When the Bruins return to Spaulding Field for the beginning of
spring practice today, they may have trouble recognizing the
coaches who instruct them on the field.
That is because five new coaches are joining the men’s
football coaching staff, and most of the starting positions are up
for grabs as the new coaches acclimate themselves to the
Bruins’ offense.
“They create a new sense of urgency, and it gives players
a new chance at earning a position,” senior defensive lineman
Kevin Brown said of the new coaches. “They established a new
attitude that I feel will make us very successful.”
A major challenge will also be the departure of the
Bruins’ top three offensive weapons from last season,
quarterback Drew Olson, running back Maurice Drew and tight end
Marcedes Lewis.
The three combined for 57 of the 89 touchdowns the Bruins scored
last season. Replacing their offensive production will be very
difficult for the Bruins’ 2006 offense, and its new signal
caller Ben Olson.
Also lost are the Bruins’ three starting linebackers from
last season, seniors Spencer Havner, Justin London and Wesley
Walker. They will be lost from a defense that finished towards the
bottom of the nation in total defense and yards allowed.
“Our defense didn’t do a great job of working in
unison this year, and in our defensive scheme, big plays could and
did happen,” Brown said. “It’s hard to swallow,
but all we’re going to do this year is change the perception
of us.”
Trying to change the Bruins’ problems last season are new
defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker and defensive line coach Todd
Howard. Both bring with them extensive NFL experience, and promise
to bring a new aggressive approach to the Bruins’ style of
defense.
Walker last coached for the Washington Redskins, and Walker
spent three seasons as the assistant defensive line coach of the
Jacksonville Jaguars.
“They have come in and made us feel comfortable, as well
as confident,” Brown said of the pair. “I think we are
going to be really deep, considering the size of the recruits we
are getting.”
The Bruins will be bringing in 11 new lineman to help its
interior play next season. None of those freshmen, however, will be
able to take part in spring practice. The lone recruit that will
participate is junior college transfer Nick Ekbatani, who has been
enrolled in classes at UCLA since winter quarter.
Right now, the Bruins will have to deal with the players they
have returning next season. Running backs Kahlil Bell and Chris
Markey will be the top candidates to replace Maurice Drew and the
Bruins will be returning redshirt senior receiver Junior Taylor,
who missed most of last season with a torn ACL in his left
knee.
Defensive lineman Justin Hickman, Nikola Dragovic, and Brown
will be a year older, and are all ready to get better.
Those factors, at a minimum, have the Bruins looking forward to
next season.
“Spring ball is going to be great just to watch this new
system,” Brown said. “If the athletes we have execute
the plays, it’s going to be exciting.”
The Bruins practice until March 16, and all the practices are
open to the public. The Bruins’ final scrimmage at Drake
Stadium is March 11.