Weekly Answers, Pt. 1

Check out the first batch of weekly answers…

1) I am also curious what is going on with Todd Golper. I was at the Spring Game and thought he looked good. His profile on UCLA’s website said he had played well in the Spring. And then last week you said he looked solid and made a nice pick. I know he is a really bright kid who makes the honor roll and doesnt get in trouble so I can’t imagine he has gotten sideways with the coaches so what’s up with him. – Tomas
Golper is a good player, but like the guys in the secondary, it’s a numbers game. He’s far behind Sloan and Larimore, and Jordan Zumwalt is creeping up quickly. I know he’s dealing with some back issues, but he hasn’t appeared very hampered, and I think it’s just a matter of continuing to prove he can be consistent.

2) Love the videos. The interviews are awesome. Any chance of posting some action of the actual practice? Maybe mix it in with some of the interview footage. – Inawe
Sorry, but UCLA doesn’t allow practice video.

3) What is the relationship (on and off the field) like between prince and fauria since they were high school teammates? – Dr. S
From what both tell me, they’re very good friends.

4) Hey John, sorry for the confusion last week. By returners, I meant guys returning to the team from last year (e.g. not freshman); Of the returners who has looked like they have improved the most since last year? – BruinJD
No problem, JD – I’ve seen major improvement in Richard Brehaut, Johnathan Franklin, Ryan Taylor, David Carter and Nate Chandler. Of course, others have improved – Sheldon Price, Glenn Love, etc. – but those are the guys who’ve stuck out to me.

5) It is a little unnerving to get reports that guys like Jayson Allmond and maybe Tobi Umodu are being moved because the full-back seems to be obsolete in the new offense. Will the offense be run exclusively in the revolver/pistol? Would it not be wise to keep at least some basic pro-style off-tackle, counter, sweep running plays with full-backs that can double as back-ups to a power runner like Derrick Coleman, at least for short yardage/goal line situations? – Anonymous
Neuheisel and Co. continue to maintain that the Pistol is not a wholesale change and that they’ll continue to run the old stuff as well, but I just don’t see how that’s going to happen without practicing it. Allmond and Umodu are both kind of stuck. I can’t imagine really running the pistol on the goal line without a fullback, but I’m an old football soul, I have to catch up to this newfangled offensive tomfoolery. I guess we’ll know more leading up to, but most likely after, Kansas State.