Check out the first batch of weekly answers…
1) Do you think the relentless negativity so many bruin “faithful” are displaying this off-season is having a negative impact on ucla’s football recruiting fortunes? do prospects/players give you any feedback on their perceptions of the ucla fanbase vis a vis other college football programs? – anonymous
I think the small percent of UCLA fans who are the most negative seem to be louder than other schools’ most impassioned – and frustrated – fans. I think for the most part, players understand not to pay attention to that kind of stuff, and no, I don’t think it has a lick to do with recruiting. But I do think some of the extremism should be toned down. It’s very easy to react to RIGHT NOW and not big picture.
2) Do you know why Joshua Smith, at 6′-11″ 300 lbs, while shooting fifty-six percent from the floor, with magnets for hands, is seeing three passes to him in the post in the first half against an Oregon team whose largest player is 226 lbs? Is trying to draw fouls not in fashion anymore? Has dunking become gauche? Are lay-ins bad for recruiting? – l.a. steve
Amen, my brother, amen.
3) Now that Andrew Luck is returning to Stanford for his junior season in 2011 (and, who knows, maybe 2012?), any chance that UCLA-decommit Brett Nottingham might see the error of his ways and come crawling back? – Rich
No, I don’t see that happening.
4) Question 1: Any comment on (or explanation for) the train wreck that was our return game this season? – Ryan
I think Josh Smith’s inconsistencies – both in terms of health and in terms of practice and game performance – were quite damaging, and I was surprised to say the least. I really expected more from the return game. But as I wrote earlier this season, experience and depth cannot be replaced, and that is particularly true of special teams. Simply the caliber of athlete UCLA has recruited during the last few years has been markedly improved, and that will – at some point – become evident, again, particularly on special teams.
5) Question 2: My college co-ed flag football team needs a name and we were thinking about “balls deep”, “off in the shower” or “off together” (as in you guys beat “off in the shower” or beat “off together” when we lose). Do you have a preference between those or an alternate one? – Ryan
How dare you Ryan. This is a family blog, kids aplenty, and there is absolutely no place for a question of that indecency. Quite frankly, I’m offended and a bit angry at the insinuation that I would allow such filth. (Go with off together. Much funnier.)