Answers, Part XIII

What's your take on the skirmishes during practices, are they healthy, just part of the game??
Just a healthy part of the game. The coaches love it because it is a sign of intensity.

Who has the nicest football stadium in the Pac10?
Stanford has the nicest.

Who has the best press box?
Stanford, but Oregon is also nice.

Who serves the best food to the media?
Stanford, but Washington State deserves a plug as well.

Who are your least favorite places to cover a game?
Washington State. Bad press box, you have to walk a half-mile to get to UCLA's locker room and it is a tough place to travel to. Plus, you're in Pullman.

Are there any signs that UCLA's football program is turning it around? What things would you look at to show signs of progress (other than wins)?
Not yet, other than young, talented players are getting experience. I have experience in judging signs of progress other than winning since I'm a Rutgers grad, and I would look for whether players are in the right position but just not catching passes, or throws are off target, or the drives are stalling because of fixable things like turnovers and penalties.

Somewhat off-topic, but last week you said 99% of major leaguers don't care about winning (that leaves 10 guys who care about winning?), and that most are of low moral character. Is it your opinion that NFL and NBA are "better" in these areas? Why so much vitriol?
I don't have anger about it. I'm just being truthful. Winning is secondary, far behind getting the biggest contract. And I have no idea about the NFL or NBA because I didn't cover those sports.

Is this about what you expected from the Bruins FB considering your observations during the spring practices and August camp?
Actually, the offense is worse than I thought it would be, and I thought the offense would be bad.

Is the coaching staff making satisfactory progress on the recruiting trail at this point in the season?
Too early to tell, but I think the staff has some catch-up work to do.

Has the Bruin recruiting efforts lessened at City section schools such as Dorsey and Crenshaw?
I don't believe so. I think UCLA is trying to get organized for later in the season.

If the Beavers can beat the Trojans at home, shouldn't that give the Bruins a sliver of hope?
It can't hurt, but at least the Beavers were coming off 45 points against Hawaii, and had a history of playing USC well at home.