Answers, part XXIV
Here is the 24th set of answers. One more after this one:
What's your opinion on Walker not getting a head coaching gig? I feel we are very lucky to still have him as DC.
I think it's a joke, and also shows how athletic directors would rather fail with a safe pick than push the envelope. He's ready to be a head coach, has some very good ideas to run a program, and is very perceptive in seeing what works and doesn't work in programs he has coached in.
What do you think Howland and Neuheisal want for Christmas?
Howland wants the next Kevin Love to come to UCLA, and Neuheisel wants offensive lineman and defensive lineman, some speed, tougher players, strong players ...man, I bet he sent a long list to Santa.
any truth to the rumors that Dewayne Walker is close to becoming LSU's defensive coordinator?
Not according to my sources.
Will Dewayne Walker be with the Bruins for another season?
I don't know. I think he will, but who knows for sure?
If Walker were to leave to become DC at another school, would any other coaches follow him?
I think two guys he brought with him to UCLA - linebackers coach Chuck Bullough and defensive line coach Todd Howard - could go with him, but it could depend on what coaches were on another staff.
I get the sense that the biggest assest RN brings to the program is his ability to recruit. Do you have the same feeling...if not what is his biggest assest as a head coach?
I think his biggest asset is his positive attitude. It's infectious around the program.
Do you think UCLA will be able to field a Pac-10 average offensive line next season? Or at least one that is only slightly below average rather than an unmitigated disaster?
I expected the offensive line to be markedly better next season. Whether that is good enough to be average remains to be seen, but I think it will be totally different next season with Jeff Baca being the only returning starter.
What does UBTA stand for and who are these people?
Ultimate Bruin something something.
Is the football coaching staff still recruiting JC offensive tackle Joe Evinger?
Not that I'm aware of, but things change quickly in recruiting.
If you could take a special assignment and cover one team anywhere in the world for a season, who would it be and why?
I think I would take a team in the English Premier League and cover it. Not sure which team. Perhaps Arsenal since it is a very good team which would also have success in Europe. I've always wanted to spend time in England, and travel to different cities throughout.
On a related note, Arsenal vs. Liverpool tomorrow, Sunday at 8:30 a.m. PST, Fox Soccer Channel. Should be a very decent match.
LAWYER JOHN
my guess is it is either ultimate bruin tailgating antholes/askhills (or something that sounds like a combination of those); a group that, at least online, appears to rival the arrogance of toejam fans.
Dohn, my mother would fire a chancla at you for not picking Liverpool straight away as your dream job.
Wow Anonymous, what an intelligent comment. Are you upset that you were not invited to be included in the UBTA?
BD - a thought or two on one of the questions and your answer above...
Your Liverpool Reds would be a great fit (for a hypothetical gig) especially for Europe. Benitez's coaching style of moving a lot of his players in and out of matches, as you well know, works very well in Europe which is why the Reds always do so well in the Champions League.
That same style does not always play well in the EPL where they seem to, most years, come in behind Chelsea, ManU and even Arsenal.
Arsenal is still a pretty young team but if you've watched them, their passing is unbelievable! They might be the best EPL team to watch and as a point of reference I'm a ManU Red Devil fan. Chelsea with all of their talent is like a hockey team that dumps the puck across the blue line and assumes that their superior players will make plays. Not as interesting to watch but very effective...
And even if you were to hypothetically get a gig with Everton, Aston Villa or the Tottenhem Hotspurs, you might not make the Champions League but you would still get to go to Europe with these types of second tier clubs as part of the UEFA Cup.
As for the Bruins, all of the recruiting information is great, but the development of last year's class will have a bigger impact on the Bruin's success next season...
Dohn would never want to cover Liverpool for the same reason he would never want to cover Rutgers.
Not sure why people don't get that.
Anyway, if you like how Arsenal plays football, watch La Liga. Half of the teams play like Arsenal. Er, Arsenal plays like half of the teams in La Liga.
Viva Blaugrana.
Go Toffees.
For the record:
UBTA = Ultimate Bruin Tailgate Authority
PB
I do watch LaLiga. Some of the players in that league dive better than olympic divers - not as bad as they do in Serie A.
I like the more physical game of the EPL especially where a player's own teammates will kick his behind if he dives.
As for BD, what is there to get? It is all speculaltive anyway about what assignments he might or might not take. He already has a job and he is good at it! And he certainly can choose to accept of not accept any job offers that might come his way, whether I "get it" or not - the latter is irrelevant...