Answers, Part X

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.