UCLA’s success in the red zone in 2005, when the Bruins
led the country in scoring efficiency within the 20-yard line, was
protected and nurtured by an experienced front line. With three
starters gone from the unit, the Bruins are trying out a different
formula. Gone are center Mike McCloskey, guard Robert Cleary and
tackle Ed Blanton. The Bruins are replacing the solid veteran
leaders with inexperienced yet powerful blockers with a high
ceiling. Noah Sutherland is slated to start at weakside tackle with
Aleksey Lanis at the strongside. Sutherland, a redshirt junior,
started the final four games of 2005 at strong side tackle in place
of injured Brian Abraham. After spring practice, offensive line
coach Jim Colletto moved Sutherland to the weakside to clear a path
for Lanis at the weakside. Lanis, a 6-foot-6-inch, 316-pound
redshirt freshman, has more potential than perhaps any other Bruin
lineman. “(Lanis) is doing well,” UCLA coach Karl
Dorrell said. “I keep forgetting he’s a redshirt
freshman. He’s very talented, has a lot of upside.” If
and when Ben Olson is named the starting quarterback, Lanis will be
protecting his blind side. It’s a responsibility that he
doesn’t take lightly. “I’ll just have to be on my
toes the whole time,” Lanis said. “(Letting the
quarterback get hit from the blind side is) probably the worst
thing you can do as a lineman.”
BROWN GOES DOWN: Kevin Brown left
Thursday’s practice early, getting carted off the field after
sustaining a right ankle sprain. He was taken to the UCLA medical
center for an MRI. Results will be known on Friday. Brown, a
redshirt junior, missed all of 2005 with a left ankle fracture.
Thursday’s injury was on his “good ankle,” and
the medical staff doesn’t fear it is as bad as past ankle
problems, Dorrell said.
STARTING PAULSEN: Sophomore tight end Logan
Paulsen has assumed the starting job over Ryan Moya, who is
sidelined with a pulled hamstring. “He’s been the last
man standing,” Dorrell said. “He’s taken
advantage of the reps.” Dorrell noted that Paulsen has
quickly developed as a receiver, although he did drop a key pass in
UCLA’s two-minute offense drill on Thursday.
SCRIMMAGE ON SATURDAY: UCLA will hold an
80-play scrimmage at Drake Stadium at 11 a.m. on Saturday. The
scrimmage will be used to decide which freshmen will be kept on the
active roster and which ones will be redshirted, Dorrell said. So
far, the only freshmen who are sure bets to be on the active roster
are tackle Mica Kia, running backs Chane Moline and Jeremy Magee,
and cornerback Alterraun Verner. Verner has been moved up to the
No. 2 defense with an impressive first two weeks of training camp.
He’s pushing Michael Norris for the nickel back job.
EXTRA POINTS: Dorrell said that Ben Olson and
Pat Cowan will evenly split snaps with the first and second team
offense in Saturday’s scrimmage. … Defensive end Nikola
Dragovic returned to practice on Thursday after participating in
only a few drills on Wednesday night. … Defensive tackle Brigham
Harwell is questionable for the scrimmage. End Bruce Davis (groin)
and wide receiver Gavin Ketchum (quad) are likely out for the
scrimmage.