<img src="http://128.97.251.217:8080/img/photos/2007/07/22/howard_t820.jpg" /><br><br>
E-mail Howard at ahoward@media.ucla.edu
Here are some interesting notes from practice today.
– Throughout training camp, coach Rick Neuheisel always said that while he liked the progress the team was making, he felt they weren’t quite ready for Tennessee. Well with two days until the Bruins take the field, Neuheisel said that the focus he wants is very close.
"You could tell that they sense something exciting is about to happen. It’s fun to be around them when they feel like that. I thought we got a lot accomplished…I think that it is just a mental game. The physical work is primarily done. We’ll get one more day tomorrow, but the focus is very close to where I want it."
An encouragement for Bruin fans.
– Neuheisel said that one of the worries going into training camp is making sure that the players have fresh legs for the first game of the season and aren’t tired physically. He said that he saw "sparks of a freshness today that I know will only get better closer to game time. So I feel like we’re on course."
– Neuheisel said that the running game is going to be very important for the Bruins on Monday, especially with the inexperienced Kevin Craft under center. What a consistent running game does is make the defense play more one-safety packages, which opens up the passing lanes and makes it easier for the receivers to get open. The major running responsibility will fall on Kahlil Bell.
– When asked what the Tennessee defense does best, Neuheisel said speed and the ability to change direction. Tennessee DB’s Eric Berry and Demetrice Morley give the Volunteers great playmaking ability. The UCLA offensive line will need to watch out for DE’s Robert Ayers and Ben Martin.
– An official word on whether or not Micah Kia will get the start at left tackle on Monday will come tomorrow, Neuheisel told a reporter that "it would be a good hedge on your part to say that Micah will be in the lineup." Kia broke his left hand last week.
Stay tuned for more coverage.
<hr>Related Daily Bruin sports stories<br>
UCLA beats Tennessee in overtime| Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Craft brings back game in second half| Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Hold your highest hopes for next year | Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Starting off anew| Monday, August 25, 2008
Freshman Rahim Moore on secondary| Monday, August 25, 2008
Gators likely to take national championship| Monday, August 25, 2008
Reggie Carter is ready to rumble| Monday, August 25, 2008
Kahlil Bell’s new knee is crucial to Bruin running game| Monday, August 25, 2008
Who’s who on this year’s team?| Monday, August 25, 2008
Kevin Craft named starting quarterback| Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Quarterbacks vie for starting spot| Monday, August 18, 2008
Scrimmage shows strong defense| Monday, August 18, 2008<hr>