Answers, Part VI
There will be at least 11 sets of answers today. Here is the sixth set:
I live in Texas, and I plan on attending 3 home games this year. I will be going to the Tennessee and USC games, but I can't decide which other game to see.
Which other home game would be the most interesting/enjoyable for you?I'm interested in the Fresno State game, but if I was choosing to attend from out of state I'd look at Oregon. It's a great place to watch a game. If you wanted to come to the Rose Bowl, I'd check out Stanford. It would break the season up, and it is a game UCLA should win.
Also, how much of a chance do you give UCLA of winning the season opener against Tennessee?Decent. UCLA will hold the coaching edge, but I'm not sure how much that will offset a talent gap.
If coaches are not aloud to talk about recruits, how do we know which athletes have been offered and which ones have not? Is it the athletes who say an offer is made?Usually, it comes from the athletes, or their families, or their coaches or friends.
Last year USC signed 10 OL/DL, while UCLA only signed 5 (including D. Edwards JC). It seems that this is a down year in California for linemen. Do you think UCLA will sign Martinez, Phillip, Hasiak, or other highly rated linemen? Will finding quality OL/DL be a problem this year?UCLA's best chance is with Philipp. I know Hasiak was high on UCLA, but I haven't checked on that lately, but I will and update you next week. As for finding quality offensive linemen, that will be a chore for the staff this recruiting season.
Dan Guerrero was recently named chair of the Division I Men's Basketball Committee. There has been buzz for a while that Guerrero has aspirations for "higher office" so to speak, with the NCAA, Pac-10, etc. Have you spoken to Dan about this? Do you know what his plans/desires are? Any idea what the timeline might be? I have heard a few times Guerrero aspires to be the president of the NCAA, but he is extremely guarded in what he will say and always tells me he is a Bruin and is at the place he wants to be at. But I do not have a timeline on a possible departure.
With Sheller out for the year, who is likely to get first crack at his vacated starting offensive tackle spot? If Donovan Edwards makes the grade, he will get the first crack. Other than that, I think it is something yet to be decided but I think Mike Harris will get a strong look.
Do you see the loss of Sheller as a huge blow to the offense? Is there a significant drop off in talent between Sheller and the second string tackles Harris and Bennett? I don't know because none of them have played in a game. I do know offensive line coach Bob Palcic liked Sheller's mobility and footwork, but I don't think he was head-and-shoulders above the others.
What are UCLA's chances on Martinez, Hasiak, Su'Filo, Phillip, and Siddoway?As I've stated before, I think Philipp is the most likely to land at UCLA.
Some fans are dissapointed at the small number of football commitments so far. Is it merely a situation where the coaching staff is being very selective in offering recruits or is there reason to be alarmed? I don't think there is a reason to be alarmed because if UCLA plays well (that does not mean win games) and recruits see progress and excitement toward the program, they will come to UCLA. I understand why there have been so few commitments, and it has triggered my antennas to be up, but I have found no reason for alarm.
I know the guys from Utah and Hawaii are good. But I cannot imgagine they are any better than Phillip. In camp tapes he was outstanding. He either stayed in your face or put you on the ground. Really hope we get him. I think that all these guys realize they are highly sought after and see no reason to do anything other than preserve their perrogative. I hope they make their decisions based on more than the team with the most wins.
I would like to see Phillip and Martinez come in as a pair. With the "skill" players they could put the Bruins on the map.
If DG does have aspirations for a higher office, don't be surprised if DG becomes the next Pac 10 commissioner. Tom Hansen leaves at the end of June 2009.