Ample returns at football practice
Ultimately, UCLA senior safety Tony Dye determined that two games were more important than 12. Maybe even 13.
Dye's decision to return this season despite missing seven games - a choice that would eliminate the option of a redshirt season - was made with one thing in mind.
A potential Pac-12 championship.
"We had long family discussions about that, but the fact of the matter is I'm a competitor and I really want to be a part of this opportunity I have right now," Dye said. "Coming back would've been an amazing thing, to get to come back with my teammates, but I want to spend the time I have with them right now and try to be Pac-12 champs."
UCLA can win the South division with wins over Colorado on Saturday and USC on Nov. 26, and Dye wants to be a part.
That he's missed so much of what was expected to be productive senior season only makes him want it more.
After leading the Bruins with 96 tackles as a junior, Dye had 19 tackles before being sidelined with a pinched nerve in his neck after the team's 49-20 Week 3 loss to Texas at the Rose Bowl. He had been expected to miss the entire season and was thought to be able to return for the 2012 season, but the pain and numbness subsided recently, and Dye fought to get back on the field.
"I thought my timeframe on being back on the field was perfect the way we did it," Dye said. "Last week was the first time I felt like I was good to go, good to run. Put me in the red just to be safe."
Dye returned to practice fully on Tuesday and inserted right back into the starting defense. His presence had already been felt with the maturation of fellow safeties Tevin McDonald and Stan McKay - Dye said he served as a "bridge between coaches and players since I've been out" - but he said he's relieved to make it known on the field, even if he wasn't sure it would happen.
"The last few months have been rough, I'll tell you that," Dye said. "Just watching from the sideline, win or loss, just knowing you could be out helping. Unfortunately as competitive I am, I can't lose at anything or I'm growing home crying - it's a terrible thing, a real depressing thing. Luckily, I had the opportunity to get back in pads - I didn't feel like I'd be back this year."
Jefferson returns
UCLA redshirt freshman cornerback Anthony Jefferson has seen his practice time increase in recent weeks as he returns from August back surgery to correct a bulging disk. With this season essentially a moot point, Jefferson is just trying to build toward next season.
"It was definitely important to me to return this year," said Jefferson, who also missed nine games last season with a broken foot and received a medical redshirt. "I've been out the past year with surgeries, so I thought it was very important to make sure I start now and play whatever role they want me to do. I want to carry everything I'm doing now into the offseason."
Bumps and Bruises
Senior running back Derrick Coleman (hip) practiced fully on Tuesday and should be fine for UCLA's matchup with the Buffaloes on Saturday. ... Sophomore safety Alex Mascarenas (head) returned to practice in a red jersey.
Jon,
As I am writing this UCLA is down 35-30 with 2:12 to go in the first half. This team looks TERRIBLE through one and a half games this year.
I've given up on football, though I'll be at the Rosebowl this Saturday. That's what happens when the football team doesn't get better throughout the year. Game ten of this year did not look much different than the first weeks of this season, or for that matter last year's 4-8 team. I've given up on Rick. Sorry, Rick, it just isn't working out.
Though, now it is 37-32 MTSU. Just compare the two offenses; when is Ben going to wake up and realize that he needs to have more of an offense than one guy dribbling up top while four guys stand around. 40-32 NOW. Middle Tennessee State is shooting something like 70%, while UCLA is stuck in the low 30's I believe. My god, as it looks right now, this team may be worse than the 14-18 team from two years ago.
I've been a Ben supporter, but as you can see, I'm a bit impatient. Midway through game 2 and I don't like seeing the Bruins facing 0-2 season against the likes of LMU and Middle Tennessee State. Bruins down by 8 at half-time. I guess Ben is lucky that Dan G. doesn't believe in firing coaches midway through the season, otherwise he might be gone before Reeves and his parents tell him Reeves is transferring to Cal State Fullerton.
I felt good coming home from class tonight, I think I aced my exam. Was looking forward to watching UCLA rebound from Friday's embarrassment.
Ben preaches defense. Looks like he's been watching Joe's defense on the football field. Leave them unguarded and hope for the best. Maui looks like it will get ugly; then there will be a lot of UCLA fans calling for Ben's head.
Jon, we're relying on you to ask Ben some tough questions. Ask him what that offense is called when the guard dribbles at the top of the key while everyone else stands around. Ask him why he allows his team to continue to jack up jumpers from 20+ feet away and does nothing to curtail it. Please, I beg of you. Thanks,
Can Howland invite Tony Dye to the meeting he has with Reeves Nelson to let him know what a real team player is.
Jon,
Dye wants to come back to try to win a conference championship. A few paragraphs later you essentially laugh at him and editorialize calling the rest of this season a "moot point."
What a bonehead, Jon.
reading between the lines, Dye's feeling in a nut-shell: "This program's so bad you couldn't pay me to come back again next year.".
Did you even read the article? Did you see where it started to be about Anthony Jefferson? Did you see where I wrote that JEFFERSON'S ABILITY TO PLAY THIS SEASON is a moot point? Yup, I'm a bonehead.
Jon, don't let those faint hearted fans get you down. You are an excellent writer and always give me, the Weasel, a fair shake. So let's all support Jon and Tony Dye this Saturday. Another victory this week and then next - Conference champs.