Answers, Part X
Here is the next to last set of answers:
Were Meyer and Turner "encouraged" to quit the team in order to free some scholarships, or were their decisions totally independent of any imput from the coaching staff?Each was made to understand it would be very difficult for each one to see the field again during their careers.
Are you hearing whether any other scholarship players may quit the team prior to the start of the season since there are others besides Turner and Meyer with no realistic prospect of ever climbing high enough on the depth chart to get a chance to play?Not at this point, and frankly, UCLA doesn't need to clear any more scholarships, so it is not an issue.
Who decides which players get the most playing time in the 7 on 7 drills and the order in which they participate? The players are supposed to decide.
Bruce Davis always seemed to be a fertile quote machine for the UCLA beat writers. With Davis gone, who do you see as a "go to guy" on this year"s team when you want an interesting, provocative or funny quote? I have a few ideas, but I'm not yet sure. But I don't think anyone will match up to Davis or Rodney Van.
Was Coach Howland pursuing UNC transfer Alex Stepheson very hard? Or did he relax his recruitment which allowed USC to land him?UCLA was going after him very hard, and since Stepheson hasn't made his commitment to USC publicly known, UCLA is still going very hard after him.
Mike Linn was a DISASTER in his first go-round as the S&C coach at UCLA.
1999 was before your time, Brian, but a quick recap:
UCLA went 4-7 on the year, which was only ONE year after going to a Rose Bowl and being in the hunt for a NC.
UCLA was weak, slow, fat, and in horrible condition. (The players, too, not just the head coach.)
The Bruins led the nation in cramps. Midol bottles were handed out at pre-game meals.
So, what has Mr. Linn learned in the last 10 years?What has he told you are the differences between his program for the players then and his program for the players now???
I've been told he is a more experienced and more rigid strength and conditioning coach, but it is too early to tell. I haven't had that full conversation with him yet.
Nick Ektabani was moved over to the RT position from his OG position. If he does not get the RT position, will he shift back over to starting guard? If he does get the RT position, who then takes his position at guard?My understanding is he will move all along the offensive line and play guard and tackle if he does not win the right tackle job.
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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.
Im hoping Linn has learned because im really interested in how our guys develop. I'd like to see more explosion, speed, and real football power. Not just bench numbers.
I know from very close sources that Linn wasn't the best in his previous stint. Obviously Dorrell wanted his own guy back from Colorado there...but why was Linn brought back so quickly when Dorrell was shown the door. I wonder how Howland feels about a new S&C coach. Howland probably demands his own staff anyhow.
DOHNSTER! Please don't hold back with your coverage of the Bruins this season. Let readers know what's going on. Thanks for your professionalism.