Answers, Part XI

From watching practices, do you see a big improvement in the quality of coaching over the previous regime?
Without question. There is more attention to detail, the pace of practice is faster, the tolerance for mistakes is much lower and the understanding of the what the coaching staff is teaching is better.

Taylor Embre was not in the list of freshmen you posted. What is his status?
I left him off because, I guess in my subconscious, don't consider him a freshman since he enrolled in January. I asked Neuheisel about him Thursday, and was told Embree will play this season.

The coaches have made several comments about C-Force taking what he's learned and applying it in practice. Is this a polite way of saying he needs to work harder on knowing the playbook?
I don't think they said it politely. They said he needs to work harder on knowing the playbook.

Has C-Force looked more comfortable making his reads and checkdowns in the pocket (assuming he has time to make the checkdowns)? Or is he prone to get skittish and run if his first option isn't there?
He is still a run-first quarterback, and that is not something offensive coordinator Norm Chow wants. He is trying harder to stay in the pocket, but it's a slow process.

What has been the biggest issue with Craft's turnovers in practice? Is it a result of wanting to go downfield too often and not taking the checkdown?
It is a result of throwing the ball too late, or a problem with accuracy. Most of the interceptions are either in the flat or over the middle, and not down the field.

I see C. Harkey cracked the 2-deep at TE. Did Moya get hurt? Or did Harkey just simply surpass him on the depth chart?
Moya has been having problems with his back. I will have more on that in Saturday's paper.

Although UCLA seems to have a stout interior with Price and Harwell, who stands out to you as the best passrusher(s) on the team?
First of all, no one stands out. But if you're asking me who the best pass rusher is, it is Korey Bosworth and freshman Datone Jones. Bosworth has a great burst and can get up the field. Jones is just a really good player.

How did Brandon Bennett look in his stint with the first team offensive line?
He looked ok, but not ready to step in for Micah Kia and start against Tennessee.

what's the deal with darius savage? ...is it still just an issue of his assignments? have me and others just caught him on his best days and missed the bad ones or are we missing something?
It is largely an assignment issue, although I am told he is getting much better at it.

I noticed that Reggie Stokes did not make the two deep at defensive end. What is holding him back? I thought he was supposed to be good at putting pressure on the quarterback in passing situations.
I know defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker really likes freshman Datone Jones, and Jones could be the first defensive end used either Tom Blake or Korey Bosworth are not on the field. But Stokes will get a chance to play this season.