Short, sweet in San Bernardino
UCLA won’t leave San Bernardino until Saturday, but several players have already rendered a verdict on holding one week of training camp in the desert instead of the usual two.
“I think the way they did it this year was awesome,” linebacker Kenny Young said Friday.
The team started camp last week with six days of practice in Westwood before venturing east. Coach Jim Mora said it would prevent players from conserving energy to make it through two weeks in the heat.
That appears to be the way it has played out. Practices have been high-energy and intense, even during two-a-day sessions.
“That week in Westwood was good to get our minds ready for camp and getting back to practicing before we head out here and feel the heat and stuff,” linebacker Cameron Judge said. “I felt like we came into San Bernardino more prepared than ever to attack it better than ever.
“The energy, the attitude, everybody’s ready to work every day. I just feel the morale of the team is higher than it has been in recent years.”
Temperatures during the Friday morning practice never exceeded 81 degrees. Young said it was so comfortable that it felt like the team was back in Westwood.
UCLA also appears to have avoided any fallout from the nearby Blue Cut fire, though Young joked that it might have been nice if the wind had blown some of the smoke toward San Bernardino to cancel practice.
On the plus side, the Bruins already had halved their usual time here.
“Two weeks in San Bernardino,” Young said, “it’s like, man, I don’t think I’m going to make it to the season because you’re so tired.”
Universal appeal
There could be an unexpected beneficiary of the Bruins’ revamped offense: the Bruins’ defense.
Young said the more physically punishing offense was preparing the defense better to face opponents that pummeled UCLA last season.
“I’m glad it happened, because I don’t want to lose to Nebraska again if we ever play them or a team like Nebraska,” Young said, referring to the Bruins’ foe in the Foster Farms Bowl. “It’s time to beat Stanford this year, so I’m glad we’re making the changes we’re making.”
Voices carry
It’s almost felt like the Bruins have had an extra assistant coach at practices this week.
A booming voice from an observer sitting atop a hill has carried across the fields, commenting on nearly every play.
“Come on, Josh!” the man yelled Friday morning at quarterback Josh Rosen. “Make it count, baby! Make it count!”
Young said players chuckled about the boisterous commands during walk-throughs. But they didn’t want to laugh too hard.
“That’s somebody’s dad,” Young said. “I said, ‘Who’s dad is that?’ and everybody puts their head down because they don’t want to admit it.”
Young joked that the player related to the man waited until all of his teammates went inside after practice before coming back out to talk to him.
“It’s great energy,” Young said. “It helps with the fun of camp.”
Quick hits
Defensive line coach Angus McClure said defensive tackle Eddie Vanderdoes was back to full strength after a nearly yearlong absence caused by a torn knee ligament. “His hand speed, his foot speed have really increased,” McClure said. “He’s really ballistic off the line of scrimmage.” … Defensive end Jacob Tuioti-Mariner was expected to rejoin the team after being treated with antibiotics for appendicitis.… Receiver Alex Van Dyke and defensive end Takkarist McKinley practiced after being limited Thursday by groin injuries.