• printer friendly
• mail this article
• iPod format
• digg

Photo

Defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker uses NFL experience to energize players.

When the Bruin defense left the field last season for the final time, Bruin fans gasped a sigh of relief. Too many times had the Bruins given up touchdown after touchdown with no response. After the season, coach Karl Dorrell decided a change was needed. “It was a very hard decision for me to make,” Dorrell said at the time. “At this time, I felt it was in the best interest of the program to make a change.” A change they made. Dorrell replaced former defensive coordinator Larry Kerr, a fun-loving guy whose emphasis was on containment, with DeWayne Walker, an aggressive assistant coach who spent two seasons coaching for the Washington Redskins. Walker, who spent nine years coaching in college before going to the NFL, came to UCLA with one goal in mind. “I came here to get these guys to play hard, and aggressive,” Walker said. “As a defensive coach, you have to get your guys to play with a little attitude and swagger.” Since Walker joined the Bruin coaching staff in early February, there has been a noticeable change in the players. The players are working harder in the weight room and appear to be more lively on the practice field. “The guys are excited to be out there,” Dorrell said. “The guys know that all the spots are up for grabs, and they are all going to have to earn that position.” At least some of that influence comes from Walker. Walker brings a background in the NFL to the Bruins and that no-nonsense approach has quite an effect on the Bruins. This week in practice, the Bruins spent extra time working on the fundamentals: tackling and swarming for the ball. “We are trying to be a smarter and more hard-working defense,” Walker said. “I’m trying to get the guys to buy into our philosophy.” Walker, only one month into the job, has one goal for the rest of spring. “I want the players to have made enough progress, so that when they come back to training camp in August, they’re ready to make an impact on this football program again.”

POSITION CHANGES: Two new players will be changing positions on the defense next season. One is veteran Bruce Davis, who has played a variety of positions while at UCLA, and the other is redshirt freshman Aaron Ware. While Davis seemed to adjust quite easily to his move from linebacker to defensive end, Ware has had some problems moving from cornerback to safety. “He is still adjusting, but he’ll be fine,” Walker said. “There are differences in the position that he’ll learn with time. He is just a freshman.” QUICK KICKS: Cornerback Byron Velega has decided to transfer from the program, but will stay in school until the end of winter quarter, and then decide his destination afterwards. Linebacker Robert Kibble has also been recently hospitalized with a case of Multiple Sclerosis. It is uncertain when Kibble will return to the team.