Answers, Part XIII

what did they put in the LA water that made the blog readers so crazy this week?
Can you send some of the crazy juice up to nor cal? We're not having nearly as much fun up here.

I don't know, but with the new water restrictions, maybe the readers won't be able to drink as much next week.

Is there an explosive kickoff returner on the squad who seems capable of replacing Matt Slater and busting some long returns?
Not that I'm seeing. Slater has incredible speed, and I know I wondered the last few years why he wasn't being used on kick returns before last season. Slater had such incredible speed the Patriots drafted him.

Last season, Jimmy Rotstein was unable to get his kickoffs into the endzone. Has he gotten stronger this year, or is someone else poised to win the job and kick the ball into the endzone on a frequent basis?
He's kicking the ball a little deeper, but I don't expect many touchbacks. Also, Kai Forbath is challenging for the kickoff duties, but he is running second right now.

With Kahlil Bell resting during the morning sessions, how have the other running backs done in their extended reps? How is Raymond Carter looking?
Aundre Dean shows flashes of how he can be a special back with his smoothness through the hole and Jonathan Franklin is running well and finding the holes. Milton Knox shows very good vision, but I wonder about his speed. Carter looks quick and speedy, and can catch the ball out of the backfield, but I don't think he can be a 20-carry-a-game running back.

You've mentioned Ucla's receivers having the speed to stretch the field but to many of us it's just as important that they have the ability to get off the line of scrimage quickly and that just hasn't seemed to be the case the last several seasons. Have you observed this also and do you think, with new coaches at WR (Moore) and OC (Chow), that the team will be better at this as early as this season?
The receivers are not great at getting off the line, nor does UCLA have enough speed to stretch defenses. But, in response to your question, I think it is vital for the receivers to get off the line, but the defense hasn't been playing press coverage all that much so far. I am curious to see how it goes in Saturday's scrimmage.

Does Anthony Marshall committing to UNLV perhaps signal that the UCLA coaches feel confident enough in their chances of landing one of the other guards they are recruiting to let him go without an offer?
No, but if UCLA doesn't land one of the other guards, coach Ben Howland can turn back to Anthony Marshall and offer him. I wouldn't rule Marshall out unless UCLA gets Avery Bradley or Abdul Gaddy.

Who do think will emerge as the #1 deep threat at WR this season?
I don't think anyone will, but if you want me to give you the guy with the best chance of catching the deep ball, I will go with Marcus Everett. However, I think tight end Logan Paulsen has the best chance to get down the field with frequency.

Considering what you've seen so far this pre-season on the D, who's loss do you think will be felt the least? Christian Taylor or Bruce Davis?
Christian Taylor's loss because Reggie Carter (before he was hurt) was doing a good job of putting guys in the right position, and Carter is more athletic and faster player. Davis made opposing offensive lines shift their protections and quarterbacks always had to worry about him. I don't think that will be the case with UCLA's defensive ends this season.

Are there any scholies left to award a walkon or two for the fall season?
I believe there are a few remaining. At my last count, I think there were two left.

Is Tom Blake on scholie?
Indeed, he is. And, as a starter, should be.