Answer Monday! Part 5

Pete Carroll announced today he is writing a book titled “Win Forever.” I’m writing the forward, titled, “Beat Oregon State (and Stanford).”

Q: gotroy22 said:
Is Bradford destined to spend another year on the pine? Has Pete ever tried to get him to switch to LB?

A: Allen Bradford wants to play tailback. He does not want to be a linebacker. Whether he plays or not depends on how his hip feels and whether the coaches give him a chance. They spoke to him about playing safety (and moved him there twice) and tried to get him to play fullback previously.

Q: Pop Goes The Weasel said:
Scott, just a comment, I’d like to reserve my question for later if I think of one. [Insert, no, this is my question.]
I read the last chat where you said you were going to use the new format because the old way made you sit there from start to finish.
Why not keep the old way, and when you get tired, just announce you are going to take a ten minute break, or whatever? That way we can read it later if we miss it, and I’m sure most of us did because you only gave us 90 minutes notice. I myself was on the site at 1pm and again at 7pm, but still missed it, and I love the chats.
Remember, the vote was 90-10 for the old way, cuz some of our computers can’t handle the new way.
Also, around the time the chats started, you asked us to vote on how much notice we would like, and the vote was for one day.
OK, Scott, I’ll make this my question. Will you please keep the old way, and, if possible, or whenever possible, give us one days notice please? If not, you are effectively shutting out 90 percent of your loyal, everyday readers it would appear. I read on the last chat where you repeatedly said you were going to switch to the new format, so will you please reconsider? Why pander to the 10 percent who say it’s too slow? How would they feel if they were shut out, and the situation were reversed?

A: I did say that I would go to the new format, mainly because it is too intensive to do a four hour chat. Or an eight hour chat, which I’ve done before. And if I take a break, people then complain that their comments are not getting posted. However, I will consider doing both formats. I’d like to give longer notice but there’s been a lot of things going on during spring practice. After spring practice, I’ll try to give longer notice.

Q: shutout said:
Hi Scott – how are numbers distributed to the returning players and incoming freshman? If a returning player wants to switch numbers, does the team use age/class to determine who gets to choose an available number first or does Pete give preference to the new guys? Finally, will the coveted #55 be given out this season or will Pete promise the number to a H.S. recruit?

A: The veterans usually have first say on changing their number, unless a really good recruit demanded a number during the recruiting process. Remember when Brandon Hance was stripped of the No. 4 and it was given to Whitney Lewis the first week of the 2003 season (fill in your punch line here). And Patrick Turner wanted No. 1 during the recruiting process and beat DeSean Jackson to the punch for it. As for retired numbers, Mike Garrett led Darnell Bing wear No. 20 and Matt Leinart offered No. 11 to Jordan Cameron, who declined. Clay Matthews asked to wear it last season but Leinart refused. I’ll find out if anyone will wear 55.