (5th)
1982 Penn State Joe Paterno (17th)
* Coaches poll in 1990; sponsored by USA Today in 1997 and '91, UPI in '90
** AP champion
10 coaches have won an NC within 3 years of taking over the program. Weis isn't one of them. Put all the lipstick you want on his FAT-BUTT, it's still a FAT-BUTT. Two words that don't belong in the same sentence as Weis: elite & genius. Two words that do: FAT & BUTT.
Posted by: AlwaysBeatND | October 3, 2007 01:42 PM
why did you remove my comment noting Weis can give a press conference and actually discuss football, and KD gives one and spouts cliches.
Do you really think KD could give the depth of analysis of NDs team that Weis can give of his?
Posted by: exhuming mcarthy | October 3, 2007 04:06 PM
Mcarthy,
Let's be honest here. What type of indepth report should KD give on an 0-5 team? I would be appalled if KD analyzed every ND starter in a presser.
Weis has to be diplomatic this year. Not much else he can do (aside form winning a game or two)than to get the media on his side.
Posted by: Trey![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.insidesocal.com/ucla/nav-commenters.gif)
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October 3, 2007 10:22 PM
Trey,
Do you really think KD could? do you really think he understands the game, or prepares enough to do that? I have seen no indication that he does. It certainly doesn't show up in his brilliant offense he insists on, nor in his comments before or after a game.
I don't hate the guy, if he can win the pac 10 this year, im all for keeping him, but thus far he has not shown himself to be anything other than a below average coach with below average analytical skills.
Posted by: exhuming mccarthy | October 4, 2007 01:24 PM
LOL, if Dorrell wins the Pac 10 this year you're all for keeping him. Very charitable of you.
There are 4 Pac 10 teams rated in the Top 20 ahead of UCLA. If UCLA is able to win the Pac 10, Dorrell should be national coach of the year!
All the teams in front of UCLA had their starting QB back! UCLA is the only one among those five that is starting a different QB than the one who started the last game of the previous year. Think about that.
And for all of Weis analytical skill, he is ZERO AND FIVE. Naming the players on another team doesn't mean jack. From what I undertand he tried to implement a new offense just for the 1st game against GTech for QB Demetrius Jones who has since transferred. Now tell me who doesn't understand the game?
Posted by: Trey![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.insidesocal.com/ucla/nav-commenters.gif)
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October 4, 2007 08:48 PM
Trey,
KD's best performance is 3rd in the Pac 10.
If he can't get it done with this years senior heavy team, when will he? its his 5th season. Will it take 10? 20? before he fields a team that actually has a decent chance at doing something?
Or is it okay to have a program that is below SC, Cal and Oregon in football. Do you really think the most we should strive for is a top three finish in a ten team conference every 5 years?
Posted by: exhuming mccarthy | October 5, 2007 03:18 PM