CUPBOARD NOT BARE FOR BRUINS; MCNOWN, EIGHT TO RETURN ON OFFENSE.Byline: Jon Wilner Daily News Staff Writer Reality struck UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX quarterback Cade McNown Cade McNown (born January 12 1977 in Portland, Oregon) is a quarterback who played in the National Football League. He attended played college football at the University of California, Los Angeles. like a blind-side tackle. Watching the 1997 seniors on stage at the team banquet in early December, McNown leaned over to Jim McElroy's father, James, and voiced a concern that will resonate for eight months. ``Wow, all those guys are leaving?'' On stage, Jim McElroy James Charles McElroy, Jr. (born October 4, 1953 in Cotton Plant, Arkansas) is an American former professional basketball player. A 6'3" guard from Central Michigan University, McElroy played in the National Basketball Association from 1975 to 1982 as a member of the New gazed to his left. He saw Shaun Williams Shaun LeJon Williams (born October 10, 1976 in Oakland, California) is a former American football safety, most recently for the Carolina Panthers, of the NFL. Williams attended Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino, California and played both tailback and safety. , Chad Overhauser and Skip Hicks Brian "Skip" LaVell Hicks (born October 13, 1974 in Corsicana, Texas) is a former American football running back in the NFL. In his four seasons, Hicks played for the Washington Redskins and the Tennessee Titans. - a trio of all-Americans who won't be back. Then he looked to his right and saw Damon Smith, Jeff Ruckman and Weldon Forde - the starting defensive line. They aren't coming back, either. ``I saw a lot of guys who contributed all leaving,'' McElroy said, himself included. ``It's time It's Time was a successful political campaign run by the Australian Labor Party (ALP) under Gough Whitlam at the 1972 election in Australia. Campaigning on the perceived need for change after 23 years of conservative (Liberal Party of Australia) government, Labor put forward a for the younger guys.'' In all, the Bruins lose 11 starters - three offensive, eight defensive. They lose Hicks, a 1,000-yard rusher; Overhauser, a three-year starter at offensive tackle who anchored what was arguably UCLA's best unit; the entire defensive line; linebackers Brian Willmer and Danjuan Magee, whose late-season performance earned him all-conference honors; steady cornerback Javelin Guidry; Williams, their all-everything safety; and defensive coordinator Rocky Long. They won't be easily replaced. But before slotting UCLA for a second-tier finish in the Pacific-10 Conference next season, consider who is returning: eight offensive starters, including McNown, a likely preseason Heisman Trophy contender. ``If we are going to be a top-10 team, it starts with the quarterback,'' coach Bob Toledo said. ``We can't be one dimensional. You can't expect to run the ball and win all your football games. When we play people of high caliber, you have to be able to run the ball and throw it.'' McNown should have plenty of protection: three offensive line starters and the top-two reserves are back. He should have plenty of receivers: three tight ends and four receivers return, including speedy redshirt freshman Freddie Mitchell. ``I can't say enough about that guy,'' McElroy said. The concern is tailback. Are Jermaine Lewis and Keith Brown ready for a full load? Can either extend UCLA's streak of 1,000-yard rushers to five, or will the Bruins turn to a freshman? They are recruiting two of the nation's best, Notre Dame High's Justin Fargas and Tustin's DeShaun Foster. ``There's no question we'll be as good,'' offensive coordinator Al Borges said. ``I don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. if we'll get as many turnovers or throw as few interceptions. They may not be exactly the same numbers. But there's no reason we can't do the same things we did. We have established systems, and I can't say enough about how important that is.'' What of the defense? Maligned ma·lign tr.v. ma·ligned, ma·lign·ing, ma·ligns To make evil, harmful, and often untrue statements about; speak evil of. adj. 1. Evil in disposition, nature, or intent. 2. early, it was winning games by season's end. But replacing eight starters and the coordinator is daunting daunt tr.v. daunt·ed, daunt·ing, daunts To abate the courage of; discourage. See Synonyms at dismay. [Middle English daunten, from Old French danter, from Latin . Its strength will be the secondary, with Larry Atkins, Eric Whitfield and Marques Marques may refer to:
The line and linebackers might be used in committee, especially if sophomore-to-be defensive tackle Kenyon Coleman doesn't emerge as an impact player. Another name to watch is recruit Robert Thomas, who committed two weeks ago and might be the best high school linebacker in the nation. If he's that good, he'll play immediately. Even if the players in '98 are as good as those of '97, there's no guarantee the Bruins will recapture the intangibles. Will the defense force 39 turnovers, as it did this season? Will McNown replicate his nearly flawless season? Can the young defensive line forge into a solid run-stopping unit, as this year's did? Toledo pushed all the right psychological buttons this year - throwing the players out of practice before Texas, dressing the scouts in purple before Washington. Will he do it again? UCLA's 0-2 start created the conditions for the 10-game winning streak. Like a slingshot (networking, business, tool, product, protocol) Slingshot - CSK Software's real time financial server for the Internet. Slingshot allows the delivery of real time market data across the Internet and private intranets quickly, cheaply and securely. , the Bruins needed initial resistance to attain maximum velocity maximum velocity n. 1. The maximum rate of an enzymatic reaction that can be achieved by progressively increasing the substrate concentration. 2. , then they spent four months in a zone of supreme confidence and cohesion, where a 105-man team played and thought as one, with no jealousies, no rivalries, no cliques. Can they recapture what cannot be seen? It's not always about off-tackle runs and safety blitzes. ``If I had to make a prediction for next year, I'd put us and USC An abbreviation for U.S. Code. at the top,'' McElroy said. ``Both teams had a lot of young players. The cross-town rivalry may be for the Pac-10 title.'' PROJECTED 1998 STARTERS Quarterback: Cade McNown Tailback: Jermaine Lewis/Keith Brown Fullback: Craig Walendy Receivers: Danny Farmer/Brad Melsby/Brian Poli-Dixon Tight End: Mike Grieb Offensive line: Kris Farris, Brian Polak, Andy Meyers, Oscar Cabrera, Shawn Stuart Defensive line: Kenyon Coleman, Pete Holland, Micah/Josh Webb Linebackers: Brendan Ayanbadejo, Michael Wiley, Ramogi Huma/Tony White Defensive backs: Marques Anderson, Jason Bell, Eric Whitfield, Larry Atkins, Tod McBride/Jason Stephens Punter/kicker: Chris Sailer Sail´er n. 1. A sailor. 2. A ship or other vessel; - with qualifying words descriptive of speed or manner of sailing; as, a heavy sailer; a fast sailer s>. CAPTION(S): Photo, Box PHOTO UCLA's Cade McNown should enter 1998 season as a Heisman Trophy candidate with more leadership responsibility. Associated Press BOX: PROJECTED 1998 STARTERS (see text) |
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