Check out the latest batch of weekly answers…
1) Jon, is Jonathan Franklin a Junior or Senior? I’ve heard and read reports stating both. I figured he redshirted in 2008, played 2009 and 2010, and is now a RS Jr? Or is he a true Sr? Also, if he is a Jr, and has a monster season, do you think he bolts early? You’d have to if the numbers make sense… – Anonymous
He’s a redshirt junior, and yeah, there’s always a chance, if he truly has a breakout season. Problem is, first-round running backs are no longer in vogue, and it takes a pretty insane season to really jump that high. With the 2012 offensive line projected to be pretty good and the schedule lining up well, he could a real monster season, so it’s probably worth sticking around. Speaking of, I’m thinking the whole Thunder and Lightning nickname with UCLA’s backfield is a little played out. So, seeing as Coleman is a truck…how about…Franklin and BASH (*)?
2) Man, what happened to Kai Forbath? Dude went from best kicker in the country to…not even an also ran. Lucky junior season? Bad senior campaign? What? – Wyatt
There are 32 kicker spots in the NFL. There are at least 115 quarterback spots, 96 running back spots, etc. etc. It’s very difficult to break into that top 32, especially when you’re senior year was plagued with injury and inconsistency.
3) Hey Jon, Want to tell you excellent question to Neu at the end of the luncheon interview. I like how you cornered him on the question regarding Brehaut’s stat’s being better and the fact that Brehaut led all of fall camp last year only to have the job handed to Prince. I sort of felt him squirm when you challenged him if that was going to happen again, and “if” Brehaut “really” had an equal shot. That situation LY was always BS to me. So sitting there at the table what do you “really” think he means. Is he blowing hot air about giving Brehaut a shot? Do you really think it could happen? Have you asked Brehaut if he thinks he knows all he should or all that Neu expects him to know? I would like to know how Brehauts feels about Neu commentting that he “needs to know 100% versus only 80%? – David Kirk
I think the handling of the quarterback position last year led to the team’s collapse, and I do wonder what’s going to happen next season. I like Kevin Prince. I like Richard Brehaut. They are two good kids, and they treat the media with respect and honesty. I’m not picking a side or trying to create controversy. But given the way they handled the situation last year, something just seemed…off…and I am genuinely curious to see how it unfolds going into fall camp. To answer your question, I have no idea how it’s going to play out.
4) My 10 year old plays Pop Warner and we hired a guy to scout the other teams. He gave us some material – videos and the contact info for all the team mothers of all the other teams in the league. Unfortunately, the list was from 2009 and one of the mothers was even decesased. Well, we paid him, and as a result found a great kid who he happened to be mentoring and happened to bring by a few of our practices and who happened to be moving into out neighborhood. Really, as innocent as that. Problem is, some of the other teams are raising a stink. Any suggestions for a good lawyer?Sincerely,
Confused Coach – Confused Coach
I hear Franklin and Bash are available {come on…that was just too easy…I feel like that was a Stockton-esque set-up…still…(*)}
5) Quick prediction on UCLA final record? – Anonymous
Everyone healthy at every key position, massive upgrades in play at wide receiver, defensive line and quarterback, major luck and generic bad luck for opponents, 8-4. Everyone healthy at every key position and a few breaks, 7-5. Major injuries at key positions, 5-7. Probably 6-6 with a bowl berth.