A lot of questions about play-calling/coaching decisions, so here’s a notebook that kind of falls in line with that: Jim Mora gives Kennedy Polamalu an A+ for his play-calling through two games.
Why don’t we see more blitzes, particularly since the front four isn’t getting consistent pressure on the quarterback? Against UNLV, they were effective: resulted in a sack and an interception.
Defensive coordinator Tom Bradley believes in balance. He’s not going to sell out every play and blitz. Most coaches believe in some type of balance because they’re generally “stay the course” type of people.
Bradley and defensive tackle Eli Ankou did mention that against the mobile quarterbacks they’ve faced, the Bruins can’t overcommit to the pass rush because they’ll get burned by the draw, which is what happened a few times with Johnny Stanton. That’s something else they have to balance as well.
Perhaps those times they did blitz, it became effective because it was a new look that threw the offense off. I do think some more blitzing would be effective, but don’t expect to see it all the time.
Why isn’t Kennedy Polamalu calling (or Josh Rosen audibling to) more slants, backside screens and hot receivers to counter pressure/blitzing by opposing defenses?
I wish we could ask Kennedy Polamalu about this, but he turned down interviews this week. I wish I could tell you something better, but I just don’t know. Josh Rosen faced a lot of pressure against Texas A&M and didn’t perform well. He didn’t face that much pressure against UNLV, but when he did, he continued to struggle. It’s definitely something to keep track of, but as to why they haven’t been trying to do those things against pressure, I couldn’t tell you. I just can’t read minds.
I’m surprised the Bruins are operating so much more out of a shotgun spread attack than a traditional under-center pro-style set. Is this due to the offensive line’s growing pains with the pro-style set, Rosen’s familiarity with the spread from his Bosco days and starting in Noel Mazzone’s system last year or a bit of both?
As is the case with most things, it’s a combination of many things, including Rosen’s familiarity with the shotgun formation. It’s not that he’s never gone under center; as he has said previously, it’s a basic necessity for quarterbacks growing up. But when asked about it after UNLV, he spoke about how the extra yard or two he gets from being in the shotgun allows him to see the field a little bit better, although he said it actually makes the edge a little more difficult for the tackles. But overall, he said being in the shotgun is a very small difference to him.
I think part of the surprise might be about how we may have anticipated this offense looking and how we may have wanted to fit it into a pro-style box when the coaches were adamant that it wasn’t going to be strictly pro-style. Did they say Rosen would be going under center more? Yes. But that doesn’t mean he would be going under center 100 percent of the time. It just means more than the almost none that he went under center in Noel Mazzone’s system. I anticipate that the offense will continue to use both. Probably as the running game asserts itself more and Rosen starts to feel as comfortable seeing the field from under center as he is in shotgun, the under center snaps will grow.
What’s the status on Jaleel Wadood, Takkarist McKinley, Eddie Vanderdoes, and Nate Starks?
Takkarist McKinley (groin) and Eddie Vanderdoes (knee) both practiced fully on Wednesday. No official word from head coach Jim Mora on anyone this week, but I would expect Vanderdoes at least to be OK for Saturday. McKinley, I think, is probable, but it’s possible the medical staff wants to be safe with him because this has become a recurring issue since he injured his groin during training camp. I would expect Jaleel Wadood to be back. If it indeed was “bumps and bruises” that kept him out, then I would think one game’s rest is sufficient. I am unsure about Nate Starks. He’s not injured, but hasn’t dressed for the past two games. Mora said he missed the season opener due to a “coach’s decision” and his absence has had a disciplinary feel to it in the past two weeks. It all comes down to how Mora feels about making that decision — if it is disciplinary — and heck if I know how a coach feels.
Given how great the secondary is supposed to be, why can’t the Bruins rush the passer and/or stop the run?
This is the grand question. If I knew the answer, the UCLA coaching staff would hire me and someone else would be putting weird GIFs on this blog. I know you said not to blame it on the injuries, but sorry, not sorry, I’m pulling the injury card right here. When you don’t have your best pass rusher (McKinley) and you don’t have his immediate replacement (Deon Hollins) then you bet that the pass rush is going to take a hit. Keisean Lucier-South is effective in clear pass rushing situations because of his speed, but you can’t put him in situations that might turn into running downs because he still has a long way to go in that area in terms of controlling his gap.
The injuries are a factor, but of course, there’s more to go around. Ankou, who had a career-high eight tackles against UNLV, mentioned that part of what they have to improve on defense is “relax a little bit (and) not try to do too much.” If one guy gets out of step on defense, then it could really compromise the whole operation, so I think as the defense comes together more during the season, players will be more comfortable staying in their lanes and not trying to overcompensate for anything.
A part has to be due to the game plan of opposing teams. For example, Bradley mentioned after UNLV how the Rebels lined up in an unfamiliar, old-school wishbone formation for a moment that threw off the defense because it was unscouted. The team eventually adjusted, but that’s also a tip of the cap to the UNLV coaching staff for game-planning well. As the season goes on and there’s more tape out there of other teams, the unscouted looks and the late adjustments that are needed will go down.
What is the malfunction in the third quarter?
While both third quarters were bad, especially on offense, I think they were bad for different reasons, so I’m not sure if you can draw a single reason at this point. Against Texas A&M, the Aggies made a great halftime adjustment and dialed up the pressure on Rosen and the Bruins didn’t adjust quick enough. Against UNLV, they hurt themselves with penalties and a turnover. UCLA had three drives in the third quarter against the Rebels. On the first one, the Bruins picked up two penalties, false start on second-and-10 by Kolton Miller and unsportsmanlike conduct on third-and-15 by Darren Andrews. That third-down penalty as a killer because then UCLA was stuck in third-and-30 and gave up a sack. The second drive went into UNLV territory, but Jalen Starks fumbled the ball and killed the drive right after Soso Jamabo went for a 31-yard gain. The third drive was a three-and-out. By that time, UCLA had had the ball for a only 3 minutes, 9 seconds of the third quarter, so the offense was just out of rhythm. Rosen said after the game letting a negative roll into another negative may have affected the third quarter.
Any thoughts on Isaako Savaiinaea and whether his role might increase throughout the season?
I like Isaako Savaiinaea. I think he’s smart and instinctive, which are two very important qualities for a middle linebacker. I think his role should increase because sometimes Kenny Young can get caught flat-footed, especially when diagnosing run plays. Savaiinaea may not have the natural athleticism and quickness of Young, but I think he makes up for it in other ways.
Prediction for the wide receiver to fill the Jordan Payton role as “go to”
I think it’s going to be Darren Andrews. I don’t think he’s going to be the top receiver in terms of yardage or receptions, but I think he’ll be the reliable third-down guy. He has six catches this season and three came on third down. He’s caught every pass that’s come his way. Like I’ve written previously, Andrews isn’t flashy, but he’s consistent and that’s exactly what you want out of a go-to guy on third down.
Why isn’t the staff using Theo Howard more?
Perhaps the coaches want to give some of the veterans a shot. I believe Theo Howard will have an impact this season. He’s too much of a talent to keep on the sidelines for 12 whole games, especially if the drops persist. I would expect Howard’s role to increase steadily throughout the year. It’s a long season and there’s still plenty of time to see Howard out there making the types of catches he made during spring and fall camp.
Can you find out UCLA’s official reason why team sideline is in the sun in Rose Bowl?
I honestly don’t think there are many people who know the “official” reason besides the fact that that’s where it’s just been in the past. That’s a lame reason, I know, and in the past, Mora has expressed a dislike for the sunny side of the field. I can’t blame him. Perhaps it’s to be closer to the student section, which also sits in the corner of that side.
Addition: here’s a theory posed to me on Twitter. Surely sounds plausible.
@thucnhi21 Pac 12 forbids students being behind the away bench, they give students the sunny seats to keep the donor side happy, i.e. $$
— Robert Bastron (@robert_bastron) September 15, 2016
What is the status of Mique Juarez? No word on him since mid August.
Like I write every week when someone asks: it’s the same. There have been plenty of words on him since mid-August, they’re just the same words as they’ve been since the beginning: he’s dealing with a personal matter and he’s getting help from the team and the school.