The Weekly Rant-Pac 10 Preview

Aveosmth · May 5th, 2005, 01:14 PM

Welcome to “The Weekly Rant”!!!

My column has three parts. The first part is where I write an article about something in the sports world. The next part is the email bag, where I post the best emails I get throughout the week (posts from Sportsrant.com will now also be eligible). The final...
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KP · May 7th, 2005, 09:26 AM

Great to see the Pac10 getting some attention (I know you're gonna do all BCS conferences) but especially UCLA. You might be the only dude in the country not named KP that thinks the Bruins will finish second and achieve nine wins this year.

Ben Olson will probably be the starter this year if he has a good fall camp and Drew Olson has any setback from knee surgery and/or he doesn't show any type of improvement from last year.

The Pac10 is on the rise....and if the Bruins can get back to consistent 9 and 10 win seasons and continue to challenge usc for wins and recruits, the Pac10 should finally get some love from across the nation.

Aveosmth · May 9th, 2005, 09:45 AM

KP,

The Pac-10 should've had 2 teams in BCS bowls last year, even though Cal bombed against Texas Tech. Hopefully, this year they will get some respect.

I think Ben Olsen has a legitimate shot at the starter's role...The key for him will be getting the nuances of the West Coast offense down. Also, he's gotta get Marcedes Lewis the ball...no one can stop that guy.

On defense, I'm worried about the defensive line & the secondary....all of UCLA's stars are at LB...Havner, London & Wesley Walker. Jarrad Page is the only stud they have and the other 3 guys in the secondary will have to pick it up.

I think they will still do well and can definitely pull off 9 wins.

KP · May 9th, 2005, 03:27 PM

We debated the Cal scenario to death last winter....and I still agree with you that Cal should have been in over Texas. For the life of me I cannot figure out why the coaches refuse to have their votes public. Why would they want to hide? What do they have to hide?

As for UCLA...I think the d-line will be even better than last year. Kevin Brown should be a monster this year; Brigham Harwell should blossom this year; Hickman and Morgan should be better with an additional year in the program and increasing their quickness. The depth could be a bit of a problem with Niusulu screwing up and off the team and Kevin Harbour may not be back due to academics. He was hurt last year and didn't play but he was certainly being counted on for this year.

Havner got screwed, IMO, out of the Butkus award. He should be the front runner this year.

I've heard that the DB's were practicing more bump and run and playing tight this year. It seems the coaches are teaching that now and getting away from the zone which has been a major problem. The big reason for the new style is the play of the d-line, apparantly. We'll see how it works out.

I'll be pissed if Drew Olson is still the starter. I know Big Ben needs to learn the offense and he had a pretty tough spring, but he's a smart kid and I'm sure he'll pick it up during fall camp. Drew just has never improved. A decent QB would have thrown to Lewis ten times a game. There were so many times that you could see an open Lewis only to have DO throw to a covered WR...and this was watching on TV!

Aveosmth · May 9th, 2005, 04:45 PM

KP,

You are SOOOOOOO right about Marcedes Lewis....They finally figured it out in the 11th game of the season against SC!! I would run that tight end fade inside of the 10 yard line all day...no one can cover that.

Youre right about Brown & Harwell...I'm so glad UCLA finally has Kevin Brown on the defensive side of the ball where he belongs.

That's exciting to hear about the bump & run, I'm looking forward to more man to man coverage...and if its because of the d-line, then theyre lookin to get more pressure on the QB. I do really like Havner in a cover 2 situation because he is very good at reading QB's & getting picks...but he will do fine in man as well...

Cal got robbed last year...I believe that if the coaches' votes were made public last year, Cal would've gotten in.

KP · May 9th, 2005, 09:01 PM

The new DL coach, Thurmond Moore, came in and is demanding a pass rush. Under Coach Johnson, the d-line was supposed to only hold the line so the LB's could make the tackle. Uh, we see that didn't work. UCLA D is definitely gonna be more aggressive this year.

Avery, I know you live in LA so I'm sure you remember Mike Seidman at TE before Marcedes Lewis. Countless, countless times Seidman just streaked straight down the field and was wide open. Problem is, Drew Olson doesn't look off the first option even if he's covered.

I'm always picking on DO, but with a better QB...oh, nevermind. I'm looking forward to the new Olson this year!

Aveosmth · May 9th, 2005, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KP

The new DL coach, Thurmond Moore, came in and is demanding a pass rush. Under Coach Johnson, the d-line was supposed to only hold the line so the LB's could make the tackle. Uh, we see that didn't work. UCLA D is definitely gonna be more aggressive this year.

Avery, I know you live in LA so I'm sure you remember Mike Seidman at TE before Marcedes Lewis. Countless, countless times Seidman just streaked straight down the field and was wide open. Problem is, Drew Olson doesn't look off the first option even if he's covered.

I'm always picking on DO, but with a better QB...oh, nevermind. I'm looking forward to the new Olson this year!

That's really good news KP! Maybe the Bruins can emulate their defense of 1997. They were just dominating...then Rocky Long left to New Mexico and we had the defense of 1998....the worst I've ever seen in college football...the Miami game that year just makes me want to puke.

Seidman had soooo much potential, and yes Olson would miss him as well...even Mike Grieb had a decent career at TE due to Cade McNown....

Can't wait till the season starts!!!!

KP · May 10th, 2005, 08:29 AM

Man, Avery, it is great to talk UCLA football with someone!

I was at the Miami game...what a disappointment (loudest game I've ever been to!). When Ayanbedejo went out in the first quarter with an injury you could just tell that was gonna be huge.

Melsby was down, however!

Aveosmth · May 10th, 2005, 09:47 AM

I agree KP!! It is nice to see there are still some Bruin fans out there!

I was really hoping they wouldn't play that Miami game, because it was nothing but trouble and UCLA had everything to lose & nothing to gain.

Youre right when Brendan went down, we were in huge trouble!!! Edgerrin James should send UCLA 10% of his yearly salary, because the Bruin D made him look like a superstar.

Melsby was down!!

KP · May 10th, 2005, 03:06 PM

LOL! Every time I say "Melsby was down!" I think of the first Ace Ventura movie...."Laces out, Dan!"

May 5th, 2005, 01:14 PM	#1
Aveosmth Join Date: 01-28-2005 Posts: 241	The Weekly Rant-Pac 10 Preview Welcome to “The Weekly Rant”!!! My column has three parts. The first part is where I write an article about something in the sports world. The next part is the email bag, where I post the best emails I get throughout the week (posts from Sportsrant.com will now also be eligible). The final... Full Article

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May 7th, 2005, 09:26 AM	#2
KP Join Date: 07-08-2002 Posts: 1,988	Great to see the Pac10 getting some attention (I know you're gonna do all BCS conferences) but especially UCLA. You might be the only dude in the country not named KP that thinks the Bruins will finish second and achieve nine wins this year. Ben Olson will probably be the starter this year if he has a good fall camp and Drew Olson has any setback from knee surgery and/or he doesn't show any type of improvement from last year. The Pac10 is on the rise....and if the Bruins can get back to consistent 9 and 10 win seasons and continue to challenge usc for wins and recruits, the Pac10 should finally get some love from across the nation.

May 9th, 2005, 09:45 AM	#3
Aveosmth Join Date: 01-28-2005 Posts: 241	KP, The Pac-10 should've had 2 teams in BCS bowls last year, even though Cal bombed against Texas Tech. Hopefully, this year they will get some respect. I think Ben Olsen has a legitimate shot at the starter's role...The key for him will be getting the nuances of the West Coast offense down. Also, he's gotta get Marcedes Lewis the ball...no one can stop that guy. On defense, I'm worried about the defensive line & the secondary....all of UCLA's stars are at LB...Havner, London & Wesley Walker. Jarrad Page is the only stud they have and the other 3 guys in the secondary will have to pick it up. I think they will still do well and can definitely pull off 9 wins.

May 9th, 2005, 03:27 PM	#4
KP Join Date: 07-08-2002 Posts: 1,988	We debated the Cal scenario to death last winter....and I still agree with you that Cal should have been in over Texas. For the life of me I cannot figure out why the coaches refuse to have their votes public. Why would they want to hide? What do they have to hide? As for UCLA...I think the d-line will be even better than last year. Kevin Brown should be a monster this year; Brigham Harwell should blossom this year; Hickman and Morgan should be better with an additional year in the program and increasing their quickness. The depth could be a bit of a problem with Niusulu screwing up and off the team and Kevin Harbour may not be back due to academics. He was hurt last year and didn't play but he was certainly being counted on for this year. Havner got screwed, IMO, out of the Butkus award. He should be the front runner this year. I've heard that the DB's were practicing more bump and run and playing tight this year. It seems the coaches are teaching that now and getting away from the zone which has been a major problem. The big reason for the new style is the play of the d-line, apparantly. We'll see how it works out. I'll be pissed if Drew Olson is still the starter. I know Big Ben needs to learn the offense and he had a pretty tough spring, but he's a smart kid and I'm sure he'll pick it up during fall camp. Drew just has never improved. A decent QB would have thrown to Lewis ten times a game. There were so many times that you could see an open Lewis only to have DO throw to a covered WR...and this was watching on TV!

May 9th, 2005, 04:45 PM	#5
Aveosmth Join Date: 01-28-2005 Posts: 241	KP, You are SOOOOOOO right about Marcedes Lewis....They finally figured it out in the 11th game of the season against SC!! I would run that tight end fade inside of the 10 yard line all day...no one can cover that. Youre right about Brown & Harwell...I'm so glad UCLA finally has Kevin Brown on the defensive side of the ball where he belongs. That's exciting to hear about the bump & run, I'm looking forward to more man to man coverage...and if its because of the d-line, then theyre lookin to get more pressure on the QB. I do really like Havner in a cover 2 situation because he is very good at reading QB's & getting picks...but he will do fine in man as well... Cal got robbed last year...I believe that if the coaches' votes were made public last year, Cal would've gotten in.

May 9th, 2005, 09:01 PM	#6
KP Join Date: 07-08-2002 Posts: 1,988	The new DL coach, Thurmond Moore, came in and is demanding a pass rush. Under Coach Johnson, the d-line was supposed to only hold the line so the LB's could make the tackle. Uh, we see that didn't work. UCLA D is definitely gonna be more aggressive this year. Avery, I know you live in LA so I'm sure you remember Mike Seidman at TE before Marcedes Lewis. Countless, countless times Seidman just streaked straight down the field and was wide open. Problem is, Drew Olson doesn't look off the first option even if he's covered. I'm always picking on DO, but with a better QB...oh, nevermind. I'm looking forward to the new Olson this year!

May 10th, 2005, 08:29 AM	#8
KP Join Date: 07-08-2002 Posts: 1,988	Man, Avery, it is great to talk UCLA football with someone! I was at the Miami game...what a disappointment (loudest game I've ever been to!). When Ayanbedejo went out in the first quarter with an injury you could just tell that was gonna be huge. Melsby was down, however!

May 10th, 2005, 09:47 AM	#9
Aveosmth Join Date: 01-28-2005 Posts: 241	I agree KP!! It is nice to see there are still some Bruin fans out there! I was really hoping they wouldn't play that Miami game, because it was nothing but trouble and UCLA had everything to lose & nothing to gain. Youre right when Brendan went down, we were in huge trouble!!! Edgerrin James should send UCLA 10% of his yearly salary, because the Bruin D made him look like a superstar. Melsby was down!!

May 10th, 2005, 03:06 PM	#10
KP Join Date: 07-08-2002 Posts: 1,988	LOL! Every time I say "Melsby was down!" I think of the first Ace Ventura movie...."Laces out, Dan!"

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