Answers, Part VI

Based on what you have seen so far in practice and your discussions with the coaches, what is likelihood that the Bruins will be bale to cobble together a servicable offensive line that will allow the QBs and RBs some room to operate? In other words, how dire is the OL situation?
Very, very dire. I'll put it this way - converted tight end Nate Chandler had a chance to start before suffering turf toe and I'm told Jess Ward, who moved from defensive tackle to left guard earlier this week, has a chance to play pretty quickly. Teams with established offensive lines don't make changes like that.

Brian, how do you compare Lavin's personality with that of Howland's? How did they run their practice sessions? Howland and I got to UCLA the same year so I have no idea how Lavin was, other than what I hear from others.
I did not cover Lavin, and Howland's practices are closed.

How are your weekdays like? It seems like you work 24/7 with little R&R. How do you balance your career with family life? Is the wife "cool" with that?
I do work a lot, but enjoy 90 percent of it so it doesn't seem to be too bad. Any journalists job is 24/7, and that is understood going into it. If not, you better get out quickly. Time management is key to spending time with the family, so I try to structure my day so I can spent time with the kids in the morning (yes, it means getting up too early) and also at night and during weekends. And as far as my wife, if she didn't understand, we wouldn't be married for as long as we have been. She puts up with much more than I ever could, from the midnight phone calls to the cancellation of plans because of stories.

Have you seen anyone on defense that seems capable of brining pressure off the edge?
I think Korey Bosworth has the ability because he has a quick burst at the stop of the ball. The problem is he is not as fast as Bruce Davis, and is not much bigger. Freshman Datone Jones may have that ability, but it's too early to tell.

Have either of the incoming freshman DE's Jones or Holmes shown the ability to hit the field this year?
Jones has a much better shot than Holmes. In fact, I'm counting on Jones playing this season.

How is Khalil Bell looking to you so soon after his ACL surgery? The practice reports indicate he is bringing it!
He's doing great, much better than anyone not named Kahlil Bell thought. In fact, I wrote a feature on him that is supposed to run in Saturday's paper.

I saw a picture of Marcus Everett {in another local newspaper} wearing the dark blue trimmed away jerseys. Boy, they look good! Is there a chance of returning to those??
There are other newspapers? ...If you are talking about the practice jerseys, there is no thought of returning to those. In fact, I wrote something a few weeks ago where coach Rick Neuheisel said he had no plan of changing the uniforms, but did say he would consider wearing a throwback uniform during a game, but likely not this season.

What defensive tackle prospects are the coaches going hard after? Doesn't the move of Jess Ward make it imperative we sign a couple of DT's?
Even without the move of Ward, I think UCLA wanted to sign a defensive tackle or two. Right now no DTs have been offered, but UCLA is monitoring a number of them. Sometimes, there are factors at work beyond football playing ability.

can you name one sleeper player on the football team that has been flying under the radar, but you think will break out this season?
I'll say receiver Terrence Austin. I think offensive coordinator Norm Chow will be very creative in using him, and I always thought Austin wasn't given enough chances the last two years.

we've heard that Savage is a hunka hunka burning OT, so how is it that he's been spun round and round (like a record, baby) by Tevaga on the depth chart?
So let the fun begin. Questions that are a play on song lyrics. Savage is back running with the first team, as is Tevaga. However, the reason he was passed over for a few days was because he didn't know his assignments well enough.