Post-Practice Update

* UCLA responded pretty well to a poor throwing morning with a decent afternoon practice.

* The offense didn’t have the pop of the previous few days, but the unit has responded to adversity quite well in this camp, and tomorrow will be a good test.

* Shaq Evans, if he doesn’t start, he’s at least going to be targeted a heck of a lot this year. I don’t know how much separates the ENTIRE receiving crew right now. Really, Nelson Rosario, Taylor Embree, Josh Smith, Ricky Marvray, Randall Carroll, Devin and Lucien look like they could start for the Bruins. Smith also had a nice day, with a beautiful touchdown catch from Richard Brehaut fading out of the end zone, and Mike Johnson is very, very excited about some potential unique personnel packages.

* On personnel packages: I thought the Bruins missed a big opportunity with that last season, or at least didn’t capitalize when they were creative with the groupings, but things bode well. Go big? Rosario, Embree, Barr, Fauria. Speed? Carroll, Smith, Rosario, Marvray, James. Sidelines? Evans, Lucien, Rosario. There is some real potential there.

* Brehaut had a better afternoon than Kevin Prince, throwing for two touchdowns in a short scrimmage. Prince missed all three of his throws, but faced a very heavy pass rush.
“Kevin uncharacteristically missed some throws,” Neuheisel said. “Richard saw an opportunity and had a great deal. That’s what competition has to do.”

* Had a nice chat with Kip Smith, and he’s surprisingly forthright about his struggles, and this could just be a matter of him breaking out of his funk. He had a chat with Justin Medlock and with Christian Yount this weekend, and both imparted some words of wisdom. Medlock told him about his attempt in college being a miss and feeling awful. Smith had a decent day today, and I think he’ll start to stabilize pretty soon.

* Jeff Baca was doing some sprints, but I don’t think the timetable has changed on him.

* Cassius Marsh (groin) and Patrick Larimore sat out, but are expected back tomorrow.