UCLA Football Media Day II: "There are no excuses this season."

"Coach [DeWayne] Walker is the best coach I have ever been around. We take after him and are never satisfied."

That’s returning cornerback Trey Brown on the attitude of what is expected to be a very strong UCLA defense in 2007. Ten starters return, minus only defensive end Justin Hickman and there is already a deep group in line to take over.

"[Nikola] Dragovic will take Justin Hickman's spot," said Bruin defensive line coach Todd Howard, who also noted that "Tom Blake is an outstanding pass rusher. I expect those two to have the same production from that position as Hickman." Not bad.

Howard’s projected line-up for the rest of the front four includes "Kevin Brown and Brigham Harwell at defensive tackle and Jerzy (Siewierski) is a helluva athlete. Chase Moline, Jess Ward, Brian Price, David Carter, and Darius Savage provide us with depth. [Chinonso] Anwanyu and Korey Bosworth will battle to back up Bruce Davis [at the other end]."

Harwell was complimented by other players for his focus over the summer. "We want to improve even more," he said. "My season really took off during the Oregon State game [last year]; I knew I was not playing as well as I could and I had to get it going. I am ready to go this year from the start. We still want to stop the run first and then get after the quarterback. If we stop the run, the pass D will take care of itself. We are solid up front and believe in the system."

Blake is a transfer from UC Davis who simply found he was too good not to be playing at a higher level. Observers who saw him play for Davis predict he will make a considerable contribution to UCLA’s success right away.

Sophomore Siewierski was, like the rest of the defensive players, resolute in his optimism for the coming season: "Coach Walker and Howard are players' coaches and they teach you a lot. I think our D will be improved over last year."

That view was universally shared as was this comment from Brown: "We have worked very hard this summer and there are no excuses this season."

Comments

[Derek Lipkin]

Was Todd Howard kidding about Nikola Dragovic? Or is Nikola bringing the collegiate multi-sport athlete back into style? Or maybe all of Howland's verbal abuse made football sound like a better prospect than basketball for Dragovic?

Or wait ... are there TWO Dragovics?! We need clarification!

[Derek Lipkin]

Was Todd Howard kidding about Nikola Dragovic? Or is Nikola bringing the collegiate multi-sport athlete back into style? Or maybe all of Howland's verbal abuse made football sound like a better prospect than basketball for Dragovic?

Or wait ... are there TWO Dragovics?! We need clarification!

[JuniperTodd]

I heard the Bruin's football team theme song "Right here, Right now" on the radio yesterday. The opening piano solo brought me back to the Rose Bowl. When I got home, my season tickets were in the mailbox. Magical!

[Peter]

There are two Dragovics. This one started at DE in 2005 before getting injured.

[Dale Cowart]

It is great to see my Bruins getting metally prepared for this season by eliminating an escapte hatch of excuses in preparation for the season. There has to be high expectations and the execution of excellence to be the champion when it is all said and done. Beating USC last season was only a small taste of what this team should be experiencing, so let's get 'er done and make us proud men.