UCLA Bruins start football practice Tuesday
UCLA FOOTBALL
The Bruins have plenty of questions to answer: Can they hold that line? Do they have a quarterback -- or will they need several? And is anybody out there a right tackle?
An update on UCLA's football team as the Bruins open practice today in preparation for their Sept. 1 opener against Tennessee at the Rose Bowl:
Facts and figures
* 2007 record: 6-7; Pacific 10 Conference: 5-4 (fourth place).
* Bowl: Las Vegas, lost to Brigham Young, 17-16.
* Starters returning: 12. (offense 6, defense 6).
Story lines
* Look out! Do the Bruins have enough quality offensive linemen? If not, do they have enough quarterbacks to get through the season? Darius Savage, a converted defensive tackle, starts out at one guard and Scott Glicksberg, a converted tight end, is at the other. But those spots seem stable compared with the right tackle slot, where a casting call may be needed.
* Shhh! The Bruins' defense will seem library-like this season. Gone are Bruce Davis, Trey Brown and other outspoken members, leaving behind more of a lunch-pail, tight-lipped gang. Defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker will save a fortune on earplugs. One concern is the secondary, where cornerback Alterraun Verner is the only returning starter.
Ones to watch
* Ben Olson, Sr., QB: He was once the apple of every recruiter's eye, but Olson's career has soured because of injuries and inconsistency. He gets one last chance, provided he retains the job in training camp.
* Reggie Carter, Jr., LB: Moves inside to replace middle linebacker Christian Taylor. Has more skills than Taylor and might be just as nasty on the field.
* Player to Be Named, RT: Someone will play right tackle and, if the left-handed Olson is the quarterback, that someone (gulp) will protect his blind side.
* Brian Price, So., DT: Good, and should only get better. Price is the type of dominating defensive lineman often seen at that school across town, the one that seems to go to a lot of Rose Bowls.
* Michael Norris, Sr., CB: Gets the first crack at replacing Brown at cornerback. But a passel of freshmen might push him.
What's new
* Kevin Craft, Jr., QB: There is plenty of talent among the incoming freshmen, especially at tailback with Aundre Dean, Johnathan Franklin and Milton Knox, and in the secondary with Tony Dye, Aaron Hester, Rahim Moore and E.J. Woods. But Craft, who passed for 4,231 yards at Mt. San Antonio College last season, may be the most vital skill-position player when Olson's past problems are figured into the equation.
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