Questions About Chickens and Eggs
You wonder, what came first, the chicken or the egg?
Then you wonder, what came first, the good quarterback or the good offensive line?
Who pushes whom to greatness?
Or, in other words, can Kevin Prince become the quarterback UCLA needs him to be with two freshmen protecting his weak side?
Bob Palcic has his answer, and a few more...
On the whole offense:
"Everybody's in this together. Kevin can make the line look good by getting the ball off on time. The receivers can help the line by running the routes at the proper depth. The running backs can help by blocking the proper linebackers. It isn't just the line. Everybody has to work together on this side. Its 11 guys all doing their jobs that will create success.
On the youthful offensive line:
"I like these young kids. They're going to continue to get better on a daily basis. Obviously, they are very inexperienced but they're learning every day and giving me a good effort."
On starting a freshman offensive lineman in the season opener for the first time:
"I've never started a freshman in the opener for me . I had a freshman start for me at Ohio State about the fifth game into the season. Even Jonathan Ogden didn't start here as a freshman his first game. We're in new territory here. That's what it is.
Let the games begin. It can only be better compared to our dismal season of last year. God I hope! Here's to at least going 3-0 to start the season. After that who knows.
As my friend from Texas would say, "you are on unplowed ground."
Jonathan Ogden might not have started the first game of the season against Cal State Fullerton, but right when he came in, he got beat by the DE, who hammered Wayne Cook, causing a season-ending knee injury. I vividly remember that play, thinking Ogden was way overrated, but luckily he turned out to be a pretty good player. Maybe he was just overwhelmed by playing in his first college game, something I hope this year's freshmen can avoid.
I think one thing all Bruins fans should have learned over the last few years is that it is the line which gives the quarterback a chance to play and succeed. Just think of the injuries to the Bruins qbs who didn't have as strong a survival instinct as Kevin Craft.