YGQ, IGA: Part 2
1) Rahim Moore's "late hit" call was very ticky tack. Nevertheless, it shifted the momentum of the game early on in Stanford's favor. What is your take on that call? - VB
I'm not so sure it was a late hit, seeing as how Moore appeared to be in motion before the ball was five yards past him. I'm not positive of the rule...but I would not have called it. In the press box, that was the common reaction.
2) Also, are you enjoying the bromantic attention you seem to be getting from some of the blog readers? - Reformed Droog
Yes, particularly from you, my friend. No, it's definitely humbling and I appreciate any kind words I receive. I also appreciate the unkind words. Even though the tears on my pillow would suggest otherwise.
3) Jon, any news from the basketball recruiting weekend? - Luca10
Ray McCallum is going to take a while to commit. Same with Trey Zeigler. Josh Smith appears to be a UCLA lean, but it's too early to tell for sure. Tyler Lamb is calling me later today.
4) Are the other quarterback so far behind in the playbooks that they couldn't manage a game better than Kevin Craft? Nick Crissman has been in the program for 2 years and was said to be recovered from his shoulder injury. - Anonymous
I don't think Kevin Craft is a poor game manager. He doesn't have the greatest arm in the world, but he's not too bad. This team was awful last year. Don't forget that. Crissman is still a work in progress, and Brehaut needs more work.
5) I don't recall hearing Randall Carroll's name called at all during the Stanford game. How close is he to getting significant playing time? - Jungleland
Carroll is still behind the top three or four, and I doubt he'll make major noise, at least until Chow opens things up a little.
6) Any insights regarding Malcom Jones? He says he is close to pulling the trigger. - AV Hill
Well...Malcolm no longer in the middle
7) When does Aaron Hester expect to play again? Also, who do you anticipate starting in the secondary this weekend? - Sunset Bruin
Hester already started jogging, and might be back for Cal, though it's a little wait-and-see. Price is starting opposite Verner, Neuheisel confirmed.
8) Are the Stanford fans pathetic or what? It seems like their stadium should have been rockin' a bit more for the #1 P10 team. - UB
I wouldn't call them pathetic, but there were many empty seats. I think it takes a little more than a 4-1 start to get the fans out in droves.
9) I still find it crazy that Demetri Papadakis is playing football at UCLA instead of USC. I've seen his dad & Petros at a couple practices already. You included Demetri in one of your scrimmage recaps back in August. I know he's a preferred walk-on -- but what do the coaches think about his ability/potential? - Circlejerk
I don't know that he has the speed to be any more than a valuable practice contributor. He was good in the scrimmage against other valuable practice contributors. I'm not sure he'd have the same success against Brian Price and Reggie Carter.
10) I note that I had the closest score in your UCLA-Stanford contest, having stated it would be 24-13 Stanford. Do I get to ask the 10 questions of a Bruin this week? - BE REAL
Hmm, guys, what do you think? Should it be closest to or right on the spot? Any thoughts?
BE REAL send me an email at jon.gold@dailynews.com,
thanks
JG
Dear Jon:
If one has to guess the very score then there is no point in entering the contest. Exact scores are probably something like a 200:1 shot.
yeah, i say let him have it. hope they're good questions bud
Mr. Gold,
"Close" only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. - not football.
When it's 4th and 2 and only 1 yard is gained, I don't hear the refs saying "well, it's close.. let's give it to 'em."
The odd aren't terrible guessing the score as long as it's a somewhat logical guess.
BE REAL is right. It should be the closest to the correct score. I was not in the contest, so I have no ax to grind.
Jon, great Q&A. I like your format better than Brian Dohn's. It was tough to read Dohn's Friday responses all in one day. I can digest your 10 Q's.
Also, good get on Malcolm Jones. I think you scooped the media on that one.
Wow, I believe Jon was kidding . . . .
Jon,
Really appreciate your breaking up the Q&A rather than doing a long list all at once. How about some bio info;where did you go to school,etc?
It's not a late hit, it's a hit on a defenseless receiver. It's different. He was not going for the ball, he was trying to hurt the guy in a compromised position, and that is why it is a penalty. The sad thing is, if he would ball hawk on that play, it's an easy pick, #6...
Matt, according to Rahim, he had sun in the eyes and saw the receiver's hand go up, so he put on the hit. Had he seen the ball, he would have picked it.
...and then he might have had a pick 6 for pick #6...
Thanks, I'm here all night.
And Jon, stories have been written about my bromances.
I think asking 10 questions of a player is a lot for just getting the closest score. Perhaps you can do this in a scaled way. For example, if the closest person gets the score perfectly, give him or her 10 questions. If the person gets within 1-4 points, give him or her 7; 4-8, 4. If the score is off than more by 8 then just 1 or something along those lines.