Answers, Part XI

Is Coach K going to go on an unbeatable recruiting tear when the US wins olympic gold?
Not with smooth-talking Roy Williams down the road. In all honesty, coach K recruits well, but loses more games he should win in the NCAA Tournament than any other big-name coach. I don't think Duke is the team to worry about in the ACC.

How's the team's attitude towards all the injuries so far -- do they wonder who can it be now? Especially along the OL?
Most of the players don't even realize what is going on because they are so engrossed with their position battles. Plus, it's training camp, when everyone thinks they can win the Rose Bowl if things break right on the field.

Heading into Tennessee game without Olson, will the offense be pretty conservative or will Norm have it unchained where nothing stays the same?
I think it will be conservative, but that was going to be the case anyway. But I don't think it will be 50 running plays a game type of conservative. I think more of short passes and smart plays that doesn't ask the quarterback to do too many things down the field.

If Michigan is seen as a potential top 25 team with a new coach and new QB, do you think UCLA can break on through to the other side of the top 25 by year's end?
No, not at all. Michigans' schedule isn't nearly as tough, and from what I remember, Michigan has more talent.

OT Dodgers Talk: Why is James Loney batting 5th behind Manny Ramirez? He leads the team in double plays. Who would you bat behind Manny?
Funny, I believe I was covering the Dodgers when Loney was drafted, and the word was Loney was taken because there was a pre-draft deal in place. And who is this Manny you speak of? A cricket player?

Would you bat Manny 3rd so that he can get more at bats plus he'll always get a plate appearence in the 1st inning? Why? What do you think the best Dodgers line-up is?
I couldn't tell you five players on the Dodgers.

Craft was a JC QB All American but he did that mainly from Shotgun, now that it appears Craft is #1, will Norm run more shotgun plays to help Craft, the depleted O-line and the WR depth we have?
Chow is not big on the shot gun, and one of the adjustments Craft needs to make is playing under center. At times, he struggles with that, and UCLA is trying to break him of it.

Do you think running more shotgun can be effective with the guys we have?
Not really and if I thought so, I think Chow would have already come up with it and put in a heavy dose of shotgun.

I'm not sure if you follow boxing, but if you do:
Manny Pacquiao vs Oscar De La Hoya...who do you think would win if they fight at 147lbs with 8oz gloves?
Pacquiao would win with 8oz gloves, but De la Hoya would win with 8 1/2 oz gloves.

If that fight doesn't happen Pacquiao will fight Ricky Hatton...who would win that fight?
Got me. But if I knew, I'd be a some sports book in Vegas making a fortune.

Do you prefer MMA or Boxing? I myself prefer MMA overall but I will always watch a super fight like the 2 listed above.
I am not big into either, especially with a couple of small kids in the house. Plus, I'm not a fighter, I'm a ...