Spring Is a Time for Job-Hunting

Scott McEwan isn’t sure he’ll be able to watch his former UCLA teammates in the fall. A Bruin reserve quarterback the last five years, he is close to signing a contract with the British Columbia Lions and doesn’t know whether he’ll have the necessary cable channels in Vancouver.

So he’s getting his fill by attending UCLA spring practices. And he considers himself filled in.

“It is real interesting watching the scrimmages,” McEwan said. “We have a lot of holes because we had so many seniors, but I think we’ll be all right.”

About half of the 23 seniors have been cut-and-pasted from UCLA to NFL rosters as draft picks or free agents. Others, such as McEwan, have sought playing opportunities elsewhere.

All left voids viewed as opportunities by the current squad.

“There are a lot of guys fighting for jobs and most of the battles will continue in the fall,” Coach Bob Toledo said.

Although no single player increased his stock the way running back Manuel White did last spring with a devastating performance, many have gradually gained the attention of the coaching staff, which returns intact.

The progress of several players has been slowed because of injury, the latest a broken right hand suffered by cornerback Ricky Manning Jr. Safeties Matt Ware and Ben Emmanuel, guard Shane Lehman, center John Ream and receivers Ryan Smith and Craig Bragg also missed all or part of spring workouts.

Also, defensive back Chad Rogers, a transfer from Air Force projected as a backup, was dismissed from the team this week.

A breakdown:

* Offensive backfield: Cory Paus entered the spring in a swirl of uncertainty caused by his short stint in jail for a drunk driving conviction and a thumb injury that plagued him last season. He has taken charge in the huddle and thrown the ball reasonably well, although occasionally he is off-target with the shortest, seemingly easiest passes.

John Sciarra, a freshman who redshirted last season, has displayed an improved arm. Freshmen Matt Moore of Hart High and Drew Olson of Piedmont will join the team in the fall, although Moore attended most spring workouts in street clothes.

White and Akil Harris, who shared the tailback position after starter DeShaun Foster was suspended for the last four games, again are about even. White is stronger; Harris is shiftier. Three redshirt freshmen--Tyler Ebell, Wendell Mathis and Jason Harrison--all ran well in spring scrimmages.

Pat Norton and Ray Cassaday are the fullbacks, filling holes left by seniors Matt Stanley and Ed Ieremia-Stansbury.

* Receiver: Big-play threats Tab Perry and Bragg continue to improve and have been joined by another wideout with great speed--Junior Taylor, a freshman who was ineligible last season. The dependable Smith missed spring because of ankle surgery and will be ready in the fall.

Tight end is a position of strength. Senior Mike Seidman was a frequent target during spring scrimmages. Keith Carter is an able back-up and blue-chip freshman Marcedes Lewis of Long Beach Poly High comes in during the fall.

* Offensive line: Once center is resolved this should be the strength of the offense. Tackles Mike Saffer and Bryce Bohlander and guards Eyoseph Efseaff and Shane Lehman return.

Paul Mociler, a reserve at tackle and guard last season, moved to center during the spring because Ream is injured. Mike McCloskey has been the most impressive among five freshmen who redshirted last season.

* Defensive line: This was the Bruins’ deepest position last season, so despite the loss of seniors Kenyon Coleman, Ken Kocher and Anthony Fletcher--all of whom will be in NFL camps--plenty of talent remains.

Mat Ball has moved to end after spending last season at outside linebacker and is joined by his twin, Dave, a starter last season, and solid reserves Asi Faoa and Rusty Williams.

Rodney Leisle was dominant during the spring and could be an All-American candidate at tackle. He is joined by veterans Sean Phillips, Steve Morgan and impressive junior college transfer Ryan Boschetti.

* Linebackers: All-American Robert Thomas, a first-round draft pick of the St. Louis Rams, left a huge hole in the middle. Marcus Reese, a versatile reserve last season, gets first crack at replacing him, but ultimately could move to the weakside, where departed senior Ryan Nece left another void.

Brandon Chillar was a pleasant surprise at strongside linebacker last season and is the only sure thing on the unit. Senior Audie Attar is the front-runner at weakside and redshirt sophomore Tim Warfield is a good run-stopper who can play the middle or strongside.

* Secondary: Despite concerns about his durability, Ware has moved from cornerback to free safety. Emmanuel, who played well in abbreviated stints last season, takes over at strong safety.

Opposite Manning at cornerback will be Joe Hunter or Matt Clark, who spent the spring in a fierce battle.

* Special teams: Punter Nate Fikse and kicker Chris Griffith are back. Toledo placed more emphasis than normal on special teams in spring practice because kick coverage and punt returns were weak points last season.

The absence of turnover in the coaching staff should be a plus. Phil Snow will begin his second year as defensive coordinator and Kelly Skipper his second year as offensive coordinator and play caller.

The Bruins lack a marquee name such as Foster or Thomas and perhaps will miss some senior leadership, but McEwan has noticed a more cohesive attitude.

“Everybody seems to be excited and on the same page,” he said. “There isn’t anybody out there for their own best interests. Everybody is there for the team.”