UCLA Football: Mora's Transitive Property

UCLA's Spaulding Field

Scott Robinson

Coming across the play was LB Isaiah Bowens, just recently lining up with the one’s due to the barrage of injuries befalling upon the line-backing core. One second before the tackle, the RB rolled to the ground with his helmet directly impacting Bowens’ knee.

The sound of helmets and pads cracking was next, quickly followed by a handful of trainers jogging in concern towards the player lying on the field. Bowens’ hands clutched his knee, while he rolled on the ground.

It was a rough play, with a rough ending: Bowens’ injury looks like it may be one that will put him on the sideline for a while. He required two helpers to get off the field. When Coach Mora was asked about him after practice, he said:

“I don’t, obviously, know the severity of it yet, but it’s a knee sprain… They took him in, and we’ll see where he is…”

Just a few plays before, Bowens laid a powerful hit on RB Malcolm Jones—sending Jones to the ground with an audible thud, heard even fifty yards away.

But that’s football; Physical, painful and costly. An MRI is expected to determine Bowens’ extent of injury.

Good thing Coach Mora has a few players in the fold coming this summer to shore up the LB depth issues, because as of today, the following are out: Jordan Zumwalt, Patrick Larimore, Anthony Barr, Aaron Wallace and now, Isaiah Bowens.

Seeing Bowens’ spot, after his injury, was both Ryan Hoffmeister and Jared Koster. Already in the mix was LB Aramide Olaniyan, who followed up a strong Tuesday with another great practice.

Olaniyan picked up a fumbled ball by RB Jordan James; A difficult play considering he was in the midst of tackling only to adjust for a scoop of the ball.

But beyond Olaniyan is nothing but a question mark. Hoffmeister and Koster might have trouble seeing the light of day once the new crop comes to town.

The 2012 recruiting class is looking ever more important as the injuries pile up. From the class, expected to compete for some field time at LB are: Aaron Porter (6’2 / 230), Kenny Orjioke (6’4 / 225), Jeremy Castro (6’3 / 245) and Nate Iese (6’4 / 235).

Wise decision, not conceding the year of 2012.

Feels Good…

Coach Mora was at it again at practice, this time delivering a few choice words to OG Alberto Cid. During the 11-on-11’s LB Eric Kendricks got into it with OT Brett Downey, pushing and shoving—And just when it appeared to be sewing up, Cid came in tow and then the “gassers” began.

Heard from the bleachers was Mora, again in the trending Johnny Cash get-up:

“You’re killing your football team!”

UCLA Football: Gray, but a Good Day

UCLA's Spaulding Field

Scott Robinson

The crew behind the picked-up pace seem to be enjoying themselves lately. At the very least, there was a smile adorned on Coach Mora’s face as the team continued their work on Day Ten.

Coach Mora, in what must be the college football version of a Johnny Cash get-up, looked pleased with his black hat, black long sleeve and black gym shorts.

After practice, Mora confided: “It was a good day for us.”

Notwithstanding the injuries to the LB core, with Patrick Larimore (concussion), Jordan Zumwalt (stomach), Aaron Wallace (concussion) and Anthony Barr (quadriceps), the coach was still in high spirits after practice.

Rightfully so: The defense is starting to look pretty good.

Again with the first team was LB Isaiah Bowens, who was flanked by LB’s Damien Holmes, Eric Kendricks and Keenan Graham. Also getting time with the one’s was LB Aramide Olaniyan, who had another strong performance when given the opportunity.

During the 11-on-11’s, Olaniyan found himself in the right spot to intercept a ball tipped by DC Anthony Jefferson, who also had a great day.

Later on in practice, Jefferson was involved in another dust-up with WR Tyler Scott—To the point that it required Coach Ulbrich to step in and toss the players aside. Even with the scramble, Jefferson’s name is beginning to get noticed.

Coach Mora on Jefferson: “Gets a little better everyday… He’s becoming a legitimate player to me. He’s tough, he’s aggressive, he’s physical, he’s playing with more confidence…”

“All good teams know how to finish.”

With the gray sky and a chill in the air, it was the perfect sort of day to test the team’s consistency

“I think having this kind of weather helps a little bit,” said Mora.

Whatever the case, today’s efforts pushed through until the end.

Between the strong secondary showing during the 11-on-11’s (quite a few picks again) and the level of intensity witnessed at the end of practice in the Oklahoma-type Drill, the defense continues to flesh out a stout and consistent mentality.

They are here to dominate.

UCLA Football: Turn Up the Music

UCLA's Spaulding Field Saturday morning

Scott Robinson

As the first few drills took place, today’s practice brought with it a new mentality of confidence. With music now on the loudspeakers, the NFL theme song piped through the as the Bruins began practice installing their respective playbooks.

Unlike Thursday, the stands were packed full and along the sidelines roamed a party of coaches and recruits.

Today, spectators even camped out along Parking Lot six, looking over the East side of Spaulding from various levels in the structure. Entering this morning, UCLA held a coaching clinic—College jerseys of the respective staff present were shown along the fence separating Spaulding from Pauley’s construction site.

There was a feel out there unlike any other practice: a business mentality was at the forefront. From the get-go, even when players were stretching, the Bruins were attentive and quick to direction.

The energy was also evident: Another near dust-up pitted Cassius Marsh against Kevin Prince—One has to like the cut-throat attitude carried by the team nowadays.

Rounding out the practice was a good amount of 11-on-11’s, yielding further insight into how the depth charts might look once the remaining 2012 recruits arrive this summer.

The One’s

Starting with the defense, there appears to be a consistent group working as the first team (“the White jerseys”).

UCLA Football: A Situational Education

UCLA's Pauley Pavilion behind Spaulding Field

Scott Robinson

It was a down day for the Bruin quarterbacks as interceptions came often during 11-on-11 scrimmaging.

At the onset of the day was Coach Mora slinging the old pigskin to QB Brett Hundley. As mentioned by other sources following practice, this pigskin is not old.

In fact, the new ball being used appears slightly different. As they had catch, QB Hundley could be heard saying to Mora: “The laces feel slippery.”

Mora responded, “Yeah, they feel a little high.”

Whatever the problem might be with the football, the QB’s showed they did not have a solid grip on it today. Between QB’s Kevin Prince, Richard Brehaut, Jerry Neuheisel and Brett Hundley, there were at least three INT’s.

But even with the dismal display of quarterbacking, this team is learning and continues to work.

Starter Who?

If one QB had a good showing during Day Eight, it would be Prince. Today, he exhibited less of an attachment to his receiving corps—on at least three different instances, Prince shook off his primary and turned his head to opposite field.

One pass, Prince hit WR Tyler Scott specifically because of his shake off—He looked down WR Devin Lucien, pulling DS McKay off the top, allowing WR Scott a one-on-one and a subsequent completion in stride.

Prince’s throws seemed crisper and displayed less “happy feet” despite being pushed out of the pocket a couple times. On another throw, Prince plopped a 30-yard pass right into WR Lucien’s hands along the sideline—It was quite a pretty toss.

Brehaut, meanwhile, had one of his worst practices. In addition to throwing a ball up for grabs, he fumbled a snap and often had trouble during the 11-on-11's; at least one throw was tipped at the line of scrimmage.

Of the younger QB’s, TJ Millweard showed one particular toss that was very impressive. Looking downfield to a covered WR Roosevelt Davis, Millweard delivered it where only his receiver could catch it—And if the WR did not reel it in, there was no chance anyone could. Davis, leaning back to his right shoulder, dipped down and snagged the ball, even with three defenders around.

At this point I would say Millweard might have the most upside.

UCLA Football: The Next Step

The Bruins stretch at UCLA's Spaulding Field

Scott Robinson

It was another beautiful day in the Westwood neighborhood.

What a shame the fans were not there to share it: The crowd has now thinned out substantially.

The recruits did not seem to notice, however. At today’s practice were the following:

Name	Position	Year
Troy Williams	QB	2013
John Ross	WR/DB	2013
DaMari Scott	WR	2013

Imagine what winning will do for recruiting…

The Bruins are now roughly half-way done with their spring practices—only eight more until the Spring Game. So far, if one were forced to name the three major differences from one year ago, they easily could be surmised as follows: tempo, true competition and game simulating drilling.

All the things a coach might want to get better.

There’s still a lot of work to be done, though.

Wrinkles

Today, a number of the same drills seen throughout spring practice added a few more folds in complexity.

This certainly bodes well for the new coaching staff.

On the one hand, this “next step” might reflect a better grasp of Coach Mora’s expectations. On the other, these wrinkles might push to the margins some previous starters.

Either way, the Bruins win.

UCLA Football: Back to the Basics

Practice Onlookers at UCLA's Parking Lot 8

Scott Robinson

The stands, although still near full, were nothing like they were only one week ago.

No, Primetime and John Stamos did not walk through the door.

An overcast day must have weeded out the bandwagon from the faithful. Despite the clouds, and a cool nip in the air, the True Blue spectators brought a jacket and took to Parking Lot 8.

On the field, the team surely did not notice—they played through each drill, kept the hustle apparent and continue to exhibit the sort of drive necessary to make sure all the small things are being learned.

Players are communicating. They chip at the opponent. They talk after plays. The coaches are in their ear—and they are listening.

Case and point: RB Damien Thigpen ran a flat in front of WR’s coach, Steve Broussard. Post-catch, Thigpen sprinted up the left sideline—But that wasn’t good enough.

“Outside arm! Outside arm!” Broussard yelled.

With his head high, Thigpen shook it off and stuck the pigskin in the appropriate arm on the next play.

To some, these are the basics of football. To this team, this is a learning curve: the arena, coaching staff and tools are there for the taking. Now this team has to just keep it up.

Another example of this growing need to get better: QB Brett Hundley delivered a perfectly spiraling 30-yarder to a streaking WR Shaquelle Evans—who promptly dropped the TD. As Evans ran back towards the huddle, while the next team jumped in, him and Hundley discussed the drop. Later in the 11-on-11’s, Hundley threw the same ball, this time facing the opposing end-zone, and Evans spooled in what would have been a beautiful six points.

They’re learning. And, they’re getting better.

Never Settle

Today’s practice continued to maintain the expected high level of intensity. Another “dust-up” occurred between RB Dalton Hilliard and DE Brandon Willis.

Between the piped in fan noise and the focus on tempo, these drills continue to embody a tangible experience, as practice should be.

Furthermore, the coaching staff seems to maximize each sort of drill—Whether that’s five QB’s passing simultaneously or a hurry-up allowing for three to four plays in the span of one minute.

They want more.

On the recruiting front, UCLA stocked up on another offensive lineman in Fallbrook High School’s 2013 OT Sean Dowling (6’6 / 265). While attending practice Dowling gave a verbal to the Bruins, despite garnering offers from Arizona, Colorado, Duke, Navy, San Diego State and Washington State.

UCLA Football: Slurpee Swag

Sinbad & Keyshawn Johnson at UCLA's Spaulding Field

Scott Robinson

With his head swung around over his left shoulder, WR Jerry Johnson reached out with one arm in an attempt to reel in a poorly thrown ball.

Running what looked like a 10-yard out during a 7-on-5, the ball came his way, he reached and touched it, but didn’t have it.

As it is with most drills these days at UCLA, the next wave of Bruins jumped into place, only seconds after Johnson ran off to the sidelines.

One moment later, none other than Keyshawn Johnson, three-time NFL Pro-Bowler, got into Number Nine’s ear.

The very next chance Jerry jumped in, two hands were used and a catch was made.

I asked Johnson about what knowledge Mr. Seven-Eleven imparted:

“[He said] go for the ball with both hands, instead of trying to be spectacular and make a one-handed catch. Do what’s necessary to make the play.”

Makes you wonder what the Trojan fan-base has to say about their alumni tipping off pointers to what appears to be an up-and-coming program.

“It was good hearing from a person like him,” continued Jerry Johnson, “He knows the game, he’s been through it before, you know, he’s a veteran.”

Tackle This

With hits left and right, physical play was constant. As players collided, especially with Pauley in the backdrop, echoes of helmets cracking smacked in the air throughout all of practice.

With this marking the second day in pads, the energy on the field continued to stay up. Perhaps the best indicator of this high-energy is the fact that the defense and offense are barking at each other through-out their scrimmaging drills.

On one particular play, where WR Johnson faced up against DC Aaron Hester, a pass from QB TJ Millweard sailed low and away; Johnson pointed as if to tell Millweard to get it higher and he’ll catch it.

Hester thought otherwise—He spat out in defiance: “NO, NO, NO, NO!”