Happy Spring Campers
The UCLA offense wasn't exactly about to hold hands and sing "Kumbaya" on Thursday in its first practice of the spring session, but there was a crispness, a timing to the unit that might mean big things for the Bruins come September.
Redshirt sophomore quarterback Kevin Prince, who enters the spring as the clear-cut starter ahead of sophomore Richard Brehaut, found receivers near and far, hitting guys in stride and working the ball efficiently.
New wideout Josh Smith, a sophomore transfer from Colorado, hauled in deep pass after deep pass, returning receivers Taylor Embree and Nelson Rosario used their size advantage against smaller cornerbacks and running back Johnathan Franklin bobbed and weaved his way through holes.
But September is months away, and the Bruins know that all the laughs and hugs and backslaps mean nothing until that scoreboard gets switched on.
"Definitely improved, but it could be a lot better," said Franklin, who led UCLA with 566 rushing yards and five touchdowns. "We're trying to find that connection on offense so we can really click. It's not there yet, but it's getting there. It's definitely a lot better than last year - we're a lot closer than we were, we're more of a family. We're getting there, we're definitely getting there."
Embree began noticing the change during the offseason, even down to the smallest details.
It's in the extra pause that Prince can make as a receiver breaks from his route.
It's in the confidence of Prince's deep ball, which was on point for much of Thursday.
"You can just tell in the little things," Embree said at UCLA's Pro Day on Tuesday afternoon. "When we go out and throw, the timing is a little bit better. Everything is just a little tighter, more organized. But it's important we carry that over, especially into the spring practices. This is kind of the pre-run for the big show. We have to go out and look at it as work. This is our preparation for the season, and guys are ready to do that."
While the parts may be for the most part familiar, the engine may have changed.
UCLA played around with the "Pistol" formation extensively on Thursday, working Prince and Brehaut from the modified shotgun that gives the formation its name. Hoping to improve a running game that ranked 97th in the country, Neuheisel wants to give Prince more option reads at the line of scrimmage, potentially utilizing his speed more.
The name may need a little tinkering, though.
"It's Nevada's name, so we're borrowing it," Neuheisel said. "We'll have to change it. 'Revolver,' that's what we'll call it. I don't want anyone to think we're trying to be plagiarists, but that's exactly what it is. It's an experiment that needs to be given a certain amount of time to mature, or you're never going to know."
UCLA's offensive continuity has seeped into the defensive side, despite extensive turnover both on the field and in the staff. Out are Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year Brian Price, defensive linemen Korey Bosworth and Jerzy Siewierski, stalwart linebackers Reggie Carter and Kyle Bosworth and cornerback Alterraun Verner. Also gone, defensive backs coach Carnell Lake, replaced by linebackers coach Clark Lea, who was promoted from grad assistant.
Still, the Bruins maintain they are more together than ever.
"Our camaraderie is a lot better; we've all been in the program for two, three years now," safety Rahim Moore said. "For a lot of us, this is our second big spring. Now we've seen the system, we've been through the practices, we know the pace and everything. We know the goals we want to accomplish."
Thanks for the detailed reports, Jon. Sounds like the players certainly have the right attitude. Can't wait to see the freshman join them in a few months.