April 2008 Archives

UCLA senior Kevin Chappell tied for first for the Pac-10 individual title, but he lost in a playoff today to Airzona's Creighton Honeck. Honeck birdied the first playoff hole while Chappell made a par.
The release is below:

Offenisve linemen Shannon Tevaga and Noah Sutherland both were invited to the Oakland Raiders mini-camp.

Freshman Chace Stanback will transfer after the spring quarter. Here is the UCLA release:
What do you guys think?

UCLA coach Terry Donahue was named the school's alumnus of year. The following is the UCLA press release:

Here's a release about the UCLA men's and women's tennis teams, which will host regionals in the NCAA Championships.

Pre-screenings start today for ``Gunnin' for that No. 1 spot, '' a movie that features eight future NBA players, including Kevin Love. The following is a press release and some info on the film:

This is from a UCLA spokesperson:
Ben Olson has decided to have surgery on his right foot next week. He will have a screw inserted in his right fifth metatarsel. Recovery time is
approximately 6-8 weeks, the same time as the recovery time for the
fracture.

Larry Brown, the former UCLA coach, is coaching in the NBA...again. He was hired today to coach the Charlotte Bobcats, the ninth NBA coaching gig. What do you guys think? Good fit? Will he finally retire here?

Terrence Austin had hoped to compete in track once spring football was done, but it won't happen now. There's plenty of depth with the jumpers, so his services weren't need this season. Last year, he jumped as the Bruins needed someone to score. This year, that's not necessary. The only chance he would've had to compete was this weekend's dual meet against USC. After that, there are a limited number of entries for the Pac-10 Tournament, so he wouldn't have been able to compete in that meet anyway.

In case you're wondering who your fellow Bruins fans want to see at quarterback, JC transfer Kevin Craft is leading the poll at 43 percent.

The update is that there is no update. Olson was scheduled to meet with doctors yesterday, but he did not.

Glenn Love has a mild bone bruise of his right knee. He injured the knee in the spring scrimmage.

Seems like we had a pretty smooth transition with the blog update. Comments are coming through, too. If you seem to be having any problems, please let me know. Thanks.

Michael Pitre will attend Kansas City Chiefs camp.

This is part of a release from Grassroots Basketball of America. The organization is hosting a tournament at USC this weekend, and there will be some UCLA commits that are scheduled to play. The following is the info from the GBOA:

Offensive lineman Brian Abraham has received an invite to attend New Orleans Saints mini-camp next week.

Here's what Ater Majok's coach Edward Smith said about Majok's decision to commit to UCONN today. He had a planned trip to UCLA over the weekend but didn't go. He's now on his way back to Australia, where he's from.
``He didn't get an opportunity to go to UCLA,'' Smith said. ``He had a great visit here (at Connecticut). He felt all the pieces were in place and decided to shut (the recruiting process down.''

Rick Neuheisel will play in tomorrow's Chick-fil-A Bowl Alma Mater at Reynolds Plantation in Georgia. He's paired with Sinjin Smith. Coaches and celebrities will play for a $350,000 scholarship purse. The release is below.

Ater Majok, a recruit UCLA was hoping to sign, committed to UCONN today. He was scheduled to take a trip to UCLA this past weekend but after his trip to UCONN, he decided not to go, his coach just told me.

Keyes said he stayed in constant contact with his friend, and former teammate, Chris Horton, who was selected in the seventh round by Washington.

``We talked the whole weekend,'' Keyes said. ``I'm really happy for him that he got drafted. I thought he and I were one of the top safety combinations in the country. And I know we're going to prove it when we get our opportunity.''
--This was from Ramona Shelburne.

Bruce Davis will now be a teammate of former USC star Troy Polamalu in Pittsburgh.
``It’s all good to me,’’ Davis said. ``He’s a great football player. Maybe I’ll learn a thing or two from him. Even though he’s an ‘SC guy, he’s a big hitter. And we’re teammates now.’’

In talking to the agents for various players after the draft, I was told cornerback Rodney Van and offensive lineman Shannon Tevaga could sign with teams today. I was also told a few teams were inquiring about tight end William Snead.

Today is the day the Daily News is changing over to a different blog server. It is supposed to happen in the afternoon, but we shall see. It is being done because the blogs are so popular, they outgrew the old server's capacity to handle the traffic.
I am told the changes for the readers will be negligible, but it will be much better for us to post entries. Again, we shall see.
As part of the changeover, readers will not be able to post comments immediately. That should happen later in the week. Please be patient about this.
Also, I am now heading on vacation for a few weeks after the long haul of football and basketball season, so Jill Painter will be handling UCLA, and the blog, for the next three weeks or so, and Ramona Shelburne will be chipping in. The Q&A's will return in late May.
If there are any questions, especially regarding the inability to post a comment, please email Jill at Jill.Painter@dailynews.com. Thanks, and see you folks in a couple of weeks.

Here is the story I wrote in today's paper about UCLA's coaches speaking with Crespi High of Encino quarterback Kevin Prince entering school early because of the quarterback situation.
Prince said the topic never came up until Patrick Cowan's ACL injury was diagnosed Friday. Ben Olson is out for two months with a broken foot.
"They hadn't talked about it, but I guess it came up because of what happened to Pat and Ben," Prince said. "If I decide to come in early, I would make the decision soon."

This is from Ramona Shelburne, who talked to Dennis Keyes yesterday.

Keyes was disappointed not to hear his name called on Sunday, but now he has a shot with Arizona and will participate in its mini-camp.
``I was disappointed, but all I wanted is an opportunity to get into camp and I know I'll make the most of it,'' he said. ``I'm just really excited to get started.''

Here is a release about UCLA and the NFL draft:

Kevin Brown was invited to Seattle's mini-camp, which is next week.

Just got off the phone with Chris Markey's agent, and was told Markey is going to the Chicago Bears mini-camp as a free agent.

Former UCLA receiver Brandon Breazell agreed to a two-year free agent contract with the Kansas City Chiefs and former cornerback Trey Brown agreed to free agent deal with the Chicago Bears. Both players will be heading to mini-camp next week.

I just got off the phone with Alvin Nelson, the agent for former UCLA free safety Dennis Keyes, and was told Keyes agreed to a "priority free agent" contract with the Arizona Cardinals and will be at mini-camp Friday.

Here is the story I wrote on Josh Shipp declaring for the NBA draft that was posted online earlier today.

Here is the transcript of the Patriots conference call with Matthew Slater.

Chris Horton nearly became Mr. Irrelevant, the nickname given to the last player selected in the NFL draft. He was the fourth-to-last player picked. He was No. 249 and went to the Washington Redskins. UCLA finished with three picks this year - after just one last year - Bruce Davis (third round), Matthew Slater (fifth round) and Horton.

Bruins JUCO QB Kevin Craft spent the last three years playing out of the shot gun, and offensive coordinator Norm said it is taking Craft some time to adjust to being under center.
"I haven't done any drop back stuff since I was in high school," Craft said. "It is an adjustment, but I have from now until our first game to get all that. It is an adjustment, and I'm still getting used to it, just when I'm dropping back, relaxing, and seeing the field differently."

I just talked to Bruce Davis, who was elated to be a Pittsburgh Steeler. He was picked in the third round at No. 88 overall. He said he got the call from a scout at about 8:30 in the morning. He said he was half asleep and half watching the draft. He stayed up late Saturday night talking with friends and stayed at a friend's after feeling frustrated since he wasn't picked in either of the first two rounds. But when he got the call, none of that mattered. Then he called his dad and then his mom.
``There was a loud uproar of people,'' Davis said. ``Everyone was screaming. I’m screaming. I'm running around the house with my shirt off. All I've got on is a pair shorts, and I'm running around knocking on doors.''

Josh Shipp has declared for the NBA draft. The following is a story Brian Dohn wrote for the Web site:

Narbonne High's Byron Moore Jr. said the reason he committed to UCLA was a potpourri of reasons, but academics was the No. 1 thing.
He made the commitment after visiting Oregon on Saturday, but the Ducks didn't seem to be much of a threat. Moore said he wants to play safety at UCLA, and thinks he will fit in well at free safety, but the Ducks were recruiting him as a receiver.
"I like defense -- being able to make plays and hit people,'' Moore said. "I like to be the last man back there."

If you read any fan blog in Boston, there's a big buzz over who Matthew Slater is, beside the fact that he is the son of Hall of Fame Jackie Slater. The Patriots listed Slater as a receiver, although he was surely drafted for special teams. New England even traded up to get him in the fifth round. Slater had three kickoff returns for touchdowns in 2007 and 986 yards in kickoff returns. He has a kickoff return average of 29 yards per return.

In summarizing spring practice, UCLA coach Rich Neuheisel said practice was physical, and added something I found interesting.
"I think guys understand that we're at a different tempo, and that you have to bring it,'' he said. "Hopefully, that will mean we'll have a great offseason in the weight room, and in our speed development, and that we'll come back a stronger, more physical team on Sept. 1. We'll need to be if we're going to compete with the Tennessee Volunteers."

Matthew Slater was just drafted by the New England Patriots with the 153rd pick in the fifth round.

Narbonne High receiver/defensive back Byron Moore Jr. gave a non-binding oral commitment to UCLA. I will have more from him later.

Here's the transcript from the Pittsburgh Steelers' conference call with Bruce Davis this morning.

Here's the story I wrote off of the spring game from the Rose Bowl, but an interesting sidelight is whether or not Patrick Cowan did damage to his ACL during Monday's practice, then practiced Thursday.
The series of events goes like this:
He had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in February, and injured it Monday in practice.
The next day it was announced an MRI was clean, but he did not practice. Cowan went down again in Thursday's practice.
Coach Rick Neuheisel said Friday’s MRI showed “more than what was in there on the Tuesday MRI.’’ He made a comment similar to that twice during conference call, and after the second time he added the Tuesday MRI “was fine, normal.’’
Cowan was asked whether the Tuesday MRI showed a slight tear to his ACL, and would not answer the question. Instead, he said, “All I know is it’s to a point where I need surgery."

Davis was just drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers, which runs the 3-4, at the No. 88 pick in the third round.

UCLA received a non-binding oral commitment from La Puente Bishop Amat cornerback Sheldon Price tonight. I will have more information on him tomorrow.

UCLA's defense had seven sacks, 10 tackles for loss, two interceptions and nine pass breakups.
The tackling leaders were Mike Schmitt (7), Alterraun Verner (6), Reggie Carter (5), Glenn Love (5), David Carter (5), Akeem Ayers (5), Steve Sloan (4), Aaron Ware (3), Chase Moline (3), Brian Price (3) and Michael Norris (3).

Quarterbacks
Kevin Craft 11 of 24, 95 yards, INT, TD
Chris Forcier 4 of 6, 52 yards, INT
Osaar Rasshan 4 of 7, 60 yards, TD

Running backs
Chane Moline 16-42
Christian Ramirez 11-33 TD
Trevor Theriot 1-7 TD

Receivers
Gavin Ketchum 3-32 TD
Christian Ramirez 3-25
Taylor Embree 2-39
Ryan Moya 2-24
Trevor Theriot 2-13
Dominque Johnson 2-9
Logan Paulsen 1-25
Alex Pearlson 1-24 TD
Terrence Austin 1-6
Ryan Graves 1-5
Marcus Everett 1-5

It was a bland spring game as the defense remained in its base 4-3 with little, if any, blitzing and the offense utilized a bunch of screens and runs between the tackles.
QB Kevin Craft had a shaky start but settled down by the end and move the offense, at times.
One possible downer is free safety Glenn Love injured his knee. UCLA does not know the extent of it, but he should undergo tests in the next few days.
Also, linebacker John Hale said his recovery will be either 3 to 4 weeks, or 2 to 3 months, depending on the severity of the surgery needed to fix the torn meniscus in his knee.

I know there are a lot of questions about Patrick Cowan and getting a sixth year of eligibility. I checked with UCLA, and was told the criteria for gaining a sixth year is missing two seasons beyond a player’s control. There was no medical issue when he red-shirted as a freshman.
That said, UCLA and Cowan may still explore a sixth year, since it cannot hurt to at least check.

Not only is quarterback Patrick Cowan having season-ending knee surgery, but projected starting starting weakside linebacker will undergo surgery to repair torn meniscus in his knee. Hale was injured in Thursday's practice, but continued to practice.
Also, quarterback Ben Olson, who is now pegged as the starter, said he will meet with a doctor Monday about having surgery to have a pin inserted into his right foot to help the healing of a broken bone.

UCLA quarterback Patrick Cowan, who tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during practice Thursday, said before Saturday night's scrimmage that he would have surgery and miss the 2008 season.

Bruce Davis and all other UCLA players will have to wait until tomorrow if the NFL is going to call. No UCLA player was selected in either of the first two rounds. UCLA's last first and second-round picks were Marcedes Lewis (first round) and Maurice Jones-Drew (second round) in 2006.

Point guard Darren Collison said he made a list of pros and cons about leaving for the NBA and staying at UCLA, and added he was hopeful people don't look at his decision to stay as a bad thing in regards to his NBA future.
"I thought about it and I sat down with my parents and we went over the pros and cons,'' he said. "It was a long list as we talked about it, but I didn't write it down actually, but I would just gain so much coming back. It's not like I'm losing.
"I think the biggest thing that people look at there are so many guys leaving early in their freshman year and their sophomore year that when guys do stay for their junior and senior year, it's a concern, and I don't think that is fair for the people who stay for their junior and senior year these guys could be doing it for the love of the game or whatever, but I wanted to make my staying known at UCLA that I'm here and I'm ready to win another championship and to go for another championship my senior year."

We're at pick No. 52 in the NFL draft, and Bruce Davis is still waiting. He was expected to be drafted somewhere between the first and third rounds. However, if he slips past the second round, he must wait until tomorrow morning. The NFL moved the third round of the draft to Sunday.

Here is the story, with reaction from Darren Collison and coach Ben Howland, I wrote for dailynews.com. There will be a different story in Sunday's paper, and on the web site after midnight tonight.

UCLA wing Josh Shipp is still deciding whether or not to enter the NBA draft, according to coach Ben Howland.
"I think he is seriously considering that,'' Howland said.
Shipp has until 9 p.m. Sunday to decide.

By Brian Dohn
Staff Writer
UCLA coach Ben Howland is still looking for a big man for next season, but he unexpectedly picked up a proven, high-caliber point guard Saturday when Darren Collison announced he was returning for his senior season.
During a conference call, Collison said as late as last week he thought he was heading to the NBA, but after closer examination and consultation with his parents, decided to remain in school.
Collison was projected as a first-round pick, between No. 15 to No. 25, but elected not to join teammates Kevin Love, Russell Westbrook and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute in declaring for the draft.
Collison started on UCLA’s Final Four teams the last two years, and was a reserve when the Bruins lost to Florida in the 2006 national title game.
He averaged 14.5 points per game and 3.8 assists per game, although his season began late. He sat out the first six games with a torn ligament in his knee.

Darren Collison just announced he is returning to UCLA for his senior season.

UCLA PG Darren Collison has been very private about his decision whether to enter the NBA draft. He will make his announcement at 2 p.m.

UCLA offensive line coach Bob Palcic said, at this time, he knew his top five offensive line are RT Sean Sheller, RG Scott Glicksberg, C Micah Reed, LG Darius Savage and LT Micah Kia.
So the plan in fall training camp is to train Nick Ekbatani to play a number of positions on the offensive line. Ekbatani began the spring as a left guard but an ankle sprain kept him out of practice for a while. In the offseason he will concentrate on also learning center and the tackle spots.

When I spoke with Bruce Davis for a story I did in Friday's paper on the NFL draft, we covered a wide range of topics. Among them was Davis' yo-yoing between linebacker and defensive end during one season of spring practice under then defensive coordinator Larry Kerr.
Davis, who many of you may realize, doesn't mince words, and he had this to say about his former defensive coordinator.
"I'm done with school so I can this: I hope I never see Larry Kerr again,'' Davis said. "People say, 'Hey, he can end up being your coach.' No, he can't. He will not be."
As for former Bruins coach Karl Dorrell, Davis also had an opinion.
"Karl Dorrell one day will be a great NFL offensive coordinator. The way he sees the game and the way he understands things on the field ..."

Thanks for all the questions this week. Don't forget, we will have information pertaining to the NFL draft, the spring game and news on the basketball program over the weekend. Now, here is the last set of answers:

Here is the next to last set of answers:

Here is the eighth installment of answers:

Here is the seventh group:

Here is the sixth set of answers:

Here is the fifth installment:

Here is the updated story on UCLA's quarterbacking situation, with comments from coach Rick Neuheisel.

UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel said Ben Olson was leaning toward having the surgery to insert a screw into his foot, but wanted to speak with his family about it.
Neuheisel said if Patrick Cowan had reconstructive knee surgery, he would miss the 2008 season. He added there is a partial tear in the ACL, but the swelling made it difficult to tell whether surgery was needed, which is why UCLA is waiting for the swelling to go down before making the determination.
Neuheisel said the length of the spring game would not be altered because of the quarterback injuries, and that Kevin Craft, Chris Forcier and Osaar Rasshan would each get plenty of playing time.

Here is the fourth set:

Here is the story I wrote for online. Quarterback Patrick Cowan's 2008 season is in jeopardy.

This is from UCLA:

Pat Cowan's MRI shows damage to his left ACL and his medial meniscus. He will be reexamined when the swelling decreases.
Ben Olson's X-rayshows a fracture in his right 5th metatarsal. It is possible that he may have a screw put in the bone. He will be sidelined 6-8 weeks.

I will talking to coach Rick Neuheisel on a conference call soon about this stuff.

Here is the third set:

Here is the second set:

I guess heading on vacation triggered everyone to get questions in because there are loads of them, so thank you. I'm thinking at least 10 sets of answers today, plus there will be another things to check the blog for today.
I'm expecting news about Patrick Cowan and Ben Olson this afternoon, and hopefully an update on Darren Collison and Josh Shipp. Plus, anything else that happens to break.
Keep in mind I will also have NFL draft stuff and spring scrimmage stuff all weekend, so please check in a few times over the weekend. And as I stated the other day, Jill Painter and Ramona Shelburne will carry on the blog and newspaper coverage of UCLA until I return.
Now, on to the first set of answers:

I wrote a story on UCLA's Bruce Davis as he readies for this weekend's NFLdraft.
One thing I didn't get into was whether Davis' decision to return for his senior season helped or hurt him when it came to the draft. He said when he filed paperwork to get an evaluation from the NFL folks after his junior season, he was projected as being a second- to fifth-round selection. Now, he is projected to go in either the second or third round.
I asked him if he regretted coming back for his senior season.
"Ask me in a few weeks,'' he said. "It might be the same, but another 12 sacks (as a senior) doesn't hurt."
Oh, and how did Davis gain 20 pounds since the end of the season? He said a good diet.
"I've eaten so much steak I'm about to grow horns,'' Davis said.

The pecking order for quarterbacks, after Patrick Cowan and Ben Olson, is Kevin Craft and then Chris Forcier.
"But Chris is very close to Kevin,'' UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel said.
Osaar Rasshan remains fifth. Even after Cowan and Olson went down with injuries, Rasshan did not get any snaps.

UCLA had an intriguing visitor at practice today, and several of the Bruins coaches walked over and greeted him. It was Craig Roh, one of the top defensive ends in the west, from Chaparral High of Scottsdale.
Roh, who is being recruited by many of the nation's big boys, including Oklahoma, Miami, Stanford and Notre Dame, also picked up a scholarship offer from the Bruins.

Just got word from UCLA that QB Patrick Cowan will have an MRI on his left knee Friday, and QB Ben Olson will have an x-ray on his right foot Friday. Neither are expected to play in Saturday's scrimmage at the Rose Bowl.

UCLA quarterbacks Patrick Cowan and Ben Olson each left Spaulding Field via a cart. Cowan injured his left knee, the same one that kept him out of practice Tuesday, and Olson hurt his right foot.
X-rays and MRIs are pending for both, and I am hoping to have more later tonight.
Their status for Saturday's spring-ending scrimmage at the Rose Bowl is in question. Right now, JUCO transfer Kevin Craft is slightly ahead of red-shirt freshman Chris Forcier on the depth chart.

UCLA quarterback Patrick Cowan is back practicing today after watching Tuesday's practice with a sore knee.

The Westwood Bruin Touchdown Club will meet Friday morning and feature coach Rick Neuheisel as a speaker. Here is more information on it:

UCLA can forget about J'mison Morgan as a possible low-post player next season after the LSU signee said he would honor his commitment and not ask to get out of the binding letter of intent he signed in November, according to his coach, James Mays, at Dallas' Oak Cliff Park High.
Of course, it comes as little surprise since May said a few weeks ago he believed Morgan would remain at LSU.

It doesn't impact those UCLA players who are drafted nearly as much, but when it comes time to sign free agent contracts after the draft a rule working against schools like UCLA comes into play.
Rookies cannot partake in the rookie mini-camp for NFL teams until said player's school session is over. Most of the schools it's not an issue because by mid-May, the semester is over.
However, with UCLA on the quarter system and school not being completed until mid-June, players often miss out on mini-camps.
"I know there is talk about changing the rule," said former UCLA defensive end Bruce Davis, who is expected to be drafted in the second or third round this weekend. "As soon as classes are done, I'm out of here and heading for whatever teams takes me."

I spoke with Edward Smith, Ater Majok's coach, and they are both in Connecticut on an official visit to UConn, which is beginning today.
"After the visit here, we will sit down and talk and decide what to do, and if Ater takes one more visit,'' Smith said. "If the Connecticut visit didn't meet expectations, or if Ater did not feel perfect about it, we could visit UCLA on our way back."
Smith said he will remain in Rhode Island during the weekend before the duo travel back to Australia. Majok, a 6-foot-9, 215-pound center from the American International School, already visited Baylor, Maryland and Kentucky.
"We haven't been in contact with Kansas," Smith said. "(UCLA assistant) Scott Duncan made a push, so he would be in line for the fifth visit."

I'm hearing center Ater Majok, a 6-foot-9, 215-pounder from the American International School in Australia, is trying to set up a visit to UCLA.

From talking to a bunch of different folks from the NFL, college, agents, players, ect., I'm hearing the only UCLA player who has a chance of being selected during the first day of the NFL draft is defensive end Bruce Davis, who could go in the second or third round.
The NFL changed the draft this year with the first two rounds being Saturday and the final five being Sunday.
Among the others who are expected to get drafted Sunday are receiver Brandon Breazell and safeties Chris Horton and Dennis Keyes.
Those who could get drafted but also could sign a free agent contract immediately after the draft are corner back Trey Brown, defensive tackle Kevin Brown, return specialist Matt Slater, offensive lineman Shannon Tevaga and corner back Rodney Van.

With spring practicing ending Saturday, UCLA's coaching staff is going to hit the recruiting road, beginning next week. UCLA has four non-binding oral commitments, but my sources tell me that number could grow quickly in the next month.

I reported the other day on Osaar Rasshan's desire to remain at quarterback, and I asked UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel about it following Tuesday's practice.
"I'm not going to force guys to play other positions, but we have to get the team ready and sometimes there's not reps to give to give five quarterbacks,'' Neuheisel said. "That's what I was worried about at the outset."
However, Neuheisel made it clear he doesn't envision changing Rasshan's position unless the red-shirt junior is interested in doing so.
"My experience is putting people in places where they don't want to be is a disaster,'' Neuheisel said.

It is the fourth offensive coordinator in four years, and for the first time the terminology is much different. To that, UCLA quarterback Patrick Cowan said it is not nearly as complex. He added the offensive struggles of the spring are understandable, and he was pleased with where the Bruins are offensively.
"I feel that, as an offense, we're still doing really well with it,'' Cowan said. "I feel, as a team, we're progressively getting better. Even a week ago, we are getting better with snap counts and things like that. A week ago we might have had a bunch of false starts. I don't even know if we had a false start (Tuesday). It's just little things that you see are coming together, and it's a positive."

I spoke with UCLA quarterback Patrick Cowan and he said part of the reason the offense hasn't looked so good lately is because everything is so new, but that he felt things were progressing well and he was comfortable in coordinator Norm Chow's offense.
"I'll say this because I'm my worst critic, so I always feel that I could do better,'' Cowan said. "Whatever we need to do, whatever coaches are asking for, I always feel I can do better."
That said, I asked Cowan if he could remove the emotion of it and view his performance this spring objectively.
"Objectively, I feel that I'm doing ok,'' Cowan said. "But I think I can always do better."

I am hearing also among those who are expected to attend UCLA's spring game Saturday at the Rose Bowl are Scottsdale Chaparral High defensive end Craig Roh and Helix High of San Diego tight end Levine Toilolo, a Stanford commit.

About 40 high school recruits are expected to be at UCLA's spring game Saturday at the Rose Bowl, and the school is treating the day, and the recruits, like a normal game day in the fall.
Among those from outside SoCal expected to attend is Grand Ledge, Mich., receiver James Jackson and tight end Zach Ertz of Danville Monte Vista. Ertz is committed to Stanford.

I ran into UCLA junior big man Alfred Aboya while on campus and asked him if he had any idea when he would decide whether or not he was returning for his senior season, or whether he would opt to continue his post-graduate work (he is graduating during the summer) elsewhere and not play for UCLA next season.
He said it would be a while, and he didn't think he would make a decision until the end of the summer.

Send in some questions, and I will provide the answers throughout Friday.
Two things I want to let everyone know as well:
First, the blog changeover that was supposed to occur last week did not, but I am now told it will happen Monday, and for an undetermined length of time (hopefully, very short), posting comments will not be allowed.
Second, I am beginning vacation Monday for a few weeks and Jill and Ramona will be handling UCLA and the blog. Therefore, I don't anticipate any more Q&A's until I return in late May.
So, send in the questions.

Here is the notebook I wrote for today's paper, In talking to backup quarterback Ben Olson after practice, he said one of the reasons the offense didn't look great was the installation of new things.
"We were doing some new stuff that was a little confusing," Olson said. "That's what spring ball is for. We can put all this stuff in and then we have a chance to keep gets reps on it over the summer. We were doing a lot of audibling, and a lot of checks that we hadn't done before. It wasn't pretty, but we were learning. Everybody was learning.
"It's kind of hard to play fast when you've got the wheels turning upstairs. You look at it on the chalkboard, but coming out here and doing it is another thing."

Just got a great shot of Lisa Fernandez' cleats, which she left on the field after pitching what could've been her final appearance for the national team tonight against UCLA.

Fernandez struck out six and gave up two runs in the USA's 8-2 win over UCLA. Afterwards,she said that she planned to stick with the national team through the rest of its tour, but that she ``needed to think about things'' after the warm send off she got from UCLA's fans tonight. Fernandez, a UCLA assistant coach who won two national championships as a player for the Bruins and three Honda Awards as the nation's top player, is a three-time Olympic gold medalist. She was left off the US's 15-person roster for this summer's Olympics.

Thanks to Brian MacGregor for the photo.

UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel had some interesting words to say about his offense, and how the Bruins needed to gain a better understanding of the playbook, after another lackluster offensive performance in Tuesday's practice. You can read more about it in Wednesday's paper, but here is one thing he said.
"I think guys are competing hard,’’ Neuheisel said. “I just need individuals to really go about knowing what they’re supposed to do so it’s not happening as fast and they can put their best foot forward. That was my biggest message to the team.’’

Here is a release from UCLA with some detailed information about Saturday's spring game at the Rose Bowl.

QB Patrick Cowan didn't practice Tuesday after tweaking his left knee late in Monday's practice, but he said an MRI was fine and he anticipated being back out on the practice field Thursday.
When Cowan out, Ben Olson took the majority of the reps with the first-team offense and Kevin Craft and Chris Forcier also had increased reps, but Osaar Rasshan did not take any reps.
Also, the defense had another dominating day, but the offense ended the day during an "overtime" session with a short touchdown plunge by Chane Moline.

I'll find out after practice, but quarterback Patrick Cowan is not taking any reps so far today. I'm trying to figure out what it going on with it, and I should have an answer, at the latest, after practice ends.

Checking out practice today is former San Diego State coach Tom Craft, the father of UCLA JUCO transfer quarterback Kevin Craft. Tom is now an assistant at Mt. SAC.
Among other college coaches here to check out the practice is University of San Diego assistant head coach Steve Mooshagian and former Cal State Northridge and Pierce College head coach Jim Fenwick, who is now the offensive coordinator at Occidental College.

Former UCLA guard Shannon Tevaga was at practice Monday, and I chatted with him briefly. He said he was nervous in anticipation of this weekend's NFL draft. He is unsure whether he will be drafted, but said two of the teams to contact him lately were the Oakland Raiders and Minnesota Vikings.
There is plenty of familiarity with those teams and Tevaga. Former UCLA offensive coordinator Tom Cable is the Raiders' offensive line coach, and former Bruins running backs coach Eric Bieniemy is Minnesota's running backs coach.

Quick thing. If you read my story today on former UCLA softball star Lisa Fernandez pitching in what could be her final appearance for the national team in tonight's exhibition against the Bruins and thought about checking out the game, don't bother. It's been sold out for over a month.

If you already bought tickets, get there early. It's an overflow crowd and parking on a weeknight up by the softball field is always tough. UCLA James Ybiernas said that the gates will be open by 4 p.m. but as of 2:30, when I called him on his cellphone, there were already about 50 people lined up at the gate.

UCLA defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker raved about his defense out of Friday's scrimmage, but there is still room for improvement. Looking at the depth chart (which I posted earlier today), it appears nearly everything is set.
However, there will be competition, at least for a few spots, when training camp opens in August.
"I feel good about nine of them,'' Walker said about the starting spots. "I still think the other two are still up for grabs. I'm not going to say which ones."
From talking to people close to the program, those spots are weakside linebacker (John Hale) and free safety (Aaron Ware). Josh Edwards is sitting out spring practice because of a fractured cheek bone and should compete with Hale in August. Ware has had a strong spring, but UCLA's incoming freshmen are deep in the secondary, and several players will compete with Ware for playing time.
Walker said he was also impressed with some of the young second-team guys.
"I think guys like (Steve) Sloan, Akeem Ayers, Jerzy (Siewierski) are improving," Walker said. "I think (Reggie) Stokes showed some good stuff. Those are the ones that come to mind."

Much like the offensive depth chart, the defensive one really hasn't changed much. In fact, the first team defense that practiced Monday was the same as the first team defense heading into spring ball. And the second team defense has one change.
Below are the first- and second-team defenses:

After two scrimmages and with just three spring practices remaining, UCLA's depth chart looks almost the same as when spring practice began. With the personnel that lined up for UCLA's first- and second-team offense in Monday's practice, the only changes were due to injuries.
Below are the first- and second-team offenses, both prior to the spring and then as of Monday's practice. The changes are in bold.

Here's the notebook I wrote for today's paper, in which former starting quarterback Osaar Rasshan talks about is desire to stay under center, and not to change positions or transfer.
I've always like Rasshan because he's a classy young man who is very smart, and always maintains a great sense of humor, and even while being buried on the depth chart he continues to allow that to shine through.
I was speaking with him about going from starter to fifth string, and the difficulty of not getting any snaps during 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills in practice. His response?
"I had an inteview with Larry King last night,'' Rasshan said, "and he asked me the same questions."

UCLA defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker will be inducted into the Muir High Hall of Fame on Wednesday:

With less than a week of spring practice left, UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel also gave his impressions of the defense so far.
“The defense has had a great spring. I’m encouraged,'' Neuheisel said. "I think when we add our freshmen to the mix to create depth in the (secondary), I think we’re going to like our defense. Hopefully, that’s the case at our defensive end position, but we’ll have to wait to see if those kids are ready.”

UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel talked about the offense, and how it continues to struggle.
“Offensively, we knew that it was going to be a process, but we’re getting closer,'' he said. "Hopefully, we’ll get to play really well by the time we get to Sept. 1.’’
Did Neuheisel think the offense would be further along?
“I don’t know if it’s more than I thought,'' Neuheisel said. "I guess I knew it was going to be a process. Maybe I was hoping we’d be further ahead, but I kind of expected this.
“I’m encouraged by their attitude. They’re all great try-hard guys, and we are getting better and we’re playing against a formidable defense. I know this – we’re going to remain relentlessly positive.’’

UCLA's offense didn't have a very good day with the quarterbacks missing receivers and the receivers dropping passes. During 7-on-7 passing drills Pat Cowan was 10 of 18 with an interception and Ben Olson was 9 of 11.
Again, Cowan is taking the first-team reps while Olson is taking the majority if second-team reps, although Kevin Craft is also getting some,
Right guard Nick Ekbatani returned to practice after missing time with a sprained ankle and worked with the second team. He also got into a skirmish with linebacker Kyle Bosworth, who knocked Ekbatani down with a right-handed push to helmet.

UCLA is stretching, getting ready for its first practice since Friday's scrimmage, and one positive is there doesn't appear to be any new injuries. Only DT Jess Ward (knee), S Chris Meadows (shoulder), FB Dylan Rush (knee) and LB Josh Edwards (jaw) are not taking part in practice.

UCLA point guard Darren Collison is yet to declare for the NBA draft, but for months sources said he is expected to do so. He has until April 27 to make his announcement.
But in several mock drafts, Collison is listed as being a first-round pick, as are teammates Kevin Love and Russell Westbrook, who have already declared. Meanwhile, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, who also declared, is not on any mock draft's radar.
Here are a few samplings of mock drafts: Draftexpress, nbadraft.net and NBC Sports.

My understanding is UCLA's junior day, which brought about 80 high school players to campus Saturday, went very well, although the Bruins did not receive any commitments. I spoke to someone who said the day was more for laying the groundwork for future recruiting rather than trying to bring in a bevy of commitments.

According to a report in one of the Las Vegas newspapers, former UCLA women's coach Kathy Olivier will be the next head coach at UNLV.

I spoke with UNLV athletic director Mike Hamrick last week about former UCLA women's basketball coach Kathy Olivier, who is one of six finalists for the Running Rebels head coaching position.

Hamrick said that Olivier, who was one of the first candidates to interview for the job at her alma mater, was ``a very viable candidate.''

UNLV finished interviewing candidates last Thursday and is expected to make a decision soon, possibly even today or Tuesday.

Oxnard Santa Clara running back Cierre Wood gave a non-binding oral commitment to Notre Dame during his trip there this weekend. Wood had trimmed his schools to Notre and UCLA last week.

With the retirement of starting right tackle Aleksey Lanis because of knee injuries, UCLA's tackle depth took a bit hit. Now, with Micah Kia on the left side and Sean Sheller on the right, it leaves Mike Harris as the No. 1 backup at both positions. Brandon Bennett is the other tackle on the roster.
"I really do sense the urgency to get better because there's only four tackles,'' Harris said. "There's only a few of us. (The coaches) have to be able to count on us, so we have to get in the playbook and come out on this field and execute our assignments. That way the coaches will know they can count on us in the season, because they'll see we know the plays and can execute our assignments."

The first-team offensive line hasn't excelled in spring practice, and the second-team offensive line has been an even bigger concern. However, backup tackle Mike Harris said he thought the second unit was doing better after feeling the wrath of new offensive line coach Bob Palcic.
"In the beginning of spring ball we came out and had a lot of mental errors, a lot of guys not knowing what they're doing," Harris said. "Now, coach Palcic got us in the meeting rooms, got us watching film and looking at our mistakes and fixing them. We'll get there."

UCLA receiver/punt returner Terrence Austin showed improved speed during Friday's scrimmage, something he attributes to a change in workout philosophy since the school re-hired Mike Linn as its strength and conditioning coach.
"He's been working on our flexibility,'' Austin said. "There's a lot of muscles that he's been working on that we haven't been working on in the (past). A lot of stretching. Flexibility is the key. I couldn't touch my toes until after working with him this spring. I'm feeling pretty good.
"I can feel myself being able to stay on my toes more, and it's my conditioning that allows me to do that. I feel a lot strong in my core, and I'm able to keep myself upright and in my spring position longer."

Kevin Love, who declared for the NBA draft last week, is at today's Lakers playoff game. He's here with his father, Stan Love, a former Laker.

Here is the notebook I wrote in today's paper.
One thing that is interesting to me is how the tight ends are being used. Ryan Moya and Logan Paulsen are lining up in the traditional spot, but also being split wide. There are also times UCLA is bunching together receivers, and the tight end is usually involved in the three-person group.

Former UCLA receiver Brandon Breazell has been getting interest from several NFL teams, and the latest to call and chat with him was the New York Giants.

Is UCLA offensive coordinator Norm Chow pleased with where the offense is with four practices remaining in the spring?
"As a coach you're never really pleased," he said. "As a coach, you're never really pleased or you might lose your job. I think all things being considered, yeah. All things being considered, we need more. Spring ball doesn't give you enough time, that day we missed (going over the wall), those things are valuable."

The sentiment from UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel after Friday's scrimmage was the passing game needed to improve, but offensive coordinator Norm Chow added that the running game also must get better.
"We just have to keep improving,'' Chow said. "The problem with these scrimmages is we don't allow them to be game planned. We try to do some different things. We're just trying to get our stuff in, so sometimes we're not going to look good.
"Does the pass game need more precision? Yeah, but the run game needs more work as well. Everywhere needs work. It's spring. It's 10 days. It's a whole new deal, a whole new cadence, the whole deal. We put the 40 second clock up and did ok with that."

With Kevin Brown, Christian Taylor, Trey Brown, Dennis Keyes, Rodney Van, Chris Horton and Bruce Davis all gone from last year's defense,, Bruins defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker said next season's defense will be much different.
"We're going to be a blue-collar defense,'' Walker said. "No stars. Obviously, people are going to pick guys for (preseason honors), but there's going to be no stars. We're going to have to play good unit football. No egos, and just try to form a really solid group and not get caught up in all the fluff stuff."

Christian Ramirez, Chane Moline and Craig Sheppard combined to rush 16 times for 26 yards in the scrimmage as UCLA's defensive line dominated. In the middle of it all were defensive tackles Brigham Harwell and Brian Price.
"Brigham Harwell and Brian Price, and I thought Jerzy Siewierski, did some great things inside,'' UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel said. "Our defensive front did a good job and the good thing about scrimmages, is I win (laughs), so I'm just going to say that I thought it was a really good job by our defensive front."

JUCO transfer quarterback Kevin Craft was 5 for 11 for 81 yards and a touchdown in the scrimmage, working primarily with the second-team offense and a little with the third team. His best throw was a 35-yard to Gavin Ketchum.
UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel was asked about his impression of Craft.
"I saw some signs (Friday),'' Neuheisel said. "I think he’s still a little bit urgent where he may not need to be. When he made that throw to Gavin Ketchum, (it) was a really pretty throw. I see good things. He's gotta get more reps. We’ve got some real issues. We don’t have enough offensive linemen to get five quarterbacks (reps)."

UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel said it was a three person race right now when it comes to the punt returner spot, although Terrence Austin was the only guy to be back during Friday night's scrimmage.
Austin returned two punts for touchdowns, but it wasn't as if both were clear returns. It wasn't at full speed, and it wasn't a 100 percent live drill.
"But he looks pretty natural back there, and I’d say that he’d have a great chance to have that job if he does a good job and is real consistent catching the ball,'' Neuheisel said. "We haven’t made a foregone conclusion (that it will be Austin). It’s not to say that he won’t be. I just think right now we’re working the scheme more than the personnel."
During practices, Christian Ramirez and Ryan Graves were also fielding punts.

UCLA isn’t practicing, but coach Rick Neuheisel and his staff are hosting a Junior Day today. So, what goes on at Junior Day?
Well, here’s the itinerary:
9:30 a.m. – Check in
10 a.m. – Welcome by Neuheisel
10:30 a.m. – Academic meeting
11 a.m. – Tours begin through three locations;
1) Campus tour (Pauley Pavilion, Wooden Center, Ackerman Union, Janss Steps
2) Tour of housing, Covell Commons and Sunset Recreating Center
3) Facilities tour – Acosta Center (weight room, training room, locker room), Spaulding Field, Drake Stadium
12:30 p.m. – Lunch at De Neve dining hall
1:15 p.m. – Meeting with Neuheisel.

Here are the scrimmage stats:

Touchdowns
Olson, 9-yard pass to Graves
Ramirez, 1-yard run
Forcier, 13-yard pass to Pearlstone

Passing
Craft
11-5-0-81-1

Cowan
9-3-0-57-0

Olson
11-5-0-44-1

Rushing
Ramirez
6-11-0
Moline
6-8-0
Sheppard
4-7

Receiving
Jagd
3-30-0
Embree
3-25
Turner
2-28

UCLA's offense didn't look nearly as good as it did in the scrimmage last weekend. The first-team offense didn't score and Patrick Cowan and Ben Olson were a combined 8 for 20.
Afterward, coach Rick Neuheisel said, in short, the passing game needed to make a dramatic improvement in the next week to give it some momentum heading into the offseason.
The first- and second-team offensive line had trouble with penalties -- holds and false starts.
The running game also struggled with Christian Ramirez and Chane Moline shouldering most of the work after walk-on Craig Sheppard went down with a shoulder injury, although it's not expected to be serious. It got to the point where walk-on receiver Ben Bruneau, who played a little running back last season, was shifted over and actually made a 60-yard run, which was nullified by a false start.

During the teleconference to announce power forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute was declaring for the NBA draft, UCLA coach Ben Howland was talking about Mbah a Moute's skill as a defender.
He then morphed into a strategic mistake he believes he made in the national semifinals loss to Memphis.
“I think I made a big mistake,'' he said. "I should have started Josh (Shipp) on (Robert) Dozier and him (Mbah a Moute) on (Chris Douglas-)Roberts and Darren (Collison) on (Antonio) Anderson and Russell (Westbrook) on (Derrick) Rose. That was my fault, but it was a tough call.’’

Thanks for the questions this week. Remember, I will have stuff from the scrimmage tonight, and also throughout the weekend. Now, here is the last set of answers:

Here is the seventh set:

Here is the story I wrote on Luc Richard Mbah a Moute declaring for the NBA draft. I will have a different story in Saturday's paper.

Here is the sixth set:

Here is the release from UCLA on Luc Richard Mbah a Moute:

Here is the fifth set of answers:

Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, who announced he was declaring for the NBA draft, said his ankle is feeling fine, and he doesn't think it will impact him working out for NBA teams.
He said he will remain in school and not hire an agent, and that if he isn't going to be a first-round pick, he will return to UCLA for his senior season.
Mbah a Moute said he needs to work on getting his shot more consistent.
He also said he is uncertain whether or not he will play for Cameroon in its Olympic qualifier tournament in July. As previously reported, his teammate, Alfred Aboya, will play.
Mbah a Moute is uncertain if he will go to the pre-draft camp in Orlando. The deadline to remove his name from the NBA draft is June 16.

UCLA junior power forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute just announced he is entering the NBA draft but will not hire an agent. I will have more shortly.

Here is the fourth set:

Here is the third set:

UCLA power forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute will announce his decision to make himself available for the NBA draft at 2:30 p.m.

The Football Writers Association of America has released its 2008 Outland Trophy Watch List, which includes UCLA senior defensive tackle Brigham Harwell. Here is the release:

Here is the notebook I wrote in today's paper.
Don't ask me why (because I have no idea) but this quote was cut from the online version:
“I feel ahead of schedule,’’ said Bell, who added he wasn’t thinking of red-shirting. “I feel good.’’

Also cut was a note I wrote about trouble with the snap exchange, so here that is:
UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel was frustrated about a handful of botched snaps between backup quarterback Ben Olson and first-string center Micah Reed during practice.
“We’ve got to get our center-quarterback exchange straightened out,’’ Neuheisel said. “It’s absolutely driving me crazy. The only way I know how to do it is to bombard it with attention.’’

Here is the second set:

Thanks for all the questions this week. This has been one of the great weeks for the blog, with interest extremely high, and that is saying something since you folks made this such an incredibly popular site, so I thank you for that.
Before I get to the first set of answers, I am told the blog server change-over could be implemented today. I hope this does not create any new problems, but if so, please be patient. I am told when this new server is implemented, the blog experience will be much, much better.
Also, tonight's scrimmage is at 7, and I will have information about it on the blog afterward, and also have some updates, insight and reaction on it throughout the weekend.
Now, onto the answers. I'm thinking at least eight sets, and here is the first:

I spoke to tailback Christian Ramirez, who is running with a lower pad level this spring than he did last season, which he attributed to getting "lit up" by linebacker Reggie Carter during a practice.
During the scrimmage he looked smooth running between the tackles and showed a nice burst getting to the outside, so I asked him which suits his game more.
"I'm trying to figure that out,'' he said. "It's just a different read. I don't think it has anything to do with my pad level. The reads change from the inside to the outside, but I don't know which I'm better suited for."

UCLA hosted a bundle of former players at its practice Thursday. Here is a release on it from the school:

I spoke with new head coach Nikki Caldwell about her plans for her staff and she said that she's got a few people lined up, but planned to interview the current staff that's still on campus --Pam Walker, Trisha Stafford-Odom and Maylana Martin Douglas -- and said she's open to retaining someone.

I've talked with both Stafford-Odom and Martin and both said they'd love to stay at UCLA. Stafford-Odom, who is known within coaching circles as a top recruiter and in-game strategist, said she had an opportunity to leave last year, to a prominent SEC program, but chose to stay at UCLA because she believed in the players she'd helped recruit to UCLA and wanted to be a part of their development. And, she said, because she's from the area and has a husband and young child.

Martin, who is one of the all-time great players in school history, also said she'd like to stay. She's earned a reputation as an excellent player-development coach, specifically with post players. Martin has drawn some interest as a head coach too. She interviewed for the UNLV job at the Final Four, but is not considered a finalist.

Russell Westbrook spent much of the season playing off guard, but he thinks he will be able to make the transition to playing point guard in the NBA because of experience.
"I've been playing point all my life, so I don't think that will be a problem,'' Westbrook said. "I feel very comfortable playing that spot."

Hey, thought this was up on the website already but apparently it's not. Anyway, here's the story I filed on new womens basketball coach Nikki Caldwell, who agreed to a five-year deal Thursday, worth $295,000 per year, or just under $1.5 million over the course of the deal.

From talking to sources, I'm hearing wing Josh Shipp and point guard Darren Collison will not make their decisions until mid to late next week about whether to declare for the NBA draft. However, I am told if either do so, they are leaning toward not signing with an agent to keep their eligibility.

While UCLA’s offensive players are dealing with their fourth offensive coordinator in as many years, the defense is readying for its third straight year under defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker.
One of the benefits of that is everyone, outside of the freshmen, know the schemes.
“We have a lot of schemes in right now,’’ Walker said. "That makes me feel good."

Here is the official press release on Kevin Love's announcement:

UCLA players caught the wrath of the coaching staff Tuesday when they did the traditional ditching of practice, but without going "over the wall" but rather by running through an open gate, so coach Rick Neuheisel ended Thursday's practice, after a two-hour session, by sending all the players "over the wall." And this time they all went over it.
The practice was quick in tempo and hard-hitting, and Neuheisel was generally pleased. However, he was upset about a half-dozen of so fumbled snaps between center Micah Reed and quarterback Ben Olson, and said he will get that cleaned up by focusing on it.
As far as Friday's scrimmage is concerned, guard Nick Ekbatani could see some action after missing the last week with a sprained ankle.

UCLA center Kevin Love was asked why he is not hiring an agent immediately.
"I'm still in enrolled in classes and still soaking up the UCLA experience,'' he said. "I got enough things from my family and from my advisors and Coach (Ben) Howland and the coaching staff as well, to tell me where I could possibly go in the draft.
"I got great advice from Coach Howland, be careful, stay eligible and we'll see what happens in the next could months.''
If Love is injured during workouts or his draft stock plummets, by not hiring an agent he could return to UCLA for his sophomore season if he remains in good academic standing.

Kevin Love was at UCLA for only one season, but he wants to be part of the legacy of great centers to play for the Bruins and isn't going to forget the school any time soon, he said.
"I'm just looking to leave a legacy at UCLA,'' Love said. "Former basketball players such as Kareem Abdul Jabbar, who played under Coach Wooden as Lew Alcindor, and Bill Walton left their legacy on the basketball court, and off the court as well. I want to continue to do that beyond basketball.
"I want to help this school financially, sponsor player with my financial resources any way I possibly can.
"Lastly, I want to be come back UCLA, get my degree and put a smile on my mother's face.

With the focus on who is leaving, UCLA coach Ben Howland still must deal with the future. With not knowing who will remain in the draft, and decisions on that not due until June 16, Howland said he has no idea what to make of what his roster will look like next season.
“We just have to do the best we can,’’ Howland said. “It depends on who comes back and who doesn’t and how that impacts our depth, and what level (that depth) is affected.’’

Here's the latest on today's news involving Kevin Love, Russell Westbrook and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute:

UCLA loses two, soon to be three

Here are a few quickies from the press conferences today:
Kevin Love said he wanted to continue to keep in touch with UCLA, and said "I want to help this school financially'' and he wanted to make his mother proud and still get his degree from UCLA one day.
He is not signing with an agent, but his father, Stan, said it was protection against injury and also "in case his stock drops through workouts, although I don't anticipate that."
Guard Russell Westbrook said he would likely remain in the draft if, after workouts, he was projected to be a top 20 pick.

By Brian Dohn
Staff Writer
UCLA's Kevin Love and Russell Westbrook will announce today that they're declaring for the NBA draft, but they won't be joined by junior forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute.
Mbah a Moute, expected to announce his decision to join the NBA draft, decided shortly before the start of the press conference to delay his announcement, despite the fact that UCLA had already issued a press release. His announcement to join the draft is now tentatively scheduled to be made tomorrow.
Like Love and Westbrook, Mbah a Moute was not expected to hire an agent, in order to retain his college eligibility should be decide to withdraw from the draft, sources said.
Mbah a Moute, a versatile defender, averaged 8.8 points and six rebounds in an injury-plagued season. The 6-foot-8 Mbah a Moute battled two sprained ankles and had a concussion, and missed six games because of injury.
He nearly put his name in the draft last season, but elected not to after long deliberations.
While his main value could be as a defender -- he can guard nearly every position on the floor -- his offensive game is a big question.
Mbah a Moute shot 47.8 percent from the field, but many of his points came on close-range shots. He hit just 20 percent from 3-point range.
Love and Westbrook, it has already been reported, will announce they are putting their names in the NBA draft, but will not immediately sign with an agent.

By Brian Dohn
Staff Writer
UCLA junior power forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute will join freshman center and sophomore guard Russell Westbrook with an announcement regarding his future today, and sources said he will announce he also putting his name in for the NBA draft.
Like Love and Westbrook, Mbah a Moute will not hire an agent to retain his college eligibility, sources said.
Mbah a Moute, a versatile defender, averaged 8.8 points and six rebounds in an injury-plagued season. The 6-foot-8 Mbah a Moute battled two sprained ankles and had a concussion, and missed six games because of injury.
He nearly put his name in the draft last season, but elected not to after long deliberations.
While his main value could be as a defender, he can guard nearly every position on the floor, his offensive game is a big question.
Mbah a Moute shot 47.8 percent from the field, but many of his points came on close-range shots. He hit just 20 percent from 3-point range.
Love and Westbrook, it has already been reported, will announce they are putting their names in the NBA draft, but will not immediately sign with an agent.

Luc Richard Mbah a Moute is expected to announce today he is declaring for the NBA draft. He is having a joint press conference with Russell Westbrook a 2 p.m., an hour after Kevin Love's declares for the draft.

UCLA's football players are readying for payback from the coaching staff in the form of a grueling practice today after Tuesday's senior-led ditch day.
"Was this the best idea? Nah, probably not,'' Bruins linebacker Reggie Carter said. "But we discussed it as a team and we got an extra day off so you have to take advantage of it, rest up, and when it's time to practice, you've got to work extra hard to fix your mistakes and get better.''
So will today's practice be tougher than usual?
"We're prepared for that,'' Carter said. "You make your own decisions, so we made the decision and now we have to deal with it. With the extra meeting time, I'm sure (the coaches) are going to put together a really nice practice."

Most of the NFL teams got an up-close and personal look at former UCLA defensive end Bruce Davis during the Senior Bowl and the NFL combines, but the Detroit Lions had him in town to meet with him and he will be in Cleveland Friday to meet with the Browns' personnel.
Davis is projected as a second-rounder in next weekend's NFL draft.

Kathy McConnell-Miler, the Colorado women's basketball coach who interviewed Tuesday for the vacant UCLA job, has decided to stay at Colorado, according to Colorado athletic director Mike Bohn.

Tennessee assistant coach Nikki Caldwell interviewed on campus on Wednesday and said her visit to UCLA was ``great'' and that she enjoyed the people she'd met, but would not say whether any offer had been made.

She did not return a message left on her cellphone late Wednesday night, after it was learned McConnell-Miller was staying at Colorado.

Here is the story I wrote about it:

Here is the story I wrote on Kevin Love and Russell Westbrook announcing they are putting their names in for the NBA draft. Both will make their announcements Thursday during a press conference.

UCLA sophomore guard Russell Westbrook will join Bruins freshman center Kevin Love in announcing they are declaring for the NBA draft during a press conference Thursday afternoon. Neither player will hire an agent immediately, keeping their college eligibility intact.

I spoke to Russell Westbrook's father and he said his son remains undecided about what to do about the NBA draft.
"He's going to school. I can tell you that,'' Westbrook's father, Russell Sr., said. "I can't say what my son is going to do because I don't think he knows."
I continue to hear Westbrook is leaning toward putting his name in the draft, but not hiring an agent so he would have the option of returning for a junior season.

Here's the story Brian Dohn just filed. Kevin Love has scheduled a 1 p.m. press conference tomorrow to announce that he is making himself available for the NBA draft.

Love will jump to NBA tomorrow

Kevin Love will announce his intentions to leave UCLA and declare for the NBA draft during a 1 p.m. press conference Wednesday at the school.

I ran into UCLA junior power forward/center Alfred Aboya on campus and he said he is playing for Cameroon's national team in July's Olympic qualifying tournament, but that has no bearing on whether he returns to UCLA for his senior season.
Aboya said his decision to play for Cameroon does not impact his ability to graduate after UCLA's first summer session. The 12-team tournament will be played July 14-20 in Athens, Greece, and three teams will qualify for Olympic games in China later in the summer.
Cameroon is grouped with Croatia an Puerto Rico. After a round-robin, the top two teams advance to knockout play. The two countries reaching the title game receive bids to the Olympics, as does the winner of a game pitting the two losers of the semifinals.
Aboya said he still has not decided whether or not he will leave UCLA after the summer to pursue his master's degree.
Aboya added he was unsure if teammate and countryman Luc Richard Mbah a Moute was also playing.

UCLA's basketball coaches will be on the recruiting road this weekend, and I'm hearing one person they are eager to watch is 6-foot-10 Anthony Stover from La Canada Renaissance Academy. It's no secret the Bruins need centers, and I'm told they want to evaluate how much Stover has progressed.

As expected, UCLA's "Over the Wall" practice day counts toward one of the 15 spring practices. The school checked and was told that was the case since meetings took place and instruction was given on the field.

I just received an email from a source who said Oxnard Santa Clara running back Cierre Wood is down to UCLA and Notre Dame. He is scheduled to go to Notre Dame this weekend, and if he doesn't commit, it would be a good sign for UCLA.

Send in the questions by 8 a.m. Friday and I will post answers throughout the day.
By the way, we are transitioning to a new blog server, which should make the process go much quicker than it has been for the last few months. That said, I know posting comments has taken some time, and hopefully that will be remedied by the end of the week, and be a thing of the past.
However, if you get frustrated and want to email your questions to me at brian.dohn@dailynews.com, please do so. Thanks.

From what I'm hearing, UCLA guard Russell Westbrook is still trying to decide whether or not to put his name in the NBA draft. It's a tough decision because players have to be careful even if they do not plan on signing with an agent.
For example, Westbrook, who could be a top 5 pick in the 2009 draft, could put his name in this year, go through workouts and have difficult shooting the ball. If he comes back to UCLA, the memory left with NBA player personnel folks is that Westbrook wasn't a pure shooter, and that could impact his status for 2009.

Just got word that Tennessee assistant Nikki Caldwell will be coming for an on-campus interview on Wednesday, according to sources. She previously interviewed on Friday in Dallas and is considered one of the top candidates for the vacant women's basketball job.

UCLA will check with the NCAA Wednesday to see if Tuesday's ditch day counts against the 15 spring practices allowed, but since the Bruins went through some individual work before stretching, it is believed it does count against the number.

The coaching staff, including head coach Rick Neuheisel, were clearly not pleased to be blind-sided by the senior-led effort to ditch practice.
Neuheisel met with the seniors are the team ran off the field, and tried to put a positive spin on it.
“Our guys showed good solidarity,’’ Neuheisel said. “It’s not what I would have liked to happen (Tuesday), but I remember being a part of teams that did it and still had successful seasons. So, hopefully, we can benefit in some way from this.’’

UCLA's football practice is over, long before it was supposed as the players decided to use a long-time tradition and blow off practice after stretching by going over the wall. That said, the players ran through an open gate rather than climb over the wall at Spaulding Field.
UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel knows of the tradition, but basically said it was an odd time for it considering UCLA is installing a new offense and the offensive line needs loads of work.
Also, a number of high school coaches and recruits showed up for the practice, not to mention some referees. The assistant coaches were mostly stunned after Neuheisel visited with the players, then came back on the field to say practice was done.

UCLA is in full uniform for today's practice, but the good news for the Bruins is tight end Nate Chandler is out there. He missed yesterday's practice because of breathing issues and underwent tests for what might be wrong.
I haven't heard what the test results are, but it's a good sign he was out early with the other tight ends for work.

Here's the story I just wrote for the website on Colorado coach Kathy McConnell-Miller's on-campus visit today.

Also, for a bit of background, here's a link to an open letter she sent to Colorado fans after the season.

UCLA has most of its scheduling done through 2013, and the only game I had not previously heard about (nor has been reported) was the 2011 matchup against San Jose State.
UCLA needs to add one game in 2010, one game is 2011, one game in 2012 and two games in 2013.
So below I put up a copy of the schedules, with tentative dates, through 2013.

In looking at UCLA's secondary and the need for competition there, it is going to get plenty interesting once August training camp comes around.
I wrote about it in today's paper. To expand on it a bit, not only will Rahim Moore and Anthony Dye have chances to come and play right away, but talented Dominguez High defensive back Aaron Hester and Crespi High's E.J. Woods will get a strong looks for playing time as defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker looks for the best combination of players.
And although some players are targeted as cornerbacks and others as safeties, Walker will find the best players to put on the field, regardless of their class.
By the way, from everyone I talk to recently about Hester, they believe he has the ability to come in and make an immediate impact on the depth chart.

I just got word that Colorado coach Kathy McConnell-Miller is on campus today, interviewing for the UCLA women's basketball job.

In three seasons at Colorado, she is 41-53, including a 19-15 mark this season. Before coming to Colorado McConnell-Miller spent six seasons at Tulsa, where she posted more wins (91) than the program had in its previous 14 seasons (81).

I spoke to UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel, offensive line coach Bob Palcic and offensive coordinator Norm Chow about the offense's performance in Saturday's scrimmage, and each were pleased with what the offense was able to do.
However, when the topic turned to the backup offensive line -- Brandon Bennett, Sonny Tevaga, Jake Dean, Aaron Meyer and Mike Harris -- there was a lot of concern.
Palcic said: "I thought that the first line did a commendable job for a first scrimmage, for being as young and inexperienced as they are. The second offensive line, we need to get much, much better."
Neuheisel said: "The first offensive line graded out ok. The second offensive line has still got a long way to go, and that's where we really have to do a lot of work in the last seven days of practice, to make sure our backup offensive line can be productive if they're forced into action."
Chow said: "There's no waiver wire here, so you've got to make 'em play. That's what we have to do."

Here is the football notebook from today's paper, which details Aleksey Lanis leaving the program. I spoke with offensive line coach Bob Palcic about Lanis' replacement, Sean Sheller, and he gave a scouting report.
"I think Sheller's a good athlete,'' Palcic said. "I think he'll develop into a good player. He's got quick feet. He's good in space."
Does Sheller have confidence?
"He's getting there,'' Palcic said. "You can't have confidence until you've mastered a subject, and he has not mastered the subject, and none of my players have. We're a work in progress, and hopefully working in that direction."

UCLA held its awards banquet tonight, and here are the winners.

I spoke with UCLA right tackle Aleksey Lanis a little while ago and he said several factors played into his decision to retire from football.
First, he had three significant injuries in his two years as a starter, including two knee surgeries. Also, he was married and had a son in the offseason, and wants to do this for his family. His plan is to finish his degree in the fall and then go to graduate school while pursuing a career in business.
Lanis said he recently had his application to UCLA's graduate school turned down, so he will look elsewhere. I'll have some comments from Lanis in Tuesday's paper.
I asked UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel if he tried to talk Lanis out of retiring.
"It was clear in his face that he wasn’t ready to go on,'' Neuheisel said. "If I thought there was hope, I probably would have pushed harder and harder, but he was pretty set in his decision, and you have to respect that.’’

UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel confirmed what was reported earlier today, that starting right tackle Aleksey Lanis decided to retire and take a medical scholarship. Neuheisel appeared surprised at Lanis' decision, as did Lanis' replacement, Sean Sheller, who said "I'm shocked."
Also, Neuheisel said walk-on tight end Travis Martin left the team, while red-shirt freshman Nate Chandler sat out practice because of what was termed a breathing problem. Neuheisel said Chandler underwent tests to determine the cause, but said anxiety and dehydration were both possibilities.
Also, in reviewing film from Saturday's scrimmage, Neuheisel cited the play of receivers Taylor Embree and Marcus Everett, tight end Logan Paulsen, defensive tackle Brian Price and middle linebacker Reggie Carter.

I ran into Bruins point guard Darren Collison on campus today and asked him if he had any news. "Not yet,'' he said. "I'm still deciding."
However, I'm hearing his decision will come by the end of the week, and my sources are saying UCLA still expects him to remain in the draft.
With the awards banquet tonight, I'm hearing a lot will get hashed out in the next week or so.

There were a couple of injuries coming out of Saturday's scrimmage, but not to any of the starters. Backup fullback Dylan Rush tore the medial collateral ligament in his right knee and will be out six to eight weeks, and backup cornerback Chris Meadows as a left shoulder injury.
Also, members the Air Force Academy coaching staff are here to watch practice.

Three different sources have told me that Colorado coach Kathy McConnell-Miller is very much in the mix for the job.

Also, I'm told that UCLA and Nikki Caldwell is finalizing plans for her to come out for an on-campus interview.

UCLA quarterback Patrick Cowan said he is recovered from offseason knee surgery, and he "feels better than I did at any point since August."
Cowan was injured all of last season, beginning with a torn hamstring in training camp, and a knee injury and punctured lung during the season.

UCLA fifth-year receiver Marcus Everett said his surgically repaired ankle is doing well, as long as he continues to get the proper treatment. He has looked good the last few practices, and made three catches for 39 yards, including a 14-yard touchdown reception in Saturday's scrimmage.
"It gets sore after practice, but everything on the field is good,'' Everett said. "I'm beyond (worrying about pain). I've been beyond that since the first day."

UCLA offensive tackle Aleksey Lanis, who has been plagued by knee injuries much of his career, is retiring and taking a medical scholarship. Lanis was considered to have NFL potential, but has been besieged by injuries throughout his career.
He was projected as the starting right tackle, which now would fall to never-used third-year sophomore Sean Sheller.

Vote, and please post some comments about it as well.

Duke transfer Taylor King gave a commitment to Villanova over the weekend, which I find curious (if not predictable) given the comments of his father, Steve, a week earlier.
I know UCLA's coaching staff was in contact with King's people, but I don't know if King and UCLA coach Ben Howland ever spoke. As of late last week, the two had not.
However, the part I find strange is King's father was saying how Taylor wanted to take his time, because one decision already went awry, and this was Taylor's one do-over. So to decide on Villanova before even taking trips to Gonzaga or USC was, to say the least, curious in my opinion.
I will say that one of the things Steve King told me was he wanted to go to a place where it was understood Taylor may have some defensive shortcomings, but that the his offensive exploits could be maximized.

Offensive line remains a concern for UCLA, and much of it has to do with no experienced depth. Injuries are not helping either in that right tackle Aleksey Lanis (knee) and right guard Nick Ekbatani (ankle) are dealing with injuries, and the second team offensive line is not doing well.
"Until we feel like we've got a second group that can go out there and be competitive and move the ball and not fumble a snap and not jump offsides, that's going to be a major concern,'' UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel said.
During Saturday's scrimmage, the second unit consisted of four players -- Brandon Bennett, Jake Dean, Sonny Tevaga and Mike Harris -- who have never taken a collegiate snap, and a fifth player (fifth-year senior Aaron Meyer) who spent last season on the scout team.
The first team was Sean Sheller, Scott Glicksberg, Micah Reed, Darius Savage and Micah Kia.

Not that it is any kind of surprise, but I was told tonight UCLA center Kevin Love is leaving and that an announcement would be made this week. He is supposed to return from his family's home in Oregon today and attend the season-ending team banquet with his father, Stan, tonight.
I have more on it in Monday's paper.

When UCLA was practicing punt returns the other day, the three guys back taking turns were Ryan Graves, Terrence Austin and Chris Ramirez. UCLA is trying to find a game breaker to bring an added element in hopes of helping the offense.

Receiver Taylor Embree, a freshman who enrolled in January and the son of former UCLA assistant Jon Embree, made several nice catches in Saturday's scrimmage. According to some folks I respect a lot when it comes to talent evaluation, the talk was about his high level of concentration and his hands.
"My dad has always kind of drilled me to catch the ball, and be ready to get hit when you catch the ball,'' Embree said. "The main thing is to just focus. I've done a lot of drills growing up where you focus on the ball, and not worrying about the surrounding. Once you catch the ball, that's when everything else happens."

Former Bruins defensive tackle Kevin Brown continues to rehab from offseason hip surgery, and that is impacting his draft status and his ability to workout for teams. However, I've been told the Seattle Seahawks are one of the teams interested in him.
Also, former UCLA cornerback Trey Brown is receiving interest from a variety of teams, including the New England Patriots, Atlanta Falcons, Chicago Bears and Kansas City Chiefs, with whom he had a workout scheduled.

Remember Reggie Dunn? He's the receiver from Verbum Dei High who signed with Oregon State but went to Compton College, and has been trying to get to UCLA.
I talked to a few sources about Dunn during Saturday's scrimmage, and each one said he is working hard to get to UCLA. However, it will be nearly impossible for him to enroll in time for the season, but UCLA is very interested in him and he is trying to get his academics in order so he can be at UCLA in either January, or next summer, and be ready to play in 2009.
Dunn did not play at Compton last season, although he is running track now. If he can get to UCLA for 2009, he would have three years of eligibility remaining.

Here is the story I wrote about Patrick Cowan being the No. 1 quarterback, and also the notebook from today's paper.
Also, here's something else Reggie Carter said about his move from weakside linebacker to middle linebacker.
“So far, so good,’’ Carter said. “It’s more responsibility, but it’s also more freedom because you have an outside ‘backer, so you have help, rather than run to the flat and have that big open space.’’

UCLA linebacker Reggie Carter said he noticed a difference with the offense under Norm Chow than the last few years.
“Quick tempo,’’ Carter said. “It seems like a real simple concept, and they have to execute it. There not too fancy. They hurry up to the ball and if everybody executes their jobs their going to be successful.
“It’s not easy to defend. It’s just that I don’t think they try to complicate it with a lot of crazy plays, or trick plays or crazy routes. They try to play smart, get the yardage when it’s there and play for first downs, and when touchdowns come, that get those.’’

UCLA quarterback Ben Olson said his frustration isn't about losing the starting job to Patrick Cowan, but rather whether or not he's been given a chance.
“You would hope you would be given a choice,’’ Olson said. “You would hope they wouldn’t make up their minds after four days of spring practice. Again, I can’t control that. I have to stay positive and keep plowing through. But it doesn’t take a genius to figure out what’s going on.’’

I asked UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel what he sees out of his defense so far.
"I think we're talented, probably a little inconsistent,'' he said. "I think (defensive coordinator) DeWayne (Walker) would agree. I think (inside linebacker) Reggie Carter is a gifted player, but I think he needs to be consistent at the Mike linebacker spot, and then I think we need to develop some depth in the secondary. But, I'm encouraged."
As far defensive ends, Neuheisel said, "I think the kids are playing hard. It remains to be seen who will line up there. I like (Tom) Blake. I think Blake is playing hard, like (Korey) Bosworth. As we go through the offseason and look toward the fall, we're going to look to get our best 11 on the field. So, we'll see who ends up at that position."
Neuheisel added it was "too early to decide'' whether to keep red-shirt freshman Akeem Ayers at linebacker or move him to defensive end.

UCLA isn't yet halfway through spring practice, which means the offense is predictably sloppy and behind the defense, especially given the Bruins brought in a new defensive staff.
But UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel said he was happy with where the offense is at this point.
"As always in the case in scrimmages, there's going to be some good and some bad,'' Neuheisel said. "I believe that we're making progress, and when you're making progress, you've got to be encouraged. The kids are giving a lot of effort, very few injuries, knock on wood.
"Let's hope for a few more practices at this speed, this pace, and the same result.
"There's progress in terms of continuity, guys learning assignments and developing some tempo, which means the offense is moving to the subconscious rather than having to think about everything I'm doing."

Could a position change be in the cards for quarterback Osaar Rasshan? During today's scrimmage, he was fifth-string quarterback, behind Patrick Cowan, Ben Olson, Kevin Craft and Chris Forcier and received very few reps.
Also, among the formations UCLA showed today (I mention it because the scrimmage was open to the public) was splitting tight end Logan Paulsen wide to create mismatches. Also, tailback Christian Ramirez ran well, both in getting to the corner and between the tackles, and coach Rick Neuheisel was very complimentary about Ramirez when I asked him in the post-scrimmage media get-together.
Here are the stats from today's scrimmage

The coaches clinic before UCLA's scrimmage brought out a lot of high school coaches, and it also brought a bunch of recruits.
Among the guys I saw were Crenshaw linebacker Hays Pollard, Tesoro linebacker John Michael Davis, Lynwood running back/safety Kevin Ayers, Crespi receiver Kevin Cummings, Los Alamitos quarterback Clark Evans, West Bakersfield offensive tackle David Burn (who is a very big kid), Lakewood linebacker Trevor Erno and a trio of Jordan players in receiver/defensive back Eric Hunter, receiver/free safety Delvon Purvis and quarterback/receiver DeShawn Beck.

Bishop Amat linebacker Isaiah Bowens committed to UCLA today. I will have more from him later today.

Like I reported earlier, the decision is for Pat Cowan to be the No. 1 quarterback, and I spoke to coach Rick Neuheisel about it individually.
“We’re giving Pat the first chance,’’ Neuheisel said. “We haven’t made any decisions yet. We’re just trying to see where it goes from there. If it gets to a position where we have to switch it over, then we have to switch it over.’’
I spoke to Cowan and Ben Olson about it as well, and Cowan said he was not focusing being on the No. 1 guy, and Olson said he was disappointed not to be given a chance to compete. I'll have much more about it in Sunday's paper.
As for other things, Neuheisel said he was pleased the offense was doing less thinking and more just playing. Offensive line remains a great concern.
As for as some players, he said the jury remains out as to whether Akeem Ayers will remain at linebacker or be shifted to defensive end. I'll have some stats and stuff in a little while.
There were also a bunch of impressive underclassmen on campus today, as well as some of the incoming freshmen, including running back Aundre Dean, who is quite impressive physically.

UCLA is finishing up its scrimmage, and the biggest piece of information coming out of it is Patrick Cowan being the No. 1 quarterback. He was the only quarterback to take reps with the first team offense, while Ben Olson's reps were reserved for the second team offense.
Also, in talking to a few of my sources as I watch the scrimmage, each is telling me Cowan is the choice and will be the No. 1 quarterback.
As expected, the offense looks slugglish, and is struggling to move the ball.
But one guy who is standing out is receiver Taylor Embree, the son of former UCLA assistant Jon. Taylor has made several nice catches, although he was also called for a hold to bring back a big run.

Thanks to a reader for sending me a link of this story from The Oregonian about UCLA's incoming freshman class.

UCLA settled on grad assistants and they are familiar faces.
The defensive one is Mike Rutenberg, who served as a defensive graduate assistant last season as well. He is a Cornell graduate who used to work for defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker's former employer, the Washington Redskins.
On the offensive side, former UCLA walk-on Phil Rauscher is the graduate assistant.

UCLA offensive guard Darius Savage is going through his own double sessions, participating in spring football and hopping over to track and field whenever possible.
Friday, with the football team off, Savage won the open discus and shot put competitions at the RJ/JJK Invite. He threw a regional qualifier in the discus (172-2) and won by nearly 11 feet and then won the shot with a throw of 56-1.25

Thanks to Jill Painter who was able to track Pat Summitt down tonight at the Wooden Award banquet. Like Candace Parker earlier in the day, it didn't take much to get Summitt glowing about Caldwell, who interviewed with UCLA athletic director Dan Guerrero and assistant athletic director Petrina Long on Friday, as first reported on dailynews.com

``She's tremendous. She's one of the best assistants I've had, and I've had a lot of great ones,'' Summitt said. ``She's bright, articulate and extremely polished. She's a great teacher and disciplinarian. Her communications skills are a great asset. She was tremendous with Candace.''

``If someone got out of line, she got them back in line. She put out a lot of fires before they ever got to me.''

``Whoever gets her, whenever that happens, is going to be amazed. I don't want to lose her, but I can't hold her back.''

In the wake of Bob Lopez recently resigning his spot as UCLA's director of football operations to take a similar job at San Diego State, his assistant, Anthony Jones, is also leaving. Jones, a UCLA graduate, spent one season as Lopez's assistant as the coordinator of player development.
UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel is adjusting the roles Lopez and Jones played.
The first step was to hire former tight ends coach Angus McClure, whose job description will now include coordinating much of the recruiting, which entails tracking visits, setting up official and unofficial visits and other administrative work. He also will help on the academic side of things with the football team.
Meanwhile, Jones' replacement will deal more with on the field operations.

This is from UCLA:

Nike Hoop Summit Scheduled For Saturday
All four Bruin men's basketball signees scheduled to participate

April 11, 2008

The game is the Rose Garden is scheduled to tip at 1:00 pm and will be televised nationally by Fox Sports Net and webcast on www.sports.yahoo.com.
Jerime Anderson (Canyon H.S. / Anaheim, Calif.), Drew Gordon (Archbishop Mitty H.S. / San Jose, Calif.), Jrue Holiday (Campbell Hall H.S. / North Hollywood, Calif.) and Malcolm Lee (John W. North H.S. / Riverside, Calif.) are all scheduled to participate.
The recruiting class is ranked No. 1 by scout.com and No. 2 by rivals.com

Thanks for all your questions this week. I appreciate the interest. Also, for those incredibly frustrated at the blog's performance lately (like myself), the good news is we are supposed to change servers next week, so hopefully that will make the experience better for everyone.
Now, onto the last set of answers: