The reality series "So You Want to Be a College Quarterback" had another episode Monday, but the early reviews were not good.
Basically, it's never good when the coach says, "I'm concerned" a week into training camp. But after a rough day for the offense, UCLA Coach Rick Neuheisel took a breath and said just that, followed by "Our offense has to understand that we have to have tempo on a daily basis. We can't just come out here. We have some real good leaders, we need some more of them. Hopefully, we'll develop them as we get closer to game time."
Leadership would seem to go hand in hand with playing quarterback, but Kevin Craft and Chris Forcier are riding a learning curve on that, Neuheisel indicated. They are trying to fill the void created when starter Ben Olson broke a bone in his right foot and will be sidelined for eight weeks.
Craft and Forcier didn't seem to distinguish themselves with Neuheisel, as the Bruins defense dominated play during 11-on-11 drills Monday.
"Guys have to command a presence to play that position," Neuheisel said. "You can't be effective without it."
Neuheisel singled out tailback Kahlil Bell and tight end Logan Paulsen as offensive leaders, but said, "We need more of them and we're going to be demanding more of others."
Playing quarterback, Neuheisel said, requires "an innate sense of command, a feel and presence, all those things. It's like the Supreme Court said about obscenity, 'I'm not sure how to define it. I just know what it is when I see it.' It's the same with quarterbacks."
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Medical charts
Olson will have surgery on his right foot today. Besides having a screw inserted, he will have a bone graft, taken from his hip, to help with the healing process.
He is expected to be sidelined eight weeks.
Offensive tackle Mike Harris, injured Sunday, sat out practice because of a high-ankle sprain and is expected to be out "a few weeks," a UCLA official said.
Linebacker Reggie Carter sat out most of practice after a collision with Bell during the 11-on-11 drills.
Neuheisel said that Carter felt dizzy and that he was held out as a precaution.
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chris.foster@latimes.com
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(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)
L.A.'s quarterback candidates
KEVIN CRAFT, UCLA
6-5, 205, junior
