Pac 10 Preview: UCLA Bruins
August 9th, 2008 by Alex English
The new UCLA regime headlined by Neuheisel wearing the head honcho headset and Norm Chow directing the offense has the makings of a very intriguing fantasy offensive production formula. Unfortunately, those offensive guru’s collective genius won’t be able to overcome a major lack of top flight talent and depth. A rebuilding process will have to be completed before fantasy players will be able to utilize any Bruins.
That depth issue got even worse in Spring when Patrick Cowan, the likely starter, blew an ACL and then his primary competition, Sr. Ben Olson, broke his foot in the same practice. Olson is back to run the show, but this doesn’t have the makings of a high scoring or useful fantasy attack despite the offensive production resumes of the new coaching staff. Olson has the size (6-4, 235 lbs.) and arm to possibly be a pleasant surprise, and he very well may be throwing more than planned while often playing from behind. However, any realistic fantasy optimism here is just what it sounds like… a reach. Junior college transfer, Jr. Kevin Craft will serve as the back-up.
The Bruins do return starting tailback, Sr. Kahlil Bell who posted 142 carries, 795 yards and 5 TDs last season. Despite off-season knee surgery, Bell could perhaps churn out a slight increase in those numbers, but a regression is very possible and the ceiling is short here so watch your head if you are reaching this far for rushing production. Redshirt freshman Raymond Carter has skill but is also coming back from knee surgery while freshman Aundre Dean is a touted runner who could emerge early and develop into the feature Bruin back of more fantasy-friendly UCLA offensive seasons in the future.
The receiving corps is a solid but unspectacular crew that is likely to share Olson’s passes pretty evenly. Sr. Marcus Everett and So. Dominique Johnson are the leading returning wideouts and Jr. Terrence Austin and Fr. Nelson Rosario should be in the mix as well. At 6-4, 202 Rosario is already drawing comparisons to former Bruin JJ Stokes and could emerge along with Dean as the primary future weapons for Neuheisel and Chow.
While Neuheisel landing Chow got most of the headlines and attention amidst the staff reshuffle in LA, the even bigger score may have been being able to keep Defensive Coordinator DeWayne Walker on board. Walker, who’s name is likely on many AD head coaching candidate short lists, will have a hard time replacing All-American D-end Bruce Davis and seven other graduated starters. Despite the turnover, Walker’s D could develop into a solid unit, however, you will want to take a wait and see approach and will still likely only use this D in desperation along with the right match-up. The special teams unit boasts the best fantasy option on the team in return kicker So. Kai Forbath who has top-10 place kicker potential despite the risky offensive production likely holding him back. Forbath was an impressive 25 of 30 last year including 5 of 5 from 50+.
There isn’t much to get excited about from a fantasy perspective this season for LA’s “other” team, but if you are a Bruins fan you can’t wait to see if and when Neuheisel and Chow can turn young guys like Dean and Rosario into fantasy studs.
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