QB race
Patrick Cowan took more reps with the first team than Ben Olson did in Thursday's practice, and Kevin Craft took his reps with the second team.
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About Inside UCLA
This is Brian Dohn's sixth season covering UCLA after spending 4 1/2 years covering the Dodgers for the Daily News and other Los Angeles Newspaper Group papers. He graduated from Rutgers, where the first college football game was played in 1869. Sure, the Scarlet Knights suffered for a long time, but now RU is doing what Jerseyans always thought was possible. Winning at Rutgers also proves winning is possible everywhere else in the nation, so underachieving coaches better be careful. Now, if only men's hoops can turn it around.
maybe i'm wrong (didn't really follow him at BYU and USC), but from what I understand, Chow's best quarterbacks have all had a heavy presence in the pocket (although I am aware that Steve Young was fairly adept at scrambling away from pressure). That said, I was certain for awhile that Pat Cowan would eventually transfer as a result, although he'll forever have a place in my heart for coming off the bench and being the first quarterback since McNown to beat USC. So i must say, it's good to see him perhaps getting a little of an edge here.
Though, I am a bit torn. I fear there's not much he can do to even gain a chance at the NFL (i'm still scratching my head as to why Drew Olson wasn't drafted). Ben Olson, on the other hand, with a bit of better coaching, and if he could stay out of injury for once in his life, might be able to make something of himself. He does have his best games when he's fresh and healthy (as in the first game of every season). It would be kind of disappointing to see such a heralded recruit fade to obscurity in the middle of the bench.
Olson never appeared to me to have enough athleticism or instinct to even step up into the pocket as it developed. Watching him get sacked for his last injury it did not appear that he even had sense to brace for the impact. Cowan on the other hand is gritty and instinctual. I think from listening to player interviews last year he instilled more player confidence. If he is considered the best by the coaches I am pleased. He has certainly earned it. He is fun to watch.
Great Blog and articles by Brian and Ramona giving up to date information and great articles. It is appreciated.
The UCLA Football team is going to be a cobbled together team this year. But if they can make up for the great pure athletes at USC (depth) with srategy (coaching) and heart (players) they are going to be fun to watch and that is what counts.