Chandler reaction
I spoke to UCLA's Nate Chandler tonight after a 7-on-7 throwing session about his move from tight end to right tackle. He said offensive coordinator Norm Chow spoke to him about it Friday, and he decided to make the move for the betterment of the team, and his career.
"It sucked at first,'' Chandler said. "But if you look at it in the long run, I think it's a smart move. I think I can play both positions and can be good at them. I think I can be good at it.''
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About Inside UCLA
This is Brian Dohn's sixth season covering UCLA after spending 4 1/2 years covering the Dodgers for the Daily News and other Los Angeles Newspaper Group papers. He graduated from Rutgers, where the first college football game was played in 1869. Sure, the Scarlet Knights suffered for a long time, but now RU is doing what Jerseyans always thought was possible. Winning at Rutgers also proves winning is possible everywhere else in the nation, so underachieving coaches better be careful. Now, if only men's hoops can turn it around.
Is Chandler any bigger than the 6'3" 265 I see him listed as? Is that big enough to be a right tackle in the Pac-10?
This move makes good sense. RT has become the most critical position on the team for this year with the losses of first Lanis, then Sheller and the strong likelihood that we will start a left handed quarterback as RT will have to protect his blind side. Chandler plays at a position where we have three very strong players alreaedy. He is gaining the necessary size and figures to have the quickness of foot needed at OT. The experience blocking will expand his future opportunities; there's no reason he couldn't return to TE in the future. But THIS season could very well hinge on how well we fill the gaping hole at RT, not just who starts but having the depth to play two or three guys there. SOMEONE has to step up and SOMEONE had to be moved over and Chandler simply seems the most logical choice - if he can make the move - and we won't know THAT for some time yet as we head into this first season of CRN, NC and DWW
With the way the OL is shaping up (or not), perhaps Chow should consider running a spread/gun offense this year...IF we have the receivers to pull it off.
All in all, I think anyone projecting more than 6 wins for our Bruins is thinking with their heart and not their head.