We're still not ready to talk Washington yet … we are still in WTF mode. Anyhow, great comments and ideas are coming into the site from new posters. Keep 'em coming. We will have a more definitive Replacement list, adding your suggestions, and as we said we will also launch a broad campaign to Dump Dorrell once the 1st Pac-10 conference loss happens. Our first offensive was to get the word out, and so many of you did … the MSM picked up on the anger right away and Dorrell and our football program is taking more hits. The good news is that the MSM is reporting in so many words how Dorrell is on the hot seat (here, here, here, here, here, here and here). Also, UCLA is now in ESPN's bottom 10, coming in at #5 worst in the country, behind powerhouse Stanford. We particularly like this quote from Charles Chiccoa of Scout: read more
Some interesting news to report … but first, just a reminder that tonight is the inaugural Bruin Show live online radio program, at 6 pm PDT. One of our editors will be a panelist on the show to talk about all things Bruin. Tune in! On to the news:
- As we reported on earlier, Dorrell is clamping down on player interviews with the media. In what is increasingly becoming a bizarre scenario, especially given the great promise of the upcoming season, Dorrell has instituted an odd and strict interview blackout rule. Chris Foster, LAT, reports:
- Dorrell has expanded his banned-from-talking-to-the-media list to include 1) any player who is practicing at a new position, 2) those who are hurt but go through a portion of practice and 3) those who are unable to participate in contract drills because of “soreness.”
- When asked by Brian Dohn, Daily News, why the new strict policy, Marc Dellins, UCLA SID, said “Our reasoning is we feel the head coach is the best person to address the injury situation of the team. Ok. Let’s see what the coach has to say.
- Here is Dorrell addressing new backup QB Bethel-Thompson’s strengths, courtesy of Chris Foster LAT: “Asked what Bethel-Thompson’s strengths were, Coach Karl Dorrell quickly replied, ‘We’ll figure that one out.‘” Wait … what? You are the coach, you brought the player in to the system, you have been coaching him, he has been #3 in the depth chart for a QB and you don’t know what his strengths are?? If you want to hold your cards close the vest then say so, if you really don’t know then maybe we are in trouble.
- Here is Dorrell talking about QB Pat Cowan’s injury situation, per Dohn: “‘It looks like it’s more significant than a day-to-day thing, so you know, it looks like he’s, uh … I don’t know,’ Dorrell said.” Yep, these things are better addressed by media savvy Dorrell. Nice.
- We asked Brian Dohn if Ben Howland ever instituted such a strict policy and here is what Dohn said: “Ben is remarkably upfront about injuries. And he doesn’t keep a player from talking if that player is hurt.” Sounds about right. No need to hide anything when you know what you are doing.
- Meanwhile the injury situation is beginning to affect the depth a running back. Markey and Bell are healthy, but at fullback Pitre is out with a knee injury and Thierot is out with a hamstring injury. Also Moline is out for a while. Dylan Rush, a converted DE, is not having a good camp according to Dohn, which leaves Christian Ramirez, former HS RB.
- The guys over at EDSBS have a hilarious take on Dorrell responding to the Cowan injury: “When asked to assess the strengths of McCleod Bethel-Thompson, Karl Dorrell thumbed through his Manual of Ineffective, Alarming Communications Techniques and sent Bruins fans rushing to their desk drawers for loaded pistols.” We’re not at that point yet …
Speedpost today folks, a few things to cover:
- By now you may have read ESPN’s Pat Forde’s article on Karl Dorrell and the special year we all expect this season (HT Nestor at BruinsNation). The upshot of the article is Pat Forde’s undeniably fair assessment of Dorrell’s job performance thus far, noting that:
- “If Karl’s golf game is anything like his head-coaching career to date, he cards a bogey for every birdie.”
- “These Bruins have never seen a Pac-10 title up-close and personal.”
- “With 20 returning starters and a bunch of winnable road games, the time is now for UCLA to win back a share of Los Angeles and make a push into the national elite.”
- “In terms of schedule, this season sets up nicely.”
- The Bruins’ first five road games — Stanford, Utah, Oregon State, Washington State, Arizona — are against teams with an un-threatening 2006 average Sagarin rating of 50th.
- Backup QB Patrick Cowan pulled up holding his left hamstring as he went out of bounds on a drill. Tests will be performed tomorrow. Bethel-Thompson has been made the #2 in his place. One reporter, Brian Dohn, prefers Bethel-Thompson as the #2 over Cowan.
- From the Irony Department, WR coach Eric Scott made Ossar Rasshan shed his gloves for missing a wide open TD at the scrimmage Saturday. Eric Scott had this to say: “I have a rule, if you drop passes, you have to take your gloves off for at least the period. Sometimes, I’ll make them go without gloves the rest of the practice.” Now that is some funny stuff right there. Hey Eric, the United States has a rule, don’t buy or carry unregistered weapons!!
- Morning practice today was very lethargic according to a few reports. The afternoon session was better. Let’s hope the guys are well conditioned as they stated they were when Training Camp started. Stanford is next week.
- “WR Osaar Rasshan didn’t practice in the night session because he is dealing with some after affects of the concussion he sustained last week.” - Brian Dohn.
- Following up on our Scrimmage report on the sudden illness of Jerzy Siewierski’s grandfather Jack Turrentine at Drake, we are happy to pass along the report that although he is still in critical condition, Jerzy’s grandfather is feeling better and talking. Get well Jack.
Unbelievably bad news for freshman RB Raymond Carter. Dohn is reporting that Carter’s MRI came back positive for a torn ACL. He is out for the season and will red-shirt. Got to feel for the guy and for the team as it appeared he might see some playing time. And with Williams also out, if Markey isn’t getting it done who are we going to go to now? With Van out for the time being as well with a boot on his foot, it seems injuries are starting to pop up. Lets hope Dorrell doesn’t start looking for his excuse tag. We hope that Van and Carter get better soon. Maybe CBS Sportsline was right when they said Dorrell should have the team in shorts and shells all Training Camp … “why risk injury?” Prophetic? We hope not.
