Gold Stars: Scrimmage Edition
So, I have this obvious last name leading to obvious niche features with lame names (Gold Stars, Gold Nuggets, etc.) and I've finally been convinced to use them. I'll be doing Gold Stars after every game/scrimmage for football, unless I stop doing them. Which could also happen. Uh, stay tuned.
The guys who impressed me last night:
* Todd Golper
I'll be honest - I never really realized how highly recruited Golper was out of high school, because in my first two years on the beat he was buried as a true freshman in a really good linebacker corps and then injured. He was rated the No. 9 MLB out of high school though, and I'm starting to see why. He's had a very good camp and is playing with a massive, massive chip on his shoulder. His interception of a Nick Crissman throw over the middle was a thing of beauty, and man, he really wanted a quick-pick-6. He bolted the other way toward the end zone, and if not for lightning-fast Steven Manfro - more on him later - he would've had it. But Golper is also playing the position well, knowing his assignments, and as he continues to gain his coach's confidence, he'll see an increased role.
* Roosevelt Davis
Maybe it's because I'm a Jew and we've been PERSECUTED FOR 3,000 YEARS, but I always cheer for the underdog. And listed at a generous 5-foot-8, Davis is certainly an underdog. But football is a man's game, and the UCLA preferred walk-on plays like a man. You know how they say it's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog? That's real. That's absolutely real on a football field. Davis looked great in the scrimmage yesterday, particularly on an electrifying return, and I don't care how big he is: Kid can play. This isn't 1956, and not all football players are 5-11, 205 pounds with buzz cuts. This is 2011, and if you can play, YOU CAN PLAY. He shouldn't be an afterthought.
* Datone Jones
Scary good. That's all. Scary good.
* Derrick Coleman
Use him often, and it will pay off. I truly believe that. Coleman sees the hole better than any UCLA back, and has a good burst in and out of traffic. Being a good running back is not just about out-running people. It's about finding ways out of a traffic jam without being tackled. Coleman can do that.
* Jordan Zumwalt
Looked really active out there, and needs to just continue to mature. I'm in the process of being convinced he'll end up something special. I haven't been all-in yet, but I'm getting there.
* Kai Maiava
Most of UCLA's better runs on Saturday were up the middle, and Maiava plays a key role in that. He is a critical cog, and if he stays healthy, that means big things up front, particularly from a leadership and communication standpoint.
Haha love the Jew comment, Jon. I think that's why I continue to root for the slumping Dodgers
Jon - Please leave your religion or anybody's religion out of a sports blog. If you want to say you pull for the underdog, then say so. If you need a metaphor to emphasize your point, find another. You are a journalist. Right?
^ agreed
Your Jew comment just brought your credibility as a journalist down a few notches. You should edit your post. You CAPITALIZED two things in this post... This is a sports blog.
Jon do i detect a slight bit of optimism in your voice here?...:) i hope so cause your postings are making me get up for this season's opening game...now watch you will do a posting with the negative side of all this optimism...yuck!
Oh,my GOD, people, take a freakin' joke already?>@#$!!!
There is nothing in the Constitution about Separation of Church and Sports Blog, is there?
Jon,
Love your writing and have waited too long to say so!
How about Gold Dust . . . a good thing to sprinkle about!!
Ron
Wow, I like how all of the people that are talking smack are posting up as "Anonymous." Way to man up cowards. This is a sports blog, but I also like the feeling of this blog like Jon is on a personal level with his readers. I would rather have it that way than it sounding like the journalist is a computer.
Contrary to "anonymous's" position my wife and both chuckled about the underdog comment. Lighten up people, sheesh.
Yes, Jews were persecuted but was Jon?
Lighten up people...twas a joke...
As a practicing member of Judaism, I find that comment incredibly offensive. Shame on you Gold, jokes should not be made about the unfair persecutions of our people.
David Goldblatt
Wow, you guys are ridiculous! I'm offended that you people are all offended!...and Anonymous! Get over yourselves already. Keep it up Jon, you're doing a great job!
And the persecution goes on, apparently.
Loved the ideas of "Gold Stars" and "Think/know." Keep up the good work and thanks.
Golper was a PRIZED recruit out of Arcadia. An Animal. The kid has a tremendous amount of talent and he's smart. Unfortunately, his type of injury can reappear at almost any time in the physical game of football. I HOPE...he stays healthy.
Now we're making disparaging remarks about Iran...wow
Deleted.
I'm aware of 400 years of slavery in Egypt, 1400 years (and currently) of Allah-sanctioned, Muhammad-mandated, Islamic persecution of Jews (and Christians, Zoroastrians, Hindus, Buddhists, animists, etc.), European anti-Semitism (concurrent with Islam's past military and current demographic invasions of the continent), and the Holocaust. All of it pure victimization of innocent people.
From where do you get the other 1200 years?
The Old Testament invasions and exiles into captivity were Divine judgments, not "persecution," and Rome didn't treat Jews too differently from other conquered, non-Roman religious sects who wouldn't follow the rules (consider the Christians used for torches and catnip, and they didn't even rebel).
And official "Judaism" persecuted the first Christians.
I'm not offended by the comment at all.
Mazel Tov
Just about EVERY PEOPLE on this Earth have been persecuted at one time or another.
The meek shall inherit the earth. Not really.
I wish Dohn came back
Ro Davis and T Golp were ballin last night
Get over yourselves, people. You all can act like such immature, sensitive egomaniacs. Jon Gold does a fine job covering the U.C.L.A. Bruins and we get to enjoy his reporting for free.
He made a reference, which is used a lot, and you cry foul? Must not have watched Family Guy lately or been to a comedy club in a long time. There is absolutely no requirement of Mr. Gold to be sensitive to anyone's feelings. He did remove the comment out of respect. You should all do the same and show him a little respect. If you want to cry about it, come see me in section 22 at the Rosebowl. We'll laugh at you and tell you to grow up. Have some fun in life and understand that no one on earth owes you one damn thing.
LOL.
You said it Marc, but Goldie Locks might want to get the facts right, as a poster above alluded to. The 3,000 year total isn't factually correct.
Yeah, why did he capitalize the persecution part? Maybe Jon did have another agenda in addition to providing us with sports information.
Thanks Marc and others. When I saw that there were 23 comments on this entry by Mr. Gold (great analysis on the scrimmage by the way) I assumed that there was much discussion about the Bruins. Disappointed to see that it's just a bunch of whining about a religious reference. Geez. Can we get back to football?
Jon, you are by far the best correspondent covering my Bruins and I am grateful for your fine work. Even when you inject a bit of yourself in your writing -- this is after all a blog, a new form, not an op-ed piece or a traditional cover piece -- you do it with style, grace and the good humor that accompanies the best sports writing. I grew up reading Jim Murray in the old pre-stupidity LA Times and there has been precious little in his tradition ever since. I also love me some H.L. Mencken (sure, not a sports writer but our greatest old-school pure newspaper writer ever) and Red Smith still moves me, and back when I lived in Italy in the '80s I LOVED reading the late Gianni Brera. What a writer he was, always entertaining, engaging and he had a Voice.
You are young, and very good at what you do, if I may say, for your age. I envy your position, as you have The World before you. Do not let these sanctimonious nay-sayers and hecklers get you down. Many times I have almost introduced myself and congratulated you for your fine work, out there at Spaulding. Please just keep writing with confidence and you will take this as far as you ever want to. Thanks. -C. PS I got the joke. And I liked it. Good on ya.
^ oy gevalt
Dormie...
You're kidding, right? Mentioning "Goldie" and Murray in the same post??? I knew Jim Murray! Goldie is a non factor. I worked w/ Jim Healy, sat in the office right next to him. Goldie has way too many short comings to mention....Should i attempt to bring out his "weakness", he will delete my post and ban me from this site , like he has tried before. Jon is a nice kid, but has a overinflated opinion of himself and cannot be taken seriously. Murray??? You've got to be kidding.
(The earlier Jewish reference was way outta line)
Respectfully Submitted,
ThaiMex
^ Very true, and Jon's attempt to be funny was both unprofessional and pathetic
There was nothing wrong with Jon's comment, and it was an excellent write-up.
How about getting back to the real issue being discussed.....the outstanding play of Roosevelt Davis. This kid has worked exceptionally hard to do a good job and deserves to be recognized, without sharing the spotlight, for his talent, work ethic and dedication. Congratulations young Mr. Davis, and keep up the good work. We're rootin' for ya!