Weekly Answers, Pt. 7
Check out the latest batch of weekly answers...
1) There is a question here about silent commits (and if there are any). My questions is, what are your thoughts on the whole "silent verbal" situation? Favor/disfavor? - JJA42
I think it's the absolute dumbest factor in the entire game. There should be committable offers and non-committable offers, and that would help. But seriously, the whole "silent" thing just drives me insane.
2) Ok. As of today what is your Offensive Line Depth Chart? - UCLADUDE
Baca (Downey), Taylor (Hasiak), Maiava (Taylor), Williams (Capella), Kia (Harris)
3) If Barr really impresses at RB, would the staff really keep him, Jones and James at RB? I dont think J. James has any other position to play so who would move first Barr or Jones? Thanks - 909Bruin
From what I've heard, Barr has looked downright fantastic at the F-back position in the Pistol, and I could see him settling in at that hybrid position, or just simply moving throughout the offense.
4) Mr. Gold, any chance Pulpo Paul (from the WC) will join ESPN College Gameday for its college football predictions? Pulpo Paul was great at predicting World Cup winners. - Gilligan
Yes, and he's taking the prediction duties from Lee Corso. Big helmet and all.
5) Jon, i'm hopefully transferring to UCLA in fall of 2011. I eventually want to get into some sort of sports journalism/creative writing, not exactly sure yet. A job like yours is great. I'm currently a philosophy major but am planning to change. Any advice? - Anonymous
My first answer: Run. My second answer: Still run. My third answer: Unfortunately UCLA doesn't have a journalism major, but the best thing you can do is email Daily Bruin sports editor Sam Strong immediately. Hook up with the DB staff, learn the ropes, and then email either your hometown paper or other local papers for stringing opportunities. Email me any time at jon.gold@dailynews.com, and I'll help as often as I can. But keep in mind: This business can be positively ruthless, and there are several more downs than ups. If you love writing - not if you love sports, because your love for sports will wane, trust me - then stick with it. I happen to love writing with all my heart.
Jon,
I commend you for your efforts for this blog even during a downtime for UCLA athletics. A lot of people give you heat for your responses because its not what people always want to hear but instead the truth from an honest journalist. I think you have a good pulse on the state of the program and respect your trying to give is some insight with your answers even though they are continually redundant with each set. Stay the course, GO BRUINS.
It can't be as bad as all that, Jon!
Anonymous, I want to second Jon's suggestion about contacting the Daily Bruin. There are a lot of people at UCLA who like to write, but there's always a shortage of skilled and energetic reporters. If you know what you're doing, they'll probably be able to use you.
Get yourself a copy of the AP Stylebook and the Elements of Style, and see if you can find a community college or extension course on journalism to teach you the basics.
I worked on the Bruin for the whole time I was an undergrad. As Jon noted, jobs in journalism are hard to get, but the training you get in writing and editing will be valuable no matter what career you choose.
Good luck.
"Your love for sports will wane.." Isn't that the truth. This recruiting of high schoolers to join the college bigs, and these kids all thinking they are going to make pro money, is enough to kill one's interest in the college football scene. College has become the NFL's farm league.
Remember back in the day when there were no blogs where a few maniacs (myself included of course) could boringly spill their guts in writing over their team, where the only info available on your school was through the newspapers, and where only the very big games were on the screen?
Those were the days when a young man could enjoy his simple, unsophisticated youth, and when college football was still sport.
LAWYER JOHN
LAWYER JOHN
Lawyer John-
where'd you get your law degree?
Anybody care about football? Jon, can u give us some info on D. Bell? Why is this 2* so great? Not downing the kid but after Kevin Craft who was a 5* transfer, I can't help but wonder.
Sheller out of the 2 deep entirely? Was there something I missed?