Answers, Part XIII

Let me start by saying I hate USC and am a huge bruin fan. I've heard and read that SC practices are 100% hard hitting and very competitive (the games are easy for them)..i think that reflects well on how they perform in games. Do you think UCLA is to worried about injuries to practice like SC or is it just that our starters are secure in there jobs?
I think it is neither. I think USC has much better players, and that allows them to practice harder and faster. Job security isn't the issue. Talent is the issue.

Do you think our practices are not as competitive compared to other top programs?
I don't know first-hand because I don't go to watch other program's practice, but folks (like scouts and coaches) that go to other practices say UCLA lacks the overall talent to have highly competitive practices.

Just what was so bad about your Dodgers gig?
In short, spending too much time away from home (seven months out of the year on the road), the realization winning is secondary for 99.9999 percent of the players and the weak moral fiber of many, many, many players, as well as other personnel around the game.

Further on that subject, are you Yanks or Mets?
Grew up a huge Yankees fan, and my wife and I used to sit in the right field bleachers. However, I no longer watch baseball, so now I don't care.

Any chance of seeing Trevor Theriot run the ball? I think it is a big mistake to not put the ball in his hands with his size, strength, and speed.
Not really. Maybe a token run here or there, but there are players far more equipped to carry the ball on a regular basis than Theriot.

Also any chance of getting the ball into some playmakers hands such as Ossar and Forcier in a position other than at QB? It seems as though we may have some excellent athletes that are not being utilized.
Not unless either is willing to change positions, and so far neither is willing to change positions.

Let's say your our running back coach,
Who do you start at TB and FB and what is your depth chart? Do you think Chane the Train should be moved to FB and used as a TB only in short yardage(He has looked slow this season)? We need to give Franklin, Dean when healthy and Coleman a shot.
I give the ball to Coleman and see what he can do. It can't hurt. I also use Raymond Carter. And I agree with your assessment of Moline as a fullback/short yardage running back.

Are you a believer in...if you practice well, than you'll play in the game?
Without question, especially in football, because preparation and attention to detail is paramount to success.

I read most of our freshman RB's don't play because they don't pick up the blitz or because they make other freshman mistakes in practice...with as pathetic as our running game is would you throw that out the window and let them play? Joe McKnight can't block but Pete still plays him. I think you have to play your best athletes if you want to win.
Well, USC also has a good offensive line, a quarterback and receiving corps to hurt a blitzing defense and the ability of McKnight to sneak out of the backfield and catch a ball for a big play. Apples and oranges, to me.

Do you think in college football some talented players with little experience you have to just let them learn on the job? I.E. Verner 2 years ago
Yes, but Verner was brought along in an ideal way. He was UCLA's nickel back much of his freshman year, so there wasn't too much pressure on him and he was able to learn at a slow pace.