UCLA's Spaulding Field Tuesday afternoon
Scott Robinson
It seems when Y Joseph Fauria is of proper health, he will be less focused on messing with the Special Teams. In what is becoming a tradition, Fauria will kick or throw the ST’s practice unit’s ball, as he makes for his warm-up routine.
Fauria, along with fellow Y Darius Bell had a partial day, with pads on during individual drills only to draw down for sprints at the end of practice.
Missing from practice was OG Jeff Baca, out with the flu, and LB’s Patrick Larimore (who has not been seen since his injury) and Jordan Zumwalt.
Also still out of pads were: OT Wade Yandall, OT Torian White, RB Damien Thigpen, RB Malcolm Jones (but ran sprints) and WR Devin Lucien, who left practice early with what Coach Mora called a “tweaked ankle,” or a left ankle sprain.
But back at were LB’s Eric Kendricks, Aaron Wallace and WR Jerry Rice Jr., whose dad was also spotted in attendance. Also along the sidelines was Bruin alum, Marcedes Lewis.
To top it off, half of Loyola High School’s football team was there too.
But apart from the growing glamour, between movie stars and ex-NFLer’s, this particular team is evolving. Now grasping what the coaching staff is throwing at them, the Bruins are in a groove when it comes to drills.
Coach Klemm now interrupts his cohorts a few steps further into their block.
Coach McClure’s unit is tossing around assistants—Legs in air and all.
But the learning curve continues: If its not “up-downs” with the offensive line, then its push-ups with Coach Martin.
When not pleased with DC Marcus Rios’ performance during one 7-on-7, Martin harkened over to the corner: “Gimme 10.”
He might have said 20, I’m not sure.
“Is that your real voice?”
With Petros Papidakas and Matt “Money” Smith at Spaulding, Mora was sure to stop by for a guest appearance on live radio with the Petros and Money Show.
When asked about the sort of team he inherited, Mora was clear to point out what the adjustment is actually about:
“It’s not about changing, it’s just about creating the culture that you want—and that’s an everyday thing.”
Everyday is right.
On the field, though, the Bruins continue to show improvement.
The very basics, like sprinting between drills, are continued through each respective position.
But now Quarterbacks show a grasp of the playbook: moving their offenses, at least to the snap, with ample time on the play clock.
“Let’s go, next guy up”
While there continued to an interception here and there, the group overall appears to show better performances with their receivers.
When it comes to swing routes, the chemistry is apparent between RB Steven Manfro and anytime he touches the football. Manfro continued to cut up around the corner—although most of his highlights came today when he was handed the ball and headed up the middle.
Of the QB’s, snaps were again riddled across the board. Every QB saw time today, although Hundley and Brehaut again looked the best. Hundley had one nice TD toss, hitting WR Tyler Scott over the middle—Although DS Anthony Thompson might have laid him out in full-contact.
On a “3rd and 5,” with Brehaut against the One’s, the QB adjusted to a breaking pocket to hit WR Roosevelt Davis for a first down. The following play, Brehaut delivered a strike to WR Shaquelle Evans, good for six points. Then again, Brehaut rolled to his right and hit Evans for a second consecutive TD.
Prince had a few good moments as well: Delivering a nice ball to WR Jerry Rice Jr. on a beautiful timing route. A moment later, Prince showed some patience in flushing out to his right to find a WR Jerry Johnson hugging the back of the end-zone for a TD.
Swing Men.
Meanwhile, adjustments continue to be made, considering all those in the “Grand Prix” with Coach Sal Alosi. Alosi’s group was seen working on all sorts of conditioning: medicine balls and bikes alike.
Coach Mora on Alosi and his regiment:
“I guarantee you one thing: They’re probably in pretty good shape if they’ve been hurt. So, they don’t stop. They go for two hours, hard. No standing around”
The secondary position has been hit pretty hard with DS Dietrich Riley, DC Andrew Abbott, DC Brandon Sermons and DC Anthony Jefferson (back) all out.
Amidst the void, DS Dalton Hilliard continued on from Saturday, having another stellar showing when running with both the One’s and Two’s.
His highlight of the day came when working against WR Jerry Johnson in a 7-on-7 situation with QB Kevin Prince at the helm.
With what would have been an easy catch and turn as the receiver slanted, Hilliard cleanly batted away the ball from Johnson’s reach.
But the best moment on the defense again came from DS Tevin McDonald.
Again in shell scrimmaging, McDonald batted down a Prince-thrown ball over the middle.
Audible from the end of Parking Lot Six, Mora escalated in praise:
“Nice Tevin… Nice Tevin… NICE TEVIN!”
Also being moved around was the already thin line-backer unit. Seeing time with the first group was OLB Aramide Olaniyan, ILB Damien Holmes, ILB Eric Kendricks and OLB Keenan Graham.
“It’s good for a guy to have position flexibility like that,” said Mora on LB Damien Holmes, “It makes you more valuable.”
Holmes had a good practice, moving inside and seeing time at ILB. Culminating in an interception, Holmes' time at inside will be extremely helpful--Allowing him to see all the moving parts of the line-backing core. Holmes' versatility should definitely help him see time on the field.
On the other side of the ball and with limited offensive-line availability, the One’s consisted of the following group:
LT: Su’a-Filo
LG: Greg Capella
C: Jake Brendel
RG: Alberto Cid
RT: Brett Downey
The focus remains on the guys that are out there.
Skipping on without a missed beat was Coach Mora and his defense. Mirroring the end of practice’s “gassers” (and quite a few, at that), was Mora’s sentiment:
“There’s only one way to practice, in my opinion, and that’s full speed.”
Apparently that includes coaches as well; everyone on the staff, apart from Mora, ran between the sidelines.
At the end, Coach Martin was seen cheating: Leaving early for the other sideline to pace his slow speed with what would be the second, and lapping, group.
Practice Notes:
Remember to ask for players or coaches to report on! Tweet us who you'd like us to cover at @BruinsBall!
Requested Player:
-Kevin McReynolds (Thanks, @PeterNLay): The big lineman shows flashes, but has not shown consistency. During 1-on-1’s, he absolutely blasted through C Tre Hale. But moments later, was stood straight against OT Alexandru Ceachir. Nice thing is that he has a few older lineman to help further his technique—Should only get better.
Defensive Line:
-Sam Tai: Back in pads today—First time in a while. Looks rusty, but should be another big, wide body that should help further with depth. Probably projects behind a few other ends, but is quicker than most—Look for him to bounce back this summer.
-Brandon Tuliaupupu: Another big body on the defensive line. Headed up against OG Greg Capella and beat him quickly in 1-on-1’s. However, had trouble against OT Alexandru Ceachir. His reach is shorter, but he has a strong push off a three-point.
UCLA’s next practice is this Thursday, May 3rd at 3:45PM.
Follow Spring Practice here on BruinsBall.com and Twitter: @BruinsBall
