Answers, Part VII
Here is the seventh set of answers:
Do you have any observations on the new Strength and Conditioning program? how do you compare the Mike Linn approach to the Docapproach?
I know he is tough and from what I hear he does not play favorites. Every player is going to get the work done, and there will be no exceptions. From what I understand, that is different than the last few years.
I saw you rocking a Galaxy jersey a while back. Are you a soccer fan? Do you have a favorite European team?
Indeed, I am a futbol fan. My team (other than the Galaxy) is Liverpool. However, I like Ronaldinho, but am now in a quandary because I do not like Serie A, but with him going to AC Milan I may wind up watching it. Kaka and Ronaldinho (if he is fit) could be amazing. E tu?
Whats the word about walk on Center Nick Garibay from Banning?
He is walking on. That's all the information I have.
Would the coaching staff consider holding practices at higher elevations, say in Big Bear, to better prepare the team for games in Salt Lake, Provo, or Boulder?
No. It makes no sense. Hold training camp in altitude for a game that is three weeks after training camp ends? And the logistics of moving everything there for a game isn't right. However, if the team wanted to hold training camp in Hawaii, I'd be for that.
I've heard conflicting stories about D.Edwards and his de-commitment. The Bear Insiders says he was just going to summer school for the 24-units needed to play Division-1 football. While you and your "sources" say he never had the grades for UCLA. If he never had the grades or for UCLA, why would they waste a visit on him? If in fact you or your sources are wrong, do you intend to apologize to D.Edwards?
Back in June, Edwards told Daily News staffer Jill Painter he needed to get grades in two summer classes to be admitted to UCLA. The admission standards are different for Cal and UCLA, regardless of what people want to believe. When Edwards visited UCLA, he said he told the coaches he was on target to get the grades he needed, then didn't get them, which is how he wound up in summer school. Schools all over the nation have kids take visits who are not academically secure to enter college. And if Donovan Edwards wants to send me his transcripts, then I will print them. I left numerous messages with him about this topic the last few days, and still have not heard back from him.
Can you compare Reggie Carter to Donovan Carter. Besides the name, do they have the same game -- does Do. Carter project to have Re. Carter type skills?
Great, more SAT-type questions, and I didn't have time to take the prep course. And you are asking me to compare UCLA's starting middle linebacker (the quarterback of the defense) with a kid who has never practiced in college. Sorry, can't do that.
What about David Carter -- how does he compare to Jeff Miller?
Actually, there is no comparison. Carter plays defensive end, and Miller plays tackle. Should I compare a cornerback to a safety next?
Last Carter: Raymond -- how does he compare to Karim Abdul Jabbar (former Sharmon Shah)?
I liked Abdul Jabbar's sky hook, but it doesn't translate to football. (Other than a poor kicker running for his life and attempting a pass.)
Would you say Milton Knox is along the lines of Jermaine Lewis? Maybe even say Ray Rice??
I would say neither. I don't compare kids who never played a college down to kids who excelled. I find it irresponsible.
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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.
Brian,
I really enjoy the accuracy of the information you give us Bruin fans and how hard you work to break stories. Even though it is quite apparent you could give a hoot about how UCLA teams do, I can still see that you do your job passionately, irrespective of your personal interest in the subject.
I am however, quite perplexed at the numerous inconsistencies in your opinion of certain topics. I think you usually do MUCH better when you report, rather than expound your opinions. For example, I have seen you several times claim that top notch recruits don't care or take potential playing time in considering(i.e. Anthony Stover)their college of choice. Then, I see a story in the Riverside Press where Anthony's AAU coach SPECIFICALLY says that playing time is a consideration. Then, in your update of Snaer, you yourself quote his High School BB coach where he SPECIFIALLY says "Immediate playing time is important, and that's going to be difficult to get with the kids (UCLA) has going in there, unless a bunch of them leave after next season." This is almost identical to Stover's AAU coach's quote in the Riverside PE. What gives? When I posed this question earlier, you erased my response. Are you afraid to be challenged?
I also think you are sometimes somewhat of a HOMER, in that you protect the players and coaches you work with directly. Which is natural, the desire to protect the people you have a direct relationship. However, this is also sometimes suspicious. A case could be made that you report favorably to aviod access. For instance, I have many times seen you not be consistent with your rules. Specifically, you supposedly never like to talk about a kids' grades unless they give you the okay. However, in this series of questions and in other posts, you have repeatedly given specifics about D. Edwards grades. This would indicate that you will not talk about people you interact with daily to perform your job. This would also indicate a conflict of interest and make some of your reporting biased and suspect.
I love how passionate you are about what you do and that you have principles. I just wish you were more consistent with some of them and your opinions.
However, in observing you since you started this BLOG I can tell that you are the HARDEST working reporter in the BIZ. You have GREAT relationships with your "sources". This is why you usually get the first scoops and usually break stories FIRST.
I hope you are not insulted and use this as constructive criticism. Like all of us, you also have strengths and weaknesses.
I would like to recommend that you add a random comments section or a section where readers can contribute opinions and stories. I would also like to see e-mail alerts, to inform subscribers of when somebody has replied to their comments. Just some ways I think the experience could be improved.
I meant to say that a case could be made that you report favorably to ensure, not avoid, access.
I would also like to say that despite some of my harsh criticisms of you, I truly believe that you are the BEST UCLA reporter out there and maybe one of the best overall. I don't believe there is anybody out there that breaks more stories quicker and that works his beat harder.
Keep up the good work in your areas of strength and improve your weaknesses, is all I'm saying.
I am really tired of arguing with my Cal friends over our higher admission standards for athletes. Can you provide me with documentation or links that compare the athletic admission policies of each.
Thanks.