UCLA is in shells today (shoulder pads and helmets), so there should be some hitting.
DT Jeff Miller (ankle) is not dressed, but RG Scott Glicksberg (illness) is back at practice.
Here is an Olympic update concerning UCLA-affiliated athletes. It's courtesy of UCLA:
Freshman safety Rahim Moore has been practicing with the first unit, and through the first few days of training camp he hasn't victim to being a slow learner despite being a new player in the program.
"It's a fast pace and one thing we're doing is everyone is communicating out there,'' Moore said. "Everybody's focused and making plays.''
Moore said he was not having trouble picking up the basic defenses UCLA is running.
"I'm not lost,'' Moore said. "I'm actually coming along pretty good. I'm in my learning process right now where every day I'm still learning. I've been running with the 1s, and the pace has been fast, but I'm used to it since the summer.''
For those heading out to Spaulding Field today, practice has been altered. It will begin at 2:45p.m. and end at approximately 5:35 pm.
UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel is scrapping the two sessions during the three-hour window because there is not enough depth in the secondary for all the reps.
Here is a notebook I wrote for today's paper, mostly about how UCLA did not vary snap counts last season.
And here is a quote from Micah Reed about the change should help the offense:
"I think it's a huge help,'' Reed said. "Last year, it hurt us a few times. We always lined up and did the same thing. Now, if we're changing the snap count in practice, when we get to a game it's going to help us out. We'll be able to catch the other team off guard.''
It is early in camp, but here is the secondary rotation being used by UCLA defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker.
First team
Michael Norris and Alterraun Verner are the cornerbacks, Aaron Ware and Rahim Moore are the safeties.
Second team
Courney Viney and Aaron Hester are the cornerbacks and Bret Lockett (suspended for first game) and Glenn Love are the safeties.
This is UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel after Wednesday's practice.
002_B_003_Recorder.mp3
Out at football practice today was Billy Sanders, a tight end from Lake City High of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and a University of Miami commit.
Compton Dominguez offensive lineman Jamaal Burrell was also in attendance, as was UCLA commit Alex Mascarenas, a defensive back from Mission Viejo High.
UCLA began working on varied snap counts and it resulted in a bunch of false starts, but coach Rick Neuheisel said the team would continue to work through it.
He said he is impressed by the freshman receivers -- Jerry Johnson, Antwon Moutra and Nelson Rosario, who made a fantastic finger-tip catch for a touchdown -- and the freshman running backs (Aundre Dean, Derrick Coleman, Milton Knox and Jonathan Franklin) and said they were "electric."
Starting right guard Scott Glicksberg left practice early because of illness, but is expected back Thursday.
Also, Neuheisel said a decision was going to be made tonight on whether or not UCLA will continue to split the squad during practice drills the next two days, or combine the whole team. He said the secondary is thin and is getting strained. Freshman Rahim Moore, Aaron Hester, E.J. Woods and Tony Dye spent the last two days practicing during the first and second sessions.
UCLA senior strong safety Bret Lockett said he understood why coach Rick Neuheisel suspended him for the season opener against Tennessee. Lockett was suspended for a violation of the team's academic policy.
"You can't take shortcuts. I understand that,'' Lockett said. "It's going to be hard (to watch the Tennessee game), but I'm going to do my best to help this team win."
Lockett has embraced the leadership role and is talking with the freshmen so they understand the defense.
"I know we need a strong safety, and I know we need a backup strong safety,'' Lockett said. "I know we're going to need somebody that can play in the dime or nickel package, so rather than sit there and cry about it, I'm trying to get the young guys prepared so they can help the team out."
I was told Billy Sanders, a tight end from Idaho and a Miami commit will be on campus today and visit practice.
It is that time of week again. Send in some questions by 8 a.m. Friday, and I will post the answers throughout Friday.
Also, I'd like to know if you folks like the audio portion of the blog. I am still posting the newsworthy stuff as soon as I get it to supplement the audio. Please vote, and if you have a comment, let me know. Thanks.
Here is a brief interview with offensive coordinator Norm Chow after practice. He began by talking about how the offense looked (and was even asked by someone whether the offense was ready for Tennessee.)
Here is the story I wrote on differences in UCLA's practice compared to previous seasons, along with a notebook that addresses the right tackle spot and has an interesting note on tight end Logan Paulsen's new do.
Also, here's a quote from offensive line coach Bob Palcic on why he is giving Nick Ekbatani the first chance at right tackle.
"I just felt that prior to (Ekbatani's) injury in the spring, that he was performing well and so I thought he deserved the first chance at that position,'' Palcic said. "We will still work with him during the center-quarterback exchange period as a possible backup at the center position, along with Jake Dean.''
UCLA TB Raymond Carter, who missed last season with a torn ACL, practiced and look good. He is competing with a bunch of freshmen running backs to be Kahlil Bell's backup, and is looking forward to the challenge.
"Right now I feel I'm in top shape and my knee hasn't been bothering me lately, so I'm ready to go,'' Carter said. "All I can do is go out and do my best, and my work on the field will speak for itself."
Carter said he wasn't phased by UCLA bringing in four freshmen to compete in the backfield.
"It's going to be like that every year,'' Carter said. "I'm close to all the running backs coming in. It's really nothing. I enjoy them all and we have good depth. We are all close and all bond together."
Here is UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel's media session after Tuesday's practice.
Neuheisel's post practice briefing.mp3
A couple quickies from today's first practice:
QB Ben Olson looked good and received nice reviews from coach Rick Neuheisel and offensive coordinator Norm Chow. QB Kevin Craft struggled mightily, throwing high and off target often while QB Kevin Prince showed nice accuracy after getting rid of some early jitters.
The pace of practice was fast, and among the freshmen, RB Aundre Dean stood out.
Neuheisel said he was impressed with the speed and agility of RB Kahlil Bell, who practiced for the first time since tearing his ACL last October.
Also, Crespi High of Encino receiver Kevin Cummings and Oaks Christian High tight end Chris Coyle were in attendance. Coyle is an Arizona State commit, and I was told he remains a strong commit to ASU but came to practice because UCLA was asking him to do so, and because he has a few friends on the team.
Sylmar High wing Tyler Honeycutt was on campus Monday for an unofficial visit, and I'm told he also plans to visit campus Wednesday.
Also, Moreno Valley High guard Michael Snaer is on campus today for an unofficial visit.
UCLA will give Nick Ekbatani the first shot at right tackle, with Mike Harris behind him. However, Bruins OL coach Bob Palcic said Ekbatani will also workout as a backup center.
John Hale is getting the first look at strong side linebacker, but Akeem Ayers is right behind him, according to defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker.
Walker added that Kyle Bosworth was moved from strong side linebacker to weak side linebacker, and leads Josh Edwards in that competition. But if Edwards plays well, Walker said he can slide him ahead of Hale and Ayers one the strong side.
Also, Rahim Moore seems to be the favorite to start the first game at strong safety with Bret Lockett suspended for the first game.
I'm hoping you folks like this. It's audio of UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel's press conference to preview training camp.
005_E_002_Recorder.mp3
Here are a few tidbits from UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel's press conference today:
*Frosh Jonathan Franklin will begin camp at running back
*QB Patrick Cowan is having ACL surgery today, and will remain with the team as a student coach/assistant
*Frosh Sean Westgate, who was recruited as a LB, will begin camp as a safety
Injury report
*DT Jess Ward (knee) remains three to four weeks away from contact
*LB Josh Edwards (foot) has a stress fracture and will be out until Sunday or Monday
*OL Brandon Bennett (hamstring) and DL Jeff Miller (ankle) will be limited in practice
*QB Ben Olson is "a little ginger with his foot," but Neuheisel added "x-rays revealed that he's healed."
**QB Osaar Rasshan (knee) is cleared medically, but is experiencing tenderness
*Walk-on DB Chris Meadows (shoulder surgery) won't be available until mid-September
I know I'm excited about the start of training camp, and I thought this was an appropriate way to signal the start of today's training camp.
Here is a story I wrote for today's paper on UCLA's offensive line situation, and the at-a-glance capsule that cannot be found online.
UCLA AT A GLANCE
Opening game: Monday, Sept. 1, 5 p.m., vs. Tennessee, Rose Bowl
Practice dates: Today through Aug. 20
Open to the public: Practices through Aug. 20 are open to the public. The last major scrimmage is Aug. 16 at Drake Stadium
Major changes: Head coach Rick Neuheisel replaces Karl Dorrell and offensive coordinator Norm Chow begins his first season. ...The Bruins lost three-fourths of their starting secondary and have only two linemen who played on the offensive last season. ...Quarterback Patrick Cowan is out of the year after tearing a knee ligament in the spring.
Storylines: How will UCLA piece together an inexperienced offensive line? Will Ben Olson show enough to hold onto the starting quarterback spot? What freshmen will make immediate impacts and be playing against Tennessee?
I know many folks ask for it, so to let everyone know, I will be on ESPN2's First Take on Tuesday morning. I'm told my slot is 8:09 a.m. pacific, and I will be on for a few minutes.
Perhaps many of you know the story of Alabama coach Nick Saban using video conferencing to have a face-to-face meeting with recruits without leaving his football office, and without the players visiting.
Well, UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel said recently he had a video camera installed in one the corners of his office for the same purpose, but he wasn't using it much.
UCLA sent out a release of its walk-ons joining the program. Some have already been reported, but here is the release from the school:
I've talked about how much recruiting changed since UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel was last in the college game, and recently he said so when he discussed today's recruiting compared to when he was at Washington earlier this decade.
"Recruiting is crazy now,'' he said. "Guys are committing way early. It's bizarre. All the information out there, which you can't combat because you can't call (a prospect at certain times) is maddening. The guy hears this, the guy hears that, and you want to get on the phone and say, 'hey, let me tell you,' and you can't get on the phone. You have to hope he'll call you.
"And then if you miss the call, you have to wait for him to call you back. You gotta have your cell phone strapped to you at all times."
Are players being offered earlier than what you were used to?
"Offered indiscriminantly, and I think (schools) come from far away and offer indiscriminantly, knowing that they can always back out. Just to get in the game, they throw offers out there. As I said to (former coach) Karl (Dorrell), you have to be careful because of who you didn't get. You lose because you get players that can't play. Because you're not going to lose them once you get here. Who wants to leave UCLA?"
Under NCAA rules, head coaches can begin calling recruits again Sept. 1.
One thing I forgot to mention while I was watching 7-on-7s this summer was the extra work running back Aundre Dean was putting into his pass catching. He stayed after the workouts several times to catch passes, and with an interesting twist.
While Dean was running pass routes out of the backfield, two balls were throw his way. One came from the quarterback, and the other was thrown at his feet by a helping teammate. The idea was for Dean to keep his eye on the pass from the quarterback, and not be distracted by anything else.
Here are some interesting numbers associated with the football players' workouts. The numbers are courtesy of UCLA:
UCLA's freshmen reported for the start of training camp Sunday, and it is my understanding every one arrived. The veterans report today, with the first practice (open to the public) set for Tuesday at 3 p.m. at Spaulding Field.
For those who lost the information or didn't see it previously, here is UCLA's training camp schedule. And, yes, these practices are open to the public.
Tuesday, Aug. 5 - 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 6 - 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 7 - 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 8 - 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, August 9 - 4:30-6:45 pm (First day of full pads)
Sunday, August 10 - 9:00-11:00 a.m. and 5:15-7:30 p.m.
Monday, August 11 -3:30-5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, August 12 - 9:00-11:00 a.m. and 5:15-7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, August 13 - 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Thursday, August 14 - 9:00-11:00 a.m. and 5:15-7:30 p.m.
Friday, August 15 - 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Saturday, August 16 - 5:15 p.m. (Scrimmage at Drake Stadium)
Sunday, August 17 - No practice or interviews
Monday, August 18 - 9:00-11:00 a.m. and 5:15-7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, August 19 - 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, August 20 - 9:00-11:00 a.m. and 5:15-7:30 p.m.
(editor's note: sorry for missing a couple days at the beginning, but there was a glitch that wouldn't allow me to fix it immediately.)
Not much was happening in UCLA land the past week, mostly because the football players were off to gear up for the start of training camp Tuesday.
The few things that occurred was JUCO offensive lineman Donovan Edwards wound up committing to Cal rather than going to UCLA, running back Kahlil Bell was cleared (as expected) to practice and details of offensive coordinator Norm Chow's contract became available.
I got word from Kevin Brown's family that the former UCLA defensive tackle was called back to the Seattle Seahawks. He was released last week, before stepping on the practice field, but got a call back and will be at practice Monday.
UCLA's best unit could be this one, led by placekicker Kai Forbath. He made 25 of 30 field goal attempts as a freshman and was 5 for 5 from 50 yards or more. And Fortbath is expected to add kickoffs to his duties this season.
Punter Aaron Perez had 35 of his 91 punts downed inside the 20-yard line last season, and averaged 42.3 yards as he became a reliable, consistent performer.
What needs to get worked out is the return game, and there figures to be plenty of auditions. Receivers Terrence Austin and Ryan Graves ,and cornerback Courtney Viney are the leading contenders to return punts, but others could materialize.
Academically ineligible running back Christian Ramirez was in line to return kicks, but a replacement must be found and incoming freshman Jonathan Franklin is a candidate. Austin will also get a look, but this, like the punt returner, may not be nailed down until late in camp.
This is where the most positions battles will take place during training camp, and throughout the season.
Incoming freshmen Aaron Hester, Rahim Moore and Anthony Dye each could break into the starting lineup (although it is doubtful all three will) as the returning players are pushed. Dye and Moore are scheduled to begin camp as safeties, but could also quickly move to cornerback
The only given is Alterraun Verner will be one of the starting cornerbacks. Fifth-year senior Michael Norris begins camp as the other starter at cornerback, but he will need a strong training camp to hold off Hester. Courtney Viney could also factor into the situation, but he begins on the periphery.
Aaron Ware begins camps as the starting free safety, but will get competition from one o the freshmen.
With starting strong safety Bret Lockett suspended for the first game because of a violation of the team's academic rules, Glenn Love is penciled in as the starter. However, if he does not perform well, or if injuries crop up (he was injured several times in the last year), either Dye or Moore could move into a more prominent role.
This is the most intriguing unit on the defense because there is talent, but some of it is unproven.
The biggest change is the move of Reggie Carter from weak side linebacker to middle linebacker. He will call the defensive signals, and his effort and tenacity makes him a good choice for middle linebacker. However, expect some growing pains as he adjusts to the leadership role.
Carter needs to stay healthy because the backup, red-shirt freshman Steve Sloan, may not be ready to play in an extended capacity.
Kyle Bosworth is the starting strong side linebacker, and gives the Bruins a durable player with constant energy. He may overrun a play or two, but his effort is unquestioned.
Josh Edwards, who is in his third year since transferring from UC Davis, needs to get past a sore right foot, which kept him inactive much of the summer. But if he remains healthy, he is a maximum effort guy who can fill in nicely as the weak side linebacker, which doesn't get much playing time as the other linebackers because defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker likes to play nickel packages so often.
John Hale figures to be the primary backup at both linebacker spots, but Akeem Ayers could make a run at backing up Edwards, and with a good training camp may even supplant him.
The Bruins welcom three freshmen linebackers -- Patrick Latimore, Donovan Carter and Sean Westgate -- but each may wind up red-shirting.
The middle of the line of scrimmage is UCLA's best part of the defense, with defenisve tackles Brigham Harwell and Brian Price anchoring the unit. Both are expected to excel as run stoppers, and with Price going through training camps for the first time, he could be a dominant force in the middle.
There is also depth at the tackle positions, although there is a drop off after Harwell and Price. Jess Ward, Chase Moline and Jerzy Sierwierski give Bruins defensive coordinator enough guys to rotate through the middle of the defensive line, and to absorb a short-time injury to either Price or Harwell.
However, UCLA lacks production at defensive end, and it remains to be seen whether Tom Blake or Korey Bosworth can pressure the quarterback off the end. Last season they combined for five sacks, and much more production is needed to make up for the loss of Bruce Davis.
And beyond Blake and Bosworth UCLA has no experience, which could open the way for freshmen Damien Holmes or Datone Jones. Among the other choices at defensive end are Reggie Stokes, Justin Edison and David Carter.
Few of the major books seem to have a number posted yet, but I did find a few places that list Tennessee as a seven-point favorite for the Sept. 1 season opener at UCLA. The line opened with Tennessee favored by 5 1/2 points.
Uh-oh. That may be the best way to sum up UCLA's offensive line. The reality is no one really knows how good, or bad, this unit may be, but history suggests it will be a unit that struggles all season.
Only two players -- starting center Micah Reed and starting left tackle Micah Kia -- played on the offensive line last season. And Reed played guard. It means many of the guys in the program in 2007 weren't good enough to play on a bad offensive line last season, but are now stepping into important roles.
Starting left guard Scott Glicksberg was a tight end last season. Starting right guard Darius Savage, while he has NFL potential, was a defensive lineman when last season began.
And then there is the right tackle spot. The top two choices are not available after Aleksey Lanis retired from football because of a knee injury and Sean Sheller is out with a non-football related knee injury. It means Mike Harris, Nate Chandler, who was a tight end a few weeks ago, and Nick Ekbatani will battle for the spot.
However, Ekbatani, who couldn't win a starting job last season, is also being counted on to be UCLA's top backup at several other positions, including both guard spots and possibly center.
Sonny Tevaga and Brandon Bennett battled weight problems during their careers and it is uncertain whether they can be counted on, and it is too early in the career of incoming freshmen Jeff Baca and Connor Bradford for them to be expected to contribute.
One good thing is the Bruins think they have their center of the future in Colorado transfer Kai Maiava, but he must sit out the season due to NCAA transfer rules.
Although Ben Olson enters camp as the starter, this could be a fluid situation if he does not perform well early. The loss of Patrick Cowan for the season because of a knee injury (ACL) suffered in the spring was a jolt to the depth, but it is not as if anyone had such a firm grasp on the position before.
Olson is coming off foot surgery, and needs to be more accurate than when he completed 48.3 percent of his passes last season. In 2006, before a knee injury ended his season in the fifth game, he completed 63.7 percent of his passes.
JUCO transfer Kevin Craft heads into camp as the backup, but could rise or fall depending on his performance. In talking to the coaching staff, they wanted to see better arm strength than Craft demonstrated in the spring. He also didn't have a grasp on the offense, since he enrolled at UCLA days before spring ball began.
Red-shirt Chris Forcier and incoming freshmen Kevin Prince and Nick Crissman will compete for the third string spot, and a lot could depend on how overwhelmed Prince and Crissman get. Prince looked good in summer drills, but it is much different when a defensive line is out there and the offense is being installed day-by-day, like it happens in training camp.
For now, Osaar Rasshan remains at quarterback, but he is not expected to get many, if any, reps.
In talking with the offensive coaching staff, there feeling is the tight end position is the deepest, and most proven of the offensive units, and therefore can be a huge weapon in the passing game.
Logan Paulsen had 12 catches last season, which is more an indictment of UCLA's offensive game plan rather than the ability of Paulsen. The feeling on staff is Paulsen is an NFL tight end. He has the size (6-foot-6, 260 pounds) but needs to improve his consistency, and become a more vocal leader, but UCLA will have packages designed specifically for his talent.
In bringing Ryan Moya into the picture, it gives UCLA a down field threat from the tight end spot, although he must prove missing last season because of injury/family matters is not a deterrent in his '08 production. He can also be used in the backfield to create mismatches against defenses.
The depth at the position enable Nate Chandler to move to offensive tackle, and part of the reason is the arrival of freshman Cory Harkey, a 6-4, 24-pounder who is expected to play immediately.
The question with this group is whether or not they can block sufficiently in the running game, and whether the offensive line will block enough to allow the tight ends to slip out into pass patterns.
Another interesting twist to the tight ends is who will be coaching them ...and that is left to graduate assistant Phil Rauscher. But the suspicion is offensive line coach Bob Palcic will help out when it comes to blocking, and offensive coordinator Norm Chow will assist when it comes to the passing game.
Fifth-year senior Marcus Everett leads this group, and has been impressive in summer workout sessions in his comeback from ankle surgery. The most significant thing about this group is how the talented freshmen are integrated into the rotation.
Heading into camp, Everett (82 career catches) is clearly the top target, but Dominique Johnson (25 catches in '07) is leading returning pass catcher. However, Johnson needs to be more consistent in his routes and effort, and still hasn't shown the aggression to be a top-notch receiver.
It is also time for Gavin Ketchum and Terrence Austin to move to the forefront of the receiving corps, or get passed over by some of the talented freshmen, who also bring size to the position.
Again, the freshmen make this unit very interesting. The top two guys on that list are 6-foot-3 Antwon Moutra, out of Culver City High, and 6-4 Nelson Rosario of El Camino of Oceanside. Moutra tore up 7-on-7 passing drills with his speed and smooth stride.
The 6-3 Jerry Johnson, out of Venice High, will also contend for playing time. Entering camp, January enrollee Taylor Embree is more of a down-the-road receiver, but injuries or poor performance by oth