YGQ, IGA – Part 2

1) Jon would you know if our QBs are given the authority to change plays at the LOS? If so, is that something that is being utliized? – Rico Bruin
I haven’t seen many audibles this year, so unless a wideout is in a hot route, I’m not seeing it.

2) With the fall season of television in full swing… what are you watching when not covering the Mighty Bruins? – JonTheBruin
My favorite show is Friday Night Lights, and that returns soon, so I’m stoked. I also love Californication, Entourage and Curb Your Enthusiasm, which has been incredible this year. My guilty pleasure is Jeopardy, and I’m waiting to find out if I got on after my tryout. Cross your fingers. K, thanks.

3) Do you think derrick Coleman is better suited as a fullback? Honestly he is SLOW! – Sean
I wouldn’t call him slow, but his breakaway speed is lacking. He hits the hole with a burst, but perhaps doesn’t have that elusive fifth gear. They already have a pretty darn good fullback, so I can’t envision a shift before the year is over.

4) Do you expect Nick Crissman to EVER compete for playing time? He was actually the most impressive show at the Fall Scrimmage. Or is he sure to get buried in the depth chart with Nottingham coming in, and KP and Brehaut already there? – Andrew
His injury set him back a bit, and the toughest part about being a backup QB is not getting that important 1-on-1 time with the coaches. I think he’s on the road to being buried.

5) Your thoughts on the two qb sneaks against Oregon and the decision not to kick a field goal? – Jungleland
I would not have done a QB sneak with such an inexperienced offensive line, but I would not have kicked a field goal. Perhaps a bootleg or a toss on one of the plays, but not a QB sneak.

6) Has the coaching staff voiced any concerns over B Price’s inability to play more than a couple of downs at a time. Have they asked him to get into better shape? – theuclan
Not to be rude but…have you faced double- and triple-teams? It ain’t that easy. In 1-on-1 situations, I have no doubt he can play down after down.

7) Thanks for the great job on the Bruin beat so far. Live game chats were pretty fun in the past with Dohn. Any plans on starting this up again? – Diehardbruin
Absolutely. We just have to iron out the kinks and haven’t had a chance to do so yet.

8) Can you comment on the progress of our younger linemen (e.g., Abele, etc)? Also, CRN seems to be satisfied with the running game but not the passing game. What exactly is missing from the passing game? We keep hearing that the receivers don’t run good routes. Please clarify for us. – AV Hill
The younger linemen will come along, but good OL don’t develop overnight. Su’a-Filo is a freak of nature – physically and mentally mature at 18. Most are not.
What’s missing from the passing game is timing. Timing. Timing. Timing. Case in point, and I know this is like comparing apples to oranges, if that. Maybe apples to cucumbers. Anyway: In Sunday’ night football, Indy played Tennessee. Peyton Manning had a 6-yard touchdown pass to Austin Collie and Manning DIDN’T EVEN LOOK UP UNTIL HE THREW THE BALL. Literally, Collie split the defense, and Manning’ faked a handoff and just threw it. That has nothing to do with a good arm or anything. Sure, it was a great pass. But it was a great pass because of the absolute precise timing of the route. Sorry, guys, but you don’t just create that. That comes from extra time after practice and in the film room, and it certainly doesn’t come with a redshirt freshman who missed two games. I think it will come…in time.

9) What’s the status on recruiting? Do you know who is a silent verbal? – Jeremy
Don’t know any of the silent verbals, but this class is shaping up to be a pretty damn good one. One or two more impact linemen, and it’s the most important UCLA class in years.

10) In getting the scoop on which school(s) a recruit might or might not be committing to, who are often the sources for the info: high school coach? college assistant coach? local sportswriter? youth coach from yesteryear? recruit’s best friend? a hodgepodge of people? – Tim Warren
The answer is F) a hodgepodge of people. I’ll take what I can get from anyone, as long as I can verify it.