Answers, Part V

I've read quite a bit on Bell's progress but not much on Raymond Carter who was supposed to give the Bruins some speed around the edge before his injury last year. Any updates on Carter?
Carter is fine. I've written a few times that Carter was 100 percent, and he looks good and explosive in practice. He has distanced himself as the No. 2 running back behind Bell.

Who do you believe has been the most pleasant surprise to coaches and teammates in camp thus far?
That's tough because coaches are not big on giving out pleasant surprise compliments because it makes it sound like they didn't expect a player to do well. However, I think UCLA is happy with the solid play of John Hale at strong side linebacker, the effort and play of receiver Marcus Everett and fullback Trevor Theriot.

Looking forward to seeing what Aundre Dean can do, but I was really excited when Milton Knox commited. I know he's barely practiced, let alone actually play in a game, but from what you have seen, how does Knox compare to his idol Maurice Jones-Drew?
Knox is doing ok, but has not separated himself from the other freshmen. In fact, Jonathan Franklin is the freshmen taking the most reps. As far as comparing to Maurice Drew, there is none. Drew was incredibly explosive and elusive, not to mention had breakaway speed. Knox has great vision and seems to have good balance, but I don't see him as the game-breaker Drew was at UCLA.

Will Captain Phil return to Sea on the Cornelia Marie or was it a career ending illness that he suffered this past season?
Man, I hope it wasn't a career-ending illness. I check his website now and again for an update. He became one of my favorites, right up there with Jonathan Hillestrand, but behind Sig.

It appears you sincerely enjoy what you do, you seem like a good guy, and I wouldn't want to give you a big head, so I'm just going to say that you don't suck at what you do. So, how much longer will we have you covering UCLA athletics?
That's about the nicest thing anyone has said about me on the blog in a long time. In all seriousness, I have no plans on going anywhere. I've covered the Dodgers and lived in other places in the country, but I love the mix of living in Los Angeles and covering colleges. And I enjoy dealing with the folks at UCLA (even though they don't always like having me around), so I think it will be a while.

i am sure you get a chance to interact with fans from other schools when you are on the road with the team. how do ucla fans compare?
On the whole, UCLA fans are very nice. In speaking with fans from other teams, there doesn't seem to be the same type of intensity, on a whole, but I figure that is because there is so much more to do in L.A. than anywhere else. If things don't go well at Oregon, there is very little to divert the fans' attention.

it's kind of embarrassing that ucla set an attendance record at the rose bowl last year by filling barely 3/4 of the available seats, isn't it? even in years the bruins were sorta good they couldn't get even 70,000 in average attendance ... what does that tell you about ucla fans?
It just tells me UCLA plays in a stadium that is too big, and that it is the second college football program in the city. There is nothing wrong with either of those things.

With good depth at tailback , who do you see playing the most at this point ? Which of the frosh tailbacks do you see red-shirting ?
Kahlil Bell will get the majority of the carries, and Raymond Carter will be the backup. After that, I think Aundre Dean and Jonathan Franklin will get some carries, with Chane Moline getting in as well. I think Derrick Coleman and Milton Knox red-shirt, but we shall see.

i've heard that my fellow chaminade eagle alums marcus everett and logan paulson have nfl potential, do you see that as high pick/actually playing potential or 4th on the depth chart/practice squad potential?
I think Paulsen could go in the first four rounds of the draft, but Everett would be a late-round pick or have to sign as a free agent and make a roster. But this is the senior season for both, so they have a chance to really increase their draft position.