Answers, Part IX

The West Coast Offense was an undeniable failure at UCLA for most of the last 5 years. Have you asked the offensive players about their feelings on the WCO? Will Chow's system make the players better overnight?The players belief the West Coast Offense can succeed, just not the one former coach Karl Dorrell wanted to employ. As for Chow making the players better overnight, that won't happen as much as Chow will be able to utilize a player's strength much better and downplay a weakness. And that will create the illusion the player is better.

What is the best piece of advice you've ever received relating to your current job, or past jobs?Cover something you enjoy and have a passion for, or else it will not be much fun because this job takes a lot of time to do. During the season, it is normally a 60 to 70 hour work week.

I was wondering if you could include a weekly feature where you interview a football or basketball player and we learn fun facts about them? Ex: Favorite movie? Favorite athlete? What's in your iPod? Who are you voting for? Favorite newspaper columnist? I will put it to a vote next week and see what everyone thinks.

Just read your piece on Ben Olson and I think it's one of the best articles you've written. I really enjoyed it. I just wanted to ask, how did you enjoy hanging out with Ben? From your piece it seems like he's a really down to Earth kind of person. He's a great guy who wants to succeed very badly, and is working hard. I was appreciative he gave me the access to do such a story.

What is the relationship between the Pump 'n Run Elite team / the people running it and the UCLA basketball program? Have of that AAU team seems to be comprised of UCLA recruits each year.It is run by Dana and David Pump, two Valley guys, who also have a long-standing relationship with UCLA coach Ben Howland, as well as many other college coaches.

Do you think this incoming freshmen class can have an impact on this football program, same way as UCLA 2004 freshmen class had an impact on the basketball program?They can have an impact, but not to the level of the basketball program because it is so much harder to turn around a football program. Great guards can dominate in college basketball, but as good as running back Aundre Dean may be, he needs capable blockers in front of him.

UCLA led the nation last year in pass interference penalties on its DBs, specifically its CBs. What is your prediction for the # that UCLA will get flagged for this year?Is DeWayne Walker doing anything in practice differently to address this glaring problem? (I need some good news, BDizzle...hook me up!)
Let's see. Twelve games, 70 plays defended per game, and an inexperienced secondary. How's 19 sound (with four of them questionable)? As for addressing it in practice, since training camp doesn't start until Aug. 5 and coaches cannot teach on the field in the summer, it makes it tough for him to address it.

If Tim Tebow is what a five star recruit should be, how many stars would you give Ben Olson in retrospect???I don't want to disparage Olson, but I will say they are two totally different quarterbacks. It's like comparing Maurice Drew to Manuel White.

Can you compare for us nacho eaters Olson and Tebow on the following factors:
quickness of foot
throwing accuracy
quickness of release
quickness of decision making (getting rid of the ball on time to an open receiver)
mental and physical toughness
football IQTebow won a Heisman and Olson has been injured too much. There is no comparison.