2011 Season Report Card

RECORD: 6-8
SEASON GPA: D

QUARTERBACKS
D
The training camp battle between Kevin Prince and Richard Brehaut was a farce, and neither gained solid footing. Prince handled scrutiny like a pro, but cannot ignore that Bruins finished 81st in passing, 88th in scoring.

RUNNING BACKS
B-
Between Johnathan Franklin and Derrick Coleman, the Bruins had one really good running back. Problem is, in the Pistol offense, you need two, and Franklin and Bash were rarely “on” at the same time.

WIDE RECEIVERS
C
Fans will always wonder “What could have been?” if Nelson Rosario had been pushed harder, but give him credit: four 100-yard games, and five more with 74 yards or more. Between Joseph Fauria, Shaq Evans, Devin Lucien, there are brighter days ahead.

OFFENSIVE LINE
C
Just about played up to its potential, but then you realize how little potential the unit actually had. Loss of Sean Sheller was brutal, but the line held up relatively well. Xavier Su’A-Filo’s return next season will take group to next level.

DEFENSIVE LINE
F
Unquestionably the most disappointing unit after impressive training camp raised expectations. Team ranked 112th in sacks and 87th (tied) in tackles-for-loss, and teams ran right up the gut. There is talent, but needs better management.

LINEBACKERS
C
The guy who played the best (Eric Kendricks) didn’t play enough, and the rest of the unit was steady if unspectacular. With plenty of talent returning and ready to thrive, group could take a big leap in 2012.

DEFENSIVE BACKS
B-
The Bruins ranked 65th against the pass and 75th in pass efficiency defense, but that was a product of a passive scheme rather than poor play. The emergence of Andrew Abbott was something to behold, Aaron Hester and Sheldon Price improved and Tevin McDonald looks like a budding star.

SPECIAL TEAMS
D+
If not for Jeff Locke, this grade drops to an F-. Locke single-leggedly kept UCLA in some games even after he was thrown off rhythm by early kicking duties. Tyler Gonzalez was a nice story, but not more than that, and the return game was absolutely dreadful.

COACHING
F
Discipline, discipline, discipline. Bruins rarely played well, even in wins and week in, week out inconsistency was only one symptom of system-wide failure. Suspensions, brawls, dropped passes – they all stem from the same place.