September 1, 2007

GAMEDAY 2007!! Stanford At High Noon-ish

It's finally here. Gameday 2007. It's time to walk the walk. We are 100% behind our team … let's kick some Farmhands asses today!! So much to get to … we are going to bullet it:

Bruce Davis is hungry!: Got to love Bruce Davis and his winning attitude and play. He is the epitome of a great UCLA football player. He is going to strike fear in the Stanford OL and most likely see double coverage all day. But that doesn't deter him, "This is a dangerous game for Stanford because we’re hungry,’’ he said. “We’re definitely hungry. It doesn’t matter who steps out there. It could be a team of first graders. If they’re man enough to step out on the field against us, were going to go after them. We’re going to go straight for the throat." Nice.
Markey wants to blowout Stanford: Not to be left out, Chris Markey had this to say about today's game, "We want to execute everything perfectly and blow out Stanford," UCLA tailback Chris Markey said. And the offense, Markey says, feels the urgency to be like the defense, "There is definitely a sense of urgency for the offense. We feel we have to catch up with the defense." Nice.
Dorrell's rally cry: We can't make this stuff up. Here is what Dorrell had to say on the eve of this significant season: "We want to show we have a lot of potential to do great things and teams had better be careful with us." Yep, that'll inspire the team and faithful and strike fear into the heart of opponents. Then Dorrell pulls out his trusty standby, "We don't expect to be the best offense in the country. We're still developing. We have room to grow." Ok .. nothing to see here. Move along.
Returning Starters (22): QBs Ben Olson and Patrick Cowan, TB Chris Markey, FB Michael Pitre, WRs Marcus Everett and Brandon Breazell, TE Logan Paulsen, OGs Noah Sutherland and Shannon Tevaga, C Chris Joseph, OT Aleksey Lanis, DE Bruce Davis, DTs Kevin Brown and Brigham Harwell, LBs Christian Taylor, Aaron Whittington and Reggie Carter, CBs Trey Brown and Rodney Van, FS Dennis Keyes, SS Chris Horton, P Aaron Perez.
If not now, when?: Chris Foster of the LA Times, this morning posed that question to open an article about the Bruins season … taken directly from the pages of BruinsNation and DumpDorrell. Nice. Who says we don't have an impact?!
OC Norvell's big money, big attitude, and big expectations: From Brian Dohn, "(Norvell) is being paid $300,000, well above the $190,000 Jim Svoboda made last season, but he is calling plays for the first time. That role is even more magnified given the struggles Svoboda - who was fired after one season - had calling plays in 2006. "There are some obvious reasons why we'll be better," Olson said. "We worked hard and coach Norvell has brought a different attitude to the offensive side of the ball, as far as demanding and fine-tuning the details. He demands you know what you're doing, and every guy is accountable for what they're doing out there."
Dorrell not on hot seat: Foster also had this humdinger, "In the eyes of his bosses, Dorrell could weather almost any outcome on the field this season, short of total collapse. But another mediocre season will certainly send up a hurricane warning among fans — similar to those after the 49-45 loss to Miami that cost the Bruins a spot in the 1998 national title game." " What's certain is that it will take a "Gigli"-like flop to get Athletic Director Dan Guerrero to holler 'cut." Well, that remains to be seen.
Dorrell wants to put UCLA in the elite: Dorrell then goes ahead and tells us what he wants to do with this program, "The bigger thing in my mind is to put this program back in stature of what it was, where it should be mentioned among the top teams in the country," Dorrell said. Well, in 4 years he hasn't done it. So when exactly will he?? Yesterday morning at the touchdown club breakfast Dorrell said this, "We have the talent to be a BCS-style football team." We think he meant BCS football team. Whatever, he said it.
Dorrell diffuses expectations AGAIN: Dorrell continues to diffuse expectations as he had this to say about what makes a successful season this year, "I don't know what determines a successful season. I know some people like to say wins and losses, but certain numbers make it successful." Uh, Karl … you get paid $1 million a year to know what makes a successful season. And if you don't know then Dan Guerrero needs to have a talk with you. This is pure BS. Wins and losses matter … where does he come up with this??!! More from Foster, "Dorrell is cautious to keep expectations low, at least before the Bruins take Norvell's scheme out for a test drive today."
Foster points to Dorrell's inconsistency: Chris Foster is proving to be a great voice for UCLA football, "The consistency of Dorrell's previous seasons was inconsistency. He has a 29-21 record that includes a 10-2 season in 2005, when the Bruins won their first eight games before doing a belly flop in a 52-14 loss to Arizona. He has hired 10 assistant coaches in the last two seasons." "It can be said to this point that Dorrell has been molding a program in his own image, but the final exam for that ceramics class comes this season." Duly noted.
Donahue lies to defend Dorrell: Check out the lies that Donahue is spewing in defense of Dorrell, "Frankly, you've got to recruit your players," Donahue said. "I was able to do that, Toledo wasn't. That's the bottom line. We were able to get good players, Bob didn't have a lot of good players." Flat out BS!!! What a disgrace!! Nestor at BruinsNation dissects this shameful fabrication.
Guerrero-Dorrell relationship hit snag: More from Foster, "Dorrell retains Guerrero's support, though that relationship took a hit when receivers coach Eric Scott was arrested on residential burglary charges in July … the arrest brought to light Scott's criminal history, something Guerrero said he knew nothing about despite the university's background check. Guerrero, who said Dorrell "healed" the program in April, said little after Scott's return other than a prepared statement. He remains supportive of Dorrell, but a poor season in 2007 could start the clock."
Dorrell's new mantra - these are all my guys: With a simple brush stroke Dorrell has found a way to deflect criticism for his entire 4 years of mediocrity - the talent he had wasn't his. Excuses. "This should be a pretty strong foundational year because it's your guys, every class in here is guys I have recruited," Dorrell said. "Yes, you should see a difference in this team compared to what you've seen the last three or four years." Stoops took over 5 seasons of non-winning teams at Oklahoma and won the national title in year 2. Meyer took over Florida after the 2 horrible Zook years and won a national title in his 2nd year. Carroll took over from the horrendous Hackett and won the Pac-10 in year 2 and the national title in year 3. Tressell took over at a failing Ohio State and won the national title in year 2. Why does Dorrell get a pass for 4 years of average 4th place in the conference, peaking only once at 3rd???!!!