Answers, part VI

You mentioned the "weak moral fiber" of baseball players in last week's answers (I believe the question pertained to your covering the Dodgers). Can you tell me what you're referring to? Can I help you out and suggest that nearly all of them cheat on their wives regularly?
I don't want to say "nearly all of them,'' but from what I saw, there was a pretty high percentage. So I think you are on the right path, not to mention winning is secondary to nearly all of them, with the paycheck being the top priority. Now, I don't have a problem with that, but I do have a problem with them not admitting it.

What is it about CRN that makes people believe he will succeed as head coach? Is it his marginal prior record at previous college stops or his short term assistant position in the NFL or his time coaching high school quarterbacks in Seattle?
Funny way to phrase the question, but I think it is because people see his charisma and equate him to Pete Carroll. I'm not saying Neuheisel won't do it, but charisma is only a small part of what makes Carroll so successful. By the way, Neuheisel does have a tremendous coaching record, but many of this best seasons came with players he inherited.

how certain is scott going to commit to howlands recruiting class?
What? I'm guessing you're asking if Durand Scott is going to commit to UCLA, and I don't think that will happen.

Against BYU, you didn't think effort was an issue, and you 'thought they continued to play hard. They just weren't any good'. Can you compare the BYU loss this year to the Utah loss last year, and compare in-game coaching moves?
Last year they unraveled against an average team, and busted plenty of defensive assignments and lacked poise when things got tough. Utah was able to use misdirection to confuse UCLA's defense and the offense couldn't block, or pick up the blitz. Against BYU, it was a thorough butt-kickin' in which there was little time to make adjustments. The game was over in the second quarter.

I was surprised to see Jeff Baca pass everyone on the depth chart to start at LT. Do you see him staying there for awhile? Is that where his future is (since I thought he was better suited to be a guard)?
I thought he was better suited for guard, but UCLA has no depth at tackle, so he is forced to play there. Also, it's not as if he pushed past a bunch of folks to become the starter. That is how much UCLA is hurting for offensive line talent.

Ten Thousand Rednecks
Lots of Meth,Booze and B.O.
Is their team that good?
Big kids playing hard
Mostly along the O-line
But 'Dogs beatable.

How is Aaron Ware doing? I know he patiently waited behind Dennis Keyes for 3 years, and now a true freshman may/has already passed him up on the depth chart. He seems physical enough and quick enough, what's keeping him from excelling?
Ware is a vital member of the team, and continues to push Rahim Moore for playing time, and also plays on special teams. He just doesn't have the athleticism Moore has, and keep in mind Moore projects out to be an NFL caliber safety.

What did you think of Steve Sloan's performance? Although he didn't have any tackles, I didn't see him get burned on any plays... Do you think he'll keep starting while Bosworth is out?
Sloan will continue to start as long as he continues to make the right defensive calls and doesn't make too many mistakes in filling his gaps. However, I think he needs to be more instinctual because it is very hard to play middle linebacker and not make any tackles.

Since I know you love to deal in hypotheticals, and since every year brings changes to any coaching staff, if there was one assistant coach who would be a nice or perfect fit for RN, who would it be and why?
I don't even know where to go with this question. I have a lot of respect for Norm Chow and DeWayne Walker, so I'm not going to guess who would be better to coordinate the offense or defense. I just don't get the question.