UCLA will showcase its new and hopefully improved team when it
begins its spring practice schedule today.
The spring session will provide the Bruins with an opportunity
to revitalize an offense that was among the worst in the nation
this past season, and begin the talent evaluation process for the
upcoming season.
“There is a lot to be proven and a lot to be done this
spring,” UCLA coach Karl Dorrell said. “We got the
scope of it to develop talent as quickly as we can. I’m sure
our players see this as an opportunity for themselves to climb the
depth chart and to establish themselves in our program.”
One of the central questions to be answered starting with
today’s practice will be the effect of new offensive
coordinator and lineman coach Tom Cable. With an offense that often
struggled to score points this past season, many will be looking to
see what improvements Cable has made after departing from his head
coaching position at the University of Idaho.
Quarterback Drew Olsen ““ who now has complete control of
the position with the departure of quarterback Matt Moore last
December ““ will once again be heading the offense. Coach Karl
Dorrell, along with new quarterback coach Jim Svoboda, will be
looking for Olson to demonstrate the ability to lead offense.
“This biggest thing for him is leadership and knowledge,
but leadership first,” Dorrell said. “I’m looking
for good things from him this spring.”
Also joining Olson on the offensive side will be veterans Craig
Bragg at wide receiver and Marcedes Lewis at tight end, with Manuel
White and last season’s standout freshman Maurice Drew
sharing time at tailback. White sat out the latter half of the past
season with a fractured shoulder blade, but will be able to
practice this month, although he may be limited depending on his
recovery.
Though the skill positions will have experienced leaders, the
depth chart shows relatively unseasoned backups. Furthermore, the
thinnest aspect of the offense will certainly be the offensive line
in which almost every position is up for grabs. With only eight
scholarship players on the offensive line, Cable has yet to set any
starters. These practices represent his first true look at the
athletes, so changes could definitely be made over time.
“In Tom’s mind, he’s going to look at those
guys subjectively,” Dorrell said. “They’re going
in with a blank slate.
“There aren’t many guys you can move around,”
Dorrell continued. “There will be plenty of competition but
not many guys you can move around much. There are some positions on
the offensive line where there are only two deep in the depth
charts, and that’s all you have on your team.”
The defense also suffers with the departure of most of the
senior linemen, along with cornerback Matt Ware’s early exit
to the NFL. The coaching staff will be looking to see who is able
to step up to fill the void left by the absent seniors who forged
one of UCLA’s strongest units this past season.
Overall though, now that the Bruins have a full year of
experience with Dorrell at the helm, the coach expects to see
improvements in several areas.
“This is an exciting time at UCLA, and I know our kids are
excited to get going,” Dorrell said.