UCLA NOTEBOOK: NO LACK OF SPIRIT DURING DRILLS : TOLEDO HAS TO CALM TEAM DOWN AT TIMES.Byline: Jon Wilner Daily News Staff Writer One week of training camp down, one week to go, and here's what UCLA knows: Enthusiasm is high. Almost too high, in fact. Coach Bob Toledo has interrupted practice several times to lecture the Bruins on uncontrolled aggression (i.e.: contact during non-contact drills). Emotions are especially high on defense, where nine starting positions are open. The tailback concerns are abating. Jermaine Lewis, Keith Brown and DeShaun Foster have played well enough to ease Toledo's worries about replacing Skip Hicks. ``We have three guys who are ready to play, but we can't afford many injuries,'' he said. Jason Bell and Marques Anderson are a step ahead of the pack at cornerback. They entered camp as the starters and are holding steady. Damian Allen, Ryan Roques and true freshman Julius Williams are the challengers. ``Williams is making strides,'' Toledo said. ``We're going to take a good, hard look at him.'' There is quality depth at linebacker, with 10 players seemingly ready to contribute, but only one established performer, Brendan Ayanbadejo. Nagging injuries have slowed Michael Wiley and Ramogi Huma, former reserves expected to start. Ayanbadejo aside, Tony White appears the best bet to contribute consistently. The defensive line has two established players: ends Kenyon Coleman and Pete Holland. Sophomore nose guard Micah Webb has improved and is No. 1 for now. Freshman Ken Kocher Ko·cher (kô k r, -![]() r), Emil Theodor 1841-1917., whose combination of size (290 pounds) and mobility is unprecedented in UCLA history, suffered a bruised/sprained ankle Wednesday. He is listed as day-to-day but probably will not scrimmage today. Kocher is one of three massive, highly touted freshman defensive linemen. Anthony Fletcher (293 pounds) may play; no decision has been made. But Sean Phillips (280 pounds) is expected to redshirt. ``He's going to be a heck of a player, but today he's not ready,'' Toledo said of Phillips. Going at it: The Bruins will scrimmage (closed to the public) this afternoon at Spaulding Field. It's a controlled scrimmage, meaning all plays are prearranged and several starters - quarterback Cade McNown and safety Larry Atkins, for instance - will participate only for a few minutes. Three positions of interest are tailback, free safety and inside linebacker. CAPTION(S): Photo Photo: LEWIS |
|
||||||||||||||

k
r, -
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion