Post-Practice Update
* Kevin Prince missed practice again today, with Richard Brehaut and Darius Bell getting the reps. Prince said the knee was feeling better but was still bothering him, and added that he could have it drained for a second time.
* As a result, the offense struggled mightily, and I saw at least three or four drops, and a few balls that just went sailing. For all the criticisms of Prince, he is still the most effective quarterback UCLA has, though I think Brehaut could catch up quickly again if given the reps. He had a couple really, really nice throws, but just not the consistency.
* The defensive mish-mash continues, as Chuck Bullough finds it crucial to get some of his talented young players some extra run. Dietrich Riley saw a lot of time at starting safety and Cassius Marsh got extra reps. Owamagbe Odighizuwa is also being worked into the mix more. Bullough was very quick to say, though, that the best players will play on Saturday, and that the young guys have to prove themselves.
* "Definitely we're not taking them lightly, like we're just going to put our young guys in," Bullough said. "They have to prove through practice that they can play. If they can play, we're going to play them. They're fired up, they're coming to the Rose Bowl, and it's a big game for any team coming to the Rose Bowl. This isn't a JV game for us. This is a live game, and they're coming to get after us."
* Not to beat a dead horse, but the UCLA return game is just heaps better than last year. Josh Smith had a return that was perfectly blocked, and I have little doubt he'll take one to the house soon. Could happen Saturday. Watch the special teams closely.
New word: "Normheisel," because the minds of Norm Chow and Rick Neuheisel are really starting to come together.
That said, our passing game needs vast improvements. Chuck Bullough's defense is showing some major talent.
Prince being out is scaring me. lol. hopefully the passing game opens up this week so he won't have to worry about running the ball and give his knee a "rest".
VB the MD said he'll be fine so no need to worry.
As my HS coach would have said of Prince, "I think he hurt his P^$$Y Coach". Man is that kid made of glass.
ya, he will be fine... with no practice.... because that worked out during fall practice, lol.
Faithful, were you on the girl's tennis team in high school?
BruinFaithful is the funniest Trogan troll on this board. He never fails to crack me up. Both Brehaut and Bell need the reps, and this latest Prince injury issue could be fortuitous in the long run. Prince will be ready by Friday and will start. If we really rock n' roll in the first half, I see Brehaut coming in for the 3rd quarter and then Bell in the 4th. Lock n' load, gentlemen.
Getting your starting quarterback nicked up is unfortunate but all part of the game. Having your best defensive player bruised up also comes with the territory. But failing to make even the most basic, it-hit-me-in-the-hands catches is just BS. Our receiving corps seems very undisciplined about the most basic function of a receiver, catching the damned ball.
This Prince situation is getting seriously. Chow was on PMS basically ripping him about being hurt so often, it's hard to tell what's legitimate injury and what's Prince being Prince. The passing game is in the toilet, and it's not going to get better with Prince on the sidelines.
No need to press Prince into duty this weekend. I'd rather him rest n treat his knee while giving Brehaut n Bell meaningful live game experience. A limited offensive game plan will not only be enough to beat 27 point underdog Wazzu but do us well to hold back on certain items for Cal the following week before we get to the bye.
Prince's accuracy and lack of practice affecting the passing game are fair criticisms...but don't let the receivers or the pass-blocking off the hook either.
As far as toughness and leadership...well he pushed a trainer aside to get back into the game at Texas after the punt team recovered a Horn fumble and note that his teammates voted him one of the team captains even though he is only a redshirt sophomore. If he's good enough for the guys battling with him, that's good enough for this fan.
Faithful = Owned (by Anon, no less...)
Anon:
Since your some punk phat azz who cleaned jocks, I don't expect you to understand.
Coach Thom?
Or is it Uncle Thom? Trogan Troll? Please, I'm a UCLA Alum and realist, not some sorry Homer like you. If you are too blind to see that Prince is made of glass, then that's on you. Or do I need to pull up Prince's injury roster to help you see? His next injury will be caused by the Santa Ana winds this Fall.
This was an opportunity for him to work on his non existent passing game against a far inferior opponent. In case you haven't noticed, we play a pivotal game in Berkeley the following week. That, and the fact that he missed almost ALL of Fall Camp, with a, SURPRISE, injury, makes his reps all the more critical. Some people are just soft and injury prone. That's the only point I was trying to make. Disagree if you like, but at least substantiate it with corroborating evidence, otherwise risk losing credibility. And if you want to call me a Trogan Troll, please cite specific previous posts of mine, otherwise, see the former.
I think BruinFaithful just owned all of you guys. He (BruinFaithful) is absolutely right, and makes a great (and obvious) point about Prince being injury prone and not taking meaningful reps in practice.
I love KP's heart and character, but the kid needs to put in time during the week to play well on Saturdays. Of course, if we're settling for mediocrity, then I guess the status quo should suffice.
BruinFaithful, go back to Bruins Nation... please
Anon:
This from a guy who chooses to live in the shadows?
Go back to anonymity....please.
Here is your proof. You wrote Reeves had a broken leg and arrested on DUI charge before his frosh year at UCLA. Both of which were untrue.
BruinFaithful said:
Anon:
Thanks. Yeah I had heard about the techs and ejections and yelling at his coach. Obviously, he hadn't developed enough, that's why I said it was about time. I was just wondering if there was anything else I hadn't heard of.
Besides the stuff BH saw in Vegas, I think he was still on the chopping block. I think it probably had more to do with his play on the court than his attitude on it.
Afterall, we let Reeves Nelson come on board, even though he broke his leg playing FB, which BH approved but was not completely in agreement about. Even though he got a DUI and had his own on court discipline issues.
http://www.insidesocal.com/ucla/2009/07/williams-and-ucla-parting-ways.html