Answers, part VIII

It was mentioned that Sonny Tevaga was experiencing difficulties in his initial practice with the first string offensive line. Has he shown improvement now that he has participated in additional practices with the first team? Is he now a viable candidate to wind up as a starter?
He has improved, but how can you not after nearly two weeks of practice? In a nutshell, UCLA is not yet sold on Tevaga as the starter, but he is a viable candidate because UCLA doesn't have anyone else.

During last week's set of answers you mentioned that should DeWayne Walker leave UCLA after this season to become a Division I-A head coach there would be at least two outside candidates you are aware of in line to replace him. Do those two outside candidates reflect a recognition on the part of Rick Neuheisel that he needs to be seriously planning for the succession of Walker at defensive coordinator? Or are these merely two good friends of Neuheisel who you know would be qualified to succeed Walker and thus likely to be considered?
If I wanted to go further in depth about it, I would have last week. Out of respect to my sources, and to those coaches who have jobs at other places, I chose not to divulge it. And will continue to do so until I feel it is the right time.

Have Craft and Forcier shown significant improvement since the start of fall camp? Have their problems with accuracy and decision making improved? Has Craft been able to seperate himself from Forcier and the other contenders?
They have both improved, but still have a ways to go. Craft's decisions are much better, but he still makes curious plays in which he forces balls into coverage or throws errantly. He still turns the ball over too much, but Craft, as you may have read by now, is looking like he will be the starter.

After having observed several practices, which of the freshmen running backs have impressed you the most? Does it appear that one of the freshmen has seperated himself from the others and is most likely to break into the running back rotation?
None of the freshmen have gained a big separation, but Aundre Dean is the one who impresses me the most. He is smooth through the hole and has great speed. But he needs to get a better understanding of the playobook.

Are you aware of why Coach Howland has failed to offer a UCLA scholarship to Anthony Marshall from Las Vegas?
My understanding is it is because they do not yet deem him worthy of offering him one.

With the struggles at the OL, which seems to be the more probable reason: poor judgment in recruiting or a lack of consistent (turnover at OL coach spot) or adequate coaching? Did the previous staff do a poor job coaching these players (Tevaga, Dean, Bennett, Keane, etc)?
It is all of those reasons. There was poor talent evaluation and the change in coaches doesn't help. Tom Cable recruited many of those kids to be finesse blockers, and there was a move to power blocking. The change in offensive coordinators also did not help.

How has Cory Harkey looked? Has he shown significant ability as a receiver and blocker? Are their areas that need significant improvement? Does he seem ready to contribute for the opening game?
Harkey has looked good, and I think could be a great college tight end, but the move of Jeff Miller to tight end showed me Harkey wasn't as far along in blocking. Miller will be more of a blocking tight end than a receiver, and I'm told he already has the footwork down. I think Harkey will play in the opener, but I'm not sure how much.

What can we expect on the FB recruiting front after the quiet period ends on 9-1? Any idea if there is some momentum building with the 09 class?
Not much. Most of UCLA's early offers are out, and the staff will use the early part of the high school season to evaluate more prospects and extend more offers.

Does VB's narcisistic and shameless self promotion (posting of his YouTube links) bother you? Is this self-servinig behavior begining to annoy you?
I don't really pay attention to it. I'd prefer not trying to pimp something on the blog, but VB, for the most part, is harmless. I just ask the name-calling be cut out.

who do you think has the most potential out of all the young lineman? (Sophmores as well)
Darius Savage. He is strong, has incredible balance and is a very intense competitor.