Brian, outstanding job covering the Bruins.

What is the time-frame for installing the new offense? Will Chow & Neuheisel sit down in Feb and write a new playbook from scratch and install it in Spring? Or will they retain some of Dorrell's nomenclature/systems while transitioning over a whole season?

Since Kevin Craft cannot formally practice in Spring, but can attend meetings & observe, can he get together informally with the WR and gets some reps in (no coaches)? Or can he not touch a football until Fall?

Do you think that Kevin Craft will compete for the starting QB job?

Does UCLA have a realistic shot at getting D Scott?

I don't think the Scotts would be entertainint Rick and DeWayne in his home if he had made up his mind. So it is clear we have a chance with him. RN has been doing a heck of a job at trying to bring the best to UCLA! Much more than a lot of us expected.

Josh Shipp said he's coming back. If Darren and Love leave and or Luc...

What do you see our 09 starting line up being including the incoming class w/ Jrue and co?

Do youe see any scenario w/ Kevin staying one more year? Is Kevin's goal to win one National Championship or if he wins one this year might he want to stay and get #2?

Hey brian, Where do you see dean going now? Do we have shot at Julio Jones or Golden?

Can you tell us any suprise name we are now offering or re-offering? Scott, Golden, and some other names I've heard can you confirm any?
And what are our chances with them?

Do we have any O-linemen or D-linemen still considering us or are we done recruiting O & D-line?

Sean Westgate seems to have a nose for the ball and he has great reaction time. I really like this surprise recruit.

What is his current weight and how long before he becomes ready to play at UCLA (size and healed from his injury)? Do you see him playing LB and S?

Regarding the "spring game": Will we have a real game between two teams, or will it be like the scrimmages we've had in the past?

Is it true D Scott has no chance of getting in academically? If so, was Rick's visit with him just a PR move?

How many recruits will we sign in this football class? We have a lot of verbals and it seems like at least 30 offers with about 22 of those being verbals/soft verbals.

If we get Scott do we lose out on Knox,Dean or Franklin?

Do you see any scenario in which we get 3 of the 4 mentioned?

Brian - can you explain the basketball scholarship situation for next year? I know that Mata-Real is graduating. But let's say no underclassman decides to go pro - would that leave enough scholarships for the four incoming freshmen next year? Thanks.

Do you think Kevin Love is under-utilized?

what do you think of the seattle times article? does it change your opinion of Neuheisel? will it change the way you cover him? (for example, I personnally would be on the lookout for any lapses in discipline or any emerging rogue behavior by fb players.) I know Neuheisel is fun, but that article was a huge blow to his credibility as a leader, imo. props to the investigative reporting behind that piece....

what do you think of the seattle times article? does it change your opinion of Neuheisel? will it change the way you cover him? (for example, I personnally would be on the lookout for any lapses in discipline or any emerging rogue behavior by fb players.) I know Neuheisel is fun, but that article was a huge blow to his credibility as a leader, imo. props to the investigative reporting behind that piece....

Brian,

I've heard that Neuheisel is going to implement a spread offense? Is this just a rumor, because I haven't heard any official word on this. Thanks.

Do you really think that USC is not better than Baylor, Rhode Island, Drake, Pitt, Wisconsin, or St. Mary's?

Especially considering they beat your #5, and have losses of four points to #1 and #2.

Between NLI Day next week and Spring Ball in April, what will Coach Neuheisel and his staff do in that 7-8 week period? Will there be any vacations then or do you think they will use that time to recruit for 2009?

iyo, was running back recruiting and coaching better under bieniemy or babers? eb brought in and coached up drew, markey, bell and shepherd. babers brought in moline, rameriz and mcgee (who left). you were asked a q about "void" left by eb and you seemed glad to see him leave. my sense is that eb > > > babers as a recruiter, and coach. eb taught markey and bell...they were just sharing time with drew.

Can you give us an update on Konrad Reuland (since last week)? Any news on other JC recruits we may be shooting for or have offered?

Why is that new UCLA offensive genius Norm Chow does not do any in-home visits with football recruits? Is he too shy? Does he really come across that badly in-person that he will not visit? Does he not like to fly or drive? And is this why he never has had any other job in football (college or pro) besides being a coordinator? You would think somebody who wants to be a head coach would want to get more involved with recruiting the young people who might be playing for him someday.

Brian,
Are we actively recruiting an additional O-lineman in this incoming 2008 class? Do you see us landing at least one more OL, or are the coaches just trying to get as many skill position players as possible and address the the weak chain-link fence that is the offensive line next year?

Recent UCLA recruiting classes have been heavy on backs (both offensive and defensive) and light on linemen. Do you see this being a problem for the next couple of years, or does the team have enough linemen already in the program for this to not be a big issue? Are there any attempts to get some additional help on the offensive or defensive line this year?

If Kevin Craft is a summer enrollee, will he count against next year's allotment of 25 scholarship players or will he be considered part of this year's class?

what are the weaknesses of this years recruiting class? will be shallow in any position for next year?

UCLA CTO informed me that there will be a Select-A-Seat event at the Rose Bowl for next year’s football season ticket holders. Can you confirm this, and walk us through how such an event works for those of us who have not been through the process as Bruin Basketball season ticket holders?

Does Drew Gordon's season ending injury affect recruiting for a 5 now? are there any 5s out there that the Bruins would like to get for the '08 class?

Brian-

Thanks for the great work as always and especially, the recruiting tidbits as we draw closer to national signing day. A few questions for you:

1. The Seattle Times article detailing the 2000 UW FB team noted that its story was based on recently unsealed court documents. Was AD Guerrero made aware of these issues during the course of Coach Neuheisel's interview process? What reaction, if any, has he and other administrators had to the article?

2. Are there any other non-(verbal)committed linemen that UCLA is currently pursuing besides Hamani Stevens?

3. Did RN and NC gently inform MBT that it would be tough to get playing time over the next couple of seasons and thus, encouraged his transfer to Sac State? Or did MBT realize this on his own?

4. Who are the noteworthy players that may not be ready to participate in spring practices due to injury?

5. Most importantly, who would win a 1 on 1 hoops game between you and USC beat writer Scott Wolf?

Brian, your blog contains great information, however, some of your commentary seems needlessly antagonistic to Bruin fans, for example, you call us "apathetic" (72,000 average attendance for football to watch a .500 team says otherwise), you claim that the football head coaching search ended up with its 4th choice, that UCLA should be happy to compete for the Pac-10 in footall, etc., why the antagonistic attitude at times?

Does Ben Howland have any control who is the Strength and Conditioning
Coach since Doc Kreis also served the basketball team? If so isnt it
a little odd he was let go mid season of b-ball? Did Howland also have
to approve the new Coach, or was this just the Football team controlling both b-ball and football.
Thanks

Does Ben Howland have any control who is the Strength and Conditioning
Coach since Doc Kreis also served the basketball team? If so isnt it
a little odd he was let go mid season of b-ball? Did Howland also have
to approve the new Coach, or was this just the Football team controlling both b-ball and football.
Thanks

Do you follow collegiate baseball? If so, what are your expectations of a loaded Bruins squad this season? Anything short of Omaha a disappointment? Thanks.

At what point in time will Chow start to evalute the qbs? Does he wait until Spring ball or go by film now?

I know there has been a lot of talk about Rahim Moore taking over at FS next year. What is your take and do you really think Aaron Ware will get beat out once again?? I remember he was highly touted coming out of HS and hasn't reallly fit in yet.

It's no secret that ND is aggresivley pursuing Milton Knox right now. Do you expect him to sign with this Irish on national signing day?

Out of J. Johnson, A. Moutra, and N. Rosario who do you expect to play as a true freshman? Do all three have a chance?

Antwon Moutra took an official visit to WSU on the 19th, and since then there have been no updates on him. Do you know how the trip went and if he is still solid to the Bruins?

Who is your favorite recruit that is committed right now? Or in other words who do you think has the best shot at starting or earning significant pt as a true freshmen?

What is the liklihood that Ottis Jones decommits from ASU and signs with UCLA?

Last week, you mentioned that four of the committed recruits had yet to be presented to the academic committee. Has everyone been presented by now? Has anyone been disapproved?

Why do I check this blog every 15 minutes? Or in other words, what makes us such fanatics?

If Love has an outstanding month of March, he will be an easy lottery pick. Do you see him coming back for one more year or is he one and done?

Robbie Boyer had an official visit a couple of weeks ago but has yet to receive a scholarship offer. What is the holdup? Is it simply a situation where UCLA does not know whether a scholarship will be available until higher priority targets such as Dean and Stevens have made their decisions?

This is a three part question.
1.) Do UCLA teams (both football and basketball) have more injuries than other teams, or is that just the way it seems to us fans?
2.) If so, is there an underlying cause behind this or is it just bad luck?
3.) Does the perception, valid or not, that UCLA's players have abnormally high injury rates hurt us in recruiting (especially in basketball)?

When is Aundre Dean expected to annouce?

You mentioned something to the effect that you think James Keefe is limited as a player. How is he limited? Do you think he can improve in these areas of limitation?

If basketball ends up needing a scholarship for the 4 coming in next year, do you think Dragovic is the most likely candidate to be this year's Ryan Wright, ie, the guy UCLA helps find somewhere else to play so UCLA can have the scholarship?

how can there be academic issues with Darrell Scott? He seems very articulate in his interviews. Is that just a rumor/excuse for turning down UCLA?

do we have any shot at Julio Jones?

why did the otis jones talk cool down, is it simply because he is not good enough?

Why has Ben Howland had trouble recruiting big men to UCLA (obviously, aside from Kevin Love)? There's a perception that his teams are perimeter oriented and that's why the guards have been coming, but weren't his Pitt teams more post-oriented?

What is 'junk defense'? I've never heard of it. It was a term you used in a recent article.

Brian - even if you can't name names at this point, do you think there will be any surprise football signees no signing day? (i.e. people who haven't been publicized as being in the mix to this point). Thanks.

Brian,
Why is it that we hear so much about UCLA not being able to recruit football talent due to high academic standards, but the same is not said about basketball?

A number of places have reported that notre dame is pushing hard to get Milton Knox to commit, while you have stated previously that your sources seem to think it's unlikely that he does not go to UCLA. With the late push by notre dame, do you still think this is true?

In last week's Q&A, you speculated that the starting linebackers this year will be Carter, Hale, and Akeem Aayres. Why did you select Hale rather than Kyle Bosworth? Bosworth started most of last year while Hale has been a backup, and Bosworth has been the more productive player.

What are you hearing from your sources about the liklihood that Uona Kavienga will decommit from BYU and recommit to UCLA?

So are we not going to have a QB coach? Didnt we learn from not having a QB coach the last 2 years? When Chow was at SC, Sarkisian was the QB coach there.

Several weeks ago you mentioned that the Pac-10 has a procedure by which coaches can complain to the Conference about the performance of a referee(s). The procedure was created to help coaches keep such comments out of the press.

WITHOUT giving any specifics, to your knowledge has Ben Howland ever sent any such complaints to the Pac-10? If so, do you know if the Conference took any action against the referee(s), such as a letter of reprimand?

Thanks,

UCLA78 (The REAL One)

Who do you expect Datone Jones to sign with?

Who do you think would step in if (when?) Neuheisel is found to have violated NCAA regulations this season? Do you know if he has a clause in his contract for an immediate firing if he gets the school in trouble? Do you think Eric Scott will be back with the team as a coach next season or did his arrest this past year negate any chance of that? And whatever happened to Billy Don Jackson, the UCLA football player who graduated but was found not able to read or write, and apparently was convicted of murder a long time ago? Is he still alive? Does he come to campus at UCLA? Does the UCLA Athletic Administration even acknowledge he played for UCLA? Thanks for your hard work Brian, you do a really great job.

Last week you said you thought Ayers, Carter, and Hale would be the starters at LB. Where do you see Bosworth fitting in? Do you think he'll be the first backup?

Whats the latest word on Coach Eric Scott? Does Coach Neuheisel plan on retaining him for the 2008-09 season?

Brian, regarding the scheduling conflict with Scott. Was Texas simply running over in their alotted time or did Scott's "mgmt" screw up the calendar? Did RN never even meet with him that evening?

If we sign 25 or over are there any commitments who will come in THIS spring as early enrollees or grayshirt in the fall/winter? If so do you have any idea on who? Baca? Harkey?

Can you give an update on Uona Kaveinga? Is BRO's report that he is back on UCLA's radar valid?

There is now a possibility that UCLA may run out of scholarships if most of the undecided targets commit to UCLA. Do you know if any of the presently committed players may be willing to greyshirt in order to free an additional scholarship or to enroll this spring so as not to be counted in the 2008 class? Has the coaching staff discussed the subject with any of the recruits?

Brian,

whats the bandage on Collison's forearm for?

What actually happens at College Gameday this Saturday? How long does it go on for? What is in it for fans that attend?

Thanks!

Why is Rutgers such a pathetic football program? I mean they are in a terrible conference lacking in major talent. I know they are known for having 5'8" linebackers, no coach in their right mind would want to coach there and any players with a hint of talent would prefer to play elsewhere; but come on...
Even the sun shines on a dog's behind once in a while. Have they ever one a major bowl in their history?

What IF no one leaves for the NBA after this year? Is it correct to say that we would have only have 3 scholarships open, but we already have 4 recruits coming in next year? What would happen in that situation?

Is McLeod Bethel-Thompson looking for more playing time by transferring to Sac State? Was his decision swayed by the commitment of the latest QB recruit? Did you see more potential in him past his performances in the games this season?

How come some of the walk-on players don't get to dress and play (I just read an article about Spencer Soo)? It looks like there are a couple other walk-on players who don't dress as well. Is it because there are just too many walk-on players as it is?

What is your take on the current crime spree around the UCLA campus? Do you notice more people are scared to be around the campus? Will this affect recruiting or attendance at games? Thanks for your awesome work Brian!

Cops fighting crime spree at UCLA
Daily News Wire Services
Article Last Updated: 01/31/2008 06:11:35 AM PST

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ONLINE EXTRA:

For more crime news, check out 'It's a crime'.
More courts coverage at the 'Order in the Court' blog.
Valley Homicide Tracker
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Police are fighting a crime spree -- including several muggings -- at and around the UCLA campus, according to crime bulletins issued by the UCLA Police Department.

The most recent reported attack occurred around 10 p.m. Monday when a male victim was walking on Landfair Avenue and a vehicle rolled up and blocked his path at the intersection of Landfair and Strathmore, police said in bulletins posted on the department's Web site.

A passenger inside the vehicle tried to grab the victim's cargo bag, sparking a struggle, with the robber punching the victim. The assailant eventually gave up and got back in the vehicle, a blue Honda or Toyota, which was driven by someone else.

The assailant was described as a Filipino, about 20 years old, 6 feet tall, weighing 170 pounds, with short black hair and a mustache. He was last seen wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt, a dark shirt and blue jeans. The driver was also a Filipino man of about 20 who was wearing light-colored clothing.

Earlier Monday, at around 7:35 a.m., a UCLA staff member was walking on Westwood Boulevard approaching Weyburn Avenue when a man grabbed her from behind and tried to pull her toward the opposite side of the street, according to a police bulletin.

She punched her assailant in the face, forcing him to release his grip and flee to a van parked across the street, police said.

One suspect in that attack was described as a Hispanic man, about 25 years old, 5 feet 7,

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weighing 160 pounds, with a tattoo on the top of his right hand. He was clad in black and wore a black ski mask, according to campus police. The other suspect was also a Hispanic man, wearing all black with a black ski mask. The getaway vehicle was a white "working van" with tinted windows.
In another robbery attempt, a female victim was approached from behind as she walked northbound on Glenrock Avenue around 7:40 p.m. on Jan. 22, according to police. The assailant struggled to take the victim's purse but dropped the purse and ran westbound on Ophir Drive when his victim began screaming, police said. The victim was not hurt.

The attacker in the Jan. 22 incident was described as a black male, 6 feet 2, weighing 200 pounds, wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and dark sweat pants.

Campus police have also been searching for a man who stole a Sony Vaio laptop computer from a university Co-op building, a structure housing students at 10940 Ophir Ave., around 12:10 a.m. on Jan. 4. The thief and another male were last seen entering the Co-op building at 500 Landfair Ave., where another burglary occurred.

The suspected thief, whose picture is posted on the campus police Web site, was described as a Hispanic man, between 20 and 25, 5 feet 8, 180 pounds, with a shaved head and light mustache. He was last seen wearing a black t-shirt over a long-sleeve burgundy t-shirt and black pants.