Weekly Answers, Part 1

1) In your opinion, is the team playing hard? Is it showing the intensity needed to compete. Additionally, can you see any week to week improvement in the team? - Rob
Playing hard, yes. Is it showing the intensity needed to compete....sometimes. All football players take plays off. After a 30-yard run, an offensive guard might not have much push on the next play. And when things are going as bad as they are, it is very hard to get that extra burst you need in football that only comes from deep down inside.
Regarding week-to-week improvement, in some ways I see some, in some ways I don't. I think the defense is mentally and physically fatigued. I think they have tremendous lapses in concentration that quite simply boggle the mind. And poor defense is a slippery slope; when one man is out of position, you instinctively try to make up for him. That has happened far too often. I still think the offense needs to be much more creative. You tailor your players to your offense, not your offense to your players. How much worse can it get?

2) Am I crazy, or is it now time to begin the Richard Brehaut era? - Sunset Bruin
Yes. It needs to happen. They need to try something.

3) Jon do you see aaron hester taking over the cb duties this weekend? Hester is definetly an upgrade over price because of his size to help in run support. - Bruin123
Yes, he should be back.

4) Do you think Forbath's accuracy is actually hurting the team...the thought being that if he were less reliable, UCLA might take more chances and go for it on 4th down more often? - Anonymous
I don't think it hurts the team, but I think it does play a factor in the decision-making. In certain circumstances, it's a good thing. But overall, this offense needs to take more chances.

5) Is Neuheisel offically on the "hot seat?" - anonymous
If he is, it's a joke. Rebuilding takes time.

6) Jon it was mentioned on BN that Prince was on campus last week with ice on his shoulder, was this an injury that was not reported? Watching his mechanics in the game he did not appear to be throwing comfortably?? - Rico Bruin
There's a difference between being hurt and being injured. I think he was sore and uncomfortable, but he didn't appear to show any signs during the week.

7)
What is holding Knox back from getting some PT??
You're asking the wrong guy, Rico. I said in spring ball that he was the most impressive back I saw. He is the most elusive, and while he might not be the pure, downhill runner that Franklin is, he has...escapability. I know that's not a word, by the way.

8) You had said coaches should get at least 4 years to build a program. Looking at CRN: 08 was his first season, 09 his first recruiting class. If 11 is his last season, his own recruits playing that year are still only sophomores and juniors. How about 5 years instead? - Tim Warren
After four years the talent of the players is pretty evident. If he can't do anything with the players he recruited, he should be judged then.

9) How often does Rick Neuheisel overrule Norm Chow on playcalling? - Bunche Hall
He does so with discretion. I would be surprised if he did it more than a couple times a game.

10) What would you think if a Pac-10 QB had the following statistics after 7 games: 2 TDs, 4 INTs, 5+ Fumbles, 52% completion percentage? - Bunche Hall
I would think the backup should be given a chance to start.