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UCLA Football: 10 Things to Take Note of In Spring Practice

By Michael Chavez

Nov 28, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) throws a pass against the Southern California Trojans during an NCAA football game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. USC defeated UCLA 40-21. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) throws a pass against the Southern California Trojans during an NCAA football game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. USC defeated UCLA 40-21. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 25, 2014; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins defensive back Ishmael Adams (1) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2014; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins defensive back Ishmael Adams (1) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

10 Things, Concluded

8. Ishmael Adams-Ish has long been a fan favorite for his electric punt and kick returns and for making the big play in the back end. However following an arrest and suspension from the team last year he couldn’t quite round back into form. Couple that with all the bigger, talented defensive backs the team has brought in over the past few years and it isn’t a huge surprise that he’s been moved to receiver.

Always dangerous with the ball in his hands, the move helps mitigate some of the pain of losing the top three pass catchers from last year. I’m not saying he is on this level but Polomalu and Tuiasosopo had to endure years of watching the multi-faceted D’Anthony Thomas shred their teams. Perhaps they feel as though they finally get their on version of the “Black Mamba”.

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    • 9. Cordell Broadus-His road to this team is a long and winding one. Originally committing to UCLA in 2015, Broadus then quit the team before fall camp began and decided to pursue film while in Westwood.

    There was a great deal of talk about whether he even loved the game of football or if it was something his father had pushed on him. Blessed with solid size, good hands and deceptive speed, Broadus was good at the game but just didn’t seem to have that fire about it. Coach Mora has allowed him to return to the team this offseason and from all accounts he is doing everything right to prove he wants to play this game as a Bruin.

    If he can develop a rapport with Rosen he could see steady playing time and win over a fanbase that this moment might not fully buy into his contrition.

    10. Toughness-Being heavily interested in the UCLA football program since the Karl Dorrell days, It seemed like the Bruins were always the underdog. They were the gutty little Bruins that were constantly beat up on by bigger, stronger, harder teams.

    That view didn’t change when Rick Neuheisel arrived. I’m not saying those players weren’t tough or that they didn’t play hard but their coaches didn’t inspire that fighting spirit. That all changed when Mora arrived on campus. In his first game as the UCLA head coach they squared off against the Nebraska Cornhuskers and demonstrated a hard edge. At that moment it felt like the program had turned a major corner.

    Last year that edge was dulled. Blame it on injuries or scheme, it felt like the Bruins didn’t have any fight in them. A prime example of that was ASU‘s Kenny Ballage taking a handoff for 23 yards to the house with no fewer than four Bruins on him for 20 of those yards.

    Next: Steven Manfro Is The Man!

    I understand they were trying to strip the ball but not one Bruin could bring him down. Having a good offensive and defensive system and having athletes to run it makes a good team. A great team has an edge. UCLA needs to get theirs back.