LOS ANGELES - UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel laughed, tossing out an isn't-that-an-understatement chuckle when asked whether losing yet another offensive line was overly concerning.
"We're past overly concerned," Neuheisel said. "On the Ouija Board of concern, we passed 'overly.' "
So ended another day of musical offensive line for the Bruins.
Junior tackle Micah Kia was out, having suffered a broken left hand during Tuesday's practice. Freshman lineman Jeff Baca was scheduled to have an MRI exam on his left knee Wednesday. Tackle Mike Harris did not participate, as he is still recovering from a high-ankle sprain.
The Bruins were inexperienced on the offensive line - Kia and center Micah Reed were the only linemen to play in a game last season - to begin with. Now they are inexperiencedand injured.
The bumps and dings include Nate Chandler, a tight end turned tackle who sat out three days because of turf toe, and guard Scott Glicksberg, a converted tight end who is still bothered by a sore shoulder.
"I had this experience in the NFL, where you can go into a game with seven linemen sometimes," offensive line coach Bob Palcic said.
"I remember coaching in the Canadian League and going into one game with six guys. That one substitute had to know all the positions.
"That prepared me tremendously for what is going on here now. I'm shuffling a lot guys around, making sure they know all the positions. That's why I don't get quite as nervous at it, as a lot of people do."
Besides, Palcic said, "We have 12 days and I'm going to be living with these kids."
The bright side?
Harris is expected to return to practice Monday. And Jess Ward could return to practice Monday as well, giving the Bruins a defensive tackle who is being asked to play offensive line for the first time in his college career, but hasn't been able to practice while recovering from knee surgery.
Asked whether he had thought of backing off practice because of the injuries, Neuheisel said, "That would certainly be an option. But if you stop being physical, you stop giving yourself a chance to play, because it is going to be a physical game. I can call (Tennessee coach) Phil Fulmer and ask if we could just play touch. I don't think he'll go for it."
Center of attention: Reed, the most experienced lineman with Kia out, pushed the positive outlook after practice, despite the fact that he has had different guards lining up next to him almost daily.
"When I heard Micah went down, I was concerned at first," Reed said. "But we went through one-on-one drills and Brandon Bennett was really stepping it up. I'm pretty excited about that. If he didn't have a good practice, I'd be a little frightened."
Others were remaining relentlessly optimistic.
"I think our offensive line is fine," tailback Kahlil Bell said. "Anyone watching practice today, saw the offense dominated."
Quick kicks: Linebacker Reggie Carter, safety Glenn Love, tight end Logan Paulsen and defensive back E.J. Woods, who have been out with concussions, returned to practice. . . . Linebacker Kyle Bosworth (strained groin), linebacker Patrick Larimore (back spasms) and defensive back Andrew Abbott (knee) sat out practice. . . . Wide receiver Gavin Ketchum has mononucleosis and will miss the season opener.
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Comments » 25
jasonn1970 writes:
Wow, UCLA is really hurting on the OL.
And for everyone who gets so excited about it:
I'm First!!
Phowell23 writes:
Great, now they can really say "one reason you beat us was we had so many injuries, otherwise we would have killed you".
Moaninglikeheck writes:
Hahahaha, he said he wants to ask Phil if he wants to play "touch". Too funny.
Volchaz writes:
This is crazy. Whatever we do out there, don't drink the water, apparently is causes injuries..lol. I hope Rick gives Phil a call, and ask him about playing touch. Let me think about it.....no.....
GoVol writes:
The only touch we'll play will be 'touchdown' Tennessee!!
reelvol writes:
I sure hope our players aren't reading these articles. Impossible not to become a little over confident hearing about all the strugles in Bruin land. My favortie is that the offense dominated even with all the line injuries - that sounds good for the abilty of the VOls to establish the run!
Don't forget - this is a major PAC 10 power and California produces plenty of talent. I have no doubt they will field a team full of talented players.
MrBamSeydu writes:
GoVol: That joke set off my nerd alert, brother.
If we lose to UCLA, I predict 7-5 for us because that would just be pitiful with their injuries and the fact that we return so many starters.
SemperVol writes:
reelvol-
I hope his own players don't read these articles. I mean the man sounds like he's on the verge of losing his mind. First season woes have driven this man to the ouija board.
But we gotta remember (to echo your comments) there is plenty of talent and all these GVX articles they post are to intentionally arouse our emotions and trigger debate, smack talk, and other shenanigans.
Touch football...Ricky, you card, you.
Ralph_Crampton writes:
Don't beleive all that coach talk Rick is putting out...bruins big problem is sorting out the newcomers who could be sensational..Why not? UCLA is in the middle of top high school players in country...ready to go. Yes, they have more talent than any other state...Fla., Texas, Pa., Ohio, have top notch talent..but not as many studs as Southern California area. This is psychological warfare.
OakyVol09 writes:
sjt,
I was thinking the same thing when reading about how well our D-line is doing against the O-line. Are O-line is experienced and will be very good. And to say that are D-line is making strides against them is very encouraging. And if the O-line is having to play hard against the D-line, it will only make them better during the season. It is a win-win. GO Vols.
Orangebrewbasher writes:
They gotta bunch of Cottams out there or what?
rbut5252#220065 writes:
are the Bruins just practicing that hard or are they just frail?.....We'll find out I'll guess on September 1
givehim6 writes:
OK,a challenge for our defence. UT first shut out of the year. There O-line well be eather playing hurt or inexperienced, so easy to put presser on there QB. I think he's pron to throw wild, Mortly,and Berry will handle that. There line may not be able to open up the running lanes for them. So I see a chance for a shut out.
cybervol writes:
I suspect that they are dominating third and fourth stringers in practice. I don't expect to see a poor defense. That said, the Vols should roll it up. BIG TIME!
GatorHater326 writes:
If we dont dominate this game... we have serious problems but it could also give our D a much needed confidence boost if we do. High scoring beat down and no one cares ... close game and we'll still be disrespected due to all the injuries ... we need to blow this one away
pdhuff#552644 writes:
bigfan502 - 12:04 - It appears that is exactly what Rick N. is doing. I imagine they will be ready.
And fast.
DC_Vol writes:
Everytime, I read a new article about the UCLA game, I hear yet another injury to a UCLA player. According to all of these injuries, we should have a distinct advantage and win the game big. However, for some reason I feel like RN is allowing us to feel over confident for this game and maybe this game cold represent a trap if we don't come with our A game.
I have to say Craft worries me a little. Everyone knows including Rick N that our strength is the secondary not the defensive line. Craft is a running QB which allow UCLA to exploit the weakest part of our defense the defensive line. I believe RN will have this kid running boot legs, QB play action keepers up the middle of the field and the option. I don't think RN will let this kid throw downfield or across the middle into the strength of secondary. Instead, he will have him throw short safe screens or very short passes accross the middle which could prove to be a headache for our defense. Our DL better be ready for this strategy otherwise this could be a long day for us. I beleive this game will be closer than people think. I do believe we should win this game! Go VOLS!!!!
Hey sjt18 what is your analysis, you always have good insight.
jasonn1970 writes:
If this one isn't somewhere in the neighborhood of 30-0 it could signal problems down the road.
Ralph_Crampton writes:
c'mon 18...Don't add to the illusions the UCLA coaching staff is handing us...I alway respect your opinions...The Bruins will field a quick. athletic running team with a lot option plays. We will be in for the fight of our Volunteer lives in that furnace like heat. We have been surprised out there many times and usually get off to a terrible start out there. Playing in Calif., has been our waterloo time and time again. Our fans sound just like they did last year Cal game when we were blitzed out of the game in first few minutes.
BSweet writes:
I'm not surprised to hear the O is dominating the D in practice. Coach Neuheisel's probably been in their ears telling them to stop breaking his O players. I think CRN may be touched in the head right now, but I love that line about calling Fulmer and seeing if they can make it a game of touch, lol. They might not like how hard Berry and company "touch" them. Hopefully all these injuries don't lead to the Vols being overconfident. They need to keep their wits and play their game. It'll be interesting to see if we get a big lead whether or not Clawson plays some of the younger guys to get them some experience. I am so ready for the season! Go Vols!
TommyJack writes:
Don't be duped by the theory that RN is trying to dupe us.
magicbyswh#221420 writes:
Don't believe everything you read
gohawks1 writes:
Man, these guys can't catch a break. Their locker room must be starting to look like the hospital emergency room on a Saturday night.
gnm53108 writes:
Hate it for em.
Tennessee just needs to remember...
When the game or breaks go with you,dont let up,put on more steam!
mthicks1#289742 writes:
What a great country we live in...I mean here we all are sitting on our fat butts dreaming of yet another perfect National Championship Type Season. With our beloved Vols going out to Hollywood (I was raised in Polk County from East Tennessee and geography has never been a strong suit of mine. So Pasedena is close to Hollywood. So I'll just say Hollywood.) and boy can't we all come up with a great script for a movie. Reloading Vols go to the Golden State (near Hollywood) and kick some Baby Blue Butt...But wait isn't this the same thing we said last year...Didn't we go out to the Left Coast just last year and get our fannies whipped, smoked, embarassed and pretty much afterwards was a laughing stock for at least the first half of the season? My..My...how soon we forget...I hope Fulmer & Co. have shown the team that debacle from Berkeley last year...For those of us who can remember last year remember ABC was doing that feature on the "Tree Huggers" and then the ball got kicked..well then shortly thereafter we got ours kicked...Hopefully Fulmer & Co. are not reading any of their press clippings and are not worrying about the injuries for UCLA. Remember UCLA will probably be the second best team in the PAC 10 second only to you know who...USC..The best team money can buy west of the Dallas Cowboys...I know I am getting long winded...Back to my screen play...Remember Sept. 1989...Remember John Ward say, "Mccraw, Myslinski, Fisher, Still and Davis...That was that incredible offensive line in 1989 when we went to Hollywood and played Terry Donohue's Baby Blue Clan UCLA Bruins who were ranked in the top 10 and ABC had spent most of the summer touting as a possible National Title Contender. With that great offensive line and the infamous John Ward doing the play by play...Remember Reggie Cobb of Knoxville Central..Remember Chuckie Webb of Toledo, OH?...Anyway its nice to dream occasionaly...I just hope Fulmer & Co. and the 30,000 Vol Nation Joan Croan says are going to be in attendance at the Rose Bowl are all ready to roll. It would be great for the Good Guys in the Orange to come back with a "W"..We all remember what happened 10 years ago when we went to upstate New Your and eeked out a win at the Carrier Dome. Go Vols...Its nice to dream.
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