Answers, Part I

Is there a Rutgers sports blog that you follow as much as we follow yours?
There are a few blogs I frequent, but to be honest, they are not updated as often as this one. Plus, much of what you get on those blogs is what you get in the paper. I try to mix it up, so you do not read the same thing on the blog as in the pape. Plus, I try to give interesting tidbits during the offseason, and other than commitments or big stories, I get zippo on Rutgers in the offsesaon.

Do you have any info on how football season ticket sales for the upcoming season compare to last year?
I'm told season ticket sales are going very well. I will try to get a number from UCLA and post it later today.

any update on alex stephenson?
It is very quiet on the Stepheson front, primarily because the family wants to keep it that way. I've checked with a few of my best sources, and even they don't know. I think it will be a little while before a decision is known.

when will the incoming freshmen (football) arrive on campus? when do practices start?
Most of the freshman will arrive later this month and begin summer classes June 23. As for training camp, I believe UCLA starts August 3.

Did you and your wife plan this new birth to coincide with your professional "slow" period or was it just a coincidence?
The main thing was it not coinciding with a Rutgers bowl game, which was the case with our first son. Geez, almost missed the first bowl game in 28 years because of it ...LOL ...it had nothing to do with the offseason, unless my bosses are reading this, then it had everything to do with it because I don't want to miss a day of work.

Have you ever been asked to do a TV show like Around the Horn?
I have not. Maybe I have a radio face?

If he is still available, should the Lakers pick Mbah a Moute with their low second round pick?
I don't know who else is out there they would have to chose from, and what the Lakers' biggest needs are. If they need a guy who can play great defense, defend multiple positions and rebound but is not a scoring threat, then the pick would make sense.

Any word on the status of Cowan's eligibility? Is there even a minute possibility of the NCAA granting him a 6th year?
He has no shot at it, and UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel told me a few weeks back they were looking at a medical retirement for Cowan so they could use the scholarship. In order to get that sixth year, a player has to miss two seasons because of injury. When he red-shirted as a freshman, he was not hurt.